Overview
This lecture provides a comprehensive overview of Philippine literary history, outlining key periods from pre-colonial times to the 21st century and highlighting major forms, themes, and influences in each era.
Timeline of Philippine Literature
- Pre-colonial period (before 1565): literature existed in oral and written forms like folk tales, epics, and songs.
- Spanish era (1566–1871): literature focused on religious and secular writings; Roman alphabet replaced the native one.
- Period of Enlightenment (1872–1898): intellectuals wrote to inspire patriotism and reform through the Propaganda Movement.
- American period (1898–1941): English language and Western literary styles were introduced; Filipino writers gained prominence.
- Japanese period (1941–1945): Literature in English was banned; poetry forms like haiku and tanaga thrived.
- Period of activism and new society (1970–1980): literature reflected political unrest and calls for reform.
- Martial law and new republic (1981 onward): literary themes included freedom, love, and social realities.
- Post-EDSA (1986–1999): rebirth of freedom in literature, with wider use of Filipino languages and new media.
- 21st century (2001–present): innovation and ICT integration shape contemporary Philippine literature.
Forms and Themes in Literary Periods
- Pre-colonial: folk tales, epics, and folk songs depicted daily life, gods, and society.
- Spanish era: religious prose, European legends, and new theater forms (e.g., zarzuela).
- Enlightenment: patriotic essays and novels, notably by Jose Rizal and Marcelo del Pilar.
- American era: adoption of English in literature, with writers like Jose Garcia Villa.
- Japanese era: short-form poetry and themes of faith and nationalism.
- Activism & new society: literature expressed dissent and aspirations for change.
- Contemporary: diverse genres and digital formats reflect modern Filipino identity and resilience.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Folk Tale — Traditional stories about life, adventure, and morals, often passed down orally.
- Epic — Long narrative poem about heroic deeds, such as Biag ni Lam-ang or Maragdas.
- Haiku — Japanese poem form with three lines and a 5-7-5 syllabic pattern.
- Tanaga — Short Filipino poem with four lines, each having seven syllables.
- Zarzuela — Spanish-style musical play introduced during colonial times.
- Palanca Awards — Prestigious Philippine literary award for outstanding writers.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Complete the sample literary timeline activity in your module.
- Practice writing a haiku following the 5-7-5 syllabic structure.
- Prepare for a discussion on representative texts from your region in the next lesson.