Overview
The lecture covers the major periods and key features of Philippine literary history, tracing its development from pre-colonial times through the 21st century and highlighting the unique influences shaping each era.
The Roots of Philippine Literature
- Pre-colonial literature existed before colonization, reflected in Filipino customs, traditions, and the original alphabet (Alibata).
- Early literature was recorded on perishable materials like tree bark and bamboo, resulting in limited preservation.
- Folk tales (stories with life lessons), epics (long heroic poems), and folk songs were central to pre-colonial literature.
- Notable pre-colonial epics: Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocano), Maragtas (Visayas), Parang Sabil, and Ibalon (Bicol).
Literary Periods and Influences
- Pre-colonial period (before 1565): folk tales, epics, and songs dominated.
- Spanish period (1566–1871): literature became influenced by Christianity, Roman alphabet replaced Alibata, and European legends merged with local culture.
- Period of Enlightenment (1872–1898): Filipino intellectuals (illustrados) used writing to inspire nationalism and advocate for reform.
- American regime (1898–1944): English-language writing grew; education promoted English literature, and writers continued in Spanish, Tagalog, and regional dialects.
- Japanese period (1941–1945): strict censorship; literature in English halted, poetry (haiku, tanaga) and themes of faith and nationalism emerged.
- Postwar & Activism (1946–1972): Filipino literature in English revived, and Tagalog works depicted wartime experiences and social ills.
- New Society (1972–1980): literary activism reflected calls for governmental change; Palanca Awards emerged as the top literary honor.
- Martial Law and New Republic (1981–1985): romantic and revolutionary poetry, songs about social issues.
- Post-EDSA (1986–1999): resurgence of press freedom, new newspapers, and diverse literature.
- 21st century (2001–present): digital influence, ICT-savvy writers, new styles and literary formats for modern audiences.
Forms and Features of Literature
- Folk tales: stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor, often teaching lessons.
- Epics: long narrative poems about heroic achievements.
- Folk Songs: mirrored early culture, often with 12 syllables per line (e.g., Kundiman).
- Haiku: Japanese poem with three lines and a 5-7-5 syllabic pattern.
- Tanaga: Filipino short poem, usually with four lines and seven syllables each.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Alibata — the original Filipino alphabet used before Spanish colonization.
- Epic — a lengthy narrative poem detailing heroic events or achievements.
- Haiku — a three-line Japanese poem with a 5-7-5 syllable structure.
- Tanaga — a traditional Filipino poem with four lines of seven syllables each.
- Palanca Awards — the most prestigious literary award in the Philippines.
- Illustrados — educated Filipino middle class who led the propaganda movement against Spanish rule.
- Kundiman — a traditional Filipino love song.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the literary timeline and key characteristics of each period.
- Write a haiku about Philippine literature using the 5-7-5 format.
- Read examples of Filipino epics, folk tales, and songs.
- Prepare for the next lesson on representative texts from various Philippine regions.