Philippine Literature

in the Spanish Period

GROUP 2
 Background
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan called The Philippines after
King Philip II of Spain, who claimed them in 1521 on behalf of Spain.
Spanish culture and ideas had been so ingrained in Filipino society
by the 1830s that the Filipino people started considering
independence from Spain. Filipino Nationalists started to speak up
after some efforts at independence and an equal number of Spanish
atrocities. At the time, Jose Rizal was among the most well-known.
Two significant novels by Rizal depicted the abuses of Spanish
domination. The novels were illegally brought into the Philippines
and read extensively despite being outlawed.
Authors
Antonio Abad y Mercado (1894-1970) was a
famous Filipino essayist, playwright,
novelist, and poet. Following Rizal, he was
dubbed "el gran novelista de la literatura
Filipino hispana despues de Rizal" (the great
novelist of Filipino Hispanic literature). "El
Último Romántico," "La Oveja de Nathán,"
and "Dagohoy" are some of his well-known
compositions.
Authors
Pedro Alejandro Paterno is renowned as the
peacemaker of the Revolution. His significant
contribution was mediating the Pact of Biak-
na-Bato, which established a temporary peace
between Spaniards and Filipinos, allowing
General Emilio Aguinaldo to secure arms for
future uprisings. One of his famous books
titled “Nínay” (1885) is the first Filipino novel
written in Spanish.
Authors
In Barcelona, Mariano Ponce helped Lopez Jaena
establish La Solaridad. He was chosen Secretary of the
Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, a group of liberal
Filipinos and Spaniards who formed the organization
to support the Propaganda Movement, and he headed
its Literary Section. He was the managing editor of La
Solidaridad and published frequently under several
pseudonyms, including Naning, Kalipulako, and
Tigbalang, about history, politics, sociology, and travel.
Famous works
Written in 1593 by Fray Juan de
Plasencia, the Doctrina Christiana was an
early work of Roman Catholic catechism
and is regarded as one of the first books
produced in the Philippines. Since the
title directly translates to "Christian
Doctrine" the book's main objective was to
spread Christian teaching throughout the
Philippine archipelago
Famous works
Libro de los Cuatros Postprimeras de
Hombres (The Book on the Four Fathers
of the Church) was the first typographic
book printed in 1604 by Blancas de San
Joses, the Father of Tagalog Grammatics.
It is a Spanish literary work focusing on
death, judgment, heaven, and hell. It
includes a biography of the Four Fathers
of the Church.
Famous works
“Florante at Laura” (1838) by Francisco
Balagtas is a renowned romantic epic
poem written in Tagalog, widely
regarded as one of the greatest works of
Philippine literature. This masterpiece
tells the story of Florante, a young man
from Albania, and his beloved Laura, set
against the backdrop of ancient Greece.
 Theme
The Spanish colonization prioritized spreading Christianity,
making religion a central theme in Philippine literature. The
Church controlled printing presses and used literature as a tool
for religious instruction and conversion, ensuring the
widespread adoption of Christian beliefs and practices. This
dominance was rooted in the colonial agenda to integrate the
native population into the Spanish Catholic worldview.
 Theme
As colonial rule progressed, literature evolved to address the
injustices and inequalities experienced by Filipinos.
Filipino writers began using literature to critique Spanish
oppression and inspire a sense of national consciousness. This
theme emerged as Filipinos sought to reclaim their cultural
identity and assert their rights amidst growing social and
political upheavals.
 Issues

Spanish colonizers suppressed Filipinos were forced to pay heavy

Filipino culture, language, and taxes, including the "tributo" (head
traditions, imposing Spanish tax) and "polo y servicio" (forced
customs and Catholicism. labor tax).
Thank You
 References
(History of the Philippines. (n.d.). California State University, Bakersfield.
https://www.csub.edu/pacificrim/countryprospectus/history.htm)
Monde, J. (2022, June 4). Antonio Abad works - here are some of his most famous works. PhilNews.
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Today in Philippine History, February 27, 1858, Pedro Paterno was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila. (2012, February 26). The Kahimyang
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Fray Juan de Plascencia, KITE E-Learning Solutions, Inc. (n.d.). Doctrina Christiana. https://ebookhub.ph/preview.php?id=126
Carbonel, V. (2019, August 25). Philippine literature during Spanish colonization. SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/philippine-literature-during-spanish-colonization/166293857
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Philippine Literature in the Spanish Colonial Period. (n.d.). NCCA. https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-
3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/philippine-literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period/?
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Mariano Ponce – Provincial Government of Bulacan. (n.d.). https://bulacan.gov.ph/general-info/mariano-ponce/