21stCENTURY
LITERATURE FROM
THE PHILIPPINES
AND THE WORLD
WHAT IS LITERATURE?
The root word of literature is the Latin word
litteratura, which means "lettered" or "writing".
The definition of literature broadly encompasses
written works used to transmit culture.
However, literature is not always limited to the
written word. The literature meaning can include
stories told in the oral tradition and visual
literature, such as drama that is intended to be
performed before an audience.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
PRE-COLONIAL PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
LITERATURE DURING THE SPANISH
PERIOD
LITERATURE DURING THE AMERICAN
PERIOD
LITERATURE DURING THE JAPANESE
AND POST-WAR PERIOD
LITERATURE IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY
PRE-COLONIAL
PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE
Lesson 1
PRE-COLONIAL PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
The roots of Philippine literature may be
traced back to pre-colonial times.
As ethnic cultures emerged across the
archipelago, they diversified in terms of
beliefs, values and customs.
Collectively, pre-colonial literature is a
literary gem that must be rediscovered in the
present time.
HOW THE EVOLUTION UNFOLDED
ORAL TRANSMISSION - the primary means
of communicating and preserving Philippine
literature.
Long before the colonizers brought their own
influences to our culture, our literary trove
had already amassed an abundance of folk
sayings, stories, and songs.
To this day, the different literary
genres/forms in pre-colonial times have
endured.
RIDDLE
Known as: Bugtong (Tagalog), Paktakon
(Ilonggo), Patototdon (Bicol), Buburtia (Ilocano).
It relies on talinghaga (metaphors) – that is a
guessing game of objects represented by the
other objects.
The greatest number of recorded riddles
belonged to the Tagalog.
RIDDLE
EXAMPLE:
Ayan na si Kaka, bubuka
bukaka
GUNTING
RIDDLE
EXAMPLE:
Nag bibigay na,
sinasakal pa
BOTE
PROVERBS
Known as: Kasabihan (Tagalog), Panultihon or
Pagya (Cebuano), Kasebian (Pampango),
Humbaton or Hurobaton (Illongo), Daraggilon
or Daraida (People of Panay) and Basahanan
(Bukidnon).
It is more serious because they were intended to
teach values.
It is a statement of a particular culture's codes of
behavior and beliefs.
PROVERBS
EXAMPLE:
(Tagalog) (Pangasinan)
Bahay man ay palasyo Kung Say koli pakalmoay liket.
laman ay kuwago; Mabuti Say ngiras pakalmoay
pa ang kubong laman ay irap.
tao.
Industry is the sibling of
It is better to have a hut prosperity; Laziness is
inhabited by a person than the sibling of starvation.
a mansion wherein an owl
lives.
EPIC
Known as: Darangen (Maranao), Ulahingan
(Manobo), Guman (Subanon), and Hudhud
(Ifugao).
In terms of length, epics were on the opposite
end of the riddles and proverbs.
Epics were perhaps the most prominent literary
genre of the pre-colonial period.
EPIC
Chanted or sung during multiple occasions, epics
featured local heroes taking on (and, indeed
succeeding in) various adventures.
Across the country, each tribe usually came up
with at least one epic, along with five or six
minor epics.
EPIC
EXAMPLE:
KUMINTANG
ILOCANO EPIC TAGALOG EPIC PALAWAN EPIC
EPIC
EXAMPLE:
MARAGTAS AT TUWAANG MIDSAKOP
KABUNLAN AT
BENDIAN
IBALOY EPIC PANAY-BISAYA EPIC MANOBO EPIC
EPIC
EXAMPLE:
DARANGEN BANTUGAN
NEGROS-BISAYA EPIC MINDANAO EPIC MUSLIM EPIC
EPIC
EXAMPLE:
IFUGAO EPIC
MYTHS
Short form of fiction.
Some myths served to explain how the world was
created.
In different versions, such as: the world was created by
a bird; a couple who started the lineage of man; and a
conflict between the sea and the sky.
Other myths were intended to explain the origins of
plants and animals, and other natural phenomena
(such as the creation of volcanoes and the height of the
heavens).
LEGENDS
Another short form of fiction.
While explaining the origin of things in the universe,
legends appeared to have basis in real life.
Known as: Gintunan (Kinaray-a and Ilongo), Sarita
(Ilocano), and istorya (Pangasinan).
Other myths were intended to explain the origins of
plants and animals, and other natural phenomena
(such as the creation of volcanoes and the height of the
heavens).
FABLES
Another short form of fiction.
Like Aesop's stories, the fables in older times were
short tales that usually highlighted animals.
Unlike myths and legends which tended to focus more
on explaining origins, the fables were didactic, in that
they were meant to teach lessons.
Popular examples included "the Monkey and the
Crocodile" and "The Horse and the Carabao."
SONGS
Aside from short fiction and epics, our country's pre-
colonial literature also abounded in songs. As in our
present day, love songs were hugely popular during
those times.
There were also courtship songs, serenades, and lyrics
for unrequited love. These included the Ilocano
badeng, the Manobo and Bukidnon mandata, and the
Bilaan ye dayon.
LULLABIES, meanwhile, existed for the sake of putting
infants at ease. Names for the lullaby included oyayi in
Tagalog and andang by the Aeta.
SONGS
As children grew, they continued to have songs tailored
to their imagination and playtime. Examples of
children's songs included :
Cansiones para abbing by the Ibanag;
Ida-ida a rata in Maguindanao;
The Mangyan Ambahan was used as a musical
tool to impart lessons to the youth.
OTHER SONGS
Activity-based songs:
Rowing: Soliranin (Tagalog)
Rice pounding: Mambayu (Kalinga)
Making pots: Mannamili (Ilocano)
Hunting bees: Manganinay (Manobo)
Drinking: Tagay (Waray)
SONGS
Examples
Waray:
Igduholduhol ngan palakta na it nga tagay
Ayaw pagatrasar kay mabutlaw na ug
mauhaw
Ayaw palalapos didimdim hahadki namanla
anay
Ayaw man pagibigla, ayaw man pagbigla
bangin ka lumnunay Sugod man it aton Pass now the glass of tuba,
sumsuman sahid gud For we are tired and thirsty.
mamorot kay basi pa dugngan Don't let it pass without taking a sip;
Kaungon hadton inagonon konkabuwasan Don't take too big a gulp because you might
pa di na daw makakaon. drown.
Everyone eat, for the fish will be wasted
If we do not consume it.
SONGS
Examples
Waray:
Igduholduhol ngan palakta na it nga tagay
Ayaw pagatrasar kay mabutlaw na ug
mauhaw
Ayaw palalapos didimdim hahadki namanla
anay
Ayaw man pagibigla, ayaw man pagbigla
bangin ka lumnunay Sugod man it aton Pass now the glass of tuba,
sumsuman sahid gud For we are tired and thirsty.
mamorot kay basi pa dugngan Don't let it pass without taking a sip;
Kaungon hadton inagonon konkabuwasan Don't take too big a gulp because you might
pa di na daw makakaon. drown.
Everyone eat, for the fish will be wasted
If we do not consume it.
SONGS
Examples
Matulog ka na bunso
Ang ina mo'y malayo;
At hindi ka masundo,
daa'y walang magturo
Tulog na matulugin,
hindi kita gigisingin,
hindi kita pupuyatin
at bunso'y palalayawin.
BILAAN Story of Creation from Mindanao
--End--
