21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD
MODULE 1- Philippine Literature & 21st Century Literary Genres
I. Literary Periods in Philippine Literature
Period Key Features Examples / Notes
Oral literature: chants, proverbs, Biag ni Lam-ang, Juan stories, Tagalog song
Precolonial
riddles, folk tales, epics, songs Magtanim ay 'di Biro
Florante at Laura (Balagtas), Pasyon (Gaspar
Religious texts, corridos, awits,
Spanish Period Aquino de Belen), Noli Me Tangere, El
pasyon, komedya
Filibusterismo (Rizal)
English used in literature, Dead Stars (Paz Marquez Benitez), A Child of
American Period
imitation of American style Sorrow (Zoilo Galang)
Censorship; Tagalog short story Lupang Tinubuan (Reyes), Suyuan sa Tubigan
Japanese Period
matured (Pineda)
Postwar & Diverse themes: nationalism, May Day Eve (Nick Joaquin), Waywaya (F. Sionil
Contemporary war, poverty, love Jose), Without Seeing the Dawn (Javellana)
II. Literary Genres
1. Poetry
• Elements: rhythm, meter, stanza, rhyme scheme, theme, symbolism, imagery, allusion, apostrophe
• Form: usually uses imagery and rhythm
2. Fiction
• Elements: characters, setting, conflict, plot, theme
• Techniques: dialogue, local color
3. Drama
• Performed work with actions and dialogue
• Elements: characters, dialogue, plot, stage directions
• Example: The World is an Apple by Alberto Florentino
4. Creative Nonfiction
• Real events written in literary style
• Forms: memoir, biography, diary, essay
• Popularized during the American era, e.g., I Am a Filipino by Carlos P. Romulo
III. 21st Century Literary Forms
Genre Definition Example
Flash Fiction Very short stories “For sale: baby socks, never worn.”
Slipstream Strange mix of fantasy, sci-fi, realism Philippine Speculative Fiction series
Metafiction Story about writing a story Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco
The Death of Fray Salvador Montano…
Magic Realism Magical elements in real settings
by R.C. Lucero
Genre Definition Example
Getting Better (Chick Lit), Luminescent
Popular Fiction Mass appeal, plot-driven stories
(Sci-fi)
Graphic Novel Story told in comic format Zsazsa Zaturnah
Digi-fiction Combination of book, video, and web Interactive digital narratives
Mobile phone poetry using traditional
Textula Frank Rivera’s works
forms
Hyperpoetry / Web-based literature with links or
Blog-style poems, interactive stories
Hyperfiction visuals
Photo Poem / Silent Poems or comics with images and no
Artistic web literature
Comics text/dialogue
IV. Notable Authors & Works by Region
• Ilocano Writers: Manuel Arguilla (How My Brother Leon…), Carlos Bulosan (America is in the
Heart), Pedro Bukaneg (Biag ni Lam-ang)
• National Figures: Francisco Balagtas, Jose Rizal, Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, Frank Rivera
V. Key Terms Comparison
Fiction Creative Nonfiction
Imaginative Real events with literary style
Plot-driven Fact-driven
VI. Quiz Quick-Recall
1. First modern Filipino short story in English → Dead Stars
2. Drama of Christian-Muslim conflict → Moro-moro
3. Makata sa Cellphone → Frank Rivera
4. Literary technique that uses local culture and language→ Local color
5. Written literature during Japanese Period→ Tagalog short stories
6. Popular fiction subgenres → Sci-fi, Chick Lit, Ghost Stories
7. Magical elements + reality =→ Magic Realism
8. Digi-fiction → Book + Movie + Website
Here is a summarized reviewer based on Module 2: Literary Context of the 21st Century Philippine
National Literature from your uploaded file, presented in a student-friendly handout format:
MODULE 2- Literary Context of the 21st Century Philippine National Literature
What is Literary Context?
Context helps us understand a literary work by looking beyond the words—at the author’s life, language,
and society.
Three Main Literary Contexts
1. Biographical Context (Authorial Context)
• Focuses on the author’s life, beliefs, experiences.
• Helps us understand how an author's personal background influences their writing.
Tips for analysis:
• Know what the author believes in.
• Find patterns across their works.
• See how life experiences appear in the text.
Example Texts:
• “Under My Invisible Umbrella” by Laurel Fantauzzo
• “Catch a Falling Star” by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo
2. Socio-Cultural Context
• Focuses on society, culture, and historical setting.
• Explores gender, race, class, social norms, and power dynamics.
Guide Questions:
• What social issues are addressed?
• Who holds power and why?
• Does the text reflect or challenge the society?
Perspectives:
• Marxism – Class struggle and materialism
• Feminism – Women’s roles and rights
• Queer Theory – LGBTQ+ representation
• Historicism – Historical influences on writing
• Post-colonialism – Effects after colonization
• New Historicism – Combines history, society, and interpretation
3. Linguistic Context
• Analyzes the language, tone, structure, and word choices used in the text.
Strategies:
• Study diction (word choice)
• Analyze syntax (sentence structure)
• Look at mood and tone
• Explore figurative language (metaphors, similes, etc.)
Related Literary Approaches:
• Structuralism – Focus on overall structure and patterns
• Formalism (New Criticism) – Text-focused, ignores outside factors
• Post-structuralism – Multiple interpretations of language and meaning
Literary Example: "My Father Goes to Court" by Carlos Bulosan
• Biographical context: Reflects Bulosan’s life, poverty, and the struggle of the poor.
• Shows social class differences and how laughter, love, and family spirit can’t be stolen.
• Combines humor with social commentary.
Key Terms to Remember
• Context – Circumstances that influence a literary work
• Perspective – A lens used to analyze a text
• Diction – Word choice
• Syntax – Sentence arrangement
• Theme – Main idea or message
