INTRODUCTION

The Philippine Literature evolved as time passes by until now with the history of our country. For every
period that passed, different genres appeared, and these literary works rooted from all regions reflecting their
culture, society and lifestyle.

History has a very important role in literature as literature not only reflects facts with aesthetic language
but more importantly, it displays the ideas and feelings of the people living at that time. Not only does literature
exhibit history but so as the hope that people have. It shows what they hope for the nation, or for themselves, may
it be about nationalism, love, or other aspects going on in life.

The content of this research is all about the different periods or eras of the Philippine Literature. The
beginning or the start of the literature from our ancestors until the present day. The Philippine Literature on the
Pre-Spanish Era, Spanish Colonization,1896 Philippine Revolution, American Colonization, Japanese
Occupation, Post Colonization and the Philippine Literature on 21st Century.

The development of the literature and key factors of each period are included with their themes and forms
of literature of the time are mentioned. Famous authors of the time and the title of their works are added for it to
be recognized on the research. The role of Literature on the society during the time is also included and some of
short personal insights of the literature during the time is added also.

After reading the research, you will know the importance of studying the Philippine Literature and why
do we need to study it and some characteristics of the Philippine Literature and facts about it will be known after
reading.
CONTENT
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE: THE PRE SPANISH ERA
A.Development of the Literature
Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed or set foot on Philippine shores, our forefathers
already had their own literature stamped in the history of our race. Our ancestors also had their own alphabet
which was different from that brought by the Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our ancestor was similar to
that of the Malayo-Polynesian alphabet. Why certain things existed in their physical environment must have
intrigued the ancient Filipinos as it did other early peoples.

B.Common Themes and Forms

In their effort to define their world, to account for the realities in it, and to explain their feelings, beliefs,
and judgments, they made up interesting narratives. These have come down to us in the form of origin myths,
legends, fables, tales of the supernatural, and humorous accounts about some trickster, like Pusong or Pilandok,
or some bungling character who got by in spite of or because of his lack of wit. And there were also metrical
accounts of native Filipino gods and their deeds. Songs and verses filled early religious practices: to express
devotion, to atone for sins, to minister to the sick, and to bury the dead. Verses were composed also to pray for
abundance and happiness: in the home, on the farm, on the sea, and elsewhere. In like manner, verses aired love
for and loyalty to the barangay and its rulers. These were supplemented by accounts of battle (kudanag), songs
of victory (tagumpay, talindad), songs of hanging a captured enemy (sambotan, tagulaylay), and songs expressive
of manliness.

C.Literature Works and Authors

Records our ancestors left were either burned by the Spanish friars in the belief that they were works of
the devil. Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved the existence of a native culture truly our
own. Some of these were passed on by word of mouth until they reached the hands of some publishers or printers
who took interest in printing the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos. Although attempts have been made to
compile these folk narratives by such collectors as Fr. Jose Ma. Pavon (Las antiguas leyendas de la isla de Negros)
during the Spanish period Fay-Cooper Cole (Traditions of the Tinguian, 1915), Mable Cook Cole (Philippine
Folk Tales, 1916), and Dean S. Fansler (Filipino Popular Tales, 1921) during the early part of the American
regime, and some Filipino and American anthropologists and folklorists in more recent times, many of the theme
still remain in the memory of the folk, uncollected and unwritten.
D. Role of Literature in the Society

Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as traced in our folk stories, old
plays and short stories. Our ancestor’s effort to define their world, to account for the realities in it, and to explain
their feelings, beliefs, and judgments, they made up interesting narratives.

E.Personal Insight

Our ancestors are the original authors of some works because some of these were passed on by word of
mouth until they reached the hands of some publishers or printers who took interest in printing the manuscripts
of the ancient Filipinos. There are authors mentioned but they are named as collectors. They compile these folk
narratives but still there are many works that we don’t know for it is unwritten.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING THE SPANISH COLONIZATION
A.Development of the Literature
The Spanish colonial strategy was to undermine the native oral tradition by substituting for it the story of
the Passion of Christ. Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565 during the time of Miguel Lopez
de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines. Literature started to flourish during his time.
The spurt continued unabated until the Cavite Revolt in 1872. Development marked the beginning of Indio
literacy and thus spurred the creation of the first written literary native text by the native. These writers,
called ladinos because of their fluency in both Spanish and Tagalog, published their work, mainly devotional
poetry, in the first decade of the 17th century. Until the 19th century, the printing presses were owned and
managed by the religious orders . Thus, religious themes dominated the culture of the Christianized majority.

B.Common Themes and Forms

Religious Literature • Revolves around the life and the death of Jesus Christ. Forms of Religious
Literature: Pasyon- it is about the passion (journey and suffering) and the death of Jesus Christ. Senakulo- it is
the re-enctment of the Pasyon. Komedya- it depicts the European society through love and fame, but can also be
a narrative about a journey, just like Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. It is also considered religous, because it
usually depicts the battle between the Christians and the Saracens or the Moros.
Secular or Non- Religious Literature • Revolves around tales of valiance and adventure. Forms of Secular
or Non-Religious Literature: Awit- these are tales of chivalry where a knight saves a princess. Florante at Laura
is a good example. Korido- is a metrical tale or a tale that follows the struture of a poem. Prose Narratives- are
easy to understand instructional materials that in a literary light that teaches Filipinos on proper decorum.
Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at Feliza (1864) is a good example.
Propaganda Literature • These were in the forms of satires, editorials, and news articles that aimed to
attack the Spanish Rule. • The propaganda trinity is composed of Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, and
Graciano Lopez Jaena.Examples: Graciano Lopez Jaena Ang Fray Botod- One of his works written in Jaro, Iloilo
in 1876, six years after the Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the Philippines. He exposed how some of the
friars were greedy, ambitious and immoral.

C.Literary Works and Famous Authors

Doctrina Christiana (1593), the first book to be printed in the Philippines, was a prayerbook written in
Spanish with an accompanying Tagalog translation. Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Christo, a Tagalog poem based on
Christ’s passion, was published in 1704. This long poem, original and folksy in its rendition of a humanized,
indeed, a nativized Jesus, is a milestone in the history of Philippine letters. In the 18th century, secular literature
from Spain in the form of medieval ballads inspired the native poetic-drama form called the komedya, later to be
called moro-moro because these often dealt with the theme of Christians triumphing over Moslems.
 The first Filipino novel was Ninay, written in Spanish by Pedro Paterno, a Philippine-bornilustrado.
Following the sentimental style of his first book Sampaguitas (a collection of poems in Spanish), the novel
endeavored to highlight the endearingly unique qualities of Filipinos.

Emilio Jacinto (1875 – 1899), was the revolutionary organization’s ideologue. Both were admirers of
Rizal, and like Rizal, both were writers and social critics profoundly influenced by the liberal ideas of the French
enlightenment, about human dignity. Bonifacio’s most important work are his poems, the most well-known being
Pag-Ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa. Jacinto wrote political essays expressed in the language of the folk. Significantly,
although either writer could have written in Spanish

Jose de la Cruz (1746 – 1829) was the foremost exponent of the komedya during his time. A poet of
prodigious output and urbane style, de la Cruz marks a turning point in that his elevated diction distinguishes his
work from folk idiom (as for instance, that of Gaspar Aquino de Belen). Yet his appeal to the non-literate was
universal. The popularity of the dramatic form, of which he was a master, was due to it being experienced as
performance both by the lettered minority and the illiterate but genuinely appreciative majority.

Francisco Baltazar (1788 – 1862), popularly called Balagtas, is the acknowledged master of traditional
Tagalog poetry. Of peasant origins, he left his hometown in Bigaa, Bulacan for Manila, with a strong
determination to improve his lot through education. To support his studies, he worked as a domestic servant in
Tondo. He steeped himself in classical studies in schools of prestige in the capital.

Andres Bonifacio- Bonifacio’s most important work are his poems, the most well-known being Pag-Ibig
Sa Tinubuang Lupa.

The turn of the century witnessed not only the Philippine revolution but a quieter though no less significant
outbreak. The educated women of the period produced significant poetry. Gregoria de Jesus, wife of Andres
Bonifacio, wrote notable Tagalog poetry. Meanwhile, in Vigan of the Ilocano North, Leona Florentino, by her
poetry, became the foremost Ilocano writer of her time.
D. Role of Literature in the Society

The conquistador, especially its ecclesiastical arm, destroyed whatever written literature he could find,
and hence rendered the system of writing inoperable. Thus, religious themes dominated the culture of the
Christianized majority. it marks the beginning of the end of the old mythological culture and a conversion to the
new paradigm introduced by the colonial power.

E.Personal Insight
The Spaniards have a tight grip with the Filipinos at this time using the church to blackmail and some
teachings that can make the Filipinos look arrogant and believe on their words. Filipino’s can’t even use their
own language and it is frustrating to know about it. They are teaching about God but to steal the ownership of the
Filipinos on their own country land.
PHILIPPINE LITEARATURE: THE 1896 PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION

A.Development of the Literature

Philippine Independence had brought about the introduction of a new theme in Philippine Literature, it is
also intensified an old theme that had already been present in pre- revolutionary writings. The youth became
completely rebellious during this period. This was proven not only in the bloody demonstrations and in the
sidewalk expressions but also in literature. Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions. The once aristocratic
writers developed awareness for society. They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the
word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).

B.Common Themes, Forms , Literary Works and Famous Authors

Revolutionary Literature- are exposes that sparked revolution and resistance in the hearts of Filipinos.

Emilio Jacinto Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Darkness) – a collection of essays on different subjects like
freedom, work, faith, government and love of country. Apolinario Mabini El Desarollo y Caida de la Republica
Filipina (The Rise and Fall of the Philippine Republic) – this essay highlights the establishment of the Philippine
republic and its subsequent doom due to disunity among the Filipinos.

Publications El Heraldo de la Revolucion (Herald of the Revolution) – printed the decrees of the
Revolutionary Government, news and works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism. This is the Official Newspaper
of the Revolutionary Government of Aguinaldo. La Independencia (Independence) – an independent newspaper
founded and edited by General Antonio Luna. La Republica Filipina (The Philippine Republic) – a private
newspaper edited by Pedro Paterno. La Libertad (Liberty) – another private newspaper edited by Clemente
Zulueta.

Andres Bonifacio Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Obligations of our Countrymen) – an
outline of obligations just like the Ten Commandments, hence, it is likewise called Ang Dekalogo. Ang Dapat
Mabatid ng mga Tagalog (What the Tagalogs should Know) – an essay outlining the basic tenets of Bonifacio’s
ideas on nationalism.
 Among the earliest writers of note were Francisco de San Jose and Francisco Bagongbata. But by far the
most gifted of these native poet-translators was Gaspar Aquino de Belen. Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Christo, a
Tagalog poem based on Christ’s passion, was published in 1704. This long poem, original and folksy in its
rendition of a humanized, indeed, a nativized Jesus, is a milestone in the history of Philippine letters. Ironically
— and perhaps just because of its profound influence on the popular imagination — as artifact it marks the
beginning of the end of the old mythological culture and a conversion to the new paradigm introduced by the
colonial power.

Until the 19th century, the printing presses were owned and managed by the religious orders. Thus,
religious themes dominated the culture of the Christianized majority. But the native oral literature, whether secular
or mythico-religious continued. Even among the Christianized ethnic groups, the oral tradition persisted in such
forms as legends, sayings, wedding songs such as the balayan and parlor theater such as the Duplo .

In the 18th century, secular literature from Spain in the form of medieval ballads inspired the native poetic-
drama form called the komedya, later to be called moro-moro because these often dealt with the theme of
Christians triumphing over Moslems .

Jose de la Cruz- was the foremost exponent of the komedya during his time. A poet of prodigious output
and urbane style, de la Cruz marks a turning point in that his elevated diction distinguishes his work from folk
idiom (as for instance, that of Gaspar Aquino de Belen). Yet his appeal to the non-literate was universal. The
popularity of the dramatic form, of which he was a master, was due to it being experienced as performance both
by the lettered minority and the illiterate but genuinely appreciative majority.

Francisco Baltazar- popularly called Balagtas, is the acknowledged master of traditional Tagalog poetry.
Of peasant origins, he left his hometown in Bigaa, Bulacan for Manila, with a strong determination to improve
his lot through education. To support his studies, he worked as a domestic servant in Tondo. He steeped himself
in classical studies in schools of prestige in the capital.

Great social and political changes in the world worked together to make Balagtas’ career as poet possible.
The industrial revolution had caused a great movement of commerce in the globe, creating wealth and the
opportunity for material improvement in the life of the working classes.

But the crucial element in Balagtas’ unique genius is that, being caught between two cultures (the native and the
colonial/classical), he could switch codes provide insight and information to his oppressed compatriots in the very
style and guise of a tradition provided him by a foreign culture. His narrative poem Florante at Laura written in
sublime Tagalog, is about tyranny in Albanya, but it is also perceived to be about tyranny in his Filipino homeland.
C.Role of Literature in the Society

To awaken the spirits of many Filipinos that are being harassed and being colonialized by the Spanish
Government, to send a message to many Filipinos about their love of their country.

D. Personal Insight

The literature at that time was more propagandistic than literary as the situation and events at that time
needed such purpose for liberation.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE: AMERICAN COLONIZATION

A.Development of the Literature

Philippine literary production during the American Period in the Philippines was spurred by two
significant developments in education and culture. One is the introduction of free public instruction for all children
of school age and two, the use of English as medium of instruction in all levels of education in public schools.

Free public education made knowledge and information accessible to a greater number of Filipinos. Those
who availed of this education through college were able to improve their social status and joined a good number
of educated masses who became part of the country’s middle class.

The use of English as medium of instruction introduced Filipinos to Anglo-American modes of thought,
culture and life ways that would be embedded not only in the literature produced but also in the psyche of the
country’s educated class. It was this educated class that would be the wellspring of a vibrant Philippine Literature
in English.

Philippine literature in English, as a direct result of American colonization of the country, could not escape
being imitative of American models of writing especially during its period of apprenticeship. The poetry written
by early poets manifested studied attempts at versification as in the following poem which is proof of the poet’s
rather elementary exercise in the English language:

B.Common Themes and Forms

Novels that dealt with the theme of American imperialism in the Philippines, love triangle set in the early
years of the century when the worker’s movement was being formed. Engages the readers in lengthy treatises and
discourses on socialism and capitalism. Many other Tagalog novelists wrote on variations of the same theme, i.e.,
the interplay of fate, love and social justice. Most writers in writing the novels that dwelt on the themes of love,
courtship, life in the farmlands, and other social upheavals of the period. Produced the finest poems and lyrics
during the period, political issue of independence from America and nationhood were mostly done in verse and
are testament to the vitality of Tagalog poetry during the era. Fiction in Tagalog as well as in the other languages
of the regions developed alongside the novel. Most fictionists are also novelists, other writers chose to dwell on
the vicissitudes of life in a changing rural landscape.
C.Literary Works and Famous Authors

Ishmael Amado’s Bulalakaw ng Pag-asa published in 1909. The novel, however, was not released from
the printing press until 1916, at which time, the author, by his own admission and after having been sent as
a pensionado to the U.S., had other ideas apart from those he wrote in the novel.

Valeriano Hernandez Peña’s Nena at Neneng narrates the story of two women who happened to be best
of friends as they cope with their relationships with the men in their lives. Nena succeeds in her married life while
Neneng suffers from a stormy marriage because of her jealous husband.

Faustino Aguilar published Pinaglahuan, a love triangle set in the early years of the century when the
worker’s movement was being formed. The novel’s hero, Luis Gatbuhay, is a worker in a printery who
isimprisoned for a false accusation and loses his love, Danding, to his rival Rojalde, son of a wealthy capitalist.

Lope K. Santos- Banaag at Sikat has almost the same theme and motif as the hero of the novel, Delfin,
also falls in love with a rich woman, daughter of a wealthy landlord. The love story of course is set also within
the background of development of the worker’s trade union movement and throughout the novel

Among the Iloko writers, noted novelists were Leon Pichay, who was also the region’s poet laureate then,
Hermogenes Belen, and Mena Pecson Crisologo whose Mining wenno Ayat ti Kararwa is considered to be the
Iloko version of a Noli me Tangere.

As Jose Corazon Huseng Batute de Jesus also produced the finest poems and lyrics during the period.
His debates with Amado V. Hernandez on the political issue of independence from America and nationhood were
mostly done in verse and are testament to the vitality of Tagalog poetry during the era

The balagtasan would be echoed as a poetical fiesta and would be duplicated in the Ilocos as
thebukanegan, in honor of Pedro Bukaneg, the supposed transcriber of the epic, Biag ni Lam-ang; and
theCrissottan, in Pampanga, in honor of the esteemed poet of the Pampango, Juan Crisostomo Sotto.

In 1932, Alejandro G. Abadilla , armed with new criticism and an orientation on modernist poetry would
taunt traditional Tagalog poetics with the publication of his poem, “Ako ang Daigdig.” Abadilla’s poetry began
the era of modernism in Tagalog poetry, a departure from the traditional rhymed, measured and orally recited
poems. Modernist poetry which utilized free or blank verses was intended more for silent reading than oral
delivery.
 Noted poets in Tagalog during the American period were Julian Cruz Balmaceda, Florentino Collantes,
Pedro Gatmaitan, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Benigno Ramos, Inigo Ed. Regalado, Ildefonso Santos, Lope K. Santos,
Aniceto Silvestre, Emilio Mar. Antonio , Alejandro Abadilla and Teodoro Agoncillo.

D.Role of Literature in the Society

Provoked debates, the discussion centered on proletarian literature, engaged or committed literature versus
the art for art’s sake literary orientation. But this discussion curiously left out the issue of colonialism and colonial
literature and the whole place of literary writing in English under a colonial set-up that was the Philippines then.
The separate, yet parallel developments of Philippine literature in English and those in Tagalog and other
languages of the archipelago during the American period only prove that literature and writing in whatever
language and in whatever climate are able to survive mainly through the active imagination of writers. Apparently,
what was lacking during the period was for the writers in the various languages to come together, share
experiences and come to a conclusion on the elements that constitute good writing in the Philippines.

E.Personal Insight

The Philippines had a great leap in Education and Culture. The use of English alongside Filipino was
practiced.The Philippines Public School system was introduced. Free public instruction was given to the Filipinos.
The literature during the American period was considered as imitative of American model. Instead of asking the
students to write originals, students ended up following the form of American poets.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE: JAPANESE OCCUPATION

A.Development of the Literature

Philippine literature in English came to a halt except for the tribune and the Philippine review. Authors all
newspapers in English were stopped by the Japanese. Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development
when the Philippines was again conquered by another foreign country, Japan. The weekly liwayway was placed
under strict surveillance until it was managed by the Japanese named Ishiwara. During this period the Filipino
used radio to communicate worldwide. Because of the strict prohibitions imposed b the Japanese in the writing
and publishing of works in English, Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period. The few who dared
to write did so for their bread and butter or for propaganda.

Writings that came out during this period were journalistic in nature. Writers felt suppressed but slowly,
the spirit of nationalism started to seep into their consciousness. While some continued to write, the majority
waited for a better climate to publish their works.

B.Common Themes and Forms

Many wrote plays, poem, short stories, etc. topics and theme are focused about life in provinces. Many
wrote a short story. A poem of free verse that the Japanese like. it was made up of 17 syllables divided into 3
lines. the first line had 5 syllables, the 2nd, 7 syllables, and the third, 5. The haiku is allegorical in meaning, is
short and covers a wide scope in meaning. Tanaga, the common team of most poems during the japanese
occupation was nationalism country, love, and life in the barrios, faith, religions, and the arts. Essays were
composed to glorify the Filipinos and at the same time to figuratively attack the Japanese.

C.Literary Works and Famous Authors

Noteworthy writer of the period was Carlos P. Romulo who won the Pulitzer Prize for his bestsellers I
Saw the Fall of the Philippines, I See the Philippines Rise and his Mother America and My Brother Americans.
Journalists include Salvador P. Lopez, Leon Ma. Geurrero, Raul Manglapuz and Carlos Bulosan.Nick Joaquin
produced The Woman Who Looked Like Lazarus. Fred Ruiz Castro wrote a few poems. F.B. Icasino wrote essays
in The Philippine Review. Carlos Bulosan’s works included The Laughter of My Father (1944), The Voice of
Bataan, 1943, Six Filipino Poets, 1942, among others. Alfredo Litiatco published With Harp and Sling and in
1943, Jose P. Laurel published Forces that Make a Nation Great. NVM Gonzales with "Lungsod Nayon at Dagat-
dagatan and Nerciso Reyes with his "Lupang tinubuan"
D. Role of Literature in the Society
The use of the English language was forbidden, and the use of the Filipino language was mandated under
the Japanese rule. For some this was a problem, but to most writers, it was a blessing in disguise. Almost all
newspapers were stopped except for some. Filipino literature was given a break during this period.

E. Personal Insight
Writings that came out during this period were journalistic in nature. Writers felt suppressed but slowly,
the spirit of nationalism started to seep into their consciousness. While some continued to write, the majority
waited for a better climate to publish their works.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE: POST COLONIZATION PERIOD

A.Development of the Literature

It was Philippine Literature in English which tapped the folk element in the Philippine unconscious to
impressive, spectacular effect. Post-war poetry and fiction was dominated by the writers in English educated and
trained in writers’ workshops in the United States or England. Even literature in the Tagalog-based national
language (now known as Filipino) could not avoid being influenced or even (in the critical sense) assimilated.
The protest tradition of Rizal, Bonifacio and Amado Hernandez found expression in the works of Tagalog poets
from the late 1960’s to the 1980’s, as they confronted Martial Law and repression. The 1980’s became a decade
of personalistic free verse characteristic of American confessional poetry. The epic “big picture” disappeared
from the scene, to be replaced by a new breed of writers nourished by global literary sources, and critical sources
in the developed world. On the other hand, the poets trained in American workshops continue to write in the
lyrical-realist mode characteristic of American writing, spawned by imagism and neo-Aristotelianism.

B.Common Themes and Forms

Hews close to the mode of romantic fantasy traceable to the awits, koridos and komedyas of the Balagtas
tradition. But it is a symbolical narrative of social, moral and political import. In this, it resembles not only
Balagtas but also Rizal, but in style and plot it is closer to Balagtas in not allowing the realistic mode to restrict
the element of fantasy. Novels by writers in English dealt with the war experience. Imported social realism was
not entirely in touch with the folk sentiment and folk belief, which is why the Tagalog romances were far more
popular than their work. Fiction that is as native as anything that could be written in English, possessing the potent
luminosity of a sorcerer’s rune. The Philippine novel, whether written in English or any of the native languages,
has remained social-realist.

C.Literary Works and Famous Authors

Ginto Sa Makiling – a novel by Macario Pineda, is the first work of note that appeared after the second
world war.

Stevan Javellana’s Without Seeing the Dawn (1947), and Edilberto Tiempo’s Watch in the Night. Both
novels hew closely to the realist tradition. Lazaro Francisco, the eminent Tagalog novelist of the pre-war years,
was to continue to produce significant work. He revised his Bayaning Nagpatiwakal (1932), refashioning its plot
and in sum honing his work as a weapon against the policies that tended to perpetuate American economic
dominance over the Philippines.
 The poet Amado Hernandez, who was also union leader and social activist, also wrote novels advocating
social change. Luha ng Buwaya deals with the struggle between the oppressed peasantry and the class of
politically powerful landlords. Mga Ibong Mandaragit ) deals with the domination of Filipinos by American
industry .

Francisco Arcellana, his younger contemporary, was a master of minimalist fiction that is as native as
anything that could be written in English, possessing the potent luminosity of a sorcerer’s rune.

Wilfrido Nolledo, fictionist-playwright growing up in the aura of such masters, was the disciple who,
without conscious effort, created a school of his own.

Edilberto and Edith Tiempo (who is also a poet), short-fictionist Francisco Arcellana, poet-critic Ricaredo
Demetillo, poet-fictionist Amador Daguio, poet Carlos Angeles, fictionists N.V.M. Gonzales and Bienvenido N.
Santos. Most of these writers returned to the Philippines to teach. With their credentials and solid reputations,
they influenced the form and direction of the next generation mainly in accordance with the dominant tenets of
the formalist New Critics of America and England.

Barter in Panay, an epic based on the Ilonggo epic Maragtas. Inspired by the example, other younger
poets wrote epics or long poems, and they were duly acclaimed by the major award-giving bodies. Among these
poets were writers in English like Cirilo Bautista (The Archipelago, 1968), Artemio Tadena (Northward into
Noon, 1970) and Domingo de Guzman (Moses, 1977).

Sa Ngalan Ng Ina (1997), by prize-winning poet-critic Lilia Quindoza Santiago, is, to date, the most
comprehensive compilation of feminist writing in the Philippines.

D. Role of Literature in the Society

Modernist and post-modernist criticism, which champions the literature of the disempowered cultures, has
lately attained sufficient clout to shift the focus of academic pursuits towards native vernacular literatures (oral
and written) and on the revaluation of texts previously ignored.

E. Personal Insight

The Literature of this periods is like a combination of those colonization of the Spanish, American and
Japanese. We have adopted some of traditions and cultures in literacy and come up with new ideas to stand by
our rights and to fight against the odds.
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE: 21ST CENTURY

A.Development of the Literature

21st century literature per se, is anything that was written and published in the year 2000s. It is a bit too
early to give a definite and elaborate description of the 21st century literature in the Philippines and the world. It
is possible, however, to approach contemporary literature as a reaction to and dialogue with existing forms of
expressive culture. As we engage in technology more and more, we create and discover more existing forms of
expressive culture as well. We have a wide range of resources through the internet and this gave opportunities to
people, especially the youth, to begin writing and expressing their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. A perfect example
would be WattPad. It became popular to the Filipino youth in 2006.

B.Common Themes and Forms

There are various themes and topics that the contemporary literature addresses. One of which is Identity.
With increasing globalization, intersections of cultures and more vocal discussions of women’s rights and LGBT
rights, identity has become a common theme in 21st century literature. In a world that is now able to exchange
ideas more quickly than ever before via the Internet and other technological advancements, people have relatively
more freedom to draw from multiple cultures and philosophies and question the concept of the self and its relation
to the body, brain and “soul.” Another theme is history and memory. Often contemporary literature explores the
notion of multiplicities of truth and acknowledges that history is filtered through human perspective and
experience. Another main theme is technology. Today, technology is more integrated into people’s lives than ever
before. Dreams of what technology could potentially help people become and anxieties regarding the demise of
humanity because of technology can be seen in 21st century literature. Additionally, many 21st century works of
literature explore what it means when all of humanity’s experiences are filtered through technology. These are
just among many themes that 21st century literature covers. Among these are of course, love, sex, family, religion,
but approached in a different way. They are more liberal and unfiltered in a sense, just like the world we live in.
For this reason, the language and tone that are commonly used doesn’t really follow a rule just like the traditional
and classical works, as long as it is able to express and convey the authenticity and the essence of the meaning of
the work and the identity of the characters. Examples of this would be the works of Bob Ong, Ricky Lee, and
Bebang Siy. The poems of Maria Cecilia dela Rosa are perfect examples of 21st century literature as she conveys
a different flavor and turn to her works.
C.Literary Works and Famous Authors

“The Cardinal’s Sins, the General’s Cross, the Martyr’s Testimony, and Other Affirmations” by Gregorio C.
Brillantes

“Manananggal Terrorizes Manila and Other Stories” by Jessica Zafra

“Sapay Koma” by Jhoanna Lynn Cruz

Spotlight New Adult by Mina V. Esguerra

Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

All’s Fair in Blog and War by Chrissie Peria

Smaller and Smaller Circles by FH Batacan

Sink by Isabel Yap

The Secret Origin of Spin-Man by Andrew Drilon

Maktan 1521 by Tepai Pascual

D. Role of Literature in the Society

Literature continues to change with society and although we are in the 21st century and are binded with
technology, authors are still trying to address absolute human questions in new ways and therefore, reconcile
them with the ever-changing technology that surrounds us; hence, the birth of the different 21st century literary
genres.

E. Personal Insight
Nowadays, even those who do not have any significant literary background make their own way using the
freedom that they have to write and to express. There are a lot of new froms from the basic genres of literature;
thus, proving how far the literature in the Philippines has gone and how far it will go on from here.
SYNTHESIS
Philippine literature withstood time and periods and has evolved through generations. For every period
that passed, different genres appeared, and these literary works rooted from all regions reflecting their culture,
society and lifestyle.

The early stages of Filipino Literature consist of the Pre-Spanish period, the Spanish period and the
Propaganda and Revolutionary Periods. In the Pre-Spanish period, literature was in oral form as technology of
printing wasn’t available yet. Works such as epics, legends, folklore, salawikain, bugtong, sawikain, songs such
as the Oyayi or Hele are passed on from generations to generations and they are still well-known up to this day
as they are being taught in schools. Philippine Literature changed during the Spanish Period. It was centered on
Christian faith. Pre-Spanish literary types continued to develop; however, there was a gradual shift of interest
from nature and natural phenomena to the lives of the saints, hymns, miracles and invocations based on the
teachings of the Catholic Church. The Filipinos were able to retain their native traditions and poems in the field
of poetry reflected as lyrical folksongs and riddles. Events such as the exposure of the Filipinos to Europe’s
liberal idealism, the opening of the Suez Canal, the Spanish Revolution in 1868, and the martyrdom of
Gomburza led to Filipino nationalism. The primary propagandists were Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and
Graciano Lopez-Jaena. The exposure of the evils of the Spanish rule in the Philippines was because of
Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and has paved the way to a revolution against Spain.

The Revolutionary movement took over as the propagandists failed to get much reforms. This was of
course more violent, and it demands complete independence from Spain. The Katipunan was founded by
Andres Bonifacio who was inspired by Rizal’s novels. The articles written in tagalog (which was a form of
revolution) was published in the Kalayaan, the newspaper of the society. The literature at that time was more
propagandistic than literary as the situation and events at that time needed such purpose for liberation.

The three periods mentioned are the core of our history and literature. History has a very important role
in literature as literature not only reflects facts with aesthetic language but more importantly, it displays the
ideas and feelings of the people living at that time. Not only does literature exhibit history but so as the hope
that people have. It shows what they hope for the nation, or for themselves, may it be about nationalism, love,
or other aspects going on in life. As the Philippines underwent a lot of history, as well as changes, literature also
evolved. In the similar case as the first three periods, literary genres also evolve depending on the influence,
state and the condition that our country is in. From epics to folksongs, to the cenaculo and Noli Me Tangere, to
Tagalog and English short stories, essays, poetry, to the Palanca Awards entries, drama and film, to Wattpad
and blogs – these are all reflective of the history, evolution, and developments or mishaps of the Filipino nation.
Each period has its own distinct genre and unique artists that everyone remembers.
SOURCES

www.scribd.com
ejournals.ph
ncca.gov.ph
www.jstor.org
studymoose.com
prezi.com

www.slideshare.net
www.google.com
www.youtube.com
www.facebook.com
www.messenger.com
www.tumblr.com
www.instagram.com
www.wattpad.com
www.twitter.com
www.pinterest.com
www.mnet.com
 21st Century Literature

Synthesis and Comparison of the Philippine Literatures in Various Eras

Submitted by: DULNUAN KATHERINE JOY

Submitted to: SIR KAZZY NAGULMAN

Date
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