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PRE-SPANISH
PERIOD
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
MIDTERM COVERAGE PART1

LITERATURE
UNDERTHE
SPANISH
COLONIZATION

Long before the Spaniard and other
foreigners landed on Philippine
shores, our forefathers already had
their own literature stamped in the
history of our race.
Our ancient literature shows our
customs and traditions in everyday
life as trace in our folk stories, old
plays and short stories.

Our ancestors also had their
own alphabet which was
different from that brought by
the Spaniards.
The first alphabet used by
our ancestors was similar to
that of the Malayo-Polynesian
alphabet.

Whatever record our ancestors
left were either burned by the
Spanish friars in the belief that they
were works of the devil or were
written on materials that easily
perished, like the barks of trees,
dried leaves and bamboo cylinders
which could not have remained
undestroyed even if efforts were
made to preserve them.

Other records that remained
showed folk songs that proved
existence of a native culture
truly our own. Some of these
were passed on by word of
mouth till they reached the
hands of some publishers or
printers who took interest in
printing the manuscripts of the
ancient Filipinos.

The Spaniards who came to
the Philippines tried to
prove that our ancestors
were really fond of poetry,
songs, stories, riddles and
proverbs which we still
enjoy today and which
serve to show to
generations the true
culture of our people.

The Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by:
LEGENDS
Legends are a form of prose the common theme
of which is about the origin of a thing, place,
location or name.
(Example:THE LEGEND OFTHE TAGALOGS)

In a certain wide region of Luzon, there was a village frequented
by young men. The town was full of trees, beautiful flowers and
a river where clear waters flowed. What attracted the young
men more than the scenery was a beautiful nymph- like maiden.
The maiden was Maria and she had lots of suitors who came
from afar and who fought for her hand. But Maria remained
unconcerned and very choosy. Because she was kind, her suitors
remained undaunted so Maria thought of a plan. She called all the
men together and told them, "You are all good and kind and it is
difficult for me to choose one among you. Let me decide with a test.
"I'll marry the first man who can bring me a big, live and strong serpent,"

After a while, the voice of Ilog broke the silence.
"I promise to bring you one, Maria.
Even if I have to risk my life, I'll bring you what you wish.
" Ilog was a man known for his bravery. He left immediately to fulfill
his promise.
The men whispered among themselves. They were sure that Ilog
would
never be able to return. They waited for a long while but Ilog had not
returned. Even Maria was saddened because she also grieved
the loss of a man as brave and accommodating as Ilog.

After many hours, Ilog returned. They crowded to see how Ilog would prove his
bravery.
Ilog held a big snake by its nape and tail. While the men were thus occupied, two
Spaniards passed by. Their attention was caught not by what Ilog held but by the
beauty of Maria.
"Maria," heroically called Ilog. "I've brought you the serpent you wished for. What
else
do you want me to do to make you happy? “ The Spaniards were startled. They
asked the people around where they were and in what place they were in but
nobody paid attention for their attention were focused on the snake and on Maria.
When Maria saw that the snake was still struggling, she shouted.
"Taga, Ilog! Taga, Ilog!" (Cut, Ilog! Cut, Ilog!) which she addressed to Ilog so he
Would cut the snake up again.
The two Spaniards, thinking that this was in answer to their question repeated the
words TAGAILOG, TAGAILOG which later became TAGALOG

FOLKTALES
Folk tales are made up of stories about
life, adventure, love, horror and humor
where one can derive lessons about life.
These are useful to us because they help
us appreciate our environment, evaluate
our personalities and improve our
perspectives in life.
(Example:THE MOON AND THE SUN)

Once upon a time the Sun and the Moon were married, and they had many children who were the stars.
The Sun was very fond of his children, but whenever he tried to embrace any of them, he was so hot that he
burned them up. This made the Moon so angry that finally she forbade him to touch them again, and he was
greatly grieved.
One day the Moon went down to the spring to do some washing, and when she left she told the Sun that he
must not touch any of their children in her absence.When she returned, however, she found that he had
disobeyed her, and several of the children had perished.
She was very angry, and picked up a banana tree to strike him, whereupon he threw sand in her face, and to this
day you can see the dark marks on the face of the Moon.
Then the Sun started to chase her, and they have been going ever since. Sometimes he gets so near that he
almost catches her, but she escapes, and by and by she is far ahead again

• a. Bidasari-Moro epic
• b. Biag ni Lam-ang-Ilokano epic
• c. Maragtas-Visayan epic
• d. Haraya-Visayan epic
• e. Lagda-Visayan epic
• f. Hari sa Bukid-Visayan epic
• g. Kumintang-Tagalog epic
• h. Parang Sabir-Moro epic
• i. “Dagoy” at “Sudsod”-Tagbanua epic
• j. Tatuaang- Bagobo epic
• k. Indarapatra at Sulayman – Mindanao epic
• l. Bantugan – Mindanao epic
• m. Daramoke-A-Babay – Moro epic in
“Darangan
THE EPIC AGE
Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic
achievements or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with at length.

BIDASARI
BY MARLON MIGUEL
The epic called bidasari of
kamindanawan was based on a malay
romance.
Based on their beliefs, the life of
humans were tended by a fish,
creature, plants, or trees in order to
make their lives longer.

PHILPPINE LITERATURE MIDTERM ST. CECILIAS COLLEGE CEBU

BIAG NI
LAM-ANG
BY PEDRO BUCANEG
a pre-hispanic epic poem of the
Ilocano people of the Philippines.
The story was handed down orally
for generations before it was
written down around 1640
assumedly by a blind Ilokano bard.

MARAGTAS
BY PEDRO ALCANTARA MONTECLARO
A history of rulers of the island from
the time of the ten malay datus
(rulers) that settled from Borneo.
The story is about the ten Bornean
chieftains who escaped the cruel
regime of Sultan Makatunaw.
Datu Puti along with other nine
chieftains plans to leave Borneo.

Riding their native boats, they ventured
into the night and across the wide ocean.
At first, the ten rulers and their families
were afraid that they might perish in the
middle of the sea. Soon, they reached the
islands of Panay and befriended the
natives called Aetas.
The Aetas are quite friendly and decides
to sell a piece of their land to the ten
chieftains. The chieftains gave the Aetas
leader, Marikudo a golden salakot (native
head piece) after this; the chieftains and
Aetas lived in peace and harmony.

HARAYA
Another of the Philippine
epics from Panay.
It is a collection of rules of
conduct told in the form of
heroic tales.

HARI SA
BUKID
The "hari sa bukid" of negros
is a mythical epic of Kanlaon
(Kan comes from a persian
word "khan" meaning "king"
and “Laon" from a malay word
meaning "ancient.")

TATUAANG
BY ARSENIO MANUEL
TUWAANG is the hero of
several epics or songs of the
Bagobo, indigenous group of
southern Mindanao, which has
several sub- groups.

INDARAPATRA
AT SULAYMAN
BY BARTOLOME DEL VALLE
The story was all about the four
monsters whom the two brothers
fought with -the first monster Kurita,
secondTarabusaw, third Pah and fourth
dreadful bird.

BANTUGAN
An epic poem from the Philippines that
tells the story of a legendary warrior
named Bantugan.
The epic is written in the native
language of the Maranao people, who
are an ethnic group that lives in the
southern Philippines.

FOLK SONGS
Folk songs are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in
the pre-spanish period.These songs mirrored the early forms of culture.
Many of these have 12 syllables.

ANG DALIT
O IMNO
Song to the God

SOLIRANING
Song of the Laborer

OTHER FORMS OF
PRE-SPANISH POETRY

EPIGRAMS
(SALAWIKAIN)
These have been customarily used
and served as laws or rules on good
behavior by our ancestors.To others,
these are like allegories or parables
that impart lessons for the young.

 Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo
 Masamang damo mahirap mamatay/patayin
 Ang sakit sa kalingkingan ay ramdam sa buong
katawan
 Pag mataas ang lipad ganun din kasakit ang bagsak
 May tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita
 Kung ano ang puno,siya rin ang bunga

RIDDLES
(BUGTONG)
PALAISIPAN
These are made up of one
or more measured lines
with rhyme and may consist
of four to 12 syllables.

1.Dalawang batong itim, malayo ang nararating.
Sagot: Mga mata
2.Kay lapit-lapit na sa mata, di mo pa rin makita.
Sagot: Tenga
3.Batong marmol na buto, binalot ng gramatiko.
Sagot: Ngipin
4.Nagtago si Pedro nakalabas ang ulo
Sagot: Pako
5.Dumaan ang hari, nagkagatan ang mga pari.
Sagot: Zipper
6.Bumili ako ng alipin, mataas pa sa akin.
Sagot: Sumbrero

CHANT
(BULONG)
Used in witchcraft
or enchantment.

Ikaw ang magnanakaw ng bigas ko,
Lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo,
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo,
Patayin ka ng mga Anito.
Tabi, tabi po, Ingkong, makikiraan
po lamang.

MAXIMS
Some are rhyming
couplets with verses of
5, 6 or 8 syllables, each
line having the same
number of syllables.
Pag hindi ukol
hindi bubukol.
Sa marunong
umunawa,
Sukat ang
ilang salita.

SAYINGS
(KASABIHAN)
Often used in teasing or
to comment on a person’s
actuations.
Putak, putak
Batang duwag
Matapang ka’t
Nasa pugad.

SAWIKAIN
Sayings with
no hidden meanings
Nasa Diyos
ang awa
Nasa tao ang
gawa

1. The first alphabet used by our ancestors was similar to that
of_____.
2. What does Maria shouted to Ilog so that he would cut the
snake?
3. In a certain wide region of Luzon,
there was a village frequented
by young men. The town was full of trees, beautiful
flowers and
a river where clear waters flowed. What attracted the young
men more than the scenery?

6. These have been customarily used and served as laws or
rules on good behavior by our ancestors.
7. Sayings with no hidden meanings.
8. Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8 syllables, each line
having the same number of syllables.
9. Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
10. These are made up of one or more measured lines with rhyme and
may consist of four to 12 syllables.

SPANISH
PERIOD
MIDTERM COVERAGE PART2

It is an accepted belief that the
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.
This spurt continued unabated until
the Cavite Revolt in 1872.The
Spaniards colonized the Philippines
for more than three centuries.

During these times,
many changes occurred
in the lives of Filipinos.
They embraced the
Catholic religion,
changed their names,
and were baptized.

Their lifestyles changed too.
They built houses made of
stones and bricks, used
beautiful furniture like the
piano and used kitchen utensils.
Carriages, trains and boats
were used as means of travel.

They held fiestas to honor
the saints, the pope and
the governors.
They had cockfights, horse
races and the theater as
means of recreation.

This gave rise to the formation
of the different classes of
society like the rich and the
landlords.
Some Filipinos finished courses
like medicine, law, agriculture
and teaching. Many Filipinos
finished their schooling already
had been established.

SPANISH INFLUENCES ON
Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the
Spaniards, they have exerted a strong influence on our literature

The first Filipino
alphabet called
ALIBATA was
replaced by the
Roman alphabet.

The teaching of the
Christian Doctrine
became the basis of
religious practices.

The Spanish
language which
became the literary
language during this
time lent many of
its words to our
language.

The European
legends and
traditions brought
here became
assimilated in our
songs, corridos,
and moro-moros.

Ancient literature was collected
and translated to Tagalog and
other dialects
Many grammar books were
printed in Filipino, like Tagalog,
Ilocano andVisayan
Our periodicals during these
times gained a religious tone.

ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA
(THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE)
This was the first book printed in the Philippines
in 1593 in xylography. It was written by Fr. Juan de
Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, inTagalog and
Spanish. It contained the Pater Noster
(Our Father),Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli
(Hail Holy Queen), theTen Commandments of
God, the Commandments of the Catholic
Church, the Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess,
and the Catechism.Three old original copies of
this book can still be found at theVatican, at the
Madrid Museum and at the US Congress. It
contains only 87 pages but costs $5,000.0.

NUESTRA SEÑORA
DEL ROSARIO
(Our Lady of the Holy Rosary)
The second book printed in the
Philippines was written by Fr. Blancas
de San Jose in 1602, and printed at the
UST Printing Press with the help of Juan
deVera, a Chinese mestizo. It contains
the biographies of saints, novenas, and
questions and answers on religion.

LIBRO DE LOS CUATRO
POSTPRIMERAS DE
HOMBRE
(in Spanish and Tagalog).
(The Book of the Four Last Days of Man)
This is the first book printed in
typography.

ANG BARLAAN
AT JOSAPHAT
This is a Biblical story printed in the
Philippines and translated to Tagalog from
Greek by Fr.Antonio de Borja. It is
believed to be the first Tagalog novel
published in the Philippines even if it is
only a translation.The printed translation
has only 556 pages.The Ilocano translation
in poetry was done by Fr.Agustin Mejia.

THE PASSION
This is the book about the life and sufferings
of Jesus Christ. It is read only during Lent.
There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and
each version is according to the name of the
writer.These are the Pilapil version (by
Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan, 1814), the de Belen
version (by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat. in
1704), the de la Merced (by Aniceto de la
Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856) and
the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).

URBANA AT FELIZA
A book by Modesto de Castro,
the so called Father of Classic
Prose in Tagalog.These are letters
between two sisters Urbana at
Felisa and have influenced greatly
the behavior of people in society
because the letters dealt with
good behavior.

ANG MGA DALIT
KAY MARIA
(Psalms for Mary)
A collection of songs praising
theVirgin Mary. Fr. Mariano
Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote
this in 1865 and it was popular
especially during the Maytime
“Flores de Mayo” festival.

Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines. Each region
had its national song from the lowlands to the mountains of
Luzon,Visayas and Mindanao.
Folk songs truly manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipinos.
They show the Filipinos’ innate appreciation for and love of
beauty.

TIBAG
the word tibag means to excavate.
This ritual was brought here by the
Spaniard to remind the people
about the search of St. Helena for
the Cross on which Jesus died.

LAGAYLAY
this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of
Sorsogon during Maytime to get together.
As early as April, the participating ladies are
chosen and sometimes, mothers volunteer
their girls in order to fulfill a vow made during
an illness or for a favor received. In some parts
of Bicol, a different presentation is made but
the objective is the same – praise, respect and
offering of love to the Blessed Cross by St.
Helen on the mound she had dug in.

CENACULO
this is a dramatic performance to
commemorate the passion and death of
Jesus Christ.There are two kinds:
the Cantada and Hablada.
In the Hablada the lines are spoken in a
more deliberate manner showing the
rhythmic measure of each verse and the
rhyming in each stanza and is more
dignified in theme; the Cantada is
chanted like the Pasion.
.

CENACULO
The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse,
with 8 verses to the stanza.The full-length
versions take about 3 nights of staging.
Performers come in costumes with wigs and
performers are carefully chosen for their
virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus
Christ and another the role of theVirgin
Mary. Many famous Cenaculo players come
from the Tagalog regions although there are
also those from Ilocos, Pampanga, Bicol and
both Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.

PANUNULUYAN
this is presented before 12:00 on
Christmas Eve.
This is a presentation of the search of
theVirgin Mary and St. Joseph for an
inn wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.

THE SALUBONG
(PANUBONG)
The Salubong is an Easter play that
dramatizes the meeting of the Risen
Christ and his mother.
It is still presented in many Philippine
towns.

CARILLO
(SHADOW PLAY)
This is a form of dramatic entertainment
performed on a moonless night during a
town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest.
This shadow play is made by projecting
cardboard figures before a lamp against a
white sheet.The figures are moved like
marionettes whose dialogues are produced
by some experts.

ZARZUELA
Considered the father of the
drama; it is a musical comedy or
melodrama three acts which
dealt with man’s passions and
emotions like love, hate, revenge,
cruelty, avarice or some social or
political problem.

SAINETE
This was a short musical comedy
popular during the 18th century.
They were exaggerated comedies
shown between acts of long plays and
were mostly performed by characters
from the lower classes.
Themes were taken from everyday
life scenarios.

THE MORO-MORO
Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is
presented also on a special stage.
This is performed during town fiestas to
entertain the people and to remind them of
their Christian religion.
The plot is usually the same that of a
Christian princess or a nobleman’s daughter
who is captured by the Mohammedans.

THE MORO-MORO
The father organizes a rescue party where
fighting between the Moros and the
Christians ensues.
The Mohammedans are defeated by some
miracle or Divine Intercession and the
Mohammedans are converted to
Christianity. In some instances, the whole
kingdom is baptized and converted.
One example of this is Prinsipe Rodante.

KARAGATAN
This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-
religious nature celebrated during the
death of a person.
In this contest, more or less formal, a
ritual is performed based on a legend
about a princess who dropped her
ring into the middle of the sea and
who offered her hand in marriage to
anyone who can retrieve it.

KARAGATAN
A leader starts off with an
extemporaneous poem announcing the
purpose. He then spins a “lumbo” o
“tabo” marked with a white line.
Whoever comes in the direction of the
white line when the spinning stops gets
his turn to “go into the sea to look for
the ring.” This means a girl will ask him
a riddle and if he is able to answer, he
will offer the ring to the girl.

DUPLO
The Duplo replace the Karagatan.
This is a poetic joust in speaking and
reasoning.
The roles are taken from the Bible
and from proverbs and saying.
It is usually played during wakes for
the dead.

BALAGTASAN
This is a poetic joust or a contest
of skills in debate on a particular
topic or issue.
This replaced the DUPLO and is
held to honor Francisco “Balagtas”
Baltazar.

DUNG-AW
This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved
person or his representative beside the
corpse of the dead. No definite meter or
rhyming scheme is used.
The person chanting it freely recites in poetic
rhythm according to his feelings, emotions and
thoughts. It is personalized and usually deals
with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the
dead and includes apologies for his misdeeds.

AWIT and
CORRIDO
Some use these two
interchangeably because
distinction is not clear.

1. The first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines.
2-3.What are the changes occurred in the lives of the Filipinos
during the Spanish Period?
4.The first Filipino Alphabet.
5. This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in
xylography.
6. This is a book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ.

7. A book by Modesto de Castro, the so-called Father of Classic
Prose in Tagalog
8. This is a presentation of the search of theVirgin Mary and St.
Joseph for an inn therein to deliver the baby Jesus
9. This is a short musical comedy popular during the 18thcentury.
10. It is a personalized and usually deal with the life, sufferings and
sacrifices of the deed and includes apologies for his misdeeds.

�ݺ�ߣ

PHILPPINE LITERATURE MIDTERM ST. CECILIAS COLLEGE CEBU

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