The document outlines the evolution of Philippine literature from the precolonial period to contemporary times, highlighting key periods and influences such as Spanish colonization, American colonization, and martial law. It emphasizes the role of literature in reflecting societal norms, national identity, and human experiences, along with notable works and authors from each period. Additionally, it discusses the characteristics and forms of literature that emerged, including oral traditions, religious works, and various literary genres.

1. 21st
CENTURY
LITERATURE

2. 2
Did you know that literature comes from the Latin
word littera, or “letter of the alphabet”. According
to Brittanica, literature can be defined as a
general body of knowledge that belongs to a
language or group of people. On the other hand,
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary states that
literature refers to writings that have excelled in
terms of form and expression, agreed upon by
universal interest.

3. 3
• Reading great literature exercises imagination.
• Reading literature allows us to mentally time-travel between
different periods and places.
• Reading literature broadens our perspective on the realities of
others.
• Great works of literature influenced social norms and
standards.
• Reading literature encourages self-reflection and improves our
vocabulary.
• Reading literature helps us understand humanity better.
Why is literature valuable?

4. The
Philippines
has six literary
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5. Precolonial Period (Early
times–1564)
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The roots of Philippine literature can be traced back to the precolonial
period. Literature in this period is any literature that existed before the
Spaniards entered Philippine soil. Literature was based on the oral
tradition since no form of writing existed during that period.
Precolonial literature explains how life and the world were created
in the form of legends and myths. The subject matter is about the
common experience of the people in the village, such as their
experiences in food gathering, caring for the children, nature, etc.

6. Spanish Period (1565–1898)
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The period of Spanish colonization started in 1565
during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first
Spanish governor-general in the Philippines. The
Spanish language became the literary language. The
colonizers used the Catholic religion to substitute the
existing tradition. Literary works had a religious tone.
Doctrina Christiana was the first book to be printed
in the Philippines written by Fr. Juan de Palencia
(Tagalog) and Fr. Domingo Nieva (Spanish).

7. The Spaniards rendered all writing
systems inoperable. Until the 19th
century, the religious orders owned and
managed the printing presses.
The Propaganda Movement was
formed. It is a reform movement that
arose among young Filipino expatriates
in the late 19th century
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8. American Period (1898–1941)
During the American colonization (1910–1945), free public
instruction for all children was introduced. English was the
medium of instruction at all levels. After English was used
as the main medium of instruction and learning, Filipinos
were introduced to Anglo-American modes of thought,
culture, and ways of life that would be embedded in the
literature and psyche of the educated class. Hence,
Philippine literature was imitative of the American models
of writing.
Filipino writers used all forms of literature such as
news, reporting, poetry, short story, plays, essays, and
novels.
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9. Japanese Period (1941–1945)
Between 1941 and 1945, the development of
Philippine literature was interrupted due to
Japanese colonization. Speech and press
freedom was considered taboo. Newspapers in
English were banned by the Japanese
colonizers. This became a blessing in disguise
as writers started writing in Filipino. The
common literary themes were nationalism,
country, and life in the barrios.
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10. Under the Republic (1946–
1985)
Post-war poetry and fiction were dominated by writers in
English who either studied or trained in the United States
or England workshops.
In the 1950s, every artist, writer, musician, critic, or
academician was given a grant to stay in the US through
the Educational Exchange Program or the “Fulbright
Program.” They lectured, observed, traveled, studied, and
familiarized themselves with the cultural scene in that
country. This allowed Filipino writers to keep up with the
literary and artistic trends of the US.
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11. Contemporary Period (1986–
present)
During this period, Philippine literature continued to develop in
various languages, especially with the new publications after the
Martial Law years. This was a period of activism and literary
revolution. The writers during this period used words to confront
Martial Law and repression.
Behind these scenes, oral literature flourished in the outlying
communities of the Cebuanos, Ilokanos, Tagalogs, Samals, and
Ilonggos. The Philippine novel has remained social-realist.
At this time, writers’ workshops proliferated. Award-giving
bodies, annual competitions, and publications provide incentives for
writers to keep producing literary works.
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12. Philippine
Literature in
Different
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13. Precolonial Period
Precolonial literature tells the accounts
of great people or supernatural heroes
and stories of gods and goddesses. The
literary forms common in this period are
riddles, proverbs, folk songs, epics, folk
tales, legends, and myths.
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14. The riddle uses the metaphor because it “reveals subtle
resemblances between two unlike objects.” One’s wit is put to
the test in answering riddles. Proverbs are nuggets of
wisdom that show the community’s norms, beliefs, and
values. These are composed in short, rhyming verses.
The folk song “expresses the hopes and aspirations, the
people’s lifestyles as well as their loves.”
Legends explain the origins of things while epics and folk
tales explain how the world was created, or how the creatures
possessed certain traits. Some of our popular epics are the
Hudhud (Ifugao), Lam-ang (Ilocano), and Hinilawod (Sulod).
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15. Spanish Period
In addition to Doctrina Christiana, other literary
works include Ang Barlaan at Josephat, Pasyon,
and Urbana at Felisa. There were also many
recreational plays during that time such as the
cenakulo, zarzuela, moro-moro, and Balagtasan.
15

16. Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo written by Jose Rizal
himself, and poems were the conclusions to the
Propaganda movement. His two novels portrayed
corruption and oppression by the Spanish Government.
Andres Bonifacio, who headed the Philippine revolution,
wrote Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa. Emilio Jacinto, the
revolution’s brain, wrote political essays expressed in the
native language.
The common literary forms in this period were
religious prose and poetry, pasyon, awit, korido, political
essays, political novels, essays, and short fiction.
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17. American Period
In this period, the following writers and their works were
notable. Paz Marquez Benitez’s Dead Stars was published and
was made a landmark of the maturity of the Filipino writer in
English. Writing in a borrowed tongue while writing about
Filipino customs and traditions became prominent among
major Filipino fictionists in English. For instance, “How My
Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” written by Manuel Arguilla
showed the scenery folkways of Ilocandia. The stories of N.V.M.
Gonzales boasted the scenery and customs and traditions of
Mindoro while depicting the characters in the human dilemma
of nostalgia and poverty. Other noted fiction writers include
Francisco Arcellana and Jose Garcia Villa.
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18. Japanese Period
During the Japanese period, Liwayway was placed under strict
surveillance. Except for the Tribune and the Philippine Review,
most newspapers were stopped by the Japanese. Because of the
prohibitions, writing in English came to a halt, which resulted in
the creation of journalistic writings. Journalists include Salvador
P. Lopez, Leon Ma. Guerrero, Raul Manglapuz, and Carlos
Bulosan. Nick Joaquin wrote The Woman Who Looked Like
Lazarus. A few poems were written by Fred Ruiz Castro. F.B.
Icasino wrote essays in The Philippine Review. Carlos P. Romulo
won the Pulitzer Prize for his works I Saw the Philippines, I See
the Philippines Rise, and Mother America and My Brother
Americans.
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19. Under the Republic Period
Macario Pineda’s Ginto sa Makiling (1946) is the first work
that appeared after the second world war. Steven Javella’s
Without Seeing the Dawn (1947) and Edilberto Tiempo’s
Watch in the Night are novels about war.
Amado Hernandez’s Luha ng Buwaya deals with class
struggle. Nick Joaquin’s works, such as The Woman who had
Two Navels, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, and May Day
Eve, deal with the country’s various heritages and historical
events.
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20. Some of the writers who had been educated
and trained in workshops in the U.S. and
England include Edilberto and Edith Tiempo,
Francisco Arcellana, Ricaredo Demetillo,
Amador Daguio, Carlos Angeles, and
Bienvenido N. Santos. Of these writers, the
majority chose to return to the Philippines to
teach.
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21. Contemporary Period
Among the liberationist writers were Jose Lacaba, Epifanio
San Juan, Rogelio Mangahas, Lamberto Antonio, Lilia
Quindoza, and Jesus Manuel Santiago. Galian sa Arte at Tula
nurtured Manila writers and writing during the darkest
periods of Martial Law.
Other contemporary poets include Marjorie Evasco and
Merlie Alunan, as well as Ricardo de Ungria and Luisa Aguilar
Cariño.
Some of the literary awards include the Don Carlos
Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Philippines Free
Press, Philippine Graphic, and Home Life and Panorama
Literary Awards. 21

22. THANK YOU!

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