Dear Ilustrados, It is with deepest gratitude that I write to you today to express my sincere appreciation for your contributions to our nation and its literature during the Period of Enlightenment. Through your brave writings that exposed the injustices of colonial rule, you reawakened the Filipino spirit and inspired the Propaganda Movement that helped pave the way for our independence. Your works, including Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo and other essays, addressed the corruption and abuse that our people suffered under Spanish colonialism. You gave a voice to the voiceless and ignited in our hearts a longing for freedom. Though the road was difficult and the consequences severe, you remained committed to advancing our rights and dignity through

1. Introduction
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the
World Module aims to engage students in
appreciation and critical study of 21st Century
Literature from the Philippines and the World,
encompassing their various dimensions, genres,
elements, structures, contexts, and traditions.

2. Overview
Learning Competency:
EN12Lit-Ia-21 Identify geographic,
linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of
Philippine literary history from pre-
colonial to the contemporary

3. Lesson Objectives
 Identify various dimensions of Philippine
literary history from pre- colonial to
contemporary;
 Enumerate differences between and among
periods of Philippine literature as presented
by geographic, linguistic, and ethnic
dimensions;
 Show appreciation of the early and
contemporary forms of Philippine literature.

4. Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. Jose Rizal’s works such as Noli Me Tangere and
El Filibusterismo were written to awake the mind
of our countrymen.
a)Spanish Period
b)American Period
c)Pre-Spanish Period
d)Period of Enlightenment

5. 2. The Philippines had literature such as
legends, folktales, folksongs, and the like.
a)Spanish Period
b)Japanese Period
c)Pre-Spanish Period
d)Period of Enlightenment

6. 3. In this period, religious books were
written such as Doctrina Cristiana and
Urbana and Felisa to support or contradict
the Catholic Church.
a)Spanish Period
b)American Period
c)21st Century Period
d)Period of Enlightenment

7. 4. Filipino writers went into all forms of literature
like news, reporting, poetry, stories plays, essays,
and novels which clearly depicted their love of
country and their longings for independence.
a) EDSA 1 Period
b) American Period
c) Pre-Spanish Period
d) 3rd Republic Period

8. 5. Filipino literature was given a break during
this period for the Filipino literature was
prohibited to use. Many wrote plays, poems
short stories, etc. Topics and themes were often
about life in the provinces.
a)Japanese Period
b)American Period
c)Pre-Spanish Period
d)3rd Republic Period

9. Philippine Culture
Our forefathers already had their own literature
which was reflected in their customs and traditions.
They had their own alphabet even before they were
colonized.
Their alphabet was 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.

10. Identitify the following (Pre-colonial, Japanese
& American Period, and Spanish and Period of
Enlightenment)
1. Kahapon, ngayon, at bukas – Kapangpangan
2. Lullabyes or ili-ili- Ilongo
3. Ambahan- Mangyan
4. Harana- Cebuano
5. Awit and Korido- Tagalog
6. Lagaylay- Sorsogon
7. THE MORO-MORO- Mindanao
8. Ang Mga Tunuksan Isa Ca Bulacalac – Visaya

11. Pre-colonial
•Ida-Ida- Maguidanao
•Ibanag- Tagalog
•Lullabyes or ili-ili- Ilongo
•Ambahan- Mangyan
•Harana- Cebuano
•Kissa- Tausug

12. Japanese & American Period
Kahapon, ngayon, at bukas – Kapangpangan
Ang Mga Tunuksan Isa Ca Bulacalac - Visaya

13. Spanish and Period of Enlightenment
Awit and Korido- Tagalog
Lagaylay- Sorsogon
THE MORO-MORO- Mindanao

14. Pre-Spanish Literature
Legends
are a form of prose the common
theme of which is about the origin of
a thing, place, location or name. The
events are imaginary, devoid of truth
and unbelievable.

15. Pre-Spanish Literature
Folk tales
are made up of stories about life,
adventure, love, horror and humor
where one can derive lessons about
life.

16. Pre-Spanish Literature
Epics
are long narrative poems in
which a series of heroic
achievements or events, usually of
a hero, are dealt with at length.

17. Pre-Spanish Literature
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.

18. Pre-Spanish Literature
 Other forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
 Epigrams (Salawikain)
 Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan, tigmo in Cebuano,
paktaton in Ilongo and patototdon in Bicol
 Chant (Bulong)
 Maxims
 Sayings (Kasabihan)
 Sawikain (Sayings)

19. ACTIVITY 1
DIRECTIONS: Given below are sample literary pieces. Explain each by providing real-life scenarios or
situations.
EXAMPLE: “May tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita.” – mabilis magpasa o mapasalin-salin ang mga
balita kapag ito ay nakalabas sa bibigg ng tao, narinig ito sa tenga ng ibang tao. Mabilis malaman ng
publiko

20. THE MOON AND THE SUN
(Tingguian folk tale)
In the olden days, like the moon, the sun had also star children
which were yellowish in color, very
bright and very hot.
He star children of the moon,
however, were reddish and cool. That moon was scared hat his stars would wither and die if they play
with the star children of the sun.
The moon suggested to the sun that they kill their children who were crowding the heavens with their
number.
When the sun had killed her
children, the moon merely hid behind the clouds.
In the evening, when the clouds faded, the moon stars appeared.
This angered the sun so he gave chase to the moon. Thus when he
overtakes the moon, we have the so-called eclipse.
Every morning, the kills the moon stars that he catches.
Until now, this chase continues
and because the moon still continues.

21. SpanishPeriod (1565-1898

22. Literatureinthis periodmaybeclassifiedasreligiousproseand
poetryandsecularproseandpoetry.
SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE 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.
 European legends and traditionsbrought here became
assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-moros.

23. THE FIRST BOOKS
 ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE).
This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in
xylography.
 Nuestra Señora del Rosario. It contains the biographies of
saints, novenas, and questions and answers on religion.
 Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in Spanish and
Tagalog). This is the first book printed in typography.
 Ang Barlaan at Josephat. This is a Biblical story printed in the
Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio
de Borja.
 The Pasion. This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus
Christ. It is read only during Lent. Urbana at Felisa.

24. FOLK SONGS
Folk songs became widespread in the
Philippines. Each region had its national song
from the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao. They truly manifest the
artistic feelings of the Filipinos. They show the
Filipinos’ innate appreciation for and love of
beauty. The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta,
Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi and
Atin Cu Pung Sing- sing.

25. There are many recreational plays per-
formed by Filipinos during the Spanish
times. Almost all of them were in poetic
form.

26. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
 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.
 The Cenaculo – This is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of
Jesus Christ.
 Panunuluyan – This is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a
presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to
deliver the baby Jesus.
 The Salubong (or 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.
 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.

27. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
 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 sce- narios.
 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.
 KARAGATAN. This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the
death of a person.
 DUPLO. The Duplo replaced 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 is replaced the DU- PLO and is held to honor Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.
 THE 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.
 AWIT and the CORRIDO. Some use these two interchangeably because distinction is not
clear.

28. Activity 2
Write a reflective essay highlighting the message of the excerpt of one of the most
famous literary pieces during Spanish time, Pasyon.
KASAYSAYAN NG PASYONG MAHAL NI HESUKRISTONG PANGINOON NATIN (COPYRIGHT
1949 BY IGNACIO LUNA & SONS)
Panalangin sa Diyos Oh Diyos sa kalangitan Hari ng sangkalupaan
Diyos na walang kapantay, mabait lubhang maalam at puno ng
karunungan.
Ikaw ang Amang tibobos ng nangungulilang lubos amang di matapus-
tapos,maawi't mapagkupkop sa taong lupa't alabok. Iyong itulot sa
amin Diyos Amang maawain mangyaring aming dalitin,

30. Period of Enlightenment
(1972-1898)
• In 19th Century, Filipino intellectuals educated in Europe called ilustrados began to
write about the hitch of colonization.
• The 300 years with Spaniards marked the longest colonial period in the Philippine
history. Due to the need to see new hope in the midst of multitude, the Filipino
spirit reawakened when the 3 priests Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were guillotined
without sufficient evidence of guilt.
• The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896)
• This movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like Jose
Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose
Ma. Panganiban, and Pedro Paterno.

34. Activity 3
•DIRECTIONS: Make a gratitude letter addressed
to ilustrados indicating the importance of their
writings in the attainment of nation’s freedom
and in the development of Philippine literature.