4. 1. Literature expresses the
feelings of people to society, to
the government, to his
surroundings, to his fellowmen,
and his Divine Creator. (Brother
Azurin)
5. 2. Literature is anything that is printed
as long as it is related to the ideas
and feeling of the people, whether
it is true or just a product of one’s
imagination. (Webster)
6. 3. “True literature is a piece of written work
which is undying. It expresses the feelings
and emotions of people in response to his
everyday efforts to live, to be happy in his
environment, and after struggles, to reach
his Creator” (Panitikang Filipino)
8. • To identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic
dimensions of Philippine literary history during
pre-colonial times;
• To value the contributions of local cultures to the
development of regional literary traditions; and
• To explain the sociocultural context and discuss
how it enhances the meaning of the text and
enriches the reader’s understanding.
9. In pre-colonial times, oral transmission was
the primary means of communicating and
preserving Philippine literature. Long before
the colonizers brought their own influences
to our culture, our literature trove had
already amassed an abundance of folk
sayings, stories and songs.
10. 2 Literary Forms during Pre-Colonial Period
I. Written Literature
a. Riddles or Bugtong
b. Epigrams or
Salawikain
c. Poems or Tanaga
II. Oral Literature
a. Chant
b. Balagtasan
13. Written Literature
a. Epigrams
or
Salawikain
It reflects
the hidden
meaning
through the
good lines.
It provides
good
values.
Kung may
itinanim may
aanihin.
If something is
planted,
something will
be reaped.
14. Written Literature
a. Poem or
Tanaga
These are
common forms
of poetry that
have a quatrain
with 7 syllables
each with the
same rhyme at
the end of each
line.
It also
expresses
insights and
lessons in
life.
17. Oral Literature
a. Chant
It is used in witchcraft and enchantment.
Tabi, tabi po, Ingkong
Makikiraan po lamang.
18. Oral Literature
b. Balagtasan
This is a Filipino form of
debate done in verse.
The term is derived from
the surname of Francisco
Balagtas, the author of
the Filipino epic Florante
at Laura.
