This document provides an overview of regional literature in the Philippines by discussing six major regions - Ilocos, Pampanga, Tagalog, Bicol, Cebu, and Ilonggo. Each region is known for certain writers that contributed works in the local language and helped establish their literature. For example, Pedro Bucaneg is considered the father of Ilocano poetry for his epic work Biag ni Lam-ang, while Amado M. Yuzon wrote poetry in Kapampangan that earned him honors. Francisco Baltazar wrote the Tagalog romance Florante at Laura. Mariano Perfecto established the first Bicolano and Visayan newspapers. Vicente Sotto wrote the first Cebuano

1. Overview of Philippine Literature
by Region

2.  To be able to recognize the features of
Philippine literature by regional qualities
 To become familiar with some of the works
of regional writers in the country
Learning Objectives

3.  Knowing Philippine literature through its regional
qualities and features, as well as the works of regional
writers
Key Understanding
 What are the features of Philippine literature by region?
 What are some of the literary works of regional writers
in the country?
Key Questions

4. What is Regional Literature?
Regional literature (also known as local
color) pertains to any written literary genre
that emphasizes characters, dialect, customs,
topography and other features indigenous or
native to a specific region.

5. Regional Literature in the
Philippines
1. Ilocano Literature
Pedro Bucaneg is known as
“the father of Ilocano poetry
and literature”. This blind
poet like Homer produced an
epic for his obra maestra Biag
ni Lam-ang (illustrated on
the left).

6. Regional Literature in the
Philippines
2. Pampanga Literature
Amado M. Yuzon’s poem collection written in
the local Kapampangan dialect "Salitang Paca-
Versu” has earned him accolades here and
abroad, such as the 1959 poet laureate of the
Philippines, 1956 "Who's Who in America", the
"International Who's Who in Poetry", and a
Nobel Prize nomination.

7. Regional Literature in the
Philippines
3. Tagalog Literature
Francisco Baltazar, a
Bulakeño poet who earned
for his duplo verses and corrido
lyrical metrical romance
Florante at Laura the following
titles: “father of Tagalog
literature”, “the prince of
Tagalog poets” and
“Shakespeare of the
Philippines”.
Image Credit: https://a.wattpad.com/cover/3556641-368-k668159.jpg

8. Regional Literature in the
Philippines
4. Bicol Literature
Mariano Perfecto = this governor of Camarines
during the American era was likewise a great writer
of Bicolano/Visayan novenas, poems, short dramas
and translations. He is also credited for creating the
first Bicolano newspaper the An Parabareta. For all
of these, earned the titles of “father of Bicolano
literature” and “father of Visayan literature”.

9. Regional Literature in the
Philippines
5. Cebuano Literature
Vicente Sotto was a Filipino senator from Cebu
during the Commonwealth period is also known as
the “father of modern Cebuano literature”. He
established the first Cebuano newspaper Ang Suga in
whose maiden issue he wrote the first Cebuano
published short story “Maming”. The first Cebuano
stage play Elena was likewise written, directed and
produced by him.

10. Regional Literature in the
Philippines
6. Ilonggo (Hiligaynon) Literature
Magdalena Jalandoni was a woman writer from Jaro,
Iloilo who was born in 1896 and died in 1978; hence the
time span of her works range from the Spanish, American
to Japanese occupation of the country. She is regarded as
the most prolific writer in the Hiligaynon language and
these are some of her works: Ang Mga Tunoc Sang Isa Ca
Bulac (The Thorns of a Flower), Ang Matam-is Kong
Pagkabata (My Sweet Childhood) and Ang Guitara (The
Guitar).

11. In a journal notebook, write your reflections about
the following questions. In which region of the
country do you belong? What are the spoken
dialects and languages in the region where you
come from? Are you comfortable with and familiar
in writing compositions in your mother tongue?
Why or why not?
Culminating Activity