The document discusses several topics related to Philippine literature from pre-Spanish times to the Spanish period. It provides examples of different literary genres that developed during these periods, including folk epics, folk songs, folk tales, moro-moro plays, religious passion plays, and funeral chants. The document also discusses the development of literature and how Spanish colonization influenced Philippine society and culture, leading to changes in lifestyle and the emergence of new social classes.

1. PROJECT
IN
LIT 114
SUBMITTED BY:
JOJILYN V. DABLO
SUBMITTED TO:
MA’AM JOSEPHINE SARINGAN

2. The Canterbury Tales (Middle English: Tales of Canterbury[2]) is a collection of over 20
stories written in Middle English by Geoffrey Chaucer at the end of the 14th century, during the
time of the Hundred Years' War. The tales (mostly written in verse, although some are in prose)
are presented as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims as they travel together on a
journey from Southward to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The
prize for this contest is a free meal at the Tabard Inn at Southwark on their return. It depicts the
religion and customs of the England in the early days.
El Cid (Epic of Spain) I- Introduction of the epic El Cid: The Cantar de mio Cid (El Cid)
recounts the heroic deeds of the Cid, an exiled member of the lower nobility who wins back his
king’s favor by battling the Islamic inhabitants of Spain. Based on the exploits of a historical
personage, Rodrigo (Ruy) Diazde Vivar, who lived from 1040-1099, this epic offers an
important example of the interaction of history and literature in the Middle Ages

3. The origin of this eight-century Fench epic is obscure but the story is based on a battle
between the Gascons of Spain and Charlemagne of France. Einhard, an early biographer of
Charlemagne, says in his account, “In this battle, Egginhard, the royal seneschal, Anselm, the
Count of the Palace, and Hruodland (Roland) the Warden of Breton Marches were killed, with
very many others.” This is the first mention we have of the knight who was to be eulogized in
one of the greatest epics of the Middle Ages.
This detail scene, from the Papyrus of Hunefer (c. 1275 BCE), shows the scribe Hunefer's
heart being weighed on the scale of Maat against the feather of truth, by the jackal-headed
Anubis. The ibis-headed Thoth, scribe of the gods, records the result. If his heart equals exactly
the weight of the feather, Hunefer is allowed to pass into the afterlife. If not, he is eaten by the
waiting chimeric devouring creature Ammit composed of the deadly crocodile, lion, and
hippopotamus. Vignettes such as these were a common illustration in Egyptian books of the
dead.
CHAPTER 1

4. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF
LITERATURE
The word literature is derived from the Latin term litera which means letter. It has been
defined differently by various writers.
Some loosely interpret literature as any printed matter written within a book, a magazine or a
pamphlet. Others define literature as a faithful reproduction of man’s manifold experiences
blended into one harmonious expression.
Because literature deals with ideas, thoughts and emotions of man, literature can be said
to be the story of man. Man’s loves, griefs, thoughts, dreams, and aspirations coached in
beautiful language is literature. In order to know the history of a nation’s spirit, one must read its
literature. Hence it is, that to understand the real spirit of a nation, one must “trace the little rills
as they course along down the ages, broadening and deepening into the great ocean of thought
which men of the present source are presently exploring.
Brother Azurin, said that “literature expresses the feelings of people to society, to the
government, to his surroundings, to his fellowmen and to his Divine Creator.” The expression of
one’s feelings, according to him, may be through love, sorrow, happiness, hatred, anger, pity,
contempt, or revenge.
For Webster, literature is anything that is printed, as long as it is related to the ideas and
feelings of people, wether it is true, or just a product of one’s imagination.
In PANITIKANG PILIPINO written by Atienza, Ramos, Salazar and Nazal, it says that
“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”.
CHAPTER 2

5. THE PRE-SPANISH PERIOD
Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed on the 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 traced 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 records 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
remaind undestroyed even if efforts were made to preserve them.
Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved the 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.
CHAPTER 3

6. THE SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1898)
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 in the Philippines because many schools already had been
established.

7. This detail scene, from the Papyrus of Hunefer (c. 1275 BCE), shows the scribe Hunefer's
heart being weighed on the scale of Maat against the feather of truth, by the jackal-headed
Anubis. The ibis-headed Thoth, scribe of the gods, records the result. If his heart equals exactly
the weight of the feather, Hunefer is allowed to pass into the afterlife. If not, he is eaten by the
waiting chimeric devouring creature Ammit composed of the deadly crocodile, lion, and
hippopotamus. Vignettes such as these were a common illustration in Egyptian books of the
dead.
Stevan Javellana’s Without Seeing the Dawn was all about the village and the man who
lived on the farm but became a rebel when one of the land owners betrayed the farmers. He tried
the life on the city, but it was never easy for them.

8. Aliguyon is the most famous warrior in Filipino hudhud songs who fought an epic battle
with Pumbakhayon and ultimately brought peace to his people. Hudhuds are long tales typically
sung on special occasions — Aliguyon's epic is traditionally sung at harvest time. Hudhuds are
stories that center around the heroes of the native Ifugao people.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is set in 1790 in the countryside around the Dutch
settlement of Tarry Town (historical Tarrytown, New York), in a secluded glen called Sleepy
Hollow. Sleepy Hollow is renowned for its ghosts and the haunting atmosphere that pervades the
imaginations of its inhabitants and visitors. Some residents say this town was bewitched during
the early days of the Dutch settlement. Other residents say an old Native American chief, the
wizard of his tribe, held his powwows here before the country was discovered by Master
Hendrick Hudson. The most infamous spectre in the Hollow is the Headless Horseman, said to
be the ghost of a Hessian trooper who had his head shot off by a stray cannonball during "some
nameless battle" of the American Revolutionary War, and who "rides forth to the scene of battle
in nightly quest of his head".

9. This Filipino folktale The Sun and the Moon is not only gives an origin story to the stars,
but also circles themes of family and responsibility, important elements to tribal cultures and
equally important in modern life. Our actions, or failure to act, can have lasting impact on our
environment and the people around us. However, we can also find beauty in every tragedy, and
no matter what happens in life, we see that there is perpetual hope for redemption.
Biag ni Lam-ang (English: "The Life of Lam-ang") is an epic poem of the Ilokano people
from the Ilocos region of the Philippines. Recited and written in the original Iloko, the poem is
believed[by whom?] to be a composite work of various poets who passed it on through the
generations, and was first transcribed around 1640 by a blind Ilokano bard named Pedro
Bucaneg.

10. Kundiman is a genre of traditional love songs. These songs often express feelings of
intense romance, yearning, and devotion. Many say that its name was derived from “kung hindi
man” (if it should not be so), a common phrase found in the lyrics of earlier versions of these
songs. In the olden days, men would often sing Kundiman to their women in a traditional
courtship custom called Harana. Since Kundiman is a form or serenade, its melody is often slow
and smooth, with a gentle rhythm with dramatic intervals. It is also often sung with an
accompanying guitar.

11. The “Baybayin writing system” also commonly known as the “Alibata” was an old script
structure used by these ancient Philippine settlers long before the first Spanish colonizers arrived
in 1521. It originated from the ancient Javanese system, the Old Kawi script. It is part of the
Brahmic family of syllables derived from the Vatteluttu system (the precursor of the modern
Tamil script) used in ancient southern India and Sri Lanka. The Baybayin uses an abugida
system based mainly on consonant syllabications and vowel arrangements. It was used even
during the Spanish times up until the end of their rule in 1898. Baybayin (Alibata) is now slowly
being reintroduced to Filipinos and has become quite popular in the graffiti and tattoo scene. via
flicker, nordenx, all Philippines, flicker, nicopuertollano.com, and flicker again.
Christian Doctrine, in Spanish and Tagalog . Published in Manila in 1593, this catechism
in Spanish and Tagalog is the first book printed in the Philippines. It is also the first book printed
in a Philippine language and the first, and only, 16th-century source showing an explicit and
distinctly Philippine abecedarium (alphabet). The book is illustrated with a woodcut frontispiece
of St. Dominic and initial letters in both Spanish and Tagalog. Part of the rare book collections of
the Library of Congress, it is the only known copy in existence.

12. A classic work song that is believed to have originated in the provinces and was
traditionally sang during the papaya harvest season. It has a call and response verse pattern and is
typically sung in duet by a man and a woman, with some minor alteration in the lyrics. It is also a
favorite performance piece by choral groups. Become a timeless Philippine folk song loved by
millions of Filipinos from the heydays of the "kundiman" era to the generations to come.
Lagaylay is a recreational play a special occasion for the Pilarenos 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. Helena on the mound she had dug
in.

13. Cenaculo is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion of death of Jesus
Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and the 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 passion.
Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and his
Mother. It is still presented in many Philippine towns.

14. The earliest known form of organized theatre is the comedia, or moro-moro, created by
Spanish priests. In 1637 a play was written to dramatize the recent capture by a Christian
Filipino army of an Islamic stronghold. It was so popular that other plays were written and
staged as folk dramas in Christianized villages...
Dung-aw 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 deal with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and includes apologies for his
misdeeds.