Chapter 2 discusses the pre-Spanish period in the Philippines, highlighting the existence of rich native literature, customs, and traditions prior to Spanish colonization. It details various forms of pre-Spanish literature, including legends, folk tales, epic poetry, and folk songs, while noting the destruction of some records by Spanish friars. The chapter also mentions various examples of epics from different regions and outlines poetic forms used, such as epigrams, riddles, and chants.

1. Chapter 2
The Pre-Spanish
Period
Presented by Abigail Pilapil

2. Historical
Background

3. Before the arrival of Spaniards in the Philippines, our ancestors had
their own literature, customs, and traditions.
Our ancient literature includes folk stories, old plays, and short
stories. Our ancestors also had their own alphabet, which differed
from the Malayo-Polynesian alphabet.
Spanish friars burned or destroyed records, but some remained,
revealing a native culture. Spaniards tried to show their love for
poetry, songs, stories, riddles, and proverbs, which are still enjoyed
today.

4. Pre-Spanish
Literature is
characterized

5. A . L E G E N D S .
- a r e a f o r m o f p r o s e
t h e c o m m o n t h e m e o f
w h i c h
i s a b o u t t h e o r i g i n o f a
t h i n g , p l a c e , l o c a t i o n o r

6. B . F O L K T A L E S .
- a r e m a d e u p o f
s t o r i e s a b o u t l i f e ,
a d v e n t u r e , l o v e , h o r r o r
a n d h u m o r w h e r e o n e
c a n d e r i v e l e s s o n s
a b o u t l i f e .

7. C . T H E E P I C A G E .
- a r e l o n g n a r r a t i v e
p o e m s i n w h i c h a
s e r i e s o f h e r o i c
a c h i e v e m e n t s o r
e v e n t s , u s u a l l y o f a
h e r o , a r e d e a l t w i t h a t

8. Aside from the
aforementioned epics,
there are still other epics
that can be read and
studied like the following

9. a. Bidasari-Moro epic
b. Biagni Lam-ang-Ilokano epic
c. Maragtas-Visayan epic
d. Haraya-Visayan epic
e. Lagda-Visayan epic
f. Hari sa Bukid-Visayan epic
g. Kumintang-Tagalog epic
h. Parang Sabir-Moro epic
i. “Dagoy” at “Sudsod”-Tagbanua epic
j. Tatuaang-Bagobo epic
k. Indarapatra at Sulayman
l. Bantugan
m. Daramoke-A-Babay – Moro epic in “Darangan”

11. D . F O L K S O N G S .
- a r e o n e o f t h e
o l d e s t f o r m s o f
P h i l i p p i n e l i t e r a t u r e
t h a t e m e r g e d i n t h e
p r e - S p a n i s h p e r i o d .

12. a. Kundiman
b. Kumintang o Tagumpay
c. Ang Dalit o Imno
d. AngOyayi o Hele
e. Diana
f. Soliraning
g. Talindaw

18. OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH
POETRY

19. E.
Epigrams, Riddles,
Chants, Maxims,
Proverbs or Sayings

20. 1 . E p i g r a m s
( S a l a w i k a i n ) .
T h e s e h a v e b e e n
c u s t o m a r i l y u s e d
a n d s e r v e d a s l a w s
o r r u l e s o n g o o d
b e h a v i o r b y o u r

21. 2 . R i d d l e s ( B u g t o n g ) o r
P a l a i s i p a n .
T h e s e a r e m a d e u p o f
o n e o r m o r e m e a s u r e d
l i n e s w i t h r h y m e a n d
m a y c o n s i s t o f f o u r t o
1 2 s y l l a b l e s .

22. 3 . C h a n t
( B u l o n g ) .
U s e d i n
w i t c h c r a f t o r

23. 4 . M a x i m s .
S o m e a r e r h y m i n g
c o u p l e t s w i t h v e r s e s o f
5 , 6 o r 8 s y l l a b l e s ,
e a c h l i n e h a v i n g t h e
s a m e n u m b e r o f

24. 5 . S a y i n g s
( K a s a b i h a n ) .
O f t e n u s e d i n
t e a s i n g o r t o
c o m m e n t o n a

25. 6 . S a w i k a i n
( S a y i n g s w i t h
n o h i d d e n
m e a n i n g s )

27. Exercises
1. The first alphabet used by our ancestors was similar to that of the
______.
2. What does Maria shouted to Ilog so that he would cut the snake?
3. In certain wide region of Luzon, there was a village frequented by young
men. This town was full of trees, beautiful flowers and a river where clear
waters flowed. What attracted the young men more than the scenery?
4. The writer of BIAG-Ni Lam-Ang
5. Also known as Lullaby

28. 6. These have been customarily used and served as laws or rules
on good behavior by our ancestors
7. Sayings with no hidden Meanings
8. Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5,6, or 8 syllables,
each lines having the same number of syllables.
9. Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
10. These are med up of one or more measured lines with rhyme
and may consist of four to twelve syllables.

30. Thank you