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    PameLa Xane
    This document provides a summary of pre-Spanish literature in the Philippines, including various forms like legends, folk tales, and epics. It then shares the legend of the Tagalogs, which explains the origins of the Tagalog people in the Philippines. The legend tells the story of a maiden named Maria who challenges her many suitors to bring her a large snake. A man named Ilog succeeds in this task but is then told by Maria to "cut" the snake, which two passing Spaniards mishear as "Tagailog," becoming the name for the Tagalog people.

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    Pre Spanish

    Uploaded by

    PameLa Xane
    900 views5 pages
    This document provides a summary of pre-Spanish literature in the Philippines, including various forms like legends, folk tales, and epics. It then shares the legend of the Tagalogs, which explains the origins of the Tagalog people in the Philippines. The legend tells the story of a maiden named Maria who challenges her many suitors to bring her a large snake. A man named Ilog succeeds in this task but is then told by Maria to "cut" the snake, which two passing Spaniards mishear as "Tagailog," becoming the name for the Tagalog people.

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    This document provides a summary of pre-Spanish literature in the Philippines, including various forms like legends, folk tales, and epics. It then shares the legend of the Tagalogs, which explains the origins of the Tagalog people in the Philippines. The legend tells the story of a maiden named Maria who challenges her many suitors to bring her a large snake. A man named Ilog succeeds in this task but is then told by Maria to "cut" the snake, which two passing Spaniards mishear as "Tagailog," becoming the name for the Tagalog people.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    900 views5 pages

    Pre Spanish

    Uploaded by

    PameLa Xane
    This document provides a summary of pre-Spanish literature in the Philippines, including various forms like legends, folk tales, and epics. It then shares the legend of the Tagalogs, which explains the origins of the Tagalog people in the Philippines. The legend tells the story of a maiden named Maria who challenges her many suitors to bring her a large snake. A man named Ilog succeeds in this task but is then told by Maria to "cut" the snake, which two passing Spaniards mishear as "Tagailog," becoming the name for the Tagalog people.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 5

    Historical Background

    Long before the Spaniard and other foreigners landed on 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 trace 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 record 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
    remained undestroyed even if efforts were made to preserve
    them. Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved
    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.
    Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by
    A. LEGENDS. 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. Old Filipino customs are reflected in these legends.
    Its aim is to entertain. Here is an example of a legend is THE
    LEGEND OF THE TAGALOGS.
    B. FOLK TALES. Folk tales are made up of stories about life,
    adventure, love, horror and humor where one can derive lessons
    about life. These are useful to us because they help us appreciate

    our environment, evaluate our personalities and improve our


    perspectives in life. An example of this is THE MOON AND THE
    SUN.
    C. THE EPIC AGE. Epics are long narrative poems in which a series
    of heroic achievements or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with
    at length. Nobody can determine which epics are the oldest
    because in their translations from other languages, even in English
    and Spanish. We can only determine their origins from the time
    mentioned in the said epics.
    Aside from the aforementioned epics, there are still other epics
    that can be read and studied like the following epics.
    a. Bidasari-Moro epic
    b. Biag ni 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
    D. FOLK SONGS. 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. Many of these
    have 12 syllables. Here are the examples:

    a. Kundiman
    b. Kumintang o Tagumpay
    c. Ang Dalit o Imno
    d. Ang Oyayi o Hele
    e. Diana
    f. Soliraning
    g. Talindaw
    OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY
    E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings
    1. Epigrams (Salawikain). These have been customarily used
    and served as laws or rules on good behavior by our
    ancestors. To others, these are like allegories or parables
    that impart lessons for the young.
    2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. These are made up of one or
    more measured lines with rhyme and may consist of four to
    12 syllables.
    3. Chant (Bulong). Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
    4. Maxims. Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8
    syllables, each line having the same number of syllables.
    5. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to comment
    on a persons actuations.
    6. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings)

    The Legend of the Tagalogs


    We are aware that we Filipinos are a mixture of different
    races; we have the Ilocanos, the Kapampangans, Visayans,
    Bicolanos, and the Tagalogs, whose origin we will trace.
    In a 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 are flowed. What
    attracted the young men more than the scenery was a beautiful
    nymph-like maiden.
    The maiden was Maria and she had lots of suitors who
    came from afar and who fought for her hand. But Maria
    remained unconcerned and very choosy. Because she was kind,
    her suitors remained undaunted so Maria thought of a plan. She
    called all the young men together and told them,
    You are all good and kind and it is difficult to choose
    among you. Let me decide with a test.
    Ill marry the man who can bring me a big, live and
    strong serpent, Maria said in jest.
    The young men were dumbfounded. After a while, the
    voice of Ilog broke the silence.
    I promise to bring you one, Maria. Even if I have to risk
    my life, Ill bring what you wish.
    Ilog was a man known for his bravery. He left
    immediately to fulfill his promise.
    The men whispered among themselves. They were sure
    that Ilog will never be able to return. They waited for a long
    while but Ilog had not returned. Even Maria was saddened
    because she also grieved the loss of a man as brave and
    accomodatingas Ilog.

    After many hours, Ilog returned. They crowded to see


    how Ilog prove his bravery. Ilog held a big snake by its nape and
    tail.
    While the men were thus occupied, two Spaniards
    passed by. Their attent was caught not by what Ilog helda big
    snake by its nape and tail.
    Marie, heroically called Ilog. Ive brought you the
    serpent you wished for. What else do you want me to do to
    make you happ?
    Cut it up! shouted Maria.
    The Spaniards were startled. They asked the people
    around where they were and in what place they were in but
    nobody paid attention for their attention was focused on the
    snake and on Maria. When Maria saw that the snake was still
    struggling, she shouted.
    Taga, Ilog! Taga Ilog! (Cut Ilog, Cut Ilog!) which she
    addressed to Ilog so he would cut the snake up again.
    The two Spaniards, thinking that this was in answer to
    their question repeated the words TAGAILOG, TAGAILOG which
    later became TAGALOG.

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