HANDOUTS (WEEK 1-2)

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Geographic, Linguistic and Ethnic Dimensions of Philippine Literary History from Pre-Colonial
to the Contemporary

INTRODUCTION

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you understand 21st Century Literature
from the Philippines and the World. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning
situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to
follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond
with the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into two lessons, namely: • Lesson 1 – Geographic, Linguistic and Ethnic Dimensions of
Philippine Literary History from Pre-Colonial to the Contemporary. • Lesson 2 – Identifying Representative Texts
from the Regions

After going through this module, you are expected to: 1. Identify geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of
Philippine literary history from pre-colonial to contemporary and representative texts from the regions. 2. Write a
close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts. 3. Show a sense of adaptability of the Philippine Literary
History

LESSON 1 Geographic, Linguistic and Ethnic Dimensions of Philippine Literary History from Pre-
Colonial to the Contemporary
PRE-SPANISH LITERATURE - is characterized by:

• Folk tales. These are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor where one can derive
lessons. An example of this is THE MOON AND THE SUN.

• 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.

• Folk Songs. These 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. Examples of which are
Kundiman, Kumintang o Tagumpay, Ang Dalit o Imno, Ang Oyayi o Hele, Diana, Soliraning and Talindaw

Understanding Literary History

Literature in this period may be classified as religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry.

• Spanish Influences On Philippine Literature The first Filipino alphabet, called ALIBATA, was replaced by the
Roman alphabet. Also, the teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices. European
legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-moros.

• Folk Songs It manifests the artistic feelings of the Filipinos and shows their innate appreciation for and love of
beauty. The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi, and Atin Cu Pung Sing-
sing.

• Recreational Plays There were many recreational plays performed by Filipinos during the Spanish times. Almost
all of them were in a poetic form such Cenaculo, Panunuluyan, Salubong and Zarzuela.

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PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1972- 1898)

In 19th Century, Filipino intellectuals educated in Europe called Ilustrados began to write about the hitch of
colonization.

The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896) - This movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-
class like Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma.
Panganiban, and Pedro Paterno. o Some of Rizal’s writings: Noli Me Tangere, Mi Ultimo Adios, Sobre La
Indolencia Delos Filipinos and Filipinas Dentro De Cien Aňos.

o Some of Del Pilar’s writings: Pagibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of Country), Kaingat Kayo (Be Careful), and Dasalan
at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes).

o Some of Jaena’s writings: Ang Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile (The Child of the Friar), and Everything Is Hambug
(Everything is mere show), Sa Mga Pilipino...1891), and Talumpating Pagunita Kay Kolumbus (An Oration to
Commemorate Columbus).

THE AMERICAN REGIME (1898-1944)

Linguistically, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write using English language. Jose Garcia Villa became
famous for his free verse. Characteristics of Literature during this period: The languages used in writing were
Spanish and Tagalog and the dialects of the different regions. But the writers in Tagalog, continued in their
lamentations on the conditions of the country and their attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue and the
writers in English imitated the themes and methods of the Americans.

THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when another foreign country, Japan, conquered the
Philippines between1941-1945. Philippine literature in English came to a halt. This led to all newspapers not to be
circulated in the community except for TRIBUNE and PHILIPPINE REVIEW.

o Filipino Poetry during this period The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was
nationalism, country, love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.

o Three types of poems emerged during this period: a. Haiku , a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was
made up of 17 syllables divided into three lines and

b. Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short, but it had measure and rhyme.

c. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (1941-1945)

Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the Japanese in the writing and publishing of works in English,
Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period. For the first twenty years, many books were published
both in Filipino and in English.

In the New Filipino Literature, Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes in the
writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, the poverty of life under the Japanese government, and the brave guerilla
exploits.

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)

According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide causes. Because of
the ills of society, the youth moved to seek reforms.

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The Literary Revolution

The youth became vocal with their sentiments. They demanded a change in the government. It was manifested in
the bloody demonstrations and the sidewalk expressions and also in literature.

PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972- 1980)

The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual
awards. Poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs, and the beauties of nature and
surroundings. Newspapers donned new forms.

News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism, and the like were favored more than the sensationalized
reporting of killings, rape, and robberies. Filipinos before were hooked in reading magazines and comics.

PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985)

After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino, which started under the New Society,
Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981. The Philippines became a new nation, and this, former President
Marcos called “The New Republic of the Philippines.” Poems during this period of the Third Republic were
romantic and revolutionary. Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were true-to-life like those of grief,
poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and fellowmen.

POST-EDSA 1 REVOLUTION (1986-1995)

History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people regained their independence, which they lost twenty
years ago. In four days from February 21-25, 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed. In the
short span of the existence of the real Republic of the Philippines, several changes already became evident. It was
noticed in the new Filipino songs, newspapers, speeches, and even in the television programs. The now crony
newspapers that enjoyed an overnight increase in circulation were THE INQUIRER, MALAYA, and the PEOPLE’S
JOURNAL.

21st CENTURY PERIOD

The new trends have been used and introduced to meet the needs and tastes of the new generation. 21st Century
learners are demanded to be ICT inclined to compete with the style and format of writing as well. New codes or
lingos are used to add flavor in the literary pieces produced nowadays.

RECAP!
1.Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by Legends, Folk Tales, The Epic Age, and Folk Songs.

2. The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896) was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal,
Marcelo del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban and Pedro Paterno.

3. In the American Regime, Americans influenced Filipino writers to write using the English language. English as a
medium of instruction was introduced in the schools as the intellectual language of education.

4. In the Period of Activism, campus newspapers were written to show their protest. They held pens and wrote on
placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).

5. Period of the New Society poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs, and the beauties of
nature and surroundings.

6. The period of the Third Republic was romantic and revolutionary.

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7. Post EDSA I noticed in the new Filipino songs, in the newspapers, in the speeches, and even in the television
programs.

LESSON 2 Identifying Representative Texts from the Regions

Imagery is a poetic element that tries to create a picture in the mind of the reader or a mental image through the
use of figural language. It represents objects, places, ideas, or even actions that appeal to the senses of the
readers.

A Taste of Philippine Poetry

Located in the northwest of Luzon, the Ilocos Region or Region 1 is comprised of four provinces, namely: Ilocos
Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. It is bordered to the west by the turbulent South China Sea, to the
east by the Cordillera Administrative Region, the northeast and southeast by Cagayan Valley and the South by
Central Luzon. Most of the inhabitants of the Ilocano homeland are concentrated along a narrow coastal plain.
Because of geographical boundaries, these people often experience heavy rains and violent typhoons, especially
during rainy seasons.

The region, then, takes pride in long stretches of white sand and clear waters alongside its rich cultural heritage.
What you are about to read is a poem written by a Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee in Poetry in 1964, Carlos A.
Angeles. His collection of poems entitled, Stun of Jewels, also bagged him the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in
Literature in the same year. A Moment of Silence Gabu depicts a coastline in Ilocos that is constantly experiencing
the battering restlessness of the sea. The water that comes back to the shore seems furious and ruthless with its
daylong bashing, which havocs the wasteland. Being an archipelagic country, the Philippines knows the importance
of water and the sea.

A Taste of Tagalog Essay

More popularly known now as the CALABARZON referring to the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and
Quezon, Region IV-A is home to Tagalogspeaking people in the Philippines. Recognized all over the country for
their bravery and fearlessness in battles, CALABARZON has participated actively in the country’s fight for freedom
and democracy. It is home to many Philippine heroes foremost, and among them are Rizal of Laguna, Mabini of
Batangas, and Aguinaldo of Cavite.

A Taste of Creative Nonfiction

The island of Visayas is one of the major geographical divisions in the Philippines, the other two being Luzon and
Mindanao. It is divided into Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas. The Visayas region is comprised of several
islands circling the Visayan Sea. Its people, therefore, share a sea-based culture and tradition that may be rooted in
a strong religious foundation.

The dwelling place of many festivals such as the Ati-Atihan, Di-nagyang, Sinulog, Pintados, and Maskara, the
Visayas may indeed be considered as one of the cradles of Philippine civilization.

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RECAP!
1.Imagery is a poetic element that tries to create a picture in the mind of the reader or a mental image through
the use of figurative language.

2. Gabu depicts a coastline in Ilocos that is constantly experiencing the battering restlessness of the sea.

3. Panahon na muling Padaluyin ang Agos is a persuasive essay that focuses on the potent capacity of a national
language to arouse patriotism and love of country and its people.

4. The Dreamwaevers is a text written by a feminist Filipina who strongly promotes women’s rights.

Prepared by:

CHARISYL V. DE GUZMAN
SHS- Teachers
Checked by:

RUSS DV. BASBAS

SHS Assistant Principal II