21st Century Literature From The Philippines and The World
21st Century Literature From The Philippines and The World
21st Century Literature From The Philippines and The World
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21st Century
Literature from
the Philippines
and the World
Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Historical Overview of Philippine
Literature: Colonial Period
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners,
can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-
step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also
provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can
best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part
of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And
read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the
tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Need to Know
MELC:
Write a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing
an adaptation of these require from the learner the ability to identify:
(EN12Lit-Ic)
the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine
literary history from pre-colonial to the contemporary
representative texts and authors from each region (e.g. engage in
oral history research with focus on key personalities from the
students’ region/province/town)
Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the
ones from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and
traditions (EN12Lit-Id-25)
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet
of paper.
1. Even before his death, Rizal affirmed his place in literary history by succinctly
and expertly putting into words his acceptance of death in the land he so loved
in his last poem. What was the original title of the poem “My Last Farewell.”?
A. Adios Patria Adorada
B. Mi Amore Adios
C. Mi Ultimo Adios
D. Salve Patria Adios
3. The short story "Dead Stars" written by Paz Marquez Benitez is considered as
the first Filipino modern short story in English. In which period was it written?
A. American Period
B. Contemporary Period
C. Spanish Period
D. 21st Century
7. Which best describes the literary works during the early American Period?
A. Bulgar and sarcastic
B. Imitative
C. Nationalistic
D. Religious or secular
8. Which new form of literature first flourished during the Spanish period?
A. Diary
B. Drama
C. Essay
D. Riddles
10. What was the most prevalent form of literature during the American and
Japanese period?
A. Essay
B. Novel
C. Poem
D. Short story
What’s In
What do you know about the Philippines during each colonial period in our
country's history? Spanish period? American period? Japanese period? Answer
briefly. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
WHO AM I CHECKLIST: How many of your interests, traits, and characters can you
identify as to Eastern and Western influences? Answer this survey checklist by
putting a check on the column category that applies to you.
After accomplishing the checklist, what important insights have you gained about
yourself? Elaborate.
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✔ This can be divided into two major periods: Early Spanish Period (1565-1863)
and Later Part or Revolutionary Period (1864-1896).
✔ Early Spanish Period can be categorized as either religious or secular.
✔ Books. In 1593, the book written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo
Nieva entitled "Doctrina Cristiana" (The Christian Doctrine) was first printed.
Among the other notable books printed are "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" by
Fr. Blancas de San Jose, "Barláan at Jósaphát" (first published in 1708)
translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de Borja, and "Urbana at
Felisa" by Modesto de Castro who is considered as the Father of Classic Prose
in Tagalog.
✔ Folk Songs. These were songs modified based on the folkways of Filipinos
during this period.
✔ Recreational Plays. These were mostly poetic in nature and intended to be
performed during the Spanish era. Cenaculo, Carillo, Zarzuela, Moro-Moro,
Balagtasan, Duplo, and Karagatan are among the examples.
✔ Novels. These are fictitious prose usually lengthy and complex in nature.
Pedro Paterno's work entitled "Ninay" is the first novel published by a Filipino
author. This was originally written in Spanish language and translated into
English and Tagalog in 1907 and 1908.
✔ Newspapers. There has been a debate on whether newspapers should be
categorized as literature or not. However, according to Britannica, some high
level journalism like articles written in a newspaper such as columns and
feature articles can be considered as literature for as long as they achieve a
certain level of satisfaction under aesthetic, chronological, and psychological
characterization. Bulk of Filipino writings produced were mostly published in
Diaryong Tagalog. The underground newspaper La Solidaridad is considered
as the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.
✔ Short Stories. These are stories that can typically be read in one sitting
revolving around one subject and may range between 1,000 up to 20,000
words. The first short story written in English is entitled "Dead Stars" by Paz
Marquez Benitez.
✔ All forms of writings were censored during this time because there was no
freedom of speech and of the press.
✔ Only those who were living in the United States such as Carlos P. Romulo and
Manuel L. Quezon could write freely.
✔ The use of English language was stopped in almost all publications and only
Tagalog and the vernaculars were permitted.
✔ Few literary works were printed and mostly considered as pessimistic and
bitter according to the author Victoria Abelardo.
✔ Another type of poetry that emerged is the Haiku consisting of three lines with
5-7-5 syllables or 17 syllabic poetry in all.
✔ Tagalog short stories flourished and some of the best works were compiled by
the Liwayway magazine editors in Ang Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang
Pilipino ng 1943. Some notable stories were “Lupang Tinubuan” by Narciso G.
Reyes, “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa” by Liwayway Arceo, “Nayon at Dagat-
dagatan” by N. V.M. Gonzalez, and “Suyuan sa Tubigan” by Macario Pineda.
✔ Opera and classical music gained popularity.
✔ Among the other types of literature emerged were essay (e.g. "Literature and
Society" by Salvador P. Lopez) and autobiography (e.g. "The Good Fight" by
Manuel Quezon).
✔ Carlos P. Romulo. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his notable works such as "I
Saw the Fall of the Philippines", "I See the Philippines Rise", "Mother America",
and "My Brother Americans".
✔ Narciso Reyes. He won first prize with his short story "Lupang Tinubuan".
ASSESSMENT 1a: Complete the table below by filling in the needed information
based on the discussion about Philippine literature during the colonial period.
Government
System
Education
Religion
ASSESSMENT 1b: Since you have already reviewed some major influences brought
to us by the three countries, it is now time to examine positive and negative results
of each period of colonialism among Filipinos in general during that time.
Spanish
American
Japanese
2. Knowledge about
History and Culture
Assessment
Multiple Choices. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on
a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is most likely the theme of literary text during the Early Spanish Period?
A. Equality
B. Nationalism
C. Nature
D. Religion and morality
2. Which literary theme is the most common among the three periods of
colonialism in the Philippines?
A. Daily life
B. Education
C. Nationalism
D. Poverty
3. Which word best describes the type of literature written in English by Filipino
authors during the Early American Period?
A. Colorful
B. Imitative
C. Fluently written
D. Unique
5. Being in exile during the Japanese period, Manuel L. Quezon wrote his
experiences and thoughts in his work entitled "The Good Fight" while he was
in the US. What genre of literature is this?
A. Autobiography
B. Essay
C. Novel
D. Short story
6. Which best describes the type of literature during the later part of the Spanish
regime?
A. Didactic and conservative
B. Imitative and informal
C. Sarcastic and pessimistic
D. Simple and dynamic
7. Who was appointed as the President of the Philippines during the Japanese
period?
A. Emilio Aguinaldo
B. Jose P. Laurel
C. Manuel L. Quezon
D. Sergio Osmeña Sr.
8. Which Philippine literary was NOT prevalent during the Japanese period?
A. Essay
B. Drama and classical music
C. Short stories written in English
D. Short stories written in the vernacular
9. What refers to a native drama popular during the Spanish period that depicts
war between Christians and Muslims?
A. Epic
B. Komedya or Moro-moro
C. Myth
D. Parable
10. Who is the writer of the first Filipino novel in English entitled "A Child of
Sorrow" in 1921?
A. Jose Garcia Villa
B. Nick Joaquin
C. Paz Marquez Benitez
D. Zoilo M. Galang
LESSSON WRAP-UP: Recall or read three literary works written by a Filipino author
produced during the three colonial periods. Examine the genre, theme, and subject.
Spanish
American
Japanese