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. Hence
As we have noticed there were massive changes when Spaniards colonized our
country. There were some changes in terms way of living, traditions, cultures, and even
religion, Filipinos really embraced Catholicism, altered their names and they were
baptized.
As we compare before the arrival of Spaniards, they were about satisfied with their way
of living, maintained traditions and conserved culture and beliefs. There were no
changes or alterations just to embrace and preserve the old ways.
Massive changes really materialized during that period. From nomads or no permanent
houses since they lived in cave and forest or big trees until, they have permanent
house. They had their own houses made by stones and bricks, used beautiful furniture
like the piano and used kitchen utensils. Even before, they did not have any means of
transportation, but when Spaniards arrived, different vehicles and various
transportations were being emerged and existed. They held fiestas to honor the saints,
the pope, and the governors. They had cockfights, horse races and the theater as
means of recreation.
Colonization of Spaniards seemed very blessed due to the fact that they had influenced,
improved and developed Philippines from an unknown country. But we could not
change the fact that Spaniard colonization brought darkness in the lives of Filipinos at
the same time.

A. Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature

Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, they
have exerted a strong influence on our literature. These are the following:

1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
What is Christian doctrine? The English word, “doctrine,” comes from the Latin
word doctrina. It can be defined as, “teaching or instruction.” Christian doctrine
simply means the beliefs of Christians.

Sometimes the word “doctrine” is used interchangeably with the word “theology.”
While this is not necessarily wrong, there is a difference between the two terms.
Theology, or Christian theology, is the more general term. It refers to the study of
the God of the Bible. Doctrine refers to the specific teachings about God that are
found in a study of theology such as the “doctrine” of salvation or the “doctrine” of
the afterlife.

It was written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and
Spanish. It contained the Our Father, Hail Mary, Hail Holy Queen, Ten
Commandments, The Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and The Catechism.

3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent
many of its words to our language.

Spanish was the official language of the Philippines from the beginning of
Spanish rule in the late 16th century, until sometime during the Philippine–
American War (1899-1902) and remained co-official, along with English, until
1987.

Therefore, the medium or language of the literature that time was Spanish
because of the dominant power and influence of the Spaniards.

The Spanish language traditionally called Castillan which became the literary
language during this time, borrowed many of its words to our present-day Filipino
language. Some of these words include: plato, cuchara, la mesa, cubiertos,
calesa, platito, casa fuego, and a lot more!

4. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs,
corridos, and moro-moros.

There was integration of the literary works between European Literature and
Philippine Literature especially those mentioned literary works.

5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
Ancient literary types were collected and translated to Tagalog, Cebuano,
Ilokano, Waray and other major dialects.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan

During that time, literature was not only the focus or the main concentration, but it
was grammar as well. They printed in Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, Waray and
other major dialects as well.

7. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone. 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 already had been established.

B. The First Books

1. Ang Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine).
- This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography.
- Xylography is the art of making woodcuts or wood engravings, especially by
a relatively primitive technique.
- It was written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog
and Spanish.
- It contained the”
a. Pater Noster (Out Father)
b. Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
c. Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen),
d. The Ten Commandments of God
e. The Commandments of the Catholic Church
f. The Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess
g. and the Catechism - Catechism, a manual of religious instruction usually
arranged in the form of questions and answers used to instruct the young,
to win converts, and to testify to the faith. Although many religions give
instruction in the faith by means of oral questions and answers, the written
catechism is primarily a product of Christianity.
- Three old original copies of this book can still be found at the Vatican, at the
Madrid Musem and at the US Congress. It contains only 87 pages but costs
$5,000.0.

2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario

- The second book printed in the Philippines was written by Fr. Blancas de San
Jose in 1602 and printed at the UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de
Vera, a Chinese mestizo.
 - It contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on
religion.
- The name Nuestra Señora del Rosario translates into English directly as "Our
Lady of the Rosary", a religious reference to the Virgin Mary.

3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre

- This is the first book printed in typography.
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written
language legible, readable and appealing when displayed.
- Typography is the process of using type to print onto a page, or the general
look of letters and words on a page. An example of typography is using a
letter press to make wedding invitations by hand.

4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat.

- This is a Biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog
from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
- It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in the Philippines even if
it is only a translation.
- The printed translation has only 556 pages. The Ilocano translation in poetry
was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.
- Legendary Christian martyrs and saints Barlaan and Josephat, also known as
Bilawhar and Budhasaf. Their life tale was almost certainly based on the life
of Gautama Buddha.
- Gautama Buddha, also known as the Buddha, was a Buddhist monk who
lived in ancient India. He is regarded as the founder of Buddhism, and most
Buddhist schools regard him as a savior, the Enlightened One who extracted
an old path to liberate oneself from clinging and craving, and to break the
cycle of birth and rebirth.
- It depicts the story of an Indian king who persecuted Christians in his
kingdom.

5. The Pasion.
- This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ.
- It is read only during Lent.
- There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and each version is according to the
name of the writer.
- These are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan, 1814)
 - The de Belen version (by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat. in 1704)
- The de la Merced (by Aniceto de la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856)
- and the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).
- Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or the de la Merced version
which is the most popular.
- According to critics, dela Merced’s version of Pasyon is the most well-written
among the four.
It consisted of 8 syllables in each stanza:
Iyong itulot sa amin
Diyos amang maawain
Mangyaring aming dalhin
Hirap sakit at hilahil
Ng Ama naming giliw.
- One of Jesus' disciples betrays him, and the Romans abduct him. Jesus
redeems souls and defeats Satan's primary aim even while undergoing a
horrible death.

6. Urbana at Felisa
- A book by Modesto de Castro, the so-called Father of Classic Prose in
Tagalog.
- It was considered as one of the most popular and well-read book during the
Spanish regime.
- These are letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa and have influenced
greatly the behavior of people in society because the letters dealt with good
behavior.
- The main purpose of the author in writhing this story was to teach people on
how to follow the Christian way of living. To teach people tips on how to avoid
and prevent temptations according to the bible.
- Urbana wrote letters to her younger siblings Felisa and Honesto, who stayed
in Paombong, Urbana, who went to Manila to study, wrote not only of the
importance of adhering or obeying to Christian teaching's values and norms,
but also of the importance of following the proper way of conduct when
dealing with people in society.
Sa Katungkulan sa Bayan
Sa Pagpasok sa Paaralan
Ang Pakikipagkaibigan
Sa Pakikipagkapwa Tao
Ang Salitaan
Paglagay sa Estado
7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary)
- A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary.
- Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote this in 1865 and it was popular
especially during the Maytime “Flores de Mayo” festival.
- Flores de Mayo is based on Italian Mazzanelli’s “Misa de Magggio” or
“Buwan ng Mayo”.
- Ang mga Dalit Kay Maria are made up of songs praising and honoring the
Mary, Virgin Mother. It became customary to sing these during processions
every month of May in different places in the Philippines, such as Bulacan,
Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas and Quezon.

C. Literary Compositions

1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and rules of the Tagalog

language). Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose and translated to Tagalog
by Tomas Pinpin in 1610.

- Many grammar books and dictionaries were published in the early Spanish
colonial period, but none was more influential than Francisco Blancas de San
Jose’s Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (“Art and Rules of the Tagalog
Language”).
- First published in 1610, it was reprinted in a second edition in 1752 and a
third edition in 1832. Even today, it is regarded as the most comprehensive
codification of the Tagalog language.
- The printer of Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala was, again, Tomas Pinpin.
The who help Blancas in publishing this book.
- Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala is written in Latin, Spanish, and Tagalog
and its material is rice paper. The book is organized into chapters on number,
nouns, adjectives, voice, verbs, and so on. Verbs are classified into the
tenses present, future, accusative, ablative, imperative, etc.

2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog language).

Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.
 3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog vocabulary). The first
Tagalog dictionary written by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.

4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga vocabulary). The first

book in Pampanga written by Fr. Diego in 1732.

5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan vocabulary). The best

language book in Visayan by Mateo Sanchez in 1711.

6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano language). The first
Ilocano grammar book by Francisco Lopez.

7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol language). The first
book in the Bicol language and written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754.

These were the first language and grammar books from different major
dialects published in Spanish Era. These are the list of Spanish words and
their equivalents in Tagalog, Kapampangan, Bisaya, Ilokano at Bikolano,
these were not just a dictionary but also a compilation of our earliest
literature.

D. Folk Songs
- Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines.
- Each region had its national song from the lowlands to the mountains of
Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
- Folk songs truly manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipinos.
- They show the Filipinos‟ innate appreciation for and love of beauty.
- The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong
Banggi and Atin Cu Pung Singsing.

E. Recreational Plays. There are many recreational plays performed by Filipinos

during the Spanish times. Almost all of them were in poetic form. Here are
examples:
1. TIBAG - This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard to remind the people
about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which Jesus died.
The word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard
to remind the people about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which
Jesus died through a dramatic performance.
 2. Lagaylay – this is a special occasion for the Pilareños 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. Helen on
the mound she had dug in.

3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion

and death of Jesus Christ.
- There are two kinds: the Cantada and 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 Pasion.
- The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza.
The full-length versions take about 3 nights of staging. Performers come in
costumes with wigs and performers are carefully chosen for their virtuous life.
One performs the role of Jesus Christ and another the role of the Virgin Mary.
Many famous Cenaculo players come from the Tagalog regions although
there are also those from Ilocos, Pampanga, Bicol and both Sibulanon and
Hiligaynon.

4. Panunuluyan – this is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a

presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to
deliver the baby Jesus.

5. The Salubong (or Panubong) - The Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the
meeting of the Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in many Philippine
towns.
6. Carillo (Shadow Play) – this is a form of dramatic entertainment performed on a
moonless night during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadow play
is made by projecting cardboard figures before a lamp against a white sheet. The
figures are moved like puppets whose dialogues are produced by some experts.
- The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or some religious play combined with
songs. These are called by various names in different places:
a. Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and Laguan;
b. TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataan, Capiz and Negros;
c. TITIRI in Zambales;
d. GAGALO or KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac;
e. and ALIALA in La Union.
7. The Zarzuela – considered the father of the drama; it is a musical comedy or
melodrama three acts which dealt with man‟s passions and emotions like love, hate,
revenge, cruelty, avarice or some social or political proble.
8. The Sainete – this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18th century.
They were exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long plays and were mostly
performed by characters from the lower classes. Themes were taken from everyday life
scenarios.
9. The Moro-Moro. Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is presented also on a special
stage. This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them
of their Christian religion. The plot is usually the same that of a Christian princess or a
nobleman‟s daughter who is captured by the Mohammedans. The father organizes a
rescue party where fighting between the Moros and the Christians ensues.
The Mohammedans are defeated by some miracle or Divine Intercession and the
Mohammedans are converted to Christianity. In some instances, the whole kingdom is
baptized and converted. One example of this is Prinsipe Rodante.

10. Karagatan. This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during

the death of a person. In this contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed
based on a legend about a princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the
sea and who offered here hand in marriage to anyone who can retrieve it.

A leader starts off with an extemporaneous poem announcing the purpose. He

then spins a “lumbo” o “tabo” marked with a white line. Whoever comes in the
direction of the white line when the spinning stops gets his turn to “go into the
sea to look for the ring.” This means a girl will ask him a riddle and if he is able to
answer, he will offer the ring to the girl.

11. Duplo. The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a poetic joust in speaking and
reasoning. The roles are taken from the Bible and from proverbs and saying. It is
usually played during wakes for the dead.
12. The Balagtasan. This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a
particular topic or issue. This is replaced the DUPLO and is held to honor
Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

13. The Dung-Aw. This 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 deals with
the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and includes apologies for his
misdeeds.

14. The Awit and the Corrido. Some use these two interchangeably because
distinction is not clear.