PHILIPPINE LITERATURE UNDER SPANISH PERIOD

1565 - 1898

LESSON 1 : PHILIPPINE LITERATURE UNDER SPANISH PERIOD

Historical Background

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 mad 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.

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.

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.

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.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent
many of its words to our language.
4. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs,
corridos, and moro-moros.
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

B. THE FIRST BOOKS

1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE). This was the first
book printed in the Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was written by Fr. Juan de
Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish. It contained the Pater
Noster (Out Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), the
Ten Commandments of God, the Commandments of the Catholic

Church, the Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and the Cathecism. 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.

3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog). This is the
first book printed in typography.

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.

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.

6. Urbana at Felisa. A book by Modesto de Castro, the so called Father of Classic

Prose in Tagalog. 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.

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.

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

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.

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.

D. 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 – Tagalog
Pamulinawen Ilokano
Dandansoy – Bisaya
Sarong Banggi – Bicol
Atin Cu Pung Singsing - kapampangan

E. RECEREATIONAL 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 – 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.

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

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

 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 marionettes whose dialogues are produced by some
experts. The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or some religious play
interspersed with songs.

These are called by various names in different places:

 Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and Laguna

 TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataan, Capiz and Negros
 TITIRI in Zambales;
 GAGALO or KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac;
 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 poems. These was
originally performed by travelling dramatic troupes organized by royal mandate of
Governer Narciso Claveria to stimulate dramatic performances.

8. The Zainete – this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18 th century.

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

 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.

F. 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 ensue.

59. 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.

G. 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.

H. 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.

I. 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.

J. 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

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

personalized and usually deals with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and
includes apologies for his misdeeds.

K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO – both referred as Narrrative prose.

Awit – dodecasyllabic verse (12 syllables) ; are fabricated stories from writers’ imagination
although the setting and characters are European.

Corrido – Octosyllabic verse (8 syllables) ; were legends/stories from European countries

like France, Spain, Italy and Greece: refers to Narration

EXAMPLE : Florante at Laura (Awit) Ibong Adarna (Corrido)

LESSON 2 – THE PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Historical Background

After 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule, the Filipino spirit reawakened when the
3 priests Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of guilt.

This occurred on the 17 th of February. This was buttressed with the spirit of liberalism
when the Philippines opened its doors to world trade and with the coming of a liberal
leader in the person of Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre.

The Spaniards were unable to suppress the tide of rebellion among the Filipinos. The
once religious spirit transformed itself into one of nationalism and the Filipinos demanded
changes in the government and in the church.

A. 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. The objectives of this movement were to seek reforms
and changes like the following:

1. To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the Spaniards under the law.
2. To make the Philippines a colony of Spain.
3. To restore Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes.
4. To Filipinize the parishes.
5. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the press, assembly and for redress of
grievances.

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

B. Highlights of the Propaganda Movement

There were three principal leaders of the Propaganda movement. They were Jose P.
Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena.

Here are highlights about them and what they have done for our country.

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo y Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 at Calamba,
Laguna. His first teacher was his mother Teodora Alonozo. He studied at the Ateneo de
Manila, started medicine at UST and finished at the Universidad Central of Madrid. He
also studied at the

University of Berlin, Leipzig and Heidelberg. He died by musketry in the hands of the
Spaniards on December 30, 1896 on charges of sedition and rebellion against the
Spaniards. His pen-name was Laong Laan and Dimasalang.

His books and writings:

1. NOLI ME TANGERE.

This was the novel that gave spirit to the propaganda movement and paved the way to
the revolution against Spain. In this book, he courageously exposed the evils in the
Spanish-run government in the Philippines.

The Spaniards prohibited the reading of this novel but a lot of translations were able to
enter stealthily in the country even if it means death to those caught in possession of
them. The NOLI gave Philippine literature the immortal characters Maria Clara, Juan
Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, Sisa, Pilosofong Tasio, Doña Victorina, Kapitana Maria, Basilio
and Crispin, Rizal had a powerful pen in the delineation of these characters.

2. EL FILIBUSTERISMO.

This is a sequel to the NOLI.

While the NOLI exposed the evils in society, the FILI exposed those in the government
and in the church. However, the NOLI has been dubbed the novel of society while that of
FILI is that of politics.

3. MI ULTIMO ADIOS (My Last Farewell).

This was a poem by Rizal while he was incarcerated at Fort Santiago and is one that can
compare favorably with the best in the world. It was only after his death when his name
was affixed to the poem.

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS (On the Indolence of the Filipinos).

An essay on the so-called Filipino indolence and an evaluation of the reasons for such
allegations.

4. FILIPINAS DENTRO DE CIEN AÑOS (The Philippines within a Century).

An essay predicting the increasing influence of the US in the Philippines and the
decreasing interest of Europe here. Rizal predicted that if there is any other colonizer of
the Philippines in the future, it would be the US.

5. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino Youth).

A poem Rizal dedicated to the Filipino youth studying at UST.

6. EL CONSEJO DE LES DIOSES (The Council of the Gods).

An allegorical play manifesting admiration for Cervantes.

7. JUNTO AL PASIG (Beside the Pasig River).

Written by Rizal when he was 14 years of age.

8. ME PIDEN VERSOS (You asked Me for Verses); 1882 and A LAS FLORES DE
HEIDELBERG (To the Flowers of Heidelberg). Two poems manifesting Rizal’s
unusual depth of emotion.

9. NOTAS A LA OBRA SUCESOS DE LAS FILIPINAS FOR EL DR. ANTONIO DE

MORGA (Notes on Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de Morga): 1889

10. P. JACINTO: MEMORIAS DE UN ESTUDIANTE DE MANILA (P. Jacinto: Memoirs of

a Student of Manila) 1882

11. DIARIO DE VIAJE DE NORTE AMERICA (Diary of a Voyage to North America)

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Marcelo H. del Pilar is popularly known for his pen name of Plaridel, Pupdoh, Piping Dilat
and Dolores Manapat. He was born at Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan on August 30, 1850.

His parents were Julian H. del Pilar, noted Filipino writer and Biasa Gatmaita. His brother
was the priest Fr. Toribio del Pilar who was banished to Marianas in 1872. Because there
were many children in the family, Marcelo gave up his share of his inheritance for his
other brothers and sisters. Marcelo started schooling at the school of Mr. Flores and then
transferred to that of San Jose before UST. His last year in law school was interrupted for

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

8 years after he had quarrel with the parish priest during a baptism at San Miguel, Manila
in 1880.

He established the Diariong Tagalog in 1883 where he exposed the evils of the Spanish
government in the Philippines and in order to avoid the false accusations hurried at him
by the priests. To avoid banishment, he was forced to travel to Spain in 1888.

He was assisted by Fr. Serrano Laktaw in publishing a different Cathecism and Passion
Book wherein they made fun of the priests. They also made the DASALAN AT
TOCSOHAN and KAIINGAT KAYO taken from the word IGAT, a kind of snake fish caught
in politics.

Upon his arrival in Spain, he replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as editor of LA

SOLIDARIDAD, a paper which became the vehicle thru which reforms in the government
could be worked out. This did not last long for he got sick and even to reach Hong Kong
from where he

could arouse his countrymen. He died of tuberculosis in Spain but before he died, he
asked his companions to tell his wife and children that he was sorry he wasn’t able to bid
them goodbye; to tell others about the fate of our countrymen and to continue helping the
country.

Plaridel has truly earned a niche in the history of our nation. Even today, countless streets
have been named after him. The former Kingwa has been named Plaridel, the Malolos
High School is now Marcelo H. del Pilar High School and above all, his patriotism and
bravery will remain alive in our memories.

Writings of Marcelo H. del Pilar

1. PAGIBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA (Love of Country). Translated from the Spanish

AMOR PATRIA of Rizal, published on August 20, 1882, in Diariong Tagalog.

2. KAIINGAT KAYO (Be Careful). A humorous and sarcastic dig in answer to Fr. Jose
Rodriquez in the novel NOLI of Rizal, published in Barcelona in 1888. He used Dolores
Manapat as pen-name here.

3. DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN (Prayers and Jokes). Similar to a cathecism but

sarcastically done agains the parish priests, published in Barcelona in 1888. Because
of this, del Pilar was called “filibuster.” Done in admirable tone of supplication and
excellent use of Tagalog.

4. ANG CADAQUILAAN NG DIOS (God’s Goodness). Published in Barcelona, it was

also like a cathecism sarcastically aimed against the parish priests but also contains
a philosophy of the power and intelligence of God and an appreciation for and love for
nature.

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5. SAGOT SA ESPANYA SA HIBIK NG PILIPINAS (Answer to Spain on the Plea of the
Filipinos). A poem pleading for change from Spain but that

Spain is already old and weak to grant any aid to the Philippines. This poem is in answer
to that of Hermenigildo Flores’ Hibik sa Pilipinas (A Plea from the Philippines).

6. DUPLUHAN…DALIT…MGA BUGTONG (A poetical contest in narrative sequence,

psalms, riddles). A compilation of poems on the oppression by the priests in the
Philippines.

7. LA SOBERANIA EN PILIPINAS (Sovereignty in the Philippines). This shows the

injustices of the friars to the Pilipinos.

8. POR TELEFONO (By Telephone)

9. PASIONG DAPAT IPAG-ALAB NG PUSO NG TAONG BABASA (Passion that should

arouse the hearts of the readers)

GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA (1856-1896)

A most notable hero and genius of the Philippines, Graciano Lopez Jaena was born on
December 18, 1856 and died on January 20, 1896.

The pride of Jaro, Iloilo, he won the admiration of the Spaniards and Europeans. He is a
known writer and orator in the Philippines. He wrote 100 speeches which were published
by Remigio Garcia, former bookstore owner in Manila Filatica and which are still read up
to no by modern Filipinos. Lopez Jaena left the Philippines in 1887 with the help of Don
Claudio Lopez, a rich uncle, in order to escape punishment form his enemies and arrived
at Valencia, the center of the Republican movement of the Spaniards. He gained the
acquaintance of the high officials like Piy Margall, Morayta, Moret, Castelar, and
Salmeron.

From Valencia, he moved to Barcelona where he established the first magazine LA

SOLIDARIDAD. This later became the official voice of the Association Hispano de
Filipinas (a Filipino-

Spanish Association) composed of Filipinos and Spaniards who worked for reforms in the
Philippines. Because of this, Jaena successfully showed the Spaniards and the people of
the world how a newspaperman can introduce changes in law and reforms towards a
better life and progress. Jaena, although he didn’t become a professor, was also a teacher
in a sense to his friends and relatives in the Philippines.

Like Antonio Maria Regidor, Tomas G. del Rosario and Felipe Calderon, he stood for the
separation of church and state for free education, better government and schools,
freedom of worship and for an independent and free university. He sided with Rizal in the

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

controversy between Rizal and del Pilar over who should head the Association Hispano
de Filipinas in Madrid. He returned to the Philippines to ask for donations to continue a
new government called El Latigo Nacional or Pambansang Latigo. He sold the rights of
La Solidaridad ot del Pilar who had become a lawyer and had brought in money from his
sojourn in Spain.

Graciano Lopez Jaena died in a charity hospital in Barcelona on January 20, 1896, eleven
months before his best friend Rizal was shot at the Luneta on December 30, 1896.

A. The Works of Graciano Lopez Jaena

1. ANG FRAY BOTOD (Friar Botod). One of his works written in Jaro, Iloilo in 1876, six
years after the Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the Philippines. He exposed how
some of the friars were greedy, ambitious and immoral.

2. LA HIJA DEL FRAILE (The Child of the Friar) and EVERYTING IS HAMBUG
(Everything is mere show). Here Jaena explains the tragedy of marrying a Spaniard.

3. SA MGA PILIPINO 1891… A speech which aimed to improve the condition of the
Filipinos to become free and progressive.

4. TALUMPATING PAGUNITA KAY KOLUMBUS (An Oration to Commemorate

Columbus). A speech he delivered in Madrid on the 39 th anniversary of the discovery
of America

5. EN HONOR DEL PRESIDENTE MORAYTA DE LA ASSOCIACION HISPANO

FILIPINO 1884. Here he praised Gen. Morayta for his equal treatment of the Filipinos.

6. EN HONOR DE LOS ARTISTAS LUNA Y RESURRECCION HIDALGO. A sincere

expression of praise for the paintings of Hidalgo on the condition of the Filipinos under
the Spaniards.
7. AMOR A ESPAÑA O A LAS JOVENES DE MALOLOS (Love for Spain or To the Youth
of Malolos). The theme is about how girls were taught Spanish in schools and whose
teachers were the governors-general of the place.

8. EL BANDOLERISMO EN PILIPINAS (Banditry in the Philippines). Jaena refuted the

existence of banditry in the Philippines and of how there should be laws on robbery
and other reforms.

9. HONOR EN PILIPINAS (Honor in the Philippines). The triumphant exposition of Luna,

Resurrecion and Pardo de Tavera of the thesis that intellect or knowledge gives honor
to the Philippines.

10. PAG-ALIS SA BUWIS SA PILIPINAS (Abolition of Taxes in the Philippines)

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11. INSTITUCION NG PILIPINAS (Sufferings of the Philippines). Jaena refers here to the
wrong management of education in the Philippines 1887.

B. OTHER PROPAGANDISTS

ANTONIO LUNA

Antonio Luna was a pharmacist who was banished by the Spaniards to Spain. He joined
the Propaganda Movement and contributed his writings to LA SOLIDARIDAD. Most of his
works dealt with Filipino customs and others were accusations about how the Spaniards
ran the government. His pen name was Tagailog. He died at the age of 33 in June 1899.
He was put to death by the soldiers of Aguinaldo because of his instant rise to fame which
became a threat to Aguinaldo.

Some of his works are:

1. NOCHE BUENA (Christmas Eve). It pictured true Filipino life.

2. SE DEVIERTEN (How They Diverted Themselves). A dig at a dance of the Spaniards

where the people were very crowded.

3. LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference or Feast). Depicts a Filipino custom

which he believed was much better than the Spanish.

4. POR MADRID (For Madrid). A denouncement of Spaniards who claim that the
Philippines is a colony of Spain but who think of Filipinos as foreigners when it comes
to collecting taxes for stamps.

5. LA CASA DE HUEPEDES (The Landlady’s House). Depicts a landlady who looks for
boarders not for money but in order to get a husband for her child.

MARIANO PONCE

Mariano Ponce became an editor-in-chief, biographer and researcher of the Propaganda

Movement. He used Tikbalang, Kalipulako, and Naning as pennames. The common
themes of his works were the values of education. He also wrote about how the Filipinos
were oppressed by the foreigners and of the problems of his countrymen. Among his
writings were:

1. MGA ALAMAT NG BULACAN (Legend of Bulacan). Contains legends, and folklores

of his native town.

2. PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The Beheading of Longinos). A play shown at the

plaza of Malolos, Bulacan.

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3. SOBRE FILIPINOS (About the Filipinos)
4. ANG MGA PILIPINO SA INDO-TSINA (The Filipinos in Indo-China)

PEDRO PATERNO

Pedro Paterno was a scholar, dramatic, researcher and novelist of the Propaganda
Movement.

He also joined the Confraternity of Masons and the Asociacion Hispano-Pilipino in order
to further the aims of the Movement. He was the first Filipino writer who escaped
censorship of the press during the last day of the Spanish colonization.

The following were a few of his wrtings:

1. NINAY. The first social novel in Spanish by a Filipino.

2. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). Shows the importance of a mother especially in the
home.

3. SAMPAGUITA Y POESIAS VARIAS (Sampaguitas and Varied Poems). A collection

of his poems.

JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN

Jose Ma. Panganiban hid his identity behind his penname JORMAPA. He was also known
for having photographic mind. He was a member of a number of movements for the
country. Some of his writings were:

1. ANG LUPANG TINUBUAN (My Native Land)

2. ANG AKING BUHAY (My Life)

3. SU PLANO DE ESTUDIO (Your Study Plan)

4. EL PENSAMIENTO (The Thinking)

LESSON 3 : PERIOD OF ACTIVE REVOLUTION (1896-1898)

Historical Background

The Filipinos did not get the reforms demanded by the propagandists. The government
turned deaf ears to these petitions; oppression continued and the church and the
government became even more oppressive to the Filipinos. The good intentions of Spain
were reversed by the friars who were lording it over in the Philippines.

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Because of this, not a few of the Filipinos affiliated with the La Liga Filipina (a civic
organization suspected of being revolutionary and which triggered Rizal’s banishment to
Dapitan). Like Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Palma, and Pio
Valenzuela decided that there was no other way except to revolt.

The gist of literature contained mostly accusations against the government and was
meant to arouse the people to unite and to prepare for independence. D. Highlights of the
Active Revolution The noted leaders of this period were Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto
and Apolinario Mabini. These are their contributions to our country.

ANDRES BONIFACIO

Andres Bonifacio is best known as the

Father of Filipino Democracy, but more than others, as the Father of the Katipunan
because he led in establishing the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang- galanga Katipunan ng mga
Anak ng Bayan (KKK). Andres Bonifacio came from a poor family and it is said that what
he learned he got from the school of experience. He was a voracious reader and among
those he loved to read which aroused his revolutionary spirit were the NOLI and the FILI
of Rizal.

He joined the La Liga Filipina founded by Rizal in 1892. He established the Katipunan
which triggered the spirit of freedom especially when Rizal was banished to Dapitan,
Mindanao. Bonifacio is better known as the great Revolutionary rather than a writer but
he also wrote things which paved the way for the revolution and which also became part
of our literature. Among his works were:

1. ANG DAPAT MABATID NG MGA TAGALOG (What the Tagalogs Should Know)

2. KATUNGKULANG GAGAWIN NG MGA ANA NG BAYAN (Obligations of Our

Countrymen). This is an outline of obligations just like the 10 commandments of God.

3. PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUAN LUPA (Love of One’s Native Land). A poem with a title
similar to that of Marcelo H. del Pilar.

4. HULING PAALAM (Last Farewell). A translation of Mi Ultimo Adios of Rizal in Tagalog.

APOLINARIO MABINI

Apolinario Mabini is known in literature and history as the Sublime Paralytic and the Brains
of the Revolution. EMILIO JACINTO Emilio Jacinto was the intelligent assistant of Andres
Bonifacio in the establishment of the Katipuna. He is called the Brains of the Katipunan.
He edited Kalayaan (Freedom) a Katipunan newspaper.

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Bonifacio withdrew his writing of the Kartilya in deference to Jacinto’s work as secretary
of the Katipunan. His Kartilya was the one followed by the members of the organization.
Here are few of his writings:

1. KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN (A primer book on the Katipunan)

2. LIWANAG AT DILIM (Light and Darkness). A collection of essays on different subjects

like freedom, work, faith, government, love of country.

3. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). A touching ode to his mother.

4. A LA PATRIA (To My Country). His masterpiece.

He was born in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas on July 22, 1864. Because he was born of a
poor family he had to work in order to study. He became known to his professors and
classmates at Letran and the UST because of his sharp memory and the simple clothes
he used to wear throughout his schooling. He became the right-hand of Emilio Aguinaldo
when the latter founded his Republic in Malolos. His contributions to literature were writing
on government society, philosophy and politics.
Here are some of his works:

1. EL VERDADERO DECALOGO (The True Decalogue or Ten Commandments). This

was his masterpiece and his aim here was to propagate the spirit of nationalism.

2. EL DESAROLLO Y CAIDA DE LA REPUBLICA (The Rise and Fall of the Philippine

Republic)

3. SA BAYANG PILIPINO (To the Filipino Nation)

4. PAHAYAG (News)

OTHER REVOLUTIONISTS

JOSE PALMA

Jose Palma became popular because of his Himno Nacional Filipino (The Philippine
National Anthem) which was set to music by Julian Felipe.

He was born in Tondo, Manila on June 6, 1876. His brother Rafael Palma became the
president of the UP. He joined the revolution against the Americans together with
Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest Filipino general who died during the revolution. Aside
from the National Anthem, here are his other works:

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

1. MELANCOLIAS (Melancholies). A collection of his poems.

2. DE MI JARDIN (In My Garden). A poem expressing one’s longings for his sweetheart.

NEWSPAPERS DURING THE REVOLUTION

In the effort of the Revolutionists to spread to the world their longings for their country,
many newspapers were put up during the Revolutionary period. They were:

1. HERALDO DE LA REVOLUCION. Printed the decrees of the Revolutiary

Government, news and works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism.

2. LA INDEPENDENCIA (Independence). Edited by Antonio Luna and whose aim was

for Philippine Independence.

3. LA REPUBLICA PILIPINA (The Philippine Republic). Established by Pedro Paterno in

1898.

4. LA LIBERTAD (Liberty). Edited by Clemente Zulueta.

References:

Annon. (2021). Spanish Colonial Philippine Literature. Retrieved from Elcomblus:

https://www.elcomblus.com/spanish-colonial-philippine-literature/

Carbonel, V. (2019). Philippine Literature During Spanish Colonization. Retrieved from

slideshare.net: https://www.slideshare.net/VenusCarbonel/philippine-literature-
during-spanish-colonization

Lipata, G. (n.d.). Survey on Philippine Literature. Retrieved from

maamgrachelle.weebly.com: https://maamgrachelle.weebly.com/lesson-
3.html?fbclid=IwAR0B56x1QjEsuqX2FaQByBuvzcStv9DkEyKPgwObTWzAGxl7y
V2ehxqjwr0

Macansantos, F., & Macansantos, P. (n.d.). Philippine Literature in the Spanish Colonial
Period. Retrieved from NCCA.gov.ph: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-
3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/philippine-
literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period/

Park, A. (2019). Philipppine Literature under Spanish Period. Retrieved from

studocu.com: https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/lyceum-of-the-philippines-
university/literature/philipppine-literature-under-spanish-period/8765179

PREPARED BY: MARK CHRISTIAN T. UMALI, LPT | HANDOUTS IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE