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 theatre 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(BAYBAYIN) 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.
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), and 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 deBorja. 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 behaviour 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.
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). Thefirst 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 Iloko
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 Blessed Cross by St. Helen on the mound she had dug in.
3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to commemoratethe 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 versesto 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 althoughthere 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 entertainmentperformed 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 figuresare 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. 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.
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 orrhyming 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.
K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO – both referred as Narrrative prose.
Awit – dodecasyllabic verse (12 syllables); are fabricated stories from writer’s 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
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 17th 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 ofnationalism 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.
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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino Youth).
A poem Rizal dedicated to the Filipino youth studying at UST.
7. EL CONSEJO DE LES DIOSES (The Council of the Gods).
An allegorical play manifesting admiration for Cervantes.
8. JUNTO AL PASIG (Beside the Pasig River).
Written by Rizal when he was 14 years of age.
9. 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.
10. NOTAS A LA OBRA SUCESOS DE LAS FILIPINAS FOR EL DR. ANTONIO DE MORGA
(Notes on Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de Morga): 1889
11. P. JACINTO: MEMORIAS DE UN ESTUDIANTE DE MANILA (P. Jacinto: Memoirs of a Student of Manila)
1882
12. 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, notedFilipino writer and Biasa Gatmaita. His brother was the priest
Fr. Toribio del Pilar who was banished to Marianas in 1872. Because there weremany 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 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 against 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.
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
Filipinos.
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 voiceof 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 controversy between Rizal and Del Pilar over who should headthe
Association Hispano de Filipinas in Madrid. Hereturned 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 afterthe 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 tobecome free and progressive.
4. TALUMPATING PAGUNITA KAY KOLUMBUS (An Oration to Commemorate Columbus).
A speech he delivered in Madrid on the 39th 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)
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 deathby the soldiers of Aguinaldo because of his instant rise to fame which
became a threat to
Aguinaldo.
Some of his works are:
NOCHE BUENA (Christmas Eve).
It pictured trueFilipino life.
SE DEVIERTEN (How They Diverted Themselves).
A dig at a dance of the Spaniards where the people were very crowded.
LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference orFeast).
Depicts a Filipino custom which he believed was much better than the Spanish.
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.
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:
MGA ALAMAT NG BULACAN (Legend of Bulacan).
Contains legends, and folklores of his native town.
PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The Beheading of Longinos).
A play shown at the plaza of Malolos, Bulacan.
SOBRE FILIPINOS (About the Filipinos)
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 Association 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 writings:
NINAY.
The first social novel in Spanish by a Filipino.
A MI MADRE (To My Mother).
Shows the importance of a mother especially in the home.
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)
C. 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.
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 heled 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).
3. This is an outline of obligations just like the 10 commandments of God.
PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUAN LUPA (Love of One’s Native Land).
A poem with a title similar to that ofMarcelo 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 editedKalayaan (Freedom) a Katipunan newspaper.
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 ofhis 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 is 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:
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.