• Pre-Colonial Period – (__ to 1564)

• Spanish Period – (1565 – 1897)

• American Period – (1898 – 1945)
• Contemporary Period – (1946 – present)
Spanish
Period
(1565 - 1897)
 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. 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.
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.
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.

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. 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 – 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.

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 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 Laguan;
TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataa,
Capiz and Negros; TITIRI in Zambales; GAGALO
or KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac; 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.

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 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.

K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO. Some use

these two interchangeably because distinction
is not clear.
The Period of Enlightenment
(1872-1898)
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 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.
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, 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 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.
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 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 EVERYTHING 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 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 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.

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)
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 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. 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:

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.

NATIONALISTIC / PRO
PAGANDA
AND REVOLUTIONAR
Y PERIOD
III. NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

A. Characteristics
1.(1864 – 1896)
2.Planted seeds of nationalism in Filipinos.
3.Language shifted from Spanish to Tagalog.
4.Addressed the masses instead of the
“intelligentsia”.
III. NATIONALISTIC / PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD

B. Literary Forms
1. Propaganda Literature-reformatory in objective.
a. Political Essays – satires, editorials and news
articles were written to attack and expose the
evils of Spanish rule.
b. Political Novels
2. Revolutionary Literature
a. Political Essays – helped inflame the spirit of
revolution.
AMERICAN COLONIA
L PERIOD
IV.AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
A. Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)
1.Filipino Writers imitated English and
American models.
2.Poems written were amateurish
and mushy, which phrasing and diction is
awkward and artificial.
IV.AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
B. Period of Emergence (1920-1930)
1. Highly influenced by Western literary trends
like Romanticism and Realism.
a. Short Stories – most prevalent literary form.
JAPANESE
OCCUPATION
V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION
A. War Years (1942-1944)
1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas
tradition and instead wrote in simple language
and free verse.
2.Fiction prevailed over poetry
a.25 Pinakamabuting Maikling KAthang Pilipino
(1943) – compilation of the short story contest
by the military government
V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION
B.Period of Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)
1.Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and
essay.
2.Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized
themselves with diverse techniques.
3.Literary “giants” appeared.
CONTEMPORARY/MODER
N PERIOD
VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD
(1960 – PRESENT)
A. Characteristics
1.Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights,
including freedom of the press.
2.Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their
message, at the face of heavy censorship.
3.Theater was used as a vehicle for protest, such as the PETA
(Phil. Educational Theater Association) and UP Theater.
4.From the eighties onwards, writers continue
to show dynamism and innovation.