CPL Flashcards Ver 01: Philippine Literature — Timeline, Themes, Genres, National Artists, Canonical Authors (

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, concepts, genres, and notable Filipino authors and periods from the lecture notes.

Oral literature (Oral tradition)

Literature transmitted by speech rather than writing; passed from generation to generation by word of mouth.

Bugtong

Riddles; word puzzles used to test wit in pre-colonial Filipino culture.

Salawikain

Proverbs or wise sayings that teach lessons; example: Habang may buhay, may pag-asa.

Hele (Oyayi)

Lullabies; traditional soothing songs sung to children.

Ambahan

A traditional Mangyan poem, often sung with rhythmic pattern; expresses life and nature.

Kalusan

Work songs sung during labor and daily tasks.

Tagay

Drinking songs sung during social gatherings.

Kanogan

Songs of lament or mourning in Filipino folklore.

Myth

A story explaining origins of the world, nature, or gods; part of pre-colonial belief.

Legend

A traditional story explaining origins of places or things.

Fable

A short tale that teaches a moral, often using animals as characters.

Fantasy (Aswang / Kapre / Tiyanak)

Folklore creatures used in stories; examples include aswang, kapre, tiyanak.

Bathala

Supreme deity in pre-colonial Filipino belief; other deities include Mayari, Lakapati, Apolaki.

Mayari

Deity in Filipino mythology; one of the lunar/moon-related gods.

Lakapati

Fertility deity in pre-colonial Philippine belief.

Apolaki

Sun god/deity in Filipino myths.

Biag ni Lam-ang

Epic from the Ilocos region; long oral narrative about a heroic figure.

Doctrina Cristiana

First printed book in the Philippines (1593); Catholic catechism and primer.

University of Santo Tomas (UST)

First university in the Philippines (1611).

Pasyon

Long narrative poem about Christ’s suffering and death.

Senakulo

Stage play depicting Christ’s Passion, performed during Holy Week.

Awit

Long narrative poems of chivalry; examples include Ibong Adarna.

Korido

Octosyllabic rhymed verse tales; examples include Florante at Laura.

Ibong Adarna

A famous Filipino epic poem in verse illustrating chivalric adventure.

Florante at Laura

Classic Filipino korido by Francisco Balagtas; foundational epic in Tagalog literature.

Prose (Spanish period focus)

Nonfiction or didactic prose; morally instructive writing and proper behavior.

Noli Me Tangere

Jose Rizal’s novel (1887) critiquing Spanish colonial society.

El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s sequel to Noli Me Tangere; darker social critique.

Gomburza

Martyrs Gomez, Burgos, Zamora; their executions helped spark the Propaganda Movement.

Propaganda Movement

Late 19th-century reform movement for representation, equality before law, and Filipinization of parishes.

Rizal

National hero; polymath who wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and spurred reform.

Paz Marquez Benitez

Writer of Dead Stars; credited with introducing the modern Filipino English short story.

Dead Stars

First modern English-language Filipino short story (Paz Marquez Benitez).

Manuel Arguilla

Author known for rural stories like How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife.

Valeriano Hernandez Peña

“Father of the Tagalog Novel”; contributed to early Tagalog literature.

NVM Gonzalez

Writer of The Bread of Salt, The Bamboo Dancers, and other works; prominent Filipino novelist.

Ramon Muzones

Iloilo-based writer who promoted Hiligaynon novels; works include Shri-Bishaya and Ang Gugma sang Gugma Bayaran.

Resil Mojares

Historian/essayist; Origins and Rise of the Filipino Novel; National Artist (2018).

Cirilo Bautista

Poet and editor; Summer Suns; Words and Battlefields; National Artist (2014).

Lazaro Francisco

“Master of the Tagalog Novel”; works include Maganda pa ang Daigdig and Daluyong.

Alejandro Roces

Humorous short stories; promoted Philippine fiestas; National Artist (2003).

Levi Celerio

Composer/lyricist who wrote 4,000+ songs; leaf music; National Artist (1997).

Carlos Quirino

Historian/biographer; The Great Malayan; Maps and Views of Old Manila; National Artist for Historical Literature (1997).

Jose Rizal

National hero; author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo; key figure in Philippine literature.

Francisco Balagtas

Pioneer of Tagalog poetry; author of Florante at Laura.

Nick Joaquin

Admired Filipino author known for The Woman Who Had Two Navels; baroque, English prose.

Edith Tiempo

First female National Artist for Literature; poet and novelist; The Alien Corn, A Blade of Fern.

N.V.M. Gonzalez

See above; include The Bread of Salt, The Bamboo Dancers.

Bienvenido Lumbera

Poet and critic who introduced Bagay poetry; Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa.

Virgilio S. Almario (Rio Alma)

National Artist; poet, translator of Rizal; Doktrinang Anakpawis and more.

Amado V. Hernandez

“Committed writer”; exposed injustice; works include Luha ng Buwaya and Isang Dipang Langit.

Jose Garcia Villa

Poet known for “comma poems” and inverted rhyme; Footnote to Youth; Many Voices.

Rolando Tinio

Introduced Taglish poetry; revived Sarsuwela; translated Western plays.

Francisco Arcellana

Pioneer of the modern Filipino short story; works include The Mats, Death in a Factory.

Francisco Sionil Jose

Famed for Rosales Saga (Po-on, Tree, My Brother, My Executioner, Mass, The Pretenders); translated widely.

Lualhati Bautista

Focus on strong women and martial law; Dekada ’70 and Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?

Palanca Awards

The Philippines’ prestigious literary awards, launched in the 1950s; recognizes Filipino authors.

Haiku

Three-line Japanese-inspired poem (5-7-5 syllables); adopted in Filipino literature during Japanese regime.

Tanaga

Short Filipino four-line poem with a fixed meter and rhyme.

Liwayway

Long-running Filipino magazine; helped popularize literature during the Japanese occupation.

Electronic Literature

Modern 21st-century genre using electronic media (digital text, interactivity).

Hypertext Fiction

Interactive fiction where hyperlinks drive the narrative.

Interactive Fiction

Stories with choices or gameplay-like elements; reader influence on plot.

Digital Poetry

Poetry that uses digital media, code, visuals, or interactive elements.

Graphic Literature

Literature told through comics, manga, or graphic novels.

Chick Lit

Fiction focusing on women’s lives, empowerment, and relationships.

Speculative Fiction

Genres like science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian works.

Flash Fiction

Very short stories, usually under 1,000 words.

LGBT-themed Literature

Literature exploring LGBTQ+ experiences and issues.