Various Dimensions of Philippine Literary History: Pre-Colonial to Contemporary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, genres, periods, authors, and works from Philippine literary history, spanning Pre-Colonial to 21st-Century developments.

Literature

A body of written works that originated from oral traditions, are often imaginative, and portray human experience through stories and poetry.

Three Points of Literature

(1) Portrays human experience, (2) Authors interpret these experiences, (3) Functions as an art form and style of expression.

Pre-Colonial Period

Era before Spanish contact (pre-1500s); literature was oral, lesson-filled, and spanned life from birth to death.

Oral Literature

Spoken artistic expression (riddles, proverbs, tales) whose content could change with each retelling.

Riddles (Bugtong)

Figurative, question-form statements about everyday life, used as a pastime in gatherings.

Proverbs (Salawikain)

Wise sayings from elders that teach lessons, reflecting belief that experience is the best teacher.

Folk Songs

Chanted folk lyrics about aspirations, daily life, love, and morals; straightforward rather than figurative.

Lullabies (Hele)

Songs to lull babies to sleep, often expressing parental hopes and life’s hardships.

Drinking Songs (Tagay)

Songs sung during drinking sessions among community members.

Love Songs (Harana)

Courtship songs sung by young men to woo women.

Religious Songs

Chants for exorcism or thanksgiving, especially after good harvests.

Songs of Death

Lamentations listing a deceased person’s good deeds to immortalize their memory.

Folk Tales (Kwentong Bayan)

Stories about nature, deities, human folly, and morals; themes include life, death, gods, heroes, and animals.

Myths

Narratives explaining natural events or creation (e.g., Story of Bathala); often feature deities like Bathala or Gugurang.

Legends

Stories that explain local mysteries and convey morals (e.g., Legend of Maria Makiling).

Fables

Short tales using animal characters to teach good manners and right conduct.

Epics

Lengthy oral narratives featuring heroes, battles, and quests (e.g., Hinilawod, Darangen).

Spanish Period

Began 1521; literature became Latinized, producing religious, secular, propaganda, and revolutionary works.

Ladinos

Filipinos fluent in both Spanish and native languages during early Spanish era.

Religious Literature (Spanish Era)

Works on the life and death of Jesus (e.g., Pasyon, Senakulo).

Pasyon

Poetic narrative of Christ’s passion, suffering, and death, chanted during Holy Week.

Senakulo

Stage re-enactment of the Pasyon, dramatizing Christ’s passion.

Komedya

Dramatic form depicting battles between Christians and Moros; influenced by Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Awit

Tale of chivalry in verse about a knight saving a princess (e.g., Florante at Laura).

Korido

Metrical romance or poem-structured tale often of adventure.

Prose Narratives (Spanish Era)

Instructional stories teaching decorum, e.g., Urbana at Feliza.

Propaganda Literature

Satirical editorials and articles attacking Spanish rule, produced by the Propaganda Movement.

Propaganda Trinity

Dr. José Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano López Jaena—leaders of the Propaganda Movement.

Noli Me Tangere

Rizal’s novel exposing social ills under Spanish rule; fueled nationalist sentiment.

El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s sequel critiquing government and church corruption; considered a political novel.

Revolutionary Literature

Writings that inspired armed resistance (e.g., Andres Bonifacio’s Dekalogo).

El Heraldo de la Revolución

Official newspaper of Aguinaldo’s Revolutionary Government promoting nationalism.

American Period

Era of public education; English became widespread; literature often imitated American models.

Sarsuwela

Filipino musical drama adapted from Spanish zarzuela; popularized by Severino Reyes.

Jose Corazon de Jesus (Batute)

Noted Filipino poet during American era; author of Mga Gintong Dahon and Sa Dakong Silangan.

Remake Novels

Novels revisiting Rizal’s social themes, e.g., Madaling Araw and Fulgencia Galbillo.

Japanese Period

English banned; Filipino language mandated; literature thrived in Filipino with themes of nationalism and rural life.

Themes of Japanese-Era Poetry

Nationalism, country, love, faith, and barrio life.

21st-Century Philippine Literature

Characterized by innovation and diverse forms, allowing even non-experts to publish and experiment.