Survey of Philippine Literature: Key Vocabulary

A vocabulary set summarizing significant periods, genres, works, movements, and critical terms in Philippine literary history, suitable for exam review.

Contemporary/Modern Period (1986-present)

Current era of Philippine literature marked by technology-driven themes, experimentation, and debates on criticism methods.

Post-Colonialism (Philippine context)

Literary focus on recovering native voices and examining effects of colonial rule after independence.

Balagtasismo

Philippine poetic movement upholding strict metrical/rhyming forms patterned after Francisco Balagtas.

Modernism (Philippine lit)

Break from traditional forms in favor of experimentation, free verse, and new themes.

Formalism

Critical approach emphasizing a text’s structure, style, and language over historical context.

Historical Criticism

Method that interprets literary works through the social, political, and cultural milieu in which they were produced.

Onomatopoeia

A word that imitates the natural sound of the thing it describes, e.g., “tik-tak” for a clock.

Republic Period (1961-1985)

Era of Philippine literature characterized by romantic & revolutionary poetry, rise of film, and martial-law protest songs.

Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino

Annual festival showcasing Filipino films that began during the Republic Period.

Cenaculo

Traditional Lenten play dramatizing the passion and death of Christ.

Zarzuela

Spanish-influenced musical play blending spoken dialogue and song, revived by the Philippine government post-1960s.

Embayoka

Muslim dance-drama revived during the Republic Period to promote cultural heritage.

Period of Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)

Post-war phase when Filipino writers gained individual voices; era of major literary awards.

Palanca Awards for Literature

Prestigious annual literary contest established in 1950 honoring outstanding Filipino writers.

National Artist Award for Literature

Philippine state honor for lifetime contribution to national arts and letters.

25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino

Anthology of the 25 best Filipino short stories written during the Japanese War Years (1942-1944).

Japanese Colonization Period (1941-1945)

Time when Tagalog was promoted, English suppressed, and writers worked under censorship.

Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)

Stage when Filipinos learned to write in English, producing early novels, poetry, and short stories.

Banaag at Sikat

1906 social-realist Tagalog novel by Lope K. Santos advocating workers’ rights.

Pag-ibig (poem)

Romantic Tagalog poem by José Corazón de Jesús celebrated for lyrical language.

Dead Stars

1925 short story by Paz Márquez-Benítez, first modern Philippine short story in English.

Footnote to Youth

Short story by José García Villa exploring early marriage and regret.

We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers

Humorous 1940 short story by Alejandro Roces satirizing Filipino hospitality.

Child of Sorrow

1930 novel by Zoilo Galang, considered the first Philippine novel written in English.

Nationalistic, Propaganda & Revolutionary Period (1864-1896)

Era of literature aimed at Spanish reform or outright independence, featuring essays, poems, and novels.

Kalayaan (1896)

Newspaper of the Katipunan edited by Emilio Jacinto; name means “freedom.”

Hibik ng Pilipinas

“Lament of the Philippines,” patriotic poem by Andrés Bonifacio (1896).

Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa

“Love of Country,” nationalistic poem by Andrés Bonifacio encouraging revolution.

Liwanag at Dilim

Series of essays by Emilio Jacinto elucidating Katipunan ideals.

True Decalogue

Ten-point political treatise by Apolinario Mabini (1898) outlining principles for the new nation.

Propaganda Literature

Writings (essays, satires, news) pushing reforms under Spanish rule, e.g., La Solidaridad.

Noli Me Tangere

Jose Rizal’s 1887 novel exposing abuses of Spanish friars in the Philippines.

El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s 1891 sequel advocating more radical action against colonial oppression.

Spanish Colonization Period (1565-1863)

Time when literature was largely religious or European-influenced and written in Spanish or native tongues.

Pasyon

Epic narrative poem recounting Christ’s passion, central to Filipino Lenten rites.

Senakulo

Stage dramatization of the Pasyon performed during Holy Week.

Awit

12-syllable narrative poem of chivalry sung or chanted; example: Ibong Adarna.

Korido

8-syllable metrical romance such as Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas.

Prose Narratives (Spanish era)

Moralistic writings instructing proper behavior, influenced by European conduct books.

Komedya

Folk theater depicting battles between Christians & Moors; popularized by Jose de la Cruz.

Francisco Balagtas

19th-century poet hailed as master of traditional Tagalog verse (author of Florante at Laura).

Pedro Paterno

Illustrado who wrote “Ninay,” the first Filipino novel in Spanish (1885).

Bugtong

Rhymed riddle requiring creative thinking, used as traditional Filipino pastime.

Kawikaan (Proverb)

Concise saying imparting wisdom or advice, also called salawikain.

Tanaga

Indigenous four-line poem with seven syllables each and monorhyme pattern.

Folk Song

Traditional melody reflecting daily life, work, rituals, or history of a community.

Epic (Philippine)

Lengthy verse narrative about heroic exploits expressing a people’s ideals, e.g., Biag ni Lam-ang.

Legend

Story explaining the origin of places or phenomena; may blend fact and fiction.

Folktale

Traditional story passed orally and altered through retellings before written form.

Myth

Narrative using supernatural characters to explain natural or social phenomena.

Fable

Short tale with anthropomorphic animals delivering a moral lesson.

Fantastic Story

Narrative featuring magical or mythical beings rooted in cultural beliefs.

Queer Literature

Works addressing LGBTQ+ experiences and themes within Philippine society.

Chic Literature

Light, contemporary fiction targeting young female readers and urban lifestyles.

Folk Narratives

Collective term for myths, legends, epics, and folktales reflecting communal culture.

Free Verse

Poetic form without fixed meter or rhyme, popular in modern Philippine poetry.

Textual Criticism

Scholarly discipline of examining manuscript variations to establish an authoritative text.

Contextual Criticism

Approach interpreting literature by analyzing its cultural, social, and political context.