Philippine Literature During the Spanish Colonization (1565–1898)

A set of key vocabulary flashcards covering major terms, authors, works, and concepts from the lecture on Philippine literature during the Spanish colonization period.

Spanish Colonization of the Philippines (1565–1898)

More than three centuries of Spanish rule that reshaped Philippine society, religion, education, and literature.

Miguel López de Legazpi

Spanish conquistador whose 1565 arrival in Cebu marked the start of formal Spanish colonization.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Agreement that ended the Spanish-American War and ceded the Philippines from Spain to the United States, ending Spanish rule.

Baybayin

Pre-colonial Philippine syllabary gradually supplanted by the Roman alphabet under Spanish rule.

Roman (Latin) Alphabet

Writing system introduced by the Spaniards, replacing Baybayin and becoming the new script for Philippine languages.

Christianization

Process of converting Filipinos to Roman Catholicism, the chief cultural aim of Spanish colonial literature.

Printing Press in the Philippines (1593)

Technology introduced by the Spaniards that enabled the first printed books and widespread literacy.

Pasyon

Lengthy narrative poem on Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, traditionally chanted during Holy Week.

Pasyong Mahal by Gaspar Aquino de Belen

1703 Tagalog version of the Pasyon that blended native verse with Christian narrative.

Pabasa

Ritual chanting of the Pasyon during Holy Week in Filipino communities.

Doctrina Cristiana (1593)

First printed book in the Philippines containing prayers and catechism in Tagalog (Baybayin) and Spanish.

Novena

Set of devotional prayers recited over nine consecutive days, popularized in Spanish-era churches and schools.

Awit

12-syllable metrical romance with a slow, formal tone, often about chivalry and morality.

Corrido

8-syllable metrical romance with a fast, action-oriented tempo, also centered on heroic themes.

Komedyas

Stage plays portraying Christian knights and princesses; allegorical dramas adapted from Spanish comedia.

Moro-Moro

Theatrical play dramatizing battles between Christians and Muslims, used as colonial propaganda.

Ibong Adarna

Anonymous metrical romance (awit/corrido) about a magical bird, notable in Filipino secular literature.

Gaspar Aquino de Belen

First known native poet to write religious verse in Tagalog; author of the 1703 Pasyon.

Tomas Pinpin

First Filipino printer-writer; authored a 1610 manual teaching Tagalogs the Spanish language.

Pedro Bukaneg

Blind Ilocano poet and translator credited with preserving the epic Biag ni Lam-ang; “Father of Ilocano Literature.”

Biag ni Lam-ang

Pre-colonial Ilocano epic poem preserved through Spanish-era transcription by Pedro Bukaneg.

Francisco Balagtas

‘Prince of Tagalog Poets’; author of Florante at Laura, which subtly criticized colonial abuses.

Florante at Laura

Awit-form allegorical epic by Balagtas that mirrors Philippine colonial oppression through a fictional kingdom.

Modesto de Castro

Author of Urbana at Felisa, an epistolary novel on proper conduct and Christian morality.

Urbana at Felisa

Collection of moral letters guiding behavior, influential in 19th-century Filipino society.

Propaganda Movement (1880s–1890s)

Literary-political campaign by Filipino ilustrados in Europe calling for reforms and rights under Spain.

Ilustrados

Educated Filipino elite who spearheaded the Propaganda Movement and nationalist writings.

José Rizal

Philippine national hero whose novels and essays exposed colonial abuses and inspired revolution.

Noli Me Tangere (1887)

Rizal’s novel revealing social ills and friar exploitation in colonial Philippines.

El Filibusterismo (1891)

Rizal’s darker, revolutionary sequel advocating societal change through upheaval.

La Indolencia de los Filipinos

Rizal’s essay refuting Spanish claims of Filipino laziness and analyzing colonial causes.

Marcelo H. del Pilar

Propagandist who used satire to denounce friar abuses; editor of La Solidaridad.

Dasalan at Tocsohan

Del Pilar’s parody of Catholic prayers that mocked clerical hypocrisy.

Graciano López Jaena

Orator-essayist of the Propaganda Movement; author of the satirical Fray Botod.

Fray Botod

López Jaena’s satirical sketch exposing the greed and corruption of friars.

La Solidaridad

Barcelona-based newspaper that served as the Propaganda Movement’s primary forum for reformist writings.