Philippine Literature, History & General Knowledge Vocabulary

Doctrina Cristiana

The first book written and printed in the Philippines (1593).

Pedro Bukaneg

Known as the Father of Ilocano Literature.

Francisco Baltazar

Father of Tagalog Poetry and Prince of Tagalog Poets.

Lola Basyang

Pen name of playwright Severino Reyes, famous for children’s stories.

Kenkoy

First and longest-running Philippine comic-strip series (1929, Liwayway).

Juan Crisóstomo Soto

Father of Pampango Literature; author of the poem “There Is No God.”

Manila Bulletin

Oldest existing Philippine newspaper, established in 1900.

Alejandro Abadilla

Father of Modern Tagalog Poetry and Prose.

Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog

Andres Bonifacio’s essay summarising Philippine history for Filipinos.

The Monkey and the Turtle

Popular animal fable written by José Rizal.

The Decalogue

Andres Bonifacio’s “Ten Commandments of the Katipunan.”

Alibata / Baybayin

Ancient pre-colonial Filipino syllabic writing system.

Talindaw

Traditional Filipino boat-song often associated with love themes.

Memoria Fotográfica

Nickname for José Ma. Panganiban’s celebrated photographic memory.

Amado V. Hernandez

National Artist dubbed the “Poet of the Workers.”

Bukanegan

Ilocano counterpart of the Tagalog poetic debate Balagtasan.

Maragtas

Visayan epic narrating codes of conduct, manners and ancient history.

Pascual Poblete

Father of the Filipino newspaper; first Tagalog translator of Noli Me Tangere.

Lupang Tinubuan

Narciso Reyes’s story hailed as the finest prose of the Japanese Period.

Ibong Adarna (original title)

“Corido at Buhay… ng Tatlong Prinsipeng… Berbania,” early Tagalog metrical romance.

Panderegla

Regarded as the first Filipino-made bread.

The Great Plebian

Honorific title of Andres Bonifacio, leader of the Katipunan.

Apolinario Mabini

“Brain of the Philippine Revolution” and adviser to Aguinaldo.

GOMBURZA

Collective name for martyred priests Gómez, Burgos, Zamora (1872).

Lakandula

Pre-colonial chief of Tondo who resisted Spanish rule.

Insulares

Spaniards born in the Philippines during the colonial era.

Magdalo

Katipunan faction led by Baldomero Aguinaldo in Cavite.

Magdiwang

Katipunan faction headed by Mariano Álvarez in Cavite.

Del Superior Gobierno

First newspaper published in the Philippines (1811).

Anahaw

Declared National Leaf of the Philippines.

Apartheid

Policy of complete racial segregation formerly practised in South Africa.

San Agustin Church

First stone church built in the Philippines (Intramuros, 1607).

Comet Kohoutek

1973 celestial body publicised as the “Comet of the Century.”

Dead Stars

Paz M. Benitez’s pioneering Philippine short story in English (1925).

Stratosphere

Atmospheric layer containing the protective ozone layer.

Dinoflagellates

Marine microorganisms responsible for toxic red-tide blooms.

Skimming

Fastest form of reading to grasp general ideas quickly.

Metathesis (phonology)

Morphophonemic change involving transposition of sounds, e.g., linipad → nilipad.

Pragmatism

Educational philosophy that values practical problem-solving and “what works.”

Republic Act 9155

2001 Governance of Basic Education Act defining DepEd structure.

Republic Act 10533

2013 Enhanced Basic Education Act establishing K–12 in the Philippines.

E. Arsenio Manuel

Recognised Father of Philippine Folklore.

Hermogenes Ilagan

Father of Tagalog and Philippine Zarzuela.

Vicente Sotto

Father of Cebuano letters and of the Cebuano language press.

Julian Felipe

Composer and Father of the Philippine National Anthem.

Marcelo H. del Pilar

Father of Philippine Journalism and Philippine Masonry (pen name: Plaridel).

Manuel L. Quezon