Philippine Literature: Key Terms Across Historical Periods

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing essential terms, periods, forms, and figures from the lecture on Philippine literary history.

Literature

A body of oral, written, or visual works using imaginative language to portray human thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

Pre-Colonial Era

The earliest and longest period of Philippine literary history, existing before Spanish arrival; dominated by oral traditions.

Pre-Spanish Literature

Works produced in the Philippines prior to 1565, consisting mainly of oral narratives, songs, and poems.

Oral Literature

Stories, myths, and songs passed verbally from generation to generation, serving as a vehicle for cultural heritage.

Alibata (Baybayin)

The indigenous Philippine syllabary of 17 symbols—three vowels and fourteen consonants—used before Spanish colonization.

Folk Tales

Imaginative stories of life, adventure, love, horror, or humor that offer moral lessons.

Epic

A long narrative poem recounting heroic adventures and remarkable feats of a central figure.

Folk Songs

Among the oldest Philippine literary forms; traditional songs reflecting early culture and daily life.

Proverbs (Salawikain)

Succinct, popular sayings that convey wisdom based on common sense and real experiences.

Tanaga

Indigenous Filipino quatrain poem with seven syllables per line and a monorhyme scheme.

Riddle (Bugtong)

A mystifying question or mind puzzle presented in verse, intended to be solved by listeners.

Myth

A traditional story involving gods or goddesses that explains beliefs, rituals, or natural phenomena.

Fable

A short tale featuring animals with human traits, designed to teach moral values.

Legend

A narrative explaining the origin of places or phenomena, handed down through generations and partly believed to be true.

Spanish Colonial Era

Period from 1565–1898 when Spanish rule influenced Philippine literature, emphasizing religion and social issues.

Period of Enlightenment

Late Spanish era (1872-1898) when Filipino writers exposed colonial abuses and sought reforms.

Propaganda Movement

1872-1896 reform campaign led by educated Filipinos like Rizal, del Pilar, and López Jaena through writings in Spain and Manila.

Roman Alphabet

Writing system that replaced Alibata under Spanish rule, introducing Latin letters to Filipinos.

Doctrina Christiana

The first book printed in the Philippines; a collection of Christian prayers in Spanish and Tagalog (1593).

Ladinos

Native Filipinos during Spanish times who could read and write both Spanish and a Philippine language.

Noli Me Tangere

José Rizal’s novel (1887) depicting societal ills under Spain; called his “work of the heart.”

El Filibusterismo

Rizal’s sequel novel (1891) foretelling revolution; referred to as his “work of the mind.”

Mi Último Adiós

Rizal’s farewell poem, written before his execution, expressing love of country and hope for freedom.

Fray Botod

Graciano López Jaena’s satire portraying the greed and immorality of Spanish friars.

La Solidaridad

Bi-weekly newspaper (1889-1895) of the Propaganda Movement advocating reforms in the Spanish colony.

Diariong Tagalog

First bilingual (Tagalog-Spanish) newspaper in the Philippines, founded by Marcelo H. del Pilar in 1882.

Florante at Laura

Epic metrical romance by Francisco Balagtas symbolizing Filipino suffering under Spanish tyranny.

American Colonial Era

1898-1944 period when U.S. rule introduced English, public schools, and press freedom to Philippine literature.

Thomasites

First group of American teachers (1901) who established the public-school system and taught English in the Philippines.

Period of Re-orientation (1898-1910)

Early American-era phase when writers adjusted to English language and democratic ideals.

Period of Imitation (1910-1925)

Phase when Filipino authors modeled works on American and British literary styles, often artificially.

Period of Self-Discovery (1925-1941)

Time when Filipino writers mastered English and produced original novels, dramas, and essays.

Japanese Period

1941-1945 occupation that halted English publications, fostering Filipino-language poetry centered on nationalism and rural life.

Haiku

Japanese-inspired three-line poem of 17 syllables (5-7-5) that gained popularity during the Japanese occupation.

Tanka

Five-line Japanese poem (5-7-5-7-7) using figurative language to express nature and emotions.

Karaniwang Anyo

Traditional Filipino verse form (regular meter and rhyme) revived during the Japanese period.

Period of Activism

1970-1972 era of youth protest and radical literature opposing social injustices, leading to Martial Law.

Martial Law (1972)

Authoritarian rule declared by President Marcos; intensified censorship and politicized literary expression.

Makibaka

Filipino rallying cry meaning “to dare” or “to struggle,” frequently seen on protest placards in the Activism period.

Period of the New Society

1972-1980 phase under Martial Law promoting cultural discipline; literature highlighted native customs and nature.

Period of the Third Republic

1981-1985 timeframe of supposed democratic restoration; poetry blended romantic and revolutionary themes.

Post-EDSA Revolution

1986-1995 years after Marcos’s ouster, marked by revived press freedom and new socio-political literature.

21st-Century Period

Contemporary era (1996-present) featuring digital media, new linguistic codes, and ICT-driven literary forms.

ICT-inclined Writing

Modern literary practice utilizing information and communication technologies for creation and dissemination.

Baybayin

Another name for Alibata, the pre-Hispanic Philippine syllabic script.

Cecilio Apostol

Spanish-language Filipino poet renowned for works honoring national heroes, especially Rizal.

Lope K. Santos

Tagalog writer and poet noted among the “Poets of the Heart” and author of “Banaag at Sikat.”