PHIL LIT

Salawikain

Philippine proverbs conveying practical advice and truths based on common sense and experiences.

Bugtong

Philippine riddles that use figurative language and metaphors, presented in question form.

Folksongs

Traditional Filipino songs expressing the hopes, aspirations, and lifestyles of ancestors, often categorized into forms like lullabies and war songs.

Mitolohiya

Filipino myths explaining the creation of the universe, humanity, or natural phenomena, often involving supernatural elements.

Alamat

Legends rooted in reality that explain landmarks, cultural practices, or historical events, blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

Epics

Lengthy narrative poems recounting the adventures of heroes and supernatural beings in Filipino literature.

Baybayin

A pre-Spanish Philippine writing system, a member of the Brahmic family, primarily syllabic in nature.

Classifications of Filipinos

Tagabayan refers to those near the centers of power, while Tagabukid/Tagabundok describes those distanced from Spanish authorities.

Doctrina Christiana

The first printed book in the Philippines, a prayerbook composed in Spanish with Tagalog translations.

Komedya

A native poetic drama inspired by Spanish secular literature, often depicting Christians triumphing over Muslims.

Ibong Adarna

An early 19th-century Tagalog epic about a bird with magical songs capable of healing and enchanting.

Florante at Laura

A significant Tagalog literary work written by Francisco Balagtas in 1838, featuring themes of love and betrayal.

Noli Me Tangere

A novel by Jose Rizal that critiques colonialism and societal issues, focusing on the character Crisóstomo Ibarra.

El Filibusterismo

Jose Rizal's sequel to Noli Me Tangere, where themes of greed and revolution are explored.

Balagtasan

A poetic debate in verse that originated in the 1920s, showcasing Filipino culture and artistry.

Mangkukulam

A Filipino witch doctor who practices both good and evil magic, often associated with collecting debts.

Aswang

A powerful Filipino mythical creature known for its shapeshifting abilities and tendency to eat human flesh.

Manananggal

A well-known Filipino mythical creature that separates its body to prey on pregnant women and newborns.

Kapre

A tall, hairy Filipino creature associated with trees, often said to play tricks on those who encounter it.

Multo

The Filipino concept of a ghost or spirit that has returned from the afterlife.

Diwata

A dryad-like spirit in Filipino mythology, similar to fairies of other cultures, often associated with nature.

Tiyanak

A man-eating creature in Filipino folklore that lures victims by taking the form of an infant.

Tikbalang

A creature in Filipino mythology resembling a half-man, half-horse, often perceived as a guardian of the forest.

Duwende

Filipino dwarf-like creatures that can either bestow gifts or play tricks on people, depending on their mood.

White lady

A vengeful ghost of a wronged woman found in many cultures, including Filipino folklore.