Philippine Literature During the Spanish Colonial Period

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the historical events, key figures, and literary genres (Poetry, Prose, and Drama) of the Philippines during the Spanish Colonial Period.

March 16, 1521

The date the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippine soil.

Homonhon

An island in Eastern Samar where Ferdinand Magellan landed.

Limasawa

The location where the first Catholic mass in the country was celebrated.

Ruy López de Villalobos

Named the archipelago Las Islas Filipinas in honor of Prince Philip of Asturias.

1565

The year King Philip II of Spain officially colonized the country and assigned Miguel López de Legazpi as the first Governor-General.

Reduccion

A policy used by the Spaniards to convert natives into Christianity.

Ilustrados

Elite Filipinos who went to Europe to study and led the Propaganda Movement.

La Solidaridad

A publication for which Reform Movement members like Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Mariano Ponce wrote.

Kalayaan

The publication for which revolutionaries Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto wrote.

June 12, 1898

The date General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonial rule.

Alibata

The first Filipino alphabet, which was replaced by the Roman alphabet during the Spanish colonization.

Francisco Baltazar

A famous poet considered the master of traditional Tagalog poetry and author of Florante at Laura.

Ladino

A bilingual poem with religious themes alternating lines in Tagalog and Spanish; also refers to Filipinos fluent in both languages.

Pasyon

A narrative poem about the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Awit

A narrative poem consisting of 12 syllables per line and four lines per stanza, often expressing courtly love or adoration of the Virgin Mary.

Korido

A narrative poem with eight syllables per line and four lines per stanza, characterized by a faster rhythm than an awit.

Dalit

A religious poem written in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Doctrina Christiana en lengua Española y tagala

A prayer book from 1593 that was one of the first books printed in the Philippines.

Tomas Pinpin

Author of Librong Pagaaralan nang manga Tagalog nang uicang Castilla, the first published work by a Filipino.

Pláticas

Lectures or sermons presented by Spanish priests dealing with religious, biblical, and moral topics.

Novena

A series of prayers repeated for nine consecutive days for petition or thanksgiving.

Karagatan

A form of poetic contest played as part of the rites held in connection with the death of a person.

Duplo

A poetic contest held during a wake consisting of puns, jokes, and riddles to relieve sadness.

Senakulo

A drama that portrays the life, passion, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Tibag

A play telling how Saint Helena searched for Jesus's cross on Mount Calvary.

Moriones

A festival celebrating the life of Saint Longinus, a blind Roman soldier who regained his sight through Jesus's blood.

Moro-moro

A play about the victory of a Christian Filipino army over Muslim forces.

Sarsuwela

A play with songs and dances featuring up to five acts, portraying romantic love.

Lagaylay

A Bicolano song-and-dance performance participated in by women to offer praise to religious icons like the Blessed Cross.

Panunuluyan

A Christmas Eve presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn.

Salubong (or Panubong)

An Easter morning depiction of the moment the Risen Christ met his mother.

Carillo

A shadow play performed on dark nights using cardboard figures projected against a white sheet.

Sainete

A short musical comedy from the 18th century performed between acts of long plays, focused on everyday life scenarios.