Philippine Literature: Pre-Spanish and Spanish Periods

Pre-Spanish Period (… - 1564)

  • Before the arrival of the Spaniards in 1564, Filipinos already had their own literature, primarily oral.

  • Literature was transmitted through word of mouth from one generation to another.

  • Pre-Spanish poets and storytellers had exceptional memories to preserve the original details of oral literature.

  • Characteristics of Pre-Spanish Literature:

    • Legends: Narrative prose that entertains and explains the origin of objects, places, or names. They are fictional and reflect former Filipino customs.

    • Folk Tales: Narratives about life, quest, love, horror, and comedy, providing lessons about life, helping people to appreciate situations, assess personalities, and enhance life perceptions.

    • Epics: Long narrative poems about the heroic achievements or events of protagonists or heroes.

    • Myths: Narratives that describe and portray the origin of cultural elements. They explain how the world began, the creation of humans and animals, and the origin of customs.

    • Folk Songs: One of the oldest forms of Philippine literature. They reflect and preserve the culture of early Filipinos, expressing hopes, aspirations, lifestyles, and loves. They are repetitive, sonorous, didactic, and naïve, like children’s songs.

      • Examples:

        • Ida-ida (Maguindanao)

        • Tulang pambata (Tagalog)

        • Cansiones para abbing (Ibanag)

Spanish Period (1565-1898)

  • Spain occupied the Philippines for over 300 years, greatly impacting the lives and lifestyles of Filipinos.

  • The Spanish colonization introduced customs like the naming system, baptism, and Catholicism.

  • Filipinos learned to build houses of stone and brick and use kitchen utensils and furniture like pianos.

  • Means of transportation during this time included carriages, trains, and boats.

  • Fiestas were held to pay tribute to saints, popes, and governors.

  • The church played a governmental role.

  • Popular recreational activities included cockfights, horse races, and theater.

  • Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature:

    • Alibata was replaced by the Roman alphabet.

    • Christian Doctrine became the basis for religious practices.

    • The Spanish language influenced the Filipino language and served as the medium of instruction and language of literature.

    • Songs, corridos, and Moro-moros were based on European legends and traditions.

    • Ancient literature was translated into Tagalog and other dialects.

    • Grammar books were published in Filipino languages like Tagalog, Ilocano, and Visayan.

    • Magazines and periodicals were written with religious themes.

  • The First Books:

    • Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine): The first book published in the Philippines in Tagalog and Spanish in 1593 using Xylography. Authored by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva. It included prayers like the Pater Noster (Our Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), the Ten Commandments, the Commandments of the Catholic Church, the Seven Mortal Sins, instructions on how to confess, and the Catechism.

    • Libro de los Cuatro Post Primeras de Hombre: The first book published using typography.

    • Nuestra Senora del Rosario: The second book printed in the Philippines, authored by Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1602. It contains memoirs of saints, novenas, and religious questions and answers.

    • Ang Barlaan at Josephat: The first Biblical story published in the Philippines. Translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de Borja. The translated book had 556 pages and is believed to be the first Tagalog novel. It was also translated into Ilocano by Agustin Mejia.

Folk Songs During the Spanish Period

  • Each region had its national song, reflecting Filipinos’ artistic feelings and appreciation for beauty.

  • Examples of folk songs:

    • Leron-Leron Sinta

    • Pamulinawen

    • Dandansoy

    • Sarong Banggi

    • Atin Cu Pung Singsing

Recreational Plays

  • Poetic forms performed during the Spanish era:

    • Tibag: A ritual to commemorate Saint Helena’s search for the Holy Cross, where Jesus Christ was crucified.

    • Lagaylay: A special gathering in May for the Pilarenos of Sorsogon where ladies are chosen to fulfill a vow or panata during illness or for a favor received. In Bicol, it involves a ritual offering of praise, respect, and love to the Blessed Cross by Saint Helena.

    • Cenaculo: A dramatic performance reenacting the passion and death of Jesus Christ. There are two types: Cantada (chanted like the Passion) and Hablada (spoken in a deliberate manner showing the rhythmic measure of each verse and stanza).

    • Panunuluyan: A play reenacting the search of Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph for an inn to deliver the baby Jesus.

    • Salubong: An Easter Sunday play, held before sunrise, staging the meeting of the Risen Jesus Christ and His Mother.

  • Other Literary Works:

    • Urbana at Felisa: Authored by Modesto de Castro, this book comprises letters exchanged between two sisters, Urbana and Felisa, influencing societal behavior with its focus on good conduct.

    • Ang Mga Dalit Kay Maria (Psalms for Mary): A collection of songs praising Virgin Mary, written in 1865 by Fr. Mariano Sevilla, popular during the Maytime festival or Flores de Mayo.

    • The Passion: A book narrating the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ, traditionally recited during Lent. Four versions are available in Tagalog:

      • De Belen Version by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bataan (1704)

      • De Guia Version by Luis de Guia (1750)

      • Pilapil Version by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan (1814)

      • De la Merced version by Aniceto de la Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan (1856)

Other Dramatic Entertainment

  • Carillo (Shadow Play): A dramatic entertainment performed at night using cardboard figures against a light on a white sheet, moved like marionettes. Conversations are drawn from Corrido, Awit, or religious plays accompanied by songs.

  • Zarzuela: A musical comedy or melodrama in three acts, addressing human desires and feelings like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, greed, or social and political problems.

  • Sainete: A brief, exaggerated musical comedy depicting characters from the lower class and everyday life problems.

  • Moro-Moro: A play held during city fiestas, commemorating Christianity. It typically portrays the abduction of a Christian princess by the Moros, followed by a battle where the Christians win through divine intervention, leading to the conversion of the Moros to Christianity.

  • Karagatan: A poetic competition based on a legend about a princess who dropped her ring into the ocean and offered her hand in marriage to whoever could find it. A leader initiates with an extemporaneous poem and spins a “lumbo” or “tabo.” The person towards whom the white line points when the spinning stops must answer a riddle to win the ring.

  • Balagtasan: A poetic debate on a socially relevant topic, held in honor of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

  • Dung-aw: A chant in free verse by a grieving person beside the corpse of the dead, reciting in poetic rhythm according to their feelings and thoughts, including apologies and recollections of the life, sufferings, and sacrifices of the deceased.