Untitled Flashcards Set

✔ Pre-colonial – occurring or existing before the beginning of colonial rule

✔ Contemporary – belonging to or occurring in the present

✔ Indigenous – originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native

✔ Bucolic – relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life

✔ Marian Hymns – are Christian songs focused on the Virgin Mary

✔ Castilian language – language spoken in central and northern Spain
*** Castilian is sometimes used interchangeably with the word “Spanish”. Since Castilian was the king’s Spanish since the 1200s, the imperialists in those early centuries of conquest in Latin America identified their language as Castilian and not Spanish (yet).

✔ Syllabaries – a phonetic writing system consisting of symbols representing syllables

✔ Indio or Malay – natives born inhabitant of the Philippines

What is Literature?

Literature is a special way of using words to express ideas and feelings. It helps us understand the world around us by showing us different perspectives and experiences. When we read literature, we can connect with others and learn about their lives. Literature is not just a collection of texts; it is shaped by the culture and values of the time it was written. This means that what we consider literature can change over time as society changes. Some people have different ideas about what makes a piece of writing "literature”. Antonio Soria de Veyra's essay explains how literature reflects the values, beliefs, and experiences of different groups of people throughout history. By reading literature, we can gain insights into the lives of others and develop empathy. Literature helps us understand society and culture better. Philippine literature has evolved alongside the country's history. It has been influenced by the rich cultural traditions of pre-colonial times and the experiences of Spanish and American colonization. Each period in Philippine history has contributed to the diverse range of literary works that express the Filipino identity and experience. Literature not only preserves cultural heritage but also responds to and shapes the values of society over time. By studying Philippine literature, we can gain a deeper understanding of the country's history and culture.

PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (Early Times – 1564)

It was a time of rich traditions, complex societal structures, and unique religious beliefs that shaped the history and heritage of the Filipino people. Societal structures were based on barangays, which were small communities led by datu or chief. The barangays had their own political organization and laws to promote social welfare and protect their people. These societies also had social divisions and hierarchies, with different classes of people, such as nobles, freemen, agricultural workers, and slaves. The social structure was influenced by factors such as kinship, social status, and wealth. There was no formal education. Learning was merely through imitation and practice. The verses were addressed to the ears rather than the eyes.

FORMS OF LITERATURE

GENRES
Epic – a long narrative poem in elevated style recounting the deeds of a legendary or historical hero
Legends – a no historical or unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times and popularly accepted as historical may simply be defined as an account of an extraordinary happening believed to have occurred
Riddles – are statements that contain superficial words, but they function figuratively and as metaphors in the form of questions, and battle of wits.
Proverbs – or sayings are simple, common and pithy expressions (popularly known and repeated), which embodies some moral precept or admitted truth, based on common sense or the practical experience of humanity. It contains sayings which prescribe norms, impart a lesson or simply reflect standard norms, traditions and beliefs in the community.

The Spaniards came with the Sword and the Cross; and to serve the dual purpose of territorial expansion and evangelization. Some natives were taught to speak Spanish language; Spaniards studied and acquired the native languages. The Roman alphabet replaced the syllabaries of the natives; and literature began to appear in print. Literary medium was bilingual. Most writings were in Spanish and Tagalog, their content, bicultural.
FORMS OF LITERATURE

Ancient literary forms were enriched with the various literay forms patterned after European metrical romances (corrido and awit), "zarzuela" recreational plays (Duplo; moro - moro, juego de prenda) and the "balagtasan".

a. Corrido o awit - a ballad in a traditional Mexican style, typically having lyrics that narrate a historical event.

b. Zarzuela - a musical theatre in which the dramatic action is carried through an alternating combination of song and speech.

- Duplo - was a poetical debate held by trained men and women in the ninth night, the last night of the mourning period for the dead

- moro-moro – also called comedia, the earliest from of organized theater in the Philippines created by Spanish priests.

- juego de prenda – game of looking for the missing bird

Nationalistic Period
This period marks the beginning of the awakening of the sense of nationalism. The Nationalistic Period emerged as Filipinos sought independence from Spanish rule. This era was marked by a strong sense of national identity and pride, with literature serving as a tool for social and political change. Propaganda literature propagates nationalist ideas, Tagalog was then the primary language, and education was more open to the Filipino people not only for “intelligentsia” who form an artistic, social\ or political elite. This period saw the rise of nationalism through propaganda movements that promoted the Filipino language and addressed the masses through literature. In this period, literature more directly attacked the Spanish government.

AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1945)
The arrival of American colonizers introduced the English language and new literary styles to the Philippines. Education was reformed, and English became the medium of instruction. The Americans provided free education, giving Filipinos the opportunity to study English. Philippine literature in English, influenced by American colonization, often imitated American writing styles. In 1936, the Philippine Writers League was formed, and Filipino writers in English began discussing the importance of literature in society. Despite the rise of a literary tradition in English, literary works in native languages continued to flourish.

JAPANESE PERIOD (1946-1985)
During World War II, the Japanese occupation influenced Philippine literature, bringing themes of struggle and resistance. Writers faced censorship but kept expressing their thoughts through poetry and short stories. The development of Philippine literature in English stopped as it was banned during this time, leading to a revival of writing in Filipino languages. The Japanese introduced their language, Nihongo, to Filipinos. They banned all publications except for the Tribune and the Philippine Review.
 During this period, Japanese occupation of the Philippines, several important writers emerged, even though they faced many challenges like censorship and restrictions on English publications. This time saw a shift from writing in English to writing in Filipino, with many authors focusing on themes of nationalism, rural life, and faith.

21ST CENTURY LITERATURE
Early modern Philippine literature developed significantly during the American occupation. Writers of this period explored various genres and themes, responding to the influences of both Spanish and American cultures. This literary history set the stage for contemporary Philippine literature. 21st century literature includes works written and published from the year 2000 onwards. This period features a wide range of literary forms and themes, reflecting contemporary life and society.

Some common themes and genres in 21st century literature are:

- Epics: Long narrative works that explore historical or mythical themes.

- Tragedy: Stories about human suffering and moral dilemmas.

- Comedy: Works that use humor to explore human nature and societal issues.

- Creative Nonfiction: True stories told in a literary style, combining factual reporting with narrative techniques.