Genres
Lesson 1: The Regional Approach to Reading Philippine Literature
“Let us remember that Metro Manila is not the Philippines and the Philippines is not Metro Manila. We should not always build in Metro Manila”
-Mr. Alan Peter Cayetano
LESSON 2: Canonical Authors and Works of Philippine National Artists in Literature
FRANCISCO ARCELLANA
- Writer, poet, essayist, journalist, critic, teacher
- One of the most important progenitors of the modern Filipino short story in English -
Progenitors – a person or thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended or originates; an ancestor or parent
- The development of the short story as a lyrical prose-poetic form
- For Arcellana, the pride of fiction is “That it is able to render the truth, that is able to present reality.”
- Short stories:
(1) Frankie, The Man Who Would Be Poe - The play tells the story of a young writer named Juan Talis, who is determined to become a poet like Edgar Allan Poe. Juan's passion for poetry and his quest for recognition and acceptance lead him on a journey that involves violence, love, and tragedy.
(2) Death in a Factory -
(3) A Clown Remembers -
(4) Divided by Two - The story "Divide by Two" by Francisco Arcellana is about a man who is struggling to make ends meet. He is a widower with two young children, and he works as a clerk in a government office. His salary is barely enough to cover the basic necessities of life, and he is constantly in debt.
- Poems:
(1) The Other Woman - is a thought-provoking exploration of love, guilt, and the consequences of infidelity. The story delves into the complex emotions and motivations of the protagonist who finds himself drawn to an enigmatic other woman.
(2) To Touch You and I Touched Her - explores the profound feelings of love, longing, intimacy, and a sensory awakening, using the concept of touch. It conveys a message about the personal awakening to love and the power of touch as a tool for deeper emotional and spiritual connection, surpassing societal norms.
VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO
- poet, literary historian, critic
- revived and reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms.
- championed modernist poetics
- 34 years published: 12 books of poetry:
(1) Makinasyon and Peregrinasyon -
(2) Doktrinang Anakpawis - ay puno ng mga mapang-anyaya at mapanghikayat ng mga tula na kumakausap sa masa, pati mga tulang nagpapakita ng paghihirap sa ating bansa at ang kitang-kitang class struggle.
(3) Mga Retrato at Rekwerdo -
(4) Muli, Sa Kandungan ng Lupa -
- redefined how the Filipino poetry in his 10 books of criticisms and anthologies
(1) Ang Makata sa Panahon ng Makina -
(2) Balagtasismo versus Modernismo
(3) Walong Dekada ng Makabagong Tula Pilipino
CIRILO F. BAUTISTA
- poet, fictionist, essayist
- with exceptional achievements
- significant contributions to the development of the country’s literary arts
- contribute to the development of Philippine Literature significant body of works discovery and encouragement of young writers’ workshops and lectures
- craft of writing and correctiveness to misconceptions about art.
Major Works:
(1) Summer Suns (1963) - The first part of the theme is that the suns light can reach all places. The author uses personification to give the sun human characteristics. Throughout the poem, the author uses detailed imagery to describe the setting. The second part of the theme is that the sun starts and powers all life
(2) Words and Battlefields (1998)
CARLOS P. ROMULO
- 50 years of public service as educator, soldier, university president, diplomat, journalist
Diplomat - an official representing a country abroad.
- write and published 18 books
(1) The United (novel)
(2) I Walked with Heroes (autobiography) - The book chronicles his remarkable life journey, from his humble beginnings in the Philippines to his rise as a respected figure in the international community.
(3) I Saw the Fall of the Philippines - It is the story of seven thousand American soldiers and seventy-five thousand Filipinos against two hundred fifty thousand Japanese - a hopeless fight by men who gradually lost hope as their numbers shrank and more Japanese poured down the hills and scaled the cliffs of Bataan.
(4) Mother America - MOTHER AMERICA- A Living Story of Democracy BY CARLOS P. ROMULO PREFATORY NOTE: THIS is a living story of democracy. It is political science personalized. Americas work in the Philippines is a masterpiece in human relationship because it is human. I write it as a Filipino who is one of the beneficiaries of Philippine-American collaboration. I write it so that America may know what she achieved in the Philippines.
(5) I See the Philippines Rise (war-time memoirs) - This is the story of seventeen million Filipinos who cast their lot with America when the hour of danger struck for the American flag. It is the story of seven thousand American soldiers and seventy-five thousand Filipinos against two hundred fifty thousand Japanese - a hopeless fight by men who gradually lost hope as their numbers shrank and more Japanese poured down the hills and scaled the cliffs of Bataan. I saw Filipino boys I knew and loved blown to shreds before my eyes - as one American soldier put it, "trapped like rats but dying like men."
- one of the finest contemporary poet race or language
- “Have Come, Am Here” – received critical recognition appeared in New York in 1942 honors and fellowships were heaped on him
Heaped - direct a great deal of praise, abuse, criticism, etc. at (someone or something)
AMADO V. HERNANDEZ
- poet, playwright, novelist
- Filipino writers who practiced “Committed Art” - the use of the artist and his work for the benefit of a cause or a community
(1) Bayang Malaya -
(2) Isang Dipang Laya - The poem tells us about the pains, sufferings, and hope of a prisoner. Since the poem "Isang Dipang Langit" he wrote while he was imprisoned.
(3) Luha ng Buwaya - It is a novel written by the Filipino Amado V. Hernandez. It is about poor farmers to band together against the greediness of the family Grande.
(4) Amado V. Hernandez: Tudla at Tudling: Katipunan ng mga Nalathalang Tula 1921-1970
(5) Langaw sa Isang Basong Gatas - Ang langaw sa kwento ay sumisimbolo kina Mang Bandong, sa iba pa nilang kapitabahay at ang kanilang pamumuhay at ang gatas naman ay sumisimbolo sa Royal Lanes. Ito ang tingin ng korporasyon sa pagkakadikit ng bakuran nina mnag Bandong sa Royal Lanes, kaparis ng langaw na nakadapo sa isang basong gatas.
(6) Magkabilang Mukha ng Isang Bagol -
At iba pa.
NICK JOAQUIN
- most distinguished Filipino writer in English writing so well about so many aspects of the Filipino
- written plays, essays, novels, short stories, poems, including reportage and journalism – reportage - factual presentation in a book or other text, especially when this adopts a journalistic style
(1) The Man Who Had Two Novels - The novel The Woman Who Had Two Navels (1961) examines his country's various heritages. A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino (1966), a celebrated play, attempts to reconcile historical events with dynamic change.
(2) The Ballad of the Five Battles
(3) Rizal in Saga
(4) A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino
(5) Manila
(6) My Manila: A History for the Young
(7) Almanac for Manileños
(8) Cave and Shadows
EDITH L. TIEMPO
- poet, fictionist, teacher, literary critic
- finest Filipino writers in English
- remarkable fusion of style and substance of craftsmanship and insight
Works:
(1) A Blade of Fern (1978)
(2) The Native Coast (1979)
(3) The Alien Corn (1992): The Poetry Collections
(4) The Tracks of Babylon and Other Poems (1993)
(5) Abide, Joshua, and Other Stories (1964)
The most famous work of Edith that features a monkey is the poem “Lament for the Littlest Fellow” (1950). This was published a few years after the war and right after her stint in the Iowa Writers Workshop (1947–1950).
BIENVENIDO LUMBERA
- poet, librettist, scholar – librettist - a person who writes the text of an opera or other long vocal work.
- introduced to Tagalog literature
“Bagay Poetry” – a landmark aesthetic tendency vernacular poetic tradition – vernacular - the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a particular country or region.
Works:
(1) Likhang Dila
(2) Sa Sariling Bayan
(3) Balaybay, Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang (2002)
(4) Likhang Diwa (poems in Filipino and English) 1993
(5) Apat na Dulang May Musika (2004)
(6) Agunyas sa Hacienda Luisita
(7) Pakikiramay (2004)
Major Works:
(1) Tagalog Poetry 1570-1898
(2) Tradition and Influences in its Development
(3) Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology
(4) Revaluation: Essays on Philippine Literature
(5) Writing the Nation/Pag-akda ng Bansa
F. SIONIL JOSE
- since the late 60s
- can best be described as epic
Major Works:
(1) The Rosales Saga
(2) Tree
(3) The Pretenders
(4) My Brother
(5) My Executioner
(6) Mass
(7) Po-on
- publisher, lecturer on cultural issues
- the founder of the Philippine chapter of the international organization PEN.
What does the word ideology mean?
An ideology is a set of beliefs, values, and ideas that guide and inform an individual's or a group's understanding of the world, society, and politics.
Examples:
ü Liberalism
ü Conservatism
ü Socialism
ü Feminism
ü Nationalism
LIBERALISM - This is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality, right to private property and equality before the law.
CONSERVATISM - This is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, customs, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in which it appears.
SOCIALISM - This is a political philosophy and movement encompassing a wide range of economic and social systems which are characterized by social ownership of the means of production, as opposed to private ownership.
FEMINISM - This is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. Feminism holds the position that societies prioritize the male point of view and that women are treated unjustly in these societies.
NATIONALISM - This is an idea and movement that holds that the nation should be congruent with the state. As a movement, it tends to promote the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty over its perceived homeland to create a nation-state.
21st Century Literary Genres
GENRE is a kind of writing that shapes meaning through a particular organization of language.
The Spanish colonial and American colonial periods brought about the emergence of several new genres.
It is way of organizing language into a discourse that is meaningful to its producer (author) and audience (readers, viewers).
Genres are ways of imagining and responding to reality and are, thus ideological.
REALIST NOVEL
This is a type of fiction that emerged in the 19th century and is characterized by its emphasis on depicting everyday life, society, and the human condition in a realistic and truthful manner.
Realist novels strive to present a faithful representation of the world and the people in it, often focusing on the details of ordinary life, social interactions, and the complexities of human behavior.
PASYON
This also known as "Pabasa ng Pasyon" or "Pabasa," is a form of devotional reading or chanting in the Philippines, particularly during the Lenten season, Holy Week, and Good Friday.
It is a traditional religious practice deeply rooted in Filipino Catholicism and is often performed by communities and families as an act of piety and reflection on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
ESSAY
An essay is a form of written expression that presents an author's thoughts, ideas, arguments, or personal reflections on a particular topic or subject matter.
Essays are a common and versatile mode of communication used in various academic, professional, and creative contexts.
They serve as a means for individuals to convey their thoughts and engage with readers, often aiming to inform, persuade, entertain, or provoke thought.
Other forms of 21st Century Literary Genres
CONTEMPORARY FICTION
This genre encompasses a wide range of novels that reflect the concerns, issues, and lifestyles of contemporary society. It often explores themes like identity, technology, and social change.
SICENCE FICTION
Sci-fi continues to thrive in the 21st century, exploring futuristic technology, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and the implications of scientific advancements on society.
FANTASY
Fantasy literature has evolved with intricate world-building and complex characters. Works like George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series and J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series have left a lasting impact.
MAGICAL REALISM
This genre blends the real and the magical seamlessly, often rooted in cultures where such elements are deeply ingrained.
HISTORICAL FICTION
Authors often use historical events and figures as a backdrop to tell compelling stories. This genre can provide fresh perspectives on well-known events.
GRAPHIC NOVELS AND COMICS
The 21st century has seen a surge in graphic novels and comics exploring a wide range of themes, from superheroes to personal memoirs.
CLI-FI (CLIMATE FICTION)
This genre addresses environmental and climate-related issues. It often explores the consequences of climate change and humanity's role in it.
MICRO-FICTION AND FLASH FICTION
With the rise of social media and online platforms, very short, concise stories have gained popularity, often telling a complete narrative in just a few sentences or paragraphs.
REALISM
1 state of things as they actually exist
2 scenes happened in real particular place
3 characters doesn’t have any supernatural powers, they are symbolic of a real person
4 stories about something that could happen in real life
FANTASY
1 uses magic or other supernatural elements
2 story plots take place within imaginary worlds
3 magic and magical creatures are common
4 is a make-believe story
ORAL / FOLKLORE
ORAL- mouth
FOLK- folka or people
LORE- stories/traditions
“stories passed on from generations to generations through words of mouth”
STORIES, MUSIC, DANCE, LESSONS, CUSTOMS
MYTHS
- considered to be truthful accounts of what happened in the remote past; accepted on faith; taught to be believed; sacred, as often associated with theology and ritual.
- narratives that explain the origin of the world, of mankind, of death, or the characteristics of certain animals, geographical features, and the phenomena of nature.
LEGENDS
- often secular than sacred and their principal characters are human.
- more about wars, and victories, deeds of past heroes, chiefs, and kings, and succession in ruling dynasties, buried treasures, ghosts, fairies, and saints.
FOLKTALES
- considered as dogma or history; they may or may not have happened, they are not to be taken seriously.
PURPOSES OF FOLKLORE
1. The stories help keep the past alive.
2. Introduce young people to the history, beliefs, and religion of their society.
3. The stories teach moral lessons and illustrate qualities that are valued by the society, such as kindness and courage.
4. Warn against negative qualities, like greed and foolishness.
FANTASY VERSUS FAIRYTALE
Fantasies and fairytales are both genres of literature that involve elements of imagination and often feature magical or fantastical elements, but they have distinct differences:
ORIGIN AND TRADITION
Fantasy: Fantasy is a broad genre that encompasses imaginative and speculative fiction. It can be traced back to various mythologies, legends, and ancient tales from cultures around the world. While fantasy literature often draws from folklore and mythology, it is not tied to a specific cultural tradition.
Fairytales: Fairytales are a specific subset of folklore and typically have their origins in the oral traditions of various cultures. They often feature magical creatures, enchantments, and moral lessons.
NARRATIVE STYLE
Fantasy: Fantasy literature often features elaborate world-building and may take place in entirely fictional realms with unique rules and magical systems. These stories can be complex and may explore a wide range of themes beyond the magical elements.
Fairytales: Fairytales tend to have a simpler narrative structure and are often short and concise. They are known for their archetypal characters and plots, which often follow a pattern of conflict, transformation, and resolution.
SCOPE AND THEMES
Fantasy: Fantasy stories can cover a wide range of themes and may explore complex moral, ethical, and philosophical questions. They can be dark and adult-oriented or light and suitable for children, depending on the intended audience.
Fairytales: Fairytales often focus on universal themes such as good versus evil, the triumph of virtue, the consequences of greed, and the importance of kindness. They are typically designed to convey moral lessons or cultural values.
CHARACTERS
Fantasy: Fantasy literature features a diverse array of characters, including humans, magical beings, mythical creatures, and more. Characters in fantasy stories can have complex motivations and backgrounds.
Fairytales: Fairytales often feature archetypal characters like princes, princesses, witches, and talking animals. These characters may not be as deeply developed as those in fantasy literature.
AUDIENCE
Fantasy: Fantasy literature can cater to a wide range of audiences, from children to adults. There are both young adult and adult fantasy novels, and the themes and complexity of the storytelling can vary accordingly.
Fairytales: While fairytales are often associated with children's literature, they can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Classic fairytales are frequently adapted for young audiences, but their timeless themes also resonate with adults.
PRE-COLONIAL LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
- Aetas were the 1st settlers.
- Malays came and influenced our ancestors.
- The Proto-Malays introduced knowledge in seafaring, farming, and building houses from trees.
- The Deutero-Malays shared their own systems of writing, knowledge, and skills in agriculture.
- The Aetas were excellent hunters and food gatherers.
BELIEFS
Ancient Filipinos were animistic (worship nature). They believed in anitos, diwatas, good and bad spirits
The name/ term for God varies from region to region; same with the belief on how the world came to be.
1. Bathala
2. Laon or Abba (Bisaya)
3. Kabunian (Ilocano & Ifugao)
ORAL LITERATURE IN PRE-COLONIAL
Philippines played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting the cultural, historical, and moral values of indigenous communities.
1. Oral Tradition & Storytelling
They relied heavily on oral tradition to pass down knowledge, stories, and traditions.
Storytellers often referred to as “bards” or “hukom” played a central role in these societies. They were responsible for memorizing and reciting epic poems, myths, legends, & folk tales.
2. Forms of Oral Literature
EPICS - Epics are long, narrative poems that recount the heroic deeds and adventures of legendary figures. These stories often involve supernatural elements and are passed down orally through generations. They reflect the values, beliefs, and traditions of the community.
Examples:
Ibalong (Bicol Region): This epic tells the story of the hero Baltog and his battles against monstrous creatures to protect his land.
Darangan (Maranao): A series of epic tales that include the adventures of the hero Bantugan and his encounters with gods and other supernatural beings.
Hudhud (Ifugao): This epic narrates the exploits of Aliguyon, a warrior who embodies courage and wisdom.
MYTHS - Myths are traditional stories that explain the origins of the world, natural phenomena, and cultural practices. They often involve gods, goddesses, and other supernatural beings and serve to convey moral lessons and cultural values.
Malakas and Maganda: A creation myth that explains the origin of the first man and woman who emerged from a bamboo stem
Stories about the Tikbalang, a shape-shifting creature that can either protect or harm humans.
LEGENDS - semi-historical narratives that blend fact and fiction. They often revolve around historical figures or events and are used to explain the origins of certain customs, places, or objects.
The Legend of Mariang Makiling: A story about a guardian spirit of Mount Makiling who protects the mountain and its inhabitants
The Legend of the Pineapple: A tale explaining how the pineapple fruit came to be, involving a girl who was transformed into the fruit as a punishment for her laziness.
FOLKTALES - are traditional stories that are passed down orally from generation to generation. They are often rooted in a particular culture and reflect its values, beliefs, and experiences. Folk tales typically feature simple plots, vivid characters, and moral lessons.
FOLK LORE - is a broader term that encompasses all aspects of a people's culture, including traditions, customs, beliefs, and stories. It can refer to both written and oral traditions, as well as material culture such as music, dance, and crafts.
PROVERBS
A proverb is a short, wise saying that expresses a general truth, advice, or cultural wisdom. Proverbs are often metaphorical and use simple language, making them easy to remember and pass down through generations12. They reflect common experiences, beliefs, or values of a society and are widely used in literature, conversation, and speeches to convey insights concisely. (Salawikain)
PROVERBS
(Salawikain)
- Batang puso, Madaling marahuyo.
- Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, daig pa ang malansang isda
- Aanhin mo ang palasyo,
Kung ang nakatira ay kuwago?
Mabuti pa ang bahay kubo,
Ang nakatira ay tao.
COLONIAL LITERATURE
1. The underground paper used by the revolutionists as their mouthpiece of reform during the revolutionary period was "C. La Solidaridad." La Solidaridad was a newspaper published in Barcelona, Spain, from 1889 to 1895. It played a significant role in advocating for reforms and promoting the Philippine nationalist cause during the late 19th century.
2. The original title of Jose P. Rizal's poem commonly known as "My Last Farewell" in English is "Mi Último Adiós" in Spanish. This poem was written by Rizal on the eve of his execution on December 30, 1896. It is one of his most famous works and expresses his love for his country, the Philippines, as well as his acceptance of his impending death as a martyr for the Filipino cause.
3. The title of the first book printed in the Philippines is "A. Doctrina Cristiana." It was printed in 1593 in Manila and is considered one of the earliest examples of printing in the Philippines. Doctrina Cristiana is a religious book that contains Christian teachings, prayers, and instructions in both Spanish and the Baybayin script.
4. These works often revolved around religious themes, such as the propagation of Christianity, and included religious texts, hymns, and devotional literature. Additionally, secular writings, such as historical accounts and chronicles, were also common during this period. These works were typically formal and rooted in Spanish literary traditions, reflecting the influence of Spanish colonization.
5. During the Spanish period in the Philippines, drama or "dula" in Filipino, became a new form of literature that first flourished. Spanish influence introduced dramatic forms, including religious plays, morality plays, and other theatrical performances. These dramas often had religious and moral themes, reflecting the influence of Spanish Catholicism.
6. Florante at Laura" by Francisco Balagtas is one of the most famous metrical romances in the Philippines and is highly regarded in Philippine literature. It is a significant work that tells a love story amidst social and political themes.
7. It is considered the first Filipino modern short story in English. It was written during the American Period in the Philippines, which began in 1898 and extended into the early 20th century. This period saw the influence of American colonial rule, and it was a time when English became an important medium of literary expression in the Philippines.
ü After the documented discovery of the Philippines in 1521 during Ferdinand Magellan's exploration marks the beginning of the colonial period.
ü The Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years having evangelization as its main thrust.
ü The nationalistic consciousness of the Filipinos began when world trade took place in the Philippines as a result of exchanging of liberal ideas with the other countries among children of middle class Filipino families who were sent to Europe. This led to a revolutionary period that ended the long and oppressive Spanish tyranny in our country.
ü An emphasis on Christian doctrine was manifested through various types of texts which replaced stories about heroes and animated creatures to Biblical characters and saints as evidenced by novenas, prayer books, and other printed materials. This makes literature during the Early Spanish Period didactic or intended for teaching morality and conduct for good behavior.
ü Other than books, plays and dramas emerged for recreational purposes. These were mostly poetic in nature and were intended for public performances.
ü When few privileged Filipino men from middle class families were given access to education, they also became fluent in Spanish language which paved the way to production of literary texts by our own natives. Eventually, this led to reforms in the government through underground newspapers and revolts.
SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1565-1898)
1. EARLY SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1863)
2. REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD (1864-1896)
LANGUAGE USED - Spanish, Tagalog, & vernacular form of languages.
INVENTION - Xylographic press, a printing equipment, was introduced by the Dominicans.
BEING POETIC - Poetically inclined writers led by Tagalog versifiers called Ladinos (natives who were also fluent in Spanish) such as Fernándo Bágongbantâ and Tomas Pinpin tackled mostly morality and religion
PROMINENT GENRE - Drama and metrical tales (such as awit & corrido) flourished
THE PEN AS A WEAPON - Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish-Tagalog newspaper, signaled the open campaign for reforms.
REFORM MOVEMENT - In 1889, the La Solidaridad, an underground newspaper, became the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.