Republic of the Philippines

Pambayang Kolehiyo ng Mauban

Mauban, Quezon
Philippine Literature (LIT 101)

Course Description
This course shall deal with the historical transition of Philippine Literature through
representative compositions of different genre- short stories, poetry, plays and essays for literary
absorption both for appreciation and for interpretative analysis to develop interest in the value of
nationality in literature.

MODULE 1. INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

Week 1-2

MODULE 2. PHILIPPINE LITERATURE FROM VARIOUS REGIONS

Week 3-5

MODULE 3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Week 6-8

Midterm Examination

Week 10-11

MODULE 4. REPRESENTATIVE COMPOSITIONS AND SELECTED WRITERS

Week 12-17

Final Examination

Prepared by:

JENIFFER G. BANAGAN
Part-time Instructor
 Introduction to Literature
An Overview
Literature plays an important role in our lives. It helps us grow both personally and
intellectually and provides an objective base for knowledge and understanding. Literature links us
with the broader cultural, philosophic, and religious world of which we are a part.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. elicit own ideas, feelings, and attitude about literature
2. define literature
3. cite the importance of literature

CONTENT

Definition of Literature
The word literature is derived from the Latin term litera which means letter. It has been
defined differently by various writers.
Some loosely interpret literature as any printed matter written within a book, a magazine, or a
pamphlet. Others define literature as a faithful reproduction of man’s manifold experiences
blended into one harmonious expression.
Because literature deals with ideas, thoughts, and emotions of man, literature can be said to be
the story of man. Man’s loves, griefs, thoughts, dreams, and aspirations coached in beautiful
language is literature.
In order to know the history of a nation’s spirit, one must read its literature. Hence, it is, that
to understand the real spirit of a nation, one must “trace the little rills as they course along down
the ages, broadening and deepening into the great ocean of thought which men of the present
source are presently exploring”.
Brother Azurin said that “literature expresses the feelings of people to society, to the
government, to his surroundings, to his fellowmen, and to His Divine Creator”. The expression of
one’s feelings, according to him, may be through love, sorrow, happiness, hatred, anger, pity,
contempt, or revenge.
For Webster, literature is anything that is printed, as long as it is related to the ideas and feelings
of people, whether it is true, or just a product of one’s imagination.
In PANITIKANG PILIPINO written by Atienza, Ramos, Salazar, and Nazal, it says that
“true literature is a piece of written work which is undying. It expresses the feelings and emotions
of people in response to his everyday efforts to live, to be happy in his environment and, after
struggles, to reach his Creator.”

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Why we need to study Philippine Literature?
✓ We study literature so that we can better appreciate our literary heritage.
✓ We can trace the rich heritage of ideas handed down to us from our forefathers.
✓ We can understand ourselves better and take pride on becoming a Filipino
✓ We need to understand that we have a great and noble tradition which can serve as the
means to assimilate other cultures.
✓ We can realize our literary limitations conditioned by certain historical factors and we
can take steps to overcome them.
✓ We can manifest our deepest concern for our own literature, and we can do this by
studying the literature of our country.

ASSESSMENT

WORKSHEET NO. 1
Literature Analysis

Look at the diagram below and fill it with necessary information about literature.
A. Define literature. B. 1. Explain why literature is useful in
our lives?

C. Why does literature represent events D. How does literature mirror the depth
which are true to life or to a reader’s of a culture?
experience?

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 Lesson 1 General Types of Literature
An Overview
Literature can be divided into two types: prose and poetry. Prose consists of those written
within the common flow of conversation in sentences and paragraphs, while poetry refers to those
expressions in verse, with measure and rhyme, line and stanza and has a more melodious tone.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. identify the general types of literature
2. define each type of literature
3. create one of the types of prose and one in poetry

CONTENT

General types of Literature

I. PROSE
There are many types of prose. These includes novels, biographies, short stories,
contemporary dramas, legends, fables, essays, anecdotes, news, and speeches.
a. Novel. This is a long narrative divided into chapters. The events are taken from true-to-life
stories and spans a long period of time. There are many characters involved. Example:
WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN by Stevan Javellana
b. Short Story. This is a narrative involving one or more characters, one plot and one single
impression. Example: THE LAUGHTER OF MY FATHER CARLOS BULOSAN
c. Plays. This is presented on a stage, is divided into acts and each act has many scenes.
Examples: THIRTEEN PLAYS by Wilfredo M. Guerrero
d. Legends. These are fictitious narratives, usually about origins. Example: THE BIKOL
LEGEND by Pio Duran
e. Fables. These are also fictitious and they deal with animals and inanimate things who speak
and act like people and their purpose is to enlighten the minds of children to events that
can mold their ways and attitudes. Example: THE MONKEY AND THE TURTLE
f. Anecdotes. These are merely products of the writer’s imagination, and the main aim is to
bring out lessons to the reader. It can be stories about animals or children. Example: THE
MOTH AND THE LAMP
g. Essay. This expresses the viewpoint or opinion of the writer about a particular problem or
event. The best example of this is the Editorial page of a newspaper.
h. Biography. This deals with the life of a person which may be about himself, his
autobiography or that of others. Example: CAYETANO ARELLANO by Socorro O.
Albert.
i. News. This is a report of everyday events in society, government, science, and industry,
and accidents happening nationally or not.
j. Oration. This is a formal treatment of a subject and is intended to be spoken in public. It
appeals to the intellect, to the will or to the emotions of the audience.

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II. POETRY
There are three types of poetry: narrative, lyric, and dramatic.
A. Narrative Poetry. This form describes important events in life either real or imaginary.
The different varieties are:
1. Epic. This is an extended narrative about heroic exploits often under supernatural
control. It may deal with heroes and gods. Example: THE HARVEST SONG OF
ALIGUYON translated in English by Amador T. Daguio
2. Metrical Tale. This is a narrative which is written in verse and can be classified either
as a ballad or a metrical romance. Example: BAYANI NG BUKID by Al Perez
3. Ballads. Of the narrative poems, this is considered the shortest and simplest. It has a
simple structure of and tell of a single incident. There are also variations of these: love
ballads, war ballads, sea ballads, humorous, moral, and historical or mythical ballads.
In the early time, this referred to a song accompanying a dance.
B. Lyric Poetry. Originally, this refers to that kind of poetry meant to be sung to the
accompaniment of a lyre, but now, this applies to any that expresses emotions and feelings
of the poet. They are usually short, simple, and easy to understand.
1. Folksongs (Awiting Bayan). These are short poems intended to be sung. The common
theme is love, despair, grief, doubt, joy, hope, and sorrow. Example: CHIT-CHIRIT-
CHIT
2. Sonnets. This is a lyric poem of 14 lines dealing with an emotion, a feeling, or an idea.
These are two types: the Italian and the Shakespearean. Example: SANTANG BUDS
by Alfonso P. Santos
3. Elegy. This is a lyric poem expresses feelings of grief and melancholy, and whose
theme is death. Example: THE LOVER’S DEATH by Ricaredo Demetillo
4. Ode. This is a poem of a noble feeling, expressed with dignity, with no definite number
of syllables or definite number of lines in astanza.
5. Psalms (Dalit). This is a song praising God or Virgin Mary and containing a philosophy
of life.
6. Awit (Song). These have measures of twelve syllables (dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung
to the accompaniment of a guitar or banduria. Example: FLORANTE AT LAURA by
Francisco Balagtas
7. Corridos (Kuridos). These have measures of eight syllables (octosyllabic) and recited
to a martial beat. Example: IBONG ADARNA

C. Dramatic Poetry
Included in this form are the following:
1. Comedy. The word comedy comes from the Greek term “komos” meaning festivity or
revelry. This form usually is light and written with the purpose of amusing, and usually
has a happy ending.
2. Melodrama. This is usually used in musical plays with the opera. Today, this is related
to tragedy just as the farce is to comedy. It arouses immediate and intense emotion and
is usually sad but there is a happy ending for the principal character.
3. Tragedy. This involves the hero struggling mightily against dynamic forces; he meets
death or ruin without success and satisfaction obtained by the protagonist in a comedy.
4. Farce. This is an exaggerated comedy. It seeks to arouse a mirth by laughable lines;
situations are too ridiculous to be true; the characters seem to be caricatures and the
motives undignified and absurd.
5. Social Poems. This form is either purely comic or tragic and it pictures the life of today.
It may aim to bring about changes in the social conditions.

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 ASSESSMENT

WORKSHEET NO. 2
Prose and Poetry
I. Supply the table with the missing word/words then define each.
TYPES OF LITERATURE DEFINITION
1. PROSE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
2. POETRY
A. NARRATIVE POETRY
A.1.
A.2.
A.3.
B. LYRIC POETRY
B.1.
B.2.
B.3.
B.4.
B.5.
B.6.
B.7.
C. DRAMATIC POETRY
C.1.
C.2.
C.3.
C.4.
C.5.

II. Choose one type of prose and create your own. The theme should depict yourself
or your own experience in life.

III. Create an acrostic poem using your first name and last name

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 Philippine Literature from
Various Regions
An Overview
Philippine Literature is a diverse and rich group of works that has evolved side-by-side with
the country’s history. Literature had started with fables and legends made by the ancient Filipinos
long before the arrival of Spanish influence. The main themes of Philippine literature focus on the
country’s pre-colonial cultural traditions and the sociopolitical histories of its colonial and
contemporary traditions.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. read literary texts representing various regions, periods, and genres
2. develop appreciation of and awareness on various literatures of the Philippines by
introducing them to different Philippine literary genres
3. recognize the social, cultural and political environments in the different periods of
Philippine history that influenced the country’s literature
4. write analysis and reflection papers on literary texts

CONTENT

Literature From Luzon

➢ Ilocos Norte
➢ Ilocos Sur
➢ La Union
➢ Pangasinan
Ilocos
Among the literary forms found in region 1 are burburtia, pagsasao, arinkenken, dallot,
daniw, dung-aw, and sudario.
Among the writers associated with region 1 are Crecencia Alcantara, Edilberto Angco,
Rogelio Aquino, Manuel Arguilla, Hermogenes Belen, Crispina Bragado, Jose Bragado, Leona
Florentino, Marcelino Foronda Jr., Juan S. P. Hidalgo, Sionel Jose, Jacinto Kawili, Peter La Julian,
Benjamin M. Pascual, Sinanar Robianes-Tabin, and Agustin D. C. Rubin.
The Epic Lam-Ang
Pedro Bucaneg, blind since infancy, known to be the author of an epic popularly known
as Biag ni Lam-Ang or life of Lam-Ang around 17th century. The epic is considered down from
the Christian Filipino group. Lam-ang is considered as the only authentic epic of the Christianized
tribes of the Philippines. It has five known versions, the earliest one in1889 and the latest in 1947.
Namongan gives birth to Lam-ang, a baby of incredible strength and courage. The boy
asks his mother about his father's whereabouts and learns that he has gone to fight the Igorot. Lam-
ang arms himself with charms and decides to look for his father. From a dream, he learns that his
father Don Juan Panganiban had been killed by the Igorot. Later, Lam-ang finds the Igorot in a
"sagang", a feast celebrating a successful headhunting expedition. His father's head is displayed in
the feast. Lam-ang slays them all with his spear and mutilates the last among them. When Lam-

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ang returns home, 99 maidens wash his hair in the river. For his shampoo, he burns so much rice
straw that the communities near the river are alarmed by smoke. The dirt from his hair kills all the
fish in the river. He then kills a crocodile and carries it on his shoulder ashore amidst the applause
of his companions. Lam-ang hears of a beautiful maiden named Ines Cannoyan, daughter of the
richest man of the town of Kalanutian. He tells his mother of his desire to court the maiden.
Although his mother discourages him, he goes anyway, dressed in gold and accompanied by his
pet rooster and white dog. The giant Sumarang blocks his way and belittles him. Lam-ang defeats
him in a duel and hurls him nine hills away. Later, Sarindadan tries to seduce him, but Lam-ang
rejects her advances. Reaching Kalanutian, he impresses Ines with his magic. His rooster crows
and topples a small outhouse. His dog barks and the outhouse is rebuilt. Ines invites him to the
house where the rooster acts as Lam-ang's spokesperson. Ines' parents ask for a bride price, which
Lam-ang agrees to give. Lam-ang returns home to prepare for the wedding and the presents. He
and his townfolk sail on two golden ships to Kalanutian where Lam-ang and Ines have a Catholic
wedding. The townspeople board the two ships to Nalbuan, Lam-ang's birthplace, to continue the
celebration. After the celebration, Lam-ang agrees to hunt "rarang" a shellfish. He is swallowed
by the giant fish "berkakang" as he has dreamt so. However, a diver recovers his bones. The pet
rooster flaps its wings and resurrects Lam-ang. Lam-ang rewards the diver and lives happily with
his wife and pets.
La Union
La Union became a province in 1854 when the Northern Pangasinenses demanded that they
be separated from Pangasinan. It formed a union and joined the ten municipalities from the
southernmost town of Ilocos Sur and the northernmost towns of Pangasinan. Hence the province
was also called The Union. San Fernando, founded in 1734, is its capital.
Ballad
Tarong, Kamatis, Parya
Iti bigbigat nga agsapa
Agtatamdagkam man idiay tawa
Addada tarong, kamatis, paria
Nangngegko ida nga'gsasarita
Ti kunan tarong kadakuada
Siak ti kaimasan kadakay a dua
Ni ngarud parya simmungbat ita sika tarong napalangguadka
Siak ti mangmangted-salun-atda dagiti tattao
Ay aduda nangnangruna pay dagiti agbasbasa ken dagiti ubbing nga maladaga
Ni kamatis, immisem laeng ay gagayyem
Inkay agparbeng no siak ti mailaok iti dinengdeng no maluto naimas manen

Pangasinan
Home to 45 municipalities and two cities, Pangasinan in Ilocano means a place where salt
is made. As it has always been, salt making is an important occupation of the people living along
its coastal areas. Today the province is often referred to as the Rice Granary of the Philippines as
a result of successful agricultural program geared towards increasing rice productions.
Myth
The Sun, the Moon, and the Stars
Long ago, our elders say, the sky was so close to the earth that one could touch it. But there were
only two people who could avail of that fact. They were the first man and woman. It has been said
that the first woman was so vain. She wore so much jewelry and despised work. Whenever the
first man would ask her to do something, she would pout. She pouted when he asked her to clean

8
the house. She pouted whenever he asked her to cook. She pouted whenever he asked her to grind
the rice grains every day for their food. "But if you don’t grind the rice, we don’t get to eat," the
first man reasoned, and even the vain first woman could not dispute that. But it was so much work
grinding the rice with a little pestles and mortars. So she poured all their rice for the day into a
very large mortar and took up a very large pestle to grind it with. The pestle was so tall that when
it hit the mortar, it touched the sky. The first woman was oblivious to this. She only knew she had
to grind all the rice before her husband came home for supper. She still wore all her jewelry. She
noticed that her jewelry kept falling off or hampered her in any other way whenever she worked.
So she hung her larger pieces of jewelry upon the sky, which were her silver comb, her gold ring,
and her long pearl necklace. And then she went to work with the huge pestle, unknowing that as
one end of the pestle pounded onto the rice grains, the other end was pounding onto the sky. The
first woman only knew that having the sky so low only made her task more difficult. So she
pounded harder and harder on the rice. Higher and higher the sky went, until with one enormous
stroke, the first woman sent the sky flying up, never to come so close to the earth again. She sensed
a draft behind her neck and looked up. She was astonished to see that the sky had risen so high –
and taken her most precious things with it! She could see her silver comb shining where the moon
is now, and the beads of her lovely necklace twinkling all around it. Her golden ring was nowhere
in sight. The first woman grumbled, "I would have worn those things again if I’d known they
would go to waste."
Legend
Legend of Hundred Islands
Centuries ago before the coming of the Spaniards to the Philippines, there was a brave rajah
who ruled over the people of Alaminos, Rajah Masubeg. He had several hundred warriors to guard
his kingdom, led by his son Dam Mabiskeg. The little kingdom enjoyed peace and prosperity,
unmolested by its neighbors. But one day, a report came that an invading force was coming from
across the sea. The rajah called a council of war among his chieftains. It was decided to meet the
enemy at sea. They must not be allowed to land. One hundred of the bravest warriors was
summoned. They were placed in ten large bancas, armed to the teeth. Datu Mabiskeg, in the lead
banca, commanded the task force. The two forces were soon locked in mortal combat. Furious
hand-to-hand fighting broke out on the boats and raged until the sun sank in the west and darkness
covered the sea. When morning came none of the warriors returned alive. The enemy was nowhere
to be seen, they had been annihilated and so were the one hundred warriors led by the intrepid son.
While the kingdom celebrated victory, the old rajah mourned for his son. A week later, when the
towns people woke up in the morning and looked toward the sea, a wonderful sight met their
eyes.Where before has been an empty expanse of water as far as the eye could see, now there were
many tiny islands dotting the sea line. There were about a hundred of these islets. Some were
shaped like over turned bancas; others looked like bodies of dead men floating in the sea. These
people of Alaminos believed, were the one hundred warriors who had given up their lives in
defense of their homes. The gods had immortalized them in the form of islands so that they might
watch over their native land forever.
Proverbs
1. A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound. Matibay ang walis, palibhasa'y
magkabigkis.
2. While the blanket is short, learn how to bend. Hangga't makitid ang kumot, matutong
mamaluktot.
3. It is hard to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep. Mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulog-
tulugan.

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4. If you persevere, you will reap the fruits of your labor. Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.
5. New king, new character. Bagong hari, bagong ugali.
6. If you plant, you harvest. Kung may tinanim, may aanihin.
7. Weeds are difficult to kill. Mahirap mamatay ang masamang damo.
8. Don't trust strangers. Huwag kang magtiwala sa di mo kilala.
9. Nothing destroys iron but its own corrosion. Walang naninira sa bakal kundi sariling kalawang.
10. Even though the procession is long, it will still end up in church. Pagkahaba-haba man daw ng
prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.
11. There is no need to cry over spilt milk. Magsisi ka man at huli wala nang mangyayari.
12. Opportunity only knocks once: Grab it or you'll lose it. Ang pagkakataon sa buhay ay madalang
dumating. Kapag narito na, ating samantalahin.
13. What comes from bubbles will disappear in bubbles. Ang kita sa bula,sa bula rin mawawala.
14. The early comer is better than the hard worker. Daig ng maagap and masipag.
15. A rolling stone gathers no moss. Batong pagulong-gulong, di kakapitan ng lumot.
16. If someone throws stones at you, throw back bread. Kung pukulin ka ng bato, tinapay ang
iganti mo.
17. Don't count chicks until the eggs are hatched. Huwag magbilang ng sisiw hanggang di pa
napipisa ang itlog.
18. If a stone thrown upward hits you, don't take offense. Batu-bato sa langit, tamaan huwag
magagalit.
19. A thief hates a fellow thief. Ang magnanakaw ay galit sa kapwa magnanakaw.
20. Whatever you do, think about it seven times. Anuman ang gagawin, pitong beses iiipin.
Iloco short story
One contemporary short story writer from region 1 is Crispina Bragado, a grantee of the
Philippine writers Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1982 for the essay category.
Crispina Bragado is a holder of doctor of philosophy from the Gregorio Araneta University
Foundation, an Associate professor III at the manila Central University, a school directress, and a
textbook author. She was born in bauang, La Union in 1937.
Short Stories
The Small world of Marina Crispina Bragado
Marina was sobbing as she walked along the trail up the hill. The rays of the sun were now
streaming between the branches of the tall trees but the dew on the grass was not yet dry. She could
not walk firmly because her bag was heavy with three books and five notebooks. And on top of
her notebooks lay her balon wrapped with heated banana leaf. She paused under a molave tree on
top of the hill to blow her nose and wiped it with the back of her hand. She looked downward at
their house beside the giant tamarind tree just after the sloping trail. Her father was leading the
goats down the field of vegetables. Pain made her wince as she ribbed her legs that had been
stricken with a leather belt. They were now swollen. It had been still dark when her father
awakened her cook the saluyot leaves for their breakfast. Her mother had to go to market early.
Still feeling sleeping and the lamp light being dim, Marina had been slow cutting the leaves from

10
the stems and roots. Her father had noticed her sluggishness and said she should put the saluyot in
the tayab along with the roots. So she had to wash the saluyot leaves and put them in the tayab.
Her father angered by her slowness had removed his belt. “Take it out and eat!” her father had
raised his hand with the belt. “You told me to put it!” she answered back. “Don’t you have any
common sense?” and the belt twisted on her legs. Marina had scampered down their house and
gone up between the hills southeast of their home. She had gone inside the small hut under the
guava tree that overlooked their field planted with watermelon. She had built hut much earlier
when she had been whipped. Sha had fought a young girl from the other barrio who had tease her.
Her mother had looked for her in the hut and brought her home. Marina’s classmates in grade four
were already inside the classroom when she reached the school. She bent towards her seat. But
their teacher noticed her when her classmate snickered. “Why are you late, Marina?” the teacher
raised the strip of bamboo which she used as a pointer. “I first brought our cows to the field,
ma’am. Then I gathered grass for our goats.” “Your father?” “It was still dawn when he left to
plow the field, ma’am.” “Your mother?” “She went to the market early, ma’am.” “Don’t you have
brothers or sisters?” “They are still small, ma’am.”
The teacher stopped asking questions and remain silent. Marina felt relieved because she felt her
reasons satisfied her teacher. She opened her book to make it appear that she was reading. In the
afternoon, the teacher selected the participants in the folkdance which they would present in the
town fiesta. Marina was one among those chosen. They practiced after class in the afternoon. It
was dark when they stopped rehearsing the folkdance. Marina was worried when they were
dismissed. She had no companion in walking up the hill. She had heard that a ghost usually
appeared in the dark of night under the big bangar tree near the lipit, a narrow part of the trail six
feet in height, being a water passage during the rainy season. She also heard that many passers-by
had seen the ghost, so they avoided walking there in the dark. Islao, the boy who was her partner
in the folkdance, was going eastward, but they followed separate trails before reaching the lipit.
Nonetheless they walked together. They chatted about the dance. When they were near the lipit,
Marina swiftly grabbed Islao’s fountain pen from his breast pocket and ran as fast as she could.
“If I can catch you, you’ll see what I’ll do!” shout Islao. Being familiar with the trail, Marina ran
fast without looking back at Islao. She doubled her speed when she was about to reach the bangar
tree, panting hard. She slowed down when they reached the hill. She stopped when Islao threw a
still fresh carabao manure at her. She gave back the fountain pen and laughed impishly when Islao
went down the narrow trail. “Aha, there’s the ghost!” Marina shouted. But Islao ran down as fast
as his legs permitted. “Where have you been wandering?” her father frowned at her as she entered
their yard. “We practiced our folkdance, father,” she answered. “What dance? Tell your teacher
tomorrow that you’ll not dance anymore. You’ve plenty of work here. You have to come home
early.” She went into their house and was about to lock herself in the sagumbi but her father
followed her and grabbed her arm. “Bring the goats home,” he said harshly. Marina went down
mumbling to herself. But she did not go where the goats were pastured. Instead she sought refuge
in the granary where the palay and tobacco leaves were stored. She only left when she heard her
father talking as he was waiting for her. “Why were you so slow?” her father frowned when she
led the goats into the corral under the damortis tree. “The male goat got loose from the tether and
I had to look for him,” she said brazenly. “Then I led them to drink at the brook.” “Faster! We’ll
eat now. Then we’ll shell the corn. The kernels are beginning to rot!” It was near midnight when
they finished shelling corn on the cob that filled two labba. Marina’s thumbs became swollen. She
was still snoring when her father shook her roughly the next morning to awake her. “Wake up,
sleepy head! Your eye mote is already melting!” Marina woke up with eyes still half-shut. Her
mother had gone to market to sell the corn grains. Her father ordered her to pound the sliced banana
trunk into bits, then boil them for swine feed. “I’ll have to go to school, father. I’m late already.”
“Skip your class today. You can go to school tomorrow. Pound the palay, too. There’s no rice to
cook this afternoon.” “We’ll have a test in Social Studies…” Marina’s tears were streaming down
her cheeks as she pounded the sliced banana trunk. Then she placed then in can which served as a

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cooking vessel. Next she took six bundles of palay from the granary and pounded the grains while
at the same time she tended the cooking of the slices of banana trunk. The slop was already cooked
when she began winnowing the palay. Then she placed the palay in the mortar and pounded the
grains to remove the husks. She was almost through doing a second winnowing when her mother
arrived. “Why didn’t you go to school?” asked her mother. “Father told me to pound the palay
after I had pounded the sliced banana trunk and cooked it for the swine.” “That old man! As if he
will miss eating one meal. He is ruing the schooling of his child!” The woman placed her labba on
the ledge. She lit the cigar that her lips clamped. Marina’s father arrived after he had watered the
tobacco plants in the field. Immediately his wife scolded him. “You are turning the child into one
like you – a baliodong!” she frowned. “What’s the use of a girl having to study? If she finished
grade six that will be enough. She could get married.” “You can say that because you weren’t able
to finish schooling! You preferred to go gambling and drinking liquor.” Marina’s father kept silent.
He searched the labba. He bit off the crown of the bottle of sioktong and took a swig. “That’s what
you’re good for!” Saliva drooled from one side of the woman’s lips. The next morning, Marina’s
teacher asked her why she had been absent the day before. Marina answered shyly she had to
pound palay because their rice bin was empty. She added that she also took care of her small
brothers and sisters because their neighbor whom her mother usually asked to look after the
youngsters also went to market. “Tell you parents that if they have you do all these things, you’d
better not come to school.” When the pupil rehearsed the folkdance in the afternoon, Marina told
her teacher that her father would not let her participate in the dance because they had nothing to
buy her costume. “Never mind. I replaced you yesterday,” said her teacher. “Go to the garden
now.” Marina felt lonely when she left, especially when Islao smiled at her. “Why didn’t you bring
your seedlings to plant?” asked her teacher in gardening. “I didn’t know, sir.” I was absent
yesterday.” “I don’t care if you were absent. Zero is the grade of any pupil without eggplant or
tomato seedlings.” Marina did not say a word. She left with her bag made of silage. She ran as fast
as she could to the east. A classmate shouted that she escaped, but she didn’t care. She went to the
field where her father’s vegetable plants thrived. She unrooted some of the lush eggplant seedlings.
Carefully she wrapped them up with a strip of dried banana trunk, then rushed back to school.
There was no longer anyone in school except those practicing the folkdance. Her garden teacher
had also gone home. She did the seedlings among the tall grass along the garden fence. She would
give them to her teacher the next day. Marina though of the ghost in the bangar tree when she went
home. Because there was nobody else she could go with, she ran as fast as she could until she
reached the hill almost breathless. “Why were you so late, child? Your sister didn’t have a
companion,” her mother frowned when she went upstairs. “Take care of them while I prepare for
food.” “We planted in our garden mother,” Marina lied. “What did you plant?” her father asked
curiouslu. “Eggplant, father.” “Where did you get the seedlings? I dropped by the field and found
out a wide uprooted are. I doubt if those left will be enough for the area I plowed” “I go only a
few,” Marina told the truth. “So it was you who uprooted the seedlings?” His father approached
with a bamboo stick. “Go get back the seedlings! I don’t want to see your face at home unless you
bring the seedlings. You should not plant for your teachers. They have to plant their own
seedlings.” “It’s already dark,” said Marina’s mother. “She’ll get them tomorrow.” “Tomorrow is
another time. Let her learn.” Marina was sobbing as she went down the house. She ran fast going
west. But when she reached the hill, she found no more strength in passing through the bangar
tree. She turned eastward towardthe guava trees. She went to her hut. She sat on the grass and
leaned on the wall made of dried anibong leaves. She felt unusually tired. After a while, she
removed the hump of rice stalks on one side of the hut, then lifted one watermelon which she had
picked the other day. She took a knife which she usually hid on the roof of the hut, covering it with
rice stalks. She sliced the watermelon and ate in the dark. She had just lain down on the dried rice
stalks when she noticed somebody approaching. She arose and peeped through an uncovered
portion of the wall. She saw, limed in the faint light of the night outside, her mother. “Maring?
Maring?” Marina lay down carefully and remained silent. She pretended to be asleep. Her mother
entered the hut, stooping somewhat, and tried to awaked her. “Are you not afraid here? Come, let’s

12
go home.” Marina Hesitated. “I prefer to die,” she moaned. “You like to die now?” “Yes mother.
You don’t love me anyway.” Who says you’re not loved? Don’t believe what your father says.
I’ve scolded him already.” “I don’t want to come home, mother.” “We’ll if you want to see the
ghost here. Don’t you know there’s a ghost in the mango tree nearby?” Marina shuddered. But she
could overcome her fear by proving she really was not afraid. Her father had already shown how
very cruel he was to her. From below the sloping trail she could hear the creaking sound of the
bamboo trees when the strong wind passed by. Marina had to overcome her fear. She had to sleep.
She was about to fall her sleep when she felt frightened by the swish of leaves being dragged on
the ground under the guava trees. She arose and peeped to see who was in the dark. She was already
back in her straw bed when she saw her father entering the hut with flashlight in his hand. “Marina?
Cone, let’s go home, my child. Are you not afraid here?” Marina did not stir. She covered her face
from the glaze of the flashlight. Her father bent towards her. She felt his rough fingers combing
her hair soothingly. “Come, let’s go home, my child. Wouldn’t you want to be a teacher someday?”
“You said it’s useless for a girl to study, father.” “Yes. But only when you are hard-headed. I
always get angry with you not because I don’t like you. I want you to learn the things that I haven’t
known. I want you to go through difficulties. Not like many children who want an easy life. So
you’ll not be afraid to face life. When we’ll be dead, your mother and I, you and your brothers and
sisters will survive. Certain you will continue and finish your studies…” Marina got up. She wiped
her eyes with the back of her hand. Then she turned her eyes beyond the light of the flashlight,
toward the sloping trail.
LITERATURE FROM VISAYAS
The bulk of Visayan literature comes from region 6 Western Visayas, Region 7 central
Visayas, and region 8 Eastern Visayas.
Visayan Oral Literature
It is said that the only Visayan oral literature that can qualify as “epic” in the strict sense is
the Hinilawod of Panay. As of the present, the Hinilawod consists of two epics identified as those
of Labaw Donggon and Humadapnen. The epic Labaw Donggon is part of the oral tradition of the
Sulod, the mountain people of Panay who inhabit the slopes of the headquarters of such rivers as
the Panay, Jalaur Halawod, Aklan, Bugasong, Ansuage, and Ulian.
EPIC
Labaw Donggon
Labaw Donggon is one of three handsome sons of the "diwata" Abyang Alunsina and her
mortal husband Buyung Paubari, the other two being Humadapnon and Dumalapdap. Being of
semi-divine birth, the three possess extraordinary powers. Labaw Donggon, for instance,
miraculously grows into a sturdy young man shortly after his birth and embarks upon the first of
his three courting adventures. The first object of his affections is Abyang Ginbitinan, who lives
"by the mouth of Handog, by the river Halawud." Dressed in his best clothes, Labaw Donggon
goes to Ginbitinan’s house to visit her and to tell her that he will send his parents to arrange the
marriage. This is done, the dowry is agreed upon and given, and the wedding is held. Not long
after his wedding to Ginbitinan, Labaw Donggon hears about another beautiful woman, Anggoy
Doronoon, of the underworld, and conceives a desire to court her. So he visits her and wins her
without any difficulty. Presumably [the text does not say so] he stays with her for a while and then
returns to Handog. Very soon, however, Labaw Donggon is again restless with desire for another
woman. This time he chooses a married woman, Malitung Yawa Sinagmaling Diwata, "who
resides where the brilliant light of the sun starts," for she is the wife of Saragnayan, who takes
charge of the course of the sun. Labaw Donggon dresses in his best, as usual, and after gazing into
a "crystal ball" to know how Malitung Yawa looks, sails upward in his magic boat to the land of
the sun. His coming is, however, detected by Saragnayan, who intercepts him. Upon learning

13
Labaw Donggon’s intentions upon his wife, Saragnayan sternly tells him: "You can have Malitung
Yawa … if I do not have life anymore." A long, hard fight between the two men follows, first, by
using their respective charms, and later by using their own native strength. But though Labaw
Donggon submerges Saragnayan into the water for seven years and puts him on top of a stone and
beats him with coconut trunks, he cannot kill Saragnayan. The reason is that Saragnayan’s life is
not within his body but kept inside the body of a pig. After many years of fighting, Labaw Donggon
weakens and Saragnayan eventually defeats him, binds his arms and feet, and puts him inside a
pig pen below his kitchen. Meanwhile, in Handog, Anggoy Ginbitinan has borne a son, Asu
Mangga, who asks his mother about his father. And down below in the underworld, Anggoy
Doronoon has also given birth to a son, Buyung Baranugun. Though his umbilical cord is still
uncut, Baranugun asks about his father and insists that his mother allow him to search for him. He
dresses up and asks his mother for his poisoned arrow "which with one shot pierces through seven
men." Asu Mangga has likewise decided to go in search of his father and dresses up in his best
clothes. Ginbitinan warns him that he is likely to meet his young brother and that if he does, they
should not fight each other. The brothers do meet, Asu Mangga riding on a magic boat and
Baranugun walking on the sea. The latter joins his brother in his magic boat and they plan their
search. Looking into the crystal ball, they learn the whereabouts of their father and see the pitiful
state into which he has fallen: he has become hairy all over. Vowing to avenge their father’s
humiliation, the brothers steer their boat to the land of darkness. By invoking the power of their
"pamlang", the boat is able to soar to the Land of the Morning Sun. Their arrival does not escape
the notice of Saragnayan who wonders who they may be. The two brothers recover their father’s
boat, find where he is imprisoned under Saragnayan’s house, break the iron bars of his cage by
invoking their "pamlang", and lead him out of his cage and to their magic boat. There they wash
their father clean until he is handsome once more. Labaw Donggon tells them of his long and futile
fight with Saragnayan. The two sons then shout their challenge to Saragnayan – ten times. It is so
loud that Saraganayan loses his courage.
Visayan Poetry
Batasan sang Taga-uma Ways of a Country Fellow
“NE, please prepare
‘Ne, pahilog preparer lunch
sang panyaga for we have a visitor
kaya may bisita kita. He was my companion
Barkada ko ini sia When I was still studying
sang ako nagiskwela pa the foolish ways of the town
sang kantutuhan sa banwa. Tell Junior
Sugua anay si Dyunyor to buy on credit
nga mag-utang a case of beer
sang isa ka kaha nga serbesa from the store
ditdto sa tyanggi And a coco-shellfull of peanuts
kag isa ka kabu nga mani. Also kill
Patya na lang dayon the hen sitting on the eggs
inang manok nga galumlum and mix it with the core
kag lakti sang ubad and rusing banana
sang saging nga rusing. Come on, P’re, keep on eating
Sige, P’re kaon pa and don’t ever be shy
kag indi maghuya-huya for my wife and I are postponing our
kay bwas na lang kami maaway quarrel
sang akon asawa. for tomorrow.
Indi na pagproblemahi Don’t make a problem
Ang akon ulumhan Out of my farm
Kay ang binhi for with the palay seeds for planting
Ibayad ko na lang I am paying
Sa gin-inum ta. out drinks.

14
SHORT STORY MAGNIFICENCE ESTRELLA ALFON

LITERATURE FROM MINDANAO

Davao
Davao is one of the richest and biggest province in the Philippines. It lies at the Southern
part of the island of Mindanao bounded to the north by the Agusan del Sur, to the East by Davao
Oriental, to the South by the Davao Gulf, to the Southwest by Davao City, and to the Northwest
by Bukidnon.
Legend
The Durian Legend (Davao City)
Barom-Mai was an old and ugly king who lived in a kingdom called Calinan in the Visayas
hundreds of years ago. Although he was powerful, he was helpless when it came to winning the
love of his young bride, Madayaw-Bayho (daughter of Tageb, king of the pirates). Barom-Mai
asked his advisers to help him win his bride’s love, and Matigam (the wisest of advisers) told him
about Impit Purok, a hermit who lived in a cave in Mt. Apo. They went to the hermit and he asked
for three things: the egg of the black tabon bird, twelve ladles of fresh milk from a white carabao
without blemish, and the nectar from the flower of the tree-of-make-believe. The egg will be used
to soften the bride’s heart; the milk, to make her kind; and, the nectar, to make her see Barom-Mai
as a young and handsome king. The king finds the egg through the help of Pawikan, the king of
the sea turtles. He luckily gets milk from a white carabao the following breakfast, thanks to his
cook. Hangin-Bai, the nymph of the air, leads him to her sister, the wood nymph who had the
magic flower in her hair. Barom-Mai gives the three things to Impit Purok, who asked him to
prepare a big feast after Barom-Mai wins his queen back, and to invite Impit Purok as the king’s
guest of honor. Impit Purok mixes the three ingredients and instructs Barom-Mai to plant the
mixture in the royal garden. The morning after it was planted, a tree grew. It had a sweet smell and
tasted good. When Madayaw-Bayho was given the fruit, she fell in love with Barom-Mai. The
king throws a big feast but forgets to invite Impit Purok. In retaliation, Impit casts a curse upon
the fruit: The sweet smell was replaced with a foul odor while the smooth skin of the fruit was
covered with thorns, which is how the durian smells and looks today.
Lanao
Lanao del Norte is situated in Northern Mindanao, along the northwest and southwest coast
of the Mindanao Island. Its boundaries include Iligan Bay on the North, the provinces of Lanao
del Sur and Bukidnon to the East, Illana Bay and the Celebes Sea to the South and Southwest, and
the province of Zamboanga del Sur and Panguil Bay to the West, with the province of Misamis
Occidental on the opposite side of Panguil Bay. The province is a land bridge that links Western
Mindanao to Central and Eastern Mindanao. Pagadian, Ozamis, Tangub, Marawi, and Iligan are
the nearby cities within the radius of Lanao del Norte. One can reach Lanao del Norte through
Cagayan de Oro or Ozamis airports. The travel time by road is 90mins from Cagayan de Oro and
30 mins from Ozamis (by crossing Panguil Bay via barge). Five of its municipalities (Linamon,
Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo, and Kolambugan) are within the Iligan-Cagayan Industrial Corridor.
Ten of its municipalities are coastal towns blessed with rich fishing grounds: the Illana Bay,
Panguil Bay, and Iligan Bay. Twelve municipalities are upland towns blessed with vast agricultural
and forestry based crops and products. Muslim communities are generally found in the interior;
whereas, Christian communities are found in the coast. The province prides itself as a major
contributor to the overall development of Mindanao. It hosts three of the seven Agus Hydropower
Plants, which generates 80% of the Mindanao power grid. There are more than 70,000 hectares of

15
coconut land found in Lanao del Norte, and is the second largest producer of copra in the region.
Other major products include rice, fruits, corn, and aquaculture products.
Legend
Origin of the World (Maranao)
According to Maranaw folklore, this world was created by a great Being. It is not known,
however, who exactly is this great Being. Or how many days it took him to create this world. This
world is divided into seven layers. The earth has also seven layers. Each layer is inhabited by a
different kind of being. The uppermost layer, for example, is the place we are inhabiting. The
second layer is being inhabited by dwarfs. These dwarfs are short, plump, and long-haired. They
are locally known as Karibanga. The Karibanga are said to possess magical powers. They are
usually invisible to the human eye. The third layer of the earth which is found under the sea or lake
is inhabited by nymphs. These nymphs also possess certain magical powers. It is stated in the story
of Rajah Indarapatra that he met and fell in love with the princess nymph with whom he had a
child. The sky also consists of seven layers. Each layer has a door which is guarded day and night
by huge mythical birds called garoda. The seventh layer of the sky is the seat of heaven which is
also divided into seven layers. Every layer in the sky is inhabited by angels. Maranaws believe that
angels do not need food. They all possess wings with which they fly. Heaven which is found on
the seventh layer of the sky is where good people‘s spirits go after death. Saints are assigned to
the seventh layer while persons who “barely made it” are confined to the lower most layer which
is found at the bottom of heaven. It is in heaven where we find the tree-of-life. On each leaf of the
tree-of-life is written the name of every person living on earth. As soon as a leaf ripens or dries
and falls, the person whose name it carries also dies. The soul of every person is found in tightly
covered jars kept in one section of heaven. This particular section of heaven is closely guarded by
a monster with a thousand eyes, named Walo. Walo, in addition to his thousand eyes, has also
eight hairy heads. The epic Darangan speaks of Madale, Bantugan‘s brother and, Mabaning,
Husband of Lawanen, entering this section and retrieving the soul of Bantugan.
Short Story
“Si Pilandok sa Kaharian ng Dagat Maranaw”
(Pilandok in the Kingdom of Maranaw Sea)
There was once a kingdom, where a selfish, cruel, and greedy king ruled. His name was
Datu Usman. In that kingdom also live a young man named Pilandok, of whose great cleverness
thought and made ways of fooling and getting even with the terrible Datu. Because of this, the
Datu’s anger grew more and more. When the Datu spotted Pilandok in the kingdom, he ordered
the guards to capture Pilandok, then the Datu placed a punishment upon him. Pilandok was to be
tied, placed inside a cage, then thrown into the sea. The palace guards were doing so, but the
weather was hot and the sea was far away. The guards then, went to the coconut trees and rested.
Until, they fell asleep. At that lucky instant, a merchant was passing by so Pilandok thought quickly
of a clever idea. He cried and cried saying he doesn’t want to be married to the Datu’s daughter.
The merchant heard him, and he thought Pilandok was being foolish. Who doesn’t want to be
married into a wealthy royal family? And the merchant got greedy. The merchant approached
Pilandok and offered to trade places with him. Pilandok agreed urgently. So the merchant freed
Pilandok, exchanged clothes with him, and went inside the cage. Pilandok even adviced the
merchant to shout, “I agree now to marry the princess!” The guards only laughed at the merchant
and they threw him into the deep blue sea. After a few days, Pilandok returned to the kingdom,
and the Datu was shocked. “Why are you still alive?!” he said angrily. Pilandok explained that
when the Datu ordered for him to be thrown into the sea, Pilandok rather landed in a kingdom
under the sea! He also found out that the ruler of the Kingdom of Maranaw Sea was his long lost
cousin, and who gave him lots and lots of riches. Datu Usman believed Pilandok because Pilandok

16
indeed was very alive and didn’t drown when thrown into the sea. He believed Pilandok even more
when Pilandok said that his cousin, who ruled the Kingdom of Maranaw Sea, was inviting the
Datu. And the Datu was greedy. Datu Usman immediately ordered his guards to prepare a cage for
him, inside of which he will be thrown into the kingdom at the bottom of the sea. But when they
reached the seashore, the Datu was scared. What Pilandok did was he dove into the water, and
when he surfaced, he was now carrying a beautiful giant pearl. And the Datu was greedy. The Datu
went inside his cage and ordered his guards to throw him into the sea. He just reminded his guards
to pull the cage’s rope when it moved. But they didn’t. Pilandok was stopping them, saying the
Datu and his cousin were just having fun that’s why the rope was moving. When the roped
suddenly stopped moving, the guards panicked. They pulled the rope and were shocked upon
seeing that the Datu was almost dead. His stomach got so huge from drinking lots of water. When
the Datu awoke, he was mad and searched for Pilandok. But Pilandok was now nowhere in sight.
The clever Pilandok escaped once again, and had tricked once more the greedy Datu.
The White Horse of Alih Alvarez Enriquez
The story happened on July 4th in a city with a parade of people. It was a happy day for
everybody because they are celebrating the big American Holiday. Among the crowd was Alih, a
Moro who was then looking for his brother, Omar. That day was intended for them to fulfill their
plan. Their plan is to kill these people. So Alih waited for his brother, he went out of the crown
and sat under the Balete tree. While he was sitting and looking at the parade, he remembered his
past, his childhood and his growing years where he met the women whom he wished and longed
for and he remembered his mission. That is—to kill the people. But people can’t notice them as
Moros because they were in disguise. When he saw a man riding a horse and controlling the crowd,
he remembered how much he longed for a horse for himself. He recalled when his brother punished
him because he spent his earnings just to ride in a merry – go- round. He wanted to ride on a
wooden horse because he saw the girl whom he liked most and her name was Lucy. Lucy was the
girl who lived in the reservation area where the Americans live. Moros were not allowed to enter
that vicinity. But because he needs to go to school, he cross the river and reached the reservation
area. There he saw the first girl he liked. Though, they were not given the chance to see and talk
to each other since then. When he grew up, Omar told him about how the American soldiers killed
their father without any reason. Their father was known and respected in their village. With these,
Omar taught him to be brave and be able to fight against these people because he believes that
only by killing could they wash away their shame. He taught him words to live by and beliefs to
be respected and attained. As he grew into a mature individual, he met another woman named
Fermina. Fermina was a beautiful bar maid with a mole near her mouth. He likes her so much but
the woman doesn’t like him because of his impertinent manner towards her. He was put to jail for
six months because of what he did. Remembering all of these from his past, he thought of what
Omar said about the promise of their prophet to those who are faithful to him. That is to have a
white horse ride to heaven and as many hours as the number of infidel heads he could lay before
Allah. But when he thought of what their Imam said that white horse, as a reward for killing is a
reference conjured by fanatics in their attempt to give reason to their behavior. The prophet never
taught them about that because he was man of peace. So back to reality, he continued searching
for Omar into the crowd. Soon he saw a float with a girl whom he thought of as Fermina. He went
near the float and assisted the girl to go down to the ground. As he was about to hold her
completely, Omar came but to his surprise, he was drunk and tipsy! All along, he realized that
Omar had been drinking tuba. He knew that Omar was afraid to kill that is why he drink tuba first
before he go to the town. Omar shouted and leap to the street, and then he gets his fatal blade from
his pants. The crowd screamed. Fear and panic seized everyone. Everyone is running and escaping
from Omar, even fermina jumped into the ground and run away but she got stocked from a bamboo
frame of the float because of her long flowing robe that hooked on the edge of the bamboo frame.
She tried to set her free but she saw Omar coming to her swinging his blade. Fermina screamed
and screamed because of fear. The screams struck Alih because he saw that Fermina the girl he

17
was love is in danger and get his blade from his leg immediately and then he leaped to his brother
Omar and hit its back by his sharp blade repeatedly. Omar died. The town spoke out about the
strange tragedy for many days after. But nobody had known Alih, and nobody could figure out
why he turned against his brother.

ASSESSMENT
WORKSHEET NO. 3
Reading Comprehension

General Directions: Read the summary of the epic “Biag ni lam-ang” and answer the questions
below.
A.
___________________1. The place where Lam-ang lived
___________________2. Lam-ang’s father
___________________3. Lam-ang’s mother
___________________4. Lam-ang’s bride
___________________5. A reverent address in Ilocano used for God or old people or persons in
authority
B.
1. Describe Lam-ang and Ines kannoyan according to:
a. Their physical appearance
_____________________________________________________________________________
_
b. What other characters say about them
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
c. Their perception of love and honor as implied in the story
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What supernatural elements were present in the story?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. Cite some customs and traditions still being practiced today.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Must a man follow the practice of the group even if it would mean his life? Explain your
answer. _______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. What is the main idea of the story Biag ni Lam-Ang?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6. Would you consider Lam-ang as an Ilocano hero? Explain.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
7. What marvelous acts did Lam-ang show in the story?

18
 WORKSHEET NO. 4
Proverbs Analysis

General Directions: Quote 5 inspiring lines from the list of proverbs from the literature in Luzon
and explain them in your own words. See page for the list of proverbs.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

WORKSHEET NO. 5
Reading Comprehension

General Directions: Read the story of the “The Small World of Marina” by Crispina Bragado
and answer the questions below.
True or False
______________________1. Marina was chosen as a participant in the folk dance that will be
presented in the town fiesta.
______________________2. Her father felt glad upon learning that Marina is participating in
the dance. He even encouraged her to go on with it.
______________________3. Marina uprooted the eggplant seedlings in their field so that she
will have something to plant for their school gardening class.
______________________4. His father told her to get the seedlings back even if it was already
dark.
______________________5. Her father was just testing her. He wants her to learn things the
hard way.

1. What is the subject of the story?

________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the setting of the story?

________________________________________________________________________
3. Which details make the story a local color?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

19
 4. Describe marina as a daughter, if you were in her place do you think you would be able
to behave in the same manner?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. What does Marina do to escape from a seemingly unbearable life?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. What is the father’s purpose in asking her daughter to take on so many responsibilities at
the expense of her studies?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
7. Do you approve of the father’s tests on her daughter? Are there tests consider tolerable?
Intolerable?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

8. How would you describe the mother? How does she provide her daughter with emotional
support?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET NO. 6
Poetry Analysis

General Directions: Read the poem “Batasan sang Taga-uma” by Richard Alayon and answer
the questions below.
1. Who is the persona in the poem?
________________________________________________________________________
2. To whom is the speaker speaking?
________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the situation?
________________________________________________________________________
4. What is the Tagalog and English equivalents of Ne as used in the poem?
________________________________________________________________________
5. What is the subject of the poem?
________________________________________________________________________
6. What is the tone?
________________________________________________________________________
7. What are the speaker’s values and personalities?
________________________________________________________________________
8. What is your attitude towards this speaker?
________________________________________________________________________
9. What values and characteristics among Filipinos are depicted in the poem?
________________________________________________________________________
10. Are these traits worth preserving or discarding? Why?
________________________________________________________________________

20
 WORKSHEET NO. 7
Reading Comprehension

General Directions: Read the legend “Origin of the World” of the Maranao and answer the
questions below.
A.
1. Do you believe on Darwin’s theory of creation? Justify your answer?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. Why are there many versions of man’s creation?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. What is the difference between soul and spirit?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Why should a person be concerned about feeding the soul?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. What do you mean by the statement He sold his soul to the devil?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
B. Draw an illustration of the seven layers of the sky as described in the myth.

21
 WORKSHEET NO. 8
Reading Comprehension

General Directions: Read the story “The White Horse of Alih” by Alvarez Enriquez and answer
the questions below.
1. How did the brothers, Alih and Omar, decided to kill the Christian?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. How did they plan to execute their revenge?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. What made Alih decide to save the girl from being killed by Omar?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. Compare the fasting done by Christian during lent and the fasting done by Muslims
during Ramadan? Do they have the same purpose?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. Enumerate some similarities of faith between the Christians and the Muslims.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. As Filipinos, what suggestions can you give to truly unify Christians and Muslims as
one?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

22
 Historical Background of
Philippine Literature
An Overview
A literary work is a product of its time. It is as old as its country’s history. It provides a
context of background such as the social conditions, political developments, religious ideas, and
practices necessary for a reader to understand how literary work reflects ideas and attitudes of the
time in which the work was written.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Explain the historical reference;
2. Discuss how literature and history are closely interrelated;
3. Note the value of identifying cultural points that are shared by people and time.

Lesson 1

Long before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed on Philippine shores, our forefathers
already had their own literature stamped in the history of our race.
Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as traced in our
folk stories, old plays, and short stories.
Whatever records our ancestors left were either burned by the Spanish friars in the belief
that they were works of the devil or were written on materials that easily perished, like the barks
of trees, dried leaves, and bamboo cylinders which could not have remained undestroyed even if
efforts were made to preserve.
Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved the existence of a native culture
truly your own. Some of these were passed on by word of mouth till they reached the hands of
some publishers or printers who took interest in printing the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos.
Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by
A. Legends D. Folk Songs
B. Folk Tales E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants
C. Epics F. Proverbs and Sayings

A. LEGENDS
Legends are form of a prose the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing,
place, location, or name. The events are imaginary, devoid of truth and unbelievable. Old Filipino
customs are reflected in these legends. Its aim is to entertain. Example- LEGEND OF THE
TAGALOGS
B. FOLKTALES
Folktales are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor where one
can derive lessons about life. These are useful to us because they help us appreciate our
environment, evaluate our personalities and improve our perspective in life. Example- THE
MOON AND THE SUN

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C. EPIC
Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually
of a hero, are dealt with at length.
Some of the sample epics are:
a. Alim- Ifugao Epic
b. Biag ni Lam-ang -Ilocano Epic
c. Ibalon- Bicol Epic
d. Bidasari- Moro Epic
e. Maragtas- Visayan Epic
f. Haraya- Visayan Epic
g. Lagda – Visayan Epic
h. Hari sa Bukid- Visayan Epic
i. Kumintang- Tagalog Epic
j. Parang Sabir- Moro Epic
k. Dagoy at Sudsod- Tagbanua Epic
l. Tatuaang- Bagobo Epic
m. Indarapatra at Sulayman
n. Bantugan
o. Daramoke-A-Babay- Moro Epic in “Darangan”

D. FOLKSONGS
Folksongs are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the Pre-
Spanish period. These songs mirrored the early forms of culture. Many of these have 12 syllables.

KUMINTANG O TAGUMPAY
(War Song)
Ang nuno nating lahat (Our ancestors)
Sa Kulog di nasisindak, (weren’t afraid of thunder)
Sa labanan di naaawat, (In battle they didn’t run)
Pinuhunan buhay, hirap, (Their lives were at stake; they suffered pain)
Upang tayong mga anak, (So that we, children,)
Mabuhay ng mapanatag. (Can leave in peace.)

DIANA
(Wedding Song)
Umawit tayo at magdiwang (Let’s sing and feast)
Ang dalawang pusong ngayon (For two hearts who are to be)
Ay ikakasal (married)
Ang daraanan nilang landas (The path they’ll pass)
Sabuyan natin ng bigas. (Let’s strew with rice.)

E. EPIGRAMS, RIDDLES, CHANTS, MAXIMS, PROVERBS OR SAYING

1. Epigrams (Salawikain). These have been customarily used and served as laws or rules on
good behavior by our ancestors. To others, these are like allegories or parables that impart
lessons for the young.
Example: Aanhin pa ang damo (What is the use of grass)
Kung patay na ang kabayo. (If the horse is already dead?)
Interpretation: Sometimes, what comes is too late to be useful.
2. Riddles (Bugtong o Palaisipan). These are made up of one or more measured lines with
rhyme and may consist of four to 12 syllables.

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 Example: Bungbong kung liwanag (Bamboo stem during the day)
Kung gabi ay dagat (At night, a sea)
3. Chant (Bulong). Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
Example: Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko (You stole my rice)
Lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo (May your eyes bulge)
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo (And your body swell)
Patayin ka ng mga anito. (Be killed by the anitos/gods)
4. Maxims. Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5,6 or 8 syllables, each line having the
same numbers of syllables.
Example: Pag hindi ukol (What is not intended for one)
Hindi bubukol (Will not bear fruit)
5. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to comment on a person’s actuations.
Example: Putak, putak (A sound made by a cackling hen)
Batang duwag (Cowardly child)
Matapang ka’t (You’re brave only)
Nasa Pugad (Because you are in your nest)
6. Sawikain. Sayings with no hidden meanings.
Example: Nasa sa Diyos ang awa (In God we trust)
Nasa tao ang gawa (In man, the effort to work)

Essential Features of Pre- Spanish Literatures

✓ Early Filipino literature represents ethnic group’s heritage.
✓ Early literature is created by ordinary folks to express tradition, belief, and custom of those
times. It is handed down from generation to generation.
✓ Folk literature has a religious or sacred character.
✓ Early literature is classified as oral and written.
✓ Ancient folks wrote on fragile materials. They also used pointed objects like sticks,
daggers, and irons as pen.
✓ Songs and dances are part of their religious and social rituals.
✓ Musical bells and gongs were used for the rituals.

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Lesson 2

During these times, many changes occurred in the lives of Filipinos. They embraced the
Catholic religion, changed their names, and were baptized. Their lifestyles changed too. They built
houses made of stones and stones and bricks, used beautiful furniture like the piano and used
kitchen utensils. Carriages, trains, and boats were used as means of travel. They held fiestas to
honor the saints, the pope and the governors. They had cockfights, horse races and the theater as
means of recreation.
This gave rise to the formation of the different classes of society like the rich and the
landlords. Some Filipinos finished courses like medicine, law, agriculture, and teaching. Many
Filipinos finished their schooling in the Philippines because many schools already had been
established.
A. SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards, they have
exerted a strong influence on our literature.
1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many of its
words to our language.
4. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos,
and moro-moros.
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilokano and Visayan.
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.
B. THE FIRST BOOKS
1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE)
This was the first book printed in the Philippines in 1953 in xylography. It was
written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva in Tagalog and Spanish. It contained:
a. Pater Noster (Our Father)
b. Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
c. Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen)
d. The Ten Commandments of God
e. The Commandments of Catholic Church
f. The Seven Mortal Sins
g. How to Confess
h. Cathecism

2. NUESTRA SEŃORA del ROSARIO

The second book printed in the Philippines was written by Fr. Blanca de San Jose
in 1602. It contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on
religion.
3. LIBRO DE LOS CUATRO POSTPRIMERAS DE HOMBRE (in Spanish and Tagalog)
This is the first book printed in typography.
4. ANG BARLAAN AT JOSEPHAT
A Biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated to Tagalog from Greek by
Fr. Antonio de Borja. It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in the Philippines
even if it is only a translation. The printed translation has only 556 pages. The Ilocano
translation in poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.

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 5. THE PASSION
This is the book about life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. There were 4 versions of
this in Tagalog and each version is according to the name of the writer. These are the Pilapil
version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan), the de Belen version (by Gaspar Aquino de
Belen), the de la Merced (by Aniceto de la Merced) and the de Guia version (by Luis de
Guia).

The de la Merced version in octosyllabic verse with 5 verses to the stanza.

O Diyos sa kalangitan
Hari ng Sangkalupaan
Diyos na walang kapantay
Mabait, lubhang maalam
At puno ng karunungan.

Ikaw na Amang Tumubos

Na nangungulilang lubos
Amang dui matapus-tapos
Maawai’t mapagkupkop
Sa taong lupa’t alabok

Chanters may take 2-4 nights singing the Pasion with the chanters taking turns in
shifts of 3-4 hours each. It has been translated into every principal dialect- Ilocano, Ibanag,
Pampango, Bicol, and Visayan version.

6. URBANA AT FELISA
A book of Modesto de Castro, the so- called Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
These are letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa and has influenced greatly the
behavior of people in society because the letters dealt with good behavior.
7. ANG MGA DALIT KAY MARIA (Psalms for Mary)
A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr. Mariano Sevilla, a
Filipino priest, wrote this in 1865 and it was popular especially during the Maytime
“Flores de Mayo” festival.

C.LITERARY COMPOSITIONS
1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Arts and Rules of Tagalog Language). Written by Fr.
Blancas de San Jose and translated to Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in 1610.
2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog Language). Written by Fr. Gaspar
de San Agustin in 1703.
3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog Vocabulary). The first Tagalog dictionary written
by Fr. Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampango Vocabulary). The first book in Pampango
written by Fr. Diego in 1732.
5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Visayan Vocabulary). The best language book in Visayan by
Mateo Sanchez in 1711.
6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano). The first Ilocano grammar book by Francisco
Lopez.

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7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol Language). The first book in the Bikol
language and written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754.

D.FOLKSONGS
Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines. Each region had its national song from
the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Folk songs truly manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipinos. They show the Filipino’s
innate appreciation for and love of beauty.
Examples:
Leron-Leron Sinta (Tagalog)
Pamulinawen (Iloko)
Dandansoy (Bisaya)
Sarong Banggi (Bikol)
Atin Cu Pung Singsing (Kapampangan)

E. RECREATIONAL PLAYS
There are many recreational plays performed by Filipinos during the Spanish times. Almost
all of them were in poetic form. Here are the examples:

1. Tibag – The word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought here by the Spaniards
to remind the people about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which Jesus died.
A dramatic performance is usually done even without a raised stage and held during
Maytime festivals. A cross is buried in a clearing or mound in a yard near a church. Before
the town fiesta, St. Helena, with King Constantine and some soldiers start to look for the
cross. She digs on the mounds, while the dialogue ensues as the search continues. Upon
reaching the third mound where the Cross is found, there is great jubilation around and
then the Cross is borne in a procession to the church where a priest performs the religious
rites.
2. Lagaylay- This is a special occasion for the Pilarenos of Sorsogon during Maytime to get
together. As early as April, the participating ladies are chosen and sometimes, mothers
volunteer their girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness or for a favor received.
In some parts of Bicol, a different presentation is made but the objective is the same- praise,
respect, and offering of love to the Blessed Cross by St. Helena on the mound she had dug
in.
3. The Cenaculo- This is a dramatic performance to commemorate the pasion and death of
Jesus Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and the Hablada. In the Hablada , the lines
are spoken in a more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic measure of each verse and
the rhyming in each stanza and is more dignified in theme; The Cantada is chanted like
the Pasion.
4. Panunuluyan- This is presented before 12:00 on Christmas eve. This is a presentation of
the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
5. The Salubong (Panubong)- It is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the Risen
Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in many Philippine towns.
6. Carillo (Shadow Play)- This is a form of a dramatic entertainment performed on a
moonless night during a town fiesta or on a dark nights after a harvest.
7. The Zarsuela- Considered the father of drama; it is a musical comedy or a melodrama in
three acts which dealt with man’s passions and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty,
avarice, or some social or political problem.

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 8. The Sainete- This was the short musical comedy popular during the 18th century. They were
exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long plays and were mostly performed by
characters from the lower classes. Themes were taken from everyday life scenarios.

F.THE MORO-MORO
Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is presented also on a special stage. This is
performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of their Christian
religion. The plot is usually the same that of a Christian princess or a nobleman’s daughter who
is captured by the Mohammedans. The father organizes a rescue party where fighting between
the Moros and the Christians ensue. The Mohammedans are defeated by some miracle or Divine
Intercession and the Mohammedans are converted to Christianity. In some instances, the whole
kingdom is baptized and converted
PRINSIPE RODANTE
Ngayo’y dumating na itong takdang araw
Dakilang Torneo sa plasang kalakhan
May kabalyerong dito’y daratal
Ang magpamalas ng dangal at tapang.

O Mahal kong anak, Prinsesa Flerida

Sabihin sa aki’t sa in among Reyna
Kung ang iyong loob ay handing-handa na
Sa larong torneo na magiging bunga.

G. KARAGATAN
This is a poetic vehicle of socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a
person. In this contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed based on a legend about a
princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the sea and who offered her hand in marriage to
anyone who can retrieve it.
Girl: Ikaw nga ang unang pinili ng Diyos
Sumisid sa singsing na aking hinulog
Subalit hindi upang siyang maging irog
Kungdi idaan lang muna sa pagsubok.

Kaya’t sisirin mo ang tanong kong ito

At singsing kong ito ay nang maangkin mo
Sa singsing na liso at walang pabato
Turan mong simula at ang dulot nito.

Boy: Karagatang ito’y kahit na malalim

Pangangahasan kong aking lulusungin
Hustong bait Ninyo ang titimbulanin
Na inaasahang sasagip sa akin.

H. DUPLO
The Duplo replaced the Karagatan. This is a poetic joust in speaking and reasoning.
The roles are taken from the Bible and from the proverbs and sayings. It is usually played during
wakes for the dead.

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Example:
Hari: Yamang sa tuos ko ngayo’y natalastas
At ang isinakdal dito’y nahaharap
Ang unang bigkas sa naritong dilag
Siyang tinutukoy na di nagbabayad.

Bilyako: Bilyaka, mangyaring sumagot ka ngayon

Kung inaamin mo ang sinabing sumbong
Saging na nalugok, dahoon may kaluntoy
Bayaran ang dapat sa tamang panahon.

Bilyaka: Hari naming giliw na kagalang-galang

Punong sinusunod nitong kalakatan
Ang kamunting tutol ay iyong pakinggan
Niring walang sala’t wala naming utang.

I.THE BALAGTASAN
This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a particular topic or issue. This
replaced the DUPLO and is held to honor Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

J. THE DUNG-AW
This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or his representative beside the corpse of
the dead. No definite meter or rhyming scheme is used. The person chanting it freely recites in
poetic rhythm according to his feelings, emotions, and thoughts. It is personalized and usually deal
with the life, sufferings, and sacrifices of the dead and includes apologies for his misdeeds.
The Ilocanos and the Igorots of Eastern Benguet use this traditional poem for their dead and is
a counterpart of the TAGHOY or PANAMBITAN of the Tagalogs.

K. AWIT and CORRIDO

The Corridos were usually on legends or stories from European countries like France,
Spain, Italy, and Greece.
The Awits are fabricated stories from writers’ imagination although the setting and
characters are European.
The Corrido refers to narration while Awit refers to chanting. The Corrido and the Awit are
both referred to as narrative poetry.

Essential Features of Spanish Literatures

✓ Literature was used as tool for religious conquest.
✓ Alibata, the first Filipino alphabet was replaced by Roman’s script.
✓ Spanish language became the literary language.
✓ The friars produced a variety of religious manuals, grammar books, and dictionaries in
vernacular intended for friar’s mission.
✓ Spanish missionaries utilized the stage to propagate the Christian religion.
✓ Literature was predominantly religious and moral in character and tone.

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Lesson 3

After 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule, the Filipino spirit reawakened when the 3
priests Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of guilt. This
occurred on the 17th of February. This was buttressed with the spirit of liberalism when the
Philippines opened its doors to world trade and with the coming of a liberal leader in the person
of Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre.
The Spaniards were unable to suppress the tide of rebellion among the Filipinos.
The once religious spirit transformed itself into one of nationalism and the Filipinos demanded
changes in the government and in the church.

A. The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896)

This movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal,
Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban,
and Pedro Paterno. The objectives of this movement were to seek reforms and changes like the
following:
1. To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the Spaniards under the law.
2. To make the Philippines a colony of Spain.
3. To restore Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes.
4. To Filipinize the parishes.
5. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the press, assembly and for redress of grievances.

B. Highlights of the Propaganda Movement

There were three principal leaders of the Propaganda movement. They were Jose P. Rizal,
Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena. Here are highlights about them and what they
have done for our country.

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo y Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 at Calamba,
Laguna. His first teacher was his mother Teodora Alonozo. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila,
started medicine at UST and finished at the Universidad Central of Madrid. He also studied at the
University of Berlin, Leipzig and Heidelberg.
He died by musketry in the hands of the Spaniards on December 30, 1896 on charges of
sedition and rebellion against the Spaniards. His pen-name was Laong Laan and Dimasalang.

His books and writings:

1. NOLI ME TANGERE. This was the novel that gave spirit to the propaganda movement and
paved the way to the revolution against Spain.
In this book, he courageously exposed the evils in the Spanish-run government in the
Philippines.
The Spaniards prohibited the reading of this novel but a lot of translations were able to
enter stealthily in the country even if it means death to those caught in possession of them.
The NOLI gave Philippine literature the immortal characters Maria Clara, Juan
Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, Sisa, Pilosofong Tasio, Doña Victorina, Kapitana Maria, Basilio and
Crispin, Rizal had a powerful pen in the delineation of these characters.
2. EL FILIBUSTERISMO. This is a sequel to the NOLI.
While the NOLI exposed the evils in society, the FILI exposed those in the government and in the
church. However, the NOLI has been dubbed the novel of society while that of FILI is that of
politics.

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3. MI ULTIMO ADIOS (My Last Farewell). This was a poem by Rizal while he was incarcerated
at Fort Santiago and is one that can compare favorably with the best in the world. It was only after
his death when his name was affixed to the poem.
4. SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS (On the Indolence of the Filipinos). An essay
on the so-called Filipino indolence and an evaluation of the rea sons for such allegations.
5. FILIPINAS DENTRO DE CIEN AÑOS (The Philippines within a Century). An essay predicting
the increasing influence of the US in the Philippines and the decreasing interest of Europe here.
Rizal predicted that if there is any other colonizer of the Philippines in the future, it would be the
US.
6. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino Youth). A poem Rizal dedicated to the Filipino
youth studying at UST.
7. EL CONSEJO DE LES DIOSES (The Council of the Gods). An allegorical play manifesting
admiration for Cervantes.
8. JUNTO AL PASIG (Beside the Pasig River). Written by Rizal when he was 14 years of age.
9. ME PIDEN VERSOS (You asked Me for Verses); 1882 and A LAS FLORES DE
HEIDELBERG (To the Flowers of Heidelberg). Two poems manifesting Rizal’s unusual depth of
emotion.
10. NOTAS A LA OBRA SUCESOS DE LAS FILIPINAS FOR EL DR. ANTONIO DE MORGA
(Notes on Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de Morga): 1889
11. P. JACINTO: MEMORIAS DE UN ESTUDIANTE DE MANILA (P. Jacinto: Memoirs of a
Student of Manila) 1882
12. DIARIO DE VIAJE DE NORTE AMERICA (Diary of a Voyage to North America)

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Marcelo H. del Pilar is popularly known for his pen name of Plaridel, Pupdoh, Piping Dilat
and Dolores Manapat. He was born at Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan on August 30, 1850.
His parents were Julian H. del Pilar, noted Filipino writer and Biasa Gatmaita. His brother
was the priest Fr. Toribio del Pilar who was banished to Marianas in 1872. Because there were
many children in the family, Marcelo gave up his share of his inheritance for his other brothers
and sisters.
Marcelo started schooling at the school of Mr. Flores and then transferred to that of San
Jose before UST. His last year in law school was interrupted for 8 years after he had quarrel with
the parish priest during a baptism at San Miguel, Manila in 1880.
He established the Diariong Tagalog in 1883 where he exposed the evils of the Spanish
government in the Philippines and in order to avoid the false accusations hurried at him by the
priests. To avoid banishment, he was forced to travel to Spain in 1888.
He was assisted by Fr. Serrano Laktaw in publishing a different Cathecism and Passion
Book wherein they made fun of the priests. They also made the DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN and
KAIINGAT KAYO taken from the word IGAT, a kind of snake fish caught in politics.
Upon his arrival in Spain, he replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as editor of LA
SOLIDARIDAD, a paper which became the vehicle thru which reforms in the government could
be worked out. This did not last long for he got sick and even to reach Hong Kong from where he
could arouse his countrymen. He died of tuberculosis in Spain but before he died, he asked his
companions to tell his wife and children that he was sorry he wasn’t able to bid them goodbye; to
tell others about the fate of our countrymen and to continue helping the country.
Plaridel has truly earned a niche in the history of our nation. Even today, countless streets
have been named after him. The former Kingwa has been named Plaridel, the Malolos High School
is now Marcelo H. del Pilar High School and above all, his patriotism and bravery will remain
alive in our memories.

Writings of Marcelo H. del Pilar

1. PAGIBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA (Love of Country). Translated from the Spanish AMOR
PATRIA of Rizal, published on August 20, 1882, in Diariong Tagalog.
2. KAIINGAT KAYO (Be Careful). A humorous and sarcastic dig in answer to Fr. Jose Rodriquez
in the novel NOLI of Rizal, published in Barcelona in 1888. He used Dolores Manapat as pen-
name here.

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3. DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN (Prayers and Jokes). Similar to a cathecism but sarcastically done
agains the parish priests, published in Barcelona in 1888. Because of this, del Pilar was called
“filibuster.” Done in admirable tone of supplication and excellent use of Tagalog.
4. ANG CADAQUILAAN NG DIOS (God’s Goodness). Published in Barcelona, it was also like
a cathecism sarcastically aimed against the parish priests but also contains a philosophy of the
power and intelligence of God and an appreciation for and love for nature.
5. SAGOT SA ESPANYA SA HIBIK NG PILIPINAS (Answer to Spain on the Plea of the
Filipinos). A poem pleading for change from Spain but that Spain is already old and weak to grant
any aid to the Philippines. This poem is in answer to that of Hermenigildo Flores’ Hibik sa Pilipinas
(A Plea from the Philippines).
6. DUPLUHAN…DALIT…MGA BUGTONG (A poetical contest in narrative sequence, psalms,
riddles). A compilation of poems on the oppression by the priests in the Philippines.
7. LA SOBERANIA EN PILIPINAS (Sovereignty in the Philippines). This shows the injustices
of the friars to the Pilipinos.
8. POR TELEFONO (By Telephone) 9. PASIONG DAPAT IPAG-ALAB NG PUSO NG TAONG
BABASA (Passion that should arouse the hearts of the readers)

GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA (1856-1896)

A most notable hero and genius of the Philippines, Graciano Lopez Jaena was born on
December 18, 1856 and died on January 20, 1896. The pride of Jaro, Iloilo, he won the admiration
of the Spaniards and Europeans. He is a known writer and orator in the Philippines. He wrote 100
speeches which were published by Remigio Garcia, former bookstore owner in Manila Filatica
and which are still read up to no by modern Filipinos.
Lopez Jaena left the Philippines in 1887 with the help of Don Claudio Lopez, a rich uncle,
in order to escape punishment form his enemies and arrived at Valencia, the center of the
Republican movement of the Spaniards. He gained the acquaintance of the high officials like Piy
Margall, Morayta, Moret, Castelar, and Salmeron. From Valencia, he moved to Barcelona where
he established the first magazine LA SOLIDARIDAD. This later became the official voice of the
Association Hispano de Filipinas (a Filipino-Spanish Association) composed of Filipinos and
Spaniards who worked for reforms in the Philippines. Because of this, Jaena successfully showed
the Spaniards and the people of the world how a newspaperman can introduce changes in law and
reforms towards a better life and progress.
Jaena, although he didn’t become a professor, was also a teacher in a sense to his friends
and relatives in the Philippines.
Like Antonio Maria Regidor, Tomas G. del Rosario and Felipe Calderon, he stood for the
separation of church and state for free education, better government and schools, freedom of
worship and for an independent and free university.
He sided with Rizal in the controversy between Rizal and del Pilar over who should head
the Association Hispano de Filipinas in Madrid. He returned to the Philippines to ask for donations
to continue a new government called El Latigo Nacional or Pambansang Latigo. He sold the rights
of La Solidaridad ot del Pilar who had become a lawyer and had brought in money from his sojourn
in Spain.
Graciano Lopez Jaena died in a charity hospital in Barcelona on January 20, 1896, eleven
months before his best friend Rizal was shot at the Luneta on December 30, 1896.

A. The Works of Graciano Lopez Jaena

1. ANG FRAY BOTOD (Friar Botod). One of his works written in Jaro, Iloilo in 1876, six years
after the Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the Philippines. He exposed how some of the friars
were greedy, ambitious and immoral.
2. LA HIJA DEL FRAILE (The Child of the Friar) and EVERYTING IS HAMBUG (Everything
is mere show). Here Jaena explains the tragedy of marrying a Spaniard.
3. SA MGA PILIPINO...1891… A speech which aimed to improve the condition of the Filipinos
to become free and progressive.
4. TALUMPATING PAGUNITA KAY KOLUMBUS (An Oration to Commemorate Columbus).
A speech he delivered in Madrid on the 39th anniversary of the discovery of America

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5. EN HONOR DEL PRESIDENTE MORAYTA DE LA ASSOCIACION HISPANO FILIPINO
1884. Here he praised Gen. Morayta for his equal treatment of the Filipinos.
6. EN HONOR DE LOS ARTISTAS LUNA Y RESURRECCION HIDALGO. A sincere
expression of praise for the paintings of Hidalgo on the condition of the Filipinos under the
Spaniards.
7. AMOR A ESPAÑA O A LAS JOVENES DE MALOLOS (Love for Spain or To the Youth of
Malolos). The theme is about how girls were taught Spanish in schools and whose teachers were
the governors-general of the place.
8. EL BANDOLERISMO EN PILIPINAS (Banditry in the Philippines). Jaena refuted the
existence of banditry in the Philippines and of how there should be laws on robbery and other
reforms.
9. HONOR EN PILIPINAS (Honor in the Philippines). The triumphant exposition of Luna,
Resurrecion and Pardo de Tavera of the thesis that intellect or knowledge gives honor to the
Philippines. 10. PAG-ALIS SA BUWIS SA PILIPINAS (Abolition of Taxes in the Philippines)
11. INSTITUCION NG PILIPINAS (Sufferings of the Philippines). Jaena refers here to the wrong
management of education in the Philippines 1887.

B. OTHER PROPAGANDISTS

ANTONIO LUNA

Antonio Luna was a pharmacist who was banished by the Spaniards to Spain. He joined
the Propaganda Movement and contributed his writings to LA SOLIDARIDAD. Most of his works
dealt with Filipino customs and others were accusations about how the Spaniards ran the
government. His pen name was Tagailog. He died at the age of 33 in June 1899. He was put to
death by the soldiers of Aguinaldo because of his instant rise to fame w hich became a threat to
Aguinaldo.

Some of his works are:

1. NOCHE BUENA (Christmas Eve). It pictured true Filipino life.
2. SE DEVIERTEN (How They Diverted Themselves). A dig at a dance of the Spaniards where
the people were very crowded.
3. LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference or Feast). Depicts a Filipino custom w hich
he believed was much better than the Spanish.
4. POR MADRID (For Madrid). A denouncement of Spaniards who claim that the Philippines is
a colony of Spain but who think of Filipinos as foreigners when it comes to collecting taxes for
stamps.
5. LA CASA DE HUEPEDES (The Landlady’s House). Depicts a landlady who looks for boarders
not for money but in order to get a husband for her child.

MARIANO PONCE

Mariano Ponce became an editor-in-chief, biographer and researcher of the Propaganda

Movement. He used Tikbalang, Kalipulako, and Naning as pennames. The common themes of his
works were the values of education. He also wrote about how the Filipinos were oppressed by the
foreigners and of the problems of his countrymen.

Among his writings were:

1. MGA ALAMAT NG BULACAN (Legend of Bulacan). Contains legends, and folklores of his
native town.
2. PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The Beheading of Longinos). A play shown at the plaza of
Malolos, Bulacan.
3. SOBRE FILIPINOS (About the Filipinos)
4. ANG MGA PILIPINO SA INDO-TSINA (The Filipinos in Indo-China)

34
 PEDRO PATERNO
Pedro Paterno was a scholar, dramatic, researcher and novelist of the Propaganda
Movement. He also joined the Confraternity of Masons and the Asociacion Hispano-Pilipino in
order to further the aims of the Movement. He was the first Filipino writer who escaped censorship
of the press during the last day of the Spanish colonization.

The following were a few of his wrtings:

1. NINAY. The first social novel in Spanish by a Filipino.
2. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). Shows the importance of a mother especially in the home.
3. SAMPAGUITA Y POESIAS VARIAS (Sampaguitas and Varied Poems). A collection of his
poems.

JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN

Jose Ma. Panganiban hid his identity behind his penname JORMAPA. He was also known
for having photographic mind. He was a member of a number of movements for the country.
Some of his writings were:
1. ANG LUPANG TINUBUAN (My Native Land)
2. ANG AKING BUHAY (My Life)
3. SU PLANO DE ESTUDIO (Your Study Plan)
4. EL PENSAMIENTO (The Thinking)
C. Period of Active Revolution (1896-1898)
The Filipinos did not get the reforms demanded by the propagandists. The government
turned deaf ears to these petitions; oppression continued and the church and the government
became even more oppressive to the Filipinos. The good intentions of Spain were reversed by the
friars who were lording it over in the Philippines.
Because of this, not a few of the Filipinos affiliated with the La Liga Filipina (a civic
organization suspected of being revolutionary and which triggered Rizal’s banishment to Dapitan).
Like Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Palma, and Pio Valenzuela
decided that there was no other way except to revolt.
The gist of literature contained mostly accusations against the government and was meant
to arouse the people to unite and to prepare for independence.
D. Highlights of the Active Revolution
The noted leaders of this period were Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Apolinario
Mabini. These are their contributions to our country.
ANDRES BONIFACIO
Andres Bonifacio is best known as the Father of Filipino Democracy, but more than others,
as the Father of the Katipunan because he led in establishing the Kataas-taasan, Kagalanggalanga
Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK). Andres Bonifacio came from a poor family and it is
said that what he learned he got from the school of experience.
He was a voracious reader and among those he loved to read which aroused his
revolutionary spirit were the NOLI and the FILI of Rizal. He joined the La Liga Filipina founded
by Rizal in 1892. He established the Katipunan which triggered the spirit of freedom especially
when Rizal was banished to Dapitan, Mindanao.

35
 Bonifacio is better known as the great Revolutionary rather than a writer but he also wrote
things which paved the way for the revolution and w hich also became part of our literature.
Among his works were:
1. ANG DAPAT MABATID NG MGA TAGALOG (What the Tagalogs Should Know)
2. KATUNGKULANG GAGAWIN NG MGA ANA NG BAYAN (Obligations of Our
Countrymen). This is an outline of obligations just like the 10 commandments of God.
3. PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUAN LUPA (Love of One’s Native Land). A poem with a title similar
to that of Marcelo H. del Pilar.
4. HULING PAALAM (Last Farewell). A translation of Mi Ultimo Adios of Rizal in Tagalog.
EMILIO JACINTO
Emilio Jacinto was the intelligent assistant of Andres Bonifacio in the establishment of the
Katipuna. He is called the Brains of the Katipunan. He edited Kalayaan (Freedom) a Katipunan
newspaper. Bonifacio withdrew his writing of the Kartilya in deference to Jacinto’s work as
secretary of the Katipunan. His Kartilya was the one followed by the members of the organization.
Here are few of his writings:
1. KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN (A primer book on the Katipunan)
2. LIWANAG AT DILIM (Light and Darkness). A collection of essays on different subjects like
freedom, work, faith, government, love of country.
3. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). A touching ode to his mother.
4. A LA PATRIA (To My Country). His masterpiece.
APOLINARIO MABINI
Apolinario Mabini is known in literature and history as the Sublime Paralytic and the
Brains of the Revolution.
He was born in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas on July 22, 1864. Because he was born of a
poor family he had to work in order to study. He became known to his professors and classmates
at Letran and the UST because of his sharp memory and the simple clothes he used to wear
throughout his schooling.
He became the right-hand of Emilio Aguinaldo when the latter founded his Republic in
Malolos. His contributions to literature were writing on government society, philosophy and
politics.
Here are some of his works:
1. EL VERDADERO DECALOGO (The True Decalogue or Ten Commandments). This was his
masterpiece and his aim here was to propagate the spirit of nationalism.
2. EL DESAROLLO Y CAIDA DE LA REPUBLICA (The Rise and Fall of the Philippine
Republic)
3. SA BAYANG PILIPINO (To the Filipino Nation)
4. PAHAYAG (News) OTHER REVOLUTIONISTS

36
 JOSE PALMA
Jose Palma became popular because of his Himno Nacional Filipino (The Philippine
National Anthem) which was set to music by Julian Felipe.
He was born in Tondo, Manila on June 6, 1876. His brother Rafael Palma became the
president of the UP.
He joined the revolution against the Americans together with Gregorio del Pilar, the
youngest Filipino general who died during the revolution.
Aside from the National Anthem, here are his other works:
1. MELANCOLIAS (Melancholies). A collection of his poems.
2. DE MI JARDIN (In My Garden). A poem expressing one’s longings for his sweetheart.
NEWSPAPERS DURING THE REVOLUTION
In the effort of the Revolutionists to spread to the world their longings for their country,
many newspapers were put up during the Revolutionary period. They were:
1. HERALDO DE LA REVOLUCION. Printed the decrees of the Revolutiary Government, news
and works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism.
2. LA INDEPENDENCIA (Independence). Edited by Antonio Luna and whose aim was for
Philippine Independence.
3. LA REPUBLICA PILIPINA (The Philippine Republic). Established by Pedro Paterno in 1898.
4. LA LIBERTAD (Liberty). Edited by Clemente Zulueta.

37
Lesson 4

The Filipino Revolutionists won against the Spaniards who colonized us for more than 300
years. Our flag was hoisted on June 12, 1898 as a symbol of our independence. Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo was elected the first President of the Philippine Republic but this was short-lived. The
Fil.-American was resulted in the defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903. The peace movements
started as early as 1900. Many Filipinos started writing again and the nationalism of the people
remained undaunted.
Filipino writers went into all forms of literature like new s, reporting, poetry, stories, plays,
essays, and novels. Their writings clearly depicted their love of country and their longings for
independence.
The active arousal in the field of literature started to be felt in the following newspapers.
1. EL NUEVO DIA (The New Day). Established by Sergio Osmeña in 1900. The American
censors twice banned this and threatened Osmeña with banishment because of his nationalistic
writings.
2. EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call of the Nation). Established by Pascual Poblete in 1900.
3. EL RENACIMIENTO (The Rebirth). Founded by Rafael Palma in 1901.

There were also plays written then but after the first and second presentations, the Americans put
a stop to this because of the consistent theme of nationalism. Included here were the following:
1. KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow).Written by Aurelio
Tolentino depicting the suppression done by the Americans and their plan to colonize the
Philippines.
2. TANIKALANG GINTO of Juan Abad.
3. MALAYA by Tomas Remigio.
4. WALANG SUGAT by Severino Reyes.

A. Characteristics of Literature during This Period

Three groups of writers contributed to Philippine Literature during this period.
During the first year of the American period, the languages used in writing were Spanish
and Tagalog and the dialects of the different regions, but Spanish and Tagalog predominated.
In 1910, a new group started to write in English. Hence, Spanish, Tagalog, the Vernaculars
and finally, English, were the mediums used in literature during these times. While the three groups
were one in their ideas and spirit, they differed in their methods of reporting. The writers in Spanish
were wont to write on nationalism like honoring Rizal and other heroes.
The writers in Tagalog continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the country and
their attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue. The writers in English imitated the themes
and methods of the Americans.
A. Literature in Spanish
The inspiration of our Filipino writers in Spanish was Rizal not only because of his being
a national leader but also because of his novels NOLI and FILI. These two novels contained the
best qualities of a novel ever written, in English or in Filipino. Those who were inspired to write

38
in praise of him were Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Jesus Balmori, Manuel Bernabe
and Claro M. Recto.
CECILIO APOSTOL
Cecilio Apostol wrote poems dedicated to Rizal, Jacinto, Mabini and all other heroes but
his poem dedicated to Rizal is considered the best poem in praise of the hero of Bagumbayan.
FERNANDO MA. GUERRERO
It is believed that Fernando Ma. Guerrero shared with Apostol the reign in the balagtasan
in Spanish during their time. He also dedicated a poem to Rizal but he collected the best of his
poems in a book called CRISALIDAS, meaning, a kind of black, wooly caterpillar. Here are a few
stanzas of his call to Rizal which he wrote on June 19, 1901 to commemorate Rizal’s birthday.
JESUS BALMORI
Jesus Balmori is well-known for his pen name of Batikuling. He and Manuel Bernabe
participated in a debate on the topic – (Remembrance and Forgetfulness). He was elected Poet
Laureate in Spanish besting Manuel Bernabe.
MANUEL BERNABE
Manuel Bernabe is a lyric poet and the fierceness of his nationalistic spirit was unchanged
in any topic he wrote about. In his debate with Balmori, he was more attractive to the public
because of the modious words he used. He defended OLVIDO (Forgetfulness).
CLARO M. RECTO
In nobility of speech and theme, Claro M. Recto can compare with the other writers of
Spanish. He collected his poems in a book entitled BAJO LOS COCOTEROS (Under The Coconut
Trees).
Other Writers in Spanish
1. Adelina Guerrea was the first woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish. She
obtained the Zobel prize in her song El Nido. (The Nest).
2. Isidro Marpori became famous for his four books entitled Aromas de Ensueño (Scents of
Dreams).
3. Macario Adriatico wrote of a legend of Mindoro entitle La Punta de Salto (The Place of Origin).
4. Epifanio de los Santos (known as Don PAnyong). He was a good leader and biographer during
the whole period of Spanish literature.
5. Pedro Aunario wrote the Decalogo del Proteccionismo.
B. Filipino Literature
FLORANTE AT LAURA of Francisco Balagtas and URBANA AT FELISA of Modesto de Castro
became the inspiration of the Tagalog writers.
Julian Cruz Balmaceda classified three kinds of Tagalog poets: They were:
1. Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso). These included Lope K. Santos, Iñigo Ed. Regalado, Carlos
Gatmaitan, Pedro Deogracias del Rosario, Ildefonso Santos, Amado V. Hernandez, Nemecio
Carabana, and Mar Antonio.
2. Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay). Led by Lope K Santos, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Florentino
Collantes, Patricio Mariano, Carlos Garmaitan, and Amado V. Hernandez.

39
3. Poets of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan). Led by Aurelio Tolentino, Patricio Mariano,
Severino Reyes, and Tomas Remigio.
In the realm of short stories that started to appear in the column Pangsandaliang Libangan
(Short-time Leisure) and Dagli (Fast) we find here the names of Lope K. Santos, Patricio Mariano,
and Rosauro Almario. In the Liwayway Publications, we find Deogracias Rosario, Teodoro Gener,
and Cirio H. Panganiban.
Noted novelists or biographers were Valeriano Hernandez Peña, Lope K. Santos, Iñigo Ed.
Regalado, Faustino Aguilar, etc.
Here are the autobiographies of some of the writers mentioned:
LOPE K. SANTOS
Lope K. Santos, a novelist, poet and author, and grammarian covered three periods of
Tagalog literature – American, Japanese and the contemporary period. If Manuel L. Quezon is
called the Father of the National Language, Lope K. Santos is called the Father of the National
Language Grammar. He was also called the “Apo” of the Tagalog writers. BANAAG AT SIKAT
was his masterpiece.
JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS
Jose Corazon de Jesus is very popularly known as Huseng Batute. He was also called the
Poet of Love in his time. ANG ISANG PUNONG KAHOY (A TREE), an elegy, is believed to be
his masterpiece.
AMADO V. HERNANDEZ
Amado V. Hernandez was dubbed Makata ng mga Manggagawa (Poet of the Laborers) in
our literature because he pictures in his poem the intense love for the poor worker or laborer. To
him, a poem is a scent, bittersweet memories, and a murmur of flowing water. The pen is powerful
and according to him, even a king can be bent by the pen.
He contributed a lot of writings to literature like ISANG DIPANG LANGIT (A Stretch of Heaven),
BAYANG MALAYA (A Free Nation), ANG PANDAY (The Blakcsmith), and MUNTING
LUPA (A Small Plot), but his masterpiece is ANG PANDAY.
VALERIANO HERNANDEZ PEÑA
Together with Lope K. Santos he reached the summit of his novel-writing. He was known
as Tandang Anong and his pen name was Kuntil Butil (Small Grain). He considers NENA AT
NENENG his masterpiece.
IÑIGO ED. REGALADO
Iñigo Ed. Regalado was a son of a popular writer during the Spanish time known as
Odalger. He proved that he not only followed the footsteps of his father but also reached the peak
of his success by the “sumpong” (whim) of his pen. He also became a popular story-teller, novelist
and newspaperman.
The Tagalog Drama
During the advent of the American period, Severino Reyes and Hermogenes Ilagan started
the movement against the moromoro ( a play on the Spanish struggles against the Muslims) and
struggled to show the people the values one can get from the zarzuela and the simple plays.

40
The people one should not forget in the field of writing are the following:
1. Severino Reyes. Father of the Tagalog drama and author of the immortal WALANG SUGAT.
2. Aurelio Tolentino. The dramatist in whom the Kapampangans take pride. Included in his
writings were LUHANG TAGALOG, his masterpiece, and KAHAPON, NGAYONG AT BUKAS
that resulted in his incarceration.
3. Hermogenes Ilagan. Founded the group Campaña Ilagan that presented many dramas in Central
Luzon.
4. Patricio Mariano. Wrote the novel NINAY and ANAK NG DAGAT (Son of the Sea), his
masterpiece.
5. Julian Cruz Balmaceda. Wrote BUNGANGA NG PATING (Shark’s Mouth). This gave him
much honor and fame.
The Tagalog Short Story
Two collections of Tagalog stories were published during the American Period. First was
the MGA KUWENTONG GINTO (Golden Stories) published in 1936 and %) KUWENTONG
GINTO ng 50 BATIKANG KUWENTISTA (50 Golden Stories by 50 Noted Storytellers) in 1939.
The first was written by Alejandro Abadilla and Clodualdo del Mundo that contained the 25 best
stories according to them.
The second was written by Pedrito Reyes. PAROLANG GINTO (Golden Lantern) and
TALAANG BUGHAW (Blue List) of Abadilla became popular during this period. Tagalog Poetry
Almost all Tagalog writers during the American Period were able to compose beautiful poems
which made it difficult to select the best. Even if poetry writing is as old as history, poetry still
surfaces with its sweetness, beauty, and melody.
Other Forms of Literature
The following are those recognized in the field of Ilocano Literature:
1. Pedro Bukaneg. Father of Ilocano Literature. From his name was derived the word Bukanegan,
which means Balagtasan (a poetic contest) in Ilocano.
2. Claro Caluya. Prince of Ilocano Poets. Known as poet and novelist.
3. Leon Pichay. Known as the best Bukanegero (from Bukaneg). Also a poet, novelist, short story
writer, dramatist and essayist.
Literature of the Kapampangans (Pampango Literature)
Two stalwarts in the literature of the Kapampangans stand out: they are:
1. Juan Crisostomo Soto. (Father of Kapampangan Literature). The word CRI SOTAN (meaning
Balagtasan) in Tagalog is taken from his name.
2. Aurelio Tolentino. He truly proved his being a Kaampangan in his translation of KAHAPON,
NGAYON AT BUKAS into Kapampangan which he called NAPON, NGENI AT BUKAS.
Visayan Literature
The following are the top men in Visayan literature:
1. Eriberto Gumban. (Father of Visayan Literature). He wrote a zarzuela, moro-moro and a play
in Visayan.

41
2. Magdalena Jalandoni. She devoted her talent to the novel. She wrote ANG MGA TUNUK SAN
ISA CA BULACLAC.
C. Philippine Literature in English
In a way, we can say that we can trace the beginnings of Philippine literature in English
with the coming of the Americans. For this purpose, we can divide this period into three time
frames, namely:
1. The Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910
2. The Period of Imitation: 1910-1925
3. The Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941
(1) The Period of Re-orientation (1898-1910)
English as a literary vehicle came with the American occupation in August 13, 1898 and
as they say, a choice bestowed on us by history. By 1900, English came to be used as a medium
of instruction in the public schools. From the American forces were recruited the first teachers of
English.
By 1908, the primary and intermediate grades were using English. It was also about this
time when UP, the forerunner in the use of English in higher education, was founded.
Writers of this period were still adjusting to the newfound freedom after the paralyzing
effect of repression of thought and speech under the Spanish regime. They were adjusting the idea
of democracy, to the new phraseology of the English language and to the standards of the English
literary style Writers had to learn direct expression as conditioned by direct thinking. They had to
learn that sentence constructions; sounds and speech in English were not the same as in the
vernacular. They had to discard sentimentality and floridity of language for the more direct and
precise English language.
Not much was produced during this period and what literature was produced was not much
of literary worth. The first attempts in English were in two periodicals of this time:
(a) El Renacimiento: founded in Manila by Rafael Palma in 1901.
(b) Philippines Free Press: established in Manila in 1905 by R. McCullough Dick and D. Theo
Rogers.
POETRY
In 1907, Justo Juliano’s SURSUM CORDA which appeared in the Renacimiento was the
first work to be published in English.
In 1909, Jan F. Salazar’s MY MOTHER and his AIR CASTLES were also published in
this paper.
It was also in 1909 when Proceso Sebastian followed with his poem TO MY LADY IN
LAOAG, also in this same paper.
(2) The Period of Imitation (1910-1924)
By 1919, the UP College Folio published the literary compositions of the first Filipino
writers in English. They were the pioneers in short story writing.
They were then groping their way into imitating American and British models which
resulted in a stilted, artificial and unnatural style, lacking vitality and spontaneity. Their models
included Longfellow and Hawthorne, Emerson and Thoreau, Wordsworth and Tennyson,
Thackeray and Macaulay, Longfellow, Allan Poe, Irving and other American writers of the

42
Romantic School. Writers of this folio included Fernando Maramag (the best editorial writer of
this period) Juan F. Salazar, Jose M. Hernandez, Vicente del Fierro, and Francisco M. Africa and
Victoriano Yamzon. They pioneered in English poetry.
ESSAYS
The noted essayists of this time were: Carlos P. Romulo, Jorge C. Bocobo, Mauro Mendez,
and Vicente Hilario. Their essays were truly scholarly characterized by sobriety, substance and
structure. They excelled in the serious essay, especially the editorial type.
The next group of writers introduced the informal essay, criticism and the journalistic
column. They spiced their work with humor, wit and satire. These group included Ignacio
Manlapaz, Godefredo Rivera, Federico Mangahas, Francisco B. Icasiano, Salvador P. Lopez, Jose
Lansang and Amando G. Dayrit.
SHORT STORIES
In the field of short stories, DEAD STARS by Paz Marquez Benitez written in the early
1920’s stand out as a model of perfection in character delineation, local color, plot and message.
Other short stories published during this time were but poor imitations of their foreign models.
The UP College Folio was later replaced by the Philippine Collegian. Newspapers and
periodicals also saw print during this time like the Bulletin, the Philippines Herald (1920), the
Philippine Review, the Independent, Rising Philippines and Citizens, and the Philippine Education
Magazine 1924.
(3). Period of Self-Discovery and Growth (1925-1941)
By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing. They now
confidently and competently wrote on a lot of subjects although the old-time favorites of love and
youth persisted. They went into all forms of writing like the novel and the drama.
1. POETRY
Noteworthy names in this field include Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion, Jose Garcia Villa,
Angela Manalang Gloria, Abelardo Subido, Trinidad Tarrosa Subido and Rafael Zulueta da Costa.
They turned our not only love poems but patriotic, religious, descriptive and reflective poems as
well. They wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in other types. Poetry was original,
spontaneous, competently written and later, incorporated social consciousness.
2. THE SHORT STORY (1925-1941)
Probably because of the incentives provided by publications like the Philippine Free Press,
The Graphic, The Philippine Magazine and college publications like the UP Literary Apprentice,
poetry and the short story flourished during these times.
Other writers during this time include Osmundo Sta. Romana, Arturo Rotor, Paz Latorena’s
Sunset, and Jose Garcia Villa’s Mirin-isa. From 1930 to 1940, the Golden Era of Filipino writing
in English saw the short story writers “who have arrived,” like Jose Lansang’s The Broken Parasol,
Sinai C. Hamada’s Talanata’s Wife, Fausto Dugenio’s Wanderlust, Amando G. Dayrit’s His Gift
and Yesterday, Amador T. Daugio’s The Woman Who Looked Out of the Window.
Characteristics of the short stories during these times:
There were still remnants of Spanish influence in the use of expressions that were florid,
sentimental, exaggerated and bombastic. The influence of the Western culture also was already
evident.

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3. ESSAYS AND OTHER PROSE STYLES (1925-1941)
Essays during this period improved with the years in quality and quantity, in content,
subject and style. Essayists like Carlos P. Romulo became even more eminent editorial writers.
The notable writers of essays during this period were:
a. Political, social reflective essays: Through their newspaper columns the following became very
popular: Federico Mangahas, Salvador P. Lopez, Pura S. Castrence, Vicente Albano Pacis, Ariston
Estrada and Jose A. Lansang.
b. Critical essays were espoused by Salvador P. Lopez, I.V. Mallari, Ignacio Manlapaz, Jose Garcia
Villa, Arturo B. Rotor, and Leopoldo Y. Yabes. An example of this is Maximo V. Soliven’s THEY
CALLED IT BROTHERHOOD.
c. Personal or Familiar essays were written by F.B. Icasiano (Mang Kiko), Alfredo E. Litiatco,
Solomon V. Arnaldo, Amando G. Dayrit and Consuelo Gar (Catuca).

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Lesson 5

Between 1941-1945, Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when the
Philippines was again conquered by another foreign country, Japan. Philippine literature in English
came to a halt. Except for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE REVIEW, almost all newspapers
in English were stopped by the Japanese.
This had an advantageous effect on Filipino Literature, which experienced renewed
attention because writers in English turned to writing in Filipino. Juan Laya, who use to write in
English turned to Filipino because of the strict prohibitions of the Japanese regarding any writing
in English.
The weekly LIWAYWAY was placed under strict surveillance until it was managed by
Japanese named Ishiwara.
In other words, Filipino literature was given a break during this period. Many wrote plays,
poems, short stories, etc. Topics and themes were often about life in the provinces.
A. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THIS PERIOD
The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism,
country, love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion and the arts.
Three types of poems emerged during this period. They were:
1. Haiku – a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was made up of 17 syllables divided into
three lines. The first line had 5 syllables, the second, 7 syllables, and the third, five. The Haiku is
allegorical in meaning, is short and covers a wide scope in meaning.
2. Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short but it had measure and rhyme. Each line had 17 syllables and
it’s also allegorical in meaning.
3. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form) – like those mentioned earlier in the beginning chapters of this
book.
Haiku Tanaga
Tutubi Palay
Hila mo’y tabak Palay siyang matino
Ang bulaklak nanginginig Nang humangi’y yumuko
Sa paglapit mo Ngunit walang tumayo
Nagkabunga ng ginto

B. FILIPINO DRAMA DURING THE JAPANESE PERIOD

The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because movie houses showing
American films were closed. The big movie houses were just made to show stage shows. Many of
the plays were reproductions of English plays to Tagalog. The translators were Francisco Soc
Rodrigo, Alberto Concio, and Narciso Pimentel. They also founded the organization of Filipino
players named Dramatic Philippines.
A few of playwriters were:
1. Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote PANDAY PIRA
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote sa PULA, SA PUTI
3. Clodualdo del Mundo – wrote BULAGA (an expression in the game Hide and Seek).

45
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda – wrote SINO BA KAYO?, DAHIL SA ANAK, and HIGANTE NG
PATAY.
C. THE FILIPINO SHORT STORY DURING THE JAPANESE PERIOD
The field of the short story widened during the Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short
stories. Among them were: Brigido Batungbakal, Macario Pineda, Serafin Guinigindo, Liwayway
Arceo, Narciso Ramos, NVM Gonzales, Alicia Lopez Lim, Ligaya Perez, and Gloria Guzman.
The best writings in 1945 were selected by a group of judges composed of Francisco
Icasiano, Jose Esperanza Cruz, Antonio Rosales, Clodualdo del Mundo and Teodoro Santos. As a
result of this selection, the following got the first three prizes: First Prize: Narciso Reyes with his
LUPANG TINUBUAN Second Prize: Liwayway Arceo’s UHAW ANG TIGANG NA LUPA
Third Prize: NVM Gonzales’ LUNSOD NAYON AT DAGAT-DAGATAN
D. PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (1941-1945)
Because of the strict prohibitions imposed b the Japanese in the writing and publishing of
works in English, Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period. The few who dared
to write did so for their bread and butter or for propaganda. Writings that came out during this
period were journalistic in nature. Writers felt suppressed but slowly, the spirit of nationalism
started to seep into their consciousness. While some continued to write, the majority waited for a
better climate to publish their works.
Noteworthy writer of the period was Carlos P. Romulo who won the Pulitzer Prize for his
bestsellers I SAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES, I SEE THE PHILIPPINES RISE and his
MOTHER AMERICA AND MY BROTHER AMERICANS.
Journalists include Salvador P. Lopez, Leon Ma. Geurrero, Raul Manglapuz and Carlos
Bulosan. Nick Joaquin produced THE WOMAN WHO LOOKED LIKE LAZARUS. Fred R uiz
Castro wrote a few poems.
F.B. Icasino wrote essays in The Philippine Review.
Carlos Bulosan’s works included LAUGHTER OF MY FATHER (1944), THE VOICE
OF BATAAN, 1943, SIX FILIPINO POETS, 1942, among others. Alfredo Litiatco published
With Harp and Sling and in 1943, Jose P. Laurel published Forces that Make a Nation Great.
The Commonwealth Literary Awards gave prizes to meritorious writers. Those who won
were:
1. LIKE THE MOLAVE – by Rafael Zulueta da Costa (Poetry)
2. HOW MY BROTHER LEON BROUGTH HOME A WIFE – by Manuel E. Arguilla (Short
Story)
3. LITERATURE AND SOCIETY – by Salvador P. Lopez (Essay)
4. HIS NATIVE SOIL – by Juan Laya (Novel)
President Manuel L. Quezon’s autobiography THE GOOD FIGHT was published
posthumously.
Radio broadcasts echoed the mingled fear and doubts in the hearts of the people. Other
writers of this period were Juan Collas (19440, Tomas Confesor (1945), Roman A. de la Cruz and
Elisa Tabuñar.

46
Lesson 6

The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos rejoiced and guerillas who fled to the mountain
joined the liberating American Army. On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained is freedom and
the Filipino flag waved joyously alone. The chains were broken.
A. THE STATE OF LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD
The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of “struggle of mind and spirit”
posed by the sudden emancipation from the enemy, and the wild desire to see print.
Filipinos had, by this time, learned to express themselves more confidently but post-war
problems beyond language and print-like economic stability, the threat of new ideas and mortality
– had to be grappled with side by side.
There was a proliferation of newspapers like the FREE PRESS, MORNING SUN, of
Sergio Osmeña Sr., DAILY MIRROR of Joaquin Roces, EVENING NEWS of Ramon Lopezes
and the BULLETIN of Menzi. This only proved that there were more readers in English than in
any other vernaculars like Tagalog, Ilocano or Hiligaynon.
Journalists had their day. They indulged in more militant attitude in their reporting w hich
bordered on the libelous. Gradually, as normality was restored, the tones and themes of the writings
turned to the less pressing problems of economic survival.
Some Filipino writers who had gone abroad and had written during the interims came back
to publish their works. Not all the books published during the period reflected the war year; some
were compilations or second editions of what have been written before.
Some of the writers and their works of the periods are:
THE VOICE OF THE VETERAN – a compilation of the best works of some Ex-USAFFE men
like Amante Bigornia, Roman de la Cruz, Ramon de Jesus and J.F. Rodriguez.
TWILIGHT IN TOKYO and PASSION and DEATH OF THE USAFFE by Leon Ma. Guerrero
FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY – by S.P. Lopez BETRAYAL IN THE PHILIPPINES –
by Hernando Abaya
SEVEN HILLS AWAY – by NVM Gonzales
POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THIS PERIOD
For the first twenty years, many books were published…both in Filipino and in English.
Among the writers during this time were: Fred Ruiz Castro, Dominador I. Ilio, and C.B. Rigor.
Some notable works of the period include the following:
1. HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) – a collection of poems by Manuel Viray
2. PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) – a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo Ramos
and Florentino Valeros
3. PROSE AND POEMS (1952) – by Nick Joaquin
4. PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) – by T.D. Agcaoili
5. PHILIPPINE HAVEST – by Amador Daguio
6. HORIZONS LEAST (1967) – a collection of works by the professors of UE, mostly in English
(short stories, essays, research papers, poem and drama) by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio Baltazar

47
The themes of most poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and of social and political problems.
Toribia Maño’s poems showed deep emotional intensity.
7. WHO SPO KE O F COU RAGE IN HIS SLEEP – by NVM Gonzales
8. SPEAK NOT, SPEAK ALSO – by Conrado V. Pedroche
9. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo Jose Garcia Villa’s HAVE COME, AM
HERE won acclaim both here and abroad.
NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH
Longer and longer pieces were being written by writers of the period. Stevan Javellana’s
WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN tells of the gri m experiences of war during the Japanese
Occupation.
In 1946, the Barangay Writer’s Project whose aim was to publish works in English by
Filipinos was established.
In 1958, the PEN Center of the Philippines (Poets, essayists, novelists) was inaugurated.
In the same year, Francisco Arcellana published his PEN ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES.
In 1961, Kerima Polotan’s novel THE HAND O F THE ENEMY won the Stonehi ll Award
for the Filipino novel in English.
In 1968, Luis V. Teodoro Jr.’s short story THE ADVERSARY won the Philippines Free
Press short story award; in 1969, his story THE TRAIL OF PROFESSOR RIEGO won second
prize in the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and in 1970, his short story THE DISTANT
CITY won the GRAPHIC short story award.
THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD
Philippines literature in Tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes in the
writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese government and
the brave guerilla exploits.
Newspapers and magazine publications were reopened like the Bulaklak, Liwayway, Ilang
Ilang and Sinag Tala. Tagalog poetry acquired not only rhyme but substance and meaning. Short
stories had better characters and events based on facts and realities and themes were more
meaningful. Novels became common but were still read by the people for recreation.
The people’s love for listening to poetic jousts increased more than before and people started to
flock to places to hear poetic debates.
Many books were published during this time, among which were:
1. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro Abadilla
2. Ang Maikling Kuwentong Tagalog (1886- 1948) by Teodoro Agoncillo
3. Ako’y Isang Tinig (1952) collection of poems and stories by Genoveva Edroza Matute
4. Mga Piling Sanaysay (1952) by Alejandro Abadilla
5. Maikling Katha ng Dalawampung Pangunahing Autor (1962) by A.G. Abadilla and Ponciano
E.P. Pineda
6. Parnasong Tagalog (1964) collection of selected poems by Huseng Sisiw and Balagtas, collected
by A.G. Abadilla
7. Sining at Pamamaraan ng Pag-aaral ng Panitikan (1965) by Rufino Alejandro.

48
He prepared this book for teaching in reading and appreciation of poems, dramas, short stories and
novels
8. Manlilikha, Mga Piling Tula (1961-1967) by Rogelio G. Mangahas
9. Mga Piling Akda ng Kadipan (Kapisanang Aklat ng Diwa at Panitik) 1965 by Efren Abueg
10. Makata (1967) first cooperative effort to publish the poems of 16 poets in Pilipino
11. Pitong Dula (1968) by Dionisio Salazar
12. Manunulat: Mga Piling Akdang Pilipino (1970) by Efren Abueg. In this book, Abueg proved
that it is possible to have a national integration of ethnic culture in our country.
13. Mga Aklat ni Rizal: Many books about Rizal came out during this period. The law ordering
the additional study of the life of Rizal helped a lot in activating our writers to write books about
Rizal.
PALANCA AWARDS
Another inspiration for writers in Filipino was the launching of the Palanca Memorial
Awards for literature headed by Carlos Palanca Sr. in 1950. (Until now, the awards are still being
given although the man who founded it has passed away). The awards were given to writers of
short stories, plays and poetry.
The first awardees in its first year, 1950-51 in the field of the short story were the following:
First Prize: KUWENTO NI MABUTI by Genoveva Edroza
Second Prize: MABANGIS NA KAMAY…MAAMONG KAMAY by Pedro S. Dandan
Third Prize: PLANETA, BUWAN AT MGA BITUIN by Elpidio P. Kapulong

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Lesson 7

According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic and
worldwide causes. Activism is connected with the history of our Filipino youth.
Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to seek reforms. Some continued to believe
that the democratic government is stable and that it is only the people running the government who
are at fault. Some believed that socialism or communism should replace democracy. Some armed
groups were formed to bring down the democratic form of government.
Many young people became activists to ask for changes in the government. In the
expression of this desire for change, keen were the writings of some youth who were fired with
nationalism in order to emphasize the importance of their petitions. Many young activists were
imprisoned in military camps together with rebel writers. As early as this period of history we can
say that many of those writers who were imprisoned were true nationalists and heroes of their time.
Many books aptly record and embody these times but many of these are not known to many
and many of these writers still have to be interviewed. We just leave to scholars and researchers
the giving of credit where credit is due.
A. THE SEED OF ACTIVISM
The seeds of activism resulted in the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. We can, however,
say that he seeds were earlier sown from the times of Lapu-lapu, Lakandula, and Rizal. The
revolution against the powerful forces in the Philippines can be said to be the monopoly of the
youth in whose veins flow the fire in their blood. What Rizal said of the youth being the hope of
the Fatherland – is still valid even today.
B. PERIOD OF THE BLOODY PLACARDS
Pineda also said that this was the time when the youth once more proved that it is not the
constant evasion that shapes our race and nationalism. There is a limit to one’s patience. It may
explode like a volcano if overstrained. Life? What avails like if one is a coward who does not take
a stand for himself and for the succeeding generations?
C. THE LITERARY REVOLUTION
The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This was proven not only in
the bloody demonstrations and in the sidewalk expressions but also in literature. Campus
newspapers showed rebellious emotions. The once aristocratic writers developed awareness for
society. They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA
(To dare!).
They attacked the ills of society and politics. Any establishment became the symbol of the
ills that had to be changed. The frustrations of youth could be felt in churches and school. Even
the priests, teachers and parents, as authorities who should be respected became targets of the
radical youth and were though of as hindrances to the changes they sought.
The literature of the activists reached a point where they stated boldly what should be done
to effect these changes. Some of those who rallied to this revolutionary form of literature were
Rolando Tinio, Rogelio Mangahas, Efren Abueg, Rio Alma, and Clemente Bautista.
WRITING DURING THE PERIOD OF ACTIVISM
The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during this period of the mass revolution. It
was also during this period that Bomba films that discredit our ways as Filipinos started to come
out.

50
WRITERS DURING THIS PERIOD
Jose F. Lacaba, in his book DAYS OF DISQUIET, NIGHTS OF RAGE; THE FIRST
QUARTERS STORM AND RELATED EVENTS, wrote of the tragic and tumultuous moments
in our country’s history.
Describing this period, he writes: “That first quarter of the year 1970…It was a glorious
time, a time of terror and of wrath, but also a time for hope. The signs of change were on the
horizon. A powerful storm was sweeping the land, a storm whose inexorable advance no earthly
force could stop, and the name of the storm was history.”
He mentions that those students demonstrating at that time knew and were aware that what
they were doing would be crucial to our country’s history. Student leaders thought up grandiose
names for their organizations and hence, the proliferation of acronyms likes SUCCOR, YDS,
KTPD, SAGUPA, SMP, KKK, KM, MDP, and SDK.
Politicians endorsed bills for those who interfered with student demonstrators. Mayor
Antonio Villegas himself, on Feb. 18, 1970, led demonstrators away from angry policemen. Other
politicians like Eva Estrada Kalaw, and Salvador Laurel, Benigno Aquino Jr. wrote about
condemnation of police brutalities
Lacaba’s book is truly representative of writers who were eyewitnesses to this time “of
terror and wrath.” Other writers strove to pour out their anguish and frustrations in words
describing themselves as “gasping for the air, thirsting for the water of freedom.” Thus, the
Philippine Center for the International PEN (Poets, Essayists, and Novelists) held a conference
centering on the “writer’s lack of freedom in a climate of fear.”

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Lesson 8

The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards
continued to give annual awards. Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development
or progress of the country – like the Green Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition,
environment, drug addiction and pollution. The New Society tried to stop pornography or those
writings giving bad influences on the morals of the people. All school newspapers were
temporarily stopped and so with school organizations.
The military government established a new office called the Ministry of Public Affairs that
supervised the newspapers, books and other publications.
The government took part in reviving old plays like the Cenaculo, the Zarzuela and the
Embayoka of the Muslims. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater and even
the old Metropolitan Theater were rebuilt in order to have a place for these plays.
Singing both Filipino and English songs received fresh incentives. Those sent abroad
promoted many Filipino songs.
The weekly publications like KISLAP, and LIWAYWAY helped a lot in the development
of literature. These became outlets for our writers to publish many of their works.
A. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY
A few months after the declaration of military rule, the following slogans of the New Society
were heard and read by many:
1. Sa ikauunlad ng bayan
Disiplina ang kailangan
2. Tayo’y kumain ng gulay
Upang humaba ang buhay
Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs and the beauties
of nature and surroundings. Those who wrote poetry during this period were: Ponciano Pineda,
Aniceto Silvestre, Jose Garcia Revelo, Bienvenido Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir Lopez
Francisco, and Pelagio Sulit Cruz.
Many more composers added their bit during this period. Among them were Freddie
Aguilar, Jose Marie Chan and the group Tito, Vic and Joey. ANAK of Freddie Aguilar became an
instant success because of the spirit and emotions revealed in the song. There were even
translations in Japanese and in other languages.
B. THE PLAY UNDER THE NEW SOCIETY
The government led in reviving old plays and dramas, like the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo
and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the
Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Many schools and organizations also presented varied plays.
The Mindanao State University presented a play Sining Embayoka at the Cultural Center
of the Philippines.
In 1977, the Tales of Manuvu, a new style of rock of the ballet opera was also added to
these presentations. This was performed by Celeste Legaspi, Lea Navarro, Hadji Alejandro, Boy
Camara, Anthony Castello, Rey Dizon and choreographed by Alice Reyes.

52
 Even the President’s daughter at the time participated as a performing artist in the principal
role of Santa Juana of Koral and in The Diary of Anne Frank.
C. RADIO AND TELEVISION
Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play series like SI MATAR,
DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR. LONELY were the forms of recreation of those
without television. Even the new songs were first heard over the airwaves.
However, many performing artists in radio moved over to television because of higher pay.
Among these were Augusto Victa, Gene Palomo, Mely Tagasa, Lina Pusing, and Ester Chavez.
Popular television plays were GULONG NG PALAD, FLOR DE LUNA, and ANNA
LIZA.
SUPERMAN AND TARZAN were also popular with the youth.
D. FILIPINO FILMS
A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held during
this time. During the festival which lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in
all theaters in Metro Manila. Prizes and trophies were awarded at the end of the festival in
recognition of excellence in film making and in role performances.
New kinds of films without sex or romance started to be made but which were nevertheless
well-received by the public. Among these were:
1. MAYNILA… SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG written by Edgardo Reyes and filmed under
the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was the lead role.
2. MINSA’Y ISANG GAMU-GAMO; Nora Aunor was the principal performer here.
3. GANITO KAMI NOO…PAANO KAYO NGAYON: led by Christopher de Leon and Gloria
Diaz.
4. INSIANG: by Hilda Koronel
5. AGUILA: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de Leon Sex films could not be
shelved. Foreign, as well as local films dealing the bold themes were the vehicles of producers to
earn more money.
E. COMICS, MAGAZINES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS
During this period of the New Society, newspapers donned new forms. News on economic
progress, discipline, culture, tourism and the like were favored more than the sensationalized
reporting of killings, rape and robberies.
The leading papers during this period were:
1. BULLETIN TODAY
4. PILIPINO EXPRESS
2. TIMES JOURNAL
5. PHILIPPINE DAILY EXPRESS
3. PEOPLES JOURNAL
6. EVENING POST
4. BALITA
7. EVENING EXPRESS

53
 LIWAYWAY had been an old-time favorite of the Filipinos since 1920. Other magazines
were:
1. KISLAP
2. EXTRA HOT
3. BULAKLAK
4. JINGLE SENSATION
Like mushrooms, comics also proliferated everywhere and were enjoyed by the masses. Among
these were:
1. PILIPINO
4. HIWAGA
2. EXTRA
5. KLASIK
3. LOVE LIFE
6. ESPESYAL
F. AN OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATUE DURING THE NEW SOCIETY
Bilingual education which was initiated by the Board of National Education as early as
1958 and continued up to the period of Martial Rule in September 21, 1972, resulted in the
deterioration of English in the different levels of education. The focus of education and culture
was on problems of national identity, on re-orientation, renewed vigor and a firm resolves to carry
out plans and programs.
The forms of literature that led during this period wee the essays, debates and poetry. The
short stories, like the novels and plays were no different in style from those written before the
onset of activism.

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Lesson 9

After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started
under the New Society, Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.
To those in government, the lifting of military rule heralded a change. To their perceptions,
the Philippines became a new nation and this; former President Marcos called “The New Republic
of the Philippines.”
A historian called this the Third Republic. The First Republic he claimed was during the
Philippine Republic of Emilio Aguinaldo when we first got our independence form the Spaniards
on June 12, 1898.
The Second was when the Americans granted us our independence on July 4, 1946. This
period, January 2, 1981, was the Third Republic when we were freed from Military Rule.
During this period, it cannot be denied that many people seethed with rebellion and protest
because of the continued oppression and suppression.
This was further aggravated when former Senator Benigno S. Aquno Jr., the idol of the
Filipino masses, whom they hoped to be the next president, was president, was brutally murdered
on August 21, 1983. This stage of the nation had its effect on our literature. After the Aquino
assassinated, the people’s voices could no long be contained. Both the public and private sectors
in government were chanting, and shouting; women, men and the youth became bolder and their
voices were raised in dissent.
A. FILIPINO POETRY
Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary. Writers wrote
openly of their criticism against the government. The supplications of the people were coached in
fiery, colorful, violent, profane and ins ulting language.
B. FILIPINO SONGS
Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of grief,
poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.
Many composers, grieved over Ninoy Aquino’s treacherous assassination composed songs.
Among them were Coritha, Eric and Freddie Aguilar. Coritha and Eric composed asong titles
LABAN NG BAYAN KO and this was first sung by Coritha during the National Unification
Conference of the Opposition in March, 1985. This was also sung during the Presidential
Campaign Movement for Cory Aquino to inspire the movement against Marcos in February 1986.
Freddie Aguilar revived the song BAYAN KO which was written by Jose Corazon de Jesus
and C. de Guzman during the American period.
C. PHILIPPINE FILMS DURING THE PERIOD
The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held during this period. The people’s
love for sex films also was unabated. Many producers took advantage of this at the expense of
public morality.
D. POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THE THIRD REPUBLIC
Most especially, during the wake of the tragic Benigno Aquino Jr.’s incident, people
reacted with shock, appalled by the suddenness and the unexpectedness of events.
Alfredo Navarro Salanga, a consistent writer of Philippines Panorama Magazine in his
column “Post-Prandal Reflections” aptly said it: “darkness in the mind and soul is how some

55
forgotten poet puts it. Its suddenness was so profound that we couldn’t but react to it in any other
way.”
Elemental to us (poets or writers) was how to grasp to some meaning – in a symbol, a
phrase or word – in the language of heart and tongue, the poet’s only candles. So we tried to reach
out in the next and perhaps the only way we could: by putting pen to paper and speaking out – as
partisans in a human drama
The themes of most during this time dealt with courage, shock and grief over the “treachery
inflicted upon Aquino.”
E. MEDIA OF 1983
Sheila S. Coronel, a PANORAMA staff stalwart, reporting on the state of the media during
these times said: it was a year of ferment, and change, of old problems made more oppressive by
the new throbbing beat of the times.”
For journalists, it was a year loaded with libel charges, lawsuits and seditious trials which
they gallantly bore as harassment suits.
JAJA (Justice for Aquino, Justice for All) Movement called for a boycott of government –
controlled newspapers in protest of media suppression. People picketed newspapers offices with
coffins to symbolize the death of press freedom.
In campuses, newspapers were set afire to protest lack of free expression. Journalists
suffered physically and otherwise.
Journalists of 3 major dailies demanded a dialogue with their publishers to “restore
credibility and respectability” to newspapers.
Opposition tabloids flourished. They sold our papers with the red news to the starved
public; hence, smut magazines like the TIKTIK, PLAYBOY SCENE, and SAKDAL also played
the sidewalks.
Radio led by RADIO VERITAS started reporting coverage of demonstrations. Infor mation
Minister Gregorio Cendaña called the tabloids the “mosquito press” and called their new “political
pornography.” However, there was a perceptible liberalization of editorial policies in the major
newspapers.
F. CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Among the well-loved forms of writing which abounded during this period were those of
children’s stories. The Children’s Communication Center (CCC) directed by poet and writer
Virgilio S. Almario already has built up an impressive collection of these kinds of books.
G. (PROSE) FABLES
The people’s cry of protest found outlets not only in poetry but also in veiled prose fables
which transparently satirized the occupants of Malacañang
In all the fables, the king, differently referred to as Totus Markus or the king or Haring
Matinik was meant to poke fun at the ruler at Malacañang; similarly, Reyna Maganda or the Queen,
was a veiled thrust at his queen. They were both drunk with power and were punished in the end
for their misdeeds.
H. THE STATE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH AT THIS TIME
Isagani Cruz, writing about Philippine literature in the “Age of Ninoy,” makes the
following observations:

56
“Philippines literature is definitely changing,” and he summarizes these as follows:
1. Change in the direction of greater consciousness in content and form.
2. Change in the number of readers and the number of writers and the kind of class of writers.
Writers w ho joined the ranks came not only from the established or professional groups but from
all ranks – clerks, secretaries, drivers, housewives, students; in short, the masses.
3. The resurgence of Balagtasismo and the continued dominance of Modernismo. While
Balagtasismo turned its back on the American challenge to Philippine literature its conservative
conventions, Modernismo adapted Americanization for its own ends.
4. The birth of a new poetic movement still dims in outline.
5. The apparent merging of the erstwhile separate streams of oral and written literature.

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 ASSESSMENT
WORKSHEET NO.9
Pre-Spanish Period
I. Identification
Give what is being identified in each item. Write your answer on the space before the number.
________________1. A long narrative poem that deals with the heroic exploitation of the major
character
________________2. Used to serve as laws or rules on good behavior by our ancestors
________________3. Used in witchcraft or enchantment
________________4. Sayings with no hidden meanings
________________5. An Ilokano epic
________________6. The common theme of which is about the origin of a thing, place, location,
or name
________________7. A Bagobo Epic
________________8. Kundiman is an example of ______________________.
________________9. Often used in teasing or to comment on a person’s actuations
________________10. The Moon and the Sun is an example of _______________.

III. Essay
Explain the given questions briefly and concisely.
1. Why did Spanish friars burned records of our ancestor’s literature? Do you agree in that
Spanish actuation towards our ancestor’s literature? Why or why not?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Do you believe that before Spaniards landed in Philippines, our forefathers already had their
own literature? Prove your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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 WORKSHEET NO. 10
Spanish Period

1. What are the changes occurred in the lives of Filipinos during the Spanish period? Cite some
evidence.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the common theme of literature during Spanish Period? Prove your answer through
citing a literary piece written during this period.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET NO. 11
Period of Enlightenment

1. How does the Filipino spirit reawaken after 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the themes of writings in the Period of Enlightenment? Prove your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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 WORKSHEET NO. 12
American Regime
1. In your own understanding, explain Poet of the Heart, Poet of Life, and Poet of Stage.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Explain the most significant contribution of Period of Imitation and Discovery in Philippine
Literature during American Regime.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think Rizal became the inspiration of Filipino writers?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET NO. 13
Japanese Period

1. During Japanese Period, Philippine literature came to a halt. Explain its advantage to
Philippine literature.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Compose your own HAIKU and TANAGA

HAIKU TANAGA

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 WORKSHEET NO. 14
Rebirth of Freedom

1. What is the theme of most of the writings during the period of Rebirth? Cite literary writing
that will prove your answer.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Why is this period called as Rebirth of Freedom?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET NO. 15
Period of Activism

1. Explain why Period of Activism is considered as the Period of Bloody Placards?

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. How did youth contribute to the theme of the Philippine Literature during the Period of
Activism?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

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 WORKSHEET NO. 16
Period of the New Society

1. Retell the changes occurred in Philippine literature during the Period of the New Society.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. Create a slogan that depicts the theme of the New Society Period.

WORKSHEET NO. 17
Period of Third Republic

1. Philippine literature in this period is definitely changing, give one of these changes and prove
how it occurred.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the relevance of Ninoy Aquino’s assassination in Philippine literature during this
period?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

62
 Representative Compositions
And Selected Filipino Writers

An Overview
Literature reflects richness in culture and history. Filipino writers contribute to the
transmission of wisdom of our own literary writings.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:
1. Distinguish selected Filipino writers
2. Analyze literary works from different periods and various regions
3. Discuss selected Filipino writers and representative compositions
4. Write a reflection paper

CONTENT

SELECTED FILIPINO WRITERS

Alfon, Estrella
Considered to be the most respected woman fictionist in prewar days. She started writing
in high school, and then in UP where she was invited to join the Writer’s Club. Her collection of
her short stories won prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940. When she ventured in
drama, she bagged thereof the major prizes of the Arena theatre Playwriting contest. Seventeen of
her stories have been published in Magnificence and Other Stories (1960). She died on 1963.
Angeles, Carlos
Born in Tacloban, Leyte in 1912, Angeles studied in the public schools and later attended
the University of the Philippines where he wrote poetry and met his mentor Francisco Arcellana.
His poems were collected in the Knifed Horizon. His book, A Stun of Jewels won both the
Republic Cultural Heritage Award 1964 and the first Palanca Award for poetry. He migrated to
the US where he died.
Arquilla, Manuel
Born in Bauang, La Union in 1910. Arquilla spent much of his childhood among the
peasant of folk whom he depicted in his stories. He taught in the public school after finishing his
BSE degree from UP in 1933. Then, later work in the Bureau of Public Welfare during the Japanese
Occupation. He joined the guerillas but was executed by the Japanese a few months before the war
ended. His “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife” and other stories won first prize in the
First Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940.
Ayala, Tita Lacambra
Born in Sarat, Ilocos Norte in 1931. She grew up in Benguet, Studied at Los Banos, and
now lives in Davao City with her husband, painter, poet and farmer, Jose V. Ayala. A prolific
writer of short stories, poems, and juveniles. She was a columnist of weekly Women Magazine
and feature writer of the Sunday Times Magazine. She is well-known for her poems. Sunflower

63
and Cactus which appeared in her collected volume entitled Sunflower poems (1960). Her other
collection is Ordinary Poems (1967).
Bautista, Cirilo
He is a professor at De La Salle University in Manila. He has published many poems,
essays and short stories in various periodicals. He writes both in English and Tagalog. He was one
of the original five-man members of the Philippine Literary Arts Council. A multi-awarded writer,
he belongs to the elite group of the Palanca Hall of Fame. He has completed the trilogy of St.
Lazarus epis. The archipelago (1970), Telex Moon (1981) and Sunlight on Broken Stones (2000).
Benitez, Francisco
He wrote an essay “What is an Educated Filipino?”. Benitez is considered to be one of the
notable figures in Philippine education as he founded the National Federation Filipino Teachers,
the UP College of Education, and the Philippine Journal of Education which he also edited.
Benitez, Paz Marquez
Born in Lucena, Tayabas. She was an editor of the Woman’s Journal, the first feminine
literary magazine in English published in the Philippines. Some of her famous stories include Dead
Stars, Stepping Stones, and Half a Life. Dead Stars published in 1923 was considered the first
successful Filipino modern short story in English.
Brillantes, Gregorio
He graduated from the Ateneo de Manila where he edited college literary magazines and
won top prizes in writing contests. His short stories, The Living and the Dead, A wind Over the
Earth, and Distance to Andromeda have won first prize in the Philippine Free Press Contests.
Bulosan, Carlos
He was born in Binalonan, Pangasinan, but went to US during the Great Depression. He is
famous for his sutobiographical novel, America is in the Heart (1946) which mirrors Filipinos’
disillusionment of great American dream. Bulosan also wrote a collection of humorous stories.
The Laughter of my Father (1944) and a volume of poetry, The Voice of Bataan (1943). His novel
is The Power of the People about the HUKBALAHAP.
Cordero-Fernando, Gilda
She finished her AB and BSE degrees at St. Theresa’s College and her MA at the Ateneo
de Manila University. Her short stories won two Palanca Awards and two Press Awards. People
in the War, a story that tests family devotion during the war and the Visitation of the Gods, that
shows ills of agrarian society from the perspective of an English school teacher, are both included
in the collection, The Butcher, The Baker, and The Candlestick Maker.
Daguio, Amador
A poet, novelist, and teacher. Daguio won various college and national magazine awards
for the poetry and fiction. He organized the Tacloban Theatre Guild, and in 1951, he studied as a
fellow at the Creative Writing Center at Stanford University where he translated some Kalinga
epic harvest songs for his MA thesis. He is famous for his story, The Wedding Dance.
Demetillo, Ricaredo
Born in Cancilayan, Dumangas, Iloilo. He studied and taught in Siliman before he took his
MFA fro State University of Iowa. His many awards included the Rizal Centennial Award for the
Essay (1961), Republic Cultural Heritage, and the Southeast Asian Write Award for Poetry (1985).

64
His published collection of poetry: No Certain Weather (1965), Barter in Panay(1961), Daedalus
and other Poems (1961), and Masks and Signatures (1968).

Enriquez, Egmidio Alvarez

A fictionist and playwright born in Zamboanga City. He wrote two novels, The Devil
Flower (1959) and House of Images (1983), three collection of plays, The Philippine Epic Plays
(1983), The Philippine Ethnic Hero Plays (1991) and Two Liberation Plays (1991), a collection of
short stories. The White Horse of Allih and other Stories (1985)
Fernadez, Doreen
Born in 1934, has a Ph.D. in Literature from the Ateneo de Manila University where she
chaired the Department of Communication and taught literature, journalism, and creative writing.
She has done extensive research in drama and theatre history and food as culture.
Florentino, Leona
First feminist poet in the Philippines. Leona wrote poetry in Spanish and Ilocano.
Ford, Aida Rivera
She was educated in Siliman University and later obtained her M.A. degree at the
University. She won the Avery and Jule Hapwood Award for Fiction with her book of short stories
entitled Now at the Hour.
Fresnosa, Delfin
Born in Gubat, Sorsogon in 1916. He completed as M.A. degree in English at FEU and
taught at NTC and UE. He considers the poor and lowly as the real people. Many of his fifty short
stories show his insights on Philippine life and customs.
Gamalinda, Eric
He was born in Manila in 1956 and attended UST and UP. He won the Palanca Awards for
one-act play, poetry and short fiction. His novel Empire of Memory won the Centennial Literary
Awards.
Gloria, Angela Manalang
She was an important lyric poet during the Commonwealth period. In 1940, she published
Poems, a book of verses reissued in 1950. Like most of her contemporaries. Her poems bear
romantic themes.
Gonzales, N.V.M.
His numerous awards included the Republic Cultural Heritage Award, Pro Patria Award,
Palanca, and National Artist Award. Gonzales’ pub;ished works: novels. The winds of April
(1940), A season of Grace (1956); collection of stories, Seven Hills (1947).
Guerrero, Amadis Ma.
Author of Children of the City
Hagedorn, Jessica
A well-known performance artist, poet, and playwright.
Igloria, Maria Luisa Aguilar

65
 Born in Baguio in 1961. She is a poet, fictionist, and essayist who has published 5 books.
Having won five prizes, she belongs to the Carlos Palanca Hall of Fame.

Jalandoni, Magdalena
A prolific writer who started peddling her corridos in the public market, 70 volumes of
corridos, poems, translations, short fiction, novels, autobiographies, and folk history.
Jose, Francisco Sionil
A famous fictionist. A National Artist for Literature he was much earlier conferred the
Ramon Magsaysay Award in Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts in 1980.
Joaquin, Nick
He wrote articles under the pseudonym Quijano de Manila. His novel, The Woman with
Two Navels (1961) won the Stonehill Annual Fellowship for Filipino novel in English. His short
stories are mostly set during the Spanish period, although his play, A Portrait of the Filipino as an
Artist is set during the American Period. A National Artist for Literature, he received the
Magsaysay Award in 1997. He died in 2004.
Latorena, Paz
She began her writing career under the tutelage of Paz Marquez Benitez. She wrote the
stories The Small Key, Myrrh, The Star, If, and Sunset.
Lopez, Salvador P.
A critic and columnist. He became the political adviser to Gen. Carlos P. Romulo at the
Philippine Mission to the UNO.
Lumbera, Bienvinido
A multi-awarded author, film critic, and literary historian and scholar.
He received the Magsaysay Award in 1993. He published Revaluation (1985). Tagalog poetry
(1985), Abot Tanaw (1987), Likhang Dil, Likhang Diwa (1993).
Nakpil, Carmen Guerrero
Born in Manila in 1922. Her column “My Humble Opinion” appeared for many years in
the Manila Chronicle.
Polotan, Kerima Tuvera
A prolific writer. She used the penname Patricia S. Torres. Her story, The Virgin, won first
prize in the Palanca and the Free Press. Her novel, The Hand of Enemy (1962), won the Stonehill
Award for Filipino Novel in English. She is acknowledged as a superior prose stylist who probed
deep into psychology of women. She became Imelda Marcos official biographer.
Ramos, Maximo
Studied folklore and poetry. He was born in Zambales on 1910.
Rotor, Arturo
A practicing physician, and former director of the UP Postgraduate School of Medicine.
He wrote some of the finest love stories in Philippine Literature. He wrote the Short Story, Rita.
Santos, Bienvinido

66
 A short story writer and poet. A National Artist for Literature, he died in 1997. Some of
his works are: novels, The Volcano (1965) and Villa Magdalena.

Sotto, Juan Crisostomo

A prolific writer during the first quarter of this century. He wrote lyric poetry and fiction.
Jis Lidia (1907) is considered the most popular Pampango novel in the style of modern realism.
Crissotan , a debate in verse was named in honor of him.
Tiempo, Edith
She has earned numerous awards and recognition in her long career as a poet, fictionist,
mentor, and writing workshop director. Edith married Edilberto Tiempo.
Tinio, Rolando
He has translated plays from English into Tagalog and wrote screenplays for local movies,
aside from acting in films.
Villa, Jose Garcia
He has won international fame as a short story writer and poet. His erotic poems, Man
Songs, caused his suspension from UP in 1929. He introduced modern poetry to the country and
was a leading exponent of art for art’s sake. He had experimented on comma poems, and devised
inverse consonance. A controversial literary figure, he became the first National Artist Literature
with Amado V. Hernandez in 1973.
Zulueta da Costa, Rafael
He was born in Paco, Manila in 1915 to a Spanish-Filipino father and Chinese-Portuguese
mother. His collection of verse Like the Molave, and Other Poems (1940) won for him the
Commonwealth Literary Award for Poetry.

SELECTED FILIPINO LITERARY PIECES

➢ Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa
➢ Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez
➢ The Virgin by Kerima Polotan Tuvera
➢ Where’s My May? By Fernando Ma. Guerrero
➢ Sonnet 1 by Jose Garcia Villa
➢ What’s an Educated Filipino by Francisco Benitez
➢ To a Lost One by Angela Manalang Gloria
➢ The Wedding Dance by Amador Daguio
➢ How My Brother Leon Broyght Home a Wife by Manuel Arquilla
➢ Three Generations by Nick Joaquin
➢ Like the Molave by Rafael Zulueta da Costa
➢ Sonia- Francisco Icasiano
➢ Dirge by Vidal A. Tan
➢ The House on Zapote Street by Nick Joaquin (Quijano de Manila)
➢ The Visitation of the Gods by Gilda Cordero
➢ The Filipino Woman by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil
➢ My Father Goes to Court
➢ Faith, Love, Time, and Dr. Lazaro by Greg Brillantes
➢ Clay by Juan T. Gatbonton

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 ➢ Essence by Jose Clodualdo B. Guerrero
➢ Where’s the Patis by Carmen Guerrero Nakpil
➢ Zita by Arturo B. Rotor
➢ Harvest by Loreto Paras Sulit
➢ Words by Angela Manalang Gloria
➢ All Over the World by Vicente Rivera Jr.
➢ Big Sister by Consorcio Borje
➢ The Centepede by Romy V. Diaz
➢ Death in a Sawmill by Rony V. Diaz
➢ I am a Filipino by Carlos P. Romulo
➢ A Night in the Hills by Paz Marquez Benitez
➢ Magnificence by Estrella Alfon
➢ May Day Eve by Nick Joaquin
➢ Midsummer by Manuel Arquilla
➢ Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez

ASSESSMENT

▪ Critical Analysis of Selected Writings

▪ Reporting
▪ Reflection Writing
▪ Creative Writing

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References

Kahayon, A. and Zulueta, C. (2005) Philippine Literature Through the Years. Mandaluyong City,
PH: National Bookstore

Lumbera,B. (2001) Filipinos Writing. Philippine Literature from the Regions. Pasig City, PH: Anvil
Publishing, Inc.

Lumbera, B. and Lumbera, C. (2004) Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology. Pasig City,
PH: Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Maramba, A. (2006) Early Philippine Literature. Pasig City, PH: Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Menoy, J. (2014) Philippine Literature for Today’s Generation: A Thematic Approach.

Mandaluyong City, PH: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

Patron, I. (2007) INTERACTIVE READING- Responding to and Writing about Philippine

Literature. Quezon City, PH: Great Books Publishing

Perez, R. (2015) GEMS: Readings in Philippine Literature. Intramuros, Manila, PH: Mindshapers
Co., Inc.

Viar, O. and Ravina, M. (2010) Treasures of Philippine Regional Literatures. Quezon City, PH:
Rex Printing Company, Inc.

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