Philippine Literature
Philippine Literature
Philippine Literature
Tejido
SY2013-2014
Philippine Literature Handout: Philippine Literature
6.
7.
8.
9.
D. FOLK SONGS. Folk songs 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. Here are the examples:
a. Kundiman
e. Diana
b. Kumintang o Tagumpay
f. Soliraning
c. Ang Dalit o Imno
g. Talindaw
d. Ang Oyayi o Hele
OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY
E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings
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.
2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. These are made up of one or more measured lines with rhyme and may consist of four
to 12 syllables.
3. Chant (Bulong). Used in witchcraft or enchantment.
4. Maxims. Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8 syllables, each line having the same number of syllables.
5. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to comment on a persons actuations.
6. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings)
Tibag the word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard to remind
the people about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which Jesus died.
2. Lagaylay this is a special occasion for the Pilareos 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. Helen on the mound she had dug in.
3. The Cenaculo this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ.
There are two kinds: the Cantada and 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.
The Cenaculo is written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza. The full length versions take
about 3 nights of staging. Performers come in costumes with wigs and performers are carefully chosen for their
virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus Christ and another the role of the Virgin Mary. Many famous
Cenaculo players come from the Tagalog regions although there are also those from Ilocos, Pampanga, Bicol and
both Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.
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 (or Panubong) - The Salubong 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 dramatic entertainment performed on a moonless night during
a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadow play is made by projecting cardboard figures before a
lamp against a white sheet. The figures are moved like marionettes whose dialogues are produced by some
experts.
The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or some religious play interspersed with songs. These are called
by various names in different places:
Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and Laguan; TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataa, Capiz and
Negros; TITIRI in Zambales; GAGALO or KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac; and ALIALA in La Union.
7. The Zarzuela considered the father of the drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama three acts
which dealt with mans passions and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or some social or political
problem.
th
8. The Sainete this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18 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
V. 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)