The Spanish/Colonial Period

(1565-1898)

Objectives:

– Describe the Philippine literature during the period– Enumerate writers who contributed to the flourishing of

literature during this period– Name literary genres and pieces– Analyze literary pieces

An Introduction – What the colonizers brought anew in Philippine Literature?– Printing was introduced by the Dominicans in 1593

– Introduction of theater, playlets and drama

– Teaching of the Christian Doctrine– Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other

dialects

– Periodicals this times gained religious tone

– Literature: religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry

Literary Writers & Their Works

1. Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Laong Laan and Dimaslang)

- Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell), Sobre La Indolencia De Los Filipinos (On The Indolence of The Filipino), A La Juventud Filipina (To The Filipino Youth), Junto Al Pasig (Beside The Pasig River)

2. Marcelo H. Del Pilar (Plaridel, Pudpoh, Piping Dilat, Dolores Manapat)

- Pag-ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa, Kaiingat Kayo, Dasalan at Tocsohan, Sagot sa Espanya sa Hibik ng Pilipinas

3. Graciano Lopez Jaena

- founded La Solidaridad

- Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile ang Everything is Hambug

4. Mariano Ponce (Kalipulako, Tikbalang, Naning)

- Ang Alamat ng Bulacan, Sobre Filipinos

5. Pedro Paterno

- Ninay (1st social Novel in Filipino)

- Sampaguitas y Poesias Varias (Sampaguita and Varied Poems)

6. Andres Bonifacio

-Ang Dapat Mabatid ng Mga tagalog, Katungkulang gagawin ngv Mga Anak ng Bayan, Huling Paalam

7. Emilio Jacinto

- Brain of the Katipunan, Editor of Kalayaan (Katipunan’s Newspaper)

- Kartilya ng Katipunan, Liwanag sa Dilim, A La Patria

8. Apolinario Mabini

-Sublime Paralytic, Brain of Revolution

- El Verdadero Decalogo, Sa Bayang Pilipino

9. Jose Palma

- best known as the author of the lyrics of the national anthem

10. Modesto de Castro

- the Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog

- “Urbana and Feliza”

Literary GenresPoetry

1. The Pasyon – commemoration of Christ’s agony and resurrection at Cavalry.

Ex. “Ang Mahal Na Pasion Ni Jesu Christong panginoon Natin Na Tola” by Gaspar Aquino de Belen in 1704

2. Metrical Romances (Awit At Korido)

a. Awit – fabricated from writer’ imagination, set and characters are Europeans, refer to chanting.

Ex. “Florante at Laura” by Francisco Baltazar

b. Korido – usually based on European legends or tales, refer to narration.

Ex. “Ibong Adarna”, “Historia Famoso ni Berbardo del Carpio”

3. Ladino Poems

4. Folk Songs

Ex. Leron-leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi, Atin Cu Pung Singsing

Prose - consists mostly of didactic pieces and transitions of religious

writings in foreign languages, such as novenas and biographies of saints,… and linguistic works of friar lexicographers and grammarians.

Ex. Barlaan at Josaphat (conversion to Christianity of a young Indian prince, Josaphat, by the holy man, Barlaan; their pious lives, and holy death)

Urbana and Feliza

Religious and Recreational Plays

1. Panunuluyan – tagalog version of Mexican Posadas. Held on Christmas Eve. Dramatizes Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging in Bethlehem.

2. Cenaculo – dramatization of passion and death of Jesus Christ. With 2 kinds: Cantanda and Hablada

3. Salubong/Panubong – Easter play. Meeting of Risen Christ and his Mother

4. Tibag – St. Helen/Elena’s search for the cross on which Jesus died

5. Carillo (Shadow Play) - performed on a moonless nigh during town fiesta or on dark nights after harvest

6. Zarzuela/Sarswela – father of drama

7. Sainete – short musical comedy popular during the 18th century. An exaggerated comedy.

Other noted plays/events during this period:– The Moriones– The Moro-moro– Karagatan– Duplo– Balagtasan– Dung-aw