THIRD QUARTER: LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE
Philippine literature before 1940 can, in general, be divided into
three periods: the Legendary and Epic Age (Pre-Spanish), the
Period of the Spanish Occupation, and the Period of the
American Occupation.
A. THE LEGENDARY AND EPIC AGE
The legendary age produced oral literature handed down from our elders. Very little of
this early literature remains, but from what is left, we can conclude that the literature of
this period consisted of magical incantations, myths, legends, and folktales. Evidently, our
early ancestor believed in sun and moon worship, tree worship, and worship of other
forms of nature. They also believed in good spirits and environmental spirits. In fact, the
mountain groups and even some of our barrio folk still believe in these spirits.
The myths and legends explained the origins of the universe, human races, the first
man and woman, and the land of regions.
The epic age produced a wealth of literature. Scholars estimate that we have no fewer
than twenty-four epics. These are distributed across different regions of the archipelago and
are written in the different Filipino languages. The ones that are better known all over the
islands are the following:
1. Biag ni Lam-ang (from Ilocos)
2. Hudhud and Alim (from the Ifugaos)
3. Maragtas (from Panay)
4. Bantugan (from Maranaw)
5. Bidasari (adapted by the Muslims of Sulu)
6. Indarapatra and Sulayman (from Maranaw)
B. THE SPANISH OCCUPATION
The Spaniards introduced Christianity to the Philippines. Consequently, much of the
literature produced during this period were religious in nature. Among the early books
written was the Pasyon a story of the life of Christ beginning with the Annunciation and
ending with the Crucifixion.
a. The moro-moro was a type of drama that became extremely popular. Its subject matter
was always a conflict between the Christians and the Moros (the Mohammedan Moors),
with Christianity triumphing at the end.
The Pasyon
ANNUNCIATION CRUCIFIXION
THE MORO-MORO THE CORRIDO
b. The corrido and the awit were very popular forms of poetry during the latter part of the
Spanish rule and the early part of American regime. The corrido was a long narrative in
verse narrating the deeds of a legendary hero. Although the setting was foreign and some
of the incidents absurd and fantastic, still, the corrido provided reading material for the
masses. The priest favored it because of its religious nature, as it always began with a
religious invocation.
The most notable of which is Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas),
now considered a classic in Filipino literature. Other works include the Life of Don Juan
Tenoso, Siete Infantes de Lara sa Kaharian ng Espana, the Awit, and Doce Pares ng
Pransya. The awit also dealt with the adventures of knights but in a light romantic tone.
C. THE AMERICAN OCCUPATION
The coming of the Americans introduced the English Language, which the Filipinos
began using as a literary medium. Thus began Philippine literature written in English.
English as a literary vehicle for Filipino writers is a choice forced by history. With the
coming of the Americans, a new system of education was begun, and English was made the
medium instruction in schools.
Filipinos are among the best literary writers in Asia. Leon Comber, the former British
publisher of the Heinemann Writing in Asia Series and the head judge for the Asiaweek
Short Story Competition, commended the Filipino writers in his introduction to the book
“Prize-Winning Asian Fiction,” published in 1991 by Times Book International.
