Survey of

Philippine
Literature in
English
BSEE 34
 Course
Description
The course is designed to provide students diverse
experiences of literature and help them gain more awareness
of the unique characteristics of each region in the
Philippines through varied literary pieces, both oral and
written forms, passed from our forefather up to the
present works of Filipino writers that best represent each
island of the country. This helps them understand and
appreciate the events, culture, traditions, values, and beliefs
that shape the Filipino identity across time.
 Chapter II:
The Pre- Spanish
Period (1565)
Table of Contents
01 03
Historical Background The Folk Tales
 The Moon and the Sun

02 04
Legends The Epic Age
The Legend of the  Biag - Ni – Lam – Ang
Tagalogs (Ilocano Epic)
 Alim
Table of Contents
05 06
Other Forms of Pre-Spanish
Folk Songs Poetry
 Kundiman
 Kumintang o Tagumpay
07
 Ang Dalit o Imno Epigrams, Riddles, Chants,
 Ang Oyayi o Hele Maxims
 Diana
 Soliraning 08
 Talindaw Sayings, Sawikain
Pre- Spanish Literature is Characterized by:
A. Legends

B. Folk Tales

C. Epics

D. Folk Songs

E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants

F. Proverbs and Sayings

 A. Legends
 A form of prose that the common theme is
about the origin of a thing, place, location or
name.
 The events are imaginary, devoid of truth and
unbelievable.
 Aims to entertain and reflects Filipino customs
The Legend of
the Tagalogs
 The Legend of the Tagalogs
In a certain wide region of Luzon, there was a village frequented by young men. This town was
full of trees, beautiful flowers and a river where clear waters are flowed. What attracted the
young men more than the scenery was a beautiful nymph-like maiden.

The maiden was Maria and she had lots of suitors who came from afar and who fought for her
hand. But Maria remained unconcerned and very choosy. Because she was kind, her suitors
remained undaunted so Maria thought of a plan. She called all the young men together and told
them,

You are all good and kind and it is difficult to choose among you. Let me decide with a test.

I’ll marry the man who can bring me a big, live and strong serpent, Maria said in jest.
 The Legend of the Tagalogs
The young men were dumbfounded. After a while, the voice of Ilog broke the silence.
I promise to bring you one, Maria. Even if I have to risk my life, I’ll bring what you wish.
Ilog was a man known for his bravery. He left immediately to fulfill his promise.
The men whispered among themselves. They were sure that Ilog will never be able to return.
They waited for a long while but Ilog had not returned. Even Maria was saddened because she
also grieved the loss of a man as brave and accommodating as Ilog.
After many hours, Ilog returned. They crowded to see how Ilog prove his bravery. Ilog held a
big snake by its nape and tail.
While the men were thus occupied, two Spaniards passed by. Their attention was caught not by
what Ilog held but by the beauty of Maria.
 The Legend of the Tagalogs
Maria, heroically called Ilog. I've brought you the serpent you wished for. What else do you
want me to do to make you happy?

Cut it up! shouted Maria.

The Spaniards were startled. They asked the people around where they were and in what place
they were in but nobody paid attention for their attention was focused on the snake and on
Maria. When Maria saw that the snake was still struggling, she shouted.
Taga, Ilog! Taga Ilog! (Cut Ilog, Cut Ilog!) which she addressed to Ilog so he would cut the
snake up again.

The two Spaniards, thinking that this was in answer to their question repeated the words
TAGAILOG, TAGAILOG which later became TAGALOG.
B. Folk Tales
 Passed on by word of mouth that makes it
difficult to trace its origin
 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.
The Moon and the Sun
 The Moon and the Sun
(Tingguian folk tale) An excerpt from Panitikan ng Pilipinas by Jose G. Villa
In the olden days, like the moon, the sun had also star children which were yellowish in
color, very bright and very hot.
The star children of the moon, however, were reddish and cool. That moon was scared that
his stars would wither and die if they play with the star children of the sun.
The moon suggested to the sun that they kill their children who were crowding the heavens
with their number.
When the sun had killed her children, the moon merely hid behind the clouds.
In the evening, when the clouds faded, the moon stars appeared.
This angered the sun so he gave chase to the moon. Thus, when he overtakes the moon, we
have the so-called eclipse.
Until now, this chase continues and because the moon still continues to give birth to stars,
these moon stars are still around
 C. The Epic
Age
 Nobody can determine which epics are the oldest
because in their translations from other languages,
even in English and Spanish.
 Can only determine their origins from the time
mentioned in the said epics.
 The HUDHOD and the ALIM of Ifugaos may
have happened during Stone Age when iron was
still unknown.
 C. The Epic
Age
 THE DARANGAN of the Moros may have
started during the period of the kingdom of the
Bumbaran that sank in the Pacific Ocean during
the Deluge.
 MARAGTAS was written during the period of
Christ.
 IBALON of Bicol w/c dealt with the early people
of Bicol is believed to have happened during the
Deluge.
Other Epics that Can be Read and Studied:
a. Bidasari - Moro Epic
b. Biag ni Lam-Ang - Ilokano Epic
c. Maragtas - Visayan Epic
d. Haraya - Visayan Epic
e. Lagda - Visayan Epic
f. Hari sa Bukid - Visayan Epic
g. Kumintang - Tagalog Epic
h. Parang Sabir - Moro Epic
i. “Dagoy” at “SudSod” - Tagbanua Epic
j. Tatuaang - Bagobo Epic
k. Indarapatra at Sulayman
l. Bantugan
m. Daramoke-a-Babay -Moro Epic in “Darangan”
 Biag- Ni- Lam- Ang
Don Juan and his wife Namongan lived in Nalbuan, now part of La Union in the northern
part of the Philippines. They had a son named Lam-ang. Before Lam-ang was born, Don
Juan went to the mountains in order to punish a group of their Igorot enemies. While he was
away, his son Lam-ang was born. It took four people to help Namongan give birth. As soon
as the baby boy popped out, he spoke and asked that he be given the name Lam-ang. He also
chose his godparents and asked where his father was.
After nine months of waiting for his father to return, Lam-ang decided he would go look for
him. Namongan thought  Lam-ang was up to the challenge but she was sad to let him go.
 Biag- Ni- Lam- Ang
During his exhausting journey, he decided to rest for awhile. He fell asleep and had a dream
about his father’s head being stuck on a pole by the Igorot. Lam-ang was furious when he
learned what had happened to his father. He rushed to their village and killed them all,
except for one whom he let go so that he could tell other people about Lam-ang’s greatness.

Upon returning to Nalbuan in triumph, he was bathed by women in the Amburayan river. All
the fish died because of the dirt and odor from Lam-ang’s body.
 Biag- Ni- Lam- Ang

There was a young woman named Ines Kannoyan whom Lam-ang wanted to. She lived in
Calanutian and he brought along his white rooster and gray dog to visit her. On the way,
Lam-ang met his enemy Sumarang, another suitor of Ines whom he fought and readily
defeated.
Lam-ang found the house of Ines surrounded by many suitors all of whom were trying to
catch her attention. He had his rooster crow, which caused a nearby house to fall. This made
Ines look out. He had his dog bark and in an instant the fallen house rose up again.
 Biag- Ni- Lam- Ang
The girl’s parents witnessed this and called for him. The rooster expressed the love of Lam-
ang. The parents agreed to a marriage with their daughter if Lam-ang would give them a
dowry valued at double their wealth. Lam-ang had no problem fulfilling this condition and
he and Ines were married.
It was a tradition to have a newly married man swim in the river for the rarang fish.
Unfortunately, Lam-ang dove straight into the mouth of the water monster Berkakan. Ines
had Marcos get his bones, which she covered with a piece of cloth. His rooster crowed and
his dog barked and slowly the bones started to move. Back alive, Lam-ang and his wife lived
happily ever after with his white rooster and gray dog.
 Alim
(Ifugao Epic)
 Alim
In the early days, people lived in plenty, were happy and led quiet lives. The earth was
all level plains except for two hills, Amuyao in the East and Kalawitan in the West. People
lived between these two hills. People had nothing to worry about- food was plenty and rice
could be had from the joints of bamboos which were also used to cook them and the rice
grains were big.
Water came from the juice of canes called bayak. If they liked fish, they just dipped in
the swamps and rivers. Deers and wild pigs were tame and were easy to cath. Whatever
they like to eat was a plenty.
 Alim
A sad event happened in their lives when a drought came. Not a drop of rain fell. All the
plants and animals died. The people died of thirst and starvation. The people thought of
digging for water but in the strong flow of water, many people died. The people still rejoiced
even if there were deaths because of the water . The water flowed continuously until
everyone drowned except 2 brothers, Wigan and Bigan. Wigan, the boy, was flung to
Amuyaw Hills while Bugan, the girl, was flung to Kalawitan Hills.
 Alim
In the end, the water finally receded. Bugan was able to light a fire which was spotted
by Wigan. Wigan climbed the Kalawitan Hill and the brothers and sisters were reunited.
They travelled to far places but could not find people . Wigan put up a shack and where he
left her while he set about looking around. Finally, they discovered they were the only ones
left on earth.
After a time, Bugan discovered that she was carrying a child and, in shame, she
thought of killing herselfbut Bathala, Makanungan, their god stopped her. They were
married and it was said that this was not a sin because thatw as the only way to start
populating the eart again.
 Alim
They begot nine children- four girls and five boys. The four girls were wedded to the
four boys while the youngest, Igon, remained unmarried.
Another drought occurred and there was no food; so, they approached makanungan.
Wigan caught a rat to offer to Bathala. When Bathala did not take pity on them, they killed
Igan and offered him to Bathalang Makanungan. Makanungan took pity and ended the
drought; he even attended their feast but he was not happy about the death of Igan. Because
of what they did, they would be punished; their family would be separated.
 Alim

Their children would go to the north, south, east, and west of earth. The moment they
would meet, they would quarrel and kill each other. This was the curse of Makanungan
which came true because until now, the children, fathers, cousins, and relatives kill one
another.
D. Folk Songs
 One of the oldest forms of
Philippine literature that
emerged in the Pre-Spanish
period.
 These songs mirrored the
early forms of culture.
 Mostly 12 syllables
 Kundiman
(Awit ng Pag-ibig/Song of Love)
Noong unang panahon ako ay bata pa,
Natisod mo na ay di pa alintana,
Nang ako ay lumaki at maging dalaga,
Tila sa wari ko ay may pagbabanta.
(When I was still young,
You tripped me and still you didn’t care,
When I grew up to be a woman,
I believe that there is even a threat.)
 Kundiman
(Awit ng Pag-ibig/ Song of Love)
Pagsinta mo sa akin ay di ko tatanggapin
Pagka’t akong ito ay alangan sa tingin,
Ako ay mahirap, pangit pa sa tingin,
Bakit naman ngayon ay iyong iibigin?
(Your love I will not accept
Because I don’t measure up to you
I am poor and ugly to look at,
Why will you love me?)
 Kumintang
(War Song)

Ang nuno nating lahat

Sa kulog di nasisindak,
Sa labanan di naaawat,
Pinuhunan buhay, hirap
Upang tayong mga anak,
Mabuhay nang mapanatag.
 Ang Dalit o Imno
(Song to the God of the Visayan)

Pumanaog, pumanaog Descend, Descend, Masilatan

si Mansilatan Badla will also descend
Saka si Badla ay bababa, He’ll give away strength
Mamimigay ng Olakas, Let the Baylans dance
Pasayawin ang mga Baylan, Surround the Baylans.
Pagligiran ng mga Baylan.
 Ang Oyayi o Hele
(Lullaby)

Matulog ka na bunso Go to sleep, my child

Ang tatay mo ay malayo Your father is far
Hindi niya tayo masundo He cannot fetch us
Pagkat ang daa’y maputik at For the way is muddy and rugged.
mabalaho.
 Diana
(Wedding Song)

Umawit tayo at ipagdiwang Let sing and feast

Ang dalawang pusong ngayon ay For two hearts who are to be
ikakasal married;
Ang daraanan nilang landas The path they’ll pass
Sabuyan natin ng bigas. Let’s strew with rice.
 Soliraning
(Song of the Laborer)

Hala gaod tayo, pagod ay tiisin Kay pagka-sawing-palad ng

Ang lahat ng hirap pag-aralang bathin Ianak sa hirap,

Kahit malayo man, kung ating ibigin, Ang bisig hindi iunat,

Daig ang malapit na ayaw lakbayin. Di kumite ng pilak

 Talindaw
(Boatman’s Song)

Sagwan, tayo ay sumagwan, Row, lets row

Ang buong kaya ay ibigay, Our full strength let’s give
Malkas ang hangin, The wind is strong; we might be
Baka tayo ay tanghaliin benighted,
Pagsagwa’y pagbutihin Let’s make good our rowing.
Other forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings

1) Epigrams: (Salawikain): 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.
Ex.
Aanhin pa ang damo
Kung patay na ang kabayo.
Other forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings

2) Riddles: (Bugtong or Palaisipan) made up of one or more

measured lines with rhyme and may consist of 4-12 syllables.

Ex.
Bungbong kung liwanag
Kung gabi ay dagat
Other forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings

3) Chant: (Bulong) used in witchcraft or enchantment

Ex.
Ikaw ang nagnanakaw ng bigas ko
Lumuwa sana ang mga mata mo
Mamaga sana ang katawan mo
Patayin ka ng mga anito
Other forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings

4) Maxims: Some are rhyming couplets with verses of five, 6 or 8

syllables, each line having the same number of syllables.
Ex.
Pag hindi ukol
Hindi bubukol

Sa marunong umunawa
Sukat ang ilang salita
Other forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings

5) Sayings: (Kasabihan) often used in teasing or to comment on a

person’s actuations.
Ex.
Putak, putak
Batang duwag
Matapang ka’t
Nasa pugad
Other forms of Pre-Spanish Poetry
E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings

6) Sawikain: Sayings with no hidden meanings.

Ex.
Nasa Diyos ang awa
Nasa tao ang gawa.
Thanks