Part I – The Historical Background of Philippine Literature

Chapter 1

Introduction to the Study of Literature

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."

Why We Need to Study Philippine Literature

We can enumerate many reasons for studying literature.

Here are but a few:

We study literature so that we can better appreciate our literary heritage. We

cannot appreciate something that we do not understand. Through a study of
our literature, we can trace the rich heritage of ideas handed down to us
from our forefathers. Then we can understand ourselves better and take
pride in being a Filipino.

Like other races of the world, we need to understand that we have a great
and noble tradition which can serve as the means to assimilate other
cultures.

Through such a study, we will realize our literary limitations conditioned by

certain historical factors and we can take steps to overcome them.

Above all, as Filipinos, who truly love and take pride in our own culture, we
have to manifest our deep concern for
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Our own literature and this we can do by studying the literature of our
country.

Of Philippine Literature in English and Time Frames

It can be said that Philippine literature in English has achieved a stature that
is, in a way, phenomenal since the inception of English in our culture.

Our written literature, which is about four hundred years old, is one of slow
and evolutionary growth. Our writers strove to express their sentiments while
struggling with a foreign medium. The great mass of literature in English that
we have today is, indeed, a tribute to what our writers have achieved in the
short span of time. What they have written can compare with some of the
best works in the world.

Much is still to be achieved. Our writers have yet to write their OPUS
MAGNUMS. Meanwhile, history and literature are slowly unfolding before us
and we are as witnesses in the assembly lines to an evolving literary life.

Time frames may not be necessary in a study of literature, but since

literature and history are inescapably related it has become facilitative to
map up a system which will aid us in delineating certain time boundaries.

These time boundaries are not exactly well-defined; very ofter, time frames
blend into another in a seeming continuum. For a systematic discussion of
the traditions. Customs, and feelings of our people that can be traced in our
literature, we shall adopt certain delimitations.
These time frames are:

Time Frames of Philippine Literature in English

Different opinions prevail regarding the stages that mark the development of
Philippine literature in English. Let us take the following time frames for
purposes of discussion:

1. The Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910

2. Period of Imitation: 1910-1925

The American Regime 1898-1941

3. Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941

4. Japanese Period: 1941-1945 The Rebirth of Freedom: 1946-1970

5. 6. Period of Activism: 1970-1972

7. Period of the New Society: 1972-1981

8. Period of the Third Republic: 1981-1985

9. Contemporary Period: 1986-

Literature and History

Literature and history are closely interrelated. In discovering the history of a
race, the feelings, aspirations, customs and traditions of a people are sure to
be included. and these feelings, aspirations, customs, and traditions that are
written is literature. History can also be written and this too, is literature.
Events that can be written down are part of true literature. Literature,
therefore, is part of history.

Literature and history, however, also have differences. Literature may be

figments of the imagination or events devoid of truth, that have been written
down, while history is made up of events that really happened.

Literary Compositions that Have Influenced the World. Among them are:

1. The Bible or the Sacred Writings: This has become the basis of Christianity
originating from Palestine and Greece.

2. Koran: The Muslim Bible originating from Arabia.

2. The Iliad and the Odyssey: These have been the source of myths and
legends of Greece. They were written by Homer.

4. The Mahabharata: The longest epic of the world. It contains the history of
religion in India.

5. Canterbury Tales: It depicts the religion and customs of the English in the
early days. This originated from England and was written by Chaucer.

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6. Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe of the US. This
depicted the sad fate of slave 3; this became the basis of democracy later
on.

7. The Divine Comedy: (by Dante of Italy) This shows the religion and
customs of the early Italians.

8. El Cid Compeador: This shows the cultural characteristics of the Spaniards

and their national history.

9. The Song of Roland: This includes Doce Pares and Roncesvalles of France.
It tells about the Golden Age of Christianity in France.

10. The Book of the Dead: This includes the cult of Osiris and the mythology
and theology of Egypt.

11. The Book of the Days: This was written by Confucius of China. This
became the basis of the Christian religion.

12. One Thousand and One Nights or The Arabian Nights: from Arabia and
Persia (Iran). It shows the ways of government, of industries and of the
society of the Arabs and Persians.

General Types of Literature

Literature can generally 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.
 I. PROSE

There are many types of prose. These include novels or 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.
C. b. Short story. This is a narrative involving one or more
characters, ne plot and one single impression. Example: THE
LAUGHTER OF MY FATHER by Carlos Bulosan.
D.
E. c. Plays. This is presented on a stage, is divided into acts and
each act has many scenes. Example: THIRTEEN PLAYS by
Wilfredo M. Guerrero.
F.
G. d. Legends. These are fictitious narratives, usually about origins.
Example: THE BIKOL LEGEND by Pio Duran.
H.
I. 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.
J.
K. 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.
L.
M. 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.
N.
 O. 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.
P.
Q. i. News. This is a report of everyday events in society,
government, science and industry, and accidcents, happening
nationally or not.
R.
S. 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.
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.

Two kinds of epic poetry are the popular or ancient, and the literary or
modern.

The ancient or popular epic is often without a definite author and is of slow
growth; the modern is with a definite author.

Here is an example of an ancient Philippine epic:

Example:
THE HARVEST SONG OF ALIGUYON (an excerpt) (Translated in English verse
by Amador T. Daguio)

Aliguyon introduced himself –“My name is Aliguyon, son of Amtalao, of

Hannaga.

I came to renew the hostility between your father and mine,” Pumbakhayon
nodded and said, As you will. Meet me on the stone floor of the granary

But I will first go home to eat. For your coming, Aliguyon, is unexpected.”
Pumbakhayon turned to the village to do What was to be done in Daligdigan,
He caught one of their roosters, And shouted, “Come, comrades of our
village,

Do what is to be done for you are called;

Our enemies are on the embankments, let us fight

Aliguyon, son of Amtalao,” (Like Aliguyon, Pumbakhayon goes through the

ritual of the rooster and the invocation to the spirits and seeing a good sign,
gathers his men and sets forth to meet his opponent.)

2. Metrical Tale. This is a narrative which is written in verse

and can be classified either as a ballad or a metrical
romance.

Examples of these are simple idylls or home tales, love tales, tales of the
supernatural or tales written for a strong moral purpose in verse form.

Here is an example of an idyll which aims at picturing true country life.

Example:

BAYANI NG BUKID by Al Perez

Ako’y magsasakang bayani ng bukid Sandata’y araro matapang sa init Hindi

natatakot kahi’t na sa lamig Sa buong maghapon gumagawang pilit.

Ang kaibigan ko ay si Kalakian Laging nakahanda maging araw-araw Sa pag-

aararo at sa paglilinang Upang maihanda ang lupang mayaman.

Ang haring araw di dapat sumisikat ako’y pupunta na sa napakalawak Na

aking bukiring laging nasa hagap at tanging pag-asa ng taong masipag.

Sa aking lupain doon nagmumula Lahat ng pagkain nitong ating bansa Ang
lahat ng tao, mayaman o dukha Sila’y umaasa sa pawis ko’t gawa.

Sa aking paggawa ang tangi kong hangad ang ani’y dumami na para sa lahat
Kapag ang balana’y may pagkaing tiyak Umaasa akong puso’y magagalak.

S written in ballad or a

Tales, love For a strong

- Picturing

At pagmasdan niyo ang aking bakuran Inyong makikita ang mga halaman
Dito nagmumula masarap na gulay Paunang panipalakas sa ating katawan.

Sa aming paligid mamamalas pa rin Ang alagang hayop katulad ng kambing

Baboy, manok, pato’t alay ay pagkain Nagdudulot lakas sa sariling atin.
Ako’y gumagawa sa bawa’t panahon Nasa aking puso ang taos na layon Na
sa bawat tao, ako’y makatulong At nang mabawasan ang pagkakagutom.

Ako’y magsasakang bayani ng bukid Sandata’y araro matapang sa init Hindi

natatakot kahit na sa lamig Sa buong maghapon gumagawang pilit.

Translation of “Bayani sa Bukid”

HERO OF THE FIELDS by Al Perez

I am a farmer, hero of the fields My weapon’s the plow, brave against the
heat I am not afraid even of the cold

All day long, working at my best.

My friend is Kalakian¹ Always ready everyday In plowing and in creating To

prepare the rich soil.

King sun need not rise

Kalakian: adult carabao in its prime

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I'm going to the wide field I'm always concerned with And the only hope of
an industrious one.

In my field there starts All food of our country All people, rich or poor, They
depend on my sweat and labor.
In my work, my only ambition To be abundant for all If everyone has sure
food I am sure hearts will be glad.

Try and look at my surroundings You'll see the garden Where starts the
vegetables That strengthen our bodies.

Around us you'll also see

The tended animals like the goats, Pigs, chickens, ducks and offerings of food
That gives strength to us.

I always work in all seasons In my heart is the sincere hope That I can help
every person And alleviate hunger.

I am a farmer, hero of the fields. My weapon's the plow, strong against the
heat. I am not daunted even by the cold The whole day long, working at my
best.

3. Ballads: Of the narrative poems, this is considered the shortest and

simplest. It has a simple structure and tells of a single incident. There are
also variations of these: love ballads, war ballads, sea ballads, humorous,
moral, historical or mythical ballads. In the early times, this referred to a
song accompanying a dance.

Enter

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 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 type of poetry that expresses emotions and feelings of the
poet. They are usually short, simple and easy to understand.

There are different types of lyric poetry. These are:

1. Folksongs (Awiting Bayan). These are short poems

intended to be sung. The common theme is love, despair,
grief, doubt, joy, hope and sorrow. An example of this is

CHIT-CHIRIT-CHIT

CHITCHIRITCHIT alibangbang Salaginto salagubang Ang babae sa lansangan

Kung gumiri’y parang tandang.

Santo Niño sa Pandacan Puto seko sa tindahan Kung ayaw kang magpautang
Uubusin ka nang langgam.

Mama, mama, namamangka Pasakayin yaring bata Pagdating sa Maynila

Ipagpalit ng manika.

Ale, ale, namamayong Pasukubin yaring sanggol Pagdating sa Malabon

Ipagpalit ng bagoong.

Translation of CHIT-CHIRIT-CHIT

Chit-chirit-chit, alibangbang2 Gold bug and the beetle The street woman

Struts like a rooster.

Child saint of Pandacan³ Puto seco in the store If you don’t want to lend You’ll
be devoured by ants.

Sir, sir, paddling the canoe Give this child a ride When you reach Manila
Swap it with a doll.

Lady, lady, with the umbrella Shade this infant When you reach Malabon
Swap it with bagoong.5

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.

Here Is an example of a sonnet in Philippine literature:

SANTANG BUDS by Alfonso P. Santos

Let me but see in dreams the santang buds That in my absence blossom still
beside My window, Crimson buds, like crimson pearls, Ever in faithfullness
they bloom, unchanged,

1 Chit-chirit-chit: probably the sound made by insects

2 alibangbang: a small stocky tree the leaves of which are used for flavoring
meat and fish

3 Pandacan: a place in the southern part of Manila

4 Malabon: a place south of Manila

5 bagoong: a fish sauce

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Unfailing like the memories of home. Now is the time, the season of their
blooming,

An hour less, an hour more, yet stays Their crimson evermore, unchanged,
untouched, Let me but see in dreams the santang buds That in my absence
blooms, in faith for one Heart lost in foreign lands, fated to share No love, no
fortune from the world, but born To suffer want and misery, decreed To live
unknown, in penitence and need.

3. Elegy. This is a lyric poem which expresses feelings of

grief and melancholy, and whose theme is death.

Here Is an example:

THE LOVER’S DEATH by Ricaredo Demetillo

He who had lived the earth with a firm love Is now, being infirm, laid in the
earth That covers him with green grass quietly.

Once when he walked the fields, he suddenly knelt

And with an avid gesture clasped the earth.

His sun-lit fingers sifted dust.

Lovers would write their incoherent view On passionate pages; but he, on
pads of meadow, Wrote with his plow a tongue-tied love.

Fields understood, for when the harvest ripened,

Fruits lay like brown breasts for his hands to pluck, And he with lightness,
touched each pregnant stalk

His house was quiet, like the man who closed

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The gate-behind him when the lamplight

Glowed He knew no woman’s touch except the earth’s.

We thought it fitting that the sun should touch

With quite fingers the rice-fronds in the field

When he, after a fever, gave himself to dusk.

We could not salvage breath, but we could swathe His body and lay it in the
earth he loved He may return and beckon from a sheaf.

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 a stanza.
 5. Psalms. (Dalit) This is a song praising God or the Virgin
Mary and containing a philosophy of life. Here is an
example:

Example:

O Mariang sakdal dilag Dalagang lubhang mapalad Tanging pinili sa lahat Ng

Diyos Haring Mataas.

Itong bulaklak na alay Ng aming pagsintang tunay Palitan mo Birheng Mahal

Ng tuwa sa kalangitan.

Halina’t tayo’y mag-alay Ng bulaklak kay Maria Halina’t magsilapit Dine sa

Birheng marikit

Ng Inang kaibig-ibig Dakilang Reyna sa langit

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Ng ampuni’t saklolohan Tayong mga anak niya.

6. Awit. (Song). These have measures of twelve syllables

(dodecasyllabic) and slowly sung to the accompaniment
of a guitar or banduria.

An example”of the awit is FLORANTE AT LAURA by Francisco Balagtas. (This

will be further discussed under Chapter III of the Spanish Regime)
 7. Corridos. (Kuridos). These have measures of eight
syllables (octosyllabic) and recited to a martial beat.

An example of the corrido Is IBONG ADARNA. (This will also be discussed in

Chapter III, Spanish Regime.)

Sed with definite

E Virgin re is an

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
mirth by laughable lines; situations are too ridiculous to
be true; the characters seem to be caricatures and the
motives undignified and absurd.

D. 16
E.
F. 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.