PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
DURING SPANISH PERIOD
SPANISH COLONIZATION
1521 When the Spaniards came paved the way of the use of paper
and so written literature in the Philippines was born
Religion is the most prominent characteristic of our literature
during the Spanish era
SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS
a. Religion and institutions that represented
European civilization enriched with languages in
the lowlands
b. Introduction of theatre
c. Effecting of liberal ideas and internationalism
that influenced our Filipino intellectuals and
writers
RELIGIOUS PROSE & POETRY
SECULAR PROSE AND POETRY
RELIGIOUS PROSE & POETRY
both written in Spanish and Tagalog
It includes early cathechism and was used to
teach Fillipinos and Spanish language
Ladinos - Filipino who know both Spanish and
Tagalog
PASYON/PABASA
an octosyllabic quintilas that played an
important part in the Filipinos’ way of
remembering Christ’s agony
Gaspar Aquino de Belen - “Ang Mahal na
Passion ni Jesu Christong Panginoon natin na
tola” (Holy Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in
Verse) - the country’s earliest known pasyon
PASYON/PABASA
Other pasyon chanted during
Lenten season are in Ilocano,
Pangasinan, Ibanag, Cebuano,
Bicol, Ilongo and Waray
The Passion is a book about the
life and sufferings of the Lord
Jesus Christ. This is only recited
during lent.
TIBAG
is a dramatic reenacment of St. Helena’s search
for the Holy Cross. St. Helena is the mother of
Constantine and its oftentimes credited to have
influenced her son to be the great Christian leader
he is known today
Search of St. Helena for the Sacred Cross
CENACULO
The senakulo is a traditional Filipino dramatization
of the life and times of Jesus Christ. Done in
singing (pasyon) and recitation, it is presented in
the public squares in many towns, in houses and
streets during the season of Lent.
Malate
MORO-MORO OR COMEDIA
DE CAPA Y ESPADA
is a blood-and-thunder melodrama depicting the
conflict of Christians and Muslims. It is usualy
about battles to the death and the proofs of faith
Prinsipe Rodante
Komedya de Baler
DUPLO OR KARAGATAN
are native dramas that are connected to Catholic
mourning rituals and harvest celebrations
The Duplo and Karagatan are both old-kind of
literature that are related to poetic drama and
dramas in English. The people who are joining
here have to compete and show who is more
fluent or effective in speaking with diction and
have to prove it through arguing.
Ang Duplo by Abuag, E.R
SECULAR PROSE & POETRY
the most remarkable secular lyrics
convention of romantic tradition
AWIT
The awit as a popular poetic genre reached new
heights in Balagtas’ “Florante at Laura”
Some secular poets Leona Florentino, Jacinto
Kawili, ISabelo delos Reyes and Rafael Gandioco
KORIDO (CORRIDO)
is a legendary reigious narrative form that usually
details the lives of saints or the history of a
tradition
Ibong Adarna by Jose dela Cruz
CARILLO
is a play that uses shadows as its main spectacle.
This is created by animating figures made from
cardboard, which are projected onto a white
screen.
The legend of Sampaguita
ZARSUELA
one of the most famous forms of entertainment
back in the Spanish era. Zarsuelas are musical
comedies or melodramas that deal with the
elemental passions of human beings.
Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas by Aurelio Tolentino
The music of the sueltas
themes like love of one’s country and discontent
for Spanish rule.
Jose Rizal - Mi Ultimo A Dios (My Last Farewell) -
to express his love for his native soil
Andres Bonifacio - Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa
(Love for the Native Land) - a patriotic poem