Outline of an Article on the Different Literary Periods in Philippine Literature
Philippine literature is a rich and diverse collection of works that tell the story of the Philippines and its people. It spans centuries of history, from pre-colonial times to the present day. This article will explore the various literary periods in Philippine literature and provide an overview of the works that emerged during each period.
The pre-colonial period of Philippine literature is the oldest and most diverse. It is composed of oral traditions such as folktales, epics, and songs. These works were passed down orally from generation to generation and were often used to teach lessons and values to the community. Notable works from this period include the “Hudhud” epic of the Ifugao people and the “Kudaman” epic of the Tagalog people.
The Spanish colonial period of Philippine literature began in the 16th century and lasted until the 19th century. During this period, literature was heavily influenced by Spanish culture and language. Notable works from this period include the “Canto de Maria Clara” by Jose Rizal and the “Noli Me Tangere” by Francisco Baltazar.
The American colonial period of Philippine literature began in the early 20th century and lasted until the end of World War II. During this period, literature was heavily influenced by American culture and language. Notable works from this period include the “Mga Ibong Mandaragit” by Lope K. Santos and the “Mga Akdang-Buhay” by N.V.M. Gonzalez.
The post-colonial period of Philippine literature began in the 1950s and continues to the present day. During this period, literature was heavily influenced by Filipino culture and language. Notable works from this period include the “Noli Me Tangere” by F. Sionil Jose and the “Banaag at Sikat” by L.P. Santos.
The contemporary period of Philippine literature began in the late 20th century and continues to the present day. During this period, literature was heavily influenced by global culture and language. Notable works from this period include the “The God Stealer” by F. Sionil Jose and the “The Woman Who Had Two Navels” by Nick Joaquin.
Philippine literature is a diverse and rich collection of works that tell the story of the Philippines and its people. It spans centuries of history, from pre-colonial times to the present day. This article has explored the various literary periods in Philippine literature and provided an overview of the works that emerged during each period.
1. Introduction
Philippine Literature is a rich and diverse collection of written works that have evolved throughout the centuries. It is a reflection of the country’s history, culture, and values, and is composed of works in various languages, including Filipino, English, Spanish, and other indigenous languages. Philippine Literature has gone through many stages of development, from the pre-colonial period to the contemporary period. In this article, we will explore the different literary periods in Philippine Literature and how they have shaped the country’s cultural identity.
The pre-colonial period is the earliest period of Philippine Literature, and is characterized by the works of native Filipino writers and oral traditions. This period saw the emergence of epics, folk tales, and other stories that were passed down from generation to generation. During the Spanish colonial period, literature was heavily influenced by Spanish culture and language, with works such as the “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo” by Jose Rizal being the most famous. The American colonial period saw the emergence of Filipino writers who wrote in English, such as Carlos Bulosan, and the emergence of the “New Literature” movement. The post-colonial period saw the emergence of Philippine Literature in the form of plays, poetry, and novels, with writers such as Nick Joaquin and F. Sionil Jose being some of the most prominent. The contemporary period has seen the emergence of new forms of literature, such as graphic novels, and the rise of new writers.
This article will explore the different literary periods in Philippine Literature and how they have shaped the country’s cultural identity. It will also discuss the influences of each period on the works of contemporary writers.
2. Pre-Colonial Period
The pre-colonial period of Philippine literature was the longest, spanning from pre-historic times to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. This period was characterized by the use of oral literature, which was passed down from generation to generation. This included folk tales, epic poems, riddles, proverbs, and songs.
The oral literature of the pre-colonial period was used to teach lessons, pass down history, and entertain. There was no written form of literature during this period, as writing was not introduced until the Spanish arrived.
The oral literature of this period was heavily influenced by the various cultures and traditions of the different ethnic groups present in the region. These included the Tagalogs, Visayans, Ilocanos, and others. Each of these groups had their own unique stories, poems, and songs that were passed down through the generations.
The oral literature of the pre-colonial period was also heavily influenced by the various religions present in the region. Animism, Buddhism, and Hinduism were all practiced in the region, and each of these religions had their own stories and beliefs that were passed down through the generations.
The oral literature of the pre-colonial period was also heavily influenced by the various superstitions and beliefs of the people. These included beliefs about the supernatural, such as the belief that the souls of the dead could haunt the living.
The oral literature of the pre-colonial period was also heavily influenced by the various rituals and ceremonies of the people. These included rituals to honor the gods, to ensure good harvests, and to bring good luck.
The oral literature of the pre-colonial period was also heavily influenced by the various customs and practices of the people. These included the practice of tattooing, which was used to denote rank and status, as well as the practice of headhunting, which was used to demonstrate bravery and courage.
Overall, the pre-colonial period of Philippine literature was a time of rich and vibrant oral literature, which was heavily influenced by the various cultures and traditions of the people. This oral literature was passed down from generation to generation, and it continues to influence the literature of the present day.
3. Spanish Colonial Period
The Spanish Colonial period of Philippine literature began in 1565 when Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in the islands and established a colony. During this period, Spanish became the official language of the colony and the Catholic Church had a major influence on the literature and culture.
The most popular literary form during this period was the komedya, a type of play that was often performed in public. These plays were usually written in Spanish and were often based on classical literature or religious themes.
The period also saw the emergence of the awit and korido, two popular poetic forms of the time. Awit were usually written in Spanish and were often about love, while korido were written in Tagalog and were often about heroic deeds and adventures.
The period also saw the emergence of the novel, which was usually written in Spanish and often focused on the struggles of the Filipino people. The most famous novel of this period was Noli Me Tangere, written by Jose Rizal.
The Spanish Colonial period also saw the emergence of the short story, which was usually written in Spanish and often focused on the everyday lives of the Filipino people. The most famous short story of this period was “The Monkey and the Turtle” by Jose Rizal.
The Spanish Colonial period also saw the emergence of the essay, which was usually written in Spanish and often focused on social, political, and religious issues. The most famous essay of this period was “The Philippines: A Century Hence” by Jose Rizal.
The Spanish Colonial period also saw the emergence of the zarzuela, a type of musical play that was often performed in public. These plays were usually written in Spanish and were often based on classical literature or religious themes.
The Spanish Colonial period was a time of great literary achievement in the Philippines, and it helped to shape the country’s literary culture. The period saw the emergence of many different literary forms, and it helped to spread the use of Spanish throughout the country. It also helped to spread the influence of the Catholic Church and its literature, which had a major impact on the literature of the period.
4. American Colonial Period
The American Colonial Period of Philippine Literature began in 1898, when the United States acquired the Philippines from Spain after the Spanish-American War. During this period, English became the official language of the Philippines. This led to the emergence of a new form of literature, written in English by Filipino authors.
The American Colonial Period saw the emergence of a number of prominent Filipino authors, including Jose Rizal, Manuel Quezon, and Carlos P. Romulo, who wrote about the struggle for Philippine independence and the effects of American colonialism on the Filipino people. This period also saw the development of the first Filipino novels, such as Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
The American Colonial Period also saw the emergence of a new form of poetry, known as “Metrical Romance”, which was influenced by American and British literature. This form of poetry was characterized by its use of rhyme, meter, and narrative structure. Examples of this type of poetry include Jose Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios and Manuel Quezon’s Ang Mga Dalit.
The American Colonial Period also saw the emergence of a new form of theater, known as the “Zarzuela”, which was a combination of Filipino and Spanish elements. This type of theater was popular during this period, and was used to spread nationalist messages and critiques of American colonialism. Examples of this type of theater include Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo and Manuel Quezon’s Ang Mga Dalit.
The American Colonial Period also saw the emergence of a new form of short story, known as the “Komiks”, which was a combination of Filipino and American elements. This type of story was characterized by its use of colorful illustrations and exaggerated characters. Examples of this type of story include Jose Rizal’s Ang Mga Dalit and Manuel Quezon’s Ang Mga Dalit.
The American Colonial Period also saw the emergence of a new form of journalism, known as the “Philippine Free Press”, which was a combination of Filipino and American elements. This type of journalism was used to spread nationalist messages and critiques of American colonialism. Examples of this type of journalism include Jose Rizal’s Ang Mga Dalit and Manuel Quezon’s Ang Mga Dalit.
Overall, the American Colonial Period saw the emergence of a number of new forms of literature, all of which were used to spread nationalist messages and critiques of American colonialism. This period also saw the emergence of a number of prominent Filipino authors, who wrote about the struggle for Philippine independence and the effects of American colonialism on the Filipino people.
5. Post-Colonial Period
The Post-Colonial Period of Philippine literature began in the 1940s and continued until the present day. This period was marked by the emergence of a new generation of writers who were influenced by the experience of the Filipino people during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.
The writers of this period focused on themes such as nationhood, identity, and the struggle for freedom. They wrote about the experience of the Filipino people during the Japanese occupation, as well as the struggle to rebuild the nation after the war.
Notable authors of this period include F. Sionil Jose, Nick Joaquin, and Edith Tiempo. Jose wrote about the experience of the Filipino people during the war and his works are considered to be the most influential works of literature from this period. Joaquin wrote about the history and culture of the Filipino people, while Tiempo wrote about the struggles and triumphs of women during the war.
The literature of this period was also marked by the emergence of new genres, such as the short story, the novel, and the play. These genres allowed writers to explore themes such as identity, nationhood, and freedom in a more nuanced and creative way.
The post-colonial period was also marked by the emergence of regional literature. Writers from different regions of the Philippines began to write about their own experiences and the culture of their region. This regional literature helped to create a sense of unity among the Filipino people and helped to foster a sense of national identity.
The post-colonial period also saw the emergence of the modern Filipino language. This new language was developed by combining elements of Spanish, English, and other languages spoken in the Philippines. The modern Filipino language has become the official language of the Philippines.
The post-colonial period has been marked by a renewed sense of pride in Filipino culture and identity. Writers of this period have explored themes such as nationhood, identity, and freedom in a creative and nuanced way. This period has also seen the emergence of new genres, such as the short story, the novel, and the play, which have allowed writers to explore these themes in a more creative and meaningful way.
6. Contemporary Period
The Contemporary Period of Philippine literature began in the 1960s and is ongoing. This period is marked by the emergence of a new breed of writers, who are more daring and experimental in their works. This period is also characterized by the emergence of new literary forms such as creative non-fiction and spoken word poetry.
The 1960s saw the emergence of a new generation of writers who were more willing to explore the political and social issues of the day. Writers such as Nick Joaquin, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Edith Tiempo were some of the most influential figures in this period. They were also some of the first to explore the themes of gender, class, and identity in their works.
The 1970s saw the emergence of a new wave of writers, who were more daring and experimental in their works. Writers like Jose F. Lacaba, Lualhati Bautista, and Rogelio Sicat were some of the most influential figures of this period. They wrote about topics such as the Marcos dictatorship, the Filipino diaspora, and the struggles of the urban poor.
The 1980s saw the emergence of a new wave of writers who explored the themes of postmodernism and postcolonialism in their works. Writers such as Edgardo M. Reyes, Eric Gamalinda, and Alfred Yuson were some of the most influential figures of this period. They wrote about topics such as the Filipino identity, the Filipino experience abroad, and the effects of globalization on Filipino culture and society.
The 1990s saw the emergence of a new wave of writers who explored the themes of postmodernism and postcolonialism in their works. Writers such as Jun Cruz Reyes, Jose Dalisay, and Jessica Hagedorn were some of the most influential figures of this period. They wrote about topics such as the Filipino identity, the Filipino experience abroad, and the effects of globalization on Filipino culture and society.
The 2000s saw the emergence of a new wave of writers who explored the themes of postmodernism and postcolonialism in their works. Writers such as Miguel Syjuco, Kristian Sendon Cordero, and Jessica Zafra were some of the most influential figures of this period. They wrote about topics such as the Filipino identity, the Filipino experience abroad, and the effects of globalization on Filipino culture and society.
The Contemporary Period is marked by the emergence of a new breed of writers, who are more daring and experimental in their works. They are pushing the boundaries of Filipino literature and exploring new literary forms. This period is also marked by the emergence of new literary forms such as creative non-fiction and spoken word poetry. This period is also marked by the emergence of new writers who are exploring the themes of postmodernism and postcolonialism in their works.
7. Conclusion
Philippine literature has come a long way since its pre-colonial beginnings. From the oral traditions of the indigenous peoples to the works of renowned authors today, the literature of the Philippines has been shaped by a variety of influences and periods. The Pre-Colonial period saw the emergence of oral traditions, while the Spanish Colonial period saw the introduction of European styles and themes. The American Colonial period saw the emergence of the nationalist movement, while the Post-Colonial period saw the emergence of modern Philippine literature. Finally, the Contemporary period has seen the emergence of a new wave of authors, who are exploring new topics and styles.
In conclusion, Philippine literature has been shaped by a variety of influences and periods, and continues to evolve as time passes. It is a testament to the resilience of the Filipino spirit, and the creativity of its people. As the literature of the Philippines continues to develop, it is sure to remain an important part of Filipino culture and identity.