Philippine Literature: Colonial Influences

• Philippine literature is influenced by colonial experiences, particularly from the Spanish, American, and Japanese periods.
• Foreign encounters, especially with Asian and Western countries, have also played a role in shaping it.
• Eastern influences lean towards conservatism, tradition, and respect for elders.
• Western influences are more liberal, open, and individualistic.
• These influences affected literature along with geopolitical and economic conditions in the Philippines.

Literature During the Colonial Period

• Spanish colonization lasted over 300 years, focusing on evangelization.
• Exposure to foreign liberal ideas led to nationalism and a revolutionary period.
• Literature during this time was primarily religious and didactic.
• Public performances like plays and dramas were popular.
• Printing press introduction led to the publication of religious and educational materials.
• The revolutionary period (1864-1896) involved underground newspapers promoting reforms.
• American educational system introduced English and democracy.
• Literary works in English emerged that mimicked Western styles.
• Watching foreign films became more popular than theatrical performances.
• Japanese occupation suppressed Western influences by banning English.
• Literature focused on patriotism, nationalism, and life struggles during this time.
• Secret publications kept nationalist sentiment alive.

Key Types of Literature in the Spanish Period

• The first book published was Doctrina Cristiana (1593).
• Folk Songs were adapted from Filipino traditions.
• Recreational Plays included Cenaculo, Carillo, Zarzuela, Moro-Moro.
• The first Filipino novel was Ninay by Pedro Paterno.
• Newspapers like Diariong Tagalog and La Solidaridad supported reform movements.

Literature Across Different Historical Periods

• Strict censorship was imposed on all forms of writing during the Japanese Colonial Period (1942-1945).
• Only Filipinos residing in the U.S., such as Carlos P. Romulo and Manuel L. Quezon, could write freely.
• The English language was banned; only Tagalog and other native languages were permitted.
• Few literary works were printed, and most had a pessimistic tone.
• Haiku poetry (5-7-5 syllable structure) became popular.
• Short stories thrived, with Lupang Tinubuan (Narciso G. Reyes) and Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa (Liwayway Arceo) as notable works.
• Classical music and opera gained popularity.
• Other literary types included essays (Literature and Society by Salvador P. Lopez) and autobiographies (The Good Fight by Manuel Quezon).

Notable Writers from this Period

• Carlos P. Romulo was a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist (I Saw the Fall of the Philippines, My Brother Americans).
• Narciso Reyes won first prize for Lupang Tinubuan.

American Colonial Period (1910-1945)

• Divided into the Apprenticeship Period (1910-1930) and the Emergence Period (1920-1930).
• Filipino writers imitated English and American literature during the Apprenticeship Period.
• Writers began developing their own literary identity during the Emergence Period.
• Short stories became the most dominant literary form.
• American education and publications encouraged English-language writing.
• Themes of nationalism were common in plays.

Notable Writers

• Juan C. Laya won first prize for His Native Soil in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards (1940).
• Zoilo M. Galang wrote A Child of Sorrow (1921), the first Filipino novel in English.
• Paz Marquez Benitez wrote Dead Stars, the first short story in English.

Spanish Colonial Period (Pre-1898)

• Filipino literature was mostly oral before Spanish colonization.
• Spanish introduced religious literature, corridos, awits, and zarzuelas.
• Writing in Tagalog flourished, particularly poetry and prose.

Notable Writers

• Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas) wrote Florante at Laura, a major metrical romance.
• Pedro Paterno wrote Sampaguitas y Poesias Varias, the first poetry collection by a Filipino.
• Jose Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, exposing Spanish abuse.
• Andres Bonifacio: Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.
• Leona Florentino was the “Mother of Philippine Women’s Literature,” with works exhibited in Europe.

Key Historical Events Affecting Literature

• The Japanese Occupation (1942-1945) restricted writing, and Filipino and Tagalog literature flourished under censorship.
• During American Rule (1910-1945), the English language dominated, with literary works mirroring American styles.
• In the Spanish Period (Pre-1898), the Catholic Church influenced literature, and nationalist works like those of Rizal emerged.

Summary of Philippine Literary Trends

• Pre-Spanish Era consisted of oral traditions, folk stories, and epics.
• Spanish Period featured religious and nationalist literature in Spanish and Tagalog.
• American Period saw the rise of English-language literature.
• Japanese Period marked a revival of Filipino literature with Tagalog dominance.