Philippine Literature Overview

Overview of Literature

• Literature encompasses both written and spoken material, ranging from creative writing to technical works.
• Primarily, literature refers to creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction.

Philippine Literature

• Rich and diverse, Philippine literature reflects the country's historical evolution.
• Originates from fables and legends created by ancient Filipinos, pre-dating Spanish influence.
• Central themes include pre-colonial cultural traditions and socio-political histories from colonial to contemporary periods.
• Ancient Filipino literature was largely oral, passed down orally before Spanish arrival in 1521.
• Spanish colonization introduced non-Filipino literature, overshadowing indigenous works.
• Present-day writers and artists aim to revive and promote awareness of traditional Filipino literature through education and media.

Functions of Literature

• Entertainment Function: Literature provides enjoyment and is consumed for pleasure.
• Social and Political Function: Reflects societal structures, enabling readers to understand their social and political context.
• Ideological Function: Influences thought processes by presenting various ideologies, both consciously and unconsciously.
• Moral Function: Imparts moral values that contribute to shaping readers' personalities.
• Linguistic Function: Preserves and records the language of civilizations, serving as evidence of cultural heritage.
• Cultural Function: Connects readers to ethnic traditions, folklore, and arts, preserving cultures for future generations.
• Educational Function: Offers insights into the human experience, allowing exploration of both familiar and unfamiliar aspects of life.
• Historical Function: Acts as a record of past events, preserving history through texts and artifacts for contemporary study.