Philippine Literature Quiz

Historical Overview of Philippine Literature: Colonial Period

• The period of Spanish colonization (1565-1898) can be divided into two major periods: Early Spanish (1565-1863) and the Later Part/Revolutionary Period (1864-1898).
• Early Spanish Period literature is categorized as either religious or secular.
• Two early books on Catholic Catechism were published in Manila in 1593, marking some of the earliest printed books in the Philippines.
• Christian doctrine was emphasized in literature, replacing stories about heroes and mythical creatures with stories about biblical characters and saints.
• This created didactic literature intended to teach morality and good conduct.
• The transition from Spanish to American rule was not smooth. This transition involved political upheaval.
• Emilio Aguinaldo and Manuel Quezon were key figures during this time.
• American colonizers used a democratic approach and allowed Filipinos to have leadership roles.
• Filipino resistance against Japanese occupation was strong.
• The Tagalog language was favored by Japanese rule, leading to the flourishing of Tagalog stories and dramas.
• Literature produced during this period included Spanish, Tagalog, and vernacular forms of language.

Types of Literature Produced

• The introduction of the xylographic press by the Dominicans led to the publication of religious materials and early books.
• Poetically inclined writers or versifiers called Ladinos, such as Fernando Bagongbanta and Tomas Pinpin, focused largely on morality and religion as a subject.
• Folk songs remained prevalent.
• Drama, including metrical tales like awit and corrido, flourished.
• Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish-Tagalog newspaper, focused on Filipino writings, marking a campaign for reform.
• La Solidaridad (1889), an underground newspaper, became the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.
• The Spanish Colonial Period also saw the emergence of several novel forms.

Notable Books

• "Doctrina Cristiana," written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, was a significant early publication, though its exact date is difficult to confirm.
• "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" by Fr. Blancas de San Jose.
• "Barlaan at Jósaphát," written and translated by Fr. Antonio de Borja in 1708 from Greek to Tagalog.
• "Urbana at Felisa," by Modesto de Castro is noteworthy as one of the first works considered the father of Philippine classical prose forms.

Other Forms of Literary Expressions

• Folk songs during this era were modified to reflect Filipino customs and values.
• Recreational plays, such as Cenaculo, Carillo, Zarzuela, Moro-Moro, Balagtasan, Duplo, and Karagatan, were commonly performed during public events in Spanish times.
• Novels such as "Ninay," by Pedro Paterno, were lengthy and complex fictitious stories often dealing with complex social themes.

Newspapers

• Newspapers such as Diaryong Tagalog played a crucial role in the spread of information and the expression of Filipino thought during the period of nationalism.
• The underground newspaper La Solidaridad (1889) was a pivotal publication due to its role in the reform movement.

Notable Writers During Spanish Era

• Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862), known as the "Master of Traditional Tagalog Poetry," with a key work like "Florante at Laura."
• Pedro Paterno (1857-1911), the first known Filipino to compile a collection of poems in Spanish, "Sampaguitas y poesias varias" (1880), as well as the author of the novel "Ninay" (1885).
• Jose Rizal (1861-1896), a revered national hero, wrote "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," depicting abuses and corruption.
• Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), a key figure in the Katipunan, authored the poem "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa," published by Kalayaan in March 1896.
• Leona Florentino (1849-1884), considered the "Mother of Philippine Women's Literature," a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish with twenty poems exhibited in Europe and published in the Encyclopedia Internationaldes Oeuvres des Femme in 1889.

American Colonial Period (1910-1945)

• The period is divided into two sub-periods: apprenticeship (1910-1930) and emergence (1920-1930).
• Emilio Aguinaldo's surrender in 1901 signified the end of military struggle for Philippine independence.
• Aguinaldo continued to advocate for Philippine independence.
• Manuel L. Quezon was elected President of the Commonwealth in 1935.
• American literature and periodicals, influence from American teachers, and the introduction of the English language transformed writing.
• Short stories became a dominant form of Philippine literature. Notably, Paz Marquez Benitez authored "Dead Stars".
• Notable writers: Juan C. Laya (1911-1952) ("His Native Soil") and Zoilo Galang (1895-1959) ("A Child of Sorrow").

Japanese Colonial Period (1942-1945)

• Japan invaded the Philippines in 1941, facing strong resistance by Guerillas.
• The Bataan Death March caused significant loss of life.
• Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese regime.
• Filipino and American collaborators faced conflict during this time. Notable groups include Hukbalahap, which fought against Japanese rule, and Kalibapi, which was a Japanese-sponsored political party.
• Jose P. Laurel was appointed President of the Philippines during Japanese colonial rule.
• The beginning of Philippine liberation from Japanese rule happened when the US won the battle of Leyte gulf.

Final Dimensions of Philippine Literature During these Eras

• Censorships and lack of freedom of speech and the press limited writing during these periods.
• Literary works produced reflected the political and social climate of each era.
• There was a shift in focus and style of literature during the shift from Spanish literature to American influences.
• Tagalog short-story publications gained popularity during the Japanese Colonial rule.
• Poems and publications, such as those produced by Liwayway magazine editors, reflected the struggle for freedom and expression.
• The emergence of new poetry forms in the 1940s, such as Haiku, is a noteworthy development.
• Essays and autobiographies became prominent during these times as literature-based media of expression.