Philippine Pre-Spanish Era: Society, Trade, and Baybayin

• Philippines was a prosperous land during the pre-Spanish period
• Small political units called barangays made up the Philippines
• The government type was thalassocratic

Sugbu (now Cebu) as a Major Trade Center

• Sugbu was recognized as a major center of trade
• Merchants came from different parts of Asia
• Merchants sought permission from the King of Sugbu to trade in their waters

Filipino Social Classes

• Filipino society consisted of three distinct social classes
• These were the maharlika (nobles), timawa (freemen) and the alipin (slaves)
• Alipin can be namamahay (household slaves that are granted homes and can own property)
• Alipin can be saguiguilid (slaves that do not have the right to own property)

Baybayin

• Filipinos had already established a centralized government and their own legal system before colonization
• They had their own alphabet, which is called baybayin

Philippine Literature in the Pre-Spanish Era

• Filipinos have already been fond of poetry, songs, stories, riddles, and proverbs before the Spaniards landed
• Filipinos have a rich collection of literature from folk songs to epic tales

Myths as Literature

• Myths were traditional or legendary stories with deities or demigods
• Myths explain practice, rite, or phenomenon of nature

Tagalog Deities

• Tagalogs believed in Bathala as the supreme deity
• Bathala is the creator of heaven and earth, and all living things
• Under Bathala is a pantheon of gods and goddesses

Visayan and Bikolano Deities

• Visayans call their supreme god Kaptan or Captan
• Bikolanos believe in their supreme god called Gugurang
• Creation stories revolve around these deities

The Story of Malakas and Maganda

• One of the famous creation myths in the Philippines is origin of man

The Myth of How the Philippines Came to Be

• In the beginning, there was only the Sea and the Sky, and the Kite (a bird)
• The Kite stirred up the Sky in a quarrel against the Sea
• The Sky showered a multitude of massive boulders down that formed the Philippines
• The Land Breeze and the Sea Breeze were married, and had a child named Bamboo
• The Kite split the bamboo in half
• From one section came Malakas (The Strong One), and from the other half came Maganda (The Beautiful One)
• Malakas and Maganda eventually had many children, and from them eventually came all the different races of people

Biag ni Lam-Ang

• Biag ni Lam-Ang (Life of Lam-Ang) was one of the epics that was able to survive with the help of oral transmission
• The epic was first transcribed around 1640 by Pedro Bucaneg
• The Ilocano epic consists of 1477 lines and 206 stanzas
• The epic revolved around Lam-ang, who was blessed with the gift of speech at birth
• He grew up with supernatural strength and has a pet cock and a dog
• The epic was divided into: Prologue: The Birth of Lam-ang (line 5-108); The Quest for the Father (lines 109-192): Lam-ang's quest; The Quest for a Wife (line 455-1300): the story of Lam-ang and Ines Cannoyan; Epilogue: The Death and Restoration of the Hero (lines 1301-1477)

Aliguyon Epic Tale

• Ifugao epic following the adventure of the hero Aliguyon, who fought Pumbakhayon
• This epic is in the form of a Hudhud
• A Hudhud is a long tale revolving around the heroes of native Ifugao people and is typically sung on special occasions

Labaw Donggon Epic Tale

• Follows Labaw Donggon, son of the goddess Alunsina and Datu Paubari
• Adventures include slaying a giant with arms and facing the Lord of Darkness in order to win maidens

Agyu Epic Tale

• A Manobo tale, divided into three parts
• Follows hero whose people were driven out of their land to Nalandangan

Folk Songs

• Folk songs originated in traditional popular culture
• They have been an important part of the Filipino culture since ancient times
• Examples of these are Kundiman (love song), Diana (wedding song), Oyayi or Hele (Lullaby), and Kumintango Tagumpay (war song)

Epigrams (Salawikain)

• They are memorable, brief, interesting
• They served as laws or rules on good behavior by ancient Filipinos
• They are an expression of truths, ethics, and good morals

Riddles (Bugtong)

• Riddles were a form of entertainment during Pre-Spanish period
• Improves quick thinking and broadened vocabulary
• It is usually done during special occasions; be it harvest time or a funeral

Spanish Colonialism

• The Spanish occupation influenced Philippine culture in clothes, arts, music, literature and attitude

Changes During Spanish Colonial Rule

• The Roman alphabet became widely used over alibata
• Doctrina Cristiana has become the foundation of all activities related to religion
• Spanish words that were integrated into the language
• Myths and traditions of Europe became a part of Philippine literature

Doctrina Cristiana Book

• Doctrina Cristiana is the first religious book published in the Philippines on July 15, 1593
• The book was written by Fr. Domingo Nieva and Fr. Juan De Palencia
• It was written in Spanish and Tagalog
• It is also the first book written in Alibata
• The book included: Ten Commandments, Seven Deadly Sins, Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen), Credos, Dios Te Salva Maria (Ave Maria), Pater Noster (Our Father)

Father Blancas de San Jose

• Another book was published by Father Blancas de San Jose in 1602
• It contains the biographies of various saints, novenas, and some common questions and answers regarding the religion

Father Antonio de Borja

• Father Antonio de Borja wrote the third book published in the country in Tagalog
• This was deemed as the first novel published in the Philippines
• Barlaan at Josaphat was translated to Iloko in poetry form by Fr. Agustin Mejia

Urbana at Feliza

• Ang Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at si Feliza, is one of the novels during the Spanish period
• It was written by Father Modesto de Castro who was from Laguna The story revolves around two sisters exchanging letters and telling each other stories about their lives
• Urbana is in Manila and Feliza is in Bulacan
• The young Feliza asks for advice from her older sister in Manila, regarding proper conduct in different situations
• Morals include: Do not impose superiority, exhibit compassion, success, avoid mocking, prayer

Pasyon

• An example of an epic poem which tells the story of Jesus Christ's life, trials, and sufferings

Awit

• A narrative type of poem with 4 lines per stanza and dodecasyllabic with 12 syllables per line and a pause after the sixth syllable

Senakulo Play

• The traditional depiction of the events before and after Jesus Christ was crucified
• The story of this passion play was based on the bible
• Is is usually done on the streets or in churches

Duplo Play

• Aims to entertain the bereaved family members after their loss
• This is usually done around 9 in the evening after the late member of the family was laid to rest

Moro-moro Play

• Tells a story full of adventures and wars
• The story revolves around between the Spaniards and the moros, who invaded Spain once

Santacruzan Play

• A ritual pageant/procession held on the last day of Flores de Mayo throughout the country

Carillo Play

• A shadow play using puppets made from cardboard
• The narrator hiding behind the screen stirs the story to life

Panunuluyan Play

• The Philippine version of a Mexican tradition
• Term translates to "looking for lodging," usually done on Christmas Eve

Sarsuela Play

• A comedy/melodrama, accompanied by music with 3 parts
• It conveys the intense and passionate feelings of love, revenge, jealousy and loathing