Pre-Colonial Philippine Literature Quiz

Pre-Colonial Period (Early Times - 1565)

• Oral Literature was the primary form of communication, passing down myths, folktales, riddles, and proverbs through generations.
• Proverbs captured wisdom and life lessons, such as "Bago mo sabihin at gawin, makapitong iisipin" (Think seven times before you speak and act).
• Tanaga was a type of poetry with four lines, each containing seven syllables, and a common rhyme scheme.
• Folk songs like "Sitsiritsit" and "Bahay Kubo" reflected regional identities and traditions.
• Riddles were mind puzzles with hidden answers, such as "Isang balong malalim, punong puno ng patalim" (A deep well, full of blades), which referred to the mouth.
• Epics were long narratives celebrating heroes with supernatural abilities, like "Biag ni Lam-ang".

Prose Narrative

• Myths explained mysteries, beliefs, and cultural practices through stories about gods and goddesses.
• Fables used animal characters with human qualities to teach moral lessons.
• Legends explained the origins of various things.
• Folktales were fictional stories passed down through generations.

Spanish Colonial Period (1565 - 1898)

• Graciano Lopez Jaena criticized the friars' abuse through his satirical novel "Fray Botod".
• Jaena was the editor of "La Solidaridad", a newspaper advocating for political and social reforms.
• Marcelo H. Del Pilar, known as the Master of Tagalog, founded "Diariong Tagalog" and satirized the friars’ administration through his writings.
• Francisco Baltazar, also known as Balagtas, wrote the epic poem "Florante at Laura", using the fictional land "Albanya" to reflect Spain's oppression.
• Jose Rizal wrote the novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo", critiquing Spanish colonialism and fueling the movement for Philippine independence through his writings.
• Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan, a revolutionary organization, and wrote the patriotic poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”.
• Emilio Jacinto, the “Brains of the Katipunan”, penned political essays using folk language to inspire revolutionary ideals.