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.

Explore the rich oral literature of the Pre-Colonial Philippines. This quiz covers various forms such as myths, proverbs, tanaga, and folk songs, highlighting their significance in cultural identity and oral traditions. Test your knowledge of narratives that shaped early Philippine society.