Philippine Literature: Overview of the Colonial Period - PDF

Historical Overview of Philippine Literature Colonial Period After going through this lesson, you are expected to: identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history during colonial period; differentiate/compare and contrast the various 21...

Historical Overview of Philippine Literature Colonial Period After going through this lesson, you are expected to: identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history during colonial period; differentiate/compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions; determine representative texts and authors during this period through oral history research; and situate selected texts in the current context to enrich understanding. Almost half a decade, after the documented discovery of the Philippines in 1521 during Ferdinand Magellan's exploration marks the beginning of the colonial period. The Spaniards successfully colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years having evangelization as its main thrust. The nationalistic consciousness of the Filipinos began when world trade took place in the Philippines as a result of exchanging of liberal ideas with the other countries among children of middle class Filipino families who were sent to American period of colonialism officially took place after Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered. The transition period between Spanish and American colonialism did not run smoothly since resistance among the native Filipinos who were threatened by the coming of other colonizers was evident. The setting of public schools during the American period became a necessary tool for popularizing democracy in our country, training Filipinos for citizenship, and embracing the English language. All of which are considered influential to Philippine literature even up to this date. The last colonizers to enter the Philippines were the Japanese who failed to gain the trust of Filipinos and only lasted for less than five years. I. SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1565-1898) 333 YEARS ✓ This can be divided into two major periods: Early Spanish Period (1565-1863, 298 years) and Later Part or Revolutionary Period (1864- 1896, 35 years). ✓ Early Spanish Period can be categorized as either religious or secular. Dimensions of Philippine Literature ✓ The type of literature produced during this period used Spanish, Tagalog, and the vernacular form of languages. ✓ Spanish was introduced as the medium of communication and later shifted to Tagalog when a sense of nationalism arose during the revolutionary period. ✓ The introduction of the printing equipment called xylographic press by the Dominicans resulted in ✓Poetically inclined writers led by Tagalog versifiers called Ladinos (natives who were also fluent in Spanish) such as Fernándo Bágongbantâ and Tomas Pinpin tackled mostly morality and religion. ✓ Folk songs still existed. ✓ Drama, as another type of literary genre, as well as metrical tales based on European origin (such as awit and corrido) flourished. ✓ Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish- Tagalog newspaper, published bulk of Filipino writings. The publication signaled the open campaign for reforms. ✓ In 1889, the La Solidaridad, an underground newspaper, became the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement. Emergence of Other Types of Literature during Spanish ✓ Books. Colonial Period In 1593, the book written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva entitled "Doctrina Cristiana" (The Christian Doctrine) was first printed. Among the other notable books printed are "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" by Fr. Blancas de San Jose, "Barláan at Jósaphát" (first published in 1708) translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr. Antonio de Borja, Emergence of Other Types of Literature during Spanish Colonial Period ✓ Folk Songs. These were songs modified based on the folkways of Filipinos during this period. Folk songs became widespread in the Philippines. Each region had its national song from the lowlands to the mountains of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Folk songs truly manifest the artistic feelings of the Filipinos. They show the Filipinos’ innate appreciation for, and love of beauty. Example: Leron-Leron Sinta (Tagalog) Pamulinawen (Iloko) Dandansoy (Bisaya) Sarong Emergence of Other Types of Literature during Spanish Colonial Period ✓ Recreational Plays. These were mostly poetic in nature and intended to be performed during the Spanish era. Cenaculo- Dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus Christ Carillo- (Shadow Play)–A form of dramatic entertainment perform on a moonless night during a town fiesta or on darknights after a harvest Zarzuela- It is considered the father of drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama three acts which death with men’s passion and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or some political problem Emergence of Other Types of Literature during Spanish Colonial Period ✓ Novels. These are fictitious prose usually lengthy and complex in nature. Pedro Paterno's work entitled "Ninay" is the first novel published by a Filipino author. This was originally written in Spanish language and translated into English and Tagalog in 1907 and 1908. ✓ Newspapers. There has been a debate on whether newspapers should be categorized as literature or not. However, according to Britannica, some high level journalism like articles written in a newspaper such as columns and feature articles can be considered as literature for as long as they achieve a certain level of satisfaction under aesthetic, chronological, and psychological characterization. Bulk of Filipino writings produced were mostly published in Diaryong Tagalog. The underground newspaper La Solidaridad is considered as the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement. ✓ Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862) was hailed as the Some Notable Writers "Master of Traditional Tagalog Poetry". His well-known literary work, Florante at Laura (1838-1861), is regarded as the most famous metrical romance of the country. ✓ Pedro Paterno (1857-1911) was the first Filipino who wrote poetry collection in Spanish entitled Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880). His novel in Spanish Ninay (1885) was considered to be the first Filipino novel. ✓ Jose Rizal (1861-1896), a prominent ilustrado and the country's national hero, is famous for the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These novels portray the corruption and abuse of the Spanish officials and the clergy. ✓ Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), the founder of the Katipunan, wrote the poem "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa" which appeared in the official newspaper of the Katipunan called Kalayaan in March 1896. ✓ Leona Florentino (1849-1884), known as the "Mother of Philippine Women's Literature," was a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish. Twenty of her poems were preserved and exhibited in Europe and were included in the Encyclopedia Internationaldes Oeuvres des Femme in 1889. II. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910- 1945) ✓ American colonial period is divided into two periods: the period of apprenticeship (1910- 1930) and the period of emergence (1920- 1930). ✓ The surrender of first Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901 signified the end of the military struggle for independence. II. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910-1945) ✓ Aguinaldo promised allegiance to America but still continued to be very vocal of achieving independence for the Philippines. ✓ In 1935, Aguinaldo was soundly defeated by Manuel L. Quezon as the first President of the Commonwealth. Dimensions of Philippine Literature ✓ During the transition period many Filipino writers still preferred to write in Spanish since English was still a foreign language to them. ✓ Filipino writers were into all forms of literature during the period of apprenticeship but most of their works were critiqued as an imitation of English and American models. Dimensions of Philippine Literature ✓ Short stories became the most prevalent literary form during the latter part of American colonial period. ✓ The existence of American literary works and periodicals as well as the coming of American teachers encouraged many aspiring Filipino writers to use the English language. ✓ A new type of literature began when American system of education and English ✓ At the beginning, most of the literary works written in English were considered imitative in nature, but then later on evolved to a new variety ✓ Common theme in plays was all about of subjects, styles, and conventions of writing. nationalism. Other Type of Literature Existed during ✓ Short Stories. These are stories that can typically American Colonial Period be read in one sitting revolving around one subject and may range between 1,000 up to 20,000 words. ✓ All forms of writings were censored during this Dimensions of Philippine Literature time because there was no freedom of speech and of ✓ Only those who were living in the United States the press. such as Carlos P. Romulo and Manuel L. Quezon ✓ The use of English language was stopped in almost could write freely. all publications and only Tagalog and the vernaculars ✓ Few literary works were printed and mostly were permitted. considered as pessimistic and bitter according to the author Victoria Abelardo. ✓ Another type of poetry that emerged is the Haiku consisting of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables or 17 syllabic ✓ Tagalog short stories flourished and some of the best poetry in all. works were compiled by the Liwayway magazine editors in Ang Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino ng 1943. Some notable stories were "Lupang Tinubuan" by Narciso G. Reyes, "Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa" by Liwayway Arceo, "Nayon at Dagat- dagatan" by N. V.M. Gonzalez, and "Suyuan sa Tubigan" by Macario Pineda. Opera and ✓ Among the other types of literature emerged were essay classical music gained popularity. (e.g. "Literature and Society" by Salvador P. Lopez) and autobiography (e.g. "The Good Fight" by Manuel Quezon). III. JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-1945) ✓ Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941 which was strongly opposed by the ✓ Captured soldiers and American deportees Guerillas. were forced to have "Death March" to a prison camp where they walked for 100 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga. An estimated 10,000 prisoners died here. III. JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-1945) ✓ Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese to end ✓ Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of Filipino and American opposition. ✓ The resurgence of World War II forced former Filipinos. President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice-President Sergio Osmeña Sr. to immediately leave the Philippines and sought residence in the United States as the Commonwealth government was suddenly in exile. ✓ There was a great tension between the two major groups: HUKBALAHAP (unified guerilla army against Japanese invasion) and KALIBAPI (political party approved by the ✓ Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the Japanese). President of the Philippines under the ✓ In 1942, Mc Arthur escaped but promised Japanese-sponsored Republic. to return which he did in 1944. The US victory in the battle of Leyte gulf signaled the END