THE SPANISH PERIOD (1565-1898)

A. SPANISH INFLUENCES ON PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Due to the long period of colonization of the Philippines by the Spaniards,
they have exerted a strong influence on our literature.
1. The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman
alphabet.
2. The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious
practices.
3. The Spanish language which became the literary language during this
time lent many of its
words to our language.
4. European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in
our songs, corridos, and
moro-moros.
5. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other
dialects.
6. Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and
Visayan
7. Our periodicals during these times gained a religious tone
B. THE FIRST BOOKS
ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE
CHRISTIAN
DOCTRINE). This was
the first book printed
in the Philippines in
1593 in xylography. It
was written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and
Fr. Domingo Nieva, in Tagalog and
Spanish. It contained the Pater Noster
(Out Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary),
Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), the Ten
Commandments of God, the
Commandments of the Catholic Church,
the Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess,
and the Cathecism. Three old original
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the Vatican, at the Madrid Musem and

at the US Congress. It contains only 87
pages but costs $5,000.0.
2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario. The second book
printed in the Philippines was written by Fr.
Blancas de San Jose in 1602, and printed at the
UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de Vera,
a Chinese mestizo. It contains the biographies of
saints, novenas, and questions and answers on
religion.
3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre
(in Spanish and Tagalog). This is the first book
printed in typography.
4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat. This is a Biblical
story printed in the Philippines and translated to
Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja.
It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel
published in the Philippines even if it is only a
translation. The printed translation has only 556
pages. The Ilocano translation in poetry was
done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.
5. The Pasion. This is the book about the life
and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read only
during Lent. There were 4 versions of this in
Tagalog and each version is according to the
name of the writer. These are the Pilapil version
(by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan, 1814), the de
Belen version (by Gaspar Aquino de Belen of
Bat. in 1704), the de la Merced (by Aniceto de la
Merced of Norzagaray, Bulacan in 1856) and the
de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750).
Critics are not agreed whether it is the Pilapil or
the de la Merced version which is the most
popular.
6. Urbana at Felisa. A book by Modesto de
Castro, the so called Father of Classic Prose in
Tagalog. These are letters between two sisters
Urbana at Felisa and have influenced greatly the
behavior of people in society because the
letters dealt with good behavior.
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7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary).

A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr.
Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote this in
1865 and it was popular especially during the
Maytime “Flores de Mayo” festival

C. LITERARY COMPOSITIONS
1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and rules of
the Tagalog language). Written by Fr. Blancas de San Jose and
translated to Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in 1610.
2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the
Tagalog language). Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.
3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog
vocabulary). The first Tagalog dictionary written by Fr. Pedro de San
Buenaventura in 1613.
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga
vocabulary). The first book in Pampanga written by Fr. Diego in 1732.
5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan
vocabulary). The best language book in Visayan by Mateo Sanchez in
1711.
6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano
language). The first Ilocano grammar book by Francisco Lopez.
 7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol
language). The first book in the Bicol language and written by Fr. Marcos
Lisbon in 1754.
D. FOLK SONGS. 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. The examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen,
Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi and Atin Cu Pung Singsing

E. RECEREATIONAL PLAYS. There are many recreational plays performed by

Filipinos during the Spanish
times. Almost all of them were in poetic form. Here are examples:
1. Tibag – the word tibag means to excavate. This ritual was brought here by the
Spaniard to remind the people about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on
which Jesus died.
2. Lagaylay – this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of Sorsogon during
Maytime to get together. As early as April, the participating ladies are chosen and
sometimes, mothers volunteer their girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an
illness or for a favor received.
In some parts of Bicol, a different presentation is made but the objective is the
same – praise,
respect and offering of love to the Blessed Cross by St. Helen on the mound she had
dug in.
3. The Cenaculo – this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion
and death of Jesus Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and Hablada. In the
Hablada the lines are spoken in a more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic
measure of each verse and the rhyming in each stanza and is more dignified in
theme; the Cantada is chanted like the Pasion. The Cenaculo is written in
octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza. The full length versions take about 3
nights of staging. Performers come in costumes with wigs and performers are
carefully chosen for their virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus
Christ and another the role of the Virgin Mary. Many famous Cenaculo players
come from the Tagalog regions although there are also those from Ilocos,
Pampanga, Bicol and both
Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.
4. Panunuluyan – this is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a
presentation of the search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to
deliver the baby Jesus.
5. The Salubong (or Panubong) - The Salubong is an Easter play that
dramatizes the meeting of the Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in
many Philippine towns.
6. Carillo (Shadow Play) – this is a form of dramatic entertainment
performed on a
moonless night during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadow
play is made by projecting cardboard figures before a lamp against a white sheet.
The figures are moved like marionettes whose dialogues are produced by some
experts. The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or some religious play
interspersed with songs. These are called by various names in different places:
Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and
Laguan; TITRES in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataa, Capiz and Negros; TITIRI in
Zambales;
 GAGALO or KIKIMUT in Pampanga and Tarlac; and ALIALA in La Union.
8. The Sainete – this was a short musical
7. The Zarzuela – considered the father of the comedy popular during the 18th
century. They drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama were exaggerated comedies
shown between three acts which dealt with man’s passions and acts of long plays and were
mostly performed emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, by characters from the lower
classes. Themes avarice or some social or political proble. were taken from everyday life
scenarios.
F. THE MORO-MORO. Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is presented also on a special
stage. This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of
their Christian religion. The plot is usually the same that of a Christian princess or a
nobleman’s daughter who is captured by theMohammedans. The father organizes a rescu e
party where fighting between the Moros and the Christians ensue. The Mohammedans are
defeated by some miracle or Divine Intercession and the Mohammedans are converted to
Christianity. In some instances, the whole kingdom is baptized and converted. One example
of this is Prinsipe Rodante.
G. KARAGATAN. This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the
death of a person. In this contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed based on a
legend about a princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the sea and who offered
here hand in marriage to anyone who can retrieve it. A leader starts off with
anextemporaneous poem announcing the purpose. He then spins a “lumbo” o “tabo”
marked with a white line. Whoever comes in the direction of the white line when the
spinning stops gets his turn to “go into the sea to look for the ring.” This means a girl will ask
him a riddle and if he is able to answer, he will offer the ring to the girl.
H. DUPLO. The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a poetic joust in speaking and
reasoning. The roles are taken from the Bible and from proverbs and saying. It is usually
played during wakes for the dead.
I. THE BALAGTASAN. This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a
particular topic or issue.
This is replaced the DUPLO and is held to honor Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.
J. THE DUNG-AW. This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or
hisrepresentative beside the corpse of the dead. No definite meter or rhyming scheme is
used. The person chanting it freely recites in poetic rhythm according to his feelings,
emotions and thoughts. It is personalized and usually deals with the life, sufferings and
sacrifices of the dead and includes apologies for his misdeeds. K. THE AWIT and the COR
RIDO. Some use these two interchangeably because distinction is not clear.
K. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO. The corridor is in octosyllabic verse, the awit is in
dodecasyllabic verse. The corridos were usually on legends or stories from European
countries like France,Spain,Italy and Greece. The AWITS are fabricated stories from writer’s
imagination although the setting and characters are European. The CORRIDO refers to
narration. The AWIT refers to chanting. The CORRIDO and the awit are both referred to as
narrative poetry.

THE PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1872-1898)

The once religious spirit transformed itself into one of nationalism and the Filipinos
demanded changes in the government and in the church. A. The Propaganda Movement
(1872-1896) This movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class
like Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce,
Jose Ma. Panganiban, and Pedro Paterno. The objectives of this movement were to
seek reforms and changes like the following:
1. To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the Spaniards under the law.
2. To make the Philippines a colony of Spain.
 3. To restore Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes.
4. To Filipinize the parishes.
5. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the press, assembly and for redress of
grievances.
Highlights of the Propaganda Movement There were three principal leaders of the
Propaganda movement. They were Jose P. Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano
Lopez Jaena. Here are highlights about them and what they have done for our country.
 DR. JOSE P. RIZAL-Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo y Realonda was born on June
19, 1861 at Calamba, Laguna. His first
teacher was his mother Teodora Alonozo. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila, started
medicine at UST
and finished at the Universidad Central of Madrid. He also studied at the University of
Berlin, Leipzig and
Heidelberg.
He died by musketry in the hands of the Spaniards on December 30, 1896 on charges of
sedition and
rebellion against the Spaniards. His pen-name was Laong Laan and Dimasalang.
His books and writings:
1. NOLI ME TANGERE. This was the novel that gave spirit to the propaganda movement
and paved
the way to the revolution against Spain. In this book, he courageously exposed the evils
in the Spanish-run government in the Philippines. The Spaniards prohibited the reading
of this novel but a lot of translations were able to enter stealthily in the country even if it
means death to those caught in possession of them.The NOLI gave Philippine literature
the immortal characters Maria Clara, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, Sisa, Pilosofong
Tasio, Doña Victorina, Kapitana Maria, Basilio and Crispin, Rizal had a powerful pen in
the delineation of these characters.
2. EL FILIBUSTERISMO. This is a sequel to the NOLI. While the NOLI exposed the evils
in society, the FILI exposed those in the government and in the church. However, the
NOLI has been dubbed the novel of society while that of FILI is that of
politics.
3.MI ULTIMO ADIOS (My Last Farewell). This was a poem by Rizal while he was
incarcerated at
Fort Santiago and is one that can compare favorably with the best in the world. It was
only after
his death when his name was affixed to the poem.
4. SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS (On the Indolence of the Filipinos).
An essay on the so-called Filipino indolence and an evaluation of the rea sons for such
allegations.
5. FILIPINAS DENTRO DE CIEN AÑOS (The Philippines within a Century). An essay
predicting the increasing influence of the US in the Philippines and the decreasing
interest of Europe here. Rizal
predicted that if there is any other colonizer of the Philippines in the future, it would be
the US.
6. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA (To the Filipino Youth). A poem Rizal dedicated to the
Filipino youth studying at UST.
7. EL CONSEJO DE LES DIOSES (The Council of the Gods). An allegorical play
manifesting
admiration for Cervantes.
8. JUNTO AL PASIG (Beside the Pasig River). Written by Rizal when he was 14 years
of age.
9. ME PIDEN VERSOS (You asked Me for Verses); 1882 and A LAS FLORES DE
HEIDELBERG (To the Flowers of Heidelberg). Two poems manifesting Rizal’s unusual
depth of emotion.
10. NOTAS A LA OBRA SUCESOS DE LAS FILIPINAS FOR EL DR. ANTONIO DE
MORGA (Notes on
Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de Morga): 1889

 MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

 GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA
 OTHER PROPAGANDISTS
 ANTONIO LUNA
 MARIANO PONCE
 PEDRO PATERNO
 JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN
 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ACTIVE REVOLUTION
 ANDRES BONIFACIO
 EMILIO JACINTO
 APOLINARIO MABINI
 JOSE PALMA