Module 1: The Pre-Colonial and Spanish Colonial Philippine Literature
Before the Philippines was colonized, it was already brimming and rich traditions of Oral Literarture Early Filipino weaved together countless myths and legends to explain certain phenomena in life. They had stories on how the world was created why there is a sun in the morning and the moon at night, how a mountain was formed why there are earthquakes, and other life events. However, because paper was not invented yet, many of these tales where not preserve and have vanished from local knowledge. Most of what have been transcribe now are taken from oral literature which means that these stories have been passed on from one generation to another. Most of that which survived are epics and folklores. Here are their descriptions and other forms of literature that were passed on by early Filipinos to today’s generation.
Spanish Colonial Philippine Literature
When the Spaniards came, there was an immediate shift on the focus of literature. It became centered on the Christians faith and the stories about natural phenomena suddenly became an about the lives of saints and other religious hymns. Slowly, Philippine literature started to emulate the traditional Spanish ways of themes and forms in writing, including the repetive plots and obvious shadowly characters. Despite these changes, Filipino still found a way to make Spanish literature their own, as shown through these common kinds:
- Proverbs- are practical observations and philosophy of everyday life that are written usually in a rhyming scheme. It is obviously meant to entertain while teaching basic skills in survival local life. In Filipino, these are called salawikain. Here are some examples:
- Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga.
- Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga.
- Riddles- are like proverbs with one main difference: they demand an answer and are used to test the wits of those who are listening to them. Usually riddles (or, in Filipino, bugtong) are used in a battle of wits, where locals young and join and/or watch to see who is the smartest. Another characteristics of Filipino riddles in their flippant nature they seem to be referring to something laughable, but in reality, the answer is more serious than expected. Can you guess the answers to these riddles?
- Heto na si kaka, bubuka-bukaka
- Sa araw ay bubong, sa gabi ay dahon
- Folksongs- are beautiful songs that are informal expressions of our ancestor’s experiences in life. These range from courtship (which they sing in a harana or a serenade for a girl), to lullabies, harvest, funerals and others.
- Epics- are long-winded poems about a hero and his adventures and his misadventures. It usually tells of a amle hero who is born with all the pleasing qualities that your ancestors like in a person and who also has superhuman capabilities. This male hero is also paired with a beautiful young maiden, whom he will fall in love with and will usually have to go to battle for. Sometimes, supernatural elements are also introduced to show the strength of the hero and his capabilities.
Spanish Colonial Philippine Literature
When the Spaniards came, there was an immediate shift on the focus of literature. It became centered on the Christians faith and the stories about natural phenomena suddenly became an about the lives of saints and other religious hymns. Slowly, Philippine literature started to emulate the traditional Spanish ways of themes and forms in writing, including the repetive plots and obvious shadowly characters. Despite these changes, Filipino still found a way to make Spanish literature their own, as shown through these common kinds:
- Corrido- is a legendary religious narrative form that usually details the lives of saints or the history of a tradition.
- Awit- is a chilvaric poem about a hero; usually about a saint. It is also usually sung and used in religious processions.
- Pasyon- is a narrative poem about the life of Jesus Christ, beginning from his birth and up to his death. This is usually sung during the Lenten season. Many women were trained before to perform the Pasyon. Nowadays, it is sung by seasoned performers in churches nationwide.
- Cenakulo- is a dramatization of the passion of Christ. It highlights the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, and it is also done during Lenten season. A good example is the San Pedro Cutud Lenten Rites in San Fernando, Pampanga, where Fervent Catholics volunteer themselves to be actually nailed to the cross to reenact the suffering of Jesus Christ.
- Moro-Moro or Comedia De Capa Y Espada- is a blood and thunder melodrama depicting the conflict of Christians and Muslims. It is usually about battles to the death and proofs of faith.
- Carillo- is a play that uses shadows as it’s main spectacle.
- Tibag – is a dramatic reenactment of St. Helena’s search for the Holy Cross. St. Helena is the mother of Constantine and its often time credited to have influenced her son to be the great Christian leader he is known for today.
- Duplo o Karagatan- are native dramas that are connected to catholic mourning rituals and harvest celebration.
- Zarzuela – is probably one of the most famous form of entertainment back in the Spanish era. Zarzuela are musical comedies or melodramas that deal with the elemental passion of human being.