Philippine Lit Essay Example For Students

Philippine Lit Essay Philippine Literature Literature and history are closely interrelated. In discovering the history of a race, the feelings, aspirations, customs and traditions of a people are sure to be included . . . and these feelings, aspirations, customs and traditions that are written is literature. History can also be written and this too, is literature. Events that can be written down are part of true literature. Literature, therefore, is part of history. Literature and history, however, also have differences. Literature may be figments of the imagination or events devoid of truth that have been written down, while history is made up of events that really happened. The Pre-Spanish Period Long before the Spaniard and other foreigners landed on Philippine shores, our forefathers already had their own literature stamped in the history of our race. Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday life as trace in our folk stories, old plays and short stories. Our ancestors also had their own alphabet which was different from that brought by the Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our ancestors was similar to that of the Malayo-Polynesian alphabet. Whatever record our ancestors left were either burned by the Spanish friars in the belief that they were works of the devil or were written on materials that easily perished, like the barks of trees, dried leaves and bamboo cylinders which could not have remained undestroyed even if efforts were made to preserve them. Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved existence of a native culture truly our own. Some of these were passed on by word of mouth till they reached the hands of some publishers or printers who took interest in printing the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos. The Spaniards who came to the Philippines tried to prove that our ancestors were really fond of poetry, songs, stories, riddles and proverbs which we still enjoy today and which serve to show to generations the true culture of our people. Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by A. LEGENDS. Legends are a form of prose the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing, place, location or name. The events are imaginary, devoid of truth and unbelievable. Old Filipino customs are reflected in these legends. Its aim is to entertain. Here is an example of a legend is THE LEGEND OF THE TAGALOGS. B. FOLK TALES. Folk tales are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror and humor where one can derive lessons about life. These are useful to us because they help us appreciate our environment, evaluate our personalities and improve our perspectives in life. An example of this is THE MOON AND THE SUN. C. THE EPIC AGE. Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with at length. Nobody can determine which epics are the oldest because in their translations from other languages, even in English and Spanish. We can only determine their origins from the time mentioned in the said epics. Aside from the aforementioned epics, there are still other epics that can be read and studied like the following epics. a. Bidasari-Moro epic b. Biag ni Lam-ang-Ilokano epic c. Maragtas-Visayan epic d. Haraya-Visayan epic e. Lagda-Visayan epic f. Hari sa Bukid-Visayan epic g. Kumintang-Tagalog epic h. Parang Sabir-Moro epic i. â€Å"Dagoy† at â€Å"Sudsod†-Tagbanua epic j. Tatuaang-Bagobo epic k. Indarapatra at Sulayman l. Bantugan m. Daramoke-A-Babay – Moro epic in â€Å"Darangan† D. FOLK SONGS. Folk songs are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the pre-Spanish period. These songs mirrored the early forms of culture. Many of these have 12 syllables. Here are the examples: a. Kundiman b. Kumintang o Tagumpay c. Ang Dalit o Imno d. Ang Oyayi o Hele e. Diana f. Soliraning g. Talindaw OTHER FORMS OF PRE-SPANISH POETRY E. Epigrams, Riddles, Chants, Maxims, Proverbs or Sayings 1. Epigrams (Salawikain). These have been customarily used and served as laws or rules on good behavior by our ancestors. To others, these are like allegories or parables that impart lessons for the young. 2. Riddles (Bugtong) or Palaisipan. These are made up of one or more measured lines with rhyme and may consist of four to 12 syllables. 3. Chant (Bulong). Used in witchcraft or enchantment. 4. Maxims. Some are rhyming couplets with verses of 5, 6 or 8 syllables, each line having the same number of syllables. 5. Sayings (Kasabihan). Often used in teasing or to comment on a person’s actuations. 6. Sawikain (Sayings with no hidden meanings) The Spanish Period (1565-1898) It is an accepted belief that the Spanish colonization of the Philippines started in 1565 during the time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines. Literature started to flourish during his time. This spurt continued unabated until the Cavite Revolt in 1872. The Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than three centuries. During these times, many changes occurred in the lives of Filipinos. They embraced the Catholic religion, changed their names, and were baptized. Their lifestyles changed too. They built houses mad of stones and bricks, used beautiful furniture like the piano and used kitchen utensils. Carriages, trains and boats were used as means of travel. They held fiestas to honor the saints, the pope and the governors. They had cockfights, horse races and the theater as means of recreation. This gave rise to the formation of the different classes of society like the rich and the landlords. Some Filipinos finished courses like medicine, law, agriculture and teaching. Many Filipinos finished their schooling already had been established. 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 1. 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 copies of this book can still be found at the Vatican, at the Madrid Musem and at the US Congress. It contains only 87 pages but costs $5,000. 0. 2. Nuestra Senora 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. 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 â€Å"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 Pilarenos 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. Voting Rights for African Americans EssayThe pride of Jaro, Iloilo, he won the admiration of the Spaniards and Europeans. He is a known writer and orator in the Philippines. He wrote 100 speeches which were published by Remigio Garcia, former bookstore owner in Manila Filatica and which are still read up to no by modern Filipinos. Lopez Jaena left the Philippines in 1887 with the help of Don Claudio Lopez, a rich uncle, in order to escape punishment form his enemies and arrived at Valencia, the center of the Republican movement of the Spaniards. He gained the acquaintance of the high officials like Piy Margall, Morayta, Moret, Castelar, and Salmeron. From Valencia, he moved to Barcelona where he established the first magazine LA SOLIDARIDAD. This later became the official voice of the Association Hispano de Filipinas (a Filipino-Spanish Association) composed of Filipinos and Spaniards who worked for reforms in the Philippines. Because of this, Jaena successfully showed the Spaniards and the people of the world how a newspaperman can introduce changes in law and reforms towards a better life and progress. Jaena, although he didn’t become a professor, was also a teacher in a sense to his friends and relatives in the Philippines. Like Antonio Maria Regidor, Tomas G. del Rosario and Felipe Calderon, he stood for the separation of church and state for free education, better government and schools, freedom of worship and for an independent and free university. He sided with Rizal in the controversy between Rizal and del Pilar over who should head the Association Hispano de Filipinas in Madrid. He returned to the Philippines to ask for donations to continue a new government called El Latigo Nacional or Pambansang Latigo. He sold the rights of La Solidaridad ot del Pilar who had become a lawyer and had brought in money from his sojourn in Spain. Graciano Lopez Jaena died in a charity hospital in Barcelona on January 20, 1896, eleven months before his best friend Rizal was shot at the Luneta on December 30, 1896. A. The Works of Graciano Lopez Jaena 1. ANG FRAY BOTOD (Friar Botod). One of his works written in Jaro, Iloilo in 1876, six years after the Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the Philippines. He exposed how some of the friars were greedy, ambitious and immoral. 2. LA HIJA DEL FRAILE (The Child of the Friar) and EVERYTING IS HAMBUG (Everything is mere show). Here Jaena explains the tragedy of marrying a Spaniard. 3. SA MGA PILIPINO 1891†¦ A speech which aimed to improve the condition of the Filipinos to become free and progressive. 4. TALUMPATING PAGUNITA KAY KOLUMBUS (An Oration to Commemorate Columbus). A speech he delivered in Madrid on the 39th anniversary of the discovery of America   5. EN HONOR DEL PRESIDENTE MORAYTA DE LA ASSOCIACION HISPANO FILIPINO 1884. Here he praised Gen. Morayta for his equal treatment of the Filipinos. . EN HONOR DE LOS ARTISTAS LUNA Y RESURRECCION HIDALGO. A sincere expression of praise for the paintings of Hidalgo on the condition of the Filipinos under the Spaniards. 7. AMOR A ESPANA O A LAS JOVENES DE MALOLOS (Love for Spain or To the Youth of Malolos). The theme is about how girls were taught Spanish in schools and whose teachers were the governors-general of the place. 8. EL BANDOLERISMO EN PILIPINAS (Banditry in the Philippines). Jaena refuted the existence of banditry in the Philippines and of how there should be laws on robbery and other reforms. 9. HONOR EN PILIPINAS (Honor in the Philippines). The triumphant exposition of Luna, Resurrecion and Pardo de Tavera of the thesis that intellect or knowledge gives honor to the Philippines. 10. PAG-ALIS SA BUWIS SA PILIPINAS (Abolition of Taxes in the Philippines) 11. INSTITUCION NG PILIPINAS (Sufferings of the Philippines). Jaena refers here to the wrong management of education in the Philippines 1887. B. OTHER PROPAGANDISTS ANTONIO LUNA Antonio Luna was a pharmacist who was banished by the Spaniards to Spain. He joined the Propaganda Movement and contributed his writings to LA SOLIDARIDAD. Most of his works dealt with Filipino customs and others were accusations about how the Spaniards ran the government. His pen name was Tagailog. He died at the age of 33 in June 1899. He was put to death by the soldiers of Aguinaldo because of his instant rise to fame which became a threat to Aguinaldo. Some of his works are: 1. NOCHE BUENA (Christmas Eve). It pictured true Filipino life. 2. SE DEVIERTEN (How They Diverted Themselves). A dig at a dance of the Spaniards where the people were very crowded. 3. LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference or Feast). Depicts a Filipino custom which he believed was much better than the Spanish. 4. POR MADRID (For Madrid). A denouncement of Spaniards who claim that the Philippines is a colony of Spain but who think of Filipinos as foreigners when it comes to collecting taxes for stamps. 5. LA CASA DE HUEPEDES (The Landlady’s House). Depicts a landlady who looks for boarders not for money but in order to get a husband for her child. MARIANO PONCE Mariano Ponce became an editor-in-chief, biographer and researcher of the Propaganda Movement. He used Tikbalang, Kalipulako, and Naning as pennames. The common themes of his works were the values of education. He also wrote about how the Filipinos were oppressed by the foreigners and of the problems of his countrymen. Among his writings were:   1. MGA ALAMAT NG BULACAN (Legend of Bulacan). Contains legends, and folklores of his native town. 2. PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The Beheading of Longinos). A play shown at the plaza of Malolos, Bulacan. 3. SOBRE FILIPINOS (About the Filipinos) 4. ANG MGA PILIPINO SA INDO-TSINA (The Filipinos in Indo-China)   PEDRO PATERNO Pedro Paterno was a scholar, dramatic, researcher and novelist of the Propaganda Movement. He also joined the Confraternity of Masons and the Asociacion Hispano-Pilipino in order to further the aims of the Movement. He was the first Filipino writer who escaped censorship of the press during the last day of the Spanish colonization. The following were a few of his wrtings: 1. NINAY. The first social novel in Spanish by a Filipino. 2. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). Shows the importance of a mother especially in the home. 3. SAMPAGUITA Y POESIAS VARIAS (Sampaguitas and Varied Poems). A collection of his poems. JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN Jose Ma. Panganiban hid his identity behind his penname JORMAPA. He was also known for having photographic mind. He was a member of a number of movements for the country. Some of his writings were: 1. ANG LUPANG TINUBUAN (My Native Land) 2. ANG AKING BUHAY (My Life) 3. SU PLANO DE ESTUDIO (Your Study Plan) 4. EL PENSAMIENTO (The Thinking) C. Period of Active Revolution (1896-1898) The Filipinos did not get the reforms demanded by the propagandists. The government turned deaf ears to these petitions; oppression continued and the church and the government became even more oppressive to the Filipinos. The good intentions of Spain were reversed by the friars who were lording it over in the Philippines. Because of this, not a few of the Filipinos affiliated with the La Liga Filipina (a civic organization suspected of being revolutionary and which triggered Rizal’s banishment to Dapitan). Like Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Palma, and Pio Valenzuela decided that there was no other way except to revolt. The gist of literature contained mostly accusations against the government and was meant to arouse the people to unite and to prepare for independence. D. Highlights of the Active Revolution The noted leaders of this period were Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Apolinario Mabini. These are their contributions to our country. ANDRES BONIFACIO Andres Bonifacio is best known as the Father of Filipino Democracy, but more than others, as the Father of the Katipunan because he led in establishing the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galanga Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK). Andres Bonifacio came from a poor family and it is said that what he learned he got from the school of experience. He was a voracious reader and among those he loved to read which aroused his revolutionary spirit were the NOLI and the FILI of Rizal. He joined the La Liga Filipina founded by Rizal in 1892. He established the Katipunan which triggered the spirit of freedom especially when Rizal was banished to Dapitan, Mindanao. Bonifacio is better known as the great Revolutionary rather than a writer but he also wrote things which paved the way for the revolution and which also became part of our literature. Among his works were: 1. ANG DAPAT MABATID NG MGA TAGALOG (What the Tagalogs Should Know) 2. KATUNGKULANG GAGAWIN NG MGA ANA NG BAYAN (Obligations of Our Countrymen). This is an outline of obligations just like the 10 commandments of God. 3. PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUAN LUPA (Love of One’s Native Land). A poem with a title similar to that of Marcelo H. del Pilar. 4. HULING PAALAM (Last Farewell). A translation of Mi Ultimo Adios of Rizal in Tagalog. EMILIO JACINTO Emilio Jacinto was the intelligent assistant of Andres Bonifacio in the establishment of the Katipuna. He is called the Brains of the Katipunan. He edited Kalayaan (Freedom) a Katipunan newspaper. Bonifacio withdrew his writing of the Kartilya in deference to Jacinto’s work as secretary of the Katipunan. His Kartilya was the one followed by the members of the organization. Here are few of his writings: 1. KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN (A primer book on the Katipunan) 2. LIWANAG AT DILIM (Light and Darkness). A collection of essays on different subjects like freedom, work, faith, government, love of country. 3. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). A touching ode to his mother. 4. A LA PATRIA (To My Country). His masterpiece. APOLINARIO MABINI Apolinario Mabini is known in literature and history as the Sublime Paralytic and the Brains of the Revolution. He was born in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas on July 22, 1864. Because he was born of a poor family he had to work in order to study. He became known to his professors and classmates at Letran and the UST because of his sharp memory and the simple clothes he used to wear throughout his schooling. He became the right-hand of Emilio Aguinaldo when the latter founded his Republic in Malolos. His contributions to literature were writing on government society, philosophy and politics. Here are some of his works: 1. EL VERDADERO DECALOGO (The True Decalogue or Ten Commandments). This was his masterpiece and his aim here was to propagate the spirit of nationalism. 2. EL DESAROLLO Y CAIDA DE LA REPUBLICA (The Rise and Fall of the Philippine Republic) 3. SA BAYANG PILIPINO (To the Filipino Nation) 4. PAHAYAG (News) OTHER REVOLUTIONISTS JOSE PALMA Jose Palma became popular because of his Himno Nacional Filipino (The Philippine National Anthem) which was set to music by Julian Felipe. He was born in Tondo, Manila on June 6, 1876. His brother Rafael Palma became the president of the UP. He joined the revolution against the Americans together with Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest Filipino general who died during the revolution. Aside from the National Anthem, here are his other works: 1. MELANCOLIAS (Melancholies). A collection of his poems. 2. DE MI JARDIN (In My Garden). A poem expressing one’s longings for his sweetheart. NEWSPAPERS DURING THE REVOLUTION In the effort of the Revolutionists to spread to the world their longings for their country, many newspapers were put up during the Revolutionary period. They were: 1. HERALDO DE LA REVOLUCION. Printed the decrees of the Revolutiary Government, news and works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism. 2. LA INDEPENDENCIA (Independence). Edited by Antonio Luna and whose aim was for Philippine Independence. 3. LA REPUBLICA PILIPINA (The Philippine Republic). Established by Pedro Paterno in 1898. 4. LA LIBERTAD (Liberty). Edited by Clemente Zulueta.