1.3 World and Philippine Literature Concepts
Key Takeaways
- Philippine literature evolved across four primary epochs: Pre-Colonial (oral epics, riddles), Spanish Colonial (religious works, Balagtas's Awit), American Colonial (rise of English prose, Paz Marquez Benitez), and Contemporary (social realism, national identity).
- The Awit (12-syllable dodecasyllabic meter, e.g., Florante at Laura) differs structurally from the Korido (8-syllable octosyllabic meter, e.g., Ibong Adarna).
- Foundational World Literature encompasses classical Greek epics (Homer), Renaissance drama (Shakespeare), Eastern philosophical literature (Mahabharata, Ramayana), and modern global masterpieces.
- Figurative language analysis requires distinguishing subtle tropes, such as synecdoche (part representing whole) vs. metonymy (associated attribute replacing entity).
Last updated: July 2026
Historical Development of Philippine Literature
Philippine literature reflects the complex cultural, historical, and linguistic evolution of the archipelago. Candidates taking the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LET) must demonstrate a firm mastery of Philippine literary history, canonical texts, genres, and prominent authors across four major historical periods.
1. Pre-Colonial Period (Pre-1565)
Prior to Spanish colonization, indigenous Philippine communities possessed a rich, highly developed oral tradition. Literature was communal, functional, and deeply tied to daily rituals, agriculture, and spiritual life.
- Epics (Epiko): Long narrative poems chanted or chanted orally, detailing the heroic exploits, supernatural powers, and adventures of tribal heroes. Epics reflected the worldview and moral code of ethnic groups.
- Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocano): Attributed to oral tradition and transcribed by Pedro Bukaneg; features the hero Lam-ang who speaks at birth and seeks vengeance for his father's death.
- Hinilawod (Sulodnon of Panay): One of the longest oral epics in the world, recounting the exploits of demigod brothers Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon, and Dumalapdap.
- Darangen (Maranao): UNESCO-recognized epic cycle detailing Maranao history and heroic feats of Prince Bantugan.
- Hudhud hi Aliguyon (Ifugao): Chanted during harvest and weeding seasons, celebrating hero Aliguyon's exploits.
- Proverbs (Salawikain): Short, pithy statements expressing practical wisdom, traditional values, and ethical rules of conduct (e.g., "Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan").
- Riddles (Bugtong): Rhyming couplets designed to test wit and observation skills through poetic metaphors based on everyday objects.
- Folk Songs: Expressed community emotions—Oyayi (lullaby), Kundiman (love song), Kumintang (war song), Diona (wedding song), and Soliranin (rowing song).
2. Spanish Colonial Period (1565–1898)
Spanish colonizers introduced the Roman alphabet, printing press, and Catholic doctrine. Literature shifted heavily toward religious, didactic, and secular metrical romances.
- Religious Literature:
- Pasyon: Long narrative poem depicting the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, traditionally chanted during Holy Week (Pabasa). Gaspar Aquino de Belen wrote the first Tagalog pasyon (1704).
- Cenaculo: Dramatic stage adaptation of the Pasyon.
- Secular Literature & Metrical Romances:
- Awit: Dodecasyllabic (12 syllables per line) verse rendered in a slow, solemn rhythm (andante). Themes involve chivalry, romance, and realism.
- Masterpiece: Florante at Laura by Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar—a allegorical masterpiece depicting tyranny, injustice, and love set in Albania, reflecting Spanish colonial oppression in the Philippines.
- Korido: Octosyllabic (8 syllables per line) verse rendered in a fast tempo (allegro). Themes feature religious tales, legends, and supernatural events.
- Masterpiece: Ibong Adarna (Anonymous author)—recounts the quest of three princes for a magical bird whose song cures their father's illness.
- Awit: Dodecasyllabic (12 syllables per line) verse rendered in a slow, solemn rhythm (andante). Themes involve chivalry, romance, and realism.
- Propaganda and Revolutionary Literature (19th Century):
- Reformist writers (Ilustrados) wrote to expose colonial abuses and advocate for reform.
- Dr. Jose P. Rizal: Wrote nationalistic masterworks in Spanish: Noli Me Tangere (1887, "Touch Me Not") exposing social cancer, and El Filibusterismo (1891, "The Reign of Greed") depicting impending revolution. Wrote his farewell poem Mi Ultimo Adios on the eve of his execution.
- Marcelo H. del Pilar (Plaridel): Master of satire (Dasalan at Tocsohan).
- Andres Bonifacio: Father of the Katipunan, wrote Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.
3. American Colonial Period (1898–1946)
The arrival of Americans introduced free public education and English as the medium of instruction. Filipino writers rapidly mastered English as a literary medium.
- Paz Marquez Benitez: Authored "Dead Stars" (1925), universally recognized as the first modern Philippine short story in English, exploring themes of illusion, love, and emotional maturity through protagonist Alfredo Salazar.
- Manuel Arguilla: Master of local color in English prose; authored "How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife".
- Jose Garcia Villa: Renowned poet who adopted the pen name Doveglion; introduced 'reversed consonance' and 'comma poems' (e.g., "Have, Come, Am, Here").
- Nick Joaquin: Pen name Quijano de Manila; National Artist famous for exploring the clash between Spanish Catholic heritage and modern Americanized Philippine culture (May Day Eve, The Woman Who Had Two Navels, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino).
4. Contemporary Period (1946–Present)
Modern literature focuses on social realism, political critique, identity, and regional voices in both English and Filipino.
- F. Sionil Jose: Created the five-novel Rosales Saga (including Po-on and The Pretenders), tracing social class struggles across generations.
- Lualhati Bautista: Iconic feminist social realist novelist (Dekada '70, Bata, Bata... Pa'no Ka Ginawa?).
- Amado V. Hernandez: Labor leader and National Artist who wrote protest poetry from prison (Isang Dipang Langit).
World Literature Milestones & Genre Matrix
LET General Education English includes foundational works from global literary traditions:
| Literary Period / Region | Masterpiece Title | Author | Core Theme / Cultural Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Mesopotamia | The Epic of Gilgamesh | Anonymous | Earliest recorded heroic epic; explores mortality, grief, and the quest for immortality. |
| Ancient Greece | The Iliad & The Odyssey | Homer | Archetypal epics detailing the Trojan War (Iliad) and Odysseus's decade-long journey home (Odyssey). |
| Greek Drama | Oedipus Rex | Sophocles | Classic tragedy illustrating tragic flaw (hubris), fate (Moira), and inescapable destiny. |
| Ancient India | The Mahabharata & The Ramayana | Vyasa / Valmiki | Sanskrit epics exploring moral duty (Dharma), righteousness, and divine devotion. |
| Italian Renaissance | The Divine Comedy | Dante Alighieri | Allegorical epic poem traversing Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio, and Paradiso. |
| English Renaissance | Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello | William Shakespeare | Tragic explorations of revenge, unchecked ambition, and jealousy. |
| Spanish Golden Age | Don Quixote | Miguel de Cervantes | Considered the first modern novel; satirizes chivalric romances through idealistic Don Quixote. |
| Modern / Post-Colonial | Things Fall Apart | Chinua Achebe | Masterpiece of African literature depicting the impact of European colonialism on Igbo culture. |
Figures of Speech and Literary Devices
Recognizing figurative language is a frequent requirement on the LET. The table below delineates key tropes:
| Figure of Speech | Technical Definition | Expressive Example | LET Recognition Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simile | Explicit comparison between two unlike things using like or as. | "His word was as unyielding as iron." | Look for explicit comparative connectors (like, as, resembles). |
| Metaphor | Direct statement that one thing is another unlike thing. | "Time is a beggar breaking into our lives." | States an identity directly without like or as. |
| Personification | Attributing human qualities, emotions, or actions to non-human entities. | "The relentless waves chastised the rocky shore." | Look for human verbs attached to inanimate objects. |
| Hyperbole | Intentional, extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or dramatic effect. | "I have answered a million practice questions today." | Obvious exaggeration not meant to be taken literally. |
| Synecdoche | A figure of speech where a part represents the whole, or the whole represents a part. | "The school needs more hands on deck." (Hands = workers) / "Check out my new wheels." (Wheels = car) | Part substituted for the entire object. |
| Metonymy | Substituting the name of an attribute or closely related concept for the object itself. | "The Crown announced a new tax decree." (Crown = Monarch) / "The pen is mightier than the sword." (Pen = writing; Sword = military force) | Associated concept substituted for entity. |
| Oxymoron | Pairing two contradictory or opposite terms side-by-side. | "Deafening silence", "living death", "sweet sorrow". | Two opposite words placed adjacently. |
| Paradox | A statement that seems self-contradictory on the surface but reveals a deeper truth upon analysis. | "The child is father of the man." / "I must be cruel only to be kind." | A full contradictory sentence carrying underlying logic. |
| Irony (Verbal) | Saying the opposite of what is actually meant (often sarcastic). | Stating "What lovely weather!" during a severe typhoon. | Contrast between literal statement and actual meaning. |
| Irony (Situational) | An outcome that is radically different from what was reasonably expected. | A fire station burning down completely. | Reversal of expected events. |
| Irony (Dramatic) | The audience knows vital information that characters in the story do not. | In Romeo and Juliet, knowing Juliet is asleep while Romeo thinks she is dead. | Contrast between reader knowledge and character awareness. |
Comparative Summary: Awit vs. Korido
A recurring comparative item on the Philippine LET involves differentiating Spanish-era metrical romances:
- Metric Structure: Awit utilizes 12 syllables per line (dodecasyllabic); Korido utilizes 8 syllables per line (octosyllabic).
- Performance Tempo: Awit is recited slowly (andante), often accompanied by guitar or banduria; Korido is recited rapidly (allegro).
- Subject Matter: Awit presents realistic human emotions, chivalric romance, and social allegory (Florante at Laura); Korido emphasizes supernatural elements, religious miracles, and fantasy (Ibong Adarna).
- Primary Authorship: Francisco Balagtas is the undisputed master of Awit; most Koridos were authored anonymously by friars or lay writers.
Test Your Knowledge
Which landmark short story, published in 1925 by Paz Marquez Benitez, is historically recognized as the first modern Philippine short story written in English?
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Test Your Knowledge
Identify the figure of speech used in the following statement: 'The Malacañang has issued an official statement regarding the new educational subsidies.'
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Test Your Knowledge
What is the structural metric difference between the Awit and the Korido in Philippine colonial literature?
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Test Your Knowledge
In Sophocles' Greek tragedy 'Oedipus Rex', what classical literary concept describes the tragic hero's excessive pride that leads to his eventual downfall?
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