PRE-COLONIAL LITERATURE OF THE PHILIPPINES

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LITERATURE DURING PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD

1. The Spanish Colonial Period

2. How did Spanish culture and religion influence our literature?

3. Analyse the statements on the next slide and express whether you agree or not. Put a check in the column of your response.

4. YES NO 1. Ancient settlers in the islands of the Philippines had their own form of literature even before the coming of the Spaniards. 2. Ancient Philippine literature was generally an oral tradition. 3. Most of the ancient literary forms were an oral tradition since there was no system of writing that existed during the precolonial period. 4. Literature contains historical and cultural pieces of information that were used to reveal the way of life of our ancestors. 5. It was only during the Spanish colonization that literature was introduced to the Philippines. 6. Various forms of colonizations and occupations in the Philippines affected and influenced the features and themes of its literature. 7. Philippine literary texts are only those written in the native or local language.

5. Historical Background March 16, 1521 - the date that the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippine soil Homonhon - an island in Eastern Samar where Magellan landed Limasawa - where the first Catholic mass in the Philippines was celebrated April 14, 1521 - date that Fr. Pedro Valderrama baptized more than 500 natives along with Rajah Humabon Rajah Humabon was the first king in the Philippines to convert to Catholicism

6. Ruy López de Villalobos - named the archipelago Las Islas Filipinas in honor of Prince Philip of Asturias, who reigned as the King of Spain from 1556 to 1598 1565 - the year King Philip II of Spain officially colonized the country and assigned the new expedition to the first Governor-General Miguel López de Legazpi Six years later, he established his capital in Manila.

7. Spain had two motives in colonizing the Philippines: Spice trade More valuable than gold, spices were the leading component of ancient commerce even before the 15th century. 2. Converting Filipinos to Christianity The Spaniards used a policy called reduccion , which is a means of relocation of scattered settlements to a large town. This way, Spanish friars were able to convert natives into Christianity.

8. Spanish priests believed that stories about mythical creatures, spirits, deities , and rituals contained works of the devil. Because of this, they instructed the natives to destroy them. They also told them to undergo baptism and embrace Christianity. The parish priest was practically the only Spaniard who had direct contact with Filipinos. As such, he became the embodiment of Spanish power and culture among the colonized populace.

9. The Spanish culture became highly noticeable in literature because of the use of characters similar to kings and queens, and princes and princesses. The 333-year Spanish colonization ended with outbreaks of revolution and the rise of independence. The Propaganda Movement , led by the Ilustrados , who are elite Filipinos who went to Europe to study, along with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo, demanded independence from Spain.

10. Members of the Reform Movement Jose Rizal ( Dimasalang / Laong Laan ) Marcelo H. del Pilar (Plaridel) Mariano Ponce ( Tikbalang / Kalipulako ) - They wrote for La Solidaridad . La Solidaridad was an organization created in Spain on December 13, 1888. It aims promote political and social reforms in the Philippines. This aim was motivated by the desire to improve the living conditions of the Filipino people, who were suffering under the Spanish colonial government.

11. Revolutionaries Andres Bonifacio (May Pag- asa ) Emilio Jacinto ( Dimasilaw ) wrote for Kalayaan - Katipunan Newspaper Both La Solidaridad and Kalayaan contributed to secular writings during the period and ignited the desire of the Filipinos to be free from Spain.

12. June 12, 1898 - General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from the Spanish colonial rule in his home in Kawit , Cavite. This freedom, however, was short-lived because of the arrival of the Americans in the land.

13. Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature The first Filipino alphabet called Alibata was replaced by the Roman alphabet . Religious practices became based on the teachings of Christian doctrine . The Spanish language, which became the literary language during this time, lent many of its words to our language.

14. Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature 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. Our periodicals during the Spanish colonization gained a religious tone

15. Match the items in column A with those in column B. A B 1. The date that Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in the Philippine soil a. Ruy López de Villalobos 2. An island in Southern Leyte where Magellan landed b. March 16, 1521 3. He named the archipelago Las Islas Filipinas in honor of King Philip II of Asturias c. June 12, 1898 4. The leading component of ancient commerce before the 15th century d. Homonhon 5. A means of relocation of scattered settlements to a large town e. parish priest

16. A B 6. Led by the ilustrados f. reduccion 7. The date that General Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from the Spanish colonial rule g. Fr. Pedro Valderrama 8. Became the embodiment of Spanish power and culture among the colonized populace h. Dimasalang 9. He baptized more than 500 natives along with Rajah Humabon i.Propaganda Movement 10. Jose Rizal j. spices

17. Write an essay about the various ways the Spaniards influenced Philippine literature.

18. Values Integration As a student, how can knowing the Spanish influences in literature allow you to look at our country in an entirely different light?

19. Form four groups. Each group will: look for a significant event during the Spanish colonial period and perform a reenactment of that chosen historical event. The group should show how such event greatly influenced Philippine literature. have each member of the group provide a one-paragraph insight about the chosen significant event

20. 3. As a wrap up, answer the following questions: How did you feel about the activity? What were the difficulties that you encountered while working with a group in reenacting the historical event and in writing your insights?

21. Assignment The Spaniards colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years. Aside from what has been discussed in this lesson, what other contributions of the Spaniards to the Philippines can you think of? Answer the question in the form of a one-paragraph essay. Choose one Spanish influence in Filipino literature and create an illustration about it. Make sure that you are able to explain how you think it was able to impact contemporary Filipino literature.