LESSON 1
Overview of Philippine Literature from the
Regions
Some common literary genres in the regions:
EtiologiEpicscal Legends
⚫ explain how things came to be or why things are as they are
⚫ passed down through oral tradition
⚫ anonymous authors
⚫ narrate the adventures of tribal heroes
⚫ The tribal heroes possess traits and values considered ideal by the
tribe of origin.
Folktales/Folklore
⚫ traditional stories passed down through oral tradition
⚫ include fables, riddles, proverbs, folk songs, and sometimes
superstitious beliefs
Myths
⚫ stories that involve the native pantheon of gods/goddesses
⚫ explain a belief, custom, or strange natural phenomenon
LESSON 2
Literature from Luzon
Luzon
⚫ The largest island group in the Philippines.
Divided into eight regions:
⚫ Ilocos Region
⚫ Cagayan Valley Region
⚫ Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
⚫ National Capital Region (NCR)
⚫ Bicol Region
⚫ Central Luzon
⚫ MIMAROPA
⚫ CALABARZON
⚫Major regional languages: Bikolano, Ilokano, Kapampangan,
Pangasinense, and Tagalog
Some ethnic groups: Aetas, Igorots, Ibalois, Mangyans, Apayaos,
Kalingas, and Itnegs
Examples of Literature from Luzon
● Biag ni Lam-ang (Ilocos Region)
This is an epic about Lam-ang, a man with extraordinary strength, who
sets out to find his missing father Don Juan.
● ”The Legend of Magat River” (Cagayan Valley, first version)
This is a legend about Magat, a handsome and strong-willed youth, who
saved a lovely maiden in a stream from the clutches of a python.
● Aliguyon (CAR)
An epic, Aliguyon is about a series of mortal combats between Aliguyon
and Pumbakhayon to settle a tribal feud.
● “Footnote to Youth” (NCR)
This is a short story about Dodong, who wanted to marry Teang. Both
were young, so when Dodong asked his father, he was met with silence.
The two ended up getting married, but later on, they both start to think
about and even regret doing so.
● Ibalon or Ibalong (Bicol Region)
This is an epic about three heroes—Baltog, Handiong, and Bantong—
who all defeated their adversaries.
● “Atin Cu Pung Singsing” (Central Luzon)
This is a children’s folk song about a child who lost the ring given to her
by her mother.
● Tagbanua Myth (MIMAROPA)
This is a myth about the first man, named Adan, who was like a stone,
for he could not speak.
● “The Legend of Maria Makiling” (CALABARZON)
This is a story about a mountain in Laguna called Makiling that was
guarded by a fairy named Maria. The townsfolk fondly called her
Mariang Makiling.
LESSON 3
Literature from Visayas
Visayas
● the smallest island group in the Philippines
● divided into three regions: Western, Central, and Eastern
● major regional languages: Cebuano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Kinaray-a,
and Waray
● seven main islands: Bohol, Cebu, Panay, Samar, Negros, Leyte, and
Masbate
Examples of Visayan Literature :
● Western Visayas
○ Hinilawod - It is the oldest and perhaps most well-known epic of
Panay. It narrates the story of the goddess of the eastern sky named
Alunsina who reached the age of maidenhood. Every god from different
places tried to win her heart. Soon, the goddess decided to marry a
mortal from Halawod, Datu Paubari.
○ The Fall of Polobulac - This is a tale from Panay about the seven
deadly sins.
● Eastern Visayas
○ Bowaon and Totoon - This is a Waray folktale with the English
translation “Falsehood and Truth.” It is about two friends named
Bowaon and Totoon who could not find work, so they decided to go
away from their place to look for their fortune elsewhere.
○ Si Amomongo at Si Iput-iput - This is a fable about a gorilla and a
firefly. The lesson it conveys is that one should never belittle those who
are small because they could do big things that big people cannot do.
● Central Visayas
○ Sicalac and Sicavay - This is a Visayan creation myth about Captan and
Maguayan who are both gods who created earth and all living things.
Captan planted a bamboo in the garden. One day it broke into two
sections and out stepped a man and woman who were respectively
named as Sicalac and Sicavay.
○ Catalina of Dumaguete - This is a legend about a 16-year-old girl
named Catalina who was very beautiful and industrious but with many
strange ways. She was said to have mysterious powers and was said to
have saved Dumaguete from the Moros.
LESSON 4
Literature from Mindanao
Mindanao
● the second largest island group in the Philippines
● divided into six regions: Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula,
Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan
Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City), ARMM (Autonomous
Region in Muslim Mindanao), and Caraga Region
● major regional languages: Chavacano, Maguindanao, Maranao, and
Tausug
● generally inhabited by Muslims, but although they are no longer a
majority, the Islamic culture is still evident
● Unlike Luzon and Visayas, Mindanao was not entirely colonized by
the Spaniards.
About Mindanao:
● large groups of ethnic minorities: Maranao, Maguindanao, Ilanun,
and Sangil; also referred to as Moro
● groups found in the uplands: the Bagobo, Bukidnon, Manadaya,
Manobo, and Subanon
● Every ethnic minority has a number of raconteurs or narrators who
deliver a story in a creative way, bearing two or three or more folktales.
The stories they tell have been conveyed to them by older members of
their respective families, friends, and acquaintances, some of whom
have already died. Raconteurs can be young or old, men or women.
Examples of Literature from Mindanao
● The Origin of Davao (Davao Region) - This is an account of the
beginning of Davao. It is about the natives of Davao called Kalagans.
● Ag Tobig Nog Keboklagan (Zamboanga Peninsula) - This is an epic
story translated as The Kingdom of Keboklagan. It is considered as one
of the oldest epics in Zamboanga. It is chanted or performed during
their week-long buklog festival, and it tells the life and adventures of an
extraordinary hero named Taake.
● How Cagayan de Oro Got Its Name (Northern Mindanao) - This is a
legend explaining the origin of the name of the province, which means
“shameful peace.”
● Ulahingan (SOCCSKSARGEN) - This is an epic about the adventures of
Agyu and his relatives who had a conflict with their rulers. As they flee
from their place, they were guided by a diwata. )
● The Maguindanao Tale of the Faithful Wife (ARMM) - This folktale is
about an aged man’s last words to his son, telling him that he should
never marry a widow and only choose a young lady.
● Tulalang (Caraga Region) - This folktale is about Tulalang, the
firstborn of a poor couple. One day, he went into the forest to gather
some food. When he was collecting crops, an old lady approached him
and pitied their poor life. She said that they will never be hungry, and
they can get anything they want. Soon after, they had a prosperous life.
