Lesson

3 Philippine Literature during

Colonial Period

Almost half a decade, after the documented discovery of the Philippines in 1521 during
Ferdinand Magellan's exploration marks the beginning of the colonial period. The Spaniards
successfully colonized the Philippines for more than 300 years having evangelization as its
main thrust. The nationalistic consciousness of the Filipinos began when world trade took
place in the Philippines as a result of exchanging of liberal ideas with the other countries
among children of middle class Filipino families who were sent to Europe. This led to a
revolutionary period that ended the long and oppressive Spanish tyranny in our country.

American period of colonialism officially took place after Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered.
The transition period between Spanish and American colonialism did not run smoothly
since resistance among the native Filipinos who were threatened by the coming of other
colonizers was evident. The setting of public schools during the American period became a
necessary tool for popularizing democracy in our country, training Filipinos for citizenship,
and embracing the English language. All of which are considered influential to Philippine
literature even up to this date. The last colonizers to enter the Philippines
were the Japanese who failed to gain the trust of Filipinos and only lasted
for less than five years.

What’s New

Philippine literature had been polished by colonial experiences of Filipinos during Spanish
Period, American Period, and Japanese Period. Moreover, foreign encounters with
neighboring countries were also significant parts of Filipinos' lives. All of these Eastern
(Asia and Middle East) and Western influences (Europe and North America) have uniquely
shaped the geopolitical, as well as economic conditions of the Philippines. Eastern culture
is more conservative and traditions, while Western culture is liberal, open, and blunt.
Great consideration and respect for the elders is emphasized among Asian countries. On
the other hand, Europeans and North Americans are quite expressive and have high
regards for one's own decision-making

An emphasis on Christian doctrine was manifested through various types of texts which
replaced stories about heroes and animated creatures to Biblical characters and saints as
evidenced by novenas, prayer books, and other printed materials. This makes literature
during the Early Spanish Period didactic or intended for teaching morality and conduct for
good behavior. Other than books, plays and dramas emerged for recreational purposes. These
were mostly poetic in nature and were intended for public performances. When few privileged
Filipino men from middle class families were given access to education, they also became
fluent in Spanish language which paved the way to production of literary texts by our own
natives. Eventually, this led to reforms in the government through underground newspapers
and revolts.

Threatened by the presence of other colonizers, the transition between Spanish Period and
American Period was not smooth due to resistance among Emilio Aguinaldo who was the
appointed president at that time and our fellow countrymen. As compared to Spanish regime,
American colonizers used democratic approach as manifested by allowing a Filipino to lead
the country through elections where Manuel Quezon won over Aguinaldo. Public education
was then emphasized during this period where the English language was introduced and
embraced by many Filipinos resulting in various literary works in English which were mostly
imitative at first. Some notable Filipino writers later on adapted and developed their own
theme, styles, and conventions making their works recognizable both nationally and
internationally. Watching foreign films replaced the popularity of theatrical shows and novels.

The cruelty of the Japanese occupation was evidenced by strong resistance among the
majority of Filipino people. The attempt to erase Western influences was shown when they
tried to ban the use of English language during their reign. Freedom of the press and of
expression was also suppressed. The Tagalog language was favored by the Japanese which
made Tagalog stories and dramas flourish at the time. Love for music was evident through
exposure to opera and classical music. Life struggles, nationalism, and patriotism were the
common themes and subjects but were secretly published. Only those Filipinos who were
living abroad could freely write and express their opinions.

I. SPANISH COLONIAL PERIOD (1565-1898)

✔ This can be divided into two major periods: Early Spanish Period (1565-1863) and Later
Part or Revolutionary Period (1864-1896).
✔ Early Spanish Period can be categorized as either religious or secular.

Dimensions of Philippine Literature

✔ The type of literature produced during this period used Spanish, Tagalog, and the
vernacular form of languages.
✔ Spanish was introduced as the medium of communication and later shifted to Tagalog
when a sense of nationalism arose during the revolutionary period.
✔ The introduction of the printing equipment called xylographic press by the Dominicans
resulted in publication of various religious materials and earliest books.
✔ Poetically inclined writers led by Tagalog versifiers called Ladinos (natives who were
also fluent in Spanish) such as Fernándo Bágongbantâ and Tomas Pinpin tackled mostly
morality and religion.
✔ Folk songs still existed.
✔ Drama, as another type of literary genre, as well as metrical tales based on European
origin (such as awit and corrido) flourished.
✔ Diaryong Tagalog (1882), a Spanish-Tagalog newspaper, published bulk of Filipino
writings. The publication signaled the open campaign for reforms.
✔ In 1889, the La Solidaridad, an underground newspaper, became the mouthpiece of the
Reform Movement.

Emergence of Other Types of Literature during Spanish Colonial Period

✔ Books. In 1593, the book written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva
entitled "Doctrina Cristiana" (The Christian Doctrine) was first printed. Among the other
notable books printed are "Nuestra Señora del Rosario" by Fr. Blancas de San Jose,
"Barláan at Jósaphát" (first published in 1708) translated from Greek to Tagalog by Fr.
Antonio de Borja, and "Urbana at Felisa" by Modesto de Castro who is considered as the
Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog.
✔ Folk Songs. These were songs modified based on the folkways of Filipinos during this
period.
 ✔ Recreational Plays. These were mostly poetic in nature and intended to be performed
during the Spanish era. Cenaculo, Carillo, Zarzuela, Moro-Moro, Balagtasan, Duplo, and
Karagatan are among the examples.
✔ Novels. These are fictitious prose usually lengthy and complex in nature. Pedro
Paterno's work entitled "Ninay" is the first novel published by a Filipino author. This was
originally written in Spanish language and translated into English and Tagalog in 1907
and 1908.
✔ Newspapers. There has been a debate on whether newspapers should be categorized
as literature or not. However, according to Britannica, some high level journalism like
articles written in a newspaper such as columns and feature articles can be considered
as literature for as long as they achieve a certain level of satisfaction under aesthetic,
chronological, and psychological characterization. Bulk of Filipino writings produced
were mostly published in Diaryong Tagalog. The underground newspaper La Solidaridad
is considered as the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.

Some Notable Writers

✔ Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862) was hailed as the "Master of Traditional Tagalog
Poetry". His well-known literary work, Florante at Laura (1838–1861), is regarded as the
most famous metrical romance of the country.
✔ Pedro Paterno (1857–1911) was the first Filipino who wrote poetry collection in
Spanish entitled Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880). His novel in Spanish Ninay
(1885) was considered to be the first Filipino novel.
✔ Jose Rizal (1861–1896), a prominent ilustrado and the country’s national hero, is
famous for the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These novels portray the
corruption and abuse of the Spanish officials and the clergy.
✔ Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897), the founder of the Katipunan, wrote the poem “Pag-
ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” which appeared in the official newspaper of the Katipunan
called Kalayaan in March 1896.
✔ Leona Florentino (1849–1884), known as the “Mother of Philippine Women’s
Literature,” was a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish. Twenty of her poems were
preserved and exhibited in Europe and were included in the Encyclopedia
Internationaldes Oeuvres des Femme in 1889.

II. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910-1945)

✔ American colonial period is divided into two periods: the period of apprenticeship
(1910-1930) and the period of emergence (1920-1930).
✔ The surrender of first Philippine President Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901 signified the end of
the military struggle for independence.
✔ Aguinaldo promised allegiance to America but still continued to be very vocal of
achieving independence for the Philippines.
✔ In 1935, Aguinaldo was soundly defeated by Manuel L. Quezon as the first President of
the Commonwealth.

Dimensions of Philippine Literature

✔ During the transition period many Filipino writers still preferred to write in Spanish since
English was still a foreign language to them.
✔ Filipino writers were into all forms of literature during the period of apprenticeship but
most of their works were critiqued as an imitation of English and American models.
 ✔ Short stories became the most prevalent literary form during the latter part of
American colonial period.
✔ The existence of American literary works and periodicals as well as the coming of
American teachers encouraged many aspiring Filipino writers to use the English
language.
✔ A new type of literature began when American system of education and English
language were introduced.
✔ At the beginning, most of the literary works written in English were considered imitative
in nature, but then later on evolved to a new variety of subjects, styles, and
conventions of writing.
✔ Common theme in plays was all about nationalism.

Other Type of Literature Existed during American Colonial Period

✔ Short Stories. These are stories that can typically be read in one sitting revolving
around one subject and may range between 1,000 up to 20,000 words. The first short
story written in English is entitled "Dead Stars" by Paz Marquez Benitez.

Some Notable Writers

✔ Juan C. Laya. He won first prize for his novel "His Native Soil" in the First
Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.
✔ Zoilo M. Galang. His work entitled "A Child of Sorrow" in 1921 is considered as the
first Filipino novel in English.

III. JAPANESE COLONIAL PERIOD (1942-1945)

✔ Japan invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941 which was strongly opposed by the
Guerillas.
✔ Captured soldiers and American deportees were forced to have "Death March" to a
prison camp where they walked for 100 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan to San
Fernando, Pampanga. An estimated 10,000 prisoners died here.
✔ Aguinaldo cooperated with the Japanese to end Filipino and American opposition.
✔ Japanese colonizers failed to gain the trust of Filipinos.
✔ The resurgence of World War II forced former President Manuel L. Quezon and Vice-
President Sergio Osmeña Sr. to immediately leave the Philippines and sought residence
in the United States as the Commonwealth government was suddenly in exile.
✔ There was a great tension between the two major groups: HUKBALAHAP (unified
guerilla army against Japanese invasion) and KALIBAPI (political party approved by the
Japanese).
✔ Jose P. Laurel was appointed as the President of the Philippines under the Japanese-
sponsored Republic.
✔ In 1942, Mc Arthur escaped but promised to return which he did in 1944. The US victory
in the battle of Leyte gulf signaled the beginning of Philippine liberation from the
Japanese.

Dimensions of Philippine Literature

 ✔ All forms of writings were censored during this time because there was no freedom of
speech and of the press.
✔ Only those who were living in the United States such as Carlos P. Romulo and Manuel L.
Quezon could write freely.
✔ The use of English language was stopped in almost all publications and only Tagalog
and the vernaculars were permitted.
✔ Few literary works were printed and mostly considered as pessimistic and bitter
according to the author Victoria Abelardo.
✔ Another type of poetry that emerged is the Haiku consisting of three lines with 5-7-5
syllables or 17 syllabic poetry in all.
✔ Tagalog short stories flourished and some of the best works were compiled by the
Liwayway magazine editors in Ang Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino ng 1943.
Some notable stories were “Lupang Tinubuan” by Narciso G. Reyes, “Uhaw ang Tigang
na Lupa” by Liwayway Arceo, “Nayon at Dagatdagatan” by N. V.M. Gonzalez, and
“Suyuan sa Tubigan” by Macario Pineda.
✔ Opera and classical music gained popularity.
✔ Among the other types of literature emerged were essay (e.g. "Literature and Society"
by Salvador P. Lopez) and autobiography (e.g. "The Good Fight" by Manuel Quezon).

Some Notable Writers

✔ Carlos P. Romulo. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his notable works such as "I Saw the
Fall of the Philippines", "I See the Philippines Rise", "Mother America", and "My Brother
Americans".
✔ Narciso Reyes. He won first prize with his short story "Lupang Tinubuan".

ASSESSMENT : Since you have already reviewed some major influences brought to us by the
three countries, it is now time to examine positive and negative results of each period of
colonialism among Filipinos in general during that time.
Colonial Period Positive Influences Negative Influences

Spanish

American

Japanese