This self-learning module for 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World (Grade 12, Quarter 1, Module 3) surveys Philippine literature during the three colonial periods: Spanish, American, and Japanese. It is written for Senior High School learners studying at home or in class, and for the teachers and parents who guide them. After it, learners should be able to explain how each colonial period shaped the language, forms, and themes of Philippine literature, and name the key works and writers of each period.
What learners will learn
The module covers one lesson, Lesson 3: Philippine Literature during Colonial Period. It is based on these most essential learning competencies (MELCs):
- Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from pre-colonial to the contemporary, and representative texts and authors from each region (EN12Lit-Ic)
- Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the earlier genres or periods, citing their elements, structures, and traditions (EN12Lit-Id-25)
By the end of the module, learners are expected to:
- Identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history during the colonial period.
- Differentiate, compare, and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from earlier genres or periods, citing their elements, structures, and traditions.
- Determine representative texts and authors of this period through oral history research.
- Situate selected texts in the current context to enrich understanding.
Literature during the Spanish colonial period
The module dates the Spanish colonial period from 1565 to 1898. It divides it into the Early Spanish Period (1565-1863) and the Later Part or Revolutionary Period (1864-1896). Because evangelization was the colonizers’ main goal, early literature was religious or secular and largely didactic, meaning it taught morality and good conduct. Stories of heroes and creatures gave way to Biblical characters and saints in novenas and prayer books.
Key points from the lesson:
- Languages: Spanish, Tagalog, and the vernaculars were used. Writers shifted to Tagalog when nationalism grew during the revolutionary period.
- Printing: The Dominicans introduced the xylographic press, which produced religious materials and the earliest books. Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine), by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, was first printed in 1593.
- Ladinos: These were Tagalog versifiers who were also fluent in Spanish, such as Fernando Bagongbanta and Tomas Pinpin. They wrote mostly about morality and religion.
- New forms: These included drama, metrical tales of European origin such as the awit and corrido, and recreational plays such as the Cenaculo, Zarzuela, Moro-Moro, Balagtasan, Duplo, and Karagatan. Folk songs also continued.
- Novels: Pedro Paterno’s Ninay (1885) is the first novel published by a Filipino author.
- Newspapers: Diaryong Tagalog (1882) published much Filipino writing and signaled the open campaign for reforms. La Solidaridad (1889) became the mouthpiece of the Reform Movement.
Notable writers of the period include:
- Francisco Baltazar, the “Master of Traditional Tagalog Poetry,” who wrote Florante at Laura, the country’s most famous metrical romance
- Jose Rizal, author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
- Andres Bonifacio, author of the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” (love for the native land)
- Leona Florentino, the “Mother of Philippine Women’s Literature”
- Modesto de Castro, author of Urbana at Felisa and Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog
Literature during the American and Japanese periods
American period. Public schools spread democracy, trained Filipinos for citizenship, and introduced English. At first, many writers still used Spanish, and early works in English were criticized as imitations of English and American models. Later, writers developed their own themes and styles. Short stories became the most common form, and nationalism was the usual theme of plays. Foreign films took over the popularity of theater and novels. The lesson highlights these firsts and awards:
- “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez, the first short story written in English
- “A Child of Sorrow” (1921) by Zoilo M. Galang, the first Filipino novel in English
- Juan C. Laya’s “His Native Soil,” which won first prize in the 1940 Commonwealth Literary Awards
Japanese period (1942-1945). There was no freedom of speech or of the press, so all writing was censored. English was stopped in almost all publications, and only Tagalog and the vernaculars were allowed. As a result, Tagalog short stories flourished. Examples include “Lupang Tinubuan” (native land) by Narciso G. Reyes and “Suyuan sa Tubigan” (courtship in the rice fields) by Macario Pineda. The haiku (three lines of 5-7-5 syllables) emerged. The essay and the autobiography also appeared, such as Manuel Quezon’s “The Good Fight.” Only writers living in the United States, such as Carlos P. Romulo and Quezon, could write freely.
How to use this module
The module follows the usual self-learning parts: What I Know (a 10-item pretest), What’s In, What’s New, What Is It (the lesson), What’s More, What I Have Learned, What I Can Do, Assessment (a 10-item post-test), and Additional Activities. Answer keys are at the end.
- Learners: Take the pretest first. Then read the lesson and do the activities in order. These include a “Who Am I” checklist on Eastern and Western influences, tables comparing the three periods, a task on Francisco Benitez’s essay “What Is an Educated Filipino,” and a reflective writing task. Write all answers on a separate sheet, and check them honestly against the answer key only after answering.
- Parents: Help your child find a copy of the Benitez essay online or at a local library, since Activity 2 requires it.
- Teachers: The Notes to the Teacher suggest helping learners see how colonial influences shaped Filipino life and literature, past and present. Several activities have open answers, so plan how you will check them. It is also a good idea to review the answer key against the lesson before using it.
Frequently asked questions
What grade and quarter is this module for?
It is for Grade 12 Senior High School learners taking 21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World, Quarter 1, Module 3.
What does this module cover?
It has one lesson, Lesson 3: Philippine Literature during Colonial Period. The lesson covers the languages, literary forms, key works, and writers of the Spanish, American, and Japanese colonial periods.
Does the module have an answer key?
Yes. The answer key covers the pretest, the paragraph completion in What I Have Learned, and the post-test assessment. Answers to the open-ended activities may vary.
What was the first book printed in the Philippines?
According to the module, it was Doctrina Cristiana (The Christian Doctrine) by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva, first printed in 1593.
Why did Tagalog literature flourish during the Japanese period?
The Japanese stopped the use of English in almost all publications and permitted only Tagalog and the vernaculars. This made Tagalog short stories and dramas flourish.
Full text of the module
The text below is a transcription of the PDF above, as printed.
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Historical Overview of Philippine Literature: Colonial Period
Senior High School
Alternative Delivery Mode
CO_Q1_21st Century Lit SHS_ Module 3
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World– Grade 12 Alternative Delivery Mode Quarter 1 – Module 3: Historical Overview of Philippine Literature: Colonial Period First Edition, 2020
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.
Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.
Published by the Department of Education Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio
| Development Team of the Module | |
|---|---|
| Writers: | Mirasol C. Eugenio, Astrid E. Arevalo |
| Editor: | Marilou S. Syjueco |
| Reviewers: | Nenita J. Rivera, Melibeth D.C. Ruiz, Irene M. Raya, Felisa I. Salud, Aprilyn G. Reyes, Anna Margarita L. Arcega, Nerissa B. Mendoza, Ralph Joseph Quiaoit |
| Layout Artists: | Mirasol C. Eugenio, Astrid E. Arevalo, Ana Lisa M. Mesina |
| Management Team: | Malcolm S. Garma Genia V. Santos Dennis M. Mendoza Micah S. Pacheco Josefina M. Pablo Dalisay E. Esguerra Hilda C. Valencia |
Printed in the Philippines by _____
Department of Education – NCR
Office Address: Misamis St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City, Metro Manila Telefax: (632) 8929-0153 E-mail Address: depedncr@deped.gov.ph
[transcriber’s note: this page repeats the cover title “21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World / Quarter 1 – Module 3: Historical Overview of Philippine Literature: Colonial Period” with the Senior High School label and DepEd logo; omitted as duplicate cover text]
Introductory Message
This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.
Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.
Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.
In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based learning.
Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.
If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.
Thank you.
What I Need to Know
In general, this module aims to encourage the learners to appreciate and critically study the various dimensions, genres, elements, structures, contexts, and traditions of the 21st Century Literature from the Philippines. Moreover, the learners are expected to show understanding and appreciation of 21st Century Philippine literature from the regions by writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and by doing an adaptation using various multimedia platforms. Specifically, this module focuses on literature during the three colonial periods: Spanish, American, and Japanese.
The module covers only one topic, that is:
- Lesson 3 –Philippine Literature during Colonial Period
After going through this module, you are expected to:
MELC: Write a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts and doing an adaptation of these require from the learner the ability to identify: (EN12Lit-Ic) the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history from pre-colonial to the contemporary representative texts and authors from each region (e.g. engage in oral history research with focus on key personalities from the students’ region/province/town) Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions (EN12Lit-Id-25)
- identify the geographic, linguistic, and ethnic dimensions of Philippine literary history during colonial period;
- differentiate/compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions;
- determine representative texts and authors during this period through oral history research; and
- situate selected texts in the current context to enrich understanding.
What I Know
Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Even before his death, Rizal affirmed his place in literary history by succinctly and expertly putting into words his acceptance of death in the land he so loved in his last poem. What was the original title of the poem “My Last Farewell.”?
- A. Adios Patria Adorada
- B. Mi Amore Adios
- C. Mi Ultimo Adios
- D. Salve Patria Adios
Which underground paper was used by the revolutionists as their mouthpiece of reform during the revolutionary period?
- A. Diaryong Tagalog
- B. Doctrina Cristiana
- C. La Solidaridad
- D. The Decalogue
The short story “Dead Stars” written by Paz Marquez Benitez is considered as the first Filipino modern short story in English. In which period was it written?
- A. American Period
- B. Contemporary Period
- C. Spanish Period
- D. 21st Century
Which type of literature flourished during the Japanese period?
- A. Essay
- B. Novel
- C. Poem
- D. Short story
What is the title of the first book printed in the Philippines?
- A. Doctrina Cristiana
- B. Ninay
- C. Noli Me Tangere
- D. Urbana at Felisa
Which best describes the literary works during the early Spanish Period?
- A. Bulgar and sarcastic
- B. Informal and imitative
- C. Nationalistic
- D. Religious and secular
Which best describes the literary works during the early American Period?
- A. Bulgar and sarcastic
- B. Imitative
- C. Nationalistic
- D. Religious or secular
Which new form of literature first flourished during the Spanish period?
- A. Diary
- B. Drama
- C. Essay
- D. Riddles
What is regarded as the most famous metrical romance in the Philippines?
- A. Biag ni Lam-ang
- B. Florante at Laura
- C. Ibong Adarna
- D. Noli Me Tangere
What was the most prevalent form of literature during the American and Japanese period?
- A. Essay
- B. Novel
- C. Poem
- D. Short story
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 In
What do you know about the Philippines during each colonial period in our country’s history? Spanish period? American period? Japanese period? Answer briefly. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Notes to the Teacher
Explain to the learners that knowing the various influences brought to us by the colonizers can further lead us to better understanding of the experiences and life of Filipino during those periods which reflect our literature of the past and of the present.
[transcriber’s note: the printed page numbers on these images read 5 through 12; the markers below follow the page numbers given for this excerpt]
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.
WHO AM I CHECKLIST: How many of your interests, traits, and characters can you identify as to Eastern and Western influences? Answer this survey checklist by putting a check on the column category that applies to you.
| Category | My Unique Choice | Social/ Group Influence |
|---|---|---|
| A. Physical Appearance | ||
| 1. Hairstyle and make-up | ||
| 2. Clothes (color and style) and footwear | ||
| 3. Accessories | ||
| B. Career | ||
| 1. SHS strand | ||
| 2. School | ||
| 3. Future course in college | ||
| 4. Future work | ||
| C. Decisions/ Preferences | ||
| 1. Friends | ||
| 2. Food preferences | ||
| 3. Hobbies | ||
| 4. Philosophies | ||
| 5. Dealing with conflict |
After accomplishing the checklist, what important insights have you gained about yourself? Elaborate.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
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What is It
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“.
What’s More
Activity 1: Colonial Period at a Glance
If one wants to study the entire history of our country during the colonial period, this requires intensive and complex time, energy, and effort. In the below activities, we will try to go back to history focusing only on what is essential especially in the progress and development of literature in the Philippines.
ASSESSMENT 1a: Complete the table below by filling in the needed information based on the discussion about Philippine literature during the colonial period.
| Influences | Spanish Period | American Period | Japanese Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government System | |||
| Education | |||
| Religion |
ASSESSMENT 1b: 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 |
Activity 2: Education Is Freedom
Education has been the key instrument towards achieving independence among our fellow countrymen since then. During Spanish time, Jose Rizal and other heroes like Antonio Luna, Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Jose Palma, and many more privileged educated men of middle class families used what they learned to write nationalistic texts that motivated the revolutionists in their fight for freedom. Moreover, there was a great emphasis on education during the American period. Everybody was given an equal chance to be educated which further improved the literacy level in the country resulting to the production of literature that expressed the desires and aspirations of Filipinos to gain full authority of our beloved country. By gaining fluency in another foreign language, which is English, many of the Filipino literary works gained both national and international recognition. These texts written in English unfold the real and current condition of our country to the rest of the world. Lastly, despite not having freedom of the press and expression during the Japanese period, those Filipinos living abroad such as Carlos P. Romulo and Manuel Quezon continued to write about the current state of the Philippines.
The power of education has been used to inspire changes in our nation but what is truly the mark of an educated person? Now that everybody is provided with an equal access to education, can we say that we are all truly educated? In the essay written by Francisco Benitez during the early 1900s entitled “What Is an Educated Filipino”, he emphasized that education should be useful not only to the individual but also to the State as well. Look for the copy of the text online or at the local library and accomplish the tasks that follow.
ASSESSMENT 2a: Describe the characteristics of education based on the essay of Francisco Benitez “What Is an Educated Filipino”.
| Education for… | CHARACTERISTIC/S |
|---|---|
| 1. Practical Activity | |
| 2. Knowledge about History and Culture | |
| 3. Speech and Conduct |
Write a composition to provide a clear comparison of the changes in meaning of education between the American and Spanish periods. Have a separate sheet for this activity.
ASSESSMENT 2b: Compare and contrast the concept of an educated Filipino from Spanish Regime, American Regime, and present. Answer using one complete sentence only.
| Education during Spanish Regime | Education during American Regime | Current Educational System |
|---|---|---|
What I Have Learned
PARAGRAPH COMPLETION: Fill in the missing words to complete each statement below.
Colonial periods are divided into three: Spanish, American, and Japanese. The 1) _____ are the longest ruling colonizers who used both language and religion as its weapon. Spanish colonizers introduced 2) _____ among Filipinos through exposure to various religious texts that aim to teach Christian values and morality. Government was mostly ruled by _____. Although, 3) _____ was allowed during the latter part, but it was considered as a privilege and for private concern only. During the Revolutionary Period, 4) _____ texts flourished.
There was a great emphasis on 5) _____ and 6) _____ during the reign of American colonizers. Patriotism and nationalism were still the common topics or subjects of literature. 7) _____ using English language flourished while 8) _____ and plays became less popular because of foreign films.
- _____ was the shortest among the three. Nationalism and solidarity were still the favorite topics but forbidden at the same time. Tagalog short stories flourished since 10) _____ language was banned. Inculcating Eastern values among Filipinos was not that successful since Filipinos continued to resist until its period of sovereignty in 1945.
What I Can Do
I AM A SUPERHERO: Do the following tasks. Have a separate sheet for these activities.
A. If given the chance to travel through time and change something from the past to solve the current problem/s of our nation, in which colonial period era would you prefer to go back and why? Explain the things you will do as you travel.
B. Jose Rizal used the power of writing to educate his fellow countrymen. As a modern day hero, how will you use the power of writing for the betterment of your country? What specific problems in our country will you focus on?
Assessment
Multiple Choices. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
What is most likely the theme of literary text during the Early Spanish Period?
- A. Equality
- B. Nationalism
- C. Nature
- D. Religion and morality
Which literary theme is the most common among the three periods of colonialism in the Philippines?
- A. Daily life
- B. Education
- C. Nationalism
- D. Poverty
Which word best describes the type of literature written in English by Filipino authors during the Early American Period?
- A. Colorful
- B. Imitative
- C. Fluently written
- D. Unique
Which is true about literature during the Japanese Period?
- A. Filipinos were encouraged to write using the Tagalog language.
- B. Filipinos were forbidden to write at all during this period.
- C. Filipino writers began writing literary text in Nihongo.
- D. Filipinos continued to write in English and Spanish.
Being in exile during the Japanese period, Manuel L. Quezon wrote his experiences and thoughts in his work entitled “The Good Fight” while he was in the US. What genre of literature is this?
- A. Autobiography
- B. Essay
- C. Novel
- D. Short story
Which best describes the type of literature during the later part of the Spanish regime?
- A. Didactic and conservative
- B. Imitative and informal
- C. Sarcastic and pessimistic
- D. Simple and dynamic
Who was appointed as the President of the Philippines during the Japanese period?
- A. Emilio Aguinaldo
- B. Jose P. Laurel
- C. Manuel L. Quezon
- D. Sergio Osmeña Sr.
Which Philippine literary was NOT prevalent during the Japanese period?
- A. Essay
- B. Drama and classical music
- C. Short stories written in English
- D. Short stories written in the vernacular
What refers to a native drama popular during the Spanish period that depicts war between Christians and Muslims?
- A. Epic
- B. Komedya or Moro-moro
- C. Myth
- D. Parable
10.Who is the writer of the first Filipino novel in English entitled “A Child of Sorrow” in 1921?
- A. Jose Garcia Villa
- B. Nick Joaquin
- C. Paz Marquez Benitez
- D. Zoilo M. Galang
Additional Activities
LESSSON WRAP-UP: Recall or read three literary works written by a Filipino author produced during the three colonial periods. Examine the genre, theme, and subject.
| Colonial Period | Literary Title/ Author | Genre | Subject/ Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | |||
| American | |||
| Japanese |
Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper:
- What aspect of literature is worthy to be appreciated in each text?
- What do these three texts have in common in terms of content?
- What can you infer about the thoughts, ideas, and beliefs of Filipino people during colonial periods based on the selected texts?
- Are these texts still relevant up to this date? Justify your answer.
- How would you compare the traditional literature to the 21st century literature?
Answer Key
[transcriber’s note: the answer key is printed rotated 180 degrees. Its three columns are listed below in the order they read on the page, and the cells are not paired across columns, since the columns have different lengths.]
| What I Know | What’s More | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| 1. B | (Answers may vary.) | 1. D |
| 2. C | What I Have Learned | 2. C |
| 3. A | 1. Spaniards | 3. B |
| 4. D | 2. Christianity | 4. A |
| 5. A | 3. education | 5. A |
| 6. D | 4. nationalistic | 6. C |
| 7. B | 5. education | 7. B |
| 8. B | 6. citizenship | 8. C |
| 9. B | 7. Short stories | 9. B |
| 10. D | 8. novels | 10. D |
| 9. Japanese Period | ||
| 10. English |
References
Foronda Jr., M. A.. (1975). Philippine Literature during the Japanese Occupation. The Journal of History, 20(1-2). Retrieved from http://ejournals.ph/form/cite.php?id=5023
Macansantos, F. & Macansantos, P. (n.d.). Philippine Literature in the Spanish Colonial Period. Retrieved from https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/philippine-literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period/#:~:text=The%20existing%20literature%20of%20the,songs%2C%20riddles%2C%20and%20proverbs.
Philippine History (2020). Retrieved from www.philippine-history.org
Quindoza-Santiago, L. (n.d.). Philippine Literature during the American Period. Retrieved from https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/early-philippine-literature/
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
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