The Spanish/Colonial Period from 1565-1898 saw significant developments in Philippine literature. Printing was introduced, bringing religious works and periodicals. Notable writers during this time included Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, and Mariano Ponce. Common literary genres were poetry, including pasyon, metrical romances, and folk songs. Prose consisted mostly of religious and didactic works. Religious and recreational plays also flourished, such as panunuluyan, cenaculo, and zarzuela. Overall, this period saw Philippine literature blossom under Spanish colonial influence.

1. The
Spanish/Colonial
Period
(1565-1898)

2. Objectives:
– Describe the Philippine literature during the period
– Enumerate writers who contributed to the flourishing of
literature during this period
– Name literary genres and pieces
– Analyze literary pieces

3. An Introduction – What the colonizers
brought anew in Philippine Literature?
– Printing was introduced by the Dominicans in 1593
– Introduction of theater, playlets and drama
– Teaching of the Christian Doctrine
– Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other
dialects
– Periodicals this times gained religious tone
– Literature: religious prose and poetry and secular prose and poetry

4. Literary Writers & Their Works
1. Dr. Jose P. Rizal (Laong Laan and Dimaslang)
- Mi Ultimo Adios (My Last Farewell), Sobre La Indolencia De Los
Filipinos (On The Indolence of The Filipino), A La Juventud Filipina (To The
Filipino Youth), Junto Al Pasig (Beside The Pasig River)
2. Marcelo H. Del Pilar (Plaridel, Pudpoh, Piping Dilat, Dolores Manapat)
- Pag-ibig Sa Tinubuang Lupa, Kaiingat Kayo, Dasalan at Tocsohan,
Sagot sa Espanya sa Hibik ng Pilipinas

5. 3. Graciano Lopez Jaena
- founded La Solidaridad
- Fray Botod, La Hija Del Fraile ang Everything is Hambug
4. Mariano Ponce (Kalipulako, Tikbalang, Naning)
- Ang Alamat ng Bulacan, Sobre Filipinos
5. Pedro Paterno
- Ninay (1st social Novel in Filipino)
- Sampaguitas y Poesias Varias (Sampaguita and Varied Poems)

6. 6. Andres Bonifacio
-Ang Dapat Mabatid ng Mga tagalog, Katungkulang gagawin ngv
Mga Anak ng Bayan, Huling Paalam
7. Emilio Jacinto
- Brain of the Katipunan, Editor of Kalayaan (Katipunan’s
Newspaper)
- Kartilya ng Katipunan, Liwanag sa Dilim, A La Patria

7. 8. Apolinario Mabini
-Sublime Paralytic, Brain of Revolution
- El Verdadero Decalogo, Sa Bayang Pilipino
9. Jose Palma
- best known as the author of the lyrics of the national anthem
10. Modesto de Castro
- the Father of Classic Prose in Tagalog
- “Urbana and Feliza”

8. Literary Genres
Poetry
1. The Pasyon – commemoration of Christ’s agony and resurrection at
Cavalry.
Ex. “Ang Mahal Na Pasion Ni Jesu Christong panginoon Natin Na
Tola” by Gaspar Aquino de Belen in 1704
2. Metrical Romances (Awit At Korido)
a. Awit – fabricated from writer’ imagination, set and characters
are Europeans, refer to chanting.
Ex. “Florante at Laura” by Francisco Baltazar

9. b. Korido – usually based on European legends or tales, refer to
narration.
Ex. “Ibong Adarna”, “Historia Famoso ni Berbardo del Carpio”
3. Ladino Poems
4. Folk Songs
Ex. Leron-leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy, Sarong Banggi,
Atin Cu Pung Singsing

10. Prose
- consists mostly of didactic pieces and transitions of
religious writings in foreign languages, such as novenas and
biographies of saints,… and linguistic works of friar lexicographers
and grammarians.
Ex. Barlaan at Josaphat (conversion to Christianity of a young Indian
prince, Josaphat, by the holy man, Barlaan; their pious lives, and holy death)
Urbana and Feliza

11. Religious and Recreational Plays
1. Panunuluyan – tagalog version of Mexican Posadas. Held on
Christmas Eve. Dramatizes Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging in
Bethlehem.
2. Cenaculo – dramatization of passion and death of Jesus Christ. With
2 kinds: Cantanda and Hablada
3. Salubong/Panubong – Easter play. Meeting of Risen Christ and his
Mother

12. 4. Tibag – St. Helen/Elena’s search for the cross on which Jesus died
5. Carillo (Shadow Play) - performed on a moonless nigh during town
fiesta or on dark nights after harvest
6. Zarzuela/Sarswela – father of drama
7. Sainete – short musical comedy popular during the 18th century. An
exaggerated comedy.

13. Other noted plays/events during this period:
– The Moriones
– The Moro-moro
– Karagatan
– Duplo
– Balagtasan
– Dung-aw