The Spanish Period

THE SPANISH
PERIOD
1521-1898
Task 1: Characterize Me
Tell something about the following literature during the Pre-Spanish Period.
Legends Folk Tales Epics Folk Songs

• The start of the Philippines’ more colorful history took place on
March 16, 1521 when Ferdinand Magellan, a Spanish
explorer from Portugal, docked on the shores of Homonhon.
• The Filipinos were then called “ladinos” meaning they were
Latinized.
• Filipinos were called two things- one is “taga-bayan” while the
other is “taga-bukid” or “taga-bundok.”
• A person who is “taga-bayan” is considered urbane and
civilized and were in the range of church and state.
• A person who is ‘taga-bukid” or “taga-bundok” is called a
Bruto Savage (Savage Brute) or “Indio” and were the ones
who lived far from the center of the Spanish power.
Forms of Literature….
Religious Literature revolves around the life and death of Jesus Christ.
a. PASYON – it is about the passion (journey and suffering) and the death
of Jesus Christ
The most popular of the Pasyon (and with the longest title) is the
Casaysayan nang Pasiong Mahal ni Jesucristong Panginoon Natin na Sucat
Ipag-alab nang Puso nang Sinumang Babasa (An Account of the Sacred
Passion of Jesus Christ Our Lord which Should Inflame the Heart of Anyone
Who Reads It.)
b. SENAKULO- it is the re-enactment of the Pasyon
c. KOMEDYA- it depicts the European through love

and fame , but can also be a narrative about a
journey, just like Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. It
is also considered religious, because it usually
depicts the battle between the Christians and the
Saracens or the Moros.
Secular or non-religious literature- revolves around tales of valiance and
adventure.
Forms –
a. AWIT- these are tales of chivalry where the knight saves a princess.
Florante at Laura is a good example.
b. KORIDO- is a metrical tale or a tale that follows the structure of a poem.
c. PROSE NARRATIVES – are easy to understand instructional materials that

in a literary light teaches Filipino on proper decorum. Ang Pagsusulatan ng
Dalawang Binibini na sina Urbana at Feliza (1864) is an example.
Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature
The first Filipino alphabet, called ALIBATA, was replaced by the Roman
alphabet. Also the teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of
religious practices. European legends and traditions brought here became
assimilated in our songs, corridos and moro-moros.
Folk Songs- it manifests the artistic feelings of the Filipinos and
shows their innate appreciation for and love of beauty. The
examples are Leron-Leron Sinta, Pamulinawen, Dandansoy,
Sarong Banggi, and Atin Cu Pung Sing-sing.
Recreational Plays- there were many recreational plays

performed by Filipinos during the Spanish times. Almost all of
them were in poetic form such as Cenaculo, Panunuluyan,
Salubong and Zarzuela (a Spanish Lyric-dramatic genre that
alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter
incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance).
PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT
1872-1898
Propaganda Literature- these were in the form of satires, editorials, and
news articles that aimed to attack the Spanish rule. The propaganda trinity is
made up of Jose P. Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena.
GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA – Ang Fray Botod, one of his works written in
Jaro, Iloilo in 1876, six years after the Cavite revolt attacking the friars in the
Philippines. He exposed how some of the friars were greedy, ambitious and
immoral.
La Hija del Fraile (The Child of the Friar) and Everything is Hambug
(Everything is mere show)- here Jaena shows the tragedy of marrying a
Spaniard. His other works were Sa Mga Pilipino…1891 and Talumpating
Pagunita kay Kolumbus (An Oration to Commemorate Columbus)
MARCELO H. DEL PILAR –
Kaiingat Kayo (Be Careful) – a humorous and sarcastic dig in answer to

Father Jose Rodriguez in the novel NOLI of Jose Rizal published in
Barcelona in 1888. He used Dolores Manapat as pen-name here.
Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes)- similar to catechism but

sarcastically done against the parish priests, published in Barcelona in 1888.
Because of this, del Pilar was called “filibuster”.
Ang Cadaquilan ng Dios (God’s goodness)- published in Barcelona, it was

also like catechism sarcastically aimed against the parish priests but also
contains a philosophy of the power and intelligence of God and an
appreciation for and love for nature.
JOSE P. RIZAL-
Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not) – the novel that gave the spirit to the propaganda
movement and paved the way to the revolution against Spain. In this book, he courageously
exposed the evils in the Spanish-run government in the Philippines.
El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed)- is the sequel to the Noli. While the Noli exposed the
evils in society, the Fili exposed those in the government and in the church. The Noli is
dubbed as the novel of society while Fili is that of politics.
Mi Ultimo Adios (The Last Farewell)

Sobre La Indolencia delos Filipinos
Filipinos Dentro de Cien Años
To the Filipino Youth
To the Young Women of Malolos
Revolutionary Literature- are exposes that sparked revolution
and resistance in the hearts of Filipinos
Andres Bonifacio
Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Obligations of our

Countrymen)- an outline of obligations just like The Ten Commandments,
hence, it is likewise called Ang Dekalogo
Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog (What the Tagalogs Should Know)- an
essay outlining the basic tenets of Bonifacio’s ideas on nationalism.
Emilio Jacinto’s Liwanag at Dilim (Light and Darkness) – a
collection of essays on different subjects like freedom, work, faith,
government and love of country
Apolinario Mabini’s El Desarollo y Caida de la Republica Filipina

(The Rise and Fall of the Philippine Republic)- this essay highlights
the establishment of the Philippine Republic and its subsequent
doom due to disunity among the Filipinos
PUBLICATIONS
La Solidaridad (The Solidarity)- was established to express the goal of the Propaganda
Movement towards achieving assimilation with Spain. A forthnightly and bi-weekly
newspaper, it serves as the principal organ of the Reform Movement in Spain
El Heraldo de la Revolucion (Herald of the Revolution) – printed the decrees of the

Revolutionary government, news and works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism. This is the
official newspaper of the Revolutionary government of Emilio Aguinaldo.
La Independence (Independence)- an independent newspaper founded and edited by Gen.

Antonio Luna
La Republica Filipina (The Philippine Republic)- a private newspaper edited by Pedro

Paterno
La Libertad (Liberty)- another private newspaper edited by Clemente Zulueta

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THE SPANISH

Legends Folk Tales Epics Folk Songs

c. KOMEDYA- it depicts the European through love

b. KORIDO- is a metrical tale or a tale that follows the structure of a poem.

c. PROSE NARRATIVES – are easy to understand instructional materials that

Recreational Plays- there were many recreational plays

Kaiingat Kayo (Be Careful) – a humorous and sarcastic dig in answer to

Dasalan at Tocsohan (Prayers and Jokes)- similar to catechism but

Ang Cadaquilan ng Dios (God’s goodness)- published in Barcelona, it was

Mi Ultimo Adios (The Last Farewell)

Katungkulang Gagawin ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Obligations of our

Apolinario Mabini’s El Desarollo y Caida de la Republica Filipina

El Heraldo de la Revolucion (Herald of the Revolution) – printed the decrees of the

La Independence (Independence)- an independent newspaper founded and edited by Gen.

La Republica Filipina (The Philippine Republic)- a private newspaper edited by Pedro

La Libertad (Liberty)- another private newspaper edited by Clemente Zulueta

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