#cor9

THE PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD.

Years before any of the colonizers took a step on our country, many of our ancestors made oral literatures such as myths, legends, epics, and riddles that came from their customs and beliefs. These works were passed down from generation to generation through storytelling. Some of the well-known examples of pre-colonial Philippine literature are:

1. Hinilawod of the Hiligaynon people - an epic poem which tells the story of the adventures of three brothers.

2. Biag ni Lam-ang of the Ilocano people - another epic which tells the story of a heroic warrior, Lam-ang.

Unfortunately, no one knew the exact writer for some of the literature during this time as it came from different tribes and is passed on first through verbal means before being recorded during the colonial period.

Sources: https://www.scribd.com/document/521791269/Lesson-2-Pre-Colonial-Literature.

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT.

1. Jose Rizal - Born on June 19, 1861. He was a novelist, poet, and essayist who wrote in both Spanish and Tagalog. His most famous works includes "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo," his novels that exposed the injustices of the Spanish colonial government in which inspired the Philippine Revolution that helped pave the way for the country's independence from the Spaniards. He was executed by the Spanish authorities on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan for his involvement in the revolution. He is now known for being the National Hero of the Philippines for his many literary contributions that paved the way towards our independence from the Spanish colonizers.

2. Antonio Luna (1866 - 1899) - He was born in Binondo, Manila to a prominent family. He was a prolific writer, publishing articles and essays that criticized the Spanish colonial government and advocated for Philippine independence. Some of his notable works include "Impresiones," a collection of essays on Philippine society and politics, and "La Union," a newspaper he founded that promoted nationalist and anti-colonial ideas. He died on 1899 when he was assasinated by other Filipino soldiers.

Sources: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jose-Rizal and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Luna

PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH.

1. Juan F. Salazar - was born in 1889 in San Roque, Cavite. He left Manila for newspaper work. In 1913, he joined The Philippine Republic, a Filipino weekly in Hong-Kong. The following year, he returned to the country as a reporter for La Democracia and El Renacimiento Filipino. Among his notable works are, "My Mother" and "Air Castles" published in 1909. He was part of the first Filipino writers who used the English language in their writings. In the year 1919, he succumbed to pneumonia.

2. Fernando Maramag - born on January 21, 1893 in Ilagan, Isabela. Maramag was a Filipino poet, journalist, essayist, and teacher. He also worked as an editor for various publications including The Manila Tribune, Rising Philippines, The Philippines Herald, and the National Weekly. Some of his notable works are “The Rural Maid,” “Moonlight on Manila Bay,” “A Christ Without a Cross,” and many other poetry. Maramag died on October 23, 1936.

Sources: https://m.facebook.com/historiacavitena/photos/a.755371291143113/4379979355348937/?type=3 and http://www.archipelagofiles.com/2021/08/fernando-m-maramag-biography-and-poems.html?m=1

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM.

1. Jose F. Lacaba - is a Filipino poet, journalist, and screenwriter born on November 25, 1945. He was an active participant in the Philippine literary and cultural scene during the period of activism in the 1970s. Lacaba's literary works during this time were marked by his strong anti-Marcos regime sentiments and his advocacy for social justice. Among his most notable works during this time are his book “Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage” in 1982, and the controversial poem "Prometheus Unbound," an acrostic poem through which he managed to trick the publishers of a pro-Marcos magazine to publish a secretly anti-Marcos message. Up to this day, his works continue to inspire and resonate with the struggles and aspirations of the Filipino people for social justice and freedom.

2. Jose Maria Sison - He was born on February 8, 1939, in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur, Philippines. During the period of activism, Sison played a crucial role in the founding of the Communist Party of the Philippines in 1968. He was also a leader of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the CPP. Sison's writings and speeches became a source of inspiration for many Filipinos who were fighting for social justice, land reform, and an end to the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. In 1977, he was arrested by the Philippine government on charges of subversion and rebellion. He spent the next nine years in prison, where he continued to write and organize fellow political prisoners. Sison wrote prolifically while incarcerated, including his Basic Principles of Marxism-Leninism: a Primer which was smuggled by his wife from prison. Today, he is recognized as the founder of the Philippine revolutionary movement.

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Lacaba and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Maria_Sison

THE AMERICAN REGIME.

1. Severino Reyes - Born on February 11, 1861, in Sta. Cruz, Manila, he began his career as a journalist and writer. He wrote plays, essays, and articles, and was recognized as a talented writer in both Spanish and Tagalog. He was also a Filipino playwright and director who made significant contributions to the development of Philippine theater during the American colonial period. His plays often dealt with social issues such as poverty, corruption, and inequality, and were written in a style that combined elements of traditional Filipino theater with modern Western theater. He is best known for his play "Walang Sugat", which is considered a masterpiece of Filipino theater. The play was first performed in 1902 and tells the story of two lovers who are separated by the Philippine Revolution. He died on September 15, 1942 but his legacy lives on in the many plays that is continued with inspirations from his works.

2. Lope K. Santos - Born on September 25, 1879, in Pasig. He wrote novels, short stories, essays, and poems in both Tagalog and English that has made a significant contribution to literature. One of his best known novel is “Banaag at Sikat" (From Early Dawn to Full Light), which was published in 1906. The novel is considered a landmark work of Philippine literature, as it is one of the first Tagalog novels to depict the struggles of the Filipino peasantry against colonial oppression and remains an important work of Filipino literature to this day. Santos also published the first grammar book of the national language, Balarila ng Wikang Pambansa which was commissioned by the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (SWF). He also served as a senator in the Philippine Commonwealth and was a founding member of the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. He passed away on May 1, 1963 due to liver complications however he is still remembered to this day for his many contributions in the Philippine literature.

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severino_Reyes and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lope_K._Santos

THE JAPANESE PERIOD.

1. Jose Garcia Villa - Born on August 5, 1908 in Manila, Philippines. Villa first tried painting, but then turned into creative writing. His art poetic style was considered too aggressive at that time, however, Villa won Best Story of the Year from The Philippine Free Press magazine for his work “Mir-I-Nisa” in which he used the prize money to migrate to the US. He was mainly known for his poetic works such as Appassionata: Poems in Praise of Love in 1979 and A Parliament of Giraffes, which is a collection of Villa's poems for young readers. Because of this Villa was considered as a powerful literary influence in the Philippines, even though he had lived most of his life in the United States. He passed away on February 5, 1997.

2. N.V.M Gonzales (Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzales) - was a Filipino writer, journalist, essayist, and teacher, born on September 8, 1915, in Romblon, Philippines. Gonzales' literary contributions during the Japanese period were primarily in the form of short stories. His works were characterized by their realistic and compassionate portrayal of ordinary people, as well as their exploration of social issues. Some of his notable works from this period include "The Winds of April,” "The Bamboo Dancers,” and “The Bread of Salt.” His contributions to Philippine literature were recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Short Story. He passed away in the year 1999.

Sources: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._V._M._Gonzalez and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Garc%C3%ADa_Villa

PERIOD OF ACTIVISM

Poetry.

The youths who were the hope of our nation,

Were once filled with anger and burning passion,

They, who could not contain their raging emotions,

Had started with their bloody demonstrations,

They were all full of hopes and determination,

That they can one day remove the ills of our society’s foundation.

From their sidewalk expressions…

To the placards that spoke of revolution,

And the writings that showed their rebellious emotions.

The young activists were painted by others as a rebellion,

For they have stood with their belief with every intention.

While for many, they were truly heroic for their strong determination.

The youths united to fight against aggression,

All were sick and tired of the oppression,

Even the writers have joined these petition.

Everyone wanted to put a stop to the tyranny,

All these struggles, just for the freedom of society,

Everything were truly for change and accountability.

A form of movement they have done.

Their voices echoed throughout the land,

A call for change… their only demand.

They marched with banners and outstretched hand,

In nationalism, they firmly took a stand,

They call out their dreams for their beloved land.

Period of Activism, a time when the youth rose up in defiance,

Even dared against the government for social compliance,

With their banners held high and voices raised,

Their passion and courage cannot be restrained.

For the people’s power can never be contained,

TANAGA

Hindi ka nag-iisa,

Minamahal ka nila.

Ang bigat ay gagaan,

TANAGA

Kanino iaalay,

Ang pag-ibig kong tunay,

Mga tulang ginawa,

TANAGA

Dilim ng kalangitan,

Tanaw kong kalawakan,

Kay ganda kung pagmasdan,

TANAGA

Mapagmahal na ina,

Sa ingat mo’t aruga,

Buhay ko’y maligaya,