The Philippine Literature
I. Literary Forms and Elements of Each Period
Early Literature
Awit or song is the most prominent literary form/element during Early Philippine Literature. It is notorious in such ways that there are 16 song forms for certain occasions. It is highly valued and executed among the society. Folk songs are widely practiced, it depicts people’s lifestyles as well as their affection for someone. Lullaby is known for its various terms, uyayi or oyayi; hulu na, hele na, halo na and hili na, which means “Close your eyes now” (Bañas, 1975). It is sung to put children on sleep. Few more examples that is presented in the article are soliranin, a song for travellers; talindaw seafarers song; kumintang, a war song sung and danced to inflame the spirit of warriors; maluway; kundiman a romantic song; dalit; panambitan sung by suitors during courtship and pamanhikan a song-ritual during wedding ceremony; subli for courtship and marriage as well as dallot and duayya that are both romantic songs; dung-aw; babagto sung during harvest season; and laji, kanta, and kalusan sung when they are joyful and finished a work by Ivatan in Batanes Islands. Bugtong is a local riddle, an indigenous oral tradition widely acknowledged and practiced during early literature of Philippines. It consists of seven syllables per lines, usually in a form of couplet. It is a short-rhymed puzzles which is dominated by talinghaga or metaphor. Unlike other forms of literarature, bugtong is participatory as it requires response from the audience. It is considered to be a form of entertainment as it challenges one’s mind to think sensibly and observe.
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Bata pa si Tonton, marunong na gumawa
ng sariling bahay.
Sagot: Gagamba
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Tonton is young, and he already know
how to build his own house.
Answer: Spider
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Riddles are also relayed to some literary forms of poetry such as ambahan. It is almost similar to tanaga, both consists of seven syllables except that ambahan is indefinite in lines, which means that it can have any numbers of lines. It is chanted but mostly recited without certain pitch and musical accompaniment of instruments. It is said to narrate life experiences such as love, nature, death and relationships with the use of symbolic language. Below is an example from a collection by Mangyan Heritage Center in the Philippines.
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Hanunoo-Mangyan:
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Tagalog:
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English:
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Ako nangos
babayan
Saludan
bansanayan
Hog banhiwan
man di wan
Sis gugay-gubay
lingban
Hog linong was
baaynan
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Ako nama’y
iduyan
Binibining
marilag
Mahimbing sa
kandungan
Sa gilid, sa
dingdingan
Tahimik na
tahanan
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In my hammock,
rests my love
My wife, my
sweet, so tender
Quietly we
lay, side by side
In this yard,
a tranquil den
Our home, O
calming delight!
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Tanaga similarly to ambahan, contains seven-syllable line but it has four definite lines following rhythm scheme, AABB, at the end of each line. Poets are challenged to write for it has rhyme schemes and meter measures. It demands poets to be skillful with their words to create mystery or some kind of puzzle that requires an answer from readers. Whilst, the poets are concentrated on the proficient construction and use of works, they also shall give notice to its meter measures. It traditionally consists of philosophical ideas and views about life. It is handed down by oral history, it also contains moral lessons and ethics.
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Palay siyang matino,
Nang humangi’y yumuko
Nguni’t muling tumayo
Nagkabunga ng ginto
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Plant that is sane
Winded and it bows
But stands up again
As it grows with gold
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Salawikain (kawikaan, wikain, kasabihan), a Tagalog proverb, termed sarsarita in Iloko, like bugtong, proverb is a rhymed short verse. According to the article given there are six groups of salawikain according to subject matter, all of them contains moral lessons on different aspects of life. Most salawikan, shaped Filipinos’ mind especially today. An example is Ang karukhaan ay hindi hadlang sa pagtatagumpay (Poverty is not a hindrance to success), which inspires impoverished students to study hard regardless of their low-living. My favorite is Mabuting pa ang nag-iisa kaysa sa may mga kasamang masama (It is better to be alone than be with people with bad intentions), as it values the essence of being alone. Basically, salawikain are wise sayings that promotes codes of proper behavior, it mirrors societal norms, practices and beliefs as it conveys important lessons.
A narrative form that is imminent among Philippine literature is Philippine epics or ethno-epics (epiko). Almost each tribe in the country has their own epic that is reflected to their identity. It was passed through oral tradition, either chanted or sung, thus, there is not much of written epic narratives that are dated since early periods. But as of today, every year magdadawots (bards) chant Mandaya dawot which are epic poems to preserve the literary work. The language used in these oral traditions are intricate as it is no longer spoke by many and cannot be clearly understood by current generation. Only few – whom are old and dying – are gifted and skilled to transmit these ancient arts. Dawot is collection of epic poems which narrates adventures on ancient people. Dawot is composed of several episodes called hallubaton, that are transmitted orally by bards. As the time progresses, only seven hallubaton survived: Pyalid si Ubang (Ubang was Carried by the Wind), Yangagaw si Dilam (Dilam Abducted Sadya from Tibay), Yallabo si Sadya (Sadya Drowned), Yagabulla si Daymon (Daymon Runs Amuck), Maylan (Maylan Retrieves His Shield), Yang Sabud ni Gambong (A Strom Ravaages a Flower in Gambong’s Garden) and Syukli si Ubang (The Molestation of Ubang). Dawot has existed for centuries but its origin remains to be unknown.
Early Philippine Literature was already enriched with folklore, in which one of them is myths or mito. In a graphic novel of M.A. Del Rosario entitled, Tales From the Kingdom of Tundo, we were able to see how pre-colonial Philippines was like before, along with the supernaturals and other beliefs they practiced. Ancestors came up with folk tales which explains the creation of the world; and man and woman. It provides an answer to whys and wherefores of the natural phenomena; deities and spirits; gods and goddesses; higher powers; and good and evil.
Philippine Literature in Spanish Colonial Period
The long ago existing written literature record of Philippines, was completely burnt by conquistadors in belief that those were “works of devil”. Therefore, there is not much of records that we can study dating back to early literature of Philippines. Spanish colonial period began on 1521 but it only significantly affected Philippine literature in 1593, when printing was first introduced to Philippines with the first book ever to be printed in xylography, Doctrina Cristiana by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo Nieva both in Tagalog and Spanish. It is a prayer book which contains Peter Noster (Our Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary), Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), The Ten Commandments of God, The Commandments of Catholic Church, Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess and The Catheicism. The creation of printing paved way to the proliferation of Tagalog and Spanish literatures, journalism started to arose using the two languages mentioned. During 1800, only those writers with religious subject on their works were acknowledged. Doctrine literatures that were written under Spanish colonial period are Nuestra Senora del Rosario by Antonio Sánchez de la Rosa, Imprenta de los Amigos del País, and Edward E. Ayer, it contains biographies and novenas; Libro de Los Cuatro Postrimerias del Hombre by Francisco Blancos in 1604; Ang Barlaan at Josephat by Virgilio S. Almario, the first translated biblical story that is printed; The Pasion, read during Lenten Season, it is about life and sacrifices of Jesus Christ; Urbana at Felisa by Juliana Martinez, portrays the need to follow values of Christian teaching; and Ang mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary) authored by Fr. Mariano Sevilla during 1865, it is a collection of praising the Virgin Mary. Some prayer book was only exclusive for the use of missionaries which they read aloud to be transmitted on illiterate Indio catechumens. But in order to further spread their literary works which contains their beliefs, traditions and values, they must employ their native speakers to be translators. As this progresses, native translators were able to read and write both languages, Spanish and Tagalog.
Printing publication started to emerge. The first newspaper in the Philippines which came out on 1811, Gazeta Del Superior Gobierno. Even though it was said to be born to aid society’s anxiety and curiosity on grave events taking place in Europe during that period. It was apparently published by private initiative and were suspected to be distributed in a very limited way as it does not have regular publication date. Along with other publicized literatures, they are regulated by colonial government. Censorship is coerced as it is still dominated by religious themes.
Moro-moro which was before named, komedya, a folk theater emerged under Spanish colonial period. It enacts the defeat of Muslim villains by Christian heroes (Majul, 1985). It is influenced by secular literature of Spain in the form of medieval ballads. In 1637, a play was written to dramatize capture of Christian Filipino army on Islamic stronghold. It was prominent that there were other stage plays that were written and staged, all inspired by the drama. It depicts similar plot of Christian defeating Moro.
The Propaganda Movement ignited when Gomburza was immorally killed by colonial government. The illustrados led by Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Graciano Lopez-Jaena, these patriots were also called Propagandist for they executed their movement with the use of pen and tounge to expose the defects of colonial Spanish government rule and urgency of acknowledgement. Dr. Jose Rizal wrote Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo to expose the unjust governance of Spaniard government in Philippines. Both works are considered to be a wake-up call book of revelation, in which it promotes nationalism, independence and demand of equal rights. There were other newspapers during the Propaganda Movement such as Diariong Tagalog (founded by M.H. Del Pilar on May 2, 1882), it aims to condemn the discrimination and oppression of Friars to Filipinos.
After the execution of Dr. Jose Rizal, La Liga Filipina, established movement of Dr. Rizal was split into two: Cuerpo de Compromisarios and The Katipunan. Andres Bonifacio wrote Ang Dapat Mabatid ng Mga Tagalog which contrasts the state and condition of Filipinos before and after Spanish colonization. He reiterates Philippines before colonization as ‘Liwanag’ for it is free and abundant. He stresses that ‘Dilim’ as a word to describe the state of our country under Spanish colonization because Filipinos suffered slavery, coercion and treachery. Emilio Jacinto is one of the officers of KKK also wrote Katipunan newspaper, the Kalayaan. He also wrote several articles about human rights, nationalism and government.
Philippine Literature in American Period
Education is an essential factor which greatly affected the influence of Americans to Philippine literature. Through education, social values, literary forms and English language was taught to each student on universities and schools in Philippines. During early decades, Americans saw that literary works of Filipinos are still highly influenced by Spaniards due to previous colonization. El Nuevo Dia (The New Day) established by Sergio Osmenia in 1900, a Spanish-language newspaper, it promotes expression of nationalism, hence, suspended twice by American authorities due to its coverage. Americans censors informations that oppose or threat their governance, thus, Osmenia devises his strategies to avoid censorship. El Grito Del Pueblo (The Call of the Nation) established by Pascual Poblete in 1900 also uses Spanish language. A bilingual Spanish-Tagalog language newspaper El Renacimento (The Rebirth) was established by Rafael Palma during 1900s. All printed newspapers mentioned above suffered censorship of U.S. El Renacimento displays appreciation to Castillian language and Hispanistas requested for independence while criticizing the policies of William Howard Taft (1909-1913 U.S. president). [pg. 413] It also started to discuss sensitive issues such as slavery in 1903. [pg. 415] In 1903, El Renacimiento subtly published first criticism to unjust censorship of U.S. government. They questioned the revoke of Filipino Bill. After multiple violations of the El Renaciementon, they were then silenced by American Dean C. Worecaster on 1908.
As education continuously promote English language and completely discard Spanish. More and more people are beginning to be English literate as Filipinos started to dependently write their own works in English. Americans introduced new newspapers that are written mostly by American journalists in English. The Manila Times, a newspaper founded by Thoman Gowan – an English man living in the Philippines – on 1898. Its aim was to serve American sent to Manila in participation in Spanish-American war. The Bounding Billow and Official Gazette (1898); Manila Daily Bulletin (1900); and Philippine Free Press (1908); and in 1920 The Philippine Herald, a pro-Filipino newspaper was published.
During 1925-1941, most Filipino writers became English literate, they are now able to write and read English language. The writers in English imitated themes and methods taught by Americans. Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez. It is believed to the first short story in English written by a Filipino. The story revolves a man, Alfred Salazar, he believes in true love. He is engaged with Esperanza whom an impassionate woman with strong will and principles which contrasts Alfred, has strong desires and thirsts for warmth and compassion. As their relationship progresses, Alfred’s feelings towards Esperanza slowly fades away when he met Julia, sister-in-law of the Judge and a friend of Alfred’s father. Whenever they come across each other, Alfred is strongly sexually attracted to her charms. He was devastated to find out that Julia has to return to his native town, thus, Alfred decided to confess her feelings to Julia. But he was shocked to know that Julia already knew about him engagement with another woman. Julia left him, Esperanza soon confessed that she knew her husband’s affair and she encouraged him to cancel their wedding. However, the wedding still continues. Alfred, after eight years felt nostalgic when he was sent for work near Julia’s native town. He cannot resist his lust thus he finds a reason to meet her. Julia is still single which adds more flame to Alfred’s desire. He soon realizes that Julia has changed and lost something for him to change his feelings towards her. The story stood out as a model of perfection in declination of character.
Philippine literature in English imitates American methods and style of writings which cannot be avoided as they were colonized by Americans. Julian Cruz (1888-1947), a Filipino poet, classified three kinds of Tagalog poets: Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso), Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay), and Poet of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan). Few examples of poems are: Ang Magsasaka, written by Julian Cruz; To my Lady in Laoag, written by Proceso Sebastian, published in 1909; and Rural Maid wrote by Fernando Maramag. They wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in many different types. Poems are original which incorporates social consciousness.
Bulalakaw ng Pag-asa published in 1909 written by Ishmael Amado, the earliest novels. It was published in 1918 shortly after World War I started. It is a love story which centers Gerardo, a young teen with firm belief that American governance resulted good to our country. But it changed when he met Elena, an educated young woman with strong reliance to Philippine belief. With this story, Ismael Alberto Amado exposed the reality of American colonization which awakened people against American Imperialism.
In 1924, the first balagtasan is recorded in Philippines performed in Tondo, Manila. It is to commemorate the birth of national poet Francisco Balagtasan, author of Filipino poem “Florante at Laura”. It uses Tagalog language or other native dialects. It was prominent and practice by skilled craftsmen. It is in a form of debate wherein poets are ought to improvise in verse while arguing a certain stance that they had been instructed to defend. The performance consists of three performers, Lakandiwa (male) or Lakambini (female) that introduces the topic of the discussion and the contestants, it keeps the argument under control. Lakambini/ Lakandiwa or the judges or the audience itself can decide who wins and loses. It aims to touch issues and topics that are commonly discussed by common folks.
Under Spanish colonial period, a seditious play, zarzuela was first introduced to Manila by Dario de Cespedes – Spanish artist performers in 1879. They performed the prominent zarzuela in Spain during that time, Jugar Con Fuego (Play with Fire) by Ventural dela Vega and Francisco Asenjo Barbieri. It was not acknowledged by Filipinos as much but under American colonial period, that seditious plays started to arise. Few zarsuwelitas revived the classic zarsuwelas which are staged during his period. Few examples are: Anak ng Dagat (1921), Walang Sugat (1902), and Paglipas ng Dilim (1920).
They also introduced informal essays and criticisms. Essays have improved its quality, style, subject and content. Most subjects of essays are politics, social reflective essays, critical essay and subjective essays. Filipinos are yearning for independence. Their literary works often showcases their love of their country and critics to the American governance.
II. Significant Development of Philippine Literature
Early Philippine Literature
Baybayin, a native alphabet among ancient Filipino, paved way for the creation of native literary forms such as songs, riddles, short poems and some parts of epic poems that were written. The development of language in the Philippines remains to be misconceived due to destruction of native literature back when the Philippines was governed by colonial power of Spaniards. Poor preservation is also one of the factors to be considered for they were only able to pass their literary works in an oral manner such as recitation and incantation. By the 17th century, Tagalog script was largely neglected for it was replaced by Spanish or Roman alphabet, it can be observed currently in our alphabet which employs Roman letters, A, B, K, D, E, G, H, I, L, M, NG, O, P, R, S, T, U, W, and Y. The first section of “The Tagalog Alphabet in Our Castilian Characters”, work by Sebastian Totanes, states that he no longer finds usage of Baybayin to be necessary because “rare is the indio who still knows how to read then, much less write them” he said.
Philippines consists of 7,107 islands and each of them contains a specific ethnic group or tribe with different sets of beliefs, traditions and ideologies. Indigenous literature was based on the location’s traditions and customs thus, it changes as we travel along the islands of Philippines. Among early form of literatures, awit or song is prominent. Each tribe has their own song forms in which they sung on each certain occasion. For example, among Ilocanos dallot, duayya and dung-aw are popular song forms that they practice, each has different message and motives. Most songs aim to entertain and executed through oral tradition.
Tagalog riddles, bugtong, started to emerge, a short series of words that uses talinghaga or metaphor. It challenges one’s mind to vastly think in order to provide correct answer on the riddle. At this point, literature had become more interesting as bugtong is the only literary form, at that time, to require audience participation. Writing starts to require vast imagination and sensible choose of words. The same with awit or song, it is mostly transmitted through oral tradition. Some were also written in perishable materials such as leaves and bamboos.
Literary forms started to develop a meter. Ambahan and tanaga both required an exact seven syllables per line. Ambahan length is indefinite, whereas tanaga is only limited to four lines. Poets are further challenged to write for literatures at this period started to have restrictions to its forms. They should be able to construct coherent works with the use of words benefitting talinghaga and other figures of speech that may have existed during that period. Ambahan are mainly chanted and transmitted through oral traditions. Tanaga is written also in perishable materials.
Sawikan or salawikain, a kasabihan (saying) by ancient Filipinos which contains moral lessons and reflects the standards of Filipinos. It further shaped our culture and tradition as it promotes and convinces readers to act according our practiced culture. Literature evolved to be more philosophical and it tries to greatly relate to life. For example, Kung walang tiyaga, walang nilaga, which values the diligence of an individual. It nourishes Filipinos’ moral values.
A poetic narrative form, Philippine epics, epiko, stories which depicts bravery of heroes. It can also be chanted on some regions for their rituals. Most characters have one outstanding characteristic which makes them distinguishable among other characters. It also showcases supernatural events, places and creatures. They went through battles and challenges in order to save their loved ones. It reflects the common characteristics of Filipinos, the courage to undergo any difficulties for their loved ones.
There are only few written works of narrative poems as most of them were passed only through oral tradition such as chanting. Plots are usually short thus adventurous story line adds length to the story and thrills the readers.
Philippine Literature in Spanish Colonial Period
Alibata was replaced by Roman alphabet. Literatures are now accompanied my Spanish translations along with Roman alphabets which they also spread among Philippines. Literatures mainly evolved on European and Spanish culture; and Roman Catholic religion. It was under Spanish colonial period when printing was introduced in Philippines. In 1593, along with the introduction of printing, first ever literary work to be printed is Doctrina Christiana, a prayer book devoted to Jesus Christ.
Several literary works to be published are mostly subjects Christianity. It showcases morals and beliefs of Jesus Christ also by other saints, highlights his sacrifices and challenges went through, manuals of Christian doctrine and collections of sermons and nobenas. Senakulo, a religious play influenced by Spaniards during Spanish colonial period. A traditional filipino play performed during Lenten seasion. The play showcases life, sufferings and death of Jesus Christ. Moreover, Komedya, now called Moro-moro, a seditious play which is about the defeat of Moros against Spaniards. It was inspired from secular literature on Spain.
The church authorities adopted some of these religious works to spread religion further on Indios. They tasked native speakers in Philippines to be translators to effectively deliver their message. In result, native speakers became Spanish and Tagalog literate. This paved way for natives to independently write their own literary works, mainly devotional poetry with the use of Tagalog and Spanish language.
Education is formal and organized brought by the Spaniards. Students are taught religious orders, Spanish language, Christianity and Spanish cultures. The curriculum is centered to the religion. In 1865, the education is reformed, it now included several secular subjects such as reading, writing and history. Despite having a history subject, oral traditions from early Philippine literature were given attention. Therefore, modern Filipinos gradually lost their knowledge to those.
Print medias started to be published but are still under strict regulation of religion. Several works were restricted as it was said to depict immoral customs. As the religion regulated the printing press, censorship is very prominent. Spanish language dominates the literary works.
When the GOMBURZA was given the capital punishment by Spanish colonial government, witnessed by fellow Filipinos. Three illustrados – Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. Del Pilar and Graciano Lopez-Jaena – started The Propaganda Movement. La Soliradad was established by Dr. Rizal in Spain but it failed. Despite that he established new propaganda in the Philippines, La Liga Filipina, which demands equal rights of Filipinos. To voice out their stance, they published newspapers which exposed Spanish colonial government. Propaganda literature (editorial and news articles) and revolutionary literature (corruption and unjust treatment) was eminent in this period. Few of the powerful literary works during this time are Noli mi Tangere and El Filibusterismo which were both written by Dr. Jose Rizal, persuaded people to be awoken, promotes nationalism and implying that change will begin in ourselves. When Dr. Rizal was exiled, The Katipuneros followed his steps. Few more essays and newspapers are published even after Dr. Rizal was exiled. It paved way for the Philippine Revolution and publication of more literary works that criticize and expose Spanish government. Literary works starts to showcase loyalty and love to its nation. It was used as a medium to deliver informations to Filipinos who are not yet awoken. It proposes the ideas of liberation. It educated Filipinos from their native country who are not yet aware of the privileges that was denied by Spanish colonial government on native Filipinos.
Philippine Literature in American Period
Development of schools and universities are observed, it is now centralized and public system which allows every Filipinos to have access to education. During this period, numerous schools opened as there were a large enrollment number of student on each school. The educational system was changed into English-only curriculum. Catholic schools during Spanish-era such as Ateneo de Manila, University of Santo Tomas and Colegio de San Juan de Letran later adopt the English-only curriculum. Secondary language used in schools are now Tagalog instead of Spanish. Slowly the Spanish language waned in Philippines. English language because the medium of instruction among schools and universities.
Many Filipinos started writing again. The subject of nationalism on their works, remained undaunted. There are three periods of development on Philippine Literature under American colonial period:
1. Period of Re-orientation (1900-1910) – Native writers are still adjusting to the democratic ideas and English literary styles proposed by Americans. Thus, there is not much of literary works produced.
2. Period of Imitation (1910-1925) – Short stories and poems in this period were either past romantic tales or were imitation of American literature’s plots and themes. Plays created are highly emotional and dealt with Philippine traditions and history, beliefs, morals, and literature and other significant aspects of Philippine culture.
3. Period of Self-Discovery and Growth (1925-1942) – Filipino native writers are now English literate. They wrote various literary works independently with the use of English language. Literary works produced are original and did not imitate any literatures, though still influenced. They wrote about love, youth persisted and any literary forms that interests the audience.
Various seditious plays such as zarzuela were written and staged by Filipino zarzuwelitas in opposition to the imperialism of Americans. Bulalakaw ng Pag-asa, a novel by Ishmael Amado themed American imperialism thus it was not release not until 1916. Some novels also tackled significant aspect of Philippine government and intrapersonal emotions. It is during this period when writers are given acknowledgement of their literary works through awards.
Poetries and essays flourished. Writers on this period are a critic of politics and social injustices. Therefore, debates like Balagtasan popularized. In which, they discuss about political issues and demand of independence declaration against Americans.
Despite the colonial power of each succeeding country, Philippines still fought for its independence. Literature is a powerful medium used to instill religions, traditions and even raise a powerful movement which freed our country from colonizers. Through pen and tounge, Filipinos were able to communicate even stripped apart by time, place and even death.
III. Formation of Ideological Perspectives, Societal Values and Political Views: Early, Spanish Colonial, and American Literary Period
During early Philippine literature where sets of beliefs and traditions differ to which location you live, being able to be literate about your tribe’s own literary works or by other is what connects you with others. Literatures reflect to which they originate and most of the literature shapes its readers. During this period, it is evident that indigenous natives are wrote freely. There were no scientific explanation and method of something that can clarify the event, phenomena and natural activity of people. Therefore, indigenous natives used their imagination to create fictious works – which they later believe to be true – to justify it. With the absence of rational explanation of something, indigenous natives gave definition and description of an object or event in a poetic manner, which I can observe on bugtong. Natives use talinghaga or metaphor to describe something in an abstract manner. Salawikan (kasabihan) greatly shaped Filipinos’ values. A famous saying which imprinted in our mind up until now is ‘Ang di lumingon sa pinaggagalingan at di makakarating sa pupuntahan’ which values the essence of utang na loob or debt of gratitude. It became a practice to us until now in which when we feel in debt on someone once they do something for us thus, we do our best to make up for it. Epic is a narrative literature most plot showcases a man’s courage to face challenges in order to save the woman he love. Various studies had discussed that epic portrays gender stereotypes as it perceives men to be macho and strong while women are helpless and cannot function without men’s help. Also, men are always portrayed to be stable and strong emotionally while women are weak for they are the ones who displays emotion often on this narratives. Parts of epic shows mythological creatures such as anito. Most of them adopted that ideology and it is evident by the chants that they sing to communicate with those. They believe it to be a guardian, provider and gives punishment to those immoral.
When Spanish arrived to the Philippines, conquistador destroyed completely the written literatures for they believed it was “work of devil”. The dissimilarity of ideological perspectives led Spanish to destroy early records of Philippine literature. They proposed new religion and made it widespread with the advantage of printing. Religious works became prominent and known by many. Literary works expressed desire to bring salvation among indigenous people. Jesus Christ was then created who was introduced as someone who never committed sin thus, he became a role model of Spanish and natives. Belief of mythological creature existence was put to an end when natives chose to be baptized. Ilustrador Dr. Jose Rizal witnessed the privileges in Spain, he then thought that Philippines shall have that privilege as well. Unlike Spanish, natives were looked down, they are called ‘Indio’, which was often referred to those people with dark skin and flat nose. They are looked down and cannot have access with formal education. La Liga Filipina, movement established by Dr. Rizal which published numerous works that expose and criticize the Spanish colonial governance. Before being exiled, Dr. Rizal published two novels which serves to be an eyeopener for natives. The Katipunan, group of people who continued the legacy of Dr. Rizal, published essays and critics to colonial Spanish government. These works contain the ideology of liberalism.
In victory of Philippine revelation, Spaniards left Philippines. American instilled them democracy. Education is more formal now and it removed Spanish to almost every sector, though some writers still use it which is not prohibited by American government. It is in this period when writers established literary independence in a way that they are able to write literary works in English without being dependent to American’s sources. Writers’ works subjects interesting topic that is prominent during that time. Due to the opposition of mass on American imperialism, writers are urged to be politically aware. Debate mostly subjects political issues and social injustices as seditious plays showcases opposition of American imperialism.
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