NOTES IN PHILIPPINE LITERATURE

Prepared by: Leo Improgo Tan III

Literature is a window of culture that immerses the reader to a literary work with its elements namely
character, setting, plot, themes and languages.
Literature can be classified into two:
1. Narrative which contains (short novels, prose, poetry and etcetera)
2. Dramatic which includes
Both of these classifications provide stage or experience that leads the reader to be involved with the attitudes
and thoughts of the characters.
It makes you participate deeply unto looking into the world with the new set of attitudes, and through these the
reader empathize and participate with the character which leads them to gain insights and understanding of
another country, place or island.
Literary enthusiasts confirmed the following key points:
1. Literature offers a unique aesthetic & intellectual experience that provides perceptive insight into mans
existence within the artistic and intellectual boundaries of a literary framework which includes the literary
experience.
2. Literary experience then fosters cognitive and aesthetic maturation.
3. It develops the readers ability to make critical and mature judgements.
4. It also develops the feeling of appreciation.
5. Literature with a tremendous potential can offer for your linguistic, cultural, and aesthetic knowledge and
appreciation.
Elements of Prose/Story
1. Setting - it is the time and place of the action of a story. Setting is practically limitless because it
changes from time to time.
a. Setting can be used to create mood or atmosphere within a story.
b. Setting can express the writers view of the world.
2. Character are people and sometimes animal who take part in the action of a literary piece. Basically
the most important element of the prose.
a. Characters can be a major or a minor character.
b. A character can be classified into two:
1.1 Dynamic/Round A type of character that changes and develops all throughout the story
basically its changes in attitude.
1.2 Static/Flat A type of character that stays the same all throughout the story.
c. There are also three types of character:
1.1 Protagonist The main character of a literary piece.
1.2 Antagonist The character who opposes the main character.
1.3 Prota-Anta The character who is the bida and the kontrabida as well.
d. Writers has five basic techniques in developing a character these are the following:
1. A writer may use physical description to develop a character
2. Description of actions may be used to develop a character
3. The dialogue spoken by a character is another means of characterization
4. Writers use direct comments from the narrator as means of characterization.
5. Characters may be developed through the speech and actions of other characters in the story.

3. Plot refers to the arrangement of actions and events in the story. These contains the exposition, rising
action, climax, falling action, and the resolution/denouement. Conflict is the basis in creating a plot.
a. There are types of conflict
1. External Conflict a type of conflict where the character is struggling with other characters
1.1 man vs. society
1.2 man vs. forces of nature
1.3 man vs. supernatural
1.4 man vs. man
2. Internal Conflict a type of conflict where the character is having struggles with himself and
his thoughts.
1.1 man vs. himself
1.2 man vs. his thoughts
b. These are the structure/parts of the plot:
1. Exposition the explanation that gives necessary background information, the beginning part.
2. The rising action where the conflict is developed and tension was built.
3. Climax the most exciting part where the decision is to be reached that determines the
outcome. Interest and intensity is reached at its peak.
4. Falling action Ties up the loose ends of the plot. The settling down.
5. Resolution/Denouement The part where the conflict is being resolved.
4. Theme The theme is main idea in a work of literature. It is the writers perceptions about life and
human nature. It serves to unify the story, giving purpose to the comments and actions of the
characters and minor incidents.
5. Point of view It is the perspective from which a writer tells a story. The two basic points of view are
first-person and third person.
The first person uses the pronoun I, me, we, and our. The narrator is a part of the story he/she is
present in all the events.
The third person point of view describes the event outside the action. Third person can also be
omniscient or all-knowing.
ANCIENT LITERATURE
A. Myth a traditional story in prose concerning details of Gods and demigods and the creation of the
world and its inhabitants.
B. Herioc Narratives or Epic folk epics that narrates the adventures of tribal heroes which embody in
themselves the ideals and values of the group.
C. Ethiological Legends legends that explains how things came to be, why things came to be, why
things as they are.
D. Folk tales prose narratives
a.
b.
c.
d.

Animal Tale a folktale using animals as characters

Folk Speech simplest form of oral literature, stories passed on from generation to generation.
Riddles description of objects in terms intended to suggest something entirely different.
Proverbs short popular sayings that express effectively some commonplace truth or useful
thought.
e. Folk songs verses set into music by the members
POETRY

1. Ladino Poems narratives that is considered as first tagalog versifiers and highly literate in both
Spanish and vernacular. One example is Salamat nang Ualang Hangga twelve stanza poem in
alternating Tagalog and Spanish Terms.
Salamat nang ulang hannga
gracias se den sempiternas,
sa nagpasilang nang tala
al que hizo salir la Estrella
METRICAL ROMANCES
1. Corridos were widely read during the Spanish period that filled the entertainment industry. These
are extended verse narratives based on tales brought into the country from Europe. The structure is
octosyllabic quatrain and an example of this is Ibong Adarna.
May isang ibong maganda
Ang pangalan ay Adarna,
pag narinig mong kumanta,
sa sakit ay giginhawa.
2. Awit same with corridos but it is a fabrication of the writers imagination although the characters
and the setting may be European. The structure is in dodecasyllabic quatrain, one example is
Florante at Laura.
Ang taong magawi sa ligayat aliw,
mahina ang pusot lubhang maramdamin,
inaakala pa lamang ang hilahil,
na daratnay di na matutuhang bathin.
DRAMA
1. Panuluyan the seeking entrance, the Tagalog version of Mexican Posadas. It is the dramatization
of Mary and Josephs search for lodging in Bethlehem.
2. Cenaculo was originally the dramatization of the passion and death of Christ.
3. Salubong Easter play where the Risen Christ meets his Mother.
4. Moriones participants who wears roman soldiers costume with grotesque colourful and wooden
masks which on the latter do the beheading of the Morion soldier which was taken in procession
around the town by his fellow moriones soldiers.
5. Tibag or Santacruzan Santa Elenas search for the cross where Christ died. It is also the devotion
to the Holy Cross celebrated in May.
6. Pangagaluluwa the interesting socio-religious practice on All Saints Day which literally means for
the soul. Wherein it is believed that the souls in purgatory is released and will go begging alms on
earth.
SECULAR DRAMAS
1. The Karagatan open sea comes from a legendary practice of testing the mettle of young men
vying for the maidens hand. The woman drops her ring to the ocean, the man who gets the ring will
get her hand in marriage.
2. The Duplo the forerunner of Balagtasan. Two groups of young people are formed, one league for
men and another for the women. The men are called as Dupleros/Belyakos while the women are
called Dupleras/Belyakas. One elder will be called Punong Belyakos or Hari which will preside over
the proceedings.
3. The Comedia play of lovers who has two different religions, one is Catholic and the other is
Muslim. The catholic wins and and a propaganda tool will be made which was endorsed by the
Friars.