ABM Grade 12 Modules and activities! 2022-2023

21st Century Lit. part1

Important concepts to remember

What is literature?
The word literature is derived from the Latin term litera which means letter. It has been defined differently by various writers. These are the following:

1. Literature expresses the feelings of people to society, to the government, to his surroundings, to his fellowmen, and to his Divine Creator. (Brother Azurin)

2. Literature is anything that is printed as long as it is related to the ideas and feelings of the people, whether it is true, or just a product of one's imagination. (Webster)

3. "True literature is a piece of written work which is undying. It expresses the feelings and emotions of people in response to his everyday efforts to live, to be happy in his environment and, after struggles, to reach his Creator" (PANITIKANG FILIPINO)

Let us throwback to comprehend our literature...

▪ Our forefathers already had their literature, which are reflected in their customs and traditions.

▪ They had their own alphabet even before the time of colonization. Before the introduction of letters of the alphabet as we know it now, in the preSpanish era, we have the "Baybayin or Alibata script" the Hanonoong Mangyan in Mindoro have their own "Mangyan scripts" which they still use up to this time, the same is true with our other ancestors and tribes in the whole archipelago.

▪ The Spanish friars burned their alphabet in the belief that they were works of the devil or were written on materials that quickly perished, like the barks of trees, dried leaves, and bamboo cylinders, which could not have remained firm even if efforts were made to preserve them.

PRE-SPANISH LITERATURE - is characterized by:

• Folk tales. These are made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror, and humor where one can derive lessons. An example of this is THE MOON AND THE SUN.

• The Epic Age. Epics are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually of a hero, are dealt with at length.

• Folk Songs. These are one of the oldest forms of Philippine literature that emerged in the pre-Spanish period. These songs mirrored the early forms of culture. Many of these have 12 syllables.
Examples of which are;
▪ Kundiman
▪ Kumintang o Tagumpay
▪ Ang Dalit o Imno
▪ Ang Oyayi o Hele
▪ Diana
▪ Soliraning
▪ Talindaw

Understanding Literary History
➢ Literature in this period may be classified as
▪ religious prose and poetry and
▪ secular prose and poetry.

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 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
• 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 a poetic form such as;
• Cenaculo
• Panunuluyan
• Salubong
• Zarzuela

PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1872- 1898)
In 19th Century, Filipino intellectuals educated in Europe called Ilustrados began to write about the hitch of colonization. The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896) - This movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar, Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban, Pedro Paterno, and Andres Bonifacio.