Notes on Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology Chapter 1: Oral Lore From Pre-colonial Times (---1564) Facts and Information (illuminated by the chapter) 1. The first period of Philippine literary history is the longest. Comment: I think we just don‘t have the whole collection of it because most of it were not written in text, although some were inscribed in bamboos like that of the Mangyans, but generally, most of it were orally chanted or performed by a rhapsode or an epic singer or storyteller or whatever they call themselves. It‘s an oral tradition. 2. It isn’t true to say that Philippine history started when our Spanish colonizers came (in 1521). Comment: We are deluded to this ―fact‖ in our elementary days because of outdated and misinformed books but this isn‘t just right. This chapter confirms that since ―the discovery of the ‗Tabon Man‘ in a cave in Palawan in 1962 has allowed us to speak now of a prehistory that goes as far back in time as 50,000 years ago.‖ Evidences also prove our ―[ancestors] knew the use of gold and textiles, and how to smelt iron and make glass and probably spoke a language or languages from which all modern Filipino tongues are derived. See, our ancestors were not as backwards as everybody thinks they are. They were in harmony with nature, with everybody in the community, and of course, with their cultural tradition. This also proves that our ancestors grew in control of their environment, their lifeliving, their culture until at the beginning of the Christian era. 3. Philippines wouldn’t be called a nation without the trespasses and subjugation by our Spanish colonizers. As far as I could remember my high school lessons, if it were not for the Spaniards we wouldn‘t come this far. They named our country after their king. And also it was through their harsh means that we were united under one flag and desire for independence. It has been said that the early Filipinos chose to live in the interior, on promontories and ridges, sea coasts and river banks. They live in widely scattered communities. It was through the workings of the Spaniards that these early communities be placed near or closer to each other. They called this enclosed area, pueblo.
Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
On Philippine literature: 1. Through scholarly studies, ―much can be reliably inferred about pre-colonial Philippine literature from analysis of collected oral lore of Filipinos whose ancestors were able to preserve their indigenous culture by living beyond the reach of Spanish colonial administrators and the culture of 16th century Europe.‖ 2. There have been epic, tales, songs, riddles and proverbs preserved through time. These are said to be ―cultural items useful in the reconstruction of a period in our literary history that has been obscured by the intrusion of foreign culture, but which nevertheless exerted and continued to exert influence on the literary works of succeeding generations, in terms of outlook, theme, and technique.‖ Oral Tradition:
―Oral literature‖
Ownership: Communally owned/ communal authorship
Subject Matter: Common experience of people in the village like food gathering, creature, and objects of nature, work in the home, field, forest or sea, caring for children, etc.
Forms of Oral Literature: riddles, proverbs, songs, etc.
Audience: people familiar with the situations, activities, and objects mentioned in the course of expressing a thought or emotion.
Language use: language of daily life
Oral delivery: Through emotive, expressive performance (murag si ION ni Plato?)
Performer: Rhapsode, epic singer, storyteller (basta somebody that has the ‗special gift‘-- of prodigious memory (GAHUT MAG-MEMORIZE, DI MA-PAKYAS) , and of melodramatic inventiveness (KABALO MAPA-CHAR-CHAR)
Conventions: of oral literary forms to facilitate ease in transmission: (NEED FURTHER EXPLANATIONS) o formulaic repetition o stereotyping of characters o regular rhythmic and musical devices
Native Syllabary (BAYBAYIN)- used before the Spaniards brought over the Roman alphabet. It has: Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
o 3 vowels (a, i-e, o-u) o 14 consonants (b,d,g,h,k,l,m,n,ng,p,s,t,w,y) Problem: no way of indicating the consonantal endings of words. Solution: In my SSP1 class, I remember our professor talking about the ‗Doctrina Christina of 1593‖ and he mentioned about ‗VIRAMA‘ (―+‘ shaped ) or kudlit placed above the baybayin to signal the consonantal ending of the word. (naa man gud mga foreign words na dili masulat sa native nato na baybayin) Another Problem: The syllabary fell into disuse among Christianized Filipino (majority), mush valuable information about pre-colonial culture that could have been handed down to us was lost. Another Problem again: Fewer and fewer Filipinos kept records of their oral lore, and fewer and fewer could decipher what had been recorded in earlier times. Missionaries denounced it as pagan culture and a handicraft of the devil himself.
The social function of songs (oral traditions): Political and religious life of the people was based on tradition ―preserved in songs they have memorized and which they learned as children, hearing them sung when folks rowed, worked and made merry and feasted and mourned their dead… fabled gods.
So, how did some of our indigenous culture survived? 1. by resistance to colonial rule 2. by virtue of isolation (in my SSP7 class, I can still remember how terrified the Spaniard (in Christianized Luzon and Visayas) were to the fearsome reputation of the Maguindawon and Sulu Sultanate here in Mindanao. They were slave-raiders and were highly-specialized in their piratical raids and attacks to Christianized areas. They‘ve resisted Christian conversion and shielded their lands from Spaniard domination for more than 2 centuries.) On riddles and proverbs (simplest form of oral literature) (NOT CLEAR TO ME)
talinhaga
Rare sources: 1754 Tagalog-Spanish dictionary and Pedro de Sanlucar and Juan de Noceda‘s Vocabulario de las lengua tagala
Ambahan –Hanunoo-Mangyan indigenous pre-colonial poetry
Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
On Prose narrative: Social Function: o Explain natural phenomenon, o past events and contemporary beliefs to make environment less fearsome by making it more comprehensible and, o entertainment (humor & fantasy) On Drama: only in its simplest form, mimetic dances imitating natural cycles and work activities, religious rituals (e.g. Ch’along of the Ifugao) On Folk Epics: Common Features (as described by E. Arsenio Manuel) o narratives of sustained length o based on oral tradition o revolving around supernatural events or heroic deeds o in the form of verse o either chanted or sung o with a certain seriousness of purpose, embodying or validating the beliefs, customs, ideals, or life-values of the people.
Representative Examples o Lam-ang (Ilocos) o Tuwaang (Manuvu) o Hinilawod (Sulod of Panay) o bantugon (Maranao)
I wonder… 1. What did the Spaniards actually say about the Filipino people when they first met them? 2. Is the GMA epic-serye ―Amaya,‖ which aims to depict the Visayan pre-colonial society to the ―ignorant madlang people,‖ trustworthy enough to showcase what has been described in historical accounts about the Visayans of Panay island? 3. On oral tradition transmission, what‘s the use? Why do they have to do or listen to it? (so luma naman…dba? tapos kapoy paminaw kay balik-balik.. char!) 4. What‘s monoriming heptasyllabic line?
Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
Notes on Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology Chapter 2: Literature under Spanish Colonialism (1565-1987) 17th- 18th century Spanish Impositions o Spanish monarchy o Roman Catholic religion o ―Taga-bayan-taga-bukid colonial orientation ― (―cultural snobbery‖) o Monastic Supremacy of the Friars o Colonial repression and religious censorship on both oral & written literatures Writer Works Remarks Francisco Blancas de San Jose May Bagyo Ma‘t May Rilim Pedro Bukaneg Lam-ang (published version Tomas Pinpin Ang Librong Pag-aaralan ng mga Tagalog ng Wikang Castilla Fernanado Bagongbanta Contributed to San Jose‘s Memorial de la vida cristiana Gaspar Aquino de Belen Ang Mahal na Passion ni First Filipino literary Jesu Christong Panginoon Artist Natin His work is treasure as a Christian narrative poem intended to replace epic poems of pagan past th FIRST HALF OF 19 century Pasyon Sinakulo, a stage play on the passion & death of Christ. Printing press available in 17th century with missionaries as literary patrons komedya- theater form drawn from medieval Spanish ballads about highborn warriors and their colorful adventures for love and fame. awit-narrative poetry in the tradition of the metrical romance. - reached its peak at the first half of the 19th century. Fransisco ―Balagtas‖ La India Elegante y el short farce Baltazar Negrito Amante Orosman at Zafira full length komedya Pinagdaanang Buhay ni well-known awit Florante at ni Laura sa Cahariang Albania Modesto de Castro
Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at
A native priest notable for sermons in Tagalog Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
Feliza th
SECOND HALF OF 19 century Growth of nationalistic consciousness and colonial sentiments on reforms. being ―Filipino‖ Pedro Paterno Sampaguita poems Ninay Jose Rizal Noli Me Tangere novels El Filibusterismo poem (conversational) A las Flores de Heildelberg poem (patriotic) Ultimo Adios La Solidaridad birth of essays Jose Rizal Su Excelencia, Señor Don Vicente Barrantes Marcelo H del Pilar Asimilacion de Filipinas long poem Sagot ng Espanya sa Hibik ng Pilipinas parody, anti-friar Pasyong Dapat Ipagalab ng Taong Baba th Later years of 19 century increased campaign for reforms shift from Spanish to Tagalog language in nationalist propaganda movement Katipunan Philippine Revolution Treaty of Paris American encroachment Emilio Jacinto Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas short essay Liwanag at Dilim Salute to Women writers Leona Florentino Ilocana poet Gregoria de Jesus wife of Bonifacio
Comment: Such a repressive age, where writers are expected to write poems, plays, song, etc. that are on romantic subjects taken from medieval Spanish ballads. Only later did they learn, after more than 300 years, to voice out their sentiments and call for cultural and societal reforrm. (I don‘t want to live in this age.)
Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
Notes on Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology Chapter 3: Literature under US Colonialism
Tejeros Convention End of ―war‖ Malolos Congress Taga-bayan out of sheer greed abandoned taga-bukid for personal convenience Graceful entrance of the benevolent Americans (start of US colonial rule) Outlining law prohibiting seditious literatures and actions (no social commentaries) Philippine Assembly Access to public education and the English language Access to printing press (with religious censorship) Magazines and newspapers as avenues for literary pieces (e.g. Liwayway) birth of modern theater (eg. sarsuela- entertaining mixture of mild social comment, lilting music and earthly humor on which a slight love story was usually made rest) Theater continued to provide popular entertainment in the form of verse and prose drama that portrayed domestic problems of families as more and more are feeling the effects of modernization Sarsuwela vs. komedya (sarsuwela fitted nicely with the spirit & concern of the times It depicted scenes from Phil. life imparting patriotic pride. Komedya presented Filipino society distant in time and remote culture (outdated) Writers Works Remarks Severiono Reyes Walang Sugat exemplifies sarsuela at the beginning of the history of the genre, writer drew material from the recent revolution depicting cruelty and corruption. Allegorical Dramas Juan Matapang Cruz Hindi Aco Patay seditious drama Juan Abad Tanikalang Guinto Aurelio Tolentino Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas Poetry in Spanish Fernando Ma. Guerrero Crisalidas Cecilio Apostol Pentelicas Jesus Balmori Mi Casa de Nipa Poetry in Tagalog Pedro Gatmaitan Tungkos ng Alaala Jose Corazon ―Batute‖ de Mga Gintong Dahon pre-occupied with nonJesus traditional themes Sa Dakong Silangan Novels Gabriel Beato Francisco Fulgencia Galbillo trilogy Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
Iñigo Ed. Regalado
Capitan Bensio Alfaro Madaling Araw May Pagsinta‘y Walang Puso Sampaguitang Walang Bango Lalaking Uliran o Tulisan
anti-clerical, anti-colonial on fallen woman
Juan Lauro Arciwals short novel Tagalog Sarswela Patricio Mariano Anak ng Dagat Other subjects that found expression in lyric and narrative poems o Human mortality o Economic Barrier that separate people o Decay of traditional values o Longing for a society untouched by fear and hate Balagtasan Romantic Novel Valeriano Hernandez-Peña Nene at Neneng ―Father of Tagalog Novel‖ Roman Reyes Ninay Tagalog translation of Pedro Paterno‘s Pusong Walang Pagibig Bagong Dalaga Access to everything English (e.g. film, books, magazine, music) Short Story (English) Jose Garcia Villa Footnote to youth and Other Stories Arturo B. Rotor The Wound and the Scar Manuel E. Arguilla How My Brother Leon Brough home a Wife and Other Stories social novel Pinaglahuan Plays (English) Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Poke fun on middle-class Wanted: A Chaperon characters grappling with Forsaken House problems of modernization Frustrations Short Story (Tagalog) Deogracias A. Rosario ―Father of the Tagalog Short Story‖ Panitikan magazine—Filipino writers in tagalog Veronicans---- Filipino writers in English Social Novel Lope K. Santos Banaag at Sikat Expressed intent of introducing Filipino Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
laborers to Socialism
Ang Pinggingera Temporary disruption of the Tydings-McDuffie Act due to Japanese occupation Pacific War Carlos Bulosan America is in the Heart Stevan Javeliana Without Seeing the Dawn
Comments: The US colonization is more friendly than the Spaniards in their imposition of what is to be written about. Writers during US time are freer to dig deeper in their imaginings with reference, of course, to the events during their time. ―Art truly is finding beauty in the ugliness of human condition.‖ (FOR THE CHAR!)
Notes on Panitikan: An Essay on Phil. Lit. *I find this reading echoing those of what has been stated earlier. But of course there‘s also a huge difference. This one‘s presenting examples of the works instead of merely explaining them.
Terms 1. bugtong- riddles 2. talinhaga- metaphor 3. salwikain- proverbs 4. tanaga- has monorhyming heptasyllabic lines 5. ambahan- epic narrative written and chanted by Mangyans 6. duplo- verbal joust/game 7. balagtasan- debate in verse 8. pasyon- Christian folk epic (biblical narration but with folk interpretation of Filipino sentiments and values) 9. awit- reached its height with balagtas. 10. komedya- popular romance sang of a medieval European world of royal and warriors and lovers. This regal world is of direct contrast to the colonial condition.
Things to remembers: o Early written lit. was predominantly religious in content and/or in purpose. o ―May Bagyo ma‘t May Rilim--- first printed literary work in tagalog. o Types of narrative poem: awit and corridor. o Pablo Paterno‘s Ninay—first Filipino novel
Poems I like: o Hilgaynon lullaby o Jose Garcia Villa‘s ‗untitled poem‘ o Nick Joaquin‘s ―Bye Bye Jazzbird‖ o Bien Lumbera‘s ― A Eulogy of Roaches‖ o Marjorie Evasco‘s ―Sampaguita Song‖ Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
o Alejandro G. Abadilla‘s ―Ako ang Daigdig‖ o Jose Lacaba‘s ―halaw Kay Su Tung-P‘o o Ramon C. Santos ―Alien Bilang Gutom‖
Chris David F. Lao‘s Notes June 8, 2011
