example of philippine literature essay

example of philippine literature essay

Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Philippine Literature: An Essay on its History, Themes, and Impact

1. Introduction to Philippine Literature

Philippine literature is a conglomerate of great texts; some of the world’s most fantastic examples of imaginative prose, poetry, drama and fiction that have remained alive for centuries. For many reasons, these texts are now evolving, changing, and dying. Works, however, which the Philippines may justly lay claim to and that are pieces produced by artists from the time of the creation of Spanish colonial rule up to the present are not without value beyond their essential and necessary duty as a mirror of the Philippines’ past. They are in us. They express us. They contain within them our very essence. They bear within them the very fiber of our inner selves informing us not only of who, but more importantly, what we were and are, to guide us in making the most sensible and coherent choices and decisions, so we might arrive into that meeting place where we acknowledge our alternative.

Some of the seminal aspects of any grand narrative can be considered great literature. It reveals much to us about the way people think, their values and their customs, which determine the way they make choices about all things including, of course, about their environment. Based on the idea that the story of a country’s communities can be told in part through the eyes and experiences of its writers, some people study literature because, by knowing and understanding a country’s literary traditions, they become familiar with their history in the broadest sense. For some people, the Philippines is like an open book with its penned pages now slowly being licked over by a dying flame.

2. Historical Overview: Pre-Colonial, Spanish, American, and Contemporary Periods

Philippine literature is the literature associated with the cultural heritage of the Philippines and includes works usually in the various Philippine languages, as well as writing in developed Philippine settings by Filipinos, including the poet Gabriel Belecena, who wrote the Hinilawod. Philippine literature is written in so many different languages and it is important to know and understand the origins and the historical background of these languages. The literary writers of the different regional languages have significantly contributed to Filipino literary culture. The pre-colonial literature found in the Philippine Islands especially in the regional languages of the Philippines is an example of the early Filipinos’ literature prior to the Spanish-Algarve colonization of the country. The literature of the Filipinos as a whole majorly consists of oral traditions handed down to the generation by their ancestors orally. However, rich tapes of Philippine literature have various indigenous languages rooted with Old Malay or Sanskrit, Chinese, and even Japanese. These pre-colonial literature rose with both mythology and within the subdivisions of the many Philippines ethnolinguistic tribes.

Philippine literature unfolds an exceptional tapestry of inspiration and artistic creation – a rare journey into the intriguing and challenging landscape of the Philippine experience. Below is a brief collection of comments on the rich tradition of Philippine literature. Bring students to the past and help them appreciate its richness and variety. Display religious and ethnic diversity during the Spanish period. Unfold the early development of print culture during the American period. Let students tour today with selected literary pieces from different regions. These are the objectives of the course on Philippine literature in English, and this book, Stories of Ourselves: Philippine Literature in English.

3. Themes in Philippine Literature: Identity, Colonialism, Nationalism, and Social Realism

After colonization by the Spaniards (from the name of the ruler, King Philip II) and subsequent occupation by the Americans and Japanese, colonial themes emerged in our literary tradition. They responded to the new conditions, the changes brought about by contact with other nations and cultures, and the problems arising from the new situation. Neither the imposed discordance of their voices nor the influence of foreign genres could be unnoticed. Imposed styles of writing were also reflected in their literature. Metaphorical symbolism, speaking with a capital letter, and the impact of colonialism on the Philippines from tradition were patterned after the colonizers and were stressed in the greater scope of a cohesive sensibility.

The literature of the early Filipinos evolved from the non-Christian traditions of the people, with ethical and mythical origins that predate the colonial history of the Philippines. Arising from the context of a culture with distinctive symbols and rituals, folk and indigenous literature has relevance to the native culture. Customary words, patterns, and images, through legend or myth, give insight into the people’s culture, practices, traditions, as well as their understanding of the community, the environment, and nature.

Set in a colonial past, Philippine literature too has been defined by colonization. It is written in the language of the colonizers, bridging the differences among an estimated 87 languages in the Philippine archipelago. It is composed of themes and genres that are either colonial or native, as determined by the colonizers or the colonized.

4. Notable Filipino Writers and their Contributions

Cultivating identity and nationalism are what authors Jose Rizal and Francisco Balagtas sought to do. These two writers wrote mid-19th to early-20th-century novels and poetry known as the foundation of Philippine culture and pride. Capturing various core themes of Philippine society including colonialism, pride, and love, the two stories greatly emphasize the roots of every Filipino. Rizal’s protagonist Vicente played a monumental role in waking Filipinos and opening their minds to the reality of colonial and oppressive powers while the love story between Maria Clara and Ibarra showcased the unparalleled beauty of forbidden love during that era. Balagtas, on the other hand, told the story of a wrongfully accused man named Florante which made people realize the significance of appreciating justice. With their deep and life-changing content, writers Rizal and Balagtas were successfully able to advocate the true dignity of the nation.

Another prominent literary artist is Carlos Bulosan. An essayist, poet, and novelist, Bulosan has the uncanny ability to expertly intertwine various themes in one story, making it a novel that individuals read time and again. Best known for showing the hardships of migrant workers who left the country to find work, Bulosan’s works capture the difficulties that many Filipinos faced while working abroad. Giving citizens a stronger sense of nationalism, Bulosan’s works such as “America is in the Heart” quickly trended and were read by people from different generations. Moreover, Bulosan gave people the voice to fight and demand for their rights while showcasing the Filipino identity.

Certainly, there are a great number of Filipino writers. However, there are just a few of them who are considered master storytellers through their work. Enshrined as one of the official national artists, Nick Joaquin is a legend in Philippine literature. Known for his multitude of stories that showed Filipino tradition, culture, and customs, Joaquin portrayed the beautiful reality of Filipinos. Aside from writing a range of literary works, he also contributed largely in other creative industries such as music, theatre, and cinema.

5. Impact and Significance of Philippine Literature in Society

Many use Philippine literature merely as an adjunct to a study of Spanish ruins in the Philippines, to the study of an alien language, or to the shore of some distant continent. For this purpose, literature exists almost entirely as a language. It has to be studied, not as a record of thought or the phrasing of the soul. If Philippine literature and its authors are required subject matter, subjects spontaneously peruse disconnected paths. Philippine literature is also cited to show how far we have assimilated the Indo-Malay heritage bequeathed to us and the values that sprang from it. When adopted for this purpose, its primary function loses a large portion of meaning and should be confined to linguistic footnotes of history. There is another approach to Philippine literature. This happens when the rich tapestry of our past and present culture becomes more than just decorative backgrounds. This method allows Philippine literature to address every young person and grapple with the myriad needs of this vibrant and disparate country.

Before we argue the importance of literature in the Philippines, it is important to know its roots. The history of Philippine literature shows how rich and diverse it is today. The literature is crafted by numerous influences and is a melting pot of culture and ideals. There is generally no official political system, nor is there an official language. For 333 years, Spain established elements of a European civilization on the shores of an Eastern archipelago. The archipelago, in turn, influenced the invaders. It also created new forms of literature. Three hundred years disrupted but did not destroy the properties of the people. It gave them the strength and adaptiveness with which to endure subsequent tests. Because it was a new thing in the midst of old things, a new literature arose. Until 1898, it paid more attention to the chief weight of pain and longing, rather than strength, identity, or satisfaction.