HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Long time before the Spaniards and other foreigners landed on

Philippine shores, our forefathers already had their own literature stamped in
the history of our race.

Our ancient literature shows our customs and traditions in everyday

life as traced in our folk stories, old plays and short stories.

Our ancient ancestors also had their own alphabet which was different
from that brought by the Spaniards. The first alphabet used by our ancestors
was similar to that of the Malayo-Polynesian alphabet.

Whatever records our ancestors left were either burned by the

Spaniards friars in the belief that they were works of the devil or were
written on materials that easily perished, like the barks of trees, dried leaves
and bamboo cylinders which could not have remained undestroyed even if
efforts were made to preserve them.

Other records that remained showed folk songs that proved the
existence of a native culture truly our own. Some of these were passed on by
word of mouth till they reached the hands of some publishers or printers who
took interest in printing the manuscripts of the ancient Filipinos.

The Spaniards who came to the Philippines tried to prove that our
ancestors were really fond of poetry, songs, stories, riddles and proverbs
which we still enjoy today and which serve to show to generations the true
culture of our people.
The Pre-Spanish Literature is characterized by

LEGENDS Are forms of prose, the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing,
place, location or name. The events are imaginary, devoid of truth and
unbelievable. Its aim is to entertain.

Example:

The Legend of the Tagalogs

In a certain wide region of Luzon, there was a village frequented by young men. The
town was full of trees, beautiful flowers and a river where clear waters flowed. What attracted
the young men more than the scenery was a beautiful nymph- like maiden.

The maiden was Maria and she had lots of suitors who came from afar and who fought
for her hand. But Maria remained unconcerned and very choosy. Because she was kind, her
suitors remained undaunted so Maria thought of a plan. She called all the men together and told
them, "You are all good and kind and it is difficult for me to choose one among you. Let me
decide with a test. "I'll marry the first man who can bring me a big, live and strong serpent,"
Maria said in jest.

The young men were dumbfounded. After a while, the voice of Ilog broke the silence. "In
promise to bring you one, Maria. Eve if I have to risk my like, I'll bring you what you wish.
Ilog was a man known for his bravery. He left immediately to fulfill his promise.

The men whispered among themselves. They were sure that Ilog would never be able to
return. They waited for a long while but Ilog had not returned. Even Maria was saddened
because she also grieved the loss of a man as brave and accommodating as Ilog. After many
hours, Ilog returned.They crowded to see how Ilog would prove his bravery. Ilog held a big
snake by its nape and tail. While the men were thus occupied, two Spaniards passed by. Their
attention was caught not by what Ilog held but by the beauty of Maria.

"Maria," heroically called Ilog. "I've brought you the serpent you wished for. What else
do you want me to do to make you happy?"

The Spaniards were startled. They asked the people around where they were and in what
place they were in but nobody paid attention for their attention were focused on the snake and on
Maria. When Maria saw that the snake was still struggling, she shouted.

"Taga, Ilog! Taga, Ilog!" (Cut, Ilog! Cut, Ilog!) which she addressed to Ilog so he would
cut the snake up again.

The two Spaniards, thinking that this was in answer to their question repeated the words
TAGAILOG, TAGAILOG which later became TAGAL
 The Legend of Makahiya

Once the there lived a rich couple, Mang Dondong and Aling Iska. They had a twelve-
year old daughter whose name was Maria. They loved their daughter so dearly.
Maria was a beautiful and obedient daughter. Industrious and kind, she made herself
endeared to everybody.But shyness was also one of Maria’s distinct characteristics. She was so
shy that talking to people posed a great burden to her. In order to avoid encountering people, she
usually locked herself in her room.
Maria had a flower garden. The flowers were beautiful and know all over the town. She
took care of the plants patiently and tenderly. For the flower plants were her source of enjoyment
and happiness. One day news spread that a group of bandits raided a nearby village. The bandits
killed every man they found and took their money of the residents.
The next day the bandits came to the village where Mang Dondong and Aling Iska and
their daughter lived. Mang Dondong noticed at once the arrival of the bandits. Fearing for
Maria’s safety, he decided to hide Maria in the garden, which he did. Aling iska hid herself in the
house. She trembled with fear when she heard the bandits forcing their way to the gate. Then she
prayed, preparing herself for whatever would happen. “Oh, my God!” prayed Aling Iska, “Save
my daughter.”
Suddenly the door opened. The bandits entered the house and hit Mang Dondong on the
head. Mang Dondong lost consciousness and fell on the floor. Aling Iska tried to escape but was
also hit on the head. The bandits ransacked every place in the house. After taking the money and
jewelry, they searched for Maria. But Maria was nowhere to be found. So the bandits left the
house to plunder another village.
When Mang Dondong and Aling Iska regained consciousness, the bandits left already.
They quickly ran to the garden to look for Maria. But Maria was not there. Again and again, they
searched every corner in the garden but poor Maria could not be found. “My poor daughter!
They took my poor daughter!” wept Aling Iska.
All of a sudden mang Dondong felt something that pricked his feet. To his surprise, he
saw a tiny plant quickly closing its leaves. It was the first time he saw that kind of plant. He knelt
on his knees and took a close look at the plant. Aling Iska did the same. After looking at the plant
for a long time, the couple came to the belief that theplant was Maria. For indeed maria had been
transformed by into a plant to save her from the bandits.
Aling Iska wept uncontrollably and to Mang Dondong’s amazement, every tear was
transformed into a small and round rosy flower of the new plant they found in the garden.
Since then Mang Dondong and Aling Iska tended the plant with out most care.
They knew that the plant was, in reality, their child Maria. And, like their child, the plant
was very shy. So they called the plant “makahiya” because it showed an important characteristic
of Maria – shyness – which in Tagalog means “makahiya.”
FOLK TALES made up of stories about life, adventure, love, horror and humor where one
can
derive lessons about life. These are useful to us because they help us
appreciate our environment, evaluate our personalities and improve our
perspectives in life.

Example:

THE MOON AND THE SUN

(Tingguian folk tale)

In the olden days, like the moon, the sun had also star children which were yellowish in
color, very bright and very hot. He star children of the moon, however, were reddish and cool.
That moon was scared hat his stars would wither and die if they play with the star children of the
sun. The moon suggested to the sun that they kill their children who were crowding the heavens
with their number.

When the sun had killed her children, the moon merely hid behind the clouds. In the
evening, when the clouds faded, the moon stars appeared. This angered the sun so he gave chase
to the moon. Thus when he overtakes the moon, we have the so-called eclipse. Every morning,
the kills the moon stars that he catches.

Until now, this chase continues and because the moon still continues to give birth to stars,
these moon stars are still around.

EPIC are long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually of
a hero, are dealt with at length. Nobody can determine which epics are the oldest
because in their translations from other languages, even in English and Spanish.

Aside from the aforementioned epics, there are still other epics that can be read and
studied like the following epics:
a. Bidasari – Moro Epic
b. Biag ni Lam-ang – Ilokano Epic
c. Maragtas – Visayan Epic
d. Haraya – Visayan Epic
e. Lagda – Visayan Epic
f. Hari sa Bukid – Visayan Epic
g. Kumintang – Tagalog Epic
h. Parang Sabir – Moro Epic
i. “Dagoy” at “Sudsod – Tagbanua Epic
j. Tatuaang – Bagobo Epic
k. Indarapatra at Sulayman
 BIAG NI LAM-ANG

Namongan (Lam-ang’s Mother) and Don Juan (Lam-ang’s Father) had recently been
unified in marriage. Shortly after, Namongan became pregnant and Don Juan performed the
various tasks needed to prepare for the birth. Don Juan sets out to engage into a fight with the
checkered Igorots. Namongan gives birth to a baby boy who is able to speak and requests to be
named Lam-ang. At nine months, Lam-ang discovers that his father, Don Juan, has been gone
and sets out to search for him.

Lam-ang brings various magic stones on his journey as well as weapons. Eventually,
Lam-ang encounters an Igorot gathering and learns that his father was killed and head severed.
Lam-ang then engages into battle and wins the fight with the Igorots of the various Igorot towns
and villages. Lam-ang then returns home and achieves various tasks, such as cleaning the barn,
washing his hair, and defeating the crocodile. Lam-ang then determines that he would like to
visit Dona Ines Kannoyan of Kalanutian and attempt to court her.

Dona Ines Kannoyan is described as a “perfect” woman who has many suitors.
She is the daughter of Unnayon. Against the wishes of his mother, Lam-ang travels to Kalanutian
to meet Kannoyan. During his journey he encounters two people, a man named Sumarang, a man
killed by Lam-ang who shared the same task as Lam-ang, and Saridaadan, a woman Lam-ang
ignores. Upon arriving in Kalanutian, Lam-ang observes various suitors of Kannoyan. The
animals Lam-ang travel with create a disturbance and therefore achieves Kannoyan’s attention.

Lam-ang finds that Kannoyan has been expecting him and moves on to meet the parents.
Lam-ang asks for the permission to marry Kannoyan. Kannoyan’s parents allow it only if Lam-
ang is capable of producing the same wealth the family possess. Lam-ang proves his prosperity
and a wedding is planned. Lam-ang travels home to prepare for the wedding and returns to
Kalanutian with his mother, townspeople, and wedding supplies. Lam-ang and Kannoyan get
married in a church on a Monday and a celebration takes place shortly after. The townspeople of
the bride and groom, as well as the family members, travel on the two ships of Lam-ang to Lam-
ang’s home town where another chain of festivities take place.

Afterward, Kannoyan’s parents leave Kannoyan to live with Lam-ang and the couple
begins their lives together. The town head delegates a task to Lam-ang in which he must fish for
raring. Lam-ang attains a premonition of an incident in which the berkakan, a monster fish,
consumes his entire body.

The premonition also includes an omen in which, “a dancing staircase and the kasuuran
breaking into pieces.” Undoubtedly, the premonition and omen become true, and Lam-ang is
devoured by a berkakan. Kannoyan has seen the omen and searches for a diver to locate the
bones of her husband. Kannoyan brings the animals of Lam-ang to the bones and the white
rooster, hen, and hairy dog perform a ritual on the bones which bring Lam-ang back to life.
FOLK SONGS folk songs 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:

KUNDIMAN KUMINTANG O TAGUMPAY

(Awit ng Pag-ibig – Songs of Love) (War song)
Noong unang panahon nung ako ay bata pa, Ang nuno nating lahat
Natisod mo na ay di pa alintana, Sa kulog di nasisindak,
Nang ako ay lumaki at maging dalaga, Sa labanan di naaawat,
Tila sa Wari ko y may pagbabanta pa. Pinuhunang buhay, hirap,
Upang tayong mga anak,
Pagsinta mo sa akin ay di ko tatanggapin Mabuhay ng mapanatag.
Pagka’t akong ito ay alangan sa tingin,
Ako ay mahirap, pangit pa sa tingin,

ANG OYAYI O HELE

ANG DALIT O IMNO (Lullaby)
(Song to the God Of the Visayans)
Matulog ka na bunso
Puamanaog-pumanaog Ang tatay mo ay malayo
Si Mansilatan Hindi nya tayo masundo
Saka si Badla ay bababa, Pagkat ang daa’y maputik at mabalaho.
Mamimigay ng olakas,
Pasayawin ang mga Baylan,
Pagligiran ng mga Baylan.

Hala gaod tayo, pagod ay tiisin

DIANA Ang lahat ng hirap pag-aralang bathin
(Wedding Song) Kahit malayo man, kung ating ibigin,
Daig ang malapit na ayaw lakbayin.
Umawit tayo at ipagdiwang
Kay pagkasawing palad ng lanak sa hirap,
Ang dalawang pusong ngayon ay ikakasal Ang bisig hindi iunat
Ang daraanan nilang landas Di kumita ng pilak.
Sabuyan natin ng bigas

SOLIRANING
(Song of the Laborer)
EPIGRAMS (Salawikain) these have been customarily used and served as laws or rules on
good behavior by our ancestors. To others, these are like allegories
or parables that impart lessons for the young.

Examples:

➢ “May tainga ang lupa, may pakpak ang balita.”

➢ “Kahit saang gubat, ay mayruong ahas.”
➢ “Walang lumura sa langit na di sa kanyang mukha nagbalik.”
➢ “Bago ka bumati ng sa ibang uling, uling mo muna ang iyong pahirin.”
➢ “Ang umaayaw ay di nagwawagi, ang nagwawagi ay di umaayaw.”
➢ "Although beauty may be skin deep, many have drowned there."

RIDDLES (Bugtong or Palaisipan)

These are made up of one or more measured lines with rhyme and may consist of
4 to 12 syllabes.

Examples:

➢ Hiyas na puso, kulay ginto, mabango kung amuyin, masarap kung kainin. (mangga)
➢ Nanganak ang birhen, itinapon ang lampin. (saging)
➢ May langit, may lupa, May tubig, walang isda. (niyog)
➢ Buhok ni Adan, hindi mabilang. (ulan)
➢ Nagsaing si Hudas, kinuha ang tubig itinapon ang bigas. (gata ng niyog)