Jascha Merie U. Lumapat

3.1. Based on the given articles, identify and discuss the literary forms/elements from the following:  

a. Early Phil. Literature 

b. Phil Literature in Spanish Colonial Period

c. Phil Literature in American Period 

    Literary forms and their elements make up literature. According to the article, different literary forms exist in different periods and languages. Poems, drama, novels, fiction, and other literary forms are mentioned in the article 

    In Early Philippine Literature, baybayin was the native alphabet of the Tagalogs. Songs, riddles and proverbs, lyric and short poems, and parts of epic poems were written in baybayin as literary forms. After years later, some of the literature were passed on through oral recitation and chanting that were later translated into the Roman alphabet by Spanish people. Songs in Tagalog are called awit in which Ethnolinguistic groups remember the native music and words of their songs. Riddles are called bugtong and it uses talinghaga, which is a type of metaphor whose significance eventually conveys the meaning of the riddle's answer. Proverbs are called salawikain or sawikain which contain sayings that prescribe social rules, teach a lesson, or simply reflect social norms, traditions, and beliefs. Filipino epics have five common characteristics according to the article. Epics that mean "song" or "chant", epics are repetitive and proceed through en palier structures, there are many supernatural characters in the epics, these epics are also a reflection of the society from which they surfaced, and multiple versions of these epics, as well as an expansion of episodes, a concept explained by the oral tradition of the genre and its transmission through the ages to the group's generations. Epic narratives contain the generic roots of Filipino novels. There are also stories about the origins of people, the stars, the sky, and the seas that are in short narratives. 

    In Spanish Colonial Period, at the time of colonization and conversion to Christianity, the existing literature of the Philippine ethnicities consisted primarily of oral epics, legends, songs, riddles, and proverbs. While in the American Period, English is the medium. Poems are written in the English language, fiction in this period is the period of mentorship in literary writing in English is distinguished by repetition of storytelling style and strict adherence to the art of the short story as performed by popular American fictionists. English-language addresses cultural identity, national identity, and being a Filipino. Filipino writers writing in English began discussing the importance of literature in society. News is written in English and moved away from the Spanish language. And, during the early American period, seditious dramas in the zarsuwela form were showcased.

The literary forms in all periods have developed. In each period in Philippine Literature, different literary forms and their elements have developed in a different language which makes up the Philippine Literature in the present.

3.2. Discuss the significant developments of the following periods 

a. Early Phil. Literature

b. Phil Literature in Spanish Colonial Period

c. Phil Literature in American Period 

    The Philippine Literature is connected to the literature or literary works of the Philippines from prehistory to the present. It is passed down from generation to generation. In each period of Philippine Literature, there are significant developments that contributed to the current state of Philippine literature.

    In the Early Philippine Literature, Baybayin was the Tagalogs' native alphabet in early Philippine literature. As literary forms, baybayin was used to write songs, riddles and proverbs, lyric and short poems, and parts of epic poems. Years later, some of the literature was passed down through oral recitation and chanting, which were later translated into the Roman alphabet by Spaniards. In the Spanish Colonial Period, the Spanish colonization and conversion to Christianity during the Spanish Colonial Period, the previous literature of the Philippine ethnicities mainly consisted oforal epics, legends, songs, riddles, and proverbs. The Spanish colonial strategy aimed to weaken indigenous oral traditions. The religious authorities implemented a policy of spreading Christian teachings by communicating with natives in their native language. Until the nineteenth century, religious orders founded and run publications. The Christianized public's culture was influenced by religious themes. However, the indigenous oral literature, whether secular or mythic-religious, persisted. Oral traditions persisted among Christianized ethnicities in the form of folklore, proverbs, and wedding songs. Secular literature from Spain in the form of medieval ballads became popular in the 18th century. Printing replaced tradition which became a memory device and set the way for the development of prose. And also, poems of relevance were written by educated women of the time. 

    Literature in the American period has two significant developments in education and culture that stimulated the development of American literature. The use of English as a medium of teaching exposed Filipinos to Colonial ideologies, culture, and lifestyles that would become incorporated not only in the literature written but also in the subconscious of the nation's intelligence community. The English translation attempts to address culture, nationality, and what it means to be a Filipino. Filipino writers writing in English started debating the value of literature in society. The news has become written in English rather than Spanish. And from the other hand, the unfolding of a thriving literary tradition as a result of historical events did not completely suppress literary production in native or indigenous languages. The early 20th century was noteworthy for the great literary output of all major languages in different literary genres. In the early American period, seditious plays in the zarsuwela form were showcased. During the American period, poems in all languages flourished in all parts of the country. Modernist poetry that used free or empty verses was intended for the reading process rather than oral delivery. Along with the novel, fiction in Tagalog and other regional languages arose.

    All in all, Philippine Literature embodies all of the significant developments of each period from prehistory to the present, as well as the various languages and cultures.

3.3. How have these literary periods shaped our (a) ideological

perspectives, (b) societal values, (c) and political views? Discuss each.  

    Literature has a big impact on the development of our society. It provides a comprehensive preview of human experiences, enabling us to communicate on the most fundamental levels of eagerness and feeling. However, the different literary periods in literature shape our ideological perspectives, societal values, and political views.

    In the Early Philippine Literature period, it is taught from one generation to another through culture, traditions, and human experiences in different literary periods that change our ideological perspectives and societal values. While the Spanish colonial period, in the late nineteenth century, was a turning point. The birth of the Philippine Revolution created a huge wave of literary activity because of political, economic, and social changes that "opened up" the colony to the rest of the world. And in the American Period, English is the medium used to guide Filipinos to Colonial ideologies, culture, and lifestyles that became firmly embedded not only in written literature but also in the subconscious of the country's intelligence community. The English translation addresses society, nationality, and what it proves to be a Filipino. 

    In conclusion, literature reflects society, both its positive and negative values. The various literary periods shape our understanding of literature, as well as our ideological perspectives, societal values, and political views.