Nena Jimenez, the most common and consistent element of Philippine literature is its short and quick yet highly interpersonal sentences, with themes of
, and persistence.
The use of commas, conjunctions, and a variation of English known as Filipino-English or
are also most present in Philippine literature.
Similarly, writer Ronica Valdeavilla described modern Filipino literature as a reflection of the country's rich folk tales, socio-political histories, and real-life events. She emphasized that Filipino values are inherently part of their literature, telling the struggles felt by Filipinos as well as attempting to instill Morality.[ June 10, 2025] Many of these elements used by Filipino writers had an impact in the history of literature as a whole.
History
Precolonial period
According to Filipino historian Teodoro Agoncillo, the ethnicity that had the richest history in terms of story-telling were the Ilocano people, whose lifestyle in the highlands bred stories of adventures far more than other Filipinos living in the lowlands. Ilocano used an improvised, versified, and at times impromptu, long epic poem called a dallot, delivered and narrated in a song-like manner.[ History of the Filipino people by Teodoro Agoncillo] The most famous of these epics was the Biag ni Lam-ang.
Other forms of literature written by pre-colonial Ilocano were songs ( kankanta), dances ( salsala), poems ( dandaniw), riddles ( burburtia), proverbs ( pagsasao), and lamentations ( dung-aw). Other traditional Filipino epics by other ethnicities include the Hudhud ni Aliguyon of the Ifugao people, Hinilawod of Panay, Ibalong Epic from Bicolano people, and Darangen of the Maranao people.
Spanish period
The Spanish colonization of the Philippine islands led to the introduction of European literary traditions. Many of these were influenced heavily by the Spanish language and the Catholic faith.[Frank R. Blake
American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 13, No. 3 (Jul. - Sep. 1911), pp. 449-457 JSTOR] These traditions include poetry such as tanaga, ladino, , and awit; religious dramas such as moriones, santacruzan, panunuluyan and senakulo; and secular dramas like comedia, duplo, and karagatan.[ The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature] Many Filipino authors rose to prominence during this time, such as Francisco Balagtas, the author of Florante at Laura (1838); and Huseng Sisiw, author of Singsing ng Pagibig. Balagtas' title, which combines history, romance, and religion, became the premier Filipino story taught in schools nationwide.[Blanton, S. (2016). A Threshold of Flowers: Public and Private Eroticism in the Poems of Leona Florentino. University of North Carolina.][Mabanglo, R. E. (2020). Leona Florentino: Mother of Filipina poetry. Philippine Graphic.]
On December 1, 1846, the first daily newspaper, La Esperanza, was published in the country.
The Philippine Revolution brought a larger wave of nationalistic literary works. A bulk of the writers of the era were propagandists and revolutionaries who wanted either representation of the Filipino people or total independence from Spanish authority. These include the works of like Pedro Alejandro Paterno, who wrote the first novel written by a Filipino, Nínay (1885);[( Abstract)] Graciano López Jaena and later on by Marcelo H. del Pilar, who edited and published the pro-Filipino newspaper La Solidaridad (1889);
American period
The American occupation and eventual colonization of the Philippines paved the way for newer styles and genres. Compared to the more rigid literature of the Spanish era, the American period saw the popularity of the "free verse" in the Philippines, allowing for flexible poetry, prose, and other word craft.
The first English novel written by a Filipino was The Child of Sorrow (1921) written by Zoilo Galang.[ Elmer A. Ordoñez's Book Review, The Sunday Times/The Manila Times, March 14, 2004] The early writings in English were characterized by melodrama, unreal language, and unsubtle emphasis on local color. Short stories also gained popularity during this period with many serials and stories published independently or through newspapers. The most well-known was Manuel Arguilla and his anthology How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife and Other Short Stories (1940), which won first prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest.
During this time, there was also a resurgence of interest in Filipino mythology and folklore, and many works concerning them would be published, with the most well-known being the many anonymous stories about the folk character Juan Tamad (1919).
Postwar Era
As the Philippines gained its sovereignty from America, patriotism once again became a central theme in Filipino literature. Besides stories of Filipino mythology and history, there was also a boom in tales depicting the simple life of the common Filipino.[ Panitikan.com ] These stories often took place in the countryside, and portrayed every day Filipino activities like church-going, farming, courting, and . The most well-known example was the short story My Brother's Peculiar Chicken by Alejandro Roces.[ "America Is in the Heart: A Personal History" by Carlos Bulosan (Introduction by Carey McWilliams) , University of Washington Press, washington.edu]
Later on, political and protest literature became wildly present, especially during the Martial Law era. By this time, there became a focus on criticizing and satirizing the current status of the Philippines, rather than just celebrating the nation like those before it. Lualhati Bautista was one of the earliest to infuse activism in her writing, crafting stories with heavy social commentaries, mainly feminism and injustice, such as Dekada '70 (1983) and Bata, Bata... Pa'no Ka Ginawa? (1988).
The last decade and a half of the 20th century, after the ouster of the Marcos dictatorship by the civilian-led People Power Revolution of 1986, was characterized by rapid social and technological change. Some of the notable fiction from this period was strongly influenced by Magical realism, including the works of César Ruiz Aquino, Alfred Yuson, and poet-fictionist Mario Gamalinda.
Early 21st century
The rise of mass printing and digital technology led to better accessibility for Filipino authors who wanted to publish their work. The internet had become a revolutionary tool for Filipino authors to reach readers outside of the Philippines. Publishing houses like PSICOM flourished, as well as a rise in popularity of Self-publishing and web fiction sites like Wattpad; many of which favored Romance novel and Romantic comedy books that were later adapted into high-grossing films.[ List of Well-Known Filipino Wattpad Authors] The first titles to achieve this include Bob Ong ABNKKBSNPLAko?! (2001), Ramon Bautista Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo? (2012), and Danny R.’s web novel Diary ng Pangit (2013).
Around this time, several Filipinos began to dabble into current literary trends, tackling modern issues of diversity and mental health, while also introducing international readers to Filipino culture and language. Two of the most popular international Filipino writers of the early 21st century include Rin Chupeco, who made a name for herself publishing Young Adult fiction, many of which were inspired by Filipino mythology from Maria Makiling to the Mangkukulam;[ p.4]
The 21st century also saw the rise in popularity of many Filipina writers. One of the most famous is Ivy Alvarez, a Filipino-Australian who gained acclaim for her collection of poems entitled Disturbance (2013), which contained themes of domestic abuse.
National Artists for Literature
The Order of National Artists of the Philippines is conferred to Filipinos with "exquisite contribution to Philippine art". The artists are chosen by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (Philippines) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The Order is given by the President of the Philippines. Unfortunately, the award is currently not retroactive, so Filipino artists who have passed before 1973, including those from the Spanish colonial era, are not given the award even though they have made significant contributions to the country, with the "special exemption" of three individuals who passed away at the final years of the Third Republic. Some individuals currently not allowed by law to become National Artists include national hero, Jose Rizal, and the mother of Philippine women's literature, Leona Florentino. At the moment, no changes that would allow pre-1973 individuals to become National Artists have been made by Congress.
Awardees of the National Artist of the Philippines Order, for Literature, include:
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1973 – Amado V. Hernandez, National Artist for Literature
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1973 – Jose Garcia Villa, National Artist for Literature
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1976 – Nick Joaquin, National Artist for Literature
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1982 – Carlos P. Romulo, National Artist for Literature
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1990 – Francisco Arcellana, National Artist for Literature
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1997 – Rolando S. Tinio, National Artist for Theater and Literature
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1997 – Levi Celerio, National Artist for Music and Literature
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1997 – N.V.M. Gonzales, National Artist for Literature
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1997 – Carlos Quirino, National Artist for Historical Literature
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1999 – Edith L. Tiempo, National Artist for Literature
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2001 – F. Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature
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2003 – Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature
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2003 – Alejandro Roces, National Artist for Literature
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2006 – Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature
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2009 – Lazaro A. Francisco, National Artist for Literature
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2014 – Cirilo F. Bautista, National Artist for Literature
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2018 - Ramon Muzones, National Artist for Literature
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2018 - Resil Buagas Mojares, National Artist for Literature
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2022 - Gémino Henson Abad, National Artist for Literature
See also
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Filipiniana
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National Book Awards (Philippines)
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List of Filipino writers
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Philippine literature in English
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Philippine literature in Spanish
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Tagalog literature
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Cebuano literature
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IIlocano literature
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Hiligaynon literature
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Pangasinan literature
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Tagalog literature
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Waray literature
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Philippine Crime Fiction
External links
