Tunc Linee: Philippine Poetry

Earl L
Nov 29, 2020
9 min read

Updated: Dec 1, 2020

I. PRE-COLONIAL (–BC TO 1564)

I.I Highlight

I.I.I The common themes found in the literary works are bravery of heroes, help from otherworldly powers, good harvest, good versus evil, love, and nature.

I.II Types of Poetry

I.II.I Narrative Poetry (Epics)

Aliguyon (Hudhud) of the Ifugao, translated by Amador Daguio, and edited by Josefina Mariano1
Biag ni Lam-ang of the Ilocano, composite text by Leopoldo Yabes and translated by Jovita Ventura Castro
Labaw Donggon, the Sulod epic, the text by Dr. F. Landa Jocano and translated by Rosella Jean Makasian-Puno
Agyu or Olahing or Ulahingan of the Manobos, composite text by Patricia Melendres Cruz from transcriptions of E. Arsenio Manuel, Elena Maquiso, Carmen Ching Unabia, and Corazon Manuel
Sandayo of the Subanun, text and translation by Virgilio Resma.

I.II.II Lyric Poetry Songs (Tagalog)

uyayi or hele, a lullaby for putting a child to sleep1
soliranin is a song for travelers
talindaw is the seafarers song
kumintang is a war song
maluway is a song for collective labor
kundiman is a melancholic love song
dalit is a song-ritual usually sung to the rhythm of dance.
panambitan is a courtship song
pamanhikan is a song-ritual of the would-be bridegroom to his would-be bride as he asks permission to marry her
subli is another dance-ritual song of courtship and marriage

I.II.III Lyric Poetry Songs (Northern Luzon)

dallot and the duayya, both love songs1
dung-aw is a dirge or a wake song
bagbagto is a song ritual for harvest
laji, the kanta and the kalusan is a lyric rendition of a song usually sung after a day’s work when people gather together in their houses to chat and drink the native wine, palek and just find time to be merry.

II. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD (1565–1863)

II.I Highlight

II.I.I The common themes found in the literary works are bravery of heroes, good vs evil, grace, love, and nature.

II.II Types of Poetry

II.II.I Narrative Poetry

II.II.I.i Pasyon — long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ.

Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Cristong Panginoon Natin (1703) by Gaspar Aquino de Belen
Casaysayan nang Pasiong Mahal ni Hesucristong Panginoon Natin na Sucat Ipag-alab nang Puso nang Sinomang Babasa (1814) foreword by Dr. Mariano Pilapil

II.II.I.ii Metrical Tale — narrative verse intended to be read in one sitting.

Que Dios Le Perdone (1614) by Chinese mestizo, Carlos Calao (Kalaw) as an excoriation of Cali Pulacu (known as Lapu-Lapu) for having killed Ferdinand Magellan.
Gracias Se Den Sempitemas by Fernando Bagongbanta is about acceptance of gratitude to the Creator.

II.II.I.iii Metrical Romance — narrative poem relating to real or imaginary events in simple, straight forward language, from life experiences, an emotional situations.

Korido at Buhay na Pinagdaanan ng Tatlong Prinsipeng Magkakapatid na anak ni Haring Fernando at ni Reyna Valeriana sa Kahariang Berbany (Ibong Adarna)
Historia Famosa ni Bernardo Carpio sa Reinong Espana, na Anak ni D. Sancho Diaz at Dona Jimena (Bernando Carpio) (1860) – by Jose dela Cruz o Huseng Sisiw

III. NATIONALISTIC/PROPAGANDA AND REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD (1864–1896)

III.I Highlight

III.I.I The common themes found in this period are appearance versus reality, betrayal, rich versus poor, love, motherland, patriotism, and wartime loss.

III.II Types of Poetry

III.II.I Narrative Poetry

III.II.I.i Metrical Romance

Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Florante at Laura sa Kahariang Albanya: Kinuha sa madlang "cuadro histórico" o pinturang nagsasabi sa mga nangyari nang unang panahon sa Imperyo ng Gresya at tinula ng isang matuwain sa bersong Tagalog (The History of Florante and Laura in the Kingdom of Albania: Adapted from some "historical pictures" or paintings that tell of what happened in early times in the Greek Empire, and were set to rhyme by one delighting in Tagalog verse) (1869) by Francisco Balagtas - The story is about the love and determination of the Duke Florante and the Princess Laura of Albania while being pursued by the usurper Count Adolfo.

III.II.I.ii Poems by Dr. Jose P. Rizal

El Embarque (The Embarkation) (1875) – as a hymn to Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet.
El Combate: Urbiztondo, terror de Jolo (The Combat: Urbiztondo, the Terror from Jolo) (1875) – shared a commemoration of the campaign led by Spanish Governor-General Antonio Urbiztondo in 1851 against the Sultanate of Sulu.
Y ese español Elcano, el primero en dar la vuelta al mundo (And Spain’s Elcano was the First to Circle the World) (1875) – about Juan Sebastian Elcano, who upon Magellan’s death on the shores of Mactan, took over the expedition and returned to Spain.
Por la Educacion Recibe Lustre la Patria (Through Education is the Nation Glorified) (1876) – spoke of the Jesuits who established a strong relationship between education and faith.
A la juventad filipina (To the Filipino Youth) (1879) – about the youth to have confidence and to aim high and raise their standards as the future of the nation.
Adios a Leonor (Farewell Leonor) (1882) – as a farewell to his sweetheart Leonor Rivera.
Me piden versos (They Ask Me for Verses) (1882) – about the poet’s sorrow of being in a foreign land to fulfill his desires and missing his homeland.
A las flores de Heidelberg (To the flowers of Heidelberg) (1886) – when he saw the first flower of spring.
A Josefina (To Josefina) (1895) – to his beloved Josephine Bracken.
Canto del viajero (Song of the Wanderer) (bet 1892-1896) – an expression of his low-spirited feelings during his exile.
Mi Retiro (My Retreat) (1895) – according to tradition, inspired him when he sat a rock formation overlooking the sea in his Dapitan estate.
Mi ultimo adios (My Last Farewell) (1896) –believed to be composed on the eve of his execution, was a long valedictory poem as expression of patriotism and now part of Filipino history.

III.II.I.iii Companion Appeal Quatrains

Hibik ng Filipinas sa Inang Espanya (The Appeal of the Philippines to Mother Spain) (1888) – by Hermenegildo Flores talked about Philippines as a poor and abused daughter of Spain. It has 66 quatrains.
Sagot ng Espana sa Hibik ng Pilipinas (The Answer of Spain to the Appeal of the Philippines) (1889) – by Marcelo H. del Pilar, having 82 quatrains, talked about the wonderful plans of Spain for the Philippines but did not able to deliver them.
Katapusang Hibik nang Pilipinas sa Ynang Espana (The Last Appeal of the Philippines to Mother Spain) (1896) – by Andres Bonifacio expressed his disgust to Spain like a mother who was negligent and a renegade to her daughter, the Philippines. It has 14 quatrains.

III.II.I.iv Metrical Tale

A Las Dalagas Malolenses (To the Daughters of Malolos) (1889) – by Fernando Canon is a verse to the young women of Malolos, who requested the Spanish class by evening.

IV. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1897–1945)

IV.I Highlight

IV.I.I The common themes found in this period are betrayal, forgiveness, grace, love, motherland, patriotism, and revenge.

IV.II Types of Poetry

IV.II.I Narrative Poetry

IV.II.I.i Women in Poetry

A Poem for Nenita (1934) – by Amado Mauleon spoke about the rigid expectations of a man to a woman and the struggle of the woman to be authentic and true to herself.
Beyond Recall (1943) – by Alfredo Litiatco spoke a woman cautioned that a single offense against the patriarchal code of female purity could men her total fall from grace.
Subterfuge (1945) – Trinidad Tarrosa-Subido shared about the severityof the patriarchal code of the Philippines.
Dedication (1934) – by Antonia Ocampo-Bautista shared the sorrows of women blaming themselves for the ended love affair, praying for forgiveness and preparing for a lifetime of misery.
I Wonder Why (1935) – by Araceli Neri shared about women’s feigned strength as a defensed mechanism and a deliberate exercise of will of resolution.
The End (1938) – by Juana Flores explained the end of a relationship alluded to a coffin and took a share of fault due to her immaturity but cherished the received pleasures.

IV.II.I.ii Political Poems

El Verdadero Decalogo (True Decalogue) (1898) — by Apolinario Mabini stated his words of instruction to his fellowmen which are love for God, love for own integrity, love for our country, love for our fellowmen, and love for one another.
La Isla Hermana (Three Islands) (1909) – by Fernando Ma Guerrero worked towards a construction of a united Philippines as opposed to regionalism of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.5
A España Imperialista (To the Imperialist Spain) (1915) – by CecilioApostol claimed the rights of the Philippine people to the Spanish language and culture not as a subsidiary but as self-reiant.
A Hispania (To Spain) (1913) – Fernando Ma Guerrero shared a song for Spain as a conquering nation that did not share the Spanish language to the Filipinos so the American taught them English instead.
A La Laguna de Bay (1921) – by Fernando Canon is the fulfillment of the author’s childhood promise to Jose Rizal and it involves the collection of \hidden and popular wisdom that inspires Philippine history and manifests in its nature, its waters and its caves.

IV.II.I.iii Relationship Poems

Kamay ng Birhen (Virgin Hands) (1929) – by Jose Corazon de Jesus is about how his love for a woman changed him for the better.
Sa Tabi ng Dagat (By the Sea) (1987) – by Ildefonso Santos is about the experiences of loving someone.
Afterthought (1934) – by Gregorio Estonanto shared man’s ability to survive romantic disappointment through deliberate process of healing.

IV. JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942–1960)

V.I Highlight

V.I.I The common themes found in this period are grace, love, nature, patriotism, revenge.

V.II Types of Poetry

V.II.I Narrative Poetry

V.II.I.i Sino Ka? Ako'y Si... 60 Sagot na mga Tulá (Who Are You? I am... 60 Answering Poems) 1946 by Sen. Lope K. Santos

Ako’y Si Wika– is about loving and caring for the native language.
Ako’y Si Bayani – is about heroes being shaped and tested through trials and temptations.
Ako’y Si Laya – is about peace as a gift of God and should be defended and preserved by people.
Ako’y Si Dangal – is about the fragility and evasiveness of integrity to the rich and famous and the work that goes to preserving it.
Ako’s Si Tao – is about cherishing one’s life and serving one another.

V.II.I.ii Women on Poetry

Eventide (1948) – by Florencia Mercado illustrated a woman masking her emotion and took an almost malicious pleasure in the opportunity to manipulate the relationship.
Tambourines in My Heart (1947) – by Toribia Maño insisted of breaking the mold of men’s adoration towards women and demanded to be loved as a person.

V.II.I.iii Comma Poem

When I Was No Bigger Than A Huge (1949, Volume Two) – by Jose Garcia Villa, one his comma poems, is about a dying man’s reminiscent of his youthful acts and his regret of not living in God’s will.

V.II.I.iv Metrical Tale

Isang Dipang Langit (1952) – by Amado V. Hernandez is about a prisoner’s dreadful situation and his hope of being released oneday.

V.II.II Lyrical Poetry

V.II.II.i Kundiman

Sa Kabukiran (In The Countryside) (1954) – sung by Sylvia de la Torre is about the joy of living in the woods with birds.

VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960–1999)

VI.I Highlight

VI.I.I The common themes found in this period are appearance versus reality, good versus evil, justice, love, and nature.

VI.II Types of Poetry

VI.II.I Narrative Poetry

VI.II.I.i Women on Poetry

i. Centering Voices (1995)

Patay na Tuod si Maria Clara (Maria Clara is indeed, dead) – by Erlinda Alburo shared the ideal Maria Claria women obedient, shy and soft and challenge the so-called to be independent and serve with nothing in return.
Tibalas (Thrush Bird) – by Leticia U. Suarez mourned the death and vulnerability of nature and brought the evil effects of idleness like pastime of shooting birds.
Tambag Kang Beriang Pakyas sa Gugma ug Uban Pa (Advice to Berts, Unfortunate in Love, etc) – by Leticia U. Suarez argued through the poem Berta’s liberation from the punitive male language by using personal and domestic cooking terms.
Camia – by Leticia U. Suarez addressed the fragrant flower as dead in the marshlands and swamps because of the garbage and criticizes art as a preserved beauty against the extinction of the reference.
Banga (The Water Jar) – by Ester Tapia Boemer evoked the age-old task of women fetching water early in the morning.
Ang Asawa sa Mangingisda (The Fisherman’s Wife) – by Ester Tapia Boemer exposed the suffering of women caught in the traditional gender roles.
Madjik (Magic) – by Ruby Enario-Carlino spoke about female’s gesture of remembering and refusing forgiveness.

i. Sinug-ang: A Cebuana Trio (1999)

Babayeng Nag-atunamg sa Salamin (Woman facing the mirror) – by Erlinda Alburo explained the female form through mature and wise articulation than usual narcissistic projection
Tubig-Tubig (Game of Water Tag) – by Cora Almerino dramatizes the play of desire like playing child’s game marked by water.
Mason (Stonebuilder) – by Ester Tapia recognized the intent of male desire and refuse responsibility.

VI.II.I.ii Metrical Tale

Panata sa Kalayaan (1970) – by Amado V. Hernandez is about a prisoner’s resilience amidst injustice.

VI.II.II Lyrical Poetry

VI.II.II.i Christmas Song

Kumukutikutitap (1983) - by Joey Reyes is about the happiness brought by Christmas decorations and gifts.

VII. POST MODERN AND CURRENT (2000- )

VII.I Highlight

VII.I.I The common themes found in the current period are appearance versus reality, isolation, motherland, nature, and patriotism.

VII.II Types of Poetry

VII.II.I Narrative Poetry

VII.II.I.i Ilocano Poems

Highway (2009) – by Ariel S. Tabag talked about fast urbanization of towns and the provincial being left behind like dying men tending their rice fields while the youth chase the trucks.
Ipapanaw Iti Maikasangapulo A Balay (Leaving the Tenth House) (2006) – by Mighty C. Rasing is about remembering the times spent and in a profession or a work that need to go to places.
(No) Maysaakon A Sangsangali ((If) I Have Become A Stranger) (2010) – by Ariel S. Tabag is about watching the evolution of mankind through technology from war time up to the present and knowing your place in this world.

VII.II.I.ii Haiku Sequence

Remembering 9/11 (2001) - by Victor P. Gendrano is about remembering the loved ones that were lost during the September 11 Twin Towers attacks.

VII.II.I.iii Metrical Tale

Oldtimers (2005) - by Victor P. Gendrano is about the sacrifices and toils of first generation Filipino immigrants that were forgotten by the new generation.
Great Expectation (2007) by Rhodora V. Peñaranda is about the pressure of growing up fast as a child without parents to take care of them.
Awis Ti Hulio (Invitation of July) (2010) – by Roy V. Aragon told us about the patience of a grower, the good harvest and the ways of preserving food homemade.

Reference:

Quindoza-Santiago, Lilia. (n.d.). Early Philippine Literature. Retrieved from National Commission for Culture and the Arts website: https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/early-philippine-literature/
Bernardo Carpio. (2015). In V. Almario (Ed.), Sagisag Kultura (Vol 1). Manila: National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved from: https://philippineculturaleducation.com.ph/bernardo-carpio/
Ocampo, A. (2011). Jose Rizal in Filipino Literature and History. Archium Ateneo. History Department Faculty Publications. https://archium.ateneo.edu/history-faculty-pubs
Zapanta-Manlapaz, E. & Cudala, R. B. (1990). Wrestling with Maria Clara: Filipino Women Poets in English, 1905-50. Philippine Studies. 38-03. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40120056
Alvarez-Tardio, B. (2004). Endangered literature: Literatura Hispano-Filipina. University of the Philippines and Spanish Agency for International Cooperation
Evasco, M. (2002). Song and Substance: Women Writing Poetry in Cebuano. Kiritika Kultura. 059-072. https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/kk/article/view/1585/1610
Lazaga, J. (2017). Four Contemporary Ilokano Poems in Translation. Kritikia Kultura. 28-395. https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/kk/article/download/KK2017.02822/2426