SPANISH ERA

Historical Background:

The time of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the first Spanish governor-general in the Philippines, was the mark of the Spanish colonization in the country.
Literature started flourishing during his time.
Various changes occurred in the lives of the Filipinos:

1. embracing the Catholic Religion

2. built houses made of stones

3. used beautiful furniture (i.e. piano, kitchen utensils, etc.)

4. carriages, trains, and boats are the means of travel

5. held fiestas to honor saints

6. cockfights, horse races and theater as means of recreation

These changes gave rise to the different classes of society like the rich and the landlords.
Many Filipinos were educates and finished courses like medicine, law, agriculture and teaching.

Spanish Influences on Philippine Literature:

ALIBATA, the first Filipino alphabet, was replaced by the Roman Alphabet.
Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices.
Many words from our language was borrowed from the Spanish language.
European legends and traditions became assimilated in our songs, corridos, and moro-moros.
Ancient literature was translated to Tagalog.
Grammar books were printed in Filipino.
Periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.

Social Issues:

The Spanish administration collect taxes from the native people and administered events for the sake of their interests and their country.
Alcalde mayors during this time was given a privilege called indulto de comercio to open a business. However, they abused this power by forcing citizens to buy from their stores and lend money with very high interest.
A system called polo y servicio forces men whose age range from 16 to 60 years old to render 40 days for building roads, infrastructures. If they choose not to work, they have to pay fines.
Native Filipinos who served during galleon trades were physically abused.
Indios (native filipinos) were not allowed to hold any positions in the government.
Spanish sailors taking slave women for sexual pleasure.
Racial discrimination occurred when Filipinos are not accepted to be priests.

Prominent Writers:

Francisco de San Jose
Francisco Bagongbata
Gaspar Aquino de Belen-Mahal Na Pasion ni Jesu Christo, a Tagalog poem based on Christ’s passion,
Pedro Bukaneg-Lam-Ang
Tomas Pinpin
Francisco Baltazar
Modesto de Castro
Pedro Paterno
Jose Rizal
Marcelo del Pilar
Hermenegildo Flores
Andres Bonifacio
Emilio Jacinto