Philippine Literature Throughout the Years Philippine Literature Icons The Philippines is not only known in terms of its beauty, culture, and natural resources. Philippine literature also paves its way to popularity. It is written in Spanish, Filipino, English, and other native Philippine languages. Epic poems, proverbs, songs, and riddles were passed from generation to generation through recitals and spells in various dialects of the islands. One common theme of an epic is when a hero is being helped by good spirits. Many Philippine movie actors re-enact epics. Spirits help them seek justice and overthrow evil forces. Shorter narratives that tell the origins of the people, the stars, the sky and the seas came to existence. A famous story that tells of the origin of man and woman is that of Sicalac (man) and Sicavay (woman) who came out of a bamboo after being pecked by a bird. The first Filipino poet, Francisco Baltazar, wrote poems in Tagalog. His best-known work, Florante at Laura (Florante and Laura), is an epic poem that criticizes Spanish autocracy. Philippine national hero, Dr. José Rizal, produced his own Philippine literature masterpiece in Spanish. Rizal’s novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), published in 1886, and its sequel, El Filibusterismo (The Subversive), published in 1891, helped to shape a new, nationalist identity during the last years of the 19th century. In 1898, the United States took control of the Philippines resulted in a dramatic increase in literacy and, consequently, literary production. A variety of new literary journals began to be published. English-language Filipino novels, short stories, and poems were first published in book form in the 1920s. Many Filipino authors have had distinguished writing careers. Their works typically explore the Filipino cultural identity in the context of social and political issues. Other epics known to most Filipinos are the Ibalon of Bikol, Darangan which is a Muslim epic, the Kudaman of Palawan, the Alim of the Ifugao, Bantugan of the Maranao, the Hinilawod of Panay, the and the Tuwaang of Manobos. The Tagalogs pride their Myth of Bernardo Carpio, a folk hero said to hold the mountains of San Mateo apart with his powerful arms to prevent them from colliding. Nowadays, Filipino writers have continued to patronize the intellectual influence and Philippine literature started by the likes of Rizal but to further aim at reviving the richness of the country’s very own folk traditions and introducing it to new generations as a significant form of art. Single Filipina women seeking dating, love and friendship  "Fired Travel Agent Reveals How To Get Dirt Cheap Airfare Tickets!" The secrets exposed here will exceed your wildest of expectations. Manipulate airline companies' ticket pricing computer systems to give you $1,000's of discounts on your ticket. Earn free vouchers for airfare tickets just from making a phone call and without ever even flying at all! The KEY to traveling for cheap, and how to use this knowledge to get the biggest bargains!My Airfare Secrets »  "Travel The World Free As A Travel Writer" Would you like to enjoy VIP treatment wherever you go . . . FREE travel and flight upgrades . . . FREE gourmet dining at Michelin-starred restaurants . . . FREE five star accommodation in the world’s most luxurious hotels . . . FREE entry into sports events and sold-out shows . . . celebrity welcomes at locations not open to the general public? If you want to share the idyllic lifestyle and enjoy the privileges top travel writers enjoy you need the information revealed in these travel writing blueprints.Travel The World Free As A Travel Writer »
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