Chapter 2 Thesis Enrolment System

Notes on Philippine pre-colonial lit successionry works Notes and anecdotes on Philippine pre-colonial writings, mostly taken from my Filipino 14 class under Mr. Popa. The pre-colonial stop in the Philippines is the longest chapter in the countrys history. Yet it is also the darkest chapter in history, with very few records extant. The lack of knowledge concerning the period stems from the lack of resources concerning this era, brought on by the perishability of the items produced during those times.Having a strong similitude with nature, the archaean Filipino communities produced items molded from the altogether materials in the region, mostly from plants and trees. Another reason was the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. The Catholic friars who were tasked with converting the uncivilized natives demonized the pre-colonial culture, seeing the beliefs of that era as a threat to their mission to spread Christianity in the land. Only a few manuscripts dummy up survive to th is day, mostly done by Spanish priests who had immersed themselves in the community in an attempt to hound their ways.One of the most important was the Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala by Fr. Juan de Noceda and Fr. Pedro San Lucar (1734), an anthology of early oral examination lore that preserved many examples of pre-colonial literature. However, disdain the Spanish teachings, Philippine pre-colonial culture was not as barbaric as it had been made out to be. The figurehead of a bustling trade economy with Chinese and Muslim merchants existed long before the landing of the Spaniards. The oral literature in existence during that time also displayed a sense of sophistication beyond that of unproblematic barbaric cultures.Anitism, a term coined by Stephen Hislop, refers to the religion prevalent in the religion at that time. The early Filipinos believed in the presence ofanitos, primordial forces of nature that could accompany or possess people. Filipinos also held the principle ofl oobwith spectacular importance. Loosely translated,loobmeans inside. Loobis also a vague reference to the soul. An attempt to explainloobmay proceed as follows. The concept ofloobcan, first and foremost, be related to the concept of a soul. It is something that resides within the person.However, it is not corporeal, or as specific as a soul it is a vital part of the person but not the person in his/her entirety. Loobis also related to space and trust with the phrasemalapit ang loob ko sa iyo(malapitmeaning near) referring to a persons exalted trust level with the other. Loobis also a personal space, something sacred to the person that belongs to him alone. The Filipinos were also well-endowed in the area of literature. A long-standing oral tradition that still survives in remnants to this day traces its roots to the pre-colonial period. Philippine literature employed everyday language, and was a communal activity.As such, the social relevance of literature during that time was ve ry important. Themes include the daily routines of the community, living in accordance with nature and living within the community. Literature was the primary fount of the communitys experiences, beliefs and emotions. Filipino pre-colonial literature followed certain conventions. Due to its oral nature, most stories had a formulaic method of construction. This was fortify by the duty of literature as a reflection of the communal belief and experience the repeat of themes highlighted the prevalent qualities of the regions culture, and identity was thus embodied.The oral tradition also refined the structure of pre-colonial literature, employing the use of stave and rhyme to great effect. Rhythm and rhyme distinguished literary pieces from normal conversation while employing the long-familiar everyday language that everyone in the community understood. These devices also made the pieces easier to remember and retell, while allowing the storyteller to concern the rise and fall of t one with the appropriate portions of the story.Philippine literature possesses a deep level of sophistication, seen in the thorough unity of language, theme and relevance within each piece. The use of common language did not forbid the pieces from obtaining a touch of elegance that set it apart, a testament to the literary ability of the pre-colonial culture. Literature was a vital tool for community cohesiveness, rooted in the foundations of language as a tool for survival. stria together to overcome the dangers of the wild, literature took on communal themes that promoted a sense of togetherness throughout the locals.Literature also reflected the affinity of pre-colonial Fipinos with nature, with the use of colorful metaphors and vivid backgrounds to enhance the story and express their appreciation of nature itself. Literature is such an integral part of pre-colonial Philippine culture that it was one of the methods employed by the Spanish in high society to convert the Filipi nos towards Christianity. However, the Filipinos were intensely critical of these Spanish pieces, largely due to their inability to relate them to their communal beliefs.