Major Historical Events that

Shaped 21st Century Philippine

Literature
 Learning Objectives
 To understand what constitutes 21st century
literature
 To appreciate and understand 21st century
Philippine literature through the analysis and
interpretation of the major historical events of the
past
Key Understanding
 Students will learn to appreciate 21st century
Philippine literature through the analysis and
interpretation of major historical events that
greatly influenced and shaped its development.

Key Questions
 How did the major historical events in the
country influence 21st century Philippine
literature?
What is 21st century literature?

21st Century literature consists of written

works of various genres (poetry, drama,
fiction/prose, nonfiction, media) printed and
published from the start of the new
millennium up to the present.
 Past and Present

 Before we can have a holistic

understanding of 21st century Philippine
literature, it is important to trace, analyze
and interpret the major historical events in
the country that had a profound impact
and influence to its modern development.
Picture Game: Based on the presentation title as well as the
pictures you will see in the proceeding pages, can you guess
these important figures in Philippine history.

Image Credit:
bp.blogspot.com/_Ly_XqGar02A/SplPXdQ52gI/AAAAAAAAAes/vqyKUg5jOS4/s400/The+cast+of+Kanser+(Noli+Met
nagere)+directed+by+Adriana+Agcaoili.jpg
Image Credit: https://theinnovativejournal.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/martial-law-featured-image-21.jpg
Historical Events that Influenced
21st Century Philippine Literature
1. Jose Rizal’s Revolutionary Ideals through his
novel Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer in
English)
They say that the pen is mightier than the sword and
Rizal’s 1889 novel Noli Me Tangere was the impetus
that turned Philippine society upside down. When Rizal’s
peaceful La Liga Filipina group failed in achieving the
political and religious reforms being asked from the
Spaniards, younger upstart heroes like Bonifacio and
Jacinto who have read his novel were roused into action
to establish the revolutionary sect Katipunan.
Historical Events that Influenced
21st Century Philippine Literature
2. The Execution and Death of National Hero Jose Rizal
On December 30, 1896 after five years of trial and exile,
the entire nation witnessed the execution of Jose Rizal in
Luneta by firing squad. Four months before on August
19, 1896, the Spanish authorities had discovered the
whereabouts of the Katipunan. To show their open
rebellion, the Katipuneros tore their cedulas and took to
their bolos in the Cry of Balintawak. From then on until June
12, 1898, it was open warfare for the Katipuneros against
the Spaniards.
 Points for Class Discussion
• Class will form small groups and will list everything
they know about the novel Noli Me Tangere in a story
map. The group leaders will then read and explain
what their respective groups have enumerated.
• (Individual Recitation) Do you agree or disagree
that Jose Rizal’s trial, exile, and execution was the
turning point in our country’s history that inspired
numerous radical and revolutionary changes in our
society? Why or why not?
 Historical Events that Influenced
21st Century Philippine Literature
3. Martial Law
On September 21, 1972 by virtue of Proclamation Order
1081, then Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the entire
country under Martial Law rule. This era is considered as
a very divisive one. For the puritans and loyalists, it was a
period of discipline and order. Yet for the activists and
liberals, it was an era of gross human rights abuses, the
end of individual rights, as well as the loss of freedom of
expression in Philippine society.
 Culminating Activity

Did you guess the pictures right in our picture

game? Can you now think of other events in
Philippine history that has also influenced 21st
century Philippine literature? You can then do a
research work regarding that event including
literary works (prose, poem, song, etc.) inspired by
that particular moment in our country’s history.