Philippine literature encompasses works from its precolonial origins, through colonial legacies, and into the present day. It is characterized by short, interpersonal sentences, often exploring themes of family, dogmatic love, and persistence, while reflecting the nation's rich folk tales, socio-political histories, and inherent Filipino values.
During the precolonial period, vibrant oral traditions flourished, notably the Ilocano epic poem Biag ni Lam-ang, alongside other regional epics like Hudhud ni Aliguyon and popular myths such as Maria Makiling. The Spanish colonial era introduced European literary traditions, heavily influenced by Catholicism, giving rise to forms like poetry and religious dramas. This period saw the rise of Francisco Balagtas, author of the influential epic poem Florante at Laura (1838), and Leona Florentino, celebrated as the mother of Philippine women's literature.
The first daily newspaper, La Esperanza, was published on December 1, 1846, marking a new chapter in literary dissemination. Later, the Philippine Revolution spurred a wave of nationalistic literature, exemplified by Pedro Alejandro Paterno's Nínay (1885), considered the first novel written by a Filipino. Revolutionary fervor was also channeled through publications like the pro-Filipino newspaper La Solidaridad (1889), edited by Graciano López Jaena and Marcelo H. del Pilar.