With the arrival of the Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, Philippine literature began to take a written form. The first written works were religious in nature, such as the _Doctrina Cristiana_ (1593), which was a catechism written in Spanish and Tagalog. Other early works include the _Vocabulario de la lengua tagala_ (1613), a dictionary of Tagalog words and their Spanish translations, and the _Arte de la lengua tagala_ (1703), a grammar book for the Tagalog language.
During the Spanish colonial period, Philippine literature was heavily influenced by Spanish literature. Many Filipino writers wrote in Spanish, and their works often reflected the values and beliefs of the Spanish colonizers. However, some Filipino writers began to express their own unique perspectives and experiences in their writing, laying the foundation for a more distinctly Filipino literature.
After the Philippines gained independence from Spain in 1898, Philippine literature began to flourish. Writers began to explore a wider range of topics and styles, and they experimented with new forms of expression. The development of Philippine literature was also influenced by the country's changing political and social landscape, as well as by the rise of nationalism and the influence of American culture.
In the 20th century, Philippine literature continued to grow and develop. Many Filipino writers gained international recognition, including José Rizal, who is considered the national hero of the Philippines, and Claro M. Recto, who was one of the most prominent poets of the 20th century. Philippine literature today is a vibrant and diverse field, with writers expressing themselves in a variety of languages and styles and exploring a wide range of topics and themes.