Periods of Pre-Spanish and Spanish

Cebuano literature, as much as most literature of the Philippines, started with fables and legends of pre-colonial Philippines down to the Mexican (New Spain) and Spanish influences. Although existence of a pre-hispanical writing system in Luzon is attested, there is little proof that baybayin (sometimes erroneously called alibata) was widespread in the Visayas. Most of the literature produced during was oral. They were documented by the Spanish Jesuit Fr. Ignatio Francisco Alzinal.

During Spanish times, the religious theme was predominant. Novenas and gozos, most notably the Bato Balani for the Sto. Niño.