21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Philippine Literature in Various Periods

Week 4
ACTIVITY SHEET 2

Name:_______________________________________Year & Section: _________ Score:________

Teacher:_______________________________________________________________Date:_________

Learning Competencies (Essential Competencies)

Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the
ones from the earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions EN12Lit-Id-25

Objectives

Compare and contrast the various 21st century literary genres and the ones from the
earlier genres/periods citing their elements, structures and traditions

Let’s Recall (Review)

Directions: Write the correct answer in the space provided.
________ 1. A form of folk lyric which expresses the people’s hopes, aspirations, and lifestyles.
________ 2. Verses used in witchcraft or enchantment.
________ 3. A form of prose the common theme of which is about the origin of a thing, place,
location or name.
________ 4. Long narrative poems in which a series of heroic achievements or events, usually of a
hero, told in metrical and rhythmic verses.
________ 5. Stories which narrate the origin of things.

Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)

THE SPANISH COLONIZATION (1565-1898)

The first group of colonizers came with the discovery of the Philippines by Ferdinand
Magellan (who was later repulsed and killed by Lapu-Lapu and his men) and the first settlement of
the Spaniards in Cebu was made by the group of the Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.
 Expeditions to the Philippines were sent by Spain in the 16th century. In their conquest, the
Spaniards brought Christianity with them. The clergy made a great impact on faith, education, and
government. Many of the writings were lost because the Spaniards burned them so as not to leave
traces of Philippine literary ingenuity.

The Manila-Acapulco trade (1565–1815), liberal ideas entered the country. Also, the trade
gave rise to a wealthier middle class. Children in middle class families could then be sent to Europe
to get an education. Upon their return, they brought European ideals of liberty and freedom with
them. Such ideals would then give rise to Filipino nationalism.

The Spanish missionaries taught the gospel through the native language, so they hired
natives to translate Spanish religious instructional materials. Eventually, the natives became fluent
in Spanish and became known as ladinos.

The first Filipino alphabet called ALIBATA was replaced by the Roman alphabet. The
Spanish language which became the literary language during this time lent many of its words to our
language.

The teaching of the Christian Doctrine became the basis of religious practices. Our
periodicals during these times gained a religious tone.

European legends and traditions brought here became assimilated in our songs, corridos,
and moro-moros. Ancient literature was collected and translated to Tagalog and other dialects.
Many grammar books were printed in Filipino, like Tagalog, Ilocano and Visayan

Ladinos mainly wrote devotional poetry. Two of them were Fernando Bagongbanta and
Gaspar Aquino de Belen. Bagongbanta wrote “Salamat nang walang hanga/gracias de sin
sempiternas,” which appeared in Memorial de la vida cristiana en lengua tagala (1605), a book
containing basic Catholic doctrines. On the other hand, de Belen wrote “Ang Mahal na Passion ni
Jesu Christong Panginoon natin na tola” (1704), the earliest version of pasyon.

The Spanish colonizers, particularly the Spanish friars, whose mission was to spread
Christianity exerted all efforts in converting the natives (whom they considered “indios” or illitirate)
into Christians and to destroy all things indigenous as part of their agenda.

They started their conversion efforts by printing religious materials, the first being the
Catholic book of prayers and doctrines titled Doctrina Cristiana.

Other books printed were mostly religious and linguistic. Famous of these religious books
such as “pasyon” written by authors Gaspar Aquino de Belen and Mariano Pilapil (depicting the
sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, celebrated during the Holy Week of the Lenten Season by
way of the pabasa (cantada or sung and hablada or recired).

In this period, the poet Francisco Baltazar made a name for himself by writing the immortal
allegorical work, Florante at Laura, an awit composed of dodecasyllabic monoriming quatrains as
opposed to a korido which is composed of octosyllabic monoriming quatrains.
 Also, the native drama called the komedya or moro-moro was popular. It depicted the war
between Christians and Muslims, wherein the former always wins. The poet Jose de la Cruz (1746–
1829) was a master of such art form.

Native literature continued. Though the Spaniards destroyed the written literature in their
effort to replace it with their own, the oral tradition survived and flourished in areas beyond the
reach of the Spaniards.

Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862), the master of traditional Tagalog poetry, became well-
known for his work Florante at Laura (1838–1861), the most famous metrical romance of the
country.

Pedro Paterno (1857–1911) wrote Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880), the first poetry
collection in Spanish by a Filipino; and the novel in Spanish Ninay (1885), considered to be the first
Filipino novel.

Jose Rizal (1861–1896), a prominent ilustrado and the country’s national hero, is famous for
the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. These novels portray the corruption and abuse of
the Spanish officials and the clergy.

Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897), the founder of the Katipunan, wrote the poem “Pag-ibig sa
Tinubuang Lupa.” This poem appeared in the Kalayaan, the official newspaper of the Katipunan, in
March 1896.

Leona Florentino (1849–1884), known as the “mother of Philippine women’s literature,” was
a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish. Twenty of her poems were preserved and exhibited in Europe.
The poems were included in the Encyclopedia International des Oeuvres des Femme in 1889.

POETIC PRESENTATIONS

Balagtasan (named after Francisco Baltazar/Balagtas, Father of Tagalog Literature)

Crisotan of the Pampangos (named after Crisostomo Sotto, Father of Pampango Literature)
Bukanegan of the Ilocanos (named after Pedro Bukaneg, Father of Ilocano Literature). Another
important name during this period was Fr. Modesto de Castro, who authored the book of etiquette
consisting of letters exchanged between two sisters, Urbana and Felisa.

The latter part of the Spanish colonization was the more productive part of the period. This
part saw the rise of the propagandists led by Dr. Jose P. Rizal and of the revolutionists headed by
the Katipunan Supremo, Gat Andres Bonifacio.

The propagandists who batted for reforms and for assimilation (that the Philippines be a
province of Spain) wrote in Spanish and published their articles in the newspaper called La
Solidaridad. The Spaniards ran after them inasmuch as their writings were considered seditious and
satirical, among which were Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, Marcelo del Pilar’s
Dasalan at Tocsohan, and Graciano Lopez Jaena’s Fray Botod.
Pseudonyms used by Filipino writers to hide their identity:
- Dr. José Rizal (Laong Laan and Dimasalang)
- Marcelo H. del Pilar (Plaridel)
- Graciano Lopez Jaena (Diego Laura)
- Antonio Luna (Taga-Ilog)
- Mariano Ponce (Tignalang, Kalipulako, Naning)
- Jose Maria Panganiban (Jomapa)
- Dominador Gomez (Ramiro Franco)

The revolutionists (Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Mariano Ponce, etc.) who
fought for independence and separation from Spain wrote in Tagalog. They wanted an armed
conflict and, with the help of the Katipuneros, staged a revolt against the Spaniards after the secret
society named Kataas-taasang Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK), of
which they belonged, was discovered. Their concise writings had patriotic themes.

THE FIRST BOOKS

1. ANG DOCTRINA CRISTIANA (THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE). This was the first book printed in
the Philippines in 1593 in xylography. It was written by Fr. Juan de Placencia and Fr. Domingo
Nieva, in Tagalog and Spanish. It contained the Pater Noster (Out Father), Ave Maria (Hail Mary),
Regina Coeli (Hail Holy Queen), the Ten Commandments of God, the Commandments of the
Catholic Church, the Seven Mortal Sins, How to Confess, and the Cathecism. Three old original
copies of this book can still be found at the Vatican, at the Madrid Musem and at the US Congress.
It contains only 87 pages but costs $5,000.0.

2. Nuestra Señora del Rosario. The second book printed in the Philippines was written by Fr.
Blancas de San Jose in 1602, and printed at the UST Printing Press with the help of Juan de Vera,
a Chinese mestizo. It contains the biographies of saints, novenas, and questions and answers on
religion.

3. Libro de los Cuatro Postprimeras de Hombre (in Spanish and Tagalog). This is the first book
printed in typography.

4. Ang Barlaan at Josephat. This is a Biblical story printed in the Philippines and translated to
Tagalog from Greek by Fr. Antonio de Borja. It is believed to be the first Tagalog novel published in
the Philippines even if it is only a translation. The printed translation has only 556 pages. The
Ilocano translation in poetry was done by Fr. Agustin Mejia.

5. The Pasion. This is the book about the life and sufferings of Jesus Christ. It is read only during
Lent. There were 4 versions of this in Tagalog and each version is according to the name of the
writer. These are the Pilapil version (by Mariano Pilapil of Bulacan, 1814), the de Belen version (by
Gaspar Aquino de Belen of Bat. in 1704), the de la Merced (by Aniceto de la Merced of Norzagaray,
Bulacan in 1856) and the de Guia version (by Luis de Guia in 1750). Critics are not agreed whether
it is the Pilapil or the de la Merced version which is the most popular.

6. Urbana at Felisa. A book by Modesto de Castro, the so called Father of Classic Prose in
Tagalog. These are letters between two sisters Urbana at Felisa and have influenced greatly the
behavior of people in society because the letters dealt with good behavior.
7. Ang Mga Dalit kay Maria (Psalms for Mary). A collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary. Fr.
Mariano Sevilla, a Filipino priest, wrote this in 1865 and it was popular especially during the
Maytime “Flores de Mayo”festival.

LITERARY COMPOSITIONS

1. Arte y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala (Art and rules of the Tagalog language). Written by Fr.
Blancas de San Jose and translated to Tagalog by Tomas Pinpin in 1610.
2. Compendio de la Lengua Tagala (Understanding the Tagalog language).
Written by Fr. Gaspar de San Agustin in 1703.
3. Vocabulario de la Lengua Tagala (Tagalog vocabulary). The first Tagalog dictionary written by Fr.
Pedro de San Buenaventura in 1613.
4. Vocabulario de la Lengua Pampanga (Pampanga vocabulary). The first book in Pampanga
written by Fr. Diego in 1732.
5. Vocabulario de la Lengua Bisaya (Bisayan vocabulary). The best language book in Visayan by
Mateo Sanchez in 1711.
6. Arte de la Lengua Ilokana (The Art of the Ilocano language). The first Ilocano grammar book by
Francisco Lopez.
7. Arte de la Lengua Bicolana (The Art of the Bicol language). The first book in the Bicol language
and written by Fr. Marcos Lisbon in 1754.

OTHER LITERARY TYPES DURING THE SPANISH COLONIZATION

A. RECEREATIONAL PLAYS. There are many recreational plays performed by Filipinos during the
Spanish times. Almost all of them were in poetic form. Here are examples:

1. Tibag –the word tibagmeans to excavate. This ritual was brought here by the Spaniard to remind
the people about the search of St. Helena for the Cross on which Jesus died.

2. Lagaylay –this is a special occasion for the Pilareños of Sorsogon during Maytime to get
together. As early as April, the participating ladies are chosen and sometimes, mothers volunteer
their girls in order to fulfill a vow made during an illness or for a favor received. In some parts of
Bicol, a different presentation is made but the objective is the same –praise, respect and offering of
love to the Blessed Cross by St. Helen on the mound she had dug in.

3. The Cenaculo –this is a dramatic performance to commemorate the passion and death of Jesus
Christ. There are two kinds: the Cantada and Hablada. In the Hablada the lines are spoken in a
more deliberate manner showing the rhythmic measure of each verse and the rhyming in each
stanza and is more dignified in theme; the Cantada is chanted like the Pasion. The Cenaculo is
written in octosyllabic verse, with 8 verses to the stanza. The full-length versions take about three
nights of staging. Performers come in costumes with wigs and performers are carefully chosen for
their virtuous life. One performs the role of Jesus Christ and another the role of the Virgin Mary.
Many famous Cenaculo players come from the Tagalog regions although there are also those from
Ilocos, Pampanga, Bicol and both Sibulanon and Hiligaynon.
4. Panunuluyan –this is presented before 12:00 on Christmas Eve. This is a presentation of the
search of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph for an inn wherein to deliver the baby Jesus.
5. The Salubong (or Panubong) -The Salubong is an Easter play that dramatizes the meeting of the
Risen Christ and his Mother. It is still presented in many Philippine towns.

6. Carillo (Shadow Play) –this is a form of dramatic entertainment performed on a moonless night
during a town fiesta or on dark nights after a harvest. This shadow play is made by projecting
cardboard figures before a lamp against a white sheet. The figures are moved like marionettes
whose dialogues are produced by some experts. The dialogues are drawn from a Corrido or Awit or
some religious play interspersed with songs. These are called by various names in different places:
Carillo in Manila, Rizal and Batangas and Laguan; Titres in Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Bataa, Capiz
and Negros; Titiri in Zambales; Gagalo or Kikimut in Pampanga and Tarlac; and Aliala in La Union.

7. The Zarzuela –considered the father of the drama; it is a musical comedy or melodrama three
acts which dealt with man’s passions and emotions like love, hate, revenge, cruelty, avarice or
some social or political problems.

8. The Sainete –this was a short musical comedy popular during the 18thcentury. They were
exaggerated comedies shown between acts of long plays and were mostly performed by characters
from the lower classes. Themes were taken from everyday life scenarios.

B. THE MORO-MORO. Like the Cenaculo, the Moro-moro is presented also on a special stage.
This is performed during town fiestas to entertain the people and to remind them of their Christian
religion. The plot is usually the same that of a Christian princess or a nobleman’s daughter who is
captured by the Mohammedans. The father organizes a rescue party where fighting between the
Moros and the Christians ensue. The Mohammedans are defeated by some miracle or Divine
Intercession and the Mohammedans are converted to Christianity. In some instances, the whole
kingdom is baptized and converted. One example of this is Prinsipe Rodante.

C. KARAGATAN. This is a poetic vehicle of a socio-religious nature celebrated during the death of a
person. In this contest, more or less formal, a ritual is performed based on a legend about a
princess who dropped her ring into the middle of the sea and who offered here hand in marriage to
anyone who can retrieve it. A leader starts off with an extemporaneous poem announcing the
purpose. He then spins a “lumbo”o “tabo”marked with a white line. Whoever comes in the direction
of the white line when the spinning stops gets his turn to “go into the sea to look for the ring. This
means a girl will ask him a riddle and if he is able to answer, he will offer the ring to the girl.

D. DUPLO. The Duplo replace the Karagatan. This is a poetic joust in speaking and reasoning. The
roles are taken from the Bible and from proverbs and saying. It is usually played during wakes for
the dead.

E. THE BALAGTASAN. This is a poetic joust or a contest of skills in debate on a particular topic or
issue. This is replaced the DUPLO and is held to honor Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar.

F. THE DUNG-AW. This is a chant in free verse by a bereaved person or his representative beside
the corpse of the dead. No definite meter or rhyming scheme is used. The person chanting it freely
recites in poetic rhythm according to his feelings, emotions and thoughts. It is personalized and
usually deals with the life, sufferings and sacrifices of the dead and includes apologies for his
misdeeds.
G. THE AWIT and the CORRIDO. Some use these two interchangeably because distinction is not
clear.

*** THE PERIOD OF ENLIGHTENMENT (1872-1898)

After 300 years of passivity under Spanish rule, the Filipino spirit reawakened when the 3
priests Gomez, Burgos and Zamora were guillotined without sufficient evidence of guilt. This
occurred on the 17thof February. This was buttressed with the spirit of liberalism when the
Philippines opened its doors to world trade and with the coming of a liberal leader in the person of
Governor Carlos Maria de la Torre.

The Spaniards were unable to suppress the tide of rebellion among the Filipinos. The once
religious spirit transformed itself into one of nationalism and the Filipinos demanded changes in the
government and in the church.

A. The Propaganda Movement (1872-1896)

This movement was spearheaded mostly by the intellectual middle-class like Jose Rizal,
Marcelo del Pilar; Graciano Lopez Jaena, Antonio Luna, Mariano Ponce, Jose Ma. Panganiban,
and Pedro Paterno. The objectives of this movement were to seek reforms and changes like the
following:

1. To get equal treatment for the Filipinos and the Spaniards under the law.
2. To make the Philippines a colony of Spain.
3. To restore Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes.
4. To Filipinize the parishes.
5. To give the Filipinos freedom of speech, of the press, assembly and for redress of grievances.

B. Highlights of the Propaganda Movement

There were three principal leaders of the Propaganda movement. They were Jose P. Rizal,
Marcelo H. del Pilar and Graciano Lopez Jaena. Here are highlights about them and what they
have done for our country.

DR. JOSE P. RIZAL

Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado Alonzo y Realonda was born on June 19, 1861 at Calamba,
Laguna. His first teacher was his mother Teodora Alonozo. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila,
started medicine at UST and finished at the Universidad Central of Madrid. He also studied at the
University of Berlin, Leipzig and Heidelberg. He died by musketry in the hands of the Spaniards on
December 30, 1896 on charges of sedition and rebellion against the Spaniards. His pen-name was
Laong Laan and Dimasalang. His books and writings:

1. NOLI ME TANGERE. This was the novel that gave spirit to the propaganda movement and
paved the way to the revolution against Spain. In this book, he courageously exposed the evils in
the Spanish-run government in the Philippines. The Spaniards prohibited the reading of this novel
but a lot of translations were able to enter stealthily in the country even if it means death to those
caught in possession of them. The NOLI gave Philippine literature the immortal characters Maria
Clara, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, Elias, Sisa, Pilosofong Tasio, Doña Victorina, Kapitana Maria,
Basilio and Crispin, Rizal had a powerful pen in the delineation of these characters.
2. EL FILIBUSTERISMO. This is a sequel to the NOLI. While the NOLI exposed the evils in society,
the FILI exposed those in the government and in the church. However, the NOLI has been dubbed
the novel of society while that of FILI is that of politics.

3. MI ULTIMO ADIOS (My Last Farewell).

This was a poem by Rizal while he was incarcerated at Fort Santiago and is one that can compare
favorably with the best in the world. It was only after his death when his name was affixed to the
poem.

4. SOBRE LA INDOLENCIA DE LOS FILIPINOS(On the Indolence of the Filipinos). An essay on

the so-called Filipino indolence and an evaluation of the reasons for such allegations.

5. FILIPINAS DENTRO DE CIEN AÑOS(The Philippines within a Century). An essay predicting the
increasing influence of the US in the Philippines and the decreasing interest of Europe here. Rizal
predicted that if there is any other colonizer of the Philippines in the future, it would be the US.

6. A LA JUVENTUD FILIPINA(To the Filipino Youth). A poem Rizal dedicated to the Filipino youth
studying at UST.

7. EL CONSEJO DE LES DIOSES (The Council of the Gods). An allegorical play manifesting
admiration for Cervantes.

8. JUNTO AL PASIG (Beside the Pasig River). Written by Rizal when he was 14 years of age.

9. ME PIDEN VERSOS (You asked Me for Verses); 1882 and A LAS FLORES DE HEIDELBERG
(To the Flowers of Heidelberg). Two poems manifesting Rizal’s unusual depth of emotion.

10. NOTAS A LA OBRA SUCESOS DE LAS FILIPINAS FOR EL DR. ANTONIO DE MORGA
(Notes on Philippine Events by Dr. Antonio de Morga): 1889

11. P. JACINTO: MEMORIAS DE UN ESTUDIANTE DE MANILA (P. Jacinto: Memoirs of a Student

of Manila) 1882

12. DIARIO DE VIAJE DE NORTE AMERICA (Diary of a Voyage to North America)

MARCELO H. DEL PILAR

Marcelo H. del Pilar is popularly known for his pen name of Plaridel, Pupdoh, Piping Dilat
and Dolores Manapat. He was born at Cupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan on August 30, 1850. His
parents were Julian H. del Pilar, noted Filipino writer and Biasa Gatmaita. His brother was the priest
Fr. Toribio del Pilar who was banished to Marianas in 1872. Because there were many children in
the family, Marcelo gave up his share of his inheritance for his other brothers and sisters.

Marcelo started schooling at the school of Mr. Flores and then transferred to that of San
Jose before UST. His last year in law school was interrupted for 8 years after he had quarrel with
the parish priest during a baptism at San Miguel, Manila in 1880.
 He established the Diariong Tagalog in 1883 where he exposed the evils of the Spanish
government in the Philippines and in order to avoid the false accusations hurried at him by the
priests. To avoid banishment, he was forced to travel to Spain in 1888.

He was assisted by Fr. Serrano Laktaw in publishing a different Cathecism and Passion
Book wherein they made fun of the priests. They also made the DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN and
KAIINGAT KAYO taken from the word IGAT, a kind of snake fish caught in politics.

Upon his arrival in Spain, he replaced Graciano Lopez Jaena as editor of LA

SOLIDARIDAD, a paper which became the vehicle thru which reforms in the government could be
worked out. This did not last long for he got sick and even to reach Hong Kong from where he could
arouse his countrymen.

He died of tuberculosis in Spain but before he died, he asked his companions to tell his wife
and children that he was sorry he wasn’t able to bid them goodbye; to tell others about the fate of
our countrymen and to continue helping the country.

Plaridel has truly earned a niche in the history of our nation. Even today, countless streets
have been named after him. The former Kingwa has been named Plaridel, the Malolos High School
is now Marcelo H. del Pilar High School and above all, his patriotism and bravery will remain alive in
our memories.

Writings of Marcelo H. del Pilar

1. PAGIBIG SA TINUBUANG LUPA (Love of Country). Translated from the Spanish AMOR PATRIA
of Rizal, published on August 20, 1882, in Diariong Tagalog.

2. KAIINGAT KAYO (Be Careful). A humorous and sarcastic dig in answer to Fr. Jose Rodriquez in
the novel NOLI of Rizal, published in Barcelona in 1888. He used Dolores Manapat as pen-name
here.

3. DASALAN AT TOCSOHAN (Prayers and Jokes). Similar to a cathecism but sarcastically done
agains the parish priests, published in Barcelona in 1888. Because of this, del Pilar was called
“filibuster.”Done in admirable tone of supplication and excellent use of Tagalog.

4. ANG CADAQUILAAN NG DIOS (God’s Goodness). Published in Barcelona, it was also like a
cathecism sarcastically aimed against the parish priests but also contains a philosophy of the power
and intelligence of God and an appreciation for and love for nature.

5. SAGOT SA ESPANYA SA HIBIK NG PILIPINAS (Answer to Spain on the Plea of the Filipinos). A
poem pleading for change from Spain but that Spain is already old and weak to grant any aid to the
Philippines. This poem is in answer to that of Hermenigildo Flores’Hibik sa Pilipinas (A Plea from
the Philippines).

6. DUPLUHAN…DALIT…MGA BUGTONG (A poetical contest in narrative sequence, psalms,

riddles). A compilation of poems on the oppression by the priests in the Philippines.
7. LA SOBERANIA EN PILIPINAS (Sovereignty in the Philippines). This shows the injustices of the
friars to the Pilipinos.

8. POR TELEFONO (By Telephone)

9. PASIONG DAPAT IPAG-ALAB NG PUSO NG TAONG BABASA (Passion that should arouse the
hearts of the readers)

GRACIANO LOPEZ JAENA

(1856-1896)

A most notable hero and genius of the Philippines, Graciano Lopez Jaena was born on
December 18, 1856 and died on January 20, 1896. The pride of Jaro, Iloilo, he won the admiration
of the Spaniards and Europeans. He is a known writer and orator in the Philippines. He wrote 100
speeches which were published by Remigio Garcia, former bookstore owner in Manila Filatica and
which are still read up to no by modern Filipinos.

Lopez Jaena left the Philippines in 1887 with the help of Don Claudio Lopez, a rich uncle, in
order to escape punishment form his enemies and arrived at Valencia, the center of the Republican
movement of the Spaniards. He gained the acquaintance of the high officials like Piy Margall,
Morayta, Moret, Castelar, and Salmeron.

From Valencia, he moved to Barcelona where he established the first magazine LA

SOLIDARIDAD. This later became the official voice of the Association Hispano de Filipinas (a
Filipino-Spanish Association) composed of Filipinos and Spaniards who worked for reforms in the
Philippines. Because of this, Jaena successfully showed the Spaniards and the people of the world
how a newspaperman can introduce changes in law and reforms towards a better life and progress.

Jaena, although he didn’t become a professor, was also a teacher in a sense to his friends
and relatives in the Philippines. Like Antonio Maria Regidor, Tomas G. del Rosario and Felipe
Calderon, he stood for the separation of church and state for free education, better government and
schools, freedom of worship and for an independent and free university.

He sided with Rizal in the controversy between Rizal and del Pilar over who should head the
Association Hispano de Filipinas in Madrid. He returned to the Philippines to ask for donations to
continue a new government called El Latigo Nacional or Pambansang Latigo. He sold the rights of
La Solidaridad ot del Pilar who had become a lawyer and had brought in money from his sojourn in
Spain. Graciano Lopez Jaena died in a charity hospital in Barcelona on January 20, 1896, eleven
months before his best friend Rizal was shot at the Luneta on December 30, 1896.

A. The Works of Graciano Lopez Jaena

1. ANG FRAY BOTOD (Friar Botod). One of his works written in Jaro, Iloilo in 1876, six years after
the Cavite Revolt attacking the friars in the Philippines. He exposed how some of the friars were
greedy, ambitious and immoral.

2. LA HIJA DEL FRAILE (The Child of the Friar) and EVERYTING IS HAMBUG (Everything is mere
show). Here Jaena explains the tragedy of marrying a Spaniard.
3. SA MGA PILIPINO...1891…A speech which aimed to improve the condition of the Filipinos to
become free and progressive.

4. TALUMPATING PAGUNITA KAY KOLUMBUS (An Oration to Commemorate Columbus). A

speech he delivered in Madrid on the 39thanniversary of the discovery of America

5. EN HONOR DEL PRESIDENTE MORAYTA DE LA ASSOCIACION HISPANO FILIPINO 1884.

Here he praised Gen. Morayta for his equal treatment of the Filipinos.

6. EN HONOR DE LOS ARTISTAS LUNA Y RESURRECCION HIDALGO. A sincere expression of

praise for the paintings of Hidalgo on the condition of the Filipinos under the Spaniards.

7. AMOR A ESPAÑA O A LAS JOVENES DE MALOLOS (Love for Spain or To the Youth of
Malolos). The theme is about how girls were taught Spanish in schools and whose teachers were
the governors-general of the place.

8. EL BANDOLERISMO EN PILIPINAS (Banditry in the Philippines). Jaena refuted the existence of

banditry in the Philippines and of how there should be laws on robbery and other reforms.

9. HONOR EN PILIPINAS (Honor in the Philippines). The triumphant exposition of Luna,

Resurrecion and Pardo de Tavera of the thesis that intellect or knowledge gives honor to the
Philippines.

10. PAG-ALIS SA BUWIS SA PILIPINAS (Abolition of Taxes in the Philippines)

11. INSTITUCION NG PILIPINAS (Sufferings of the Philippines). Jaena refers here to the wrong
management of education in the Philippines 1887.

B. OTHER PROPAGANDISTS

ANTONIO LUNA
Antonio Luna was a pharmacist who was banished by the Spaniards to Spain. He joined the
Propaganda Movement and contributed his writings to LA SOLIDARIDAD. Most of his works dealt
with Filipino customs and others were accusations about how the Spaniards ran the government.
His pen name was Tagailog. He died at the age of 33 in June 1899. He was put to death by the
soldiers of Aguinaldo because of his instant rise to fame which became a threat to Aguinaldo.

Some of his works are:

1. NOCHE BUENA (Christmas Eve). It pictured true Filipino life.

2. SE DEVIERTEN (How They Diverted Themselves). A dig at a dance of the Spaniards where the
people were very crowded.

3. LA TERTULIA FILIPINA (A Filipino Conference or Feast). Depicts a Filipino custom which he

believed was much better than the Spanish.
4. POR MADRID (For Madrid). A denouncement of Spaniards who claim that the Philippines is a
colony of Spain but who think of Filipinos as foreigners when it comes to collecting taxes for
stamps.

5. LA CASA DE HUEPEDES (The Landlady’s House). Depicts a landlady who looks for boarders
not for money but in order to get a husband for her child.

MARIANO PONCE
Mariano Ponce became an editor-in-chief, biographer and researcher of the Propaganda
Movement. He used Tikbalang, Kalipulako, and Naning as pennames. The common themes of his
works were the values of education. He also wrote about how the Filipinos were oppressed by the
foreigners and of the problems of his countrymen. Among his writings were:

1. MGA ALAMAT NG BULACAN (Legend of Bulacan). Contains legends, and folklores of his native
town.

2. PAGPUGOT KAY LONGINOS (The Beheading of Longinos). A play shown at the plaza of
Malolos, Bulacan.

3. SOBRE FILIPINOS (About the Filipinos)

4. ANG MGA PILIPINO SA INDO-TSINA (The Filipinos in Indo-China)

PEDRO PATERNO
Pedro Paterno was a scholar, dramatic, researcher and novelist of the Propaganda
Movement. He also joined the Confraternity of Masons and the Asociacion Hispano-Pilipino in order
to further the aims of the Movement. He was the first Filipino writer who escaped censorship of the
press during the last day of the Spanish colonization.

The following were a few of his wrtings:

1. NINAY. The first social novel in Spanish by a Filipino.

2. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). Shows the importance of a mother especially in the

home.

3. SAMPAGUITA Y POESIAS VARIAS (Sampaguitas and Varied Poems). A collection of his

poems.

JOSE MA. PANGANIBAN

Jose Ma. Panganiban hid his identity behind his penname JORMAPA. He was also known
for having photographic mind. He was a member of a number of movements for the country.

Some of his writings were:

1. ANG LUPANG TINUBUAN (My Native Land)
2. ANG AKING BUHAY (My Life)
3. SU PLANO DE ESTUDIO (Your Study Plan)
4. EL PENSAMIENTO (The Thinking)
*** PERIOD OF ACTIVE REVOLUTION (1896-1898)

Historical Background
The Filipinos did not get the reforms demanded by the propagandists. The government
turned deaf ears to these petitions; oppression continued and the church and the government
became even more oppressive to the Filipinos. The good intentions of Spain were reversed by the
friars who were lording it over in the Philippines. Because of this, not a few of the Filipinos affiliated
with the La Liga Filipina (a civic organization suspected of being revolutionary and which triggered
Rizal’s banishment to Dapitan). Like Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Jose
Palma, and Pio Valenzuela decided that there was no other way except to revolt.

The gist of literature contained mostly accusations against the government and was meant
to arouse the people to unite and to prepare for independence.

D. Highlights of the Active Revolution

The noted leaders of this period were Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto and Apolinario
Mabini. These are their contributions to our country.

ANDRES BONIFACIO
Andres Bonifacio is best known as the Father of Filipino Democracy, but more than others,
as the Father of the Katipunan because he led in establishing the Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-
galanga Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK).

Andres Bonifacio came from a poor family and it is said that what he learned he got from the
school of experience. He was a voracious reader and among those he loved to read which aroused
his revolutionary spirit were the NOLI and the FILI of Rizal. He joined the La Liga Filipina founded
by Rizal in 1892. He established the Katipunan which triggered the spirit of freedom especially
when Rizal was banished to Dapitan, Mindanao.

Bonifacio is better known as the great Revolutionary rather than a writer but he also wrote
things which paved the way for the revolution and which also became part of our literature. Among
his works were:

1. ANG DAPAT MABATID NG MGA TAGALOG (What the Tagalogs Should Know)

2. KATUNGKULANG GAGAWIN NG MGA ANA NG BAYAN (Obligations of Our Countrymen). This

is an outline of obligations just like the 10 commandments of God.

3. PAG-IBIG SA TINUBUAN LUPA (Love of One’s Native Land). A poem with a title similar to that
of Marcelo H. del Pilar.

4. HULING PAALAM (Last Farewell). A translation of Mi Ultimo Adios of Rizal in Tagalog.

APOLINARIO MABINI
Apolinario Mabini is known in literature and history as the Sublime Paralytic and the Brains
of the Revolution.
EMILIO JACINTO
Emilio Jacinto was the intelligent assistant of Andres Bonifacio in the establishment of the
Katipuna. He is called the Brains of the Katipunan. He edited Kalayaan (Freedom) a Katipunan
newspaper. Bonifacio withdrew his writing of the Kartilya in deference to Jacinto’s work as secretary
of the Katipunan. His Kartilya was the one followed by the members of the organization. Here are
few of his writings:

1. KARTILYA NG KATIPUNAN (A primer book on the Katipunan)

2. LIWANAG AT DILIM (Light and Darkness). A collection of essays on different subjects like
freedom, work, faith, government, love of country.

3. A MI MADRE (To My Mother). A touching ode to his mother.

4. A LA PATRIA (To My Country). His masterpiece.

He was born in Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas on July 22, 1864. Because he was born of a
poor family he had to work in order to study. He became known to his professors and classmates at
Letran and the UST because of his sharp memory and the simple clothes he used to wear
throughout his schooling. He became the right-hand of Emilio Aguinaldo when the latter founded his
Republic in Malolos. His contributions to literature were writing on government society, philosophy
and politics.

Here are some of his works:

1. EL VERDADERO DECALOGO (The True Decalogue or Ten Commandments). This was his
masterpiece and his aim here was to propagate the spirit of nationalism.

2. EL DESAROLLO Y CAIDA DE LA REPUBLICA (The Rise and Fall of the Philippine Republic)

3. SA BAYANG PILIPINO (To the Filipino Nation)

4. PAHAYAG (News)

OTHER REVOLUTIONISTS

JOSE PALMA
Jose Palma became popular because of his Himno Nacional Filipino (The Philippine
National Anthem) which was set to music by Julian Felipe. He was born in Tondo, Manila on June
6, 1876. His brother Rafael Palma became the president of the UP. He joined the revolution against
the Americans together with Gregorio del Pilar, the youngest Filipino general who died during the
revolution.

Aside from the National Anthem, here are his other works:

1. MELANCOLIAS (Melancholies). A collection of his poems.

2. DE MI JARDIN (In My Garden). A poem expressing one’s longings for his sweetheart.
NEWSPAPERS DURING THE REVOLUTION
In the effort of the Revolutionists to spread to the world their longings for their country, many
newspapers were put up during the Revolutionary period. They were:

1. HERALDO DE LA REVOLUCION. Printed the decrees of the Revolutionary Government, news

and works in Tagalog that aroused nationalism.

2. LA INDEPENDENCIA (Independence). Edited by Antonio Luna and whose aim was for Philippine
Independence.

3. LA REPUBLICA PILIPINA (The Philippine Republic). Established by Pedro Paterno in 1898.

4. LA LIBERTAD (Liberty). Edited by Clemente Zulueta.

AMERICAN COLONIZATION (1898–1940)

The US established a civil government in 1901. Free public education was introduced.
English was the medium of instruction. In 1934, President Roosevelt signed a bill making the
Philippines a commonwealth. On May 14, 1935 Manuel L. Quezon was elected president.

The Filipino Revolutionists won against the Spaniards who colonized for more than 300
years. On June 12, 1898 the Philippine flag was raised as a symbol of our independence. Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo was selected the first president of the Philippine Republic but this was short lived.

The Filipino-American war resulted in the defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903. The peace
movements started as early as 1900. Many Filipinos started writing again and the nationalism of the
people remain undaunted. Filipino writers went into all forms of literature like news reporting, poetry,
stories, plays, essays and novels. Their writings clearly depicted their love of country and their
longings for independence.

A new group started to write in English. Hence, Spanish, Tagalog, the Vernaculars and
finally, English, were the mediums used in literature during these times. The writers in Spanish were
wont to write on nationalism like honoring Rizal and other heroes.

The writers in Tagalog continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the country and
their attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue. The writers in English imitated the themes and
methods of the Americans. The UP College folio was later replaced by the Philippine Collegian.

Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez stand out as a model of perfection in character
delineation, local color, plot and message alongside Footnote to Youth by Jose Garcia Villa in 1933.

The active arousal in the field of literature started to be felt in the following newspaper:
- EL NUEVO DIA (THE NEW DAY) established by Sergio Osmeña in 1900
- EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (THE CALL OF THE NATION) established by Pascual Poblete in
1900
- EL RENACIEMENTO established by Rafael Palma in 1900

Drama/play likewise came into the forefront such as:

 - KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) by Aurelio Tolentino
- TANIKALANG GINTO of Juan Abad
- MALAYA by Thomas Remigio
- WALANG SUGAT by Severino Reyes

Opening of Public Schools

Education became a very important issue for the United States colonial government, since it
allowed it to spread their cultural values, particularly the English language, to the Filipino people. By
1901, public education was institutionalized in the Philippines, with English serving the medium of
instruction.

CHARACTERISTICS OF LITERATURE DURING THE AMERICAN COLONIZATION

A. LITERATURE IN SPANISH
a) Cecilio Apostol - wrote "A RIZAL" and is considered the best poem in praise of the Hero of
Bagumbayan.
b) Fernando Ma. Guerero - he collected the best of his poem in a book called Crisalidas, and
one of the poems written in this book was "INVOCACION A RIZAL"
c) Jesus Balmori - well-known for his pen name of Batikuling. He and Manuel Bernabe
participated in a debate on the topic - "REMEMBRANCE and FORGETFULNESS". He was elected
Poet Laureate in Spanish besting Manuel Bernabe.
d) Manuel Bernabe - is a lyric poet. He was more attractive to the public in a debate with
Balmori because of the melodious words he used. He defended OLVIDO
e) Claro M. Recto - he collected his poems in a book entitled BAJO LOS COCOTEROS. One
of his writings dedicated to Rizal is "ANTE EL MARTIR".

Other Writers in Spanish

1. Adelina Guerrea was first woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish. She obtained
the Nobel Prize in her EL NIDO.
2. Isidro Marpori became famous for his four books entitled Aroma de Ensueno.
3. Macario Adriatico wrote of Legend of Mindoro entitled La Punta de Salto
4. Epifanio de los Santos

B. FILIPINO LITERATURE
a) Lope K. Santos - "Father of the National language Grammar", he was also called "Apo" of
the Tagalog writers. "BANAAG AT SIKAT" was his master piece.
b) Jose Corazon de Jesus - known as Huseng Batute, he was also called the poet of love in
his time. "AG ISANG
PUNONG KAHOY", an elegy, is believed to be his masterpiece.
c) Armando V. Hernandez - was dubbed "Poet of the Laborers", his masterpiece is "ANG
PANDAY"
d) Valeriano Hernandez Pena - known as Tandang Anong, he considers "NENA AT
NENENG" his masterpiece.
e) Inigo Ed Regalado - a popular story teller, novelist and newspaper man. He reaches the
peak of his success by the "Sumpong" of his pen.
Juan Cruz Balmaceda classified three kinds of Tagalog poets:

1. Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso). These included Lope K. Santos, Iñigo Ed. Regalado, Carlos
Gatmaitan, Pedro Deogracias del Rosario, Ildefonso Santos, Amado V. Hernandez, Nemecio
Carabana, and Mar Antonio.

2. Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay). Led by Lope K Santos, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Florentino
Collantes, Patricio Mariano, Carlos Garmaitan, and Amado V. Hernandez.

3. Poets of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan). Led by Aurelio Tolentino, Patricio Mariano, Severino
Reyes, and Tomas Remigio.

C. PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

In a way, we can say that we can trace the beginnings of Philippine literature in English with
the coming of the Americans. For this purpose, we can divide this period into three time frames,
namely:

THE PERIOD OF RE-ORIENTATION (1898-1910)

English as a literary vehicle came with the American occupation in August 13, 1898 and as
they say, a choice bestowed on us by history. By 1900, English came to be used as a medium of
instruction in the public schools. From the American forces were recruited the first teachers of
English. By 1908, the primary and intermediate grades were using English. It was also about this
time when UP, the forerunner in the use of English in higher education, was founded.

THE PERIOD OF IMITATION (1910-1924)

By 1919, the UP College Folio published the literary compositions of the first Filipino writers
in English. They were the pioneers in short story writing. They were then groping their way into
imitating American and British models which resulted in a stilted, artificial and unnatural style,
lacking vitality and spontaneity.

PERIOD OF SELF-DISCOVERY AND GROWTH (1925-1941)

By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing. They now
confidently and competently wrote on a lot of subjects although the old-time favorites of love and
youth persisted. They went into all forms of writing like the novel and the drama.

Poetry. Noteworthy names in this field, they wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in other
types. Poetry was original, spontaneous, competently written and later, incorporated social
consciousness.

Short Story. Around 1925-1941, poetry and short story flourished during these times.

Publications. The Philippine Free Press provided the first incentives to Filipino writers in English by
offering prizes to worthwhile contribution. Other publication followed suit.
The Drama. (1925-1941) Drama during this period did not reach the heights attained by the novel
or the short story.

Literary Works Produced

The production of literary works in English is the direct result of the American colonization of
the Philippines. The first collection of poetry in English is Filipino Poetry (1924), edited by Rodolfo
Dato. The short story “Dead Stars” (1925) by Paz Marquez Benitez is considered as the first Filipino
modern short story in English. A Child of Sorrow (1921) by Zoilo M. Galang is the first Filipino novel
in English. The novel His Native Soil (1940) by Juan C. Laya won first prize in the First
Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.

Filipino writers in English during the apprenticeship period (1900–1930) imitated American
writing. The poet Fernando Maramag writes in the Romantic tradition in his sonnet “Moonlight on
Manila Bay” (1912). Filipino fictionists copied Sherwood Anderson, William Saroyan, and Ernest
Hemingway. Jose Garcia Villa used the Anderson pattern. Manuel Arguilla and N. V. M. Gonzalez
were influenced by Anderson and Hemingway. Francisco Arcellana was influenced by Saroyan.

Philippine literature during U.S. colonialism, the American providing free education, many
were given the chance to study and English was used as the language instruction free education
served as the stepping stone for others to improve their social status.

The Filipino Revolutionists won against the Spaniards who colonized us for more than 300
years. Our flag was hoisted on June 12, 1898 as a symbol of our independence. Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo was elected the first President of the Philippine Republic but this was short-lived. The
Fil.-American was resulted in the defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903. The peace movements
started as early as 1900. Many Filipinos started writing again and the nationalism of the people
remained undaunted.

Filipino writers went into all forms of literature like news, reporting, poetry, stories, plays,
essays, and novels. Their writings clearly depicted their love of country and their longings for
independence. The active arousal in the field of literature started to be felt in the following
newspapers.

1. EL NUEVO DIA (The New Day).

Established by Sergio Osmeña in 1900. The American censors twice banned this and threatened
Osmeña with banishment because of his nationalistic writings.

2. EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call of the Nation). Established by Pascual Poblete in 1900.

3. EL RENACIMIENTO (The Rebirth). Founded by Rafael Palma in 1901.

There were also plays written then but after the first and second presentations, the Americans put a
stop to this because of the consistent theme of nationalism.

Included here were the following:

1. KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow). Written by Aurelio
Tolentino depicting the suppression done by the Americans and their plan to colonize the
Philippines.
2. TANIKALANG GINTO of Juan Abad.
3. MALAYA by Tomas Remigio.
4. WALANG SUGAT by Severino Reyes.

A. Characteristics of Literature during This Period

Three groups of writers contributed to Philippine Literature during this period.

During the first year of the American period, the languages used in writing were Spanish and
Tagalog and the dialects of the different regions, but Spanish and Tagalog predominated.

In 1910, a new group started to write in English. Hence, Spanish, Tagalog, the Vernaculars
and finally, English, were the mediums used in literature during these times. While the three groups
were one in their ideas and spirit, they differed in their methods of reporting. The writers in Spanish
were wont to write on nationalism like honoring Rizal and other heroes.

The writers in Tagalog continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the country and
their attempts to arouse love for one’s native tongue. The writers in English imitated the themes and
methods of the Americans.

A. LITERTURE IN SPANISH
The inspiration of our Filipino writers in Spanish was Rizal not only because of his being a
national leader but also because of his novels NOLI and FILI. These two novels contained the best
qualities of a novel ever written, in English or in Filipino. Those who were inspired to write in praise
of him were Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Jesus Balmori, Manuel Bernabe and Claro M.
Recto.

CECILIO APOSTOL
Cecilio Apostol wrote poems dedicated to Rizal, Jacinto, Mabini and all other heroes but his
poem dedicated to Rizal is considered the best poem in praise of the hero of Bagumbayan.

FERNANDO MA. GUERRERO

It is believed that Fernando Ma. Guerrero shared with Apostol the reign in the balagtasan in
Spanish during their time. He also dedicated a poem to Rizal but he collected the best of his poems
in a book called CRISALIDAS, meaning, a kind of black, wooly caterpillar. Here are a few stanzas of
his call to Rizal which he wrote on June 19, 1901 to commemorate Rizal’s birthday.

JESUS BALMORI
Jesus Balmori is well-known for his pen name of Batikuling. He and Manuel Bernabe
participated in a debate on the topic –(Remembrance and Forgetfulness). He was elected Poet
Laureate in Spanish besting Manuel Bernabe.

MANUEL BERNABE
Manuel Bernabe is a lyric poet and the fierceness of his nationalistic spirit was unchanged in
any topic he wrote about. In his debate with Balmori, he was more attractive to the public because
of the modious words he used. He defended OLVIDO (Forgetfulness).
CLARO M. RECTO
 In nobility of speech and theme, Claro M. Recto can compare with the other writers of
Spanish. He collected his poems in a book entitled BAJO LOS COCOTEROS (Under The Coconut
Trees).

Other Writers in Spanish

1. Adelina Guerrea was the first woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish.
She obtained the Zobel prize in her song El Nido. (The Nest).
2. Isidro Marpori became famous for his four books entitled Aromas de Ensueño(Scents of
Dreams).
3. Macario Adriatico wrote of a legend of Mindoro entitle La Punta de Salto (The Place of Origin).
4. Epifanio de los Santos (known as Don PAnyong). He was a good leader and biographer during
the whole period of Spanish literature.
5. Pedro Aunario wrote the Decalogo del Proteccionismo.

B. FILIPINO LITERATURE

FLORANTE AT LAURA of Francisco Balagtas and URBANA AT FELISA of Modesto de

Castro became the inspiration of the Tagalog writers. Julian Cruz Balmaceda classified three kinds
of Tagalog poets: They were:

1.Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso). These included Lope K. Santos, Iñigo Ed. Regalado, Carlos
Gatmaitan, Pedro Deogracias del Rosario, Ildefonso Santos, Amado V. Hernandez, Nemecio
Carabana, and Mar Antonio.
2.Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay). Led by Lope K Santos, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Florentino
Collantes, Patricio Mariano, Carlos Garmaitan, and Amado V. Hernandez.
3. Poets of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan). Led by Aurelio Tolentino, Patricio Mariano, Severino
Reyes, and Tomas Remigio.

In the realm of short stories that started to appear in the column Pangsandaliang Libangan
(Short-time Leisure) and Dagli (Fast) we find here the names of Lope K. Santos, Patricio Mariano,
and Rosauro Almario. In the Liwayway Publications, we find Deogracias Rosario, Teodoro Gener,
and Cirio H. Panganiban. Noted novelists or biographers were Valeriano Hernandez Peña, Lope K.
Santos, Iñigo Ed. Regalado, Faustino Aguilar, etc.

Here are the autobiographies of some of the writers mentioned:

LOPE K. SANTOS
Lope K. Santos, a novelist, poet and author, and grammarian covered three periods of
Tagalog literature –American, Japanese and the contemporary period. If Manuel L. Quezon is
called the Father of the National Language, Lope K. Santos is called the Father of the National
Language Grammar. He was also called the “Apo”of the Tagalog writers. BANAAG AT SIKAT was
his masterpiece.

JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS

Jose Corazon de Jesus is very popularly known as Huseng Batute. He was also called the
Poet of Love in his time. ANG ISANG PUNONG KAHOY (A TREE), an elegy, is believed to be his
masterpiece.
AMADO V. HERNANDEZ
Amado V. Hernandez was dubbed Makata ng mga Manggagawa (Poet of the Laborers) in
our literature because he pictures in his poem the intense love for the poor worker or laborer. To
him, a poem is a scent, bittersweet memories, and a murmur of flowing water. The pen is powerful
and according to him, even a king can be bent by the pen. He contributed a lot of writings to
literature like ISANG DIPANG LANGIT (A Stretch of Heaven), BAYANG MALAYA (A Free Nation),
ANG PANDAY (The Blakcsmith), and MUNTING LUPA (A Small Plot), but his masterpiece is ANG
PANDAY.

VALERIANO HERNANDEZ PEÑA

Together with Lope K. Santos he reached the summit of his novel-writing. He was known as
Tandang Anong and his pen name was Kuntil Butil (Small Grain). He considers NENA AT NENENG
his masterpiece.

IÑIGO ED. REGALADO

Iñigo Ed. Regalado was a son of a popular writer during the Spanish time known as
Odalger. He proved that he not only followed the footsteps of his father but also reached the peak
of his success by the “sumpong”(whim) of his pen. He also became a popular story-teller, novelist
and newspaperman.

The Tagalog Drama

During the advent of the American period, Severino Reyes and Hermogenes Ilagan started
the movement against the moro-moro (a play on the Spanish struggles against the Muslims) and
struggled to show the people the values one can get from the zarzuela and the simple plays.

The people one should not forget in the field of writing are the following:
1. Severino Reyes. Father of the Tagalog drama and author of the immortal WALANG SUGAT.
2. Aurelio Tolentino. The dramatist in whom the Kapampangans take pride. Included in his writings
were LUHANG TAGALOG, his masterpiece, and KAHAPON, NGAYONG AT BUKAS that resulted
in his incarceration.
3. Hermogenes Ilagan. Founded the group Campaña Ilagan that presented many dramas in Central
Luzon.
4. Patricio Mariano. Wrote the novel NINAY and ANAK NG DAGAT (Son of the Sea), his
masterpiece.
5. Julian Cruz Balmaceda. Wrote BUNGANGA NG PATING (Shark’s Mouth). This gave him much
honor and fame.

The Tagalog Short Story

Two collections of Tagalog stories were published during the American Period. First was the
MGA KUWENTONG GINTO (Golden Stories) published in 1936 and KUWENTONG GINTO ng 50
BATIKANG KUWENTISTA (50 Golden Stories by 50 Noted Storytellers) in 1939. The first was
written by Alejandro Abadilla and Clodualdo del Mundo that contained the 25 best stories according
to them. The second was written by Pedrito Reyes. PAROLANG GINTO (Golden Lantern) and
TALAANG BUGHAW (Blue List) of Abadilla became popular during this period.

Tagalog Poetry
 Almost all Tagalog writers during the American Period were able to compose beautiful
poems which made it difficult to select the best. Even if poetry writing is as old as history, poetry still
surfaces with its sweetness, beauty, and melody.

Other Forms of Literature

The following are those recognized in the field of Ilocano Literature:
1. Pedro Bukaneg. Father of Ilocano Literature. From his name was derived the word Bukanegan,
which means balagtasan (a poetic contest) in Ilocano.
2. Claro Caluya. Prince of Ilocano Poets. Known as poet and novelist.
3. Leon Pichay. Known as the best Bukanegero (from Bukaneg). Also a poet, novelist, short story
writer, dramatist and essayist.

Literature of the Kapampangans (Pampango Literature)

Two stalwarts in the literature of the Kapampangans stand out: they are:
1. Juan Crisostomo Soto. (Father of Kapampangan Literature). The word CRISOTAN (meaning
Balagtasan) in Tagalog is taken from his name.
2. Aurelio Tolentino. He truly proved his being a Kaampangan in his translation of KAHAPON,
NGAYON AT BUKAS into Kapampangan which he called NAPON, NGENI AT BUKAS.

Visayan Literature

The following are the top men in Visayan literature:

1. Eriberto Gumban. (Father of Visayan Literature). He wrote a zarzuela, moro-moro and a play in
Visayan.
2. Magdalena Jalandoni. She devoted her talent to the novel. She wrote ANG MGA TUNUK SAN
ISA CA BULACLAC.

C. Philippine Literature in English

In a way, we can say that we can trace the beginnings of Philippine literature in English with
the coming of the Americans. For this purpose, we can divide this period into three time frames,
namely:
1. The Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910
2. The Period of Imitation: 1910-1925
3. The Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941

The Period of Re-orientation (1898-1910)

English as a literary vehicle came with the American occupation in August 13, 1898 and as
they say, a choice bestowed on us by history. By 1900, English came to be used as a medium of
instruction in the public schools. From the American forces were recruited the first teachers of
English. By 1908, the primary and intermediate grades were using English. It was also about this
time when UP, the forerunner in the use of English in higher education, was founded.

Writers of this period were still adjusting to the newfound freedom after the paralyzing effect
of repression of thought and speech under the Spanish regime. They were adjusting the idea of
democracy, to the new phraseology of the English language and to the standards of the English
literary style Writers had to learn direct expression as conditioned by direct thinking. They had to
learn that sentence constructions; sounds and speech in English were not the same as in the
vernacular. They had to discard sentimentality and floridity of language for the more direct and
precise English language.

Not much was produced during this period and what literature was produced was not much
of literary worth. The first attempts in English were in two periodicals of this time:
(a) El Renacimiento: founded in Manila by Rafael Palma in 1901.
(b) Philippines Free Press: established in Manila in 1905 by R. McCullough Dick and D. Theo
Rogers.

POETRY
In 1907, Justo Juliano’s SURSUM CORDA which appeared in the Renacimiento was the
first work to be published in English. In 1909, Juan F. Salazar’s MY MOTHER and his AIR
CASTLES were also published in this paper. It was also in 1909 when Proceso Sebastian followed
with his poem TO MY LADY IN LAOAG, also in this same paper.

The Period of Imitation (1910-1924)

By 1919, the UP College Folio published the literary compositions of the first Filipino writers
in English. They were the pioneers in short story writing. They were then groping their way into
imitating American and British models which resulted in a stilted, artificial and unnatural style,
lacking vitality and spontaneity. Their models included Longfellow and Hawthorne, Emerson and
Thoreau, Wordsworth and Tennyson, Thackeray and Macaulay, Longfellow, Allan Poe, Irving and
other American writers of the Romantic School.

Writers of this folio included Fernando Maramag (the best editorial writer of this period) Juan
F. Salazar, Jose M. Hernandez, Vicente del Fierro, and Francisco M. Africa and Victoriano Yamzon.
They pioneered in English poetry.

ESSAYS
The noted essayists of this time were: Carlos P. Romulo, Jorge C. Bocobo, Mauro Mendez,
and Vicente Hilario. Their essays were truly scholarly characterized by sobriety, substance and
structure. They excelled in the serious essay, especially the editorial type.

The next group of writers introduced the informal essay, criticism and the journalistic
column. They spiced their work with humor, wit and satire. These group included Ignacio Manlapaz,
Godefredo Rivera, Federico Mangahas, Francisco B. Icasiano, Salvador P. Lopez, Jose Lansang
and Amando G. Dayrit.

SHORT STORIES
In the field of short stories, DEAD STARS by Paz Marquez Benitez written in the early
1920’s stand out as a model of perfection in character delineation, local color, plot and message.
Other short stories published during this time were but poor imitations of their foreign models.
 The UP College Folio was later replaced by the Philippine Collegian. Newspapers and
periodicals also saw print during this time like the Bulletin, the Philippines Herald (1920), the
Philippine Review, the Independent, Rising Philippines and Citizens, and the Philippine Education
Magazine 1924.

Period of Self-Discovery and Growth (1925-1941)

By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing. They now
confidently and competently wrote on a lot of subjects although the old-time favorites of love and
youth persisted. They went into all forms of writing like the novel and the drama.

1. POETRY
Noteworthy names in this field include Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion, Jose Garcia Villa,
Angela Manalang Gloria, Abelardo Subido, Trinidad Tarrosa Subido and Rafael Zulueta da Costa.
They turned our not only love poems but patriotic, religious, descriptive and reflective poems as
well. They wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in other types. Poetry was original,
spontaneous, competently written and later, incorporated social consciousness.

2. THE SHORT STORY (1925-1941)

Probably because of the incentives provided by publications like the Philippine Free Press,
The Graphic, The Philippine Magazine and college publications like the UP Literary Apprentice,
poetry and the short story flourished during these times.

Other writers during this time include Osmundo Sta. Romana, Arturo Rotor, Paz Latorena’s
Sunset, and Jose Garcia Villa’s Mir-in-isa. From 1930 to 1940, the Golden Era of Filipino writing in
English saw the short story writers “who have arrived,”like Jose Lansang’s The Broken Parasol,
Sinai C. Hamada’s Talanata’s Wife, Fausto Dugenio’s Wanderlust, Amando G. Dayrit’s His Gift and
Yesterday,Amador T. Daugio’sThe Woman Who Looked Out of the Window.

Characteristics of the short stories during these times:

There were still remnants of Spanish influence in the use of expressions that were florid,
sentimental, exaggerated and bombastic. The influence of the Western culture also was already
evident.

3. ESSAYS AND OTHER PROSE STYLES (1925-1941)

Essays during this period improved with the years in quality and quantity, in content, subject
and style. Essayists like Carlos P. Romulo became even more eminent editorial writers.

The notable writers of essays during this period were:

a. Political, social reflective essays: Through their newspaper columns the following became very
popular: Federico Mangahas, Salvador P. Lopez, Pura S. Castrence, Vicente Albano Pacis, Ariston
Estrada and Jose A. Lansang.

b. Critical essays were espoused by Salvador P. Lopez, I.V. Mallari, Ignacio Manlapaz, Jose Garcia
Villa, Arturo B. Rotor, and Leopoldo Y. Yabes. An example of this is Maximo V. Soliven’s THEY
CALLED IT BROTHERHOOD.
c. Personal or Familiar essays were written by F.B. Icasiano (Mang Kiko), Alfredo E. Litiatco,
Solomon V. Arnaldo, Amando G. Dayrit and Consuelo Gar (Catuca).

Some of the notable works during this time were:

1940:Salvador P. Lopez ’LITERATURE AND SOCIETY which is a collection of critical reflections
and serious essays and which won first prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest of 1940.

1940:Camilo Osias published THE FILIPINO WAY OF LIFE, a series of essays on the Filipino way
of life as drawn from history, folkways, philosophy and psychology of the Philippines.

1941:F.B. Icasiano (Mang Kiko) was reprints of the best of Icasiano’s essays in the Sunday Times
Magazine under the column From My Nipa Hut. It is an essay of the common “tao”and is written
with humor and sympathy.

August 16, 1941:Carlos P. Romulo had an editorial printed in the Philippines Herald. Entitled I AM A
FILIPINO, it was reprinted in his book MY BORTHER AMERICANS in 1945 in New York by
Doubleday & Co.

OTHER ESSAYISTS INCLUDE:

Ignacio Manlapaz, Vicente Albano Pacis, I.V. Mallari, Jose M. Fernandez, Leopoldo Y. Yabes,
Isidro L. Ritizos, Pura Santillan.

The Philippine Writer’s League put out a collection of essays called Literature Under the
Commonwealth.

Amando G. Dayrit with his column Good Morning Judge led others like Leon Ma. Guerrero,
Salvador P. Lopez, Vicente Albano Pacis, Jose A. Lansang and Federico Mangahas.

4. BIOGRAPHY 1925-1941
In 1935, I.P. Caballero and Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion wrote about QUEZON. In 1938, THE
GREAT MALAYAN won a prize in the national contest sponsored by the Commonwealth of the
Philippines. This was written by Carlos Quirino, the most famous biographer of the period. He also
wrote Quezon, the Man of Destiny.

In 1940, I.V. Mallari’s The Birthof Discontentrevealed the sensitive touch of a writer who in simple
language was able to reveal his profound thoughts and feelings.

5. HISTORY
Not much about history has been written by Filipino writers. In 1937, with regard to literary history,
we can cite Teofilo del Castillo’s The Brief History of the Philippine Islands.

6. PUBLICATIONS
The Philippine Free Press provided the first incentives to Filipino writers in English by offering prizes
to worthwhile contributions. Other publications followed suit.

7. THE DRAMA (1925-1941)

Drama during this period did not reach the heights attained by the novel or the short story. The UP
provided the incentives when they introduced playwriting as a course and established the UP Little
Theater.

Philippine Literature during American-Japanese Period

American Period (1898-1941) Over the years, Philippine literature has been into its
emergence. From our prehistoric times until modern day, there were several discovery, creativity
and wide range of imagination. All these things happened because of the experiences of our
country whether slavery, freedom, poverty and independence. With a certain degree of freedom of
the press from Spanish Slavery, the writers in Tagalog began to express themselves more freely.

Characteristics and Features of the Period

1. Zarsuelas- it started during 1893; however, Severino Reyes popularized new dramatic form and
soon old forms slowly disappeared. In the first period of the American regime, theme was no longer
more about Christians and Muslims but between Filipinos and Spaniards.

Nationalistic writers took heart and during the first decade of the American Colonial Regime,
wrote stage plays that were critical of the United Staes or advocating independence. Example of
Stage Plays: Juan Abad’s Tanikalang Ginto, Aurelio Tolentino’s Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas and
Luhang Tagalog, Tomas Remigio’s Malaya and Juan Matapang Cruz’s Hindi Ako Patay. There
were also less critical and revolutionary plays, like Sandugong Panaginip, the tagalong translation
of a play in Spanish Written by Pedro Paterno, Tatlong pung Salapi, Kalahi, and Pulong
Pinaglahuan. All these plays helped fortify nationalistic spirit of the Filipino; as a result, US authority
ordered an arrest to writers whose play result to riots. Thus, harmless plays were showed such as
Roman Reyes’ Salamin ng Pag-ibig, Severino Reyes’ Walang Sugat, Amobrosio De Guzman’s
Maga Karaniwang Ugali.

2. Tagalog Prose Fiction- Lope K. Santos’ Salawahang Pag-ibig, Modesto Santiago’s Pagsintang
Naluoy, and Valeriano Hernandez Pena’s Unang Bulaklak. Authors of these prose were sentimental
and opted more for romantic escapades than for burning issues of the day.

3. Novel- Lope K. Santos’ Banaag at Sikat. This novel showed the sentimental character of each
Filipino using the tents of provinces.

4. Poetry- Noteworthy names in this field include Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion, Jose Garcia Villa,
Angela Manalang Gloria, Abelardo Subido, Trinidad Tarrosa Subido and Rafael Zulueta da Costa.
They turned our not only love poems but patriotic, religious, descriptive and reflective poems as
well. They wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in other types. Poetry was original,
spontaneous, competently written and later, incorporated social consciousness.

5. Short Story (1925-1941) because of the incentives provided by publications like the Philippine
Free Press, The Graphic, The Philippine Magazine and college publications like the UP Literary
Apprentice, poetry and the short story flourished during these times.

Other writers during this time include Osmundo Sta. Romana, Arturo Rotor, Paz Latorena’s
Sunset, and Jose Garcia Villa’s Mir-in-isa. From 1930 to 1940, the Golden Era of Filipino writing in
English saw the short story writers “who have arrived,” like Jose Lansang’s The Broken Parasol,
Sinai C. Hamada’s Talanata’s Wife, Fausto Dugenio’s Wanderlust, Amando G. Dayrit’s His Gift and
Yesterday, Amador T. Daugio’s The Woman Who Looked Out of the Window. Characteristics of the
short stories during these times: There were still remnants of Spanish influence in the use of
expressions that were florid, sentimental, exaggerated and bombastic. The influence of the Western
culture also was already evident.

THREE PERIOD EMERGED DURING AMERICAN PERIOD

(1) The Period of Re-orientation (1898-1910) The word of reorientation came into existence during
this period. English as a literary vehicle came with the American occupation in August 13, 1898 and
as they say, a choice bestow on us by history. By 1900, English came to be used as a medium of
instruction in the public schools.

(2) The Period of Imitation (1910-1924) by 1919, schools particularly the UP College Folio published
the literary compositions of the first Filipino writers in English. They were the pioneers in short story
writing. They were then examining their way into imitating American and British models which
resulted in a mannered, artificial and unnatural style, lacking vigor and spontaneity. Their models
included Longfellow and Hawthorne, Emerson and Thoreau, Wordsworth and Tennyson, Thackeray
and Macaulay, Longfellow, Allan Poe, Irving and other American writers of the Romantic School.
Writers of this folio included Fernando Maramag (the best editorial writer of this period) Juan F.
Salazar, Jose M. Hernandez, Vicente del Fierro, and Francisco M. Africa and Victoriano Yamzon.
They pioneered in English poetry.

(3) Period of Self-Discovery and Growth (1925-1941) By this time, Filipino writers had acquired the
mastery of English writing. They now confidently and competently wrote on a lot of subjects
although the old-time favorites of love and youth persisted. They went into all forms of writing like
the novel and the drama.

Japanese Period (1942-1945)

Encouraged of tagalong writing. Many of the works focused on everyday life were seen and
untouched by war. Literature performed by the guerillas through satirical skills, and the people who
are fighting against Japanese movement. The significance of cultural activities lies not in the quality
of output but by the guide post of the Filipinos.

The war years, 1942-1945 set back the development of Philippine literature in English. The
Japanese conquerors discouraged the use of English; moreover, freedom of speech and freedom
of the press was denied. Such an atmosphere did not provide the impetus for writing. Primarily,
however, the writers were concerned more with survival in the face of war, famine, and disease
than with writing. The post-war reorientation period was marked by a rapid rise in journalistic writing.
Most of the books published in the years immediately after the wars were collections, anthologies,
or second editions of prewar or wartime works. Recently, however, our contemporary writers have
been prolific in producing quality literature in English. The Filipino author has at last mastered not
only the language but also the form and standards of English literature.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND BETWEEN 1941-1945

Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when the Philippines were again
conquered by another foreign country, Japan. Philippine Literature in English came to a halt. Except
for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE REVIEW, almost all newspapers in English were stopped by
the Japanese. This had an advantageous effect on Filipino Literature, which experienced renewed
attention because writers in English turned to writing in Filipino.

Juan Laya, who use to write in English turned to Filipino because of the strict prohibitions of
the Japanese regarding any writing in English. The weekly LIWAYWAY was placed under strict
surveillance until it was managed by Japanese name Ishiwara. In other words, Filipino literature
was given a break during this period. Many wrote plays, poems, short stories etc. topics and themes
were often about life in the provinces.

FILIPINO POETRY DURING THIS PERIOD

The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism,
country, love and life in the barrios, faith, religion and the arts. Three types of poems emerged
during this period. They were:
(1) Haiku – a poem of free verse that the Japanese like. It was made up of 17 syllables
divided into three lines. The first line had 5 syllables, the second, 7 syllables and the third, five. The
haiku is allegorical in meaning, is short and covers a wide scope in meaning.
(2) Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short but it had measure and rhyme. Each line had 17
syllables and it’s also allegorical in meaning.
(3) Karaniwang anyo (Usual Form)

The Philippine Literature Contemporary Period: The Rebirth of Freedom (1946-1970)

The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos rejoiced and guerillas who fled to the mountain
joined the liberating American Army. On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained is freedom and the
Filipino flag waved joyously alone. The chains were broken.

A. THE STATE OF LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD

The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of “struggle of mind and spirit“ posed
by the sudden emancipation from the enemy, and the wild desire to see print. Filipinos had, by this
time, learned to express themselves more confidently but post-war problems beyond language and
print-like economic stability, the threat of new ideas and mortality –had to be grappled with side by
side.

There was a proliferation of newspapers like the FREE PRESS, MORNING SUN, of Sergio
Osmeña Sr., DAILY MIRROR of Joaquin Roces, EVENING NEWS of Ramon Lopezes and the
BULLETIN of Menzi. This only proved that there were more readers in English than in any ocher
vernaculars like Tagalog, Ilocano or Hiligaynon.

Journalists had their day. They indulged in more militant attitude in their reporting which
bordered on the libelous. Gradually, as normality was restored, the tones and themes of the writings
turned to the less pressing problems of economic survival. Some Filipino writers who had gone
abroad and had written during the interims came back to publish their works. Not all the books
published during the period reflected the war year; some were compilations or second editions of
what have been written before.
Some of the writers and their works of the periods are:
THE VOICE OF THE VETERAN –a compilation of the best works of some Ex-USAFFE men like
Amante Bigornia, Roman de la Cruz, Ramon de Jesus and J.F. Rodriguez.
TWILIGHT IN TOKYO and PASSION and DEATH OF THE USAFFE by Leon Ma. Guerrero
FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY–by S.P. Lopez
BETRAYAL IN THE PHILIPPINES–by Hernando Abaya

SEVEN HILLS AWAY–by NVM Gonzales

POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THIS PERIOD

For the first twenty years, many books were published…both in Filipino and in English.
Among the writers during this time were: Fred Ruiz Castro, Dominador I. Ilio, and C.B. Rigor.

Some notable works of the period include the following:

1. HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) –a collection of poems by Manuel Viray
2. PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) –a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo Ramos
and Florentino Valeros
3. PROSE AND POEMS (1952) –by Nick Joaquin
4. PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) –by T.D. Agcaoili
5. PHILIPPINE HAVEST –by Amador Daguio
6. HORIZONS LEAST (1967) –a collection of works by the professors of UE, mostly in English
(short stories, essays, research papers, poem and drama) by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio Baltazar

The themes of most poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and of social and political problems.
Toribia Maño’s poems showed deep emotional intensity.
7. WHO SPOKE OF COURAGE IN HIS SLEEP –by NVM Gonzales
8. SPEAK NOT, SPEAK ALSO –by Conrado V. Pedroche
9. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo
Jose Garcia Villa’s HAVE COME, AM HEREwon acclaim both here and abroad.

NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH

Longer and longer pieces were being written by writers of the period. Stevan Javellana’s
WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN tells of the grim experiences of war during the Japanese
Occupation.

In 1946, the Barangay Writer’s Project whose aim was to publish works in English by
Filipinos was established.

In 1958, the PEN Center of the Philippines (Poets, essayists, novelists) was inaugurated. In
the same year, Francisco Arcellana published his PEN ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES.

In 1961, Kerima Polotan’s novel THE HAND OF THE ENEMY won the Stonehill Award for
the Filipino novel in English.

In 1968, Luis V. Teodoro Jr.’s short story THE ADVERSARY won the Philippines Free Press
short story award; in 1969, his story THE TRAIL OF PROFESSOR RIEGO won second prize in the
Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and in 1970, his short story THE DISTANT CITY won the
GRAPHIC short story award.

THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD

Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this period. Most themes in the writings
dealt with Japanese brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese government and the brave
guerilla exploits.

Newspapers and magazine publications were re-opened like the Bulaklak, Liwayway, Ilang
Ilangand Sinag Tala. Tagalog poetry acquired not only rhyme but substance and meaning. Short
stories had better characters and events based on facts and realities and themes were more
meaningful. Novels became common but were still read by the people for recreation.

The people’s love for listening to poetic jousts increased more than before and people
started to flock to places to hear poetic debates.
Many books were published during this time, among which were:
1. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro Abadilla
2. Ang Maikling Kuwentong Tagalog (1886-1948) by Teodoro Agoncillo
3. Ako’y Isang Tinig (1952) collection of poems and stories by Genoveva Edroza Matute
4. Mga Piling Sanaysay (1952) by Alejandro Abadilla
5. Maikling Katha ng Dalawampung Pangunahing Autor (1962) by A.G. Abadilla and Ponciano E.P.
Pineda
6. Parnasong Tagalog (1964) collection of selected poems by Huseng Sisiw and Balagtas, collected
by A.G. Abadilla
7. Sining at Pamamaraan ng Pag-aaral ng Panitikan (1965) by Rufino Alejandro. He prepared this
book for teaching in reading and appreciation of poems, dramas, short stories and novels
8. Manlilikha, Mga Piling Tula (1961-1967) by Rogelio G. Mangahas
9. Mga Piling Akda ng Kadipan (Kapisanang Aklat ng Diwa at Panitik) 1965 by Efren Abueg
10. Makata (1967) first cooperative effort to publish the poems of 16 poets in Pilipino
11. Pitong Dula (1968) by Dionisio Salazar
12. Manunulat: Mga Piling Akdang Pilipino (1970) by Efren Abueg. In this book, Abueg proved that
it is possible to have a national integration of ethnic culture in our country.
13. Mga Aklat ni Rizal: Many books about Rizal came out during this period. The law ordering the
additional study of the life of Rizal helped a lot in activating our writers to write books about Rizal.

Period of Activism (1970-1972)

Historical Background
According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide
causes. Activism is connected with the history of our Filipino youth.
Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to seek reforms. Some continued to believe that the
democratic government is stable and that it is only the people running the government who are at
fault. Some believed that socialism or communism should replace democracy. Some armed groups
were formed to bring down the democratic form of government.

Many young people became activists to ask for changes in the government. In the
expression of this desire for change, keen were the writings of some youth who were fired with
nationalism in order to emphasize the importance of their petitions. Many young activists were
imprisoned in military camps together with rebel writers.

As early as this period of history we can say that many of those writers who were imprisoned
were true nationalists and heroes of their time. Many books aptly record and embody these times
but many of these are not known to many and many of these writers still have to be interviewed. We
just leave to scholars and researchers the giving of credit where credit is due.

A. THE SEED OF ACTIVISM

The seeds of activism resulted in the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. We can, however,
say that he seeds were earlier sown from the times of Lapu-lapu, Lakandula, and Rizal. The
revolution against the powerful forces in the Philippines can be said to be the monopoly of the youth
in whose veins flow the fire in their blood. What Rizal said of the youth being the hope of the
Fatherland –is still valid even today.

B. PERIOD OF THE BLOODY PLACARDS

Pineda also said that this was the time when the youth once more proved that it is not the
constant evasion that shapes our race and nationalism. There is a limit to one’s patience. It may
explode like a volcano if overstrained. Life? What avails like if one is a coward who does not take a
stand for himself and for the succeeding generations?

C. THE LITERARY REVOLUTION

The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This was proven not only in the
bloody demonstrations and in the sidewalk expressions but also in literature. Campus newspapers
showed rebellious emotions. The once aristocratic writers developed awareness for society. They
held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).
They attacked the ills of society and politics.

Any establishment became the symbol of the ills that had to be changed. The frustrations of
youth could be felt in churches and school. Even the priests, teachers and parents, as authorities
who should be respected became targets of the radical youth and were thought of as hindrances to
the changes they sought. The literature of the activists reached a point where they stated boldly
what should be done to effect these changes. Some of those who rallied to this revolutionary form
of literature were Rolando Tinio, Rogelio Mangahas, Efren Abueg, Rio Alma, and Clemente
Bautista.

WRITING DURING THE PERIOD OF ACTIVISM

The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during this period of the mass revolution. It
was also during this period that Bomba films that discredit our ways as Filipinos started to come out.

PALANCA AWARDEES FOR LITERATURE IN ENGLISH

(Established in 1950, the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature had been giving cash prizes for
short story, poetry and one-act play writing as an incentive to Filipino writers. The prizes come from
La Tondena, Inc., the firm founded by the late Carlos Palanca Sr. For the list of winners from 1950-
51 to 1960-70, we recommended Alberto S. Florentino’s “Twenty Years of Palanca Awards.”)

ENGLISH SHORT STORY

1970-71
First Prize –“THE RITUAL”–Cirilo F. Bautista
Second Prize –“BEAST IN THE FIELDS”–Resil Mojares
Third Prize –“CHILDREN OF THE CITY”–Amadis Ma. Guerrero
1970-71
First Prize –“THE ARCHIPELAGO”–Cirilo F. Bautista
Second Prize –“FIVE POEMS”–Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez
Third Prize –“FROM MACTAN TO MENDIOLA”–Frederico Licsi Espino Jr.
ENGLISH ONE-ACT PLAY
1970-71
First Prize –“THE GROTESQUE AMONG US”–Maiden Flores

ENGLISH POETRY
1971-72
First Prize –“THE TOMATO GAME”–N.V.M. Gonzales
Second Prize –“THE APOLLO CENTENNIAL”–Gregorio C. Brillantes
Third Prize –“AFTER THIS, OUR EXILE”–Elsa Martinez Coscolluela
1971-72
First Prize –“BATIK MAKER AND OTHER POEMS”–Virginia R. Moreno
Second Prize –“THE EDGE OF THE WIND”–Artemio Tadena
Third Prize –“TINIKLING (A SHEAF OF POEMS)”–Frederico Licsi Espino Jr.
1971-72
First Prize –“GRAVE FOR BLUE FLOWER”–Jesus T. Peralta
Second Prize –“THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY”–Manuel M. Martell
Third Prize –The judges recommend that in as much as the three third prize winners especially
deserve, the prize of P 1,000.00 be divided among these three:
“THE BOXES”–Rolando S. Tinio
“NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY”–Julian
E. Dacanay
“THE RENEGADE”–Elsa Martinez Coscolluela

WRITERS DURING THIS PERIOD

Jose F. Lacaba, in his book DAYS OF DISQUIET, NIGHTS OF RAGE; THE FIRST
QUARTERS STORM AND RELATED EVENTS, wrote of the tragic and tumultuous moments in our
country’s history. Describing this period, he writes: “That first quarter of the year 1970…It was a
glorious time, a time of terror and of wrath, but also a time for hope. The signs of change were on
the horizon. A powerful storm was sweeping the land, a storm whose inexorable advance no earthly
force could stop, and the name of the storm was history.”

He mentions that those students demonstrating at that time knew and were aware that what
they were doing would be crucial to our country’s history. Student leaders thought up grandiose
names for their organizations and hence, the proliferation of acronyms likes SUCCOR, YDS, KTPD,
SAGUPA, SMP, KKK, KM, MDP, and SDK. Politicians endorsed bills for those who interfered with
student demonstrators. Mayor Antonio Villegas himself, on Feb. 18, 1970, led demonstrators away
from angry policemen. Other politicians like Eva Estrada Kalaw, and Salvador Laurel, Benigno
Aquino Jr. wrote about condemnation of police brutalities.

Lacaba’s book is truly representative of writers who were eyewitnesses to this time “of terror
and wrath.” Other writers strove to pour out their anguish and frustrations in words describing
themselves as “gasping for the air, thirsting for the water of freedom.”Thus, the Philippine Center for
the International PEN (Poets, Essayists, and Novelists) held a conference centering on the “writer’s
lack of freedom in a climate of fear.”

For a day they denounced restrictions on artistic freedom and passionately led a plea for
freedom. Among the writers in this group were: Nick Joaquin, S.P. Lopez, Gregorio Brillantes, F.
Sionil Jose, Petronilo Daroy, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Mauro Avelina, and Jose W. Diokno.
People in the other media participated in this quest for freedom. Journalists Jose Burgos Jr.,
Antonio Ma. Nieva,; movie director Lino Brocka, art critic Anna Leah S. de Leon were battling head
–on against censorship.

They came up with resolutions that pleaded for causes other than their own –like the general
amnesty for political prisoners, and other secret decrees restricting free expression.
They requested editors and publishers to publish the real names of writers in their columns. It called
on media to disseminate information on national interest without partisan leanings and resolved to
be united with all causes decrying oppression and repression.

Period of the New Society (1972-1980)

Historical Background
The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards
continued to give annual awards. Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development or
progress of the country –like the Green Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment,
drug addiction and pollution. The New Society tried to stop pornography or those writings giving bad
influences on the morals of the people. All school newspapers were temporarily stopped and so
with school organizations.

The military government established a new office called the Ministry of Public Affairs that
supervised the newspapers, books and other publications. The government took part in reviving old
plays like the Cenaculo, the Zarzuela and the Embayoka of the Muslims. The Cultural Center of the
Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater and even the old Metropolitan Theater were rebuilt in order to
have a place for these plays. Singing both Filipino and English songs received fresh incentives.
Those sent abroad promoted many Filipino songs. The weekly publications like KISLAP, and
LIWAYWAY helped a lot in the development of literature. These became outlets for our writers to
publish many of their works.

A. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY

 Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs and the
beauties of nature and surroundings. Those who wrote poetry during this period were: Ponciano
Pineda, Aniceto Silvestre, Jose Garcia Revelo, Bienvenido Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir Lopez
Francisco, and Pelagio Sulit Cruz. Many more composers added their bit during this period. Among
them were Freddie Aguilar, Jose Marie Chan and the group Tito, Vic and Joey. ANAK of Freddie
Aguilar became an instant success because of the spirit and emotions revealed in the song. There
were even translations in Japanese and in other languages.

B. THE PLAY UNDER THE NEW SOCIETY

The government led in reviving old plays and dramas, like the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo
and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the
Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Many schools and organizations also
presented varied plays. The Mindanao State University presented a play Sining Embayoka at the
Cultural Center of the Philippines.

In 1977, the Tales of Manuvu, a new style of rock of the ballet opera was also added to
these presentations. This was performed by Celeste Legaspi, Lea Navarro, Hadji Alejandro, Boy
Camara, Anthony Castello, Rey Dizon and choreographed by Alic Reyes.
Even the President’s daughter at the time participated as a performing artist in the principal role of
Santa Juana of Koral and in The Diary of Anne Frank.

The following organizations contributed a lot to the development of plays during this period:
1. PETA of Cecille Guidote and Lino Brocka
2. Repertory Philippines: of Rebecca Godines and Zenaida Amador
3. UP Repertory of Behn Cervantes
4. Teatro Filipino by Rolando Tinio

C. RADIO AND TELEVISION

Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play series like SI MATAR,
DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR. LONELY were the forms of recreation of those without
television. Even the new songs were first heard over the airwaves. However, many performing
artists in radio moved over to television because of higher pay. Among these were Augusto Victa,
Gene Palomo, Mely Tagasa, Lina Pusing, and Ester Chavez. Popular television plays were
GULONG NG PALAD, FLOR DE LUNA, and ANNA LIZA.
SUPERMAN AND TARZAN were also popular with the youth.

D. FILIPINO FILMS

A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held during this
time. During the festival which lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in all
theaters in Metro Manila. Prizes and trophies were awarded at the end of the festival in recognition
of excellence in film making and in role performances. New kinds of films without sex or romance
started to be made but which were nevertheless well-received by the public.
Among these were:
1. MAYNILA…SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG written by Edgardo Reyes and filmed under the
direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was the lead role.
2. MINSA’Y ISANG GAMU-GAMO; Nora Aunor was the principal performer here.
3. GANITO KAMI NOO…PAANO KAYO NGAYON: led by Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz.
4. INSIANG: by Hilda Koronel
5. AGUILA: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de Leon
Sex films could not be shelved. Foreign, as well as local films dealing the bold themes were the
vehicles of producers to earn more money.

E. COMICS, MAGAZINES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS

During this period of the New Society, newspapers donned new forms. News on economic
progress, discipline, culture, tourism and the like were favored more than the sensationalized
reporting of killings, rape and robberies.

The leading papers during this period were:

1. BULLETIN TODAY 5. PILIPINO EXPRESS
2. TIMES JOURNAL 6. PHILIPPINE DAILY EXPRESS
3. PEOPLES JOURNAL 7. EVENING POST
4. BALITA 8. EVENING EXPRESS

LIWAYWAY had been an old-time favorite of the Filipinos since 1920. Other magazines were:
1. KISLAP 3. EXTRA HOT
2. BULAKLAK 4. JINGLE SENSATION

Like mushrooms, comics also proliferated everywhere and were enjoyed by the masses.
Among these were:
1. PILIPINO 4. HIWAGA
2. EXTRA 5. KLASIK
3. LOVE LIFE 6. ESPESYAL

F. PALANCA AWARDEES
SHORT STORY CATEGORY

1972-73
First Prize –“SPOTS ON THEIR WINGS AND OTHER STORIES”–Antonio Enriquez
Second Prize –“ON FRIENDS YOU PIN SUCH HOPES”–Ines Taccad Camayo
Third Prize –“THE LIBERATION OF MRS. FIDELA MAGSILANG”–Jaime A. Lim

1973-74
First Prize –“THE CRIES OF CHILDREN ON AN APRIL AFTERNOON IN THE YEAR 1957”–
Gregorio C. Brillantes
Second Prize –“THE WHITE DRESS”–Estrella D. Alfon
Third Prize –“TELL ME WHO CLEFT THE DEVIL’S FOOT”–Luning Bonifacio Ira
Honorable Mention –“SCORING”–Joy T. Dayrit
1974-75
First Prize –co-winners
1. “THE DAY OF THE LOCUSTS”–Leoncio P. Deriada
2. “ROMANCE AND FAITH ON MOUNT BANAHAW”–Alfred A. Yuson

Second Prize –co-winners

1. “THE MAN WHO MADE A COVENANT WITH THE WIND”–Cirilo F. Bautista
2. “ONCE UPON A CRUISE: GENERATIONS AND OTHER LANDSCAPES”–Luning Bonifacio Ira
3. “AGCALAN POINT”–Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.

Third Prize –co-winners

1. “THE DOG EATERS”–Leoncio P. Deriada
2. “THE PEOPLE’S PRISON”–Mauro R. Avena
3. “DISCOVERY”–Dr. Porfirio F. Villarin, Jr.
4. “A SUMMER GOODBYE”–Linda Ledesma and Benjamin Bautista

PLAY CATEGORY
1972-73

First Prize –“THE HEART OF EMPTINESS IS BLACK”–Ricardo Demetillo

Second Prize –“GO, RIDER!”–Azucena Crajo Uranza

Third Prize –“THE RICEBIRD HAS BROWN WINGS”–Federico Licsi Espino, Jr.

1973-74
First Prize (No Award)
Second Prize –“AFTERCAFE –Juan H. Alegre
Third Prize –“DULCE EXTRANJERA”–Wilfredo D. Nollede

1974-75
First Prize –“A LIFE IN THE SLUMS”–Rolando S. Tinio
Second Prize –“PASSWORD –Paul Stephen Lim
Third Prize –“THE MINERVA FOUNDATION”–Maidan Flores

POETRY CATEGORY
1972-73
First Prize –“CHARTS”–Cirilo F. Bautista
Second Prize –“A TRICK OF MIRRORS”–Rolando S. Tinio
Third Prize –“ALAPAAP’S MOUNTAIN”–Erwin E. Castillo

1973-74
First Prize –co-winners
1. “MONTAGE”–Ophelia A. Dimalanta
2. “IDENTITIES”–Artemio Tadena
Second Prize –co-winners
1. “BOXES”–Ricardo de Ungria
2. “GLASS OF LIQUID TRUTHS”–Gilbert A. Luis Centina III
Third Prize –co-winners
1. “A LIEGE OF DATUS AND OTHER POEMS”–Jose N. Carreon
2. “RITUALS AND METAPHORS”–Celestino M. Vega

1974-75
First Prize –“TELEX MOON”–Cirilo F. Bautista
Second Prize –“ADARNA: SIX POEMS FROM A LARGER CORPUS”–Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez
Third Prize –“THE CITY AND THE THREAD OF LIGHT”–Ricardo Demetillo

REPUBLIC CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARDEES

(1960-1971)
NATIONAL ARTISTS
1973
Amado V. Hernandez (Posthumous) (Literature)
Jose Garcia Villa (Literature)
Francisco Reyes Aquino (Dance)
Carlos V. Francisco (Posthumous) (Painting)
Antonio J. Molina (Music)
Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture)
1976
Nick Joaquin (Literature)
Napoleon V. Abueva (Sculpture)
Pablo Antonio (Posthumous) (Architecture)
Lamberto V. Avellana (Movies)
Victorio G. Edades (Painting)
Jovita Fuentes (Music)

G. AN OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATUE DURING THE NEW SOCIETY

Bilingual education which was initiated by the Board of National Education as early as 1958
and continued up to the period of Martial Rule in September 21, 1972, resulted in the deterioration
of English in the different levels of education. The focus of education and culture was on problems
of national identity, on re-orientation, renewed vigor and a firm resolves to carry out plans and
programs. The forms of literature that led during this period wee the essays, debates and poetry.
The short stories, like the novels and plays were no different in style from those written before the
onset of activism.

Some of the books that came out during this period were:
I Married a Newspaperman (essay) by Maria Luna Lopez (wife of newsapaperman Salvador B.
Lopez), 1976
The Modern Filipino Short Story by Patricia Melendrez Cruz, 1980
Cross Currents in Afro-Asian Literature, by Rustica D. Carpio, 1976
Brief Time to Love by Ofelia F. Limcaco
Medium Rare and Tell the People (feature articles and TV Program) by Julie Yap Daza
Period of the Third Republic (1981-1985)

Historical Background
After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started
under the New Society, Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.
To those in government, the lifting of military rule heralded a change. To their perceptions, the
Philippines became a new nation and this; former President Marcos called “The New Republic of
the Philippines.”

A historian called this the Third Republic. The First Republic he claimed was during the
Philippine Republic of Emilio Aguinaldo when we first got our independence form the Spaniards on
June 12, 1898.

The Second was when the Americans granted us our independence on July 4, 1946. This
period, January 2, 1981, was the Third Republic when we were freed from Military Rule.
During this period, it cannot be denied that many people seethed with rebellion and protest because
of the continued oppression and suppression.

This was further aggravated when former Senator Benigno S. Aquno Jr., the idol of the
Filipino masses, whom they hoped to be the next president, was president, was brutally murdered
on August 21, 1983.

This stage of the nation had its effect on our literature. After the Aquino assassinated, the
people’s voices could no long be contained. Both the public and private sectors in government were
chanting, and shouting; women, men and the youth became bolder and their voices were raised in
dissent. We can say that Philippine literature, in spite of the many restrictions, still surreptitiously
retained its luster.

THE PALANCA AWARDS

The Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for literature which was launched in 1950,
continued its recognition of the best in the literary fields –poetry, short story, essays, and the one
and three-act plays.

In 1981, the winners were the following:

First Prize:Jessie B. Garcia’s –“In Hog Heaven”
Second Prize:Luning Bonifacio –Ira’s “The Party Hopper”
Third Prize:Jesus Q. Cruz –“In These Hallowed Halls”

In 1982, those who won were:

First Prize:“Heart Island”by Jose Dalisay Jr.
Second Prize:“Pas de Deux”by Azucena Grajo Uranza
Third Prize:“The Sky Is Always Blue”by Joe Marie A. Abueg

In 1983, the mood was restive, characteristics of the times. The nation was angry after the murder
of opposition leader Benigno Aquino but the awards ceremonies continued after a delay. The
winners are:
First Prize:“Oldtimer”by Jose Dalisay Jr.
Second Prize:“Games”by Jesus O. Cruz
Third Prize:“Perfect Sunday”by Jose Y. Ayala
First Prize in poetry (Pilipino): Jose F. Lacaba
Second Prize (English essay): Gregorio Brillantes
Third Prize (English essay): Adrian Cristobal

In 1984, the winners were:

First Prize:“The Reprieve”by Susan S. Lara
Second Prize:“The Tangerine Gumamela”by Sylvia Mendez Ventura
Third Prize co-winner:“The Little Wars of Filemon Sayre”by Lemuel Torrevillas
Third Prize:“Stranger in an Asian City”by Gregorio Brillantes
In 1985, those who won were:
First Prize:“The Hand of God”by Conrado de Quiros

First Prize:“A Novel Prize for Jorge”by Eli Ang Barroso

No awards for second prize
Third Prize:“Mecca of the East”by Charles Loong
In 1984, the Palanca Awards started choosing the best in novel writing. This contest, held every
three years, gives time for local writers to write more beautiful and quality works. The next contest
on the best novel was held in 1987. La Tondeña continues to be its sponsor.

B. FILIPINO POETRY

Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary. Writers
wrote openly of their criticism against the government. The supplications of the people were
coached in fiery, colorful, violent, profane and insulting language.

C. FILIPINO SONGS

Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of grief, poverty,
aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen. Many composers, grieved over
Ninoy Aquino’s treacherous assassination composed songs.

Among them were Coritha, Eric and Freddie Aguilar. Coritha and Eric composed a song
titles LABAN NG BAYAN KO and this was first sung by Coritha during the National Unification
Conference of the Opposition in March, 1985. This was also sung during the Presidential Campaign
Movement for Cory Aquino to inspire the movement against Marcos in February 1986. Freddie
Aguilar revived the song BAYAN KO which was written by Jose Corazon de Jesus and C. de
Guzman during the American period.

D. PHILIPPINE FILMS DURING THE PERIOD

The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held during this period. The people’s
love for sex films also was unabated. Many producers took advantage of this at the expense of
public morality.
E. POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THE THIRD REPUBLIC

Most especially, during the wake of the tragic Benigno Aquino Jr.’s incident, people reacted
with shock, appalled by the suddenness and the unexpectedness of events.

Alfredo Navarro Salanga, a consistent writer of Philippines Panorama Magazine in his

column “Post-Prandal Reflections” aptly said it: “darkness in the mind and soul is how some
forgotten poet puts it. Its suddenness was so profound that we couldn’t but react to it in any other
way.” Elemental to us (poets or writers) was how to grasp to some meaning –in a symbol, a phrase
or word –in the language of heart and tongue, the poet’s only candles. So we tried to reach out in
the next and perhaps the only way we could: by putting pen to paper and speaking out –as
partisans in a human drama.

Poets, surprisingly, by common consent, found themselves writing on a common subject.

Reproduction of some of them is reprinted here. We aptly call them Protest Poetry of the ‘80’s.
The themes of most during this time dealt with courage, shock and grief over the “treachery inflicted
upon Aquino.”

F. MEDIA OF 1983

Sheila S. Coronel, a PANORAMA staff stalwart, reporting on the state of the media during
these times said: it was a year of ferment, and change, of old problems made more oppressive by
the new throbbing beat of the times.”

For journalists, it was a year loaded with libel charges, lawsuits and seditious trials which
they gallantly bore as harassment suits. JAJA (Justice for Aquino, Justice for All) Movement called
for a boycott of government –controlled newspapers in protest of media suppression. People
picketed newspapers offices with coffins to symbolize the death of press freedom. In campuses,
newspapers were set afire to protest lack of free expression. Journalists suffered physically and
otherwise. Journalists of 3 major dailies demanded a dialogue with their publishers to “restore
credibility and respectability” to newspapers.

Opposition tabloids flourished. They sold our papers with the red news to the starved public;
hence, smut magazines like the TIKTIK, PLAYBOY SCENE, and SAKDAL also played the
sidewalks. Radio led by RADIO VERITAS started reporting coverage of demonstrations. Information
Minister Gregorio Cendaña called the tabloids the “mosquito press” and called their new “political
pornography.” However, there was a perceptible liberalization of editorial policies in the major
newspapers.

G. CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Among the well-loved forms of writing which abounded during this period were those of children’s
stories. The Children’s Communication Center (CCC) directed by poet and writer VirgilioS.
Almarioalready has built up an impressive collection of these kinds of books. The following are
some of the books of the period.
1982:PLAYS FOR CHILDREN by JameB. Reuter S.J. (New Day Pub.)
1983:STORY TELLING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
1983:JOSE AND CARDO by Peggy CorrManuel
1983:Joaquinesquerie: MYTH A LA MOD (CachoHermanos)
1983:LAHI: 5 FILIPINO FOLK TALES (of 5 English books and 1 cassette tape)
1984:RIZALIANA FOR CHILDREN: ILLUSTRATIONS and FOLKTALES by: Jose P. Rizal,
Intoducedand annotated by Alfredo Navarro Salanga
1984:GATAN AND TALAW by Jaime AlipitMontero

H. (PROSE) FABLES

The people’s cry of protest found outlets not only in poetry but also in veiled prose fables which
transparently satirized the occupants of Malacañang. Among those that saw prints were:

1. The Crown Jewels of Heezenhurst by Sylvia Mendez Ventura

2. The Emperor’s New Underwear by MeynardoA. Macaraig
3. The King’s Cold by Babeth Lolarga
4.The Case of the Missing Charisma (unfinished) by Sylvia L. Mayuga.
In all the fables, the king, differently referred to as Totus Markus or the king or Haring Matinik was
meant to poke fun at the ruler at Malacañang; similarly, Reyna Maganda or the Queen, was a veiled
thrust at his queen.
They were both drunk with power and were punished in the end for their misdeeds.

THE STATE OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH AT THIS TIME

Isagani Cruz, writing about Philippine literature in the “Age of Ninoy,” makes the following
observations: “Philippine literature is definitely changing,” and he summarizes these as follows:

1. Change in the direction of greater consciousness in content and form.

2. Change in the number of readers and the number of writers and the kind of class of writers.
Writers who joined the ranks came not only from the established or professional groups but from all
ranks –clerks, secretaries, drivers, housewives, students; in short, the masses.

3. The resurgence of Balagtasismo and the continued dominance of Modernismo. While Balagtas is
moturned its back on the American challenge to Philippine literature its conservative conventions,
Modernismo adapted Americanization for its own ends.

4. The birth of a new poetic movement still dims in outline.

5. The apparent merging of the erstwhile separate streams of oral and written literature.
J. SOME WRITERS DURING THIS PERIOD

1981-85
1981:PHILIPPINE FOLK LITERATURE by Damiana Eugenio
1981:ADVENTURES OF MARIAN by Carissa Orosa Uy
1982:SOMEWHERE BETWEEN YOUR SMILE AND YOUR FROWN AND OTHER POEMS by
Bienvenido M. NoeigaJr.
1983:PARES-PARES by Bienvenido M. Noriega Jr.
1983:AGON: POEMS, 1983 by Edgar B. Maranan
1984:THE FARMER by Alfredo Navarro Salanga
1984:THE ROAD TO MOWAB AND OTHER STORIES by Leoncio P. Deriada

Periods (1986-1999)

Historical Background
History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people regained their independence
which they lost twenty years ago. In the span of four days form February 21-25, 1986, the so-called
People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed. Together, the people barricaded the streets petitioning
the government for changes and reforms.

Freedom became a reality –won through a peaceful, bloodless and God-blessed revolution.
Philippine society was in turmoil for a few weeks but the rejoicing after the Pres. Marcos was
toppled down from power was sheer euphoria. Singing, dancing and shouting were the order of the
day.

The events created overnight heroes. In this historical event, the role played by two big
figures in history cannot be doubted. To Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Armed Forces
Chief of Staff Fidel V. Ramos, as well as to the cause of freedom do the Filipinos owe their gratitude
for the blessing of Independence? To the Filipino people, this is the true Philippine Republic, the
true Republic of the Philippines.

PERIOD:

In the short span of the existence of the true Republic of the Philippines, several changes
already became evident. This in noticed in the new Filipino songs, in the newspapers, in the
speeches, and even in the television programs.

1. On Newspapers and other publications:

Newspapers which were once branded crony newspapers became instant opposition papers
overnight. This was true of BULLETIN TODAY which became the opposition paper. The now crony
newspapers that enjoyed an overnight increase in circulation were THE INQUIRER, MALAYA, and
the PEOPLE’S JOURNAL.

Newspapers felt that the shackles that muzzled their voices during the repressive years had
been broken and, like a bird “trying its wings after a long time of bondage,” the desire to write about
this “miracle of change” was electric. Columnists became vocal and unrestricted in there are and a
bumper crop of young journalists emerged. The old stalwarts of the former dispensation like
Maximo Soliven, Louie Beltran, Hilarion Henares, and Francisco Soc Rodrigo came back with a
vengeance.

By June 12, 1986, a total of 19 local dailies both in English and Filipino were in circulation.
Nowhere since the 1950’s had there been such a big number of newspapers in circulation
(excluding tabloids). These newspapers include: BULLETIN, TEMPO, BALITA, MALAY, MIDDAY,
MASA, MANILA TIMES, NEWS HERALD, TRIBUNE, NGAYON, INQUIRER, EXPRESS TONIGHT,
EVENING POST, PEOPLE’S, DAILY MIRROR, BUSINESS DAY, and MANILA CHRONICLE.

2. On Books: Philippine literature is still in the making…we are just beginning a new era.

The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of its spirit that will carry the Filipinos through
another epoch in Philippine history is still being documented just as they have been in the countless
millions who participated in body and spirit in its realization. Two books were conceived during the
period. PEOPLE POWER was produced under a grant by the PCI Bank Human Resources
Development Foundation, edited by Monina Allarey Mercado and published by the James B.
Reuter, S.J. Foundation.

Another one BAYAN KO was published by Project 28 Days LTD. in June, 1986 in Kowloon,
Hong Kong and co-published in the Philippines by Veritas Publications and Communications
Foundation.
In March 19, 1987, the Seventh National Book Awards cited several best books published in
1987 according to the choices made by the Manila Critics Circle. Among those awarded were:
Dreamweaver’s Selected Poems (1976-1986) by Marjorie Pernia and Awit at Corrido: Philippine
Metrical Romances by Damiana L. Eugenio.

Bookfair Manila ’88 organized by the Philippine Exhibit Company was held on February 20-
28, 1988. It was held with the belief that “requisition of knowledge not only enhances individual
skills and capabilities but more importantly, makes positive contributions to the nation’s
development program.”

B. FILIPINO SONGS DURING THIS PERIOD

Here are a few Filipino songs that were often heard. They were often aired in radio and
television and often accompanied the historical events that transpired in the Philippines and gained
for the Filipinos world-wide acclaim.

An album named HANDOG NG PILIPINO SA MUNDO carried a compilation of some of

these. The song that continued to be sung throughout the trying period of the Revolution, almost
like a second national anthem and which gave fire to the Filipino spirit was BAYAN KO. Its lyrics
were written by Jose Corazon de Jesus way back in 1928.
 Let’s Apply
Refer to the periods on how Philippine literature has emerged over the years. In Column A, identify the
period when the literary piece was written. In Column B, identify if the literary piece is a Poem, Short
Story, Novel, Song or Drama. In Column C, identify the poet, writer, author, novelist or playwright of the
literary piece.

1. Spanish Colonization(1565-1898)
2. Spanish Period of Enlightenment and Propaganda Movement (1872-1896)
3. Spanish Period of Active Revolution (1896-1898)
4. American Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910
5. American Period of Imitation: 1910-1925
6. American Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941
7. Japanese Colonization: 1941-1945
8. The Rebirth of Freedom: 1946-1970
9. Period of Activism: 1970-1972
10. Period of the New Society: 1972-1981
11. Period of the Third Republic: 1981-1985
12. Contemporary Period: 1986-Present

Title Literary Period Classification Writer

Anak 1. Song Fredie Aguilar
Isang Dipang Langit Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941 Poem 2.
Walang Sugat 3. Drama Severino Reyes

Mi Ultimo Adios Spanish Period of Enlightenment Poem 4.

and Propaganda Movement (1872-
1896)
Banaag at Sikat 5. Novel Lope K. Santos

Himno Nacional Spanish Period of Active Revolution Song 6.

Filipino 1898 (1896-1898)
Dead Stars Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941 Short Story 7.
Bayan Ko Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941 8. Jose Corazon de Jesus
The Hand of the 9. Novel Kerima Polotan
Enemy
The Adversary The Rebirth of Freedom (1946- 10. Luis V. Teodoro Jr
1970)

Let’s Analyze
Direction: In three to five sentences, briefly explain your thought on this question:

How does our history influence the Philippine literature?

Let’s Create
Directions: Read and comprehend your chosen novel written by a Filipino novelist for our literary
criticism project. The format for the literary criticism project shall be given and discussed in the
next module.