AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD

1898 – 1940
When the Americans set foot in the Philippines, they brought in one important thing with them – the English
language. When we learned about the language, the use of Spanish language slowly went away.
New Genre introduced during this time:
SHORT STORY
Two of the most prominent schools here in the Philippines was also established – the Philippine Normal School
(1901), which we now know as the Philippine Normal University, and the American University of the Philippines
(1908), which is now known as the University of the Philippines.
ROMANTICISM flourished during this period.
The piece AKO ANG DAIGDIG by ALEJANDRO ABADILLA became a testament that not only literature written
in English was booming but also literature in the vernacular language.
NOVELS in the VERNACULAR & ENGLISH also proliferated.
Some examples of novels in the vernacular – BANAAG AT SIKAT by LOPE K. SANTOS, AMA by LAZARO
FRANCISCO.
The first Philippine novel in English was published. It is entitled, A CHILD OF SORROW by ZOILO GALANG
(1921).
Aside from NOVELS, SHORT STORIES were also a thing during this period.
The first successful short story in English was published during this time – DEAD STARS by PAZ MARQUEZ-
BENITEZ (1925).
The first collection of short stories was also made. STEALER OF HEARTS by JOSE PANGANIBAN (1927).
Panganiban was the sole author of the collection.
Father of Tagalog Short Story: DEOGRACIAS A. ROSARIO
Aside from NOVELS & SHORT STORIES, DRAMA/PLAY also flourished.
The first Philippine play in English was staged – A MODERN FILIPINA by JESUSA ARAULLO & LINO CASTILLEJO.
WILFRIDO MA. GUERRERO, one of the most prominent playwrights of our country lived during this time. He
was credited with over 100 plays.
Aside from NOVELS, SHORT STORIES & DRAMA, ESSAYS also continued to boom.
In 1921, ZOILO GALANG published LIFE AND SUCCESS – the first Philippine book of ESSAYS in English.
Other prominent writers during this time were:
JOSE GARCIA-VILLA
MANUEL ARGUILLA
ARTURO ROTOR
PAZ LATORENA
AMADOR DAGUIO