AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1941)

During the American Period in the Philippines, the literary creation was motivated by two advancements
in education and culture:

o the introduction of free instruction for all children of school age

o the use of English as medium of instruction in all levels of education in public schools.

Free public education made knowledge and information accessible to all Filipinos. Those who availed
this education through college were able to improve their social status and joined a good number of educated
masses who became part of the country’s middle class.

Founded Schools/ Universities in the Philippines During American Colonial Period:

 1901 – Philippine Normal College (now PNU)
– National University
– Silliman University
– El Colegio de San Beda (now SBU)
 1905 – Central Philippine University
 1908 – University of the Philippines
 1914 – University of Manila
 1915 – Cebu Normal School
 1919 – Philippine Women’s University
– Jose Rizal University

 1902 – Negros Oriental High school  1925 – Mapua Institute of Technology

– Ilo-ilo Normal School  1933 – Far Eastern University
 1938 – Arellano University
 1904 – St. Paul University  1941 – San Sebastian College - Recoletos
– Filamer Christian University

– Zamboanga Normal School

– Escuela de Farmacia del Liceo de Manila

(now MCU)

During the Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930), the Filipino writers imitated English and American
models. They were 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.

Short Stories
o Dead Stars was the first short story written in English by Paz Marquez Benitez.
o The Small Key was written by Paz Latorena.
o Footnote to Youth was written by Jose Garcia Villa.

Newspapers
o El Nuevo Dia (The New Day) -Established by Sergio Osmena in 1900.The Americans censored, twice
banned and threatened Osmena with banishment because of his nationalistic writings.
o El Grito Del Pueblo (The Call of the Nation) - Established by Pascual Poblete in 1900.
o El Renacimiento (The Rebirth) - Founded by Rafael Palma in 1901.

Plays
o Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) written by Aurelio
Tolentino. It depicts the suppression done by the Americans and their plan to colonize the
Philippines.
o Tanikalang Ginto of Juan Abad
o Malaya by Tomas Remigio
o Walang Sugat by Severino Reyes

The Characteristics and Features of the American Period:

1. Zarsuelas – This was popularized in 1893 A new-found dramatic form was popularized by Severino Reyes
and the old forms gradually vanished. The theme was no longer about Christians and Muslims but between
Filipinos and Spaniards in the first period of the American regime.

2. Tagalog Prose Fiction – Some of the well-known works are “Salawahang Pag-ibig” by Lope K. Santos,
“Pagsintang Naluoy” by Modesto Santiago and “Unang Bulaklak” by Valeriano Hernandez. Writers of these
1
prose were emotional; they chose more for romantic adventures than for flaming issues of the day.

2
 3. Novel – “Banaag at Sikat,” which was written by Lope K. Santos, is one of the renowned novels during this
era. The emotional character of each Filipino was shown in this novel using tents of provinces.

4. Poetry – Remarkable people in this area include Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion, Jose Garcia Villa, Angela
Manalang Gloria, Abelardo Subido, Trinidad Tarrosa Subido and Rafael Zulueta da Costa. They
transformed not only love poems but nationalistic, spiritual, evocative and insightful poems too. They
penned in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in other types. Poetry was unique, natural, expertly written
and later, merged social awareness.

5. Short Story (1925-1941) – The College publications UP Literary Apprentice, Philippine Free Press, The
Graphic, The Philippine Magazine offered incentives and the short story prospered during these times.

The Three Periods That Emerged During American Period:

1. The Period of Reorientation (1898-1910) – The concept of reorientation was materialized during this
period. The English language became the language of literature by the time of American occupation on
August 13, 1898. In 1900, the English language came to be used as a method of teaching in the public
schools.

2. The Period of Imitation (1910-1924) – In 1919, different universities such as the UP-College Folio printed
the literary masterpieces of the first Filipino authors in English. They were the forerunners in writing short
stories. They were then scrutinizing their way into impersonating American and British models which
resulted in a unusual, synthetic, and unnatural style, lacking enthusiasm, and naturalness. Their models
included Longfellow and Hawthorne, Longfellow, Allan Poe, Irving and other American authors of the
Romantic School. Writers of this folio included Fernando Maramag (the greatest editorial author of this
period) Juan F. Salazar, Jose M. Hernandez, Vicente del Fierro, and Francisco M. Africa and Victoriano
Yamzon. They are established when it comes to English poetry.

3. Period of Self-Discovery and Growth (1925-1941) By this time, Filipino writers had
mastered writing literary pieces in English. They confidently and competently wrote on a lot
of topics although the old-time favorites of love and youth continued. They explored writing
various forms of literature like the novel and the drama.

eover, do you know that American soldiers served as the first teachers of Filipinos then they were later replaced by trained teachers, who

JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

 The development of Philippine literature was jeopardized when Japan conquered the Philippines between
1941-1945. The Japanese prohibited the use of the English language in almost all newspapers except the
Tribune, Philippine Review, Pillars, Free Philippines, and Filipina.

 Freedom of speech was prohibited as well. According to Victoria Abelardo, the Filipino literature in the
time of Japanese invasion was “bitter and pessimistic.” Strict censorship allowed only a few literary
works to be printed and published during this period.

 Before it was managed by a Japanese named Ishiwara, the weekly magazine Liwayway was placed
under a very strict surveillance.
  This period encouraged Tagalog writing. Several literary works that focused on everyday life were seen
and unaffected by war. The Filipino Literature gained advantages for its renewed attention because writers
in English turned to writing in Filipino. One example of this is Juan Laya, who used to write in English. He
turned to writing in Filipino language because of the strict prohibitions of the Japanese regarding any
writing in English.

 The guerillas performed oral and written literature using their satirical and humorous skills. The people
who are fighting against Japanese movement also used literature as their weapon and means of
expression.

 The importance of cultural events remains not in the excellence of output but by the guidepost of the
Filipinos.

 Most poems centered on nationalism, love and life in the barrios, faith, religion, and arts.

 Voice of Freedom, a utmostly-secret underground radio, served as the only contact of Filipinos with the
outside world.

 During this period, Tagalog was favored by the Japanese military authority, and eventually influenced and
encouraged the Filipinos to develop the vernacular literature.

 Filipino writers who were able to write freely were those residing in the United States. Most writers and
authors were forced to go underground or write in Tagalog. Thus, the Filipino literature gained renewed
attention because writers in English language shifted to writing in Filipino language.

 Movie houses showing American films were closed. It was latter replaced by stage plays that were
translated from English to Tagalog. Well-known translators at that time were Francisco Soc Rodrigo,
Alberto Concio and Narciso Pimentel.

 Filipino literature was given a break during this period. Many Filipino writers wrote plays, poems, short
stories etc. whose topics and themes were often about life in the provinces.

The Filipino Poetry during the Japanese Period:

As previously discussed, the themes of Filipino poetry during the Japanese colonization were
nationalism, love and life in the barrios, faith, religion, and the arts.

Three Types of Poems that Emerged during the Japanese Period:

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 – a poem consisted of 4 lines, each with 7 syllables and usually has AAAA rhyme scheme
3. Karaniwang anyo (usual metrical form)

The Filipino Drama During the Japanese Period:

The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because movie houses showing American
films were closed. The big movie houses were just made to show stage shows. Many of the plays were
reproductions of English plays to Tagalog. The translators were Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Alberto Concio, and
Narciso Pimentel. They also founded the organization of Filipino players named Dramatic Philippines.

A few playwrights and their well-known plays were:

1. Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote “Panday Pira”
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote “Sa pula, sa Puti”
3. Clodualdo del Mundo – wrote “Bulaga” (an expression in the game Hide and Seek).
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda – wrote “Sino ba Kayo? Dahil sa Anak, and Higante ng Patay.”
Source: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Literature/literary_forms_in_philippine_lit.htm
Retrieved, July 3, 2020