American Period 1898 – 1941

One can say that the major contribution brought to The Philippine Literature under the
American Period (1898-1941) is the production of The Philippine Literature in English, which is
divided into three different time frames: The Period of Re – orientation (1898–1910), Imitation
(1910-1925), and Self – discovery (1925-1941). The Philippine Literature in English saw its dawn with
the introduction of free public instruction and the use of English as a lingua franca in all levels of
education in public schools.

Historical Background

The Filipino freedom fighters emerged victorious over the Spanish colonizers who had ruled
the Philippines for over three centuries. On June 12, 1898, the Philippine flag was raised, signifying
the nation's quest for independence. General Emilio Aguinaldo assumed the role of the first
president of the short-lived Philippine Republic. However, the Americans subsequently established its
rule in the country, leading to General Emilio Aguinaldo's surrender to American forces in 1901.

Filipino authors explored various literary genres, expressing their deep affection for their
homeland and their yearning for freedom in their writings.

Their resentment expressed in literature was first felt in the following newspapers:

1. EL NUEVA DIA (THE NEW DAY)

 Established by Sergio Osmeña in 1900.
 The American censors banned this twice 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.

Salient Features of Philippine Literature Under the American Period

During the early years of the American colonial period, writing was done in Spanish, Tagalog,
and various local languages, but Spanish and Tagalog were the most commonly used languages for
written communication.

In 1910, a fresh cohort of writers began composing their works in English. As a result,
literature during this period uses Spanish, Tagalog, various local languages, and ultimately, English as
its mediums of expression.

Famous Authors
1. Spanish Authors
a. Cecilio Apostol
 Considered as the greatest Filipino epic poet writing in Spanish.
 He wrote poems dedicated to Rizal and one entitled A Rizal (To Rizal).
b. Fernando Ma. Guerrero
 Known as the “Prince of Filipino lyric poets” in Spanish.
 Wrote a book of poems entitled Crisalidas.
c. Jesus Balmori
 Well – known for his pen name of Batikuling.
 Wrote Los pájaros de fuego (Birds of fire).
d. Manuel Bernabe
 A lyric poet whose fierceness of nationalistic spirit was unchanged in any topic he
wrote about.
 In 1913, he received an award for his poems The Hymn to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
El Zapote, and España en Filipinas.
e. Adelina Gurrea
 First woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish.
 Obtained Zobel prize in her song El Nido (The Nest).

2. Filipino Authors
a. Lope K. Santos
 A novelist, poet, author and grammarian.
 The Father of National Language Grammar.
 Banaag at Sikat is his masterpiece.
b. Jose Corazon De Jesus
 Popularly known as Huseng Batute.
 Also called as the Poet of Love.
 Ang Isang Punongkahoy is believed to be his masterpiece.
c. Amando V. Hernandez
 Called as Makata ng mga Manggawa (Poet of the Laborers).
 His poems portrays intense love for the poor worker or laborer.
 His contributions to literature are Isang Dipang Langit (A Stretch of Heaven); Bayang
Malaya (A Free Nation); Munting Lupa (A Small Plot), and, Ang Panday (The
Blacksmith), his masterpiece.
d. Valerioano Hernandez Peña
 Known as Tandang Anong and his pen name was Kuntil Butil (Small Grain).
 He considers Nena at Neneng as his masterpiece.
e. Severino Reyes
 The Father of the Tagalog Drama.
 Author of Walang Sugat.
f. Pedro Bukaneg
 Father of Ilocano Literature.
 From his name derived the word Bukanegan, which means Balagtasan (a poetic
contest) in Ilocano.

3. English Writers
a. Paz Marquez Benitez
  Wrote the short story Dead Stars in early 1920’s that stood out as a model of
perfection in character delineation, local color, plot and message.
b. Salvador P. Lopez
 He owned the Literature and Society, which is a collection of critical reflections and
serious essays that won a prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940.
c. Camilo Osias
 Published The Filipino Way of Life, which is a series of essays about Filipino way of
life as depicted from history, folkways, philosophy and psychology of the Philippines.
d. Carlos Quirino
 The most biographer of his time.
 Wrote The Great Malayan that won a prized in the national contest sponsored by the
Commonwealth of the Philippines.
e. I.V. Mallari
 Wrote The Birth of Discontent which showed the sensitive touch of a writer who, in
spite of the simplicity of the language used, was able to reveal his profound thoughts
and feelings.

Philippine Literature in English

Philippine Literature in English is divided into three timeframes:

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)

The use of English in literature started when the Americans took over on August 13, 1898. By
1900, English was the language used to teach in public schools. Writers during this time were getting
used to the new freedom, which was very different from when the Spanish were in charge and didn't
allow people to speak freely. They were also learning how to write in English and meet the rules of
English writing. That's why there wasn't a lot of literature made during this time.

The Period of Imitation (1910-1925)

Writers during this period imitated American and British models and styles, hence the period
was named as the Period of Imitation. 1919: UP College Folio - Published literary compositions of the
first Filipino writers in English.

The Period of Self – discovery (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.

Famous Authors Discussed

1. Cecilio Apostol (1877 - 1938)
 Considered as the greatest Filipino epic poet writing in Spanish.
 The poems of Apostol have been compiled by Professor Jaime C. de Veyra and
published under the title Pentelicas (Manila, 1941). Included in this collection are: Al
Heroe Nacional, Mi Raza, A La Bandera, La Siesta, Sobre El Plinto (dedicated to
Mabini), Paisaie Filipino, A Emilio Jacinto, Los Martires Anonimos de la Pairia, and El
Solo de la Independencia.
 He wrote poems dedicated to Rizal and one entitled A Rizal (To Rizal), which is still
unsurpassed in epic sweep and patriotic fire.
 Apostol's patriotic poem, Mi Raza, won first prize in the national literary contest
sponsored by the Club International in 1902.

2. Lope K. Santos(1879 – 1963)

 A novelist, poet, author and grammarian
 The Father of National Language Grammar
 His famous works are Balarila ng Wikang Pambansa (Grammar of the National
Language); Banaag at Sikat (From Early Dawn to Full Light), which is considered as
the "Bible of working-class Filipinos, and; Ang Matampuhin (The Sulker).
 In 1940, Santos published the first grammar book of the "national language", Balarila
ng Wikang Pambansa (Grammar of the National Language) which was commissioned
by the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa (SWF). The next year, he was appointed by
President Manuel L. Quezon as director of SWF until 1946.

3. Amado V. Herdandez (1903-1970)

 Amado Vera Hernandez, was a Filipino writer and labor leader who was known for
his criticism of social injustices in the Philippines and was later imprisoned for his
involvement in the communist movement.
 Called as Makata ng mga Manggawa (Poet of the Laborers)
 National Artist for Literature in 1973.
 His poems portray intense love for the poor worker or laborer.
 He wrote Isang Dipang Langit (A Stretch of Heaven), which later won a Republic
Cultural Heritage Award, and Bayang Malaya (Free Nation), which later won a
Balagtas Award. Also written in prison was his masterpiece Luha ng Buwaya (Tears of
the Crocodile).

4. Adelina Gurrea (1896 – 1971)

 María Adelaida Gurrea Monasterio was a Philippine journalist, poet and playwright
in Spanish. She studied in a religious school in Manila, where she received her high
school and Bachelor of Arts diplomas.
 First woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish
 Obtained Zobel prize in her song El Nido (The Nest).
 She also published a collection of tales called [[Cuentos de Juana]], which were
based on her recollection of the favorite stories of her Visayan nanny.

5. Carlos Quirino (1910 – 1999)

  Carlos Felix Lozada Quirino was a Philippine biographer and historian. Not only
known for his works on biographies and history but also on varied subjects such as
the old maps of the Philippines and the culinary legacy of the country.
 National Artist of the Philippines for Historical Literature
 His prizewinning biography”The Great Malayan" (1940), was one of the earliest
English-language biographies on Jose Rizal.
 His other works include "Man of Destiny," a biography of President Manuel Quezon
(1935) "Magsaysay and the Philippines" (1958); "Philippine Cartography" (1959);
"Damian Domingo: First Eminent Filipino Painter" (1961), "History of the Philippine
Sugar Industry" (1974), and "Filipinos at War" (1981).

Group Innovators:

Leah Madriaga
J-Mar Baldemoro
Jilly Joy Real
Anthonette Carumba
Emmamarie Oliva