Philippine

Literature During
Japanese Period
(1941-1945)

Philippine English literature came to

a halt. Except for THE TRIBUNE and
THE PHILIPPINE REVIEW, practically
all English-language newspapers
were shut down by the Japanese.
LIWAYWAY
Until a Japanese named Ishiwara
took over the weekly liwayway, it
was closely regulated. In other
words, Filipino literature was
given a break during this period.
Many people created plays,
poetry, short stories, and other
works about provincial life.
Filipinos used the radio at the
time to communicate with people
all over the world.
 A. FILIPINO POETRY
DURING THIS PERIOD
Nationalism, patriotism, love, life,
faith, religion, and the arts were
prevalent themes in most poetry
written under Japanese rule.
Three types of poems
emerged during this
period.
1. HAIKU
A free verse poem popular with the Japanese. There
were three lines and 17 syllables in all. There were
five syllables in the first line, seven in the second,
and five in the third. The Haiku is short, has a
broad range of meanings, and is allegorical.
Haiku samples
TAGALOG

Tutubi
Hila mo’y tabak, -5-
Ang bulaklak nanginig, -7-
Sa paglapit mo. -5-

ENGLISH

Dragonfly

You pull a saber, -5-

The flower is shivering, -7-
Moment you approached. -5-
2. TANKA
Tanka poetry is similar to haiku, but it has more syllables and
includes simile, metaphor, and personification. Tanka poems is
about nature, seasons, love, sorrow, and other intense feelings.
This type of poetry dates back around 1200 years

The 31 syllables are divided into five lines, the first with 5, the
second with 7, the third with 5, the fourth with 7, and the fifth
with 7.

3. KARANIWANG ANYO (USUAL FORM)

The usual and common form of poetry.
 Tanka samples

Winter

Beautiful mountains, -5-

Rivers with cold, cold water, -7-

White cold snow on rock, -5-

Trees over the place with frost, -7-

White sparkly snow everywhere. -7-

B. FILIPINO DRAMA The play was put on hold during

DURING THE JAPANESE the Japanese occupation because

cinemas showing American films
PERIOD were closed. The massive movie
halls were only meant to show
theatrical plays. Many of the plays
were Tagalog adaptations of
English plays. The translators were
Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Alberto
Concio, and Narciso Pimentel.
They also founded the Dramatic
Philippines organization of
Filipino actors.
DRAMA SAMPLES

Francisco Soc
Jose Ma. Hernandez Clodualdo del
Rodrigo
(PANDAY PIRA) Mundo (BULAGA)
(SA PULA SA PUTI)
C. THE FILIPINO SHORT STORY
DURING THE JAPANESE PERIOD
During the Japanese occupation, the field of the short
story expanded. Many people wrote short stories.

Among them were: Brigido Batungbakal, Macario

Pineda, Serafin Guinigindo, Liwayway Arceo, Narciso
Ramos, NVM Gonzales, Alicia Lopez Lim, Ligaya Perez,
and Gloria Guzman.

The best writings in 1945 were selected by a group of

judges composed of Francisco Icasiano, Jose Esperanza
Cruz, Antonio Rosales, Clodualdo del Mundo and
Teodoro Santos. As a result of this selection, the
following got the first three prizes:
FIRST PRIZE:
LUPANG TINUBUAN by
Narciso Reyes
SECOND PRIZE:
UHAW ANG TIGANG NA
LUPA by Liwayway Arceo
THIRD PRIZE:
LUNGSOD NAYON, AT
DAGAT-DAGATAN by
N.V.M Gonzales
Philippine literature in English
suffered as a result of Japan's strict D. PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
prohibitions on developing and IN ENGLISH (1941-1945)
publishing works in English. Few
writers ventured to write for
profit or propaganda. Journalistic
essays were published during this
period. Although writers felt
persecuted, the spirit of
nationalism eventually entered
their minds. While some writers
continued to write, the great
majority waited for a more
favorable environment in which
to publish their works.
 PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE

THE LAUGHTER THE FALL OF THE THE WOMAN WHO THE VOICE OF FORCES THAT
OF MY FATHER PHILIPPINES, I SEE LOOKED LIKE BATAAN MAKE A NATION
THE PHILIPPINES LAZARUS GREAT
RISE
 The Japanese Occupation Period
Thank You!
LESSON 10
References

WEBSITE
THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941–1945). (2015, September 21). Carpe Diem.
https://aprilmaynjune.weebly.com/lit-1/the-japanese-period-1941-1945?
fbclid=IwAR03hSidHZkaP63YUFHNdAZOqDMeDb-VB2xVo0AVwP1Sej04vWbKn6GzXxM

Endriga, A. (2016, June 15). philippine literature during japanese period. Prezi.Com.
https://prezi.com/0sumsvn4dsjq/philippine-literature-during-japanese-period/

Aycardo, E. (2013a, July 1). Japanese Period of the Philippine Literature. Alfie Endriga.
https://www.slideshare.net/xenhiroshima/elena-
23726607#:%7E:text=Victoria%20Abelardo%20has%20described%20Filipino,as%20being%20pe
ssimistic%20and%20bitter.&text=There%20were%20some%20efforts%20at,printed%20during%
20the%20war%20years.