THE REBIRTH OF FREEDOM [1946-
1970]
Historical Background
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.
NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH
. 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 In 1961,
Kerima Polotan’s novel THE HAND
OF THE ENEMY won the Stonehill
English by Filipinos was established. In 1958,
the PEN Center of the
Philippines 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
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.
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.
and the brave guerilla exploits.
Newspapers and magazine
publications were re-opened like the
Bulaklak, Liwayway, Ilang Ilang and
Sinag Tala

Historical Background According to
Pociano Pineda, youth activism in
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
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.
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…
1970-72 was due to domestic and
worldwide causes. Activism is
connected with the history of our
Filipino youth.
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.
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.”)