Postwar and contemporary literature

 include all literary works written and published in the

Philippines from 1946.
 After World War II, the Philippines had to deal with
the economy and the need for rehabilitation and
reconstruction of infrastructures. There was political,
economic, and social confusion, as well asgreat poverty,
and these issues found their way into the short stories and
novels during that time

 During the postwar period, Filipino writers got their

inspiration from American teachers and wereable to
learn their techniques, which also helped in
mastering the English language
 Writers wrote fiction that focused on courageous deeds as well
as the sacrifices and suffering in thelives of Filipinos. It was
also common for writers to write about the experiences of the
Filipino peopleunder the Spanish and American rule and the
Japanese Occupation. Other subjects and themes include:
religious faith
superstitions
fantasy
social problems
poverty
politics
nationalism
morality
 Literary Works

 Philippine literature flourished even more during

the postwar and contemporary period. Writers
wereable to produce short stories, novels,
essays, and poems that continue to be read by
Filipinos today.
 Contemporary period

 The flowering of Philippine literature in the various languages continue

especially with the appearance of new publications after the Martial Law
years and the resurgence of committed literature in the 1960s and the
1970s.
 Filipino writers continue to write poetry, short stories, novellas, novels and
essays whether these are socially committed, gender/ethnic related or are
personal in intention or not.
 THE REBIRTH OF FREEDOM
(1946-1970)
 The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos
rejoiced and guerillas who fled to the mountain
joined the liberating American Army.

 On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained is

freedom and the Filipino flag waved joyously
alone. The chains were broken.
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.
 1. HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) –a collection of poems by Manuel Viray
 • 2. PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) –a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo
 Ramos and Florentino Valeros
 • 3. PROSE AND POEMS (1952) –by Nick Joaquin
 • 4. PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) –by T.D. Agcaoili
 • 5. PHILIPPINE HAVEST –by Amador Daguio
 6. HORIZONS LEAST (1967) –a collection of works by the professors of UE, mostly in
 English (short stories, essays, research papers, poem and drama) by Artemio Patacsil
 and Silverio Baltazar
 The themes of most poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and of social and political
 problems. Toribia Maño’s poems showed deep emotional intensity
 7. WHO SPOKE OF COURAGE IN HIS SLEEP –by NVM Gonzales
 • 8. SPEAK NOT, SPEAK ALSO –by Conrado V. Pedroche
 9. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo, Jose Garcia Villa’s HAVE COME,
 AM HERE won acclaim both here and abroad