THE JAPANESE PERIOD

1941-1945
Members:
Johan Ignacio
Aprhile Rosario
Kristal Claire Naoe
THE JAPANESE PERIOD
 The Japanese occupation of the
Philippines during World War II, from 1941
to 1945, had a significant impact on
Philippine literature. The Japanese
occupation brought about drastic changes
in various aspects of Filipino life,
including culture, politics, and education.
Control and Censorship:
 The Japanese authorities tightly controlled and censored
the media, including literature. Publications were subject
to strict scrutiny, and any content perceived as anti-
Japanese or promoting resistance was prohibited.

Language and Propaganda:

 Japanese was promoted as the official language during the
occupation, and Filipino writers were encouraged to
produce works that aligned with Japanese propaganda.
Many writers were compelled to create literature that
glorified the Japanese forces and their vision for a
“Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.”
Literary Forms and Themes:
 The themes of literature during this period were often
centered around Japanese ideals and propaganda,
emphasizing obedience, collaboration, and the superiority
of the Japanese race. The traditional literary forms, such
as poetry, short stories, and plays, were used to convey
these themes.

Underground Resistance Literature:

 Despite the strict censorship, some Filipino writers
continued to resist Japanese occupation by producing
clandestine or underground literature. These works aimed
to inspire patriotism and resistance against the invaders.
Underground newspapers and literary pieces were
circulated secretly to keep the flame of nationalistic
fervor alive.
A. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THIS PERIOD
The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation
was nationalism, country, love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion
and the arts.

 A. Three types of poems emerged during this period.

 They were:
 HAIKU
 TANAGA
 KARANIWANG ANYO

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, 5 syllables. The
Haiku is allegorical in meaning, is short and covers a wide scope
in meaning.

2.Tanaga
 like the Haiku, is short but it had measure and rhyme. Tanaga
has 4 lines with 7 syllables which equals to 28 syllables and it’s
also allegorical in meaning.

3. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)

 It refers to the standard or usual structure of a literary work,
such as a poem or essay, in Filipino literature.
B. 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 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.
C. THE FILIPINO SHORT STORY DURING THE JAPANESE
PERIOD The field of the short story widened during
the Japanese Occupation. Many 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: Narciso Reyes with his LUPANG TINUBUAN

 Second Prize: Liwayway Arceo’s UHAW ANG TIGANG NA

LUPA

 Third Prize: NVM Gonzales’ LUNSOD NAYON AT DAGAT-

DAGATAN
D. PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
(1941-1945)
 Because of the strict prohibitions imposed by the Japanese
in the writing and publishing of works in English,
Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period.
The few who dared to write did so for their bread and
butter or for propaganda. Writings that came out during
this period were journalistic in nature. Writers felt
suppressed but slowly, the spirit of nationalism started to
seep into their consciousness. While some continued to
write, the majority waited for a better climate to publish
their works.
 Noteworthywriter of the period was Carlos P. Romulo
who won the Pulitzer Prize for his bestsellers I SAW THE
FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES, I SEE THE PHILIPPINES RISE and
his MOTHER AMERICA AND MY BROTHER AMERICANS.
Carlos Bulosan’s works included THE LAUGHTER OF
MY FATHER (1944), THE VOICE OF BATAAN, 1943, SIX
FILIPINO POETS, 1942, among others.
THANK YOU!
QUIZ TIME
Prepare 1 whole sheet of paper

Rules:
No cheating
No erasures
but correction tape is allowed
No talking to seatmate
Have fun!