Burgos National High School Subject: 21st Century Literature from
First Semester 2017-2018 the Philippines & from the World Facilitator: Jonalyn P. Ngappol Different Periods of Philippine Literature
I. PRE-COLONIAL PERIOD (--- BC to 1564) A. Characteristics:
1. Based on oral traditions
2. Crude on ideology and phaseology B. Literary Forms
1. Oral Literature
a. Riddles (Bugtong) – battle of wits among participants Tigmo-Cebu
Paktakon-Ilonggo Patotdon-Bicol
b. Proverbs (Salawikain)-wise sayings that contain a metaphor used to teach as a food for thought etc.
c. Tanaga-a mono-riming heptasyllabic quatrain expressing insights and lessons on life is more emotionally charged than terse proverb and thus has affinities with folk lyric. 2. Folk Songs- a form of folk lyric which expresses the hopes and aspirations, the people’s
lifestyles as well as their loves. These are often repetitive and sonorous, didactic and naïve. a. Hele or Oyayi-lullabye
b. Ambahan (Mangyan)- 7 syllable per line poem that are about human relations and total entertainment.
c. Kalusan (Ivatan)-work songs that depict the livelihood of the people d. Tagay (Cebuano & Waray)-driniking song
e. Kanogan (Cebuano) –song of lamentation for dead 3. Folk Tales
a. Myth-explain how the world was created, how certain animals possess certain
characteristics, why some places have waterfalls, volcanoes, mountains, flora and fauna. b. Legends- explain the origin of things
Why the Pineapple has Many Eyes, Legend of Maria Makiling c. Fables-used animal characters and allegory
d. Fantasy stories-deal with underworld characters such as tiyanak, aswang kapre and others
e. Epics-narratives of sustained length based on oral tradition revolving around supernatural events or heroic events or heroic deeds
Lam-ang-Ilokano Hinilawod-Panay Kudaman-Palawan Darangen-Maranao
II. SPANISH COLONIZATION PERIOD (1565-1863) A. Characteristics:
1. It has 2 distinct classifications: religious and secular 2. It introduced Spanish as the
B. Literary Forms
1. Religious Literature
Religious Lyrics-written by ladino poets or those versed both Spanish and Tagalog were included in early catechism and were used to teach Filipinos the Spanish language a. Pasyon-long narrative poem about the passion and death of Christ
“Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Cristong Panginoon Natin” –Aquino de Belen
b. Senakulo-dramatization of the pasyon, it shows the passion and death of Christ 2. Secular (non-religious) Literature
a. Awit-co;orful tales of chivalry made for singing and chanting Ibong Adarna
b. Korido-metrical tale written octosyllabic quatrains Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltazar
c. Prose Narratives-written to prescribe proper decorum 1.) Dialogo
2.) Ejemplo
3.) Manual de Urbanidad 4.) Tratado
“Pagsusulatan ng Dalawang Binibini na si Urbana at si Feliza” –Modesto de Castro “Ang Bagong robinson” –Joaquin Tuason
3. Addressed the masses instead of the “intelligentsia” B. Literary Forms
1. Propaganda Literature - Reformatory in objective
a. Political Essays – satires, editorials and news articles were written to attackand expose the evils of Spanish rule
Diariong Tagalog – founded by Marcelo del Pilar ii.La Solidaridad – whose editor-in-chief is Graciano Lopez-Jaena
b. Political Novels
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo – Jose Rizal’s masterpiecesthat paved the way to the revolution
2. Revolutionary Literature – more propagandistic than literary as it is moreviolent in nature and demanded complete independence for the country
a. Political Essays – helped inflame the spirit of revolutioni. Kalayaan – newspaper of the society, edited by Emilio Jacinto b. Poetry
True Decalogue – Apolinario Mabini
Katapusang Hibik ng Pilipinas -Andres Bonifacio Liwanag at Dilim -Emilio Jacinto IV. AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD (1910 – 1945)
A. Period of Apprenticeship (1910-1930)
1. Filipino Writers imitated English and American models
2. Poems written were amateurish and mushy, which phrasing and diction is awkward and artificial.
a. .Short Stories
1.) Dead Stars – Paz Marquez Benitez 2.) The Key – Paz Latorena
3.) .Footnote to Youth – Jose Garcia Villa b. Novels
1.) Childe of Sorrow – first novel in English, by Zoilo Galang B. Period of Emergence (1920-1930)
1. Highly influenced by Western literary trends like Romanticism and Realism. a. Short Stories – most prevalent literary form
Jose Garcia Villa – earned the international title “Poet of theCentury”
V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942 - 1960) A. War Years (1942-1944)
1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and insteadwrote in simple language and free verse
2. Fiction prevailed over poetry
a. 25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kthang Pilipino (1943) – compilation of theshort story contest by the military government.
1.) Suyuan sa Tubigan – Macario Pineda 2.) Lupang Tinubuan – Narciso Reyes
3.) Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa – Liwayway Arceo B. Period of Maturity and Originality (1945-1960)
1.Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and essay
2.Filipino writers mastered English and familiarized themselves with diverse techniques 3.Literary “giants” appeared
a. Palanca Awards for Literature 1) Jose Garcia Villa 2) Nick Joaquin 3) .NVM Gonzales 4) Bienvenido Santos 5) Gregorio Brillantes 6) Gilda CorderoFernando b.National Artist Awards
1) Jose Garcia Villa 2) Nick Joaquian
VI. CONTEMPORARY/MODERN PERIOD (1960 – PRESENT) A. Characteristics
1.Martial Law repressed and curtailed human rights, including freedom of thepress 2.Writers used symbolisms and allegories to drive home their message, at theface of heavy censorship
3. Theater was used as a vehicle for protest, such as the PETA (Phil. Educational Theater Association) and UP Theater. From the eighties onwards, writers continue to show dynamism and innovation
Burgos National High School Subject: 21st Century Literature from
First Semester 2017-2018 the Philippines & from the World Facilitator: Jonalyn P. Ngappol Philippine Literature: Contemporary Period
(1960-present)
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.
HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) –a collection of poems by Manuel Viray
PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) –a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo
Ramos and Florentino Valeros
PROSE AND POEMS (1952) –by Nick Joaquin
PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) –by T.D. Agcaoili
PHILIPPINE HAVEST –by Amador Daguio
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.
WHO SPOKE OF COURAGE IN HIS SLEEP –by NVM Gonzales
SPEAK NOT, SPEAK ALSO –by Conrado V. Pedroche
Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo, Jose Garcia Villa’s HAVE
COME, AM HERE won acclaim both here and abroad
THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD
• 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 and the brave guerilla exploits.
PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)
• 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 LITERARY REVOLUTION
• 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. The once aristocratic writers developed awareness for society. They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).
WRITING DURING THE PERIOD OF ACTIVISM
• The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during this period of the mass revolution. It was also during this period that Bomba films that discredit our ways as Filipinos started to come out.
PALANCA AWARDEES FOR LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
• 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.
PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)
• The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual awards.
• Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development or progress of the country –like the Green Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment, drug addiction and pollution. The New Society tried to stop pornography or those writings giving bad influences on the morals of the people. All school newspapers were temporarily stopped and so with school organizations.
THE PLAY UNDER THE NEW SOCIETY
• The government led in reviving old plays and dramas, like the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
RADIO AND TELEVISION
• Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play series like SI MATAR, DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR. LONELY were the forms of recreation of those without television
FILIPINO FILMS
• A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held during this time. During the festival which lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in all theaters in Metro Manila.
1. MAYNILA…SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG written by Edgardo Reyes and filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was the lead role.
2. MINSA’Y ISANG GAMU-GAMO; Nora Aunor was the principal performer here.
3. GANITO KAMI NOO…PAANO KAYO NGAYON: led by Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz. 4. INSIANG: by Hilda Koronel
5. AGUILA: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de Leon
COMICS, MAGAZINES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS
• During this period of the New Society, newspapers donned new forms. News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism and the like were favored more than the sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and robberies.
OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATUE DURING THE NEW SOCIETY
• Bilingual education which was initiated by the Board of National Education as early as 1958 and
continued up to the period of Martial Rule in September 21, 1972, resulted in the deterioration of English in the different levels of education. The focus of education and culture was on problems of national identity, on re-orientation, renewed vigor and a firm resolve to carry out plans and programs.
PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985)
• After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started under the New Society, Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.
FILIPINO POETRY
• Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary. Writers wrote openly of their criticism against the government. The supplications of the people were coached in fiery, colorful, violent, profane and insulting language.
FILIPINO SONGS
• Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.
PHILIPPINE FILMS DURING THE PERIOD • The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held
during this period. The people’s love for sex films also was unabated.
PEOPLE POWER PERIOD (1986-1999)
• History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people regained their independence which they lost twenty years ago.
• In the span of four days form February 21-25, 1986, the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed. Together, the people barricaded the streets petitioning the government for changes and reforms.
ON NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS
• Newspapers which were once branded crony newspapers became instant opposition papers overnight. This was true of BULLETIN TODAY which became the opposition paper.
ON BOOKS • The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of its spirit that will carry the Filipinos through
another epoch in Philippine history is still being documented just as they have been in the countless millions who participated in body and spirit in its realization
Burgos National High School Subject: 21st Century Literature from
First Semester 2017-2018 the Philippines & from the World Facilitator: Jonalyn P. Ngappol Philippine Literature: Contemporary Period
20TH Century Literature
EARLY PERIOD (1900-1930)
The twentieth century ushered in the development of Filipino literature in English. Weeks after the capitulation of Manila in 1898, the us. Military Government was set up and, almost simultaneously seven schools were re-opened as a necessary strategy to promote the pacification of the Philippines and the dissemination of common culture. English was first taught merely as a subject because the Spanish system of education then existing in the Philippines was allowed to continue.
In April 1900, by virtue of President McKinley’s directives to the Philippine Commission, English became the official medium of instruction in the public schools. In order to accelerate the pacification drive,
schools were established in all parts of the Philippines. The early teachers were, taken in directly from the army. To augment the small number of American teachers, the Philippine Normal School, now Philippine Normal University, was founded in 1902 to train Filipinos in the art of teaching, and to eventually take charge of elementary education. In the same year, the Army transport, Thomas, brought six hundred American teachers to the Philippines who replaced the soldiers as teachers. They introduced to the Filipinos English and American literature in the form of works written by Irving, Chaucer, Milton, Donne, Shakespeare, Emerson, Hawthorne, Poe, Longfellow, Bryant, Keats, Shelley, Coleridge, Lamb, Joyce, Tennyson, Macaulay, and other famous writers. These were the writers who became the models of the early Filipino writers in English.
At first, Filipino writing in English was quite formal and imitative, thus, the common reference to this period as Apprentice period. Influences from the Spanish language could be seen in the use of Spanish expressions and in ornate style. Grammatical expression was at times awkward and there was difficulty in the use of prepositions and pronouns.
The first thirty years of Philippine literature in English produced little in the fields of drama and the novel. Drama was hardly written, because vernacular plays and the zarzuela still dominated the stage. The plays produced were highly emotional, not intellectual experiences.
The short stories produced during this period were either romantic tales of the past with legendary figures or were imitations of plots or themes taken from American and other sources. The most significant short story produced during the period was “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez Benitez.
Poetry was dominated by naive sentimental love lyrics written in a loose rhetoric without much intellectual significance and overblown to achieve intensity. Verbal exuberance made the poems bombastic, artificial and insincere.
The essay took a form similar to that utilized by British and American writers, but because the essay is a free form of composition, it soon developed its own personality. The Philippine essay in English is less inhibited by requirements inherent in other literary genres. it matured earlier in the favorable milieu and successfully projected Philippine customs and traditions.
However, most critics agree that the early literary output in English can be considered definitely
commendable. It can be favorably compared to the Colonial Period of American Literature in relation to English literature of those times. It was no easy matter for these early writers to master the English language. The structure of English is very different from the linguistic structure of Filipino and the wealth of English idioms makes it more difficult for a beginner to manipulate the new language competently. Furthermore, the final evaluation of the literary output of this age cannot be judged entirely by present sophisticated standards since it was written by and for a people who were still Steeped in romanticism and were nurtured by American and literary works belonging to the 19th century rather than the 20th century. Among the early short story writers were: Paz Marquez Benitez, Jorge Bacobo, Amador T. Daguio, Pilar Hidalgo Lim, Paz Latorena,Tarcila Malabanan, Jose Villa Panganiban, Arturo Rotor, Loreto Paras Sulit, and Jose Garcia Villa.
Some poets who belonged to the early period of Philippine literature were: Maria de Gracia Concepcion (leading poet of the early period), Aurelio S. Alvero, Rafael Zulueta da Costa, Luis Dato, Vicente L. del Fierro, Virgilio Floresca, Angela Manalang Gloria, Jose M. Hernandez, A. E. Lituatco, Fernando Maramag, Natividad Marquez, Conrado B. Rigor, Juan F. Salazar, Abelardo Subido, Trinidad Tarrosa Subido,
Francisco G. Tanogbanua, L. B. Uichangco, and Joe Garcia Villa.
LITERATURE DURING THE MIDDLE PERIOD (1930-1960)
The Middle period was a time of self-discovery and of rapid growth; hence, some writers call it the period of emergence. Certain qualities mark the literature produced during the period, to wit;
1. The writers consciously and purposefully set out to create a national literature. They proclaim that our writers should reflect the Filipino way of life, our traditional values as Filipinos and even utilize the tropical vegetation of the islands as appropriate background for their stories and poems.
2. The writers had gained full control of the English language and could manipulate it successfully as literary medium.
3. Experimentation with different literary forms, techniques and moods was the fashion. 4. Three groups of writers emerged:
(a) those who were deeply concerned with social consciousness, (b) those whose main concern was craftsmanship and
(c) those who were determined to explore the local color.
The third group called themselves the “Veronicans” and aimed at making their writings bear the imprint of the face of the Philippines just as the cloth of Veronica that bore the imprint of the face of Christ . All these writers were determined to produce genuine Filipino literature.
From 1930 to 1960, Philippine literature in English rapidly improved especially in the areas of the essay, the short story, and poetry (Serrano and Amos 124-125).
Essays
During the Middle Period, the essayists tried to capture Filipino life and culture. In the 1930’s, Salvador Lopez led the school of writers who stressed social consciousness. He expressed his views in “Literature and Society” published in 1940. Others, following the views of Jose Garcia Villa wrote on art and Literature. ‘
In 1941, Francisco Icasiano wrote “Horizons from my Nipa Hut." The book contained humorous essays which reveals a deep sympathy for the common tao.
During the war years, the essays improved in literary style but their content was severely limited by Japame censors. A writer commenting during the Japanese regime says, “While the essay could not be outspoken, it had wisdom and depth. It was lucid but not brilliant, learned and subdued but not witty. And it was in good English”.
Alter 1945, the essayists again turned to themes like nationalism and politics. Outstanding among the essayists during this period were Francisco Icasiano, Francisco Avellana, Jorge Bacobo, Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion, Salvador Lopez, Camilo Osias, Jose Garcia Villa, Leopoldo Yabes, 1V. Mallari, Godofredo Rivera, Pura Santillan-Castrence, Maria Kalaw Katigbak, Carlos P. Romulo and ArturoB.Rotor.
Short Story
The form of Philippine Literature which showed me most rapid development seemed to be the short story. During this period, there was shift from romantic idealism to romantic realism. Local color was well used. Stories about farm life and city life, problems of society and human ham ships were written. Alter Villa came several significant writers. Manuel Arguilla, using a lyric approach in his stories, conjured up line stories set in the background of Philippine pastoral scenes. Nick Joaquin who included allegories of cultural and moral situations in Philippine history frequently recreated the path to show its relevance and value to the present. Nestor Vidali Mendoza Gonzales dealt with such basic themes as loneliness, self-discovery, and hope amidst suffering; on the other hand, Conrado V Pedroche wrote stories in a
“humorous view”. Estrella Alfon won a Commonwealth Literary Award in 1940 while Francisco Arcellana and Aida River Ford were anthologized abroad.
The quality and depth of short story writing developed during the Middle Period. Some of the writers who contributed to this growth were: Manuel Arguilla, Estrella D. Alfon, Francisco Arcellana, Amador T.
Daguio, NVM Gonzales, Francisco Icasiano, Nick Joaquin, Kerima Polotan Tum Arturo B. Rotor, Loreto Paras Sulit, Edilberto K. Tiempo, Edith Tiempo, Manuel Viray, Arturo M Tolentino and Jose Garcia Villa. Poetry.
Poetry during this period developed slowly. In the 1930’s most poetry was still romantic in
The “schoolroom poets" still provided inspiration and the Romanticists as well as the Victorians offered patterns that Filipino poets followed. The sonnet enabled them to create love lyrics which captured romances and moods through a better manipulation of language and imagery.
The revolt against traditional values was first felt in poetry. Jose Garcia Villa was charged with “poisoning public morals and offending the taste of decent Manila readers” when he published “Man Songs". He was expelled from the University of the Philippines but he succeeded in awakening Filipino poets to their own inhibitive realities. in general, it has been said that Villa’s poetry has the “sorcery of suggestive
ambiguities, the mystery of the truth, the fascination of the tangential argument, the magic of the idea wrapped in poetical mists.” British and American critics acclaimed his works.
Because Filipino models were rare, Filipino poets sought selective affinities among western poets. The intensely personal lyricism and pie-occupation with love displayed by Trinidad Tarrosa Subido and
Toribia Mano could have been inspired by American lyricists Edna St. Vincent Millay and Sara Teasdale as well as by Elizabeth Barrett Brewing. The poetry of Rafael Zulueta da Costa show definite touches of TS. Elliot and Walt Whitman.
The experiences of war seemed to add wider vision and greater depth to Filipino poetry in English as shoun b) the publication by several new poets of their works. in 1950, Jose del Castillo’s “Antiphonal Earth: Coin of Song" was published in London. Dominador l Ilio published “Diplomat and Other Poems" in l955. Ricardo Demetrio published "No Certain Weather” in 1956.
Some of the poets who contributed to the Middle Period of Philippine Literature were: G. Burnt Bunao, Reuben Canny, Amador Baguio, Luis Date. NVM Gonzales, Rafael Zulueta da Costa, Abelardo Subido. Edith Tiempo. and Osacar dc Zuniga.
THE MODERN PERIOD (1960 TO THE PRESENT)
The Modern Period which writers call the Contemporary Period is characterized by a growing sense of nationalism and by a deeper search for identity, The writers during this period show a sharper perception of our country and the problems it is undergoing. According to lsagani Cruz, “Philippine literature is definitely changing“, and he summarizes these as follows:
l. Change in the direction of greater consciousness in content and form.
2. Change in the number of readers and the number of writers and the kind of class of writers. Writers who joined the ranks came not only from the established or professional groups but from all ranks ~ clerks, secretaries, drivers, housewives, students; in short, the masses.
3, The resurgence of “Balagtasismo” and the continued dominance of “Modemismo”. While Balagtasismo turned its back on the American challenge to Philippine Literature and its conservative conventions, Modernismo adapted Americanization for its own ends.
4. The birth of a new poetic movement still dims in outline.
5. The apparent merging of the erstwhile separate streams of oral and written literature (Kahayon et. al. 125-126).
This era is characterized by the offer of more incentives to creative effort. The Republic Cultural Heritage Awards for Literature is a great incentive. The first winner of this award was NVM Gonzales for his book “Bamboo Dancers”, He is a poet and fictionist. Other awardees are:
Nick Joaquin - poet, fictionist, playwright, essayist, critic Amado Hernandez- poet and fictionist
Jose Garcia Villa - poet and short story writer Kerima Polotan- fictionist
Teo Baylen-poet and fictionist Carlos Angeles -poet
Carlos Quirino-historian
Carlos Romulo-essayist, novelist, playwright Horacio de la Costa-=historian
Alejandrino Hufano-poet
Bienvenido Santos-poet, fictionist Iñigo Ed. Regalado-novelist Alejando Abadilla-poet
Arturo Rotor-short story writer Domingo Abella-historian Ricardo Demetillo-poet Nicolas Zafra- historian Lazaro Francisco -novelist
The first pro Patria Awards for Literature was presented in 1961 with Jose Garcia Villa , NVM Gonzales and Wilfredo Ma. Guerero as first winners.
The Don Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature which was launched in 1950, continued its recognition of the best in the literary fields-poetry, short story, essays and the one act and three act plays. Some of the first prize winners of the Palanca Memorial Awards during this period are the following:
Short story category Cirilo Bautista- The Ritual
NVM Gonzales-The Tomato Game
Antonio Enriquez-spots On Their wings and Other Stories
Gregorio Brillantes-The Cries of Children on an April Afternoon Year 1957 Leoncio Deriada-The Day of The Locusts
Ricardo Demetillo-The Heart of Emptiness In Black Rolando Tinio-A Life In The Slums
Poetry Category Cirilo Bautista-Charts
Ophelia Dimalanta-Montage Artemio Tadena-Identities
Pablo Liwanag-Monoloques or Otherwise I and II Alfredo Navarro Salanga-Miscellanea 1984-1985
Play Category Maidam Flores-The Grotosque Among Us
Jesus Peralta-Grave For Blue Flowers
The simple romantic themes of the early period and even in the middle period gave way to themes of confusion, violence and courage in the late 1960s and early 1970’s. the writers during this period aimed at social reform and revolution through their literary works. Others are interested in the art of literature. Unconstrained by political considerations, they freely experimented with literary forms and themes. These writers reflect the ideas of Jose Garcia Villa.
In 1970, Graphic Magazine launched a literary contest for young writers primarily to enhance the development of significant national literature.
However, in September 21, 1972, the literary World stood still when the late President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law. The government established a board of censors to review all printed Sammie
Among the national dailies, the Daily Express was the only newspaper allowed to continue its publication. In 1973, Proclamation No. l 144 was passed providing that special awards be presented in recognition for the artistic and literary accomplishment of the Filipino.
According to critics, the essays, short stories and poems written subsequently have proved “tending. The literary style and content of the literature written during this period have become more Filipino than ever before.
Essay.
The Filipino essay in contemporary times has influenced the course of Filipino life and thought Filipino essayists have written about unity, injustices, moral corruption, social, political and economic reforms, history, literary criticism and love of country. Nationalism has been a potent literary
stimulus.
Some of the modern essayists are: Francisco Arcellana, Miguel 1. Bernard, S.J., Renato Constantino, Horacio de la Costa, .S.J., Encamacion Alzona, Teodoro Agoncillo, Gregorio Zaide, Carlos Quirino, Esteban de Ocampo, Teodoro Locsin, Raul Manglapuz, Alejandro Races, Teodoro Valencia, Leopoldo Yabes, and Carmen Guerrero Nakpil.
Short story.
The contemporary Filipino short story writers are now at their highest point of self-assertion. The writers have gradually shifted from themes of personal problems and rural life to themes of national problems and
city life. They showed a growing mastery of a well-handled conflict, effective technique, imaginative expression, and compelling characterization. The Filipino writers succeeded in discovering a style by which they can express Filipino psychology in a foreign language as medium.
Some of the short story writers of the modern period are: Cirilo F. Bautista, Gregorio C. Brillantes, Linda T. Casper, Andres Cristobal Cruz, Federico Licsi Espino Jr., Gilda Cordero-Fernando, F. Sionil Jose, Kerima Polotan Tuvera, and Leoncio Deriada. ‘
Poetry.
Filipino poets showed further development in skill and originality in the Modern Period. The Filipino poet has displayed considerable consciousness which has led him toward artistic originality and a growing sense of creative sensibility. “Contemporary poetry ’says Teodoro Locsin is definitely symbolic. It avoids direct statement. It does not say what it means, it merely hints, suggests, through the use of symbols”. Certain poets began writing “Bagay Poems” in the 1960’s. These poems were experimental in hat they used a language'which Senator Blas F. Ople coined as “Taglish” or Enggalog”. Among the contributions to this movement were Rolando Tinio, Jose Lansang Jr., Emmanuel Bautista and Cirilo Batista. The satirical mood of the 60’s was especially captured by Alejandrino Hufana who turned away from the style of Jose Garcia Villa and expressed his own view of the modern world. His poem, “Poro Point”, according to critics presents an interesting anthology of lives.
Some of the modem poets are: Mauro Avena, Godofredo Burce Bunao, Rolando A. Carbonell, W B. Casuga, Hilario Francis Jr., Alejandrino G. Hufana, Nick Joaquin. Virginia Moreno, Edith P0. Jose Garcia Villa, Manuel Viray, Ophelia Dimalanta, and Alfredo Navarro Salanga.
Drama
According to critics, Filipino playwriting in English is least developed as compared with the other literary genres because of certain basic problems. The more salient ones are:
l. the need for financial assistance 2. lack of audience
3. the need for eliminating rivalry among theater groups, and 4. the need for more sympathetic and competent critics.
However, during the contemporary period, the drama has become alive because of the formation of various theater groups like the barangay theater, Dramatic Philippines, Manila Theater Guild and others. The Palanca Awards which other substantial prizes in literary contests continue to stimulate Filipino
playwrights. Philippine drama in English has gained firmer hold with the teaching of drama in the colleges and the production of plays as concrete achievement thereafter.
Among the contemporary playwrights are: Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero, Severino Montano, Alberto Florentino, Wilfredo D. Nolledo, Mar Puatu, Estrella D. Alfon, Julian E. Dacanay, A. Oliver Flores, Jose T. Flores, Ricardo Demetillo, Azucena C. Uranza, Juan Alegre, Rolando Tinio, Paul Stephen Lim, Maidan Flores and Jesus Peralta.
