CHAPTER 10

PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC

(1981-1985)

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started under
the New Society, Martial Rule was lifted on January 2, 1981. To those in government, the lifting
of military rule heralded a change. The Philippines became a new nation and this, former
President Marcos called "The New Republic of the Philippines".

 FIRST REPUBLIC- claimed by Emilio Aguinaldo when we first got our independence
from spaniards on June 12, 1898
 SECOND REPUBLIC- when the American's granted our independence on July 4, 1846
 THIRD REPUBLIC- this period, January 2, 1981 was the Third Republic when we were
freed from Military Rule.

A. PALANCA AWARDS
-Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for literature which launched in 1950; continued
it's recognition of the best in literary fields- poetry, short story, essays and one & three-act
plays.

In1981, the winners are the following

 First Prize- Jessie B. Garcia's "In Hog Heaven"
 Second Prize- Luning Bonifacio- Iras "The Party Hopper"
 Third Prize- Jesus Q. Cruz- "In this Hallowed halls"


B. FILIPINO POETRY
-Poems during this republic was romantic and revolutionary, writers openly wrote
criticism against the government. The supplications were coached in fiery, colorful,
violent, profane and insulting language.

C. FILIPINO SONGS
-Many Filipinp songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those grief,
poverty, aspirations of freedom, love of God, country and fellowmen. NINOY
AQUINO'S ASSOCIATION composed songs.

 Laban ng bayan ko
 Bayan ko
D. PHILIPPINE FILMS DURING THIS PERIOD
-The yearly festival of Filipino Films continued to be held during this period. The
people's love for sex films also was unabated. Many producers take advantage of this at
th expense of public morality

E. MEDIA
- It was a year of ferment and change of old problems made more oppressive by the new
throbbing beat of the times. JAJA (Justice for Aquino Justice for All) called for boycott of
government who controlled newspaper in the protest of media suppresion.

F. CHILDREN BOOKS
- Among the well-love form of writing abounded during this period was about children
stories. Th Children Communication Center(CCC) directed by poet and writer Virgilio S.
Amario has built thi emprissive kind of books.

 1982- "Plays for Children" James B. Reuter S.J

 1983- "Story telling for Children"
 1984- "GATAN at TALAW" Jaime Alipit Montero

G. (PROSE) FABLES
- The people's cry of protest found outlets not only in poetry but veiled prose which
transparently satirized the occupants of malacañang.
 The Crown Jewel of Heezenhurts by Sylvia Mendez Ventura
 The Emperor's new underwear Meynardo Macaraig
 The Kings cold by Babeth Loraga
 The Case of the Missing Charisma by Sylvia L. Maluga

H. THE STATW OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH AT THIS TIME

- Isagani Cruz writing about Philippine literature in the "Age of Ninoy". Philippine
Literature is definitely changing.
1. Change in the direction of greater consciousness in content and form.
2. Change in the number of readers and number of writers and kind of class of writers.
3. The birth of the new poetic movement still dims in outline.
4. The apparent merging of the erstwhile separate streams of oral and written literature.

I. SOME WRITERS DURING THIS PERIOD

1981- PHILIPPINE FOLK LITERATURE by Damiana Euginio
1981- THE ADVENTURE OF MARIAN by Carissa Orasa Uy
1982- SOMEWHERE BETWEEN YOUR SMILE AND YOUR FROWN
1983- PARES-PARES by Bienvenido M. Noriega Jr.
1983- AGON-POEMS by Edgar B. Maranan
1984- THE FARMER by Alfredo Navarro Salanga
1984- THE ROAD TO MOWAB and OTHER STORIES