Philippine Literature during the

American period
 Historical Background
• The Filipino Revolutionists won against the
Spaniards who colonized for more than 300
years.
• June 12, 1898 raised the Philippine flag as a
symbol of our independence. Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo was selected the first president of
the Philippine Republic but this was short
lived.
• The filipino-american war resulted in the defeat
of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903. The peace
movements started as early as 1900.
• Many Filipino started writing again and the
nationalism of the people remain undaunted.
Filipino writers went into all forms of literature
like news reporting, poetry, stories, plays, essays
and novels. Their writings clearly depicted their
love of country and their longings for
Independence
• In 1910
A new group started to write in English. Hence,
Spanish, Tagalog , the Vernaculars and finally ,
English, were the mediums used in literature
during these times.
 Three Groups of writers
• Spanish
• Filipino
• English
• The writers in Spanish were accustomed to
write on nationalism like honouring Rizal and
other heroes.

• CECILIO APOSTOL wrote“A RIZAL” and

considered the best poem in praise of the
hero of bagumbayan.
• The writers in Tagalog continued in their
lamentations on the conditions of the country
and their attempts to arouse love for one’s
native tongue.
• The writers in English imitated the themes and
methods of the Americans.
The Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910
The Period of Imitation: 1910-1925
The Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941