Philippine Literature

Under American Regime

Historical Background
The Filipino revolutionist won against the
Spaniards who colonized Philippines for
more than 300 years. The Philippine flag was
hoisted on June 12, 1898 as a symbol of
independence. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was
elected the first president of the Philippine
Republic, which was short- lived. Americans
colonized the country. And in 1901, Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo surrendered to the
Americans.
Historical Background
Filipino writers went into all forms of
literature. Their writings showed their
love for the country and their longing for
independence.
Their resentment expressed in
literature was first felt in the following
newspapers:
1. EL NUEVA DIA (THE NEW DAY)

• Established by Sergio Osmena in 1900.

• The American censors banned this twice
and threatened Osmena with banishment
because of his nationalistic writings.
2. EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call
of the Nation)
• Established by Pascual Poblete in 1900.
3. EL RENACIMIENTO (The Rebirth)

• Founded by Rafael Palma in 1901.

 Salient Features of
Philippine Literature Under
American Regime
 Spanish and Tagalog and the
Vernaculars were the languages
used in writing during the first
years in American Period, but
Spanish and Tagalog were the
predominated language.
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.
SPANISH writers wrote about
nationalism.
TAGALOG writers wrote about
their lamentations on the
conditions of the country and
their attempts to arouse love
for one’s native tongue.
ENGLISH writers imitated the
themes and methods of the
Americans.
 Famous Authors
Spanish Writers
Filipino Writers
EnglishWriters
1. Spanish Writers
a. Cecilio Apostol
• Considered as the greatest Filipino epic
poet writing in Spanish.
• He wrote poems dedicated to Rizal and one
entitled A Rizal (To Rizal).
b. Fernando Ma. Guerrero
• Known as the “Prince of Filipino Lyric
poets” in Spanish.
• Wrote a book of poems entitled Crisalidas.
c. Jesus Balmori
• Well-known for his pen name of Batikuling.
• Wrote Los pajaros de fuego (Birds of fire).
d. Manuel Bernabe
• A lyric poet whose fierceness of
nationalistic spirit was unchanged in any
topic he wrote about.
• In 1913, he received an award for his poems
The Hymn to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, El
Zapote, and Espana en Filipinas.
e. Adelina Gurrea
• First woman poet in the Philippines who
was good in Spanish.
• Obtained Zobel Prize in her song El Nido (
The Nest).
2. Filipino Writers
a. Lope K. Santos
• A novelist, poet, author and grammarian.
• The Father of National Language Grammar.
• Banaag at Sikat is his masterpiece.
b. Jose Corazon de Jesus
• Popularly known as Huseng Batute.
• Also called as the Poet of Love.
• Ang Isang Punongkahoy is believed to be
his masterpiece.
c. Amado V. Herdandez
• Called as Makata ng mga Manggagawa
(Poet of the Laborers).
• His poems portrays intense love for the
poor worker or laborer.
• His contributions to literature are Isang
Dipang Langit (A Stretch of Heaven);
Bayang Malaya (A Free Nation); Munting
Lupa ( A Small Plot) ; and Ang Panday (The
Blacksmith), his masterpiece.
d. Valeriano Hernandez Pena
• Known as Tandang Anong and his pen
name was Kuntil Butil (Small Grain).
• He consideres Nena at Nenang as his
masterpiece.
e. Severino Reyes
• The Father of the Tagalog Drama.
• Author of Walang Sugat.
f. Pedro Bukaneg
• Father of Ilocano Literature.
• From his name derived the word
Bukanegan, which means Balagtasan (a
poetic contest) in Ilocano.
 3. Philippine
Literature in English
Philippine Literature in English is
divided into three time frames:
a. The Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910
b.The Period of Imitation: 1910-1925
c. The Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941
A. The Period of Re-orientation:
1898-1910
English as a literary vehicle came with the
American occupation on August 13, 1898 and by
1900. English became the medium of instruction
in public schools.
Writers of this period were still adjusting to
the newfound freedom different from the Spanish
regime where thoughts and speech were
suppressed . They were also adjusting in the use
of the new language and to the standards of the
English literary style. Thus it is not surprising that
there were not much production of literature
during this period.
B. The Period of Imitation:
1910-1925
Writers in this period made their way into
imitating the American and British’s way of
writing that resulted in rigid and unnatural
styles that lack vitality and spontaneity.
B. The Period of Self-
Discovery: 1925-1941
By this time, Filipino writers had
acquired the mastery of English writing.
They now confidently and competently wrote
on a lot of subjects although the old- time
favorites of love and youth persisted.
3. English Writers
a. Paz Marquez Benitez
• Wrote the short story Dead Stars in early
1920’s that stood out as a model of
perfection in character delineation, local
color, plot and message.
b. Salvador P. Lopez
• He owned the Literature and Society, which
is a collection of critical reflections and
serious essays that won a prize in the
Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940.
c. Camilo Osias
• Published The Filipino Way of Life, which is
a series of essays about Filipino way of life
as depicted from history, folkways,
philosophy and psychology of the
Philippines.
d. Carlos Quirino
• The most biographer of his time.
• Wrote The Great Malayan that won a prized
in the national contest sponsored by the
Commonwealth of the Philippines.
Thank You!