(1898–1940) » The US established » In 1934, President a civil government Roosevelt signed a in 1901. Free public bill making the education was Philippines a introduced. Also, commonwealth. On English was the May 14, 1935 medium of Manuel L. Quezon instruction. was elected president. 3
Literary Works Produced
» The production of literary works in English is the direct result of the American colonization of the Philippines. The first collection of poetry in English is Filipino Poetry (1924), edited by Rodolfo Dato. The short story “Dead Stars” (1925) by Paz Marquez Benitez is considered as the first Filipino modern short story in English. A Child of Sorrow (1921) by Zoilo M. Galang is the first Filipino novel in English. The novel His Native Soil (1940) by Juan C. Laya won first prize in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940. 4
Literary Works Produced
» Filipino writers in English during the apprenticeship period (1900–1930) imitated American writing. The poet Fernando Maramag writes in the Romantic tradition in his sonnet “Moonlight on Manila Bay” (1912). Filipino fictionists copied Sherwood Anderson, William Saroyan, and Ernest Hemingway. Jose Garcia Villa used the Anderson pattern. Manuel Arguilla and N. V. M. Gonzalez were influenced by Anderson and Hemingway. Francisco Arcellana was influenced by Saroyan. 5
Notes on the Japanese Occupation
(1941–1945) » On December 8, 1941, the Japanese » MacArthur and his Allied forces attacked Manila. returned to the country in 1944. They » On January 2, 1942, Japanese landed on Leyte on October 20, and occupied Manila. They set up a the biggest naval battle in history Council of State in the country and ensued. started propaganda to remold the » The Japanese surrendered formally Filipinos. on September 2, 1945. » In October 1943 the Japanese declared the Philippines “independent.” On September 20, Jose P. Laurel was elected president. 6
Literary Works Produced
» During the occupation, publications were censored by the military. Also, Tagalog was declared an official language (together with Nihonggo). In effect, Philippine literature in English came to a halt. Some Filipino writers then turned to writing in Filipino. » The Tagalog short story reached its maturity during the period. The best works were compiled by the Liwayway magazine editors in Ang Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino ng 1943, which came out in 1944. It is a collection of stories that won a contest sponsored by the Japanese. The top four stories were “Lupang Tinubuan” by Narciso G. Reyes, “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa” by Liwayway Arceo, “Nayon at Dagat-dagatan” by N. V. M. Gonzalez, and “Suyuan sa Tubigan” by Macario Pineda. 7
Summary » The American occupation of the Philippines spurred the writing of Filipinos in English. On the other hand, the Japanese occupation censored literary works yet contributed to the maturity of the Tagalog short story.
