1.

HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) a collection of

poems by Manuel Viray
CHAPTER 7
2. PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) a collection
THE REBIRTH OF FREEDOM (1946-1970) of prose and poetry by Maximo Ramos and
1945- The Americans returned Florentino Valeros

 Filipinos rejoiced and guerrillas who fled to the 3. PROSE AND POEMS (1952) by Nick Joaquin
mountains joined the liberating American Army. 4. PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) by T.D. AGCAOILI 5
 more readers in English than in any other
vernaculars like Tagalog, Ilocano or Hiligaynon. 5. PHILIPPINE HARVEST by Amador Daguio
 Journalists indulged in more militant attitude in 6. HORIZONS LEAST (1967) a collection of works
their reportings by the professors of UE, mostly in English (short
 the tones and themes of the writings turned to stories, essays, research papers, poems and
the less pressing problems of economic survival. drama) by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio Baltazar
 Filipino writers who had gone abroad and had
written during the interims came back to 7. WHO SPOKE OF COURAGE IN HIS SLEEP by
publish their works. NVM Gonzales
 Not all the books published during the period 8. SPEAK NOT, SPEAK ALSO by Conrado V.
reflected the war years; some were Pedroche
compilations or second editions of what had
been written before 9. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L.
Tiempo
July 4, 1946- the Philippines regained its freedom and
the Filipino flag waved joyously alone. Jose Garcia Villa's HAVE COME, AM HERE won acclaim
both here and abroad.
A. THE STATE OF LITERATURE DURING THIS
PERIOD Have Come, Am here- dealt with the usual love of
 marked by a kind of "struggle of mind and nature, and of social and political problems.
spirit" posed by the sudden emancipation from Toribia Maño's- poems showed deep emotional
the enemy and the wild desire to see print. intensity.
PROLIFERATION OF NEWSPAPERS 2. NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH-
1. FREE PRESS, MORNING SUN- Sergio Osmeña Sr. Longer and longer pieces were being written
2. DAILY NEWS- Manuel Roxas, Stevan Javellana's- WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN
3. MANILA TIMES and DAILY MIRROR- Joaquin
Roces, - tells of the grim experiences of war
4. EVENING NEWS - Ramon Roces, during the Japanese Occupation.
5. PHILIPPINE HERALD- Soriano,  1946
6. CHRONICLE- the Lopezes and
Barangay Writer's Project- whose aim was to
7. BULLETIN- Menzi.
publish works in English by Filipinos was
Some of the writers and their works of the periods established.
are:
 1958- PEN Center of the Philippines (Poets,
1. THE VOICE OF THE VETERAN - a compilation of essayists, novelists) was inaugurated.
the best works of some Ex-USAFFE men like
Francisco Arcellana- published PEN ANTHOLOGY OF
Amante Bigornia, Roman de la Cruz, Ramon de
SHORT STORIES.
Jesus and J.F. Rodriquez
2. TWILIGHT IN TOKYO and PASSION and DEATH  1961
OF THE USAFFE by Leon Ma. Guerrero
3. FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY - by S.P. Kerima Polotan- novel THE HAND OF THE ENEMY
Lopez won the Stonehill Award for the Filipino novel in
4. BETRAYAL IN THE PHILIPPINES - by Hernando English.
Abaya  1968
5. SEVEN HILLS AWAY - by NVM Gonzales
Luis V. Teodoro Jr.- short story THE ADVERSARY won
POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THIS PERIOD the Philippines Free Press Short Story Award;
For the first twenty years, many books were published  1969- his story THE TRAIL Literature
both in Filipino and in English.  1970- his short story THE DISTANT CITY won the
Among the writers during this time were: Fred Ruiz GRAPHIC Short Story Award.
Castro, Dominador I. Ilio, and C.B. Rigor. Some notable THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS
works of the period include the following: PERIOD- Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived
during this period.
 - Tagalog poetry acquired not only rhyme 13. Mga Aklat ni Rizal: Many books about Rizal
but substance and meaning. came out during this period. The law ordering
- Short stories had better characters and the additional study of the life of Rizal helped a
events based on facts and realities and lot in activating our writers to write books about
themes were more meaningful. Rizal.
- Novels became common but were still
read by the people for recreation. THE PALANCA AWARDS- headed by Carlos Palanca Sr. in
- The people's love for listening to poetic 1950. (until now, the awards are still being given
jousts increased more than before and although the man who founded it has passed away).
people started to flock to places to hear The first awardees in its first year: 1950-51 in the field
poetic debates. of the short story were the following:
THEMES : First: Prize: KUWENTO NI MABUTI by Genoveva Edroza
 Japanese brutalities, Second Prize: MABANGIS NA KAMAY MAAMONG
 of the poverty of life under the Japanese KAMAY by Pedro S. Dandan
government Third Prize: PLANETA, BUWAN AT MGA BITUIN by
 the brave guerrilla exploits. Elpidio P. Kapulong.
Newspapers and magazine publications were re- AMADO V. HERNANDEZ- writing from his cell in Ft.
opened: Bonifacio (former Ft. McKinley) in 1956 is an example of
 Bulaklak, the poet who is "partisan," and who espoused causes as
 Liwayway, shown in his poem below:
 Ilang Ilang, and 1. KILATIS (1956)
 Sinag Tala. 2. ISANG DIPANG LANGIT (Selections)
Many books were published during this time, among 3. BARTOLINA NG MUNTINLUPA 22 ng Abril 1952
which were: 4. REPUBLIC CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARDEES (1960-
1971) (Awards given on 12 June, Philippine
1. Ang Maikling Kuwentong Tagalog (1886-1948) Independence Day)
by Teodoro Agoncillo
1960: NVM Gonzales poet and fictionist
2. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro
Abadilla 1961: Nick Joaquin poet, fictionist, playwright, essayist,
critic, Cesar Adib Majul historian
3. Ako'y Isang Tinig (1952) collection of poems
and stories by Genoveva Edroza Matute 1962: Amado V. Hernandez poet and fictionist,

4. Mga Piling Sanaysay (1952) by Alejandro Jose Garcia Villa- poet and short story writer
Abadilla 1963: Kerima Polotan fictionist Teo S. Baylen poet and
5. Manlilikha, Mga Piling Tula (1961-1967) by fictionist
Rogelio G. Mangahas 1964: Carlos A. Angeles - poet
6. Maikling Katha ng Dalawampung Pangunahing Carlos Quirino – historian
Autor (1962) by A.G. Abadilla and Ponciano E. P.
Pineda 1965: Carlos P. Romulo essayist, novelist, playwright
Horacio de la Costa historian
6. Parnasong Tagalog (1964) collection of selected
poems by Huseng Sisiw and Balagtas, collected Alejandrino G. Hufana - poet Bienvenido N. Santos -
by A. G. Abadilla poet and fictionist

7. Sining at Pamamaraan ng Pag-aaral ng 1966: Iñigo Ed. Regalado novelist,

Panitikan (1965) by Rufino Alejandro. He Alejandro G. Abadilla poet, Arturo B. Rotor short story
prepared this book for teaching in reading and writer
appreciation of poems, dramas, short stories
and novels 1967: (no writer awardee)
9. Mga Piling Akda ng Kadipan (Kapisanang Aklat 1968: Domingo Abella historian,
ng Diwa at Panitik) 1965 by Efren Abueg
Ricardo Demetillo - poet
10. Makata (1967) first cooperative effort to publish
1969: Nicolas Zafra historian
the poems of 16 poets in Pilipino
1970: Lazaro Francisco - novelist
11. Pitong Dula (1968) by Dionisio Salazar
1971: Lope K. Santos novelist,
12. Manunulat: Mga Piling Akdang Pilipino (1970)
by Efren Abueg. In this book, Abueg proved that F. Landa Jocano -anthropologist – writer
it is possible to have a national integration of
ethnic culture in our country. CHAPTER 8
Period of Activism (1970-1972) - It was also during this period that Bomba films that
discredit our ways as Filipinos started to come out.
Ponciano Pineda- youth activism in 1970-72 was due to
domestic and worldwide causes. E. PALANCA AWARDEES FOR LITERATURE IN ENGLISH
- believe that the democratic government 1950- the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature had
is stable and that it is only the people been giving cash prizes for short story, poetry and one-
running the government who is at fault. act play writing as an incentive to Filipino writers.
- believed that socialism or communism
should replace democracy. La Tondena, Inc., - the prizes came from
- Many young people became activists to Carlos Palanca Sr - founded the firm La Tondena
ask for changes in the government. I
- in the expression of this desire for Alberto S. Florentino's "Twenty Years of Palanca
change, keen were the writings of some Awards- recommended from the list of winners from
youth who were fired with nationalism 1950-51 to 1960-70
in order to emphasize the importance of ENGLISH SHORT STORY
their petitions.
- Many young activists were imprisoned 1970-71
in military camps together with rebel
1st Prize "THE RITUAL" - Cirilo F. Bautista
writers
2nd Prize - "BEAST IN THE FIELDS" - Resil Mojares
Ills Of Society- the youth moved to seek reforms
3rd Prize-"CHILDREN OF THE CITY" - Amadis Ma.
A.THE SEEDS OF ACTIVISM- resulted in the declaration
Guerrero
of Martial Law in 1972.
1970-71
- seeds were earlier sown from the times of Lapu-lapu,
Lakandula, and Rizal. 1st Prize - "THE ARCHIPELAGO" - Cirilo F. Bautista
- revolution against the powerful forces in the 2nd Prize - "FIVE POEMS" - Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez
Philippines can be said to be the monopoly of the youth
in whose veins flow the fire in their blood. 3rd Prize - "FROM MACTAN TO MENDIOLA" - Federico
Licsi Espino, Jr.
- What Rizal said of the youth being the hope of the
Fatherland - is still valid even today. ENGLISH POETRY

B. PERIOD OF THE BLOODY PLACARDS- Pineda also said 1971-72

that this was the time when the youth once more 1st Prize "THE TOMATO GAME" - N.V.M. Gonzales
proved that it is not the constant evasion that shape our
race and nationalism. 2nd Prize - "THE APOLLO CENTENNIAL" - Gregorio C.
Brillantes
C. THE LITERARY REVOLUTION-The youth became
completely rebellious during this period. 3rd Prize - "AFTER THIS, OUR EXILE" - Elsa Martinez
Coscolluela
- Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions. T
1971-72
- The once aristocratic writers developed an awareness
for society. 1st Prize - "BATIK MAKER AND OTHER POEMS" Virginia
R. Moreno
- They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the
equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!). 2nd Prize - "THE EDGE OF THE WIND" - Artemio Tadena

- They attacked the ills of society and politics. 3rd Prize - "TINIKLING (A SHEAF OF POEMS)" Federico
Licsi Espino, Jr.
- Even the priests, teachers and parents, as authorities
became targets of the radical youths and were thought ENGLISH ONE-ACT PLAY
of as hindrances to the changes they sought.
1970-71
Some of those who rallied to this revolutionary form of
1st Prize - "THE GROTESQUE AMONG US" - Maiden
literature were:
Flores
Rolando Tinio, Rio Alma
2nd Prize - "AGE OF PROMETHEUS" - Jesus T. Peralta
Rogelio Mangahas, Clemente Bautista
3rd Prize - "OPERATION PACIFICATION" - Alfredo O.
Efren Abueg Cuenco, Jr.

D. WRITINGS DURING THE PERIOD OF ACTIVISM 1971-72

- The irreverence for the poor reached its peak during 1st Prize - "GRAVE FOR BLUE FLOWER" - Jesus T. Peralta
this period of the mass revolution. English from a poem 2nd Prize - "THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY" -Manuel M.
of Federico Licsi Espino will prove this Martell
3rd Prize - The judges recommend that in as much as the battling head on against censorship.
three third prize winners are especially deserving, the
prize of P1,000.00 be divided among these three:  Journalists Jose Burgos Jr., Antonio Ma.
Nieva,
1. "THE BOXES" - Rolando S. Tinio  movie director Lino Brocka,
2. "NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO  art critic Leonidas Benesa,
COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY" Julian E.  book publisher Gloria Rodriquez and
Dacanay  music critic Anna Leah S. de Leon
3. "THE RENEGADE" - Elsa Martinez Coscolluela F. - came up with resolutions that pleaded
for causes other than their own like the
WRITERS DURING THIS PERIOD general amnesty for political prisoners,
Jose F. Lacaba- in his book DAYS OF DISQUIET, NIGHTS and other secret decrees restricting free
OF RAGE; THE FIRST QUARTERS STORM AND RELATED expression.
EVENTS, wrote of the tragic and tumultuous moments in - They requested editors and publishers
our country's history. to publish the real names of writers in
their columns.
- That first quarter of the year 1970.. It - It called on media to disseminate
was a glorious time, a time of terror and information on national interest without
of wrath, but also a time for hope. partisan leanings and resolved to be
- He mentions that those students united with all causes decrying
demonstrating at that time knew and oppression and repression..
were aware that what they were doing
would be crucial to our country's
history.
- Lacaba's book is truly representative of
writers who were eyewitnesses to this
time "of terror and wrath.
- pour out their anguish and frustrations
in words describing themselves as
gasping for the air, thirsting for the
water of freedom."
grandiose names for their organization proliferation of
acronyms like
SUCCOR, YDS
KTPD, SAGUPA
SMP, KKK
KM, MDP
SDK.
Mayor Antonio Villegas- on Feb. 18, 1970, led
demonstrators away from angry policemen.

Other politicians wrote about police brutalities:

1. Eva Estrada Kalaw,
2. Salvador Laurel,
3. Benigno Aquino Jr.
Philippine Center for the International PEN (Poets,
Essayists, and Novelists)- held a conference centering
on the "writer's lack of freedom in a climate of fear."
Among the writers in this group were:
 Nick Joaquin,
 S. P. Lopez,
 Gregorio Brillantes,
 F. Sionil Jose,
 Petronilo Daroy,
 Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc,
 Mauro Avelina, and
 Jose W. Diokno.