Philippine Literature: The

Contemporary Period

By: Prof. Angelita M. Cruz

Faculty, University of Caloocan City
 The Rebirth of Freedom (1946-1970)
• The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos rejoiced
and guerillas who fled to the mountain joined the
liberating American Army.
• On July 4, 1946, the Philippines regained is freedom
and the Filipino flag waved joyously alone. The
chains were broken.
• The early post-liberation period was marked by a
kind of “struggle of mind and spirit”posed by the
sudden emancipation from the enemy, and the wild
desire to see print.
• Filipinos had, by this time, learned to express
themselves more confidently but post-war
problems beyond language and print-like
economic stability, the threat of new ideas and
mortality –had to be grappled with side by side.
• There was a proliferation of newspapers like the
FREE PRESS, MORNING SUN, of Sergio Osmeña
Sr., DAILY MIRROR of Joaquin Roces, EVENING
NEWS of Ramon Lopezes and the BULLETIN of
Menzi. This only proved that there were more
readers in English than in any ocher vernaculars
like Tagalog, Ilocano or Hiligaynon.
• Journalists had their day. They indulged in more militant
attitude in their reporting which bordered on the
libelous. Gradually, as normality was restored, the tones
and themes of the writings turned to the less pressing
problems of economic survival.
• Some Filipino writers who had gone abroad and had
written during the interims came back to publish their
works.
• Not all the books published during the period reflected
the war year; some were compilations or second editions
of what have been written before.
Writers and Their Works of the Period
• THE VOICE OF THE VETERAN –a compilation of
the best works of some Ex-USAFFE men like
Amante Bigornia, Roman de la Cruz, Ramon de
Jesus and J.F. Rodriguez.
• TWILIGHT IN TOKYO andPASSION and DEATH OF
THE USAFFE by Leon Ma. Guerrero
• FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY–by S.P. Lopez
• BETRAYAL IN THE PHILIPPINES–by Hernando
Abaya
• SEVEN HILLS AWAY–by NVM Gonzales
 POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THIS PERIOD
• For the first twenty years, many books were published…both in Filipino and in
English.
• Among the writers during this time were: Fred Ruiz Castro, Dominador I. Ilio, and
C.B. Rigor

• Some notable works of the period include the following:

1. HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) –a collection of poems by Manuel Viray

2. PHILIPPINES CROSS SECTION (1950) –a collection of prose and poetry by
Maximo
Ramos and Florentino Valeros
3. PROSE AND POEMS (1952) –by Nick Joaquin
4. PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) –by T.D. Agcaoili
5. PHILIPPINE HAVEST –by Amador Daguio
 6. HORIZONS LEAST (1967) –a collection of works by the
professors of UE, mostly in English (short stories, essays,
research papers, poem and drama) by Artemio Patacsil and
Silverio Baltazar
• The themes of most poems dealt with the usual love of nature, and
of social and political problems.

7. WHO SPOKE OF COURAGE IN HIS SLEEP –by NVM

Gonzales
8. SPEAK NOT, SPEAK ALSO –by Conrado V. Pedroche
9. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo. Toribia
Maño’s poems showed deep emotional intensity.
10. Jose Garcia Villa’s HAVE COME, AM HERE won acclaim both
here and abroad.
NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISH
• Longer and longer pieces were being written by writers of the period. Stevan
Javellana’s WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN tells of the grim experiences of war
during the Japanese Occupation.
• In 1946, the Barangay Writer’s Project whose aim was to publish works in
English by Filipinos was established.
• In 1958, the PEN Center of the Philippines (Poets, essayists, novelists) was
inaugurated. In the same year, Francisco Arcellana published his PEN
ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES.
• In 1961, Kerima Polotan’s novel THE HAND OF THE ENEMY won the Stonehill
Award for the Filipino novel in English.
• In 1968, Luis V. Teodoro Jr.’s short story THE ADVERSARY won the Philippines
Free Press short story award; in 1969, his story THE TRAIL OF PROFESSOR
RIEGO won second prize in the Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and in
1970, his short story THE DISTANT CITY won the GRAPHIC short story award.
 THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING
THIS PERIOD
• Philippine literature in Tagalog was revived during this
period. Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese
brutalities, of the poverty of life under the Japanese
government and the brave guerilla exploits.
• Newspapers and magazine publications were re-opened
like the Bulaklak, Liwayway, Ilang Ilang and Sinag Tala.
Tagalog poetry acquired not only rhyme but substance
and meaning. Short stories had better characters and
events based on facts and realities and themes were
more meaningful. Novels became common but were still
read by the people for recreation.
• The people’s love for listening to poetic jousts
increased more than before and people started
to flock to places to hear poetic debates.
• Many books were published during this time,
among which were:
1. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro Abadilla
2. Ang Maikling Kuwentong Tagalog (1886-1948) by
Teodoro Agoncillo
3. Ako’y Isang Tinig (1952) collection of poems and
stories by Genoveva Edroza Matute
4. Mga Piling Sanaysay (1952) by Alejandro Abadilla
5. Maikling Katha ng Dalawampung Pangunahing Autor
(1962)by A.G. Abadilla and Ponciano E.P. Pineda
6. Parnasong Tagalog (1964) collection of selected poems
by Huseng Sisiw and Balagtas, collected by A.G. Abadilla
7. Sining at Pamamaraan ng Pag-aaral ng Panitikan (1965)
by Rufino Alejandro. He prepared this book for teaching
in reading and appreciation of poems, dramas, short
stories and novels
8. Manlilikha, Mga Piling Tula (1961-1967) by Rogelio G.
Mangahas
9. Mga Piling Akda ng Kadipan (Kapisanang Aklat ng Diwa
at Panitik) 1965 by Efren Abueg
10. Makata (1967) first cooperative effort to publish the
poems of 16 poets in Pilipino
11. Pitong Dula (1968) by Dionisio Salazar
12. Manunulat: Mga Piling Akdang Pilipino (1970) by
Abueg. In this book, Abueg proved that it is possible to
have a national integration of ethnic culture in our
country.
13. Mga Aklat ni Rizal: Many books about Rizal came out
during this period. The law ordering the additional
study of the life of Rizal helped a lot in activating our
writers to write books about Rizal.
 Period of Activism (1970-1972)
• According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72
was due to domestic and worldwide causes. Activism is
connected with the history of our Filipino youth.
• Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to seek
reforms. Some continued to believe that the
democratic government is stable and that it is only the
people running the government who are at fault. Some
believed that socialism or communism should replace
democracy. Some armed groups were formed to bring
down the democratic form of government.
• Many young people became activists to ask for changes in the
government. In the expression of this desire for change, keen
were the writings of some youth who were fired with nationalism
in order to emphasize the importance of their petitions.
• Many young activists were imprisoned in military camps together
with rebel writers.
• As early as this period of history we can say that many of those
writers who were imprisoned were true nationalists and heroes
of their time.
• Many books aptly record and embody these times but many of
these are not known to many and many of these writers still have
to be interviewed.
• We just leave to scholars and researchers the giving of credit
where credit is due.
• The seeds of activism resulted in the
declaration of Martial Law in 1972. The
revolution against the powerful forces in the
Philippines can be said to be the monopoly of
the youth in whose veins flow the fire in their
blood. What Rizal said of the youth being the
hope of the Fatherland –is still valid even today.
• Pineda also said that this was the time when
the youth once more proved that it is not the
constant evasion that shapes our race and
nationalism.
• The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This was proven
not only in the bloody demonstrations and in the sidewalk expressions but also
in literature. Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions. The once
aristocratic writers developed awareness for society. They held pens and wrote
on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBAKA (To dare!).
• They attacked the ills of society and politics.
• Any establishment became the symbol of the ills that had to be changed. The
frustrations of youth could be felt in churches and school.
• Even the priests, teachers and parents, as authorities who should be respected
became targets of the radical youth and were thought of as hindrances to the
changes they sought.
• The literature of the activists reached a point where they stated boldly what
should be done to effect these changes.
• Some of those who rallied to this revolutionary form of literature were Rolando
Tinio, Rogelio Mangahas, Efren Abueg, Rio Alma, and Clemente Bautista.
• It was also during this period that Bomba films that discredit our ways as
Filipinos started to come out.
 PALANCA AWARDEES FOR LITERATURE IN
ENGLISH
• (Established in 1950, the Palanca Memorial
Awards for Literature had been giving cash
prizes for short story, poetry and one-act play
writing as an incentive to Filipino writers. The
prizes come from La Tondena, Inc., the firm
founded by the late Carlos Palanca Sr. For the
list of winners from 1950-51 to 1960-70, we
recommended Alberto S. Florentino’s “Twenty
Years of Palanca Awards.”)
 ENGLISH SHORT STORY
1970-71
• First Prize –“THE RITUAL”–Cirilo F. Bautista
• Second Prize –“BEAST IN THE FIELDS”–Resil Mojares
• Third Prize –“CHILDREN OF THE CITY”–Amadis Ma. Guerrero
1970-71
• First Prize –“THE ARCHIPELAGO”–Cirilo F. Bautista
• Second Prize –“FIVE POEMS”–Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez
• Third Prize –“FROM MACTAN TO MENDIOLA”–Frederico
Licsi Espino Jr.
ENGLISH ONE-ACT PLAY =1970-71
• First Prize –“THE GROTESQUE AMONG US”–Maiden Flores
 ENGLISH POETRY
1971-72
• First Prize –“THE TOMATO GAME”–N.V.M. Gonzales
• Second Prize –“THE APOLLO CENTENNIAL”–Gregorio C. Brillantes
• Third Prize –“AFTER THIS, OUR EXILE”–Elsa Martinez Coscolluela
1971-72
• First Prize –“BATIK MAKER AND OTHER POEMS”–Virginia R. Moreno
• Second Prize –“THE EDGE OF THE WIND”–Artemio Tadena
• Third Prize –“TINIKLING (A SHEAF OF POEMS)”–Frederico Licsi Espino Jr.
1971-72
• First Prize –“GRAVE FOR BLUE FLOWER”–Jesus T. Peralta
• Second Prize –“THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY”–Manuel M. Martell
• Third Prize –The judges recommend that in as much as the three third prize winners
especially deserve, the prize of P 1,000.00 be divided among these three:
“THE BOXES”–Rolando S. Tinio
“NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR
COUNTRY”–Julian E. Dacanay
“THE RENEGADE”–Elsa Martinez Coscolluela
 WRITERS DURING THIS PERIOD
• Jose F. Lacaba, in his book DAYS OF DISQUIET, NIGHTS OF
RAGE; THE FIRST QUARTERS STORM AND RELATED
EVENTS, wrote of the tragic and tumultuous moments in
our country’s history.
• Describing this period, he writes: “That first quarter of the
year 1970…It was a glorious time, a time of terror and of
wrath, but also a time for hope. The signs of change were
on the horizon.
• A powerful storm was sweeping the land, a storm whose
inexorable advance no earthly force could stop, and the
name of the storm was history.”
• Other writers strove to pour out their anguish and frustrations
in words describing themselves as “gasping for the air, thirsting
for the water of freedom.”Thus, the 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.”
• For a day they denounced restrictions on artistic freedom and
passionately led a plea for freedom. 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.
• People in the other media participated in this quest for
freedom. Journalists Jose Burgos Jr., Antonio Ma. Nieva,; movie
director Lino Brocka, art critic Anna Leah S. de Leon were
battling head –on against censorship.
Period of the New Society (1972-1980)
• The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972.
The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual awards.
• Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development or
progress of the country –like the Green Revolution, family
planning, proper nutrition, environment, drug addiction and
pollution. The New Society tried to stop pornography or those
writings giving bad influences on the morals of the people. All
school newspapers were temporarily stopped and so with school
organizations.

• The military government established a new office called the

Ministry of Public Affairs that supervised the newspapers, books
and other publications.
 A. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THE PERIOD
OF THE NEW SOCIETY
• Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native
culture, customs and the beauties of nature and surroundings.
• Those who wrote poetry during this period were: Ponciano
Pineda, Aniceto Silvestre, Jose Garcia Revelo, Bienvenido
Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir Lopez Francisco, and Pelagio
Sulit Cruz.
• Many more composers added their bit during this period.
Among them were Freddie Aguilar, Jose Marie Chan and the
group Tito, Vic and Joey. ANAK of Freddie Aguilar became an
instant success because of the spirit and emotions revealed in
the song. There were even translations in Japanese and in
other languages.
B. THE PLAY UNDER THE NEW SOCIETY
• The government led in reviving old plays and dramas, like the Tagalog
Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were
presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and
the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
• Many schools and organizations also presented varied plays.
• The Mindanao State University presented a play Sining Embayoka at the
Cultural Center of the Philippines.
• In 1977, the Tales of Manuvu, a new style of rock of the ballet opera was
also added to these presentations. This was performed by Celeste
Legaspi, Lea Navarro, Hadji Alejandro, Boy Camara, Anthony Castello, Rey
Dizon and choreographed by Alic Reyes.
• Even the President’s daughter at the time participated as a performing
artist in the principal role of Santa Juana of Koral and in The Diary of Anne
Frank.
The following organizations contributed a lot to
the development of plays during this period:

• 1. PETA of Cecille Guidote and Lino Brocka

• 2. Repertory Philippines: of Rebecca Godines
and Zenaida Amador
• 3. UP Repertory of Behn Cervantes
• 4. Teatro Filipino by Rolando Tinio
 C. RADIO AND TELEVISION
• Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play
series like SI MATAR, DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR.
LONELY were the forms of recreation of those without
television.
• Even the new songs were first heard over the airwaves.
• However, many performing artists in radio moved over to
television because of higher pay.
• Among these were Augusto Victa, Gene Palomo, Mely Tagasa,
Lina Pusing, and Ester Chavez.
• Popular television plays were GULONG NG PALAD, FLOR DE
LUNA, and ANNA LIZA.
• SUPERMAN AND TARZAN were also popular with the youth.
 D. FILIPINO FILMS
• A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly
Filipino Film Festival) was held during this time.
During the festival which lasted usually for a
month, only Filipino films were shown in all
theaters in Metro Manila. Prizes and trophies were
awarded at the end of the festival in recognition of
excellence in film making and in role performances.
• New kinds of films without sex or romance started
to be made but which were nevertheless well-
received by the public.
• Among these were:

• 1. MAYNILA…SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG written by Edgardo

Reyes and filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco
was the lead role.
• 2. MINSA’Y ISANG GAMU-GAMO; Nora Aunor was the principal
performer here.
• 3. GANITO KAMI NOO…PAANO KAYO NGAYON: led by Christopher
de Leon and Gloria Diaz.
• 4. INSIANG: by Hilda Koronel
• 5. AGUILA: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de
Leon
• Sex films could not be shelved. Foreign, as well as local films
dealing the bold themes were the vehicles of producers to earn
more money.
 E. COMICS, MAGAZINES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS

• During this period of the New Society,

newspapers donned new forms. News on
economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism
and the like were favored more than the
sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and
robberies.
• The leading papers during this period were:
• 1. BULLETIN TODAY
• 2. PILIPINO EXPRESS
• 3. TIMES JOURNAL
• 4. PHILIPPINE DAILY EXPRESS
• 5. PEOPLES JOURNAL
• 6. EVENING POST
• 7. BALITA
• 8. EVENING EXPRESS
• LIWAYWAY had been an old-time favorite of
the Filipinos since 1920.
• Other magazines were:
• 1. KISLAP
• 2. EXTRA HOT
• 3. BULAKLAK
• 4. JINGLE SENSATION
• Like mushrooms, comics also proliferated everywhere and were
enjoyed by the masses.
• Among these were:
• 1. PILIPINO
• 2. HIWAGA
• 3. EXTRA
• 4. KLASIK
• 5. LOVE LIFE
• 6. ESPESYAL
 F. PALANCA AWARDEES
• SHORT STORY CATEGORY

• 1972-73
• First Prize –“SPOTS ON THEIR WINGS AND OTHER STORIES”–Antonio
Enriquez
• Second Prize –“ON FRIENDS YOU PIN SUCH HOPES”–Ines Taccad Camayo
• Third Prize –“THE LIBERATION OF MRS. FIDELA MAGSILANG”–Jaime A. Lim
• 1973-74
• First Prize –“THE CRIES OF CHILDREN ON AN APRIL AFTERNOON IN THE
YEAR 1957”–Gregorio C. Brillantes
• Second Prize –“THE WHITE DRESS”–Estrella D. Alfon
• Third Prize –“TELL ME WHO CLEFT THE DEVIL’S FOOT”–Luning Bonifacio Ira
• Honorable Mention –“SCORING”–Joy T. Dayrit
• 1974-75
• First Prize –co-winners
• 1. “THE DAY OF THE LOCUSTS”–Leoncio P. Deriada
• 2. “ROMANCE AND FAITH ON MOUNT BANAHAW”–Alfred A. Yuson

• Second Prize –co-winners

• 1. “THE MAN WHO MADE A COVENANT WITH THE WIND”–Cirilo F. Bautista
• 2. “ONCE UPON A CRUISE: GENERATIONS AND OTHER LANDSCAPES”–
Luning Bonifacio Ira
• 3. “AGCALAN POINT”–Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.

• Third Prize –co-winners

• 1. “THE DOG EATERS”–Leoncio P. Deriada
• 2. “THE PEOPLE’S PRISON”–Mauro R. Avena
• 3. “DISCOVERY”–Dr. Porfirio F. Villarin, Jr.
• 4. “A SUMMER GOODBYE”–Linda Ledesma and Benjamin Bautista
• PLAY CATEGORY

• 1972-73

• First Prize –“THE HEART OF EMPTINESS IS BLACK”–Ricardo Demetillo

Second Prize –“GO, RIDER!”–Azucena Crajo Uranza

• Third Prize –“THE RICEBIRD HAS BROWN WINGS”–Federico Licsi Espino, Jr.

• 1973-74
• First Prize (No Award)
• Second Prize –“AFTERCAFE –Juan H. Alegre
• Third Prize –“DULCE EXTRANJERA”–Wilfredo D. Nollede

• 1974-75
• First Prize –“A LIFE IN THE SLUMS”–Rolando S. Tinio
• Second Prize –“PASSWORD –Paul Stephen Lim
• Third Prize –“THE MINERVA FOUNDATION”–Maidan Flores
• POETRY CATEGORY

• 1972-73
• First Prize –“CHARTS”–Cirilo F. Bautista
• Second Prize –“A TRICK OF MIRRORS”–Rolando S. Tinio
• Third Prize –“ALAPAAP’S MOUNTAIN”–Erwin E. Castillo

• 1973-74
• First Prize –co-winners
• 1. “MONTAGE”–Ophelia A. Dimalanta
• 2. “IDENTITIES”–Artemio Tadena

• Second Prize –co-winners

• 1. “BOXES”–Ricardo de Ungria
• 2. “GLASS OF LIQUID TRUTHS”–Gilbert A. Luis Centina III

• Third Prize –co-winners

• 1. “A LIEGE OF DATUS AND OTHER POEMS”–Jose N. Carreon
• 2. “RITUALS AND METAPHORS”–Celestino M. Vega

• 1974-75
• First Prize –“TELEX MOON”–Cirilo F. Bautista
• Second Prize –“ADARNA: SIX POEMS FROM A LARGER CORPUS”–Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez
• Third Prize –“THE CITY AND THE THREAD OF LIGHT”–Ricardo Demetillo
REPUBLIC CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARDEES (1960-1971)

• NATIONAL ARTISTS
1973
• Amado V. Hernandez (Posthumous) (Literature)
• Jose Garcia Villa (Literature)
• Francisco Reyes Aquino (Dance)
• Carlos V. Francisco (Posthumous) (Painting)
• Antonio J. Molina (Music)
• Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture)
1976
• Nick Joaquin (Literature)
• Napoleon V. Abueva (Sculpture)
• Pablo Antonio (Posthumous) (Architecture)
• Lamberto V. Avellana (Movies)
• Victorio G. Edades (Painting)
• Jovita Fuentes (Music)