Thea: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen!

I am Thea and welcome to

_____________________________! Last time, we talk about the *insert topic before ng American
Period*. Now, we will proceed to American Period, wherein we Filipinos are now allowed to publish
their works, but the catch is that they can only use English as the medium of their works.

So, let’s start!

*PPT*

The independence that the Philippines gained after the revolution of 1986 was cut short with the
establishment of the American colonial government in the Philippines. Bound by the Treaty of Paris in
1898, Spain “surrendered” the Philippines to the United States. From 1899 to 1913, the bloody Philippine-
America war occurred, claiming the lives of many Filipinos. Beginning with the institution of government
and education systems, the new colonial government took charge of initiating the natives into the
American way of life, creating a lasting influence of Filipino culture.

But knowing that we were already colonized before this, what were the changes brought about by
American colonization? How are they different from the religious forms of the Spanish colonial period?

We invited some of the artists, yes bumangon sila sa hukay- lololololoool, of the American Period. First,
may we call on Mr. Juan Abad (Saylon), a big around of applause, please.

*clap clap clap*

Icamen: So, hi Mr. Abad. How are you?

Saylon: I’m fine, I’m fine.

Icamen: In case you didn’t know guys, Mr. Jose Abad is a playwright and one of his works is Tanikalang
Ginto or “Golden Chain”. Am a right, Mr. Abad?

Saylon: Yes. In fact, this play is the cause why they arrested me.

Icamen: What? Why? *shookt*

Saylon: Well, the plot of that story is about a traditional love story.

Icamen: So, what’s wrong? Why did they arrest you?

Saylon: Because I used that plot to expose the violence of American Colonization.

Icamen: Oh my, good thing they didn’t kill you!

Saylon: Well *laughs* but I’m not alone. Juan Matapang Cruz by his Hindi ako Patay, and Aurelio Tolentino
(Cabaluna) by his Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas also did the same thing as what I did.

*labas sa stage*

Icamen: *shooketh* w-what— I think I need to read history again-

/Tawa mga guests/

Saylon: Don’t worry, we will explain it to you.

Cabaluna: Our plays are called Drama Simbolika/ Drama Simboliko because these plays are written to
attack the Americans by waking up the viewers, Filipinos, from the American Colonizers.

Icamen: Oh, that’s nice. So, I think that’s all for now. We will go back after a short break.

*commercial*

Icamen: Welcome back to ________________________________________. Without a further ado, may

we call on Mr. Lino Castillejo (Somontina) and Mr. Jesus Araullo (Torres).

*clap clap clap*

Icamen: So, Hi Mr. Castillejo and Mr. Araullo.

Somontina and Torres: Hi.

Icamen: So, you both write the play A Modern Filipina, right?

S&T: Yes.

Torres: And it is the First Filipino Play written in English.

Icamen: Wow, really?

Somontina: Yes, it’s because of the Lingua Franca of this period is English. And all the references,
languages, and lessons you’re learning are all English.

Icamen: Up to this day, English plays from classics to Broadway and West End musicals are still staged in
our country and are generally lucrative ventures. So, thank you Mr. Castillejo and Mr. Araullo.

*shing, alis sila sa scene*

Icamen: We got the Vaudeville from the Americans. Originally, it’s from France but the Americans
introduced it to us, and it became popular here in the Philippines.

Bodabil is the indigenized form of Vaudeville.

So, I will ask you guys 5 questions about what we have talked about earlier.

:::Questions::: Answers

1. What is the name of the play that causes Playwright Abad to be arrested? Golden chain
2. Aside from Lino Castillejo, who is the other writer of “A Modern Filipina”? Jesus Araullo
3. It is a kind of Vaudeville, an indigenized form of Vaudeville. Bodabil
4. What is the first Filipino Play that is written in English? A Modern Filipina
5. Who is the writer of “Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas”? Aurelio Tolentino

Okay, now may I call on Ms. Enaya to take the stage.

*clap clap clap*

Enaya: Good Morning, everyone! In the beginning of 20th century, a new urban pattern that responded to
the secular goals of Education, health, and governance was imposed. The architect and urban planner
Daniel Burnham was commissioned by the American Gov’t to design Manila and Baguio, while Architect
William Parsons implemented the Burnham Plan and it is inspired by the City Beautiful Movement
introduced in 1893 at Chicago World Fair.

In 1909, the school of fine arts in UP was opened.

Peninsulares is the term used to refer to Spanish-born residents of the Philippines.

May we call on Mr. Fabian De la Rosa (Gaudicos) and Mr. Fernando Amorsolo (Domingo), to share their
arts with us.

*clap clap clap*

Enaya: Hi Mr. De la Rosa

Gaudicos: Hi.

Enaya: Ay, did you know guys that Mr. Fabian De la Rosa is known for his naturalist paintings characterized
by restraint and formality in brushwork, choice of somber colors, and subject matter?

Gaudicos: *smile na nahihiya kuno* uhhmm, yeah. And they (napansin nila ashajd) it in my works Planting
rice (1921) and El Kundiman (1930).

*shows works sa PPT*

Enaya: Yes. And to Mr. Fernando Amorsolo, did you know guys that he is known for his romantic paintings
that captured the warm glow of the Philippine sunlight?

Domingo: It’s kinda embarrassing, but yeah. I am also known as a painter who shows the beauty of
dalagang Filipinas, idyllic landscapes; and historical paintings. I was also a graphic artist who rendered
drawings for the textbook series: the Philippine readers and as well as illustrations for the newspaper
“the independent”.

Enaya: Thank you, Mr. De la Rosa and Mr. Amorsolo. *layas sila* May we call back Ms. Icamen to introduce
the Modern Art Paintings.

Icamen: Thank you.

One of the known artists on this period is Victor Edades, whose works were initially rejected and
misunderstood.

Carlos “Botong” Francisco. He is known for his magisterial murals, “Filipino Struggles through History”.

Galo Ocampo is also recognized for indigenizing western icons, as seen in his Brown Madonna.

Sadly, they’re so busy today that’s why he can’t come and join us today.

This three are also called “triumvirate” of modern art because of their collaborative work created,
Nature’s Bounty, a painting of group of women harvesting fruits in a field.

Edades publicized a roster of artists who, in his view, has modernist learnings. He called them THIRTEEN
MODERNS:

THIRTEEN MODERNS
1. Victorio Edades
2. Aresnio Capili
3. Bonifacio Cristobal
4. Demetrio Diego
5. Carlos “Botong” Francisco
6. Cesar Legaspi
7. Diosdado Lorenzo
8. Anita Magsaysay-Ho
9. Vicente Manansala
10. Galo Ocampo
11. Hernando Ocampo
12. Jose Pardo
13. Ricarte Purugganan