Historical Background

The period of American colonization of the Philippines lasted 48 years, from the cession of
the Philippines to the U.S. by Spain in 1898 to the U.S. recognition of Philippine
independence in 1946.

Now let’s move onto the General Characteristics

New literary forms were introduced, such as free verse in poetry, the modern short story,
and the critical essay. Literary modernism emphasized the writer's uniqueness and
encouraged self-consciousness. Their patriotism and desire for independence were
exemplified in literary works.

The American influence was powerful with the adoption of English as the medium of
instruction in all schools. As a result, the mediums used in literature during these times were
Spanish, Tagalog, the Vernaculars, and English.

The Philippine Literature in the Spanish language

During the early years of American occupation, our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, served as
an inspiration for our Filipino writers in Spanish. His novels, Noli and El Fili, possessed the
best qualities of any novel ever written, inspiring many Filipinos to learn Spanish.

The American period was divided into two parts: the apprenticeship period (from 1910
to1935) and the Emergence period (from 1935 to 1945).

During the apprenticeship period, the short stories imitated plots and themes from American
and other foreign sources. The sentimental love lyrics dominated the poetry of the
apprenticeship period. The essays covered Philippine history, religion, philosophy, ethics,
politics, and other culturally significant topics.

It was a time of self-discovery and rapid growth during the emergence period. The writers
had a complete grasp of the English language. They wrote in a variety of styles, including
free verse, sonnets, odes, elegies, and others. Writing biographies and autobiographies was
also popular during this time period.

Onto the next part; Writers and their Literary works

In the spanish literature we have Cecilio Apostol

Cecilio was born on November 22, 1877. He was known not only in the Philippines, but also
throughout the Hispanic world, as "the finest Filipino epic poet writing in Spanish." Apostol's
patriotic poem Mi Raza won first place in the Club International's national literary contest in
1902.

His Notable works are:

-A Emilio Jacinto
-Sobre El Pinto (which is dedicated to Apolinario Mabini)
- A Rizal
- Al Héroe Nacional, Mi Raza
Adelina Guerrea
Adelina was born on the 27th of September, 1896. She is the Philippines' first female poet
who speaks Spanish fluently. Her novel EL NIDO won her the Nobel Prize. In 1934, she co-
founded Asociación España-Filipinas in Madrid, inspired by national hero Jose Rizal's
writings. She founded the Circulo Hispano-Filipino in 1950.

Her notable works are:

- En agraz
- Foreword of Gurrea's Cuentos de Juana
- El Nido

In The Filipino Literature we have Lope K. Santos

Lope was born on September 25, 1879 in New York City. He is known as the "Father of
National Language Grammar." From 1908 to 1955, Santos was a member of numerous
literary and labor organizations; the labor group Union Obrera Democratica Filipina was
renamed Union del Trabajo de Filipinas.

His notable works are:

- Ang panggingera
- Banaag at Sikat ( recognised as the first socialist-oriented book in the Philippines,
expounding socialist principles and advocating for government labor reforms.)

Armando V. Hernandes
Armando was born on September 13, 1903. He was known as the "Labor Poet." He received
the Republic Cultural Heritage Award, several Palancas, and a National Press Club award
for his journalistic achievements. After WWII, he joined the Philippine Newspaper Guild, and
his writings became increasingly focused on the problems of peasants and laborers.
Influenced by Hobbes and Locke's ideas, he promoted revolution as a means of
transformation. His activism and publications landed him in prison from 1951 to 1956. One of
his masterpieces, Mga Ibong Mandaragit, was written while he was imprisoned. "Atang" de
la Rama, his wife, smuggled out his prison works.

His notable works are:

- Ang Panday
- Wala ng lunas
- Langaw sa isang Basong gatas
- Ipinanganak ang Isang Kaaway sa Sosyedad

Inido ed Regalado
Inigo was born on July 14, 1976. Inigo Ed Regalado was dubbed as a "powerful voice" in
newspapers and magazines during the first half of the twentieth century. His works were
from the "Golden Age of the Tagalog Novel." One of his most well-known works was
Prinsesa Urduja, a play that was performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

His notable works are:

 - Tilamsik
- Damdamin (won the first poetry competition held during the Commonwealth of the
Philippines in 1941)

Onto the next part of our presentation

The literary works in the American period

Short story:
Dead stars by Paz Marquez Benitez
- Published in 1925
Made the landmark of the maturity of a filipino writer in english

Novels:
The Filipino Rebel by Maximo Kalaw
- Published in 1964
- discourses on cultural identity, nationhood and being Filipino done in the English
language
His native soil by Juan C. Laya
- Published in 1941
- marked the emergence of realism during the Philippine Commonwealth's slow,
decade-long transition to independence from the United States.

Filipino Fictions:
Ako’y isang tinig by Genoveva Edroza Matute
- Published in 1952
- The story revolves around the lives of a farmer and his or her hopes of reclaiming the
land that is properly theirs.
Uhaw ang tigang na lupa by Liwayway Arceo
- Published in 1968
- This is the story of a girl who grew up with parents who never exhibited affection for
one another.

Thank you (ending)

Historical Background
● The period of American colonization of the Philippines lasted 48 years, from the
cession of the Philippines to the U.S. by Spain in 1898 to the U.S. recognition of
Philippine independence in 1946.

Characteristics:
● New literary forms such as free verse in poetry, the modern short story, and the
critical essay were introduced.
● Literary modernism highlighted the writer’s individuality and cultivated self-
consciousness. Literary works clearly depicted their love of country and longing for
independence.
 ● American influence was firm with the establishment of English as the medium of
instruction in all schools. Hence, Spanish, Tagalog, the Vernaculars, and English,
were the mediums used in literature during these times.

The Philippine Literature in the Spanish language

● In the earlier years of American occupation, the inspiration of our Filipino writers in
Spanish was our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. His novels, Noli and El Fili contained
the best qualities of a novel ever written which inspired a lot of Filipinos to use the
Spanish language.

Characteristics of Philippine Literature in the Apprenticeship Period (1910-1935)

● The short stories during this period were imitations of plots and themes from
American and other foreign sources.
● The poetry of the apprenticeship period was dominated by sentimental love lyrics.
● The essays dealt with Philippine history, religion, philosophy, ethics, politics, and
other significant matters bearing on Philippine culture.

Characteristics of Philippine Literature in the Emergence Period (1935-1945)

● a time of self-discovery and of rapid growth
● The writers had gained full control of the English language. They wrote in free verse,
sonnets, odes, elegies, and others. Also, writing biographies and autobiographies
was notable during this period.

Writers and their Literary works

Literature in Spanish

Cecilio Apostol
● born November 22, 1877
● He was known as "the finest Filipino epic poet writing in Spanish" not only in the
Philippines, but also across the Hispanic globe.
● In1902, Apostol's patriotic poem Mi Raza earned first prize in the Club International's
national literary contest.
Works:
-A Emilio Jacinto
-Sobre El Pinto (dedicated to Apolinario Mabini)
- A Rizal
- Al Héroe Nacional, Mi Raza

Adelina Guerrea
● Born in September 27, 1896
● the Philippines' first female poet who is fluent in Spanish.
● Her book EL NIDO earned her the Nobel Prize.
● She co-founded Asociación Espana-Filipinas in Madrid in 1934, inspired by the
writings of national hero Jose Rizal. The Circulo Hispano-Filipino was formed by her
in 1950.
Works:
- En agraz
 - Foreword of Gurrea's Cuentos de Juana
- El Nido

Literature in Filipino

Lope K. Santos
● Born September 25, 1879
● Entitled as the “Father of the National Language Grammar”
● Santos was a member of numerous literary and labor organizations from 1908
to1955; the labor group Union Obrera Democratica Filipina was renamed Union del
Trabajo de Filipinas.
Works:
- Ang panggingera
- Banaag at Sikat ( recognised as the first socialist-oriented book in the Philippines,
expounding socialist principles and advocating for government labor reforms.)

Armando V. Hernandez
● Born in September 13, 1903
● Dubbed as the “ Poet of the Laborers ”
● For his journalistic achievements, he received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award,
a number of Palancas, and an award from the National Press Club.
● Joined the Philippine Newspaper Guild, and his writings increasingly focused on the
problems of laborers. He promoted revolution as a means of transformation.
● From 1951 through 1956, his activism and publications landed him in prison. Mga
Ibong Mandaragit, one of his masterpieces, was written when he was incarcerated.

Works:
- Ang Panday
- Wala ng lunas
- Langaw sa isang Basong gatas
- Ipinanganak ang Isang Kaaway sa Sosyedad

Inigo Ed Regalado
● Born in July 14 1976
● During the first half of the twentieth century, Iigo Ed Regalado was one of the
"powerful voices" in newspapers and magazines.
● His writings belonged to "The Tagalog Novel's Golden Age."
● Prinsesa Urduja, a play performed in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, was one
of his most well-known works.
Works:
- Tilamsik
- Damdamin (won the first poetry competition held during the Commonwealth of the
Philippines in 1941)

Literary Works

Short story:
Dead stars by Paz Marquez Benitez
- Published in 1925
Made the landmark of the maturity of a filipino writer in english

Novels:
The Filipino Rebel by Maximo Kalaw
- Published in 1964
- discourses on cultural identity, nationhood and being Filipino done in the English
language
His native soil by Juan C. Laya
- Published in 1941
- marked the emergence of realism during the Philippine Commonwealth's slow,
decade-long transition to independence from the United States.

Filipino Fictions:
Ako’y isang tinig by Genoveva Edroza Matute
- Published in 1952
- The story revolves around the lives of a farmer and his or her hopes of reclaiming the
land that is properly theirs.
Uhaw ang tigang na lupa by Liwayway Arceo
- Published in 1968
- This is the story of a girl who grew up with parents who never exhibited affection for
one another.

References:

Quindoza-Santiago, L. (n.d.). Philippine Literature during the American Period. National

Commission for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved from https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-
3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/philippine-literature-during-
the-american-period/

Godinez-Ortega, C. (n.d.). The Literary Forms in Philippine Literature. National Commission

for Culture and the Arts. Retrieved from https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-
3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/the-literary-forms-in-
philippine-literature/

Hebbar, R. (2017, October 1). Filipino American Literature. ScholarBlogs. Retrieved from
https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/postcolonialstudies/2014/06/20/filipino-american-literature/

Andres, S. (n.d.). AMERICAN PERIOD. The Mindsmith. Retrieved from

https://salirickandres.altervista.org/american-period/?
doing_wp_cron=1628056269.7924261093139648437500

Estroga, J. I. (2016, January 18). Philippine literature during american period. Slideshare.
Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/josephestroga/philippine-literature-during-
american-period
Poem hunter. (n.d). Cecilio Apostol Biography. PoemHunter.com. Retrieved from
https://www.poemhunter.com/cecilio-apostol/biography/

Wikipilipinas. (n.d). Adelina Gurrea Monasterio. Wikipilipinas. Retrieved from

https://en.wikipilipinas.org/view/Adelina_Gurrea_Monasterio

Aspillera, P. S. (n.d). Papers of Lope K. Santos. Mapua Institute of Technology. Institute

Archives and Special Collections. Retrieved from
https://sites.google.com/site/papersoflopeksantos/home/biography

Diem C. (2015, November 24). The Biography of Amado V. Hernandez. Carpe Diem.
Retrieved from
http://pecayojamilah.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-biography-of-amado-v-hernandez.html

Poem hunter. (n.d). Iñigo Ed. Regalado Biography. PoemHunter.com. Retrieved from
https://www.poemhunter.com/i-igo-ed-regalado/biography/