INTRODUCTION

President Ferdinand Marcos declared

Martial law in the Philippines on
September 21, 1972. He claimed the
declaration was necessary to prevent
a communist takeover of the country.
Marcos suspended the writ of habeas
corpus, which allowed him to detain
anyone without charge, and censored
the media. He also dissolved the
Congress and the Supreme Court.
 INTRODUCTION
The Marcos regime called this period
the "New Society," and it promised to
create a more just and equitable
society. However, widespread human
rights abuses marked the Martial Law
period, including torture, extrajudicial
killings, and disappearances. Many
people were imprisoned for their
political beliefs, and the economy
stagnated.
 INTRODUCTION
Martial law was officially lifted in 1981,
but Marcos continued to rule by
decree until he was overthrown in the
People Power Revolution in 1986. The
Martial Law period is a dark chapter
in Philippine history, but it also
produced a rich body of literature
that provides a valuable record of this
time.
 LANGUAGE AND
MEDIUM USED
The dominant language in
Philippine literature during this
period was Filipino, although some
writers still used English. The
medium used was mostly print, but
some works were produced in
other media, such as film and
theater.
Dominant Literary
Forms or Genres
The dominant literary forms or
genres during this period were
essays, short stories, and poetry.
These forms were used to express
the writers' views on the political
situation and their personal
experiences and emotions.
Theme/Subjects
The themes/subjects explored in
Philippine literature during this
period were mainly related to the
Martial Law regime, such as
oppression, censorship, and
dissent. Other themes/subjects
included poverty, social injustice,
and the environment.
Some Notable Writers and
their Literary Works:

1. Amado V. Hernandez:
Hernandez was a poet, journalist,
and labor leader imprisoned for
opposing the Marcos regime. His
most famous work is the poem
"Isang Punongkahoy" (A Tree), a
powerful indictment of the
Marcos government.
Some Notable Writers and
their Literary Works:

2. Feliciano Ramos: Ramos was a

short story writer and novelist
who wrote about the experiences
of ordinary people during the
Martial Law period. His most
famous work is the novel "The
Pretenders," which tells the story
of a family torn apart by the
political turmoil of the time.
Some Notable Writers and
their Literary Works:

3. Rogelio Sikat: Sikat was a

playwright and novelist known
for his realistic portrayals of
Filipino life. His most famous work
is the play "Bukid" (The Farm),
which tells the story of a peasant
family struggling to survive
during the Martial Law period.
Some Notable Writers and
their Literary Works:

4. Kerima Polotan Tuvera: Tuvera

was a journalist, essayist, and
novelist known for her sharp wit and
insightful observations on Philippine
society. Her most famous work is the
essay collection "The Woman Who
Had Two Navels," which explores the
themes of gender, identity, and
colonialism.
Some Notable Writers and
their Literary Works:

5. Lualhati Bautista: Bautista is a

novelist, playwright, and screenwriter
known for her works exploring the lives
of women and the working class. Her
most famous work is the novel "Bata,
Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?" (How Are
You, My Son?) tells the story of a
woman who is forced to work as a
prostitute to support her family.
 MARTIAL LAW: NEW SOCIETY
The New Society was a dark period in Philippine history when the
government suspended civil liberties and abused human rights. The
literature produced during this time provides a valuable record of the
experiences of ordinary people and the abuses of the Marcos regime, as
well as the resilience and hope of the Filipino people.