Philippine Literature during the

Japanese Era
Between 1941-1945
 Brief History:
 In 1941-1945 – The empire of Japan conquered the
Philippines.
 The Japanese banned English newspapers.
 There was minimal freedom of speech and of the press.
 The Japanese censored Filipino writers’ works strictly.
 Theaters were used to show English play translated into
Filipino.
 The weekly LIWAYWAY was placed under strict
surveillance until it was managed by Japanese named
Ishiwara.
● Japanese were able to
influence and
encourage the Filipino
in developing the
vernacular literature
● The only Filipino writers
who could write freely
were those who were
living in the U.S
 The drama experienced a
lull during the Japanese
period
 The big movie houses were
just made to show stage
shows.
 The translators were
Francisco Soc Rodrigo,
Alberto Concio, and Narcisp
Pimentel
 They also founded the
organization of Filipino
players named Dramatic
Philippines
1. Jose Ma.Hernandez wrote
PANDAY PIRA
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigo- wrote
SA PULA, SA PUTI
3. Clodualdo del Mundo- wrote
BULAGA (an expression in the
game Hide and Seek)
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda- wrote
SINO BA KAYO? DAHIL SA
ANAK, AT HIGANTE NG
PATAY
1. Haiku
2. Tanaga
3. Karaniwang anyo (Usual Form)
1) Haiku – a poem of free verse that
the Japanese like. It was made up of
17 syllables divided into three lines.
The First line has 5 syllables, the
second, 7 syllables, and the third,
has 5. The Haiku is allegorical in
meaning, it’s short and covers a wide
scope in meaning.
EXAMPLE: HAIKU
BY: GONZALO K. FLORES
2) Tanaga – like the
Haiku, it’s short but
has a measure and
a rhyme. Each line
consists of 17
syllables and it also
has allegorical in
meaning.
EXAMPLE: TANAGA
BY: IDELFONSO SANTOS
(Liwayway, October 10, 1943)
3) KaraniwangAnyo (Usual Form) – the usual
common form of poetry.