Lesson 1: Philippine Literature during the American Colonial Period Comics also started appearing in magazines as a series, like

in magazines as a series, like “Si Kiko at Si Angge” in

Telembang. Others were satirical editorial cartoons like in Lipang Kalabaw, a Tagalog
The American colonial period in the Philippines was also the time when knowledge and
magazine owned by Lope K. Santos. “Album ng mga Kabalbalan ni Kenkoy” also appeared in
information became increasingly accessible to more Filipinos. The use of the English
the entertainment section of the magazine Liwayway.
language as a mode of instruction in schools paved the way for more Filipinos to learn and
utilize the language in various forms of communication, especially in writing. Many literary Tagalog drama also transformed from merely a form of entertainment to an expression of
writers in English emerged during this era: Paz Marquez Benitez, Juan F. Salazar, and many revolt against the Americans. Famous playwrights were Juan Abad, who wrote Tanikalang
others whose literary pieces are still being published and read after so many decades. In this Guinto; Juan Matapang Cruz for Hindi Aco Patay; Aurelio Tolentino, writer of Kahapon,
lesson, we will find out more abo America’s influence in our literature and culture. Ngayon, at Bukas; Severino Reyes for Walang Sugat; Julian Cruz Balmaceda for Sa Bunganga
ng Pating; and Precioso Palma for Paglipas ng Dilim.
A nation’s history can be recalled through political decrees, constitutions, laws, and reforms.
However, to learn about its core values and spirit as a nation, one must read its literature. Sarsuwela, a form of musical theater famous in the 1920s to 1930s, was later written in
Literature reflects the practices, cultures, a reactions of its people to the events around English by Filipino playwrights Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, who wrote Three Rats, and Alberto
them. Each form, such as essay and poetry, will tell you the various emotions and thoughts Florentino, writer of The World Is an Apple. However, even in the midst of the American
about these events that led to shaping the citizens and the nation. period, the Spanish language was used by these famous writers and poets: Claro M. Recto
for his piece Bajo los Cocoteros, Antonio M. Abad for his El Ultimo Romantico, and Jesus
On April 11, 1899, an agreement was signed by John Hay, the US Secretary of State, after the
Balmori, popular for his Mi Casa de Nipa, among many others.
Spanish-American War. In this agreement, Spain surrendered the remaining colonies of the
Spanish empire—Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines—to the United States, which During this period, many writers were apprentices in English literature; they imitated the
also involved a payment of 20 million dollars to Spain. style of popular American fictionists. It was as if learning the language was also learning
write in English. However, as years went by, these writers found their own styles in writing.
Education was first headed by American soldiers. The changed in 1901, when around 600
Famous short stories in English emerged, like “Dead Stars” by Paz Marquez-Benitez and
teachers arrived onboard the ship USS Thomas to replace the soldiers. These teachers were
“Footnote to Youth” by Jose Garcia Villa. These short stories showcased the writers’ distinct
called the Thomasites. Public education was made free, and the medium of instruction used
styles that were different from the styles of American writers.
was English. This created a new educated middle class in the country. Alongside the use of
English in education, Filipinos learned American models of thought, culture, and ways of life. Alongside short stories, essays became a popular form of expression. Some were light or
humorous, while some writers dealt with more serious subjects such as politics and social
Since the Filipinos were colonized for more than 300 years prior to the American colonial
problems. Most of these essays were published as newspaper columns. In 1921, the first-ev
period, the Spanish language was widely used during the American rule. Thus, a great
anthology for essays was published by Zoilo M. Galang with the title Life and Success. In the
portion of literature written by Filipinos using the Spanish language emerged during this era.
same year, the first collection of poems in book form, the Reminiscence, was published
For example, newspapers like El Tiempo, El Pueblo de Iloilo, La Vanguardia, La Democracia,
Lorenzo Paredes. Meanwhile, Justo Juliano’s poem “Sursum Corda” is the first known Filipi
and El Renacimiento were published in Spanish. On the other hand, other newspapers and
poem in English and was published in the Philippines Free Press in 1907.
magazines helped boost the use of the English language in the Philippines. Some of these
were the Manila Times, the Manila Daily Bulletin, Cable News, the Independent, Philippines During the American colonial period, Filipino writers in English started from being
Free Press, the Philippine Review, the Philippines Herald, the Manila Tribune, and Graphic, “apprentices” of American writers and developed to being writers with their own voices and
among others. School publications also emerged during this period, such as the Filipino styles. Their further development in using the English language in writing helped pave the
Students’ Magazine, UP College Folio, the Coconut of the Manila High School, and the Torch way for younger Filipino writers to confidently write their own stories and add more to t
of the Philippine Normal School. ever-growing list of literary works in the country.

Vacation days at last are here,

And we have time for fun so dear, during the 1896 revolution. He was again sent to prison by Americans during the American
All boys and girls do gladly cheer, colonial era. In addition to his political and revolutionary involvements, he was also one of
This welcomed season of the year. the witnesses who signed the Declaration of Philippine Independence in Kawit, Cavite on
In early June in school we’ll meet; June 12, 1898.
A harder task shall we complete
And if we fail we must repeat Due to his play Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas (Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow), he became
That self same task without retreat. known as the Father of Tagalog Drama. He was an advocate of using Tagalog as a language
We simply rest to come again that unifies Filipinos from different regions. Because of this, he founded the El Parnaso
To school where boys and girls obtain Filipin school that promotes Tagalog literature.
The Creator’s gift to men
Whose sanguine hopes in us remain. Example
Vacation means a time for play
Below is an excerpt from from Aurelio Tolentino’s collection of poetry titled Dakilang Asal.
For young and old in night and day
My wish for all is to be gay, VII. Sa Mga Piging
And evil none lead you astray. Kung mapithaya ka sa alin mang piging,
--- Juan F. Salazar huag kang magpauna sa ibang panauhin;
Philippines Free Press, May 9, 1909 ngunit huag ka namang mahuling dumating:
isipin mong ikaw ay doon hihintin.
Sa mesang pagkain kung tumatawag nga,
This poem is one of the earliest published poems written in English. This is an example of
hayaang mauna ang mga dakila;
imitating the making of verses from their American models. at gayon din naman huag kang magkusang
maunang tumikim sa alin mang handa.
Huag kang magmadali’t ang subo’y huag lakhan
Lesson 2: Filipino Author during the American Colonization: Aurelio Tolentino ang ulam ay huag mong amuyan o hipan;
ang mga kubiertos ay paka-ingatan,
Many prominent writers emerged during the American colonial period. While most of them upang huag kumatog na lubha sa pingan.
started as apprentices, many developed and owned their voices and writing styles in English, Huag mong titigan ang alin mang hain,
Filipino, and other Philippine languages. Indeed, through their brilliance and perseverance, at gayon din naman kasalong panauhin
Philippine literature flourished a became richer not just in form but also in themes that were paka-ingatan mo’t huag sasambitin
discussed in each literary text. One of these writers is Aurelio Tolentino, who remained true ang bagay na baka nakaririmarim.
to his militant nationalism and made it part of his literary writings. Ang iyong mga siko ay huag mong isampa
magpakailan pa man sa kakanang mesa,
One of the prolific writers duri the American colonial period was Aurelio Tolentino. He was kahit anong ulam ay huag humingi ka,
born on October 3, 1867 in Guagua, Pampanga. He obtained a bachelor of arts degree at huag namang pintasan ang kahit alin pa.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran and took law at the University of Santo Tomas. However, his
father’s passing forced him to stop his schooling.
Lesson 3: Philippine Literature during the Japanese Occupation
He helped in printing and distributing La Solidaridad, the newspaper founded by the
Ilustrados Graciano Lopez-Jaena, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Jose Rizal, who were all in Spain During World War II, the Philippines was occupied by the Japanese from 1941 to 1945. The
during that time. He also became acquainted with Andres Bonifacio and was imprisoned occupation of the Philippines began on December 8, 1941, 10 hours after Japan bombed
Pearl Harbor in Hawaii." During the war between Japan and the United States, President
Manuel L. Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur fled to the US. But before leaving,
Lesson 4: Filipino Author during the Japanese Occupation: Manuel Arguilla
MacArthur made a promi to the Filipino people: “I shall return.” The saying is popular up to
this day. He came back to Leyte in 1944. One of the famous Filipino writers in English during the Commonwealth period and the
Japanese occupation was Manuel Arguilla. He was born in Bauang, La Union on June 17,
The Fall of Bataan and the Death March, which killed thousands of Filipinos and Americans,
1911. In high school, he was the editor-in-chief of their school newsletter La Union Tab. He
were results of the fin major battles of the Japanese invasion. Japanese rule in the
earned an education degree in 1933 at the University of the Philippines and was a member
Philippines began after they subdued all Philippine and American military forces in the
and eventually president of the UP Writers Club, as well as the editor of the Literary
country.
Apprentice. In addition, he was also the editor of Welfare Advocate, the publication of
Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day, 1945) was declared after Japan surrendered to the United Bureau of Public Welfare where he worked after teaching in the University of Manila.
States on August 15, 1945. After this was the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic on
His literary works were compiled in a book with the title How My Brother Leon Brought
July 4, 1946. During the Japanese occupation, there was only a limited number of Filipino
Home a Wife (and Other Stories). This collection of short stories won first prize in the first
literature in English that was written and published. However, Philippine literature in
Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1 Most of his stories depict events in his hometown as
general flourished this period, especially those that were written in Tagalog and other
evidenced in “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife.” Similar to other Filipino writers,
Philippine languages. English plays during this period were translated into Filipino or the
he used a lot of local color in his literary pieces.
vernacular. Plays were also one of the more popular forms of entertainment because the
Japanese banned American films. He became a teacher, writer, and fighter when he joined the freedom forces of the count
and fought against the Japanese army in 1941. He was captured in 1944 along with his
More original dramas in Filipino were written during this period. For example, in this era,
family, and he was sentenced to death. He was executed on October 1944 at the age of 33.
Francisco Soc Rodrigo wrote Sa Pula, sa Puti, which is being read in schools until now. Jose
Ma. Fernandez wrote Panday Pira, while Julian Cruz Balmaceda wrote Sino Ba Kayo? and Example Below is an excerpt of Manuel Arguilla’s “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a
Dahil sa Anak. Meanwhile, Filipino writers of other literary forms such as short stories, Wife,” taken from the official government website of his hometown, Bauang, La Union. The
essays, and poetry were given distinct honors. Pulitzer Prize recipient Carlos P. Romulo had story written from the point of view of Baldo, the younger brother of Leon. Leon brings
his bestsellers I Saw the Fall of the Philippines, I See the Philippines Rise, and Mother home his wife, Maria, to his hometown of Nagrebcan. At the beginning of the story, Leon
America, and My Brother Americans. Notable short story writers in this era were Macario introduces Maria to Baldo and to his hometown. As they ride the bull named Labang toward
Pineda, N.V.M. Gonzalez, Ligaya Reyes, and Gloria Guzman, to name a few. In poetry, Fred their house, Maria hesitates with the fear that Leon’s family might not like her.
Ruiz Castro and Francisco Icasiano were only two of the prominent poets of that time.
The featured excerpt is the last part of the story wherein the three characters reach Leon
Without Seeing the Dawn, a novel written by Stevan Javellana, was published in the United and Baldo’s home:
States in 1947. It depicts the experiences of Filipinos during the war between the Americans
and the Japanese. This novel was later on adapted into a movie entitled Santiago!, which “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife”
(An Excerpt) Manuel Arguilla
was directed by Lino Brocka and starred Fernando Poe, Jr. and Hilda Coronel.

Among the most gruesome stories during the war were those about comfort women, and
I stopped Labang on the road before our house and would have gotten down but my brother
among them was Maria Rosa Henson or Nana Rosa as she was fondly known. She wrote an
Leon took the rope and told me to stay in the cart. He turned Labang into the open gate and
autobiography, Comfort Woman: Slave of Destiny, which was published in 1996. Some
we dashed into our yard. I thought we would crash into the camachile tree, but my brother
famous Filipino writers who lived during this period were Bienvenido Santos, Manuel
Leon reined in Labang in time. There was light downstairs in the kitchen, and Mother stood
Arguilla, Marcelo Agana Jr., and Nick Joaquin.
in the doorway, and I could see her smiling shyly. My brother Leon was helping Maria over
the wheel. The first words that fell from his lips after he had kiss Mother’s hand were:  Works of Philippine literature during the American colonial period were written in
“Father... where is he?” Spanish, English, and Tagalog.
 Works of literature in the Philippines during the American and Japanese periods
“He is in his room upstairs,” Mother said, her face becoming serious. “His leg is bothering
were in the form of newspaper articles, comics, essays, short stories, poems, drama,
him again.” I did not hear anything more because I had to go back to the cart to unhitch
etc.
Labang. But I hardly tied him under the barn when I heard Father calling me. I met my
 There are only a few recorded pieces of literature written in English during the
brother Leon going to bring up the trunks. As I passed through the kitchen, there were
Japanese occupation due to high censorship.
Mother and my sister Aurelia and Maria and it seemed to me they were crying, all of them.
There was no light in Father’s room. There was no movement. He sat in the big armchair by
the western window, and a star shone directly through it. He was smoking, but he removed
the roll of tobacco from his mouth when he saw me. He laid it carefully on the windowsill
before speaking.

“Did you meet anybody on the way?” he asked. “No, Father,” I said. “Nobody passes
through the Waig at night.” He reached for his roll of tobacco and hitched himself up in the
chair. “She is very beautiful, Father.” “Was she afraid of Labang?” My father had not raised
his voice, but the room seemed to resound with it. And again I saw her eyes on the long
curving horns and the arm of my brother Leon around her shoulders.

“No, Father, she was not afraid.” “On the way---” “She looked at the stars, Father. And
Manong Leon sang.” “What did he sing?” “---Sky Sown with Stars... She sang with him.” He
was silent again. I could hear the low voices of Mother and my sister Aurelia downstairs.
There was also the voice of my brother Leon, and I thought that Father’s voice must have
been like it when Father was young. He had laid the roll of tobacco on the windowsill once
more. I watched the smoke waver faintly upward from the lighted end and vanish slowly
into the night outside.

The door opened and my brother Leon and Maria came in. “Have you watered Labang?”
Father spoke to me. I told him that Labang was resting yet under the barn. “It is time you
watered him, my son,” my father said. I looked at Maria and she was lovely. She was tall.
Beside my brother Leon, she was tall and very still. Then I went out, and in the darkened hall
the fragrance of her was like a morning when papayas are in bloom.

Wrap-up!

 After the Spanish-American war, Spain surrendered the Philippines to the United
States along with the other remaining countries in the Spanish empire.