THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD IN THE PHILIPPINES

In 1946- the barangay writers whose aim was to publish works in English by Filipinos was established.
The early post-liberation period was marked by a kind of “struggle of mind and spirit”.
A NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE
Alfredo Navarro Salongga-
a consistent writer of the Philippine Panorama Magazine.
In his column “Post- Prandal Reflections” aptly said it: “darkness in the mind and soul is somehow
forgotten poet puts it.

FILIPINO POETRY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY

1. Maynila . . .Sa Kuko ng mga Liwanag
by Edgardo Reyes
Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs, and the beauties of
nature and surroundings.
After the Aquino Assassinated, the people’s voices could no longer be contained. Both the public and
private sectors in government were chanting, and shouting, women, men and the youth become bolder
and their voices were raised in dissent.

WRITERS DURING THIS PERIOD

THE REBIRTH
OF
FREEDOM
(1946-1970)
tagalog poetry acquired not only rhyme but substance and meaning.

*HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
THE LITERARY REVOLUTION
Any establishment became the symbol of the ills that had to be changed.
Poets:
*Ponciano Pineda
*Anacieto Silvestre
*Jose Garcia Revelo
*Bienvinido Ramos
ORGANIZATIONS CONTRIBUTED A LOT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLAYS
1. PETA of Cecile Guidote and Lino Brocka
2. Repertory Philippines of Rebecca Godines and Zenaida Amador
Among these were Augusto Victa, Gene Palomo, Mely Tagasa, Lina Pusing, and Ester Chavez.
Popular Television Plays were:
1. Gulong ng Palad
2. Flor de Luna
3. Anna Liza
4. Superman
5. Tarzan
Plays
The government led in reviving old plays and dramas.
In 1977, “The tales of Manuvu”, a new style of the ballet opera was also added to those presentations.
July 4, 1946
The Philippines regained its freedom and the Filipino flag waved joyously alone.

ALEJANDRO ABADILLA
3. Ganito Kami Noon..Paano Kayo Ngayon
led by Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz
Its suddenness was so profoundthat we couldn’t react to it any other way”.
The seeds of activism resulted in the declaration of Martial Law in 1972.

M.K.T.M. :)
Novels became common but were still read by the people for recreation.

THE PERIOD OF
ACTIVISM
(1970-1972)
Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions.
The government took part in reviving old play like Cenaculo, Zarzuela, and Embayokya of the Muslims.
In 1958- the PEN Center of the Philippines was inaugurated.
Almost themes in most writings dealt with the development of the country.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Radio and Television
Radio continued to be patronized during this period. It is one of the recreations this time without
television.
However many performing artists in radio moved over the television.

*HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Most themes in the writings deal with:
1. Japanese brutalities
2. The poverty of life
3. The brave guerrilla exploits
*A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino (Yearly Filipino) was held during this time.
*During the Festival which lasted usually for a month.
After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started under the New
Society, Martial rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.
*Writes wrote openly of their criticism against the government.
* Supplications of the people were coached in fiery, colourful, violent, profane, and insulting language.

*According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic

and worldwide causes.
*Some believed that socialism should replace democracy.
Filipino Films
The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos rejoiced and guerillas who fled to the mountain joined the
liberating American Army.
The frustrations of youth could be felt in churches and school.
Filipino Poetry
*Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary.
SALVADOR P. LOPEZ
born in Currimao, Ilocos Norte, was an Ilokano writer, journalist, educator, diplomat, and statesman
*The Period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972.
The Carlos Palanca Award continued to give annual awards.

*HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
POCIANO
PINEDA
Liwayway had been an old time favourite of the Filipinos since 1920. Other magazines were: Kislap at
Bulaklak.
Short stories had better characters and events based on facts and realities.
Coritha, Eric and Freedie Aguilar composed a song titled LABAN NG BAYAN KO. Freddie Aguilar revived
the song bayan ko.
Many books were published during this time, among which were:
NOVELS AND
SHORT STORIES
PERIOD OF THE NE W SOCIETY
(1972-1980)
*STATE OF LITERATURE
Leading papers during this period were:
1. Bulletin Today
2. Times Journal
3. Peoples Journal
4. Balita
5. Pilipino Express
6. Phillipine Daily Express
7. Evening Post
*New Kinds of Films without sex or romance started to be made but which nevertheless
well-received by the public.
Among these were:
There was a proliferation of newspapers like:
*Free Press, Morning sun by Sergio Osmeña
*Daily mirror by Joaquin Roces
*Evening news by Ramon Lopezes
*The bulletin by Menzi
Novels and short stories
They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word MAKIBATA

TEODORO AGONCILLO

NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE

Francisco Arellana published his pen anthology of short story.

*THE SEED OF ACTIVISM

*The Philippines became a new nation and former President Marcos called “The New Republic of the
Philippines.
*Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr., the idol of the Filipino masses, whom they hoped to be next president,
was brutally murdered in August 21, 1983.
2. Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo
by
Nora Aunor was the performer
1. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by
Alejandro Abadilla
2. Ang Maikling Kwentong Tagalog (1886-1948) by
Teodoro Agoncillo
*NICK JOAQUIN
Nicomedes Márquez Joaquín was a Filipino writer, historian and journalist, best known for his short
stories and novels in the English language. He also wrote using the pen name Quijano de Manila.
3. Ako’y Isang Tinig (1952) by
Genoveva Edroza Matute
Filipino Songs
Many Composers, grieved over Ninoy Aquino’s treacherous assassination composed songs. They were:
Phillippine Films during this Period:
*The Yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held during this period.
*The people’s love for sex films also was unabated.
3. UP Repertory of Behn Cervantes
4. Teatro Filipino by Rolando Tini

THE THIRD REPUBLIC

Poetry in the Third Republic
During the wake of the tragic Benigno Aquino’s Jr. Incident, people reacted shock, appalled by the
suddenness and the unexpected of events.
Gregorio C. Brillantes,
a Palanca Award Hall of Famer and a multi-awarded fiction writer, is one of the Philippines' most popular
writers in English.

POEMS, SONGS AND FILMS DURING THIS PERIOD

Genoveza Edroza Matute
"Without seeing the Dawn" by Stevan Javellanas
* JOSE F. LACABA
better known as Jose F. Lacaba, is a Filipino poet, journalist, and screenwriter.
Composers:
*Freddie Aguilar
*Jose Marie Chan
*Tito, Vic, and Joey