The Japanese Period

(1942 -1945)
Philippine Literature

Reported by:
Allan Mamala
Salve Espedilla
Historical Background

Philippine Literature was interrupted in its

development when Japan conquered
Philippines
 Philippine literature in English came to a halt.
Almost all newspapers in English were stopped
by the Japanese except for the TRIBUNE and the
PHILIPPINE REVIEW.
Historical Background
Brought an advantageous effect on Filipino
Literature, which experienced renewed
attention because writes in English turned to
writing in Filipino.
Juan Laya, who used to write in English turned to
Filipino because of the strict prohibitions of the
Japanese regarding any writing in English.
The weekly LIWAYWAY was placed under strict
surveillance until it was managed by a
Japanese named Ishiwara.
Filipino Poetry During This Period

Common theme of most poems during the

Japanese occupation was:
 ۰Nationalism
 ۰Country
 ۰Love
 ۰Life in the barrios
 ۰Faith
 ۰Religion
 ۰Arts
Filipino Poetry During This Period
HAIKU
๏ a poem of free verse that the Japanese liked.
๏ It was made up of 17 syllables divided into three lines.
๏ The first line had 5 syllables, the second, 7 syllables, and the third,
five.
๏ The Haiku is allegorical in meaning, is short and covers a wide
scope in meaning.
TANAGA
 Like the haiku, it is short, but has measure and rhyme. Each line
has twentyeight syllables and is also allegorical in meaning.
KARANIWANG ANYO (Usual Form)
 The usual and common form of poetry
 HAIKU sample
 Tagalog English
 Tutubi Dragonfly
 Hila mo’y tabak, -5- You pull a saber,
 Ang bulaklak nanginig, -7- The flower is shivering,
 Sa paglapit mo. -5- Moment you approached.
 Anyaya Invitation
 Ulilang damo, -5- A lonely grass,
 Sa tahimik na ilog, -7- By the edge of the river,
 Halika, sinta. -5- Come with me, my love.
TANAGA sample

To the heaves I call out

And I wish to ease my doubt
T’was my place I want to find
While leaving fears all behind
Filipino Drama During the
Japanese Period
 The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because
movie houses showing American films were closed.
 The big movie houses were just made to show stage shows.
 Many of the plays were reproductions of English plays to Tagalog.
 The translators were:
 Francisco Soc Rodrigo
 Alberto Concio
 Narciso Pimentel.
Filipino Drama During the
Japanese Period
 They also founded the organization of Filipino players
named Dramatic Philippines.
 Few of the play writers are:
1. Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote PANDAY PIRA
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote SA PULA, SA PUTI
3. Clodualdo del Mundo – wrote BULAGA
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda – wrote SINO BA KAYO?,
DAHIL SA ANAK, and HIGANTE NG PATAY
The Filipino Short Story During
the Japanese Period
The field of the short story widened during the
Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short
stories.
Among them were Brigido Batungbakal,
Macario Pineda, Serafin Guinigundo, Liwayway
Arceo, Narciso Ramos, NVM Gonzales, Alicia
Lopez Lim, Ligaya Perez, and Gloria Guzman.
The Filipino Short Story During
the Japanese Period
The best writings in 1945 were selected by a
group of judges composed of Francisco
Icasiano, Jose Esperanza Cruz, Antonio Rosales,
Clodualdo del Mundo and Teodoro Santos.
The following got the first three prizes from the
selection: First Prize: Narciso Reyes with his
LUPANG TINUBUAN Second Prize: Liwayway
Arceo’s UHAW ANG TIGANG NA LUPA Third
Prize: NVM Gonzales’ LUNSOD NAYON AT
DAGATDAGATAN
Philippine Literature in English
(1941-1945)
F. B. Icasiano wrote essays in The Philippine
Review
Carlos Bulosan’s works included:
THE LAUGHTER OF MY FATHER (1944)
THE VOICE OF BATAAN ๏ SIX FILIPINO POETS
Alfredo Litiatco published With Harp and Sling
Jose P. Laurel published Forces that Make a
Nation Great
END