The Filipino literary contemporary period is characterized by the use of native languages as the main tool

of literary expression rather than foreign languages. The contemporary period began in the 1960s but truly
began to flourish following the end of the martial-law dictatorship in 1986.

The Philippines were first invaded by the Spanish in 1521, followed by the United States in 1898 and the
Japanese in 1941. Filipino literature transformed to take on the occupiers' language during these times.

A rich culture of folk narratives and traditions served as the foundation of Filipino literature prior to the
Spanish invasion in 1521. With the Spanish invasion, these native literary traditions were undermined and
replaced with Spanish language traditions. One of the most heralded Filipino writers, Jose Rizal, wrote all
his works in Spanish when he called for a revolution against Spanish occupation.

With the invasion of the United States in 1898, the language for literary works turned to English, and new
literary forms were introduced, including the short story, essay and free-verse poem. Many Filipino
writers during this period attended American and British schools and brought Western literary traditions
back to the Philippines. English was suppressed during the Japanese occupation in 1941 and replaced
with Japanese literary traditions until 1946, when the Philippines became independent.

The contemporary movement toward the use of native languages in Filipino literature was slow to begin
due to the oppressive martial-law dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1986. However,
following the end of the dictatorship, the Philippines undertook an effort to resurface their native
language literary history, and the Philippine Commission on Higher Education made it obligatory to teach
Philippine literature to students.

Philippine Literature: The Contemporary Period

1. 1. PHILIPPINE LITERATURE THE CONTEMPORARY PERIOD
2. 2. THE REBIRTH OF FREEDOM (1946-1970) • The Americans returned in 1945. Filipinos rejoiced
and guerillas who fled to the mountain joined the liberating American Army. • On July 4, 1946, the
Philippines regained is freedom and the Filipino flag waved joyously alone. The chains were broken.
3. 3. THE STATE OF LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD • The early post-liberation period was
marked by a kind of “struggle of mind and spirit” posed by the sudden emancipation from the enemy,
and the wild desire to see print.
4. 4. • 1. HEART OF THE ISLANDS (1947) –a collection of poems by Manuel Viray • 2. PHILIPPINES
CROSS SECTION (1950) –a collection of prose and poetry by Maximo Ramos and Florentino Valeros
• 3. PROSE AND POEMS (1952) –by Nick Joaquin • 4. PHILIPPINE WRITING (1953) –by T.D.
Agcaoili • 5. PHILIPPINE HAVEST –by Amador Daguio • 6. HORIZONS LEAST (1967) –a collection of
works by the professors of UE, mostly in English (short stories, essays, research papers, poem and
drama) by Artemio Patacsil and Silverio Baltazar The themes of most poems dealt with the usual love
of nature, and of social and political problems. Toribia Maño’s poems showed deep emotional
intensity. • 7. WHO SPOKE OF COURAGE IN HIS SLEEP –by NVM Gonzales • 8. SPEAK NOT,
SPEAK ALSO –by Conrado V. Pedroche • 9. Other poets were Toribia Maño and Edith L. Tiempo,
Jose Garcia Villa’s HAVE COME, AM HERE won acclaim both here and abroad
5. 5. THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD • Philippines literature in Tagalog was
revived during this period. Most themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, of the poverty of
life under the Japanese government and the brave guerilla exploits.
6. 6. PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972) • Many young people became activists to ask for changes in
the government. In the expression of this desire for change, keen were the writings of some youth who
were fired with nationalism in order to emphasize the importance of their petitions.
7. 7. THE LITERARY REVOLUTION • The youth became completely rebellious during this period. This
was proven not only in the bloody demonstrations and in the sidewalk expressions but also in
literature. Campus newspapers showed rebellious emotions. The once aristocratic writers developed
awareness for society. They held pens and wrote on placards in red paint the equivalent of the word
MAKIBAKA (To dare!).
8. 8. WRITING DURING THE PERIOD OF ACTIVISM • The irreverence for the poor reached its peak
during this period of the mass revolution. It was also during this period that Bomba films that discredit
our ways as Filipinos started to come out.
9. 9. PALANCA AWARDEES FOR LITERATURE IN ENGLISH • Established in 1950, the Palanca
Memorial Awards for Literature had been giving cash prizes for short story, poetry and one-act play
writing as an incentive to Filipino writers. The prizes come from La Tondena, Inc., the firm founded by
the late Carlos Palanca Sr.
10. 10. PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980) • The period of the New Society started on
September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual awards. • Almost all
themes in most writings dealt with the development or progress of the country –like the Green
Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment, drug addiction and pollution. The New
Society tried to stop pornography or those writings giving bad influences on the morals of the people.
All school newspapers were temporarily stopped and so with school organizations.
11. 11. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY • Themes of most poems
dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs and the beauties of nature and surroundings.
12. 12. THE PLAY UNDER THE NEW SOCIETY • The government led in reviving old plays and dramas,
like the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were presented in the
rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
13. 13. RADIO AND TELEVISION • Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play series
like SI MATAR, DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR. LONELY were the forms of recreation of
those without television
14. 14. FILIPINO FILMS • A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held
during this time. During the festival which lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in
all theaters in Metro Manila. 1. MAYNILA…SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG written by Edgardo Reyes
and filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was the lead role. 2. MINSA’Y ISANG
GAMU-GAMO; Nora Aunor was the principal performer here. 3. GANITO KAMI NOO…PAANO KAYO
NGAYON: led by Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz. 4. INSIANG: by Hilda Koronel 5. AGUILA: led
by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de Leon
15. 15. COMICS, MAGAZINES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS • During this period of the New Society,
newspapers donned new forms. News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism and the like
were favored more than the sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and robberies.
16. 16. OVERVIEW OF THE LITERATUE DURING THE NEW SOCIETY • Bilingual education which was
initiated by the Board of National Education as early as 1958 and continued up to the period of Martial
Rule in September 21, 1972, resulted in the deterioration of English in the different levels of education.
The focus of education and culture was on problems of national identity, on re-orientation, renewed
vigor and a firm resolves to carry out plans and programs.
17. 17. PERIOD OF THE THIRD REPUBLIC (1981-1985) • 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.
18. 18. FILIPINO POETRY • Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and
revolutionary. Writers wrote openly of their criticism against the government. The supplications of the
people were coached in fiery, colorful, violent, profane and insulting language.
19. 19. FILIPINO SONGS • Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of
grief, poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.
20. 20. PHILIPPINE FILMS DURING THE PERIOD • The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be
held during this period. The people’s love for sex films also was unabated.
21. 21. PERIODS (1986-1999) • History took another twist. Once more, the Filipino people regained their
independence which they lost twenty years ago. • In the span of four days form February 21-25, 1986,
 the so-called People Power (Lakas ng Bayan) prevailed. Together, the people barricaded the streets
petition

1. ing the government for changes and reforms.

2. 22. ON NEWSPAPERS AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS • Newspapers which were once branded crony
newspapers became instant opposition papers overnight. This was true of BULLETIN TODAY which
became the opposition paper.
3. 23. ON BOOKS • The Philippine revolution of 1986 and the fire of its spirit that will carry the Filipinos
through another epoch in Philippine history is still being documented just as they have been in the
countless millions who participated in body and spirit in its realization.