The American Regime

The American Regime (1898-1941)
History
 It began when Philippines was sold to America by Spain with $20 million.
 The proclamation of Philippine independence on June 12, 1898 led by Emilio Aguinaldo
where the Flag was first hoisted wasn’t recognized by the international, especially by
America.
 The Philippine insurrection which enkindled Philippine-American war, was also led by
Aguinaldo. It subsided upon his capture in 1901, and was totally crushed on the surrender of
Miguel Malvar in 1903.
 Peace movements began by 1900s and literature has flourished again.
The literature by that time was most felt in the following newspapers:
 El Nuevo Dia [The New Day] – Sergio Osmena (1900)

 El Grito Del Pueblo [The Call of the Nation] – Pascual Poblete (1900)
 El Renacimiento [The Rebirth] – Rafael Palma (1901)
There were also plays written, but were stopped to be presented to the public because of its
nationalism theme.
 Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas – Aurelio Tolentino

 Tanikalang Ginto – Juan Abad
 Malaya – Tomas Remigio
 Walang Sugat – Severino Reyes
Characteristic of Literature during this period
 In the first year of American period, Spanish and Tagalog were predominating in literature.
But other Filipino dialects are also present.
o 1890 – 1940 made the American period the golden age of Filipino-Hispanic
literature.
 1910 is the beginning of Philippine literature in English language.
Literature in Spanish
Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo contains the best qualities of a novel ever written, in English or
in Filipino. These are the model of literature in this time.
 Cecilio Apostol – wrote poems dedicated for various Filipino heroes.

 Fernando Ma. Guerrero – Along with Apostol, reign in the balagtasan in Spanish. His poems
are collected in his book Crisalidas.
 Jesus Balmori – (Pen name Batikuling) He is the poet laureate in his debate Remembrance
and Forgetfulness against Manuel Bernabe.
 Manuel Bernabe – His poem was more attractive than Balmori’s because of his melodious
use of words. His topic was Olvido (Forgetfulness).
 Claro M. Recto – His poems were collected in his book Bajo Los Cocoteros.
Other Writers in Spanish:
 Adelina Guerrea – first woman poet in Philippines who was good in Spanish. Wrote El Nido
(The Nest).
 Isidro Marpori – famous for his 4 books Aromas de Ensueno (Scents of Dreams)
 Macario Adriatico – wrote a legend of Mindoro, La Punta de Salto (The Place of Origin)
 Epifanio de los Santos – the EDSA was named after him. He’s also known as Don Panyong and
he is a biographer.
 Pedro Aunario – wrote the Decalogo del Proteccionismo
Filipino Literature
Florante at Laura by Francisco Balagtas (or Franciso Baltazar) and Urbana at Felisa by Modesto de
Castro are the inspiration of Tagalog writers
Julian Cruz Balmaceda classified 3 types of Tagalog Poets:
Poet of the Heart
Poet of Life
Poet of the Stage
 Lope K. Santos – Father of the National Language Grammar. The “Apo” of the Tagalog writers.
He wrote the Banaag at Sikat.
 Jose Corazon de Jesus – Huseng Batute. His masterpiece is Ang Isang Punong Kahoy (A Tree).
 Amado V. Hernandez – the Makata ng mga Manggagawa (Poet of Laborers). Ang Panday was
his masterpiece.
 Valeriano Hernandez Pena – also a renowned novelist. He was known as Tandang Anong. His
pen name was Kuntil Butil. Nena at Neneng was his masterpiece.
 Inigo ed. Regalado – Son of Odalager (a popular writer during Spanish time). He’s a popular
story-teller, novelist, and newspaperman.
The Tagalog Drama
 Severino Reyes – The father of Tagalog Drama. He wrote the Walang Sugat.
 Aurelio Tolentino – Kapampangans pride. Luhang Tagalog was his masterpiece.
 Hermogenes Ilagan – founded the group Campana Ilagan, which presented many dramas in
Central Luzon.
 Patricio Mariano – wrote the Ninay and Anak ng Dagat, his masterpiece.
 Julian Cruz Balmaceda – Bunganga ng Pating gave him the honor and fame.
The Tagalog Short Story
Two collections of Tagalog short stories were published during this time.
 Mga Kuwentong Ginto, 1936. By Alejandro Abadilla and Clodualdo del Mundo.
 50 Kuwentong Ginto ng 50 Batikang Kuwentista, 1939. By Pedrito Reyes.
Tagalog Poetry
Almost all Tagalog writers during this time wrote beautiful poems that it is hard to select the best
among them.
Other Forms of Literature:
 Pedro Bukaneg – Father of Ilocano Literature. Bukanegan (Ilocano of Balagtasan) was derived
from his name.
 Claro Caluya – Prince of Ilocano Poets.
 Leon Pichay – Best Bukanegero.
Literature of the Kapampangan
 Juan Crisostomo Soto – father of Kapampangan Literature. Crisotan (Balagtasan in

Kapampangan) was derived from his name.
 Aurelio Tolentino – he translated his work Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas (Napon, Ngeni at
Bukas).
Visayan Literature
 Eriberto Gumban – Father of Visayan Literature.

 Magdalena Jalandoni – she wrote Ang mga Tunuk san isa ca Bulaclac (The Thorns of a
Flower).
Philippine Literature in English
Divided in 3 periods
1. The Period of Re-orientation (1898 - 1910)

2. The Period of Imitation (1910 - 1925)
3. The Period of Self-Discovery (1925 - 1941)
Re-Orientation
 August 13, 1898 – the choice to take English as literary language was bestowed on us.
 1900 – English was medium for instruction for public schools. American soldiers were the
first teachers of English.
 1908 – Primary and intermediate grades were using English. UP, forerunner of English in
higher education, was founded.
 This was the period of adjustment for literature; both on the freedom and language.
 Not much were produced that are literary worthy.
o El Renacimiento and Philippine Free Press contains the firsts attempts of writing in
English.
Poetry
 Sursum Corda of Justo Juliano was the first work published in English in the Renacimiento in
1907.
 In 1909, My Mother and Air Castles by Jan F. Salazar were published in the same paper.
 Followed by To My Lady in Laoag by Proceso Sebastian.
Imitation
 1919, UP College Folio published literary composition of the first Filipino writers in English.
 These pioneers in short story writing insist on imitating the American and British models
o These resulted a stilted, artificial, and unnatural style. Unvital and unspontaneity.
Essays
 Serious essays, the editorial type – They’re rich in sobriety, substance, and structure.
o Carlos P. Romulo, Jorge C. Bocobo, Mauro Mendez, Vicente Hilario.
 Informal essays, criticism and journalistic column – with humor, wit, and satire.
o Ignacio Manlapaz, Godefredo Rivera, Federico Mangahas, Francisco B. Icasiano,
Salvador P. Lopez, Jose Lansang, Amando G. Dayrit.
Short Stories
 Dead Stars, 1920’s by Paz Marquez was the model of perfection.

 UP College Folio was replaced with Philippine Collegian.
 Newspapers and periodicals this time: Bulletin, Philippine Herald (1920), The Philippine
Review, The Independent, Rising Philippines and Citizens, The Philippine Education Magazine
(1924).
Self-Discovery
 Filipino writers acquired the mastery of English writing.
Poetry
Noteworthy names:
 Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion

 Jose Gracia Villa
 Angela Manalang Gloria
 Abelardo Subido
 Trinidad Tarrosa Subido
 Rafael Zulueta de Costa.
Short Stories
 Poetry and Short Stories flourished because of the incentives provided by publications
 The Commonwealth Literary Contest awarded first prize to Manuel Arguilla, How My Brother
Leon Brought Home a Wife.
Characteristics of short stories during this time:
 There are still remnants of Spanish influence

o Florid, sentimental, exaggerated, and bombastic
 The influence of Western culture was also evident.
Essays
 Improved in quality and quantity, in content subject and style
Types of Essays during this time:
 Political, social reflective essay

 Critical essay
 Personal or familiar essay
Biography (1925-1941)
 1935, I.P Caballero and Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion wrote about Quezon
 Carlos Quirino – the most famous biographer in this period. Wrote The Great Malayan
(1938) and Man of Destiny
 1940, I.V Mallari’s The Birth of Discontent
History
 Not much were written about history

 Teofilo del Castillo The Brief History of the Philippine Islands
Publications
 Philippine Free Press provided the first incentives for the noteworthy literatures.
 The Drama (1925-1941)
o Drama did not reach the heights in comparison with novel and short story.

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The American Regime (1898-1941)

 El Nuevo Dia [The New Day] – Sergio Osmena (1900)

 Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas – Aurelio Tolentino

Characteristic of Literature during this period

 Cecilio Apostol – wrote poems dedicated for various Filipino heroes.

Julian Cruz Balmaceda classified 3 types of Tagalog Poets:

Poet of the Heart

Poet of the Stage

The Tagalog Drama

The Tagalog Short Story

Literature of the Kapampangan

 Juan Crisostomo Soto – father of Kapampangan Literature. Crisotan (Balagtasan in

 Eriberto Gumban – Father of Visayan Literature.

Philippine Literature in English

1. The Period of Re-orientation (1898 - 1910)

 Dead Stars, 1920’s by Paz Marquez was the model of perfection.

 Filipino writers acquired the mastery of English writing.

 Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion

Characteristics of short stories during this time:

 There are still remnants of Spanish influence

 Improved in quality and quantity, in content subject and style

Types of Essays during this time:

 Political, social reflective essay

 Not much were written about history

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