Historical BackgroundThe 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. A. 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. Filipinos had, by this time, learned to express themselves more confidently but post-war problems beyond language and print-like economic stability, the threat of new ideas and mortality – had to be grappled with side by side. There was a proliferation of newspapers like the FREE PRESS, MORNING SUN, of Sergio Osmeña Sr., DAILY MIRROR of Joaquin Roces, EVENING NEWS of Ramon Lopezes and the BULLETIN of Menzi. This only proved that there were more readers in English than in any ocher vernaculars like Tagalog, Ilocano or Hiligaynon. Journalists had their day. They indulged in more militant attitude in their reporting which bordered on the libelous. Gradually, as normality was restored, the tones and themes of the writings turned to the less pressing problems of economic survival. Some Filipino writers who had gone abroad and had written during the interims came back to publish their works. Not all the books published during the period reflected the war year; some were compilations or second editions of what have been written before. Some of the writers and their works of the periods are: THE VOICE OF THE VETERAN – a compilation of the best works of some Ex-USAFFE men like Amante Bigornia, Roman de la Cruz, Ramon de Jesus and J.F. Rodriguez. TWILIGHT IN TOKYO and PASSION and DEATH OF THE USAFFE by Leon Ma. Guerrero FOR FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY – by S.P. Lopez BETRAYAL IN THE PHILIPPINES – by Hernando Abay.SEVEN HILLS AWAY – by NVM Gonzales POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THIS PERIOD For the first twenty years, many books were published…both in Filipino and in English. Among the writers during this time were: Fred Ruiz Castro, Dominador I. Ilio, and C.B. Rigor. Some notable works of the period include the following: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. NOVELS AND SHORT STORIES IN ENGLISHLonger and longer pieces were being written by writers of the period. Stevan Javellana’s WITHOUT SEEING THE DAWN tells of the grim experiences of war during the Japanese Occupation. In 1946, the Barangay Writer’s Project whose aim was to publish works in English by Filipinos was established. In 1958, the PEN Center of the Philippines (Poets, essayists, novelists) was inaugurated. In the same year, Francisco Arcellana published his PEN ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES. In 1961, Kerima Polotan’s novel THE HAND OF THE ENEMY won the Stonehill Award for the Filipino novel in English. In 1968, Luis V. Teodoro Jr.’s short story THE ADVERSARY won the Philippines Free Press short story award; in 1969, his story THE TRAIL OF PROFESSOR RIEGO won second prize in the Palanca Memorial. Awards for Literature and in 1970, his short story THE DISTANT CITY won the GRAPHIC short story award THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIODPhilippines 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. Newspapers and magazine publications were re-opened like the Bulaklak, Liwayway, Ilang Ilang and Sinag Tala. Tagalog poetry acquired not only rhyme but substance and meaning. Short stories had better characters and events based on facts and realities and themes were more meaningful. Novels became common but were still read by the people for recreation. The people’s love for listening to poetic jousts increased more than before and people started to flock to places to hear poetic debates. Many books were published during this time, among which were: 1. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro Abadilla 2. Ang Maikling Kuwentong Tagalog (1886-1948) by Teodoro Agoncillo 3. Ako’y Isang Tinig (1952) collection of poems and stories by Genoveva Edroza Matute 4. Mga Piling Sanaysay (1952) by Alejandro Abadilla 5. Maikling Katha ng Dalawampung Pangunahing Autor (1962) by A.G. Abadilla and Ponciano E.P. Pineda 6. Parnasong Tagalog (1964) collection of selected poems by Huseng Sisiw and Balagtas, collected by A.G. Abadilla 7. Sining at Pamamaraan ng Pag-aaral ng Panitikan (1965) by Rufino Alejandro. He prepared this book for teaching in reading and appreciation of poems, dramas, short stories and novels 8. Manlilikha, Mga Piling Tula (1961-1967) by Rogelio G. Mangahas 9. Mga Piling Akda ng Kadipan (Kapisanang Aklat ng Diwa at Panitik) 1965 by Efren Abueg 10. Makata (1967) first cooperative effort to publish the poems of 16 poets in Pilipino 11. Pitong Dula (1968) by Dionisio Salazar 12. Manunulat: Mga Piling Akdang Pilipino (1970) by Efren Abueg. In this book, Abueg proved that it is possible to have a national integration of ethnic culture in our country. 13. Mga Aklat ni Rizal: Many books about Rizal came out during this period. The law ordering the additional study of the life of Rizal helped a lot in activating our writers to write books about Rizal. PALANCA AWARDS Another inspiration for writers in Filipino was the launching of the Palanca Memorial Awards for literature headed by Carlos Palanca Sr. in 1950. (Until now, the awards are still being given although the man who founded it has passed away). The awards were given to writers of short stories, plays and poetry. The first awardees in its first year, 1950-51 in the field of the short story were the following: First Prize: KUWENTO NI MABUTI by Genoveva Edroza Second Prize: MABANGIS NA KAMAY…MAAMONG KAMAY by Pedro S. Dandan Third Prize: PLANETA, BUWAN AT MGA BITUIN by Elpidio P. Kapulong. PERIOD OF ACTIVISM (1970-1972)Historical Background According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due to domestic and worldwide causes. Activism is connected with the history of our Filipino youth. Because of the ills of society, the youth moved to seek reforms. Some continued to believe that the democratic government is stable and that it is only the people running the government who are at fault. Some believed that socialism or communism should replace democracy. Some armed groups were formed to bring down the democratic form of government. 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. Many young activists were imprisoned in military camps together with rebel writers. As early as this period of history we can say that many of those writers who were imprisoned were true nationalists and heroes of their time. Many books aptly record and embody these times but many of these are not known to many and many of these writers still have to be interviewed. We just leave to scholars and researchers the giving of credit where credit is due. A. THE SEED OF ACTIVISMThe seeds of activism resulted in the declaration of Martial Law in 1972. We can, however, say that he seeds were earlier sown from the times of Lapu-lapu, Lakandula, and Rizal. The revolution against the powerful forces in the Philippines can be said to be the monopoly of the youth in whose veins flow the fire in their blood. What Rizal said of the youth being the hope of the Fatherland – is still valid even today. B. PERIOD OF THE BLOODY PLACARDSPineda also said that this was the time when the youth once more proved that it is not the constant evasion that shapes our race and nationalism. There is a limit to one’s patience. It may explode like a volcano if overstrained. Life? What avails like if one is a coward who does not take a stand for himself and for the succeeding generations? 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!). They attacked the ills of society and politics. Any establishment became the symbol of the ills that had to be changed. The frustrations of youth could be felt in churches and school. Even the priests, teachers and parents, as authorities who should be respected became targets of the radical youth and were though of as hindrances to the changes they sought. The literature of the activists reached a point where they stated boldly what should be done to effect these changes. Some of those who rallied to this revolutionary form of literature were Rolando Tinio, Rogelio Mangahas, Efren Abueg, Rio Alma, and Clemente Bautista. WRITING DURING THE PERIOD OF ACTIVISMThe 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. 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. For the list of winners from 1950-51 to 1960-70, we recommended Alberto S. Florentino’s “Twenty Years of Palanca Awards.”) ENGLISH SHORT STORY1970-71 First Prize – “THE RITUAL” – Cirilo F. Bautista Second Prize – “BEAST IN THE FIELDS” – Resil Mojares. Third Prize – “CHILDREN OF THE CITY” – Amadis Ma. Guerrero 1970-71 First Prize – “THE ARCHIPELAGO” – Cirilo F. Bautista Second Prize – “FIVE POEMS” – Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez Third Prize – “FROM MACTAN TO MENDIOLA” – Frederico Licsi Espino Jr. ENGLISH ONE-ACT PLAY 1970-71 First Prize – “THE GROTESQUE AMONG US” – Maiden Flores ENGLISH POETRY1971-72 First Prize – “THE TOMATO GAME” – N.V.M. Gonzales Second Prize – “THE APOLLO CENTENNIAL” – Gregorio C. Brillantes Third Prize – “AFTER THIS, OUR EXILE” – Elsa Martinez Coscolluela 1971-72 First Prize – “BATIK MAKER AND OTHER POEMS” – Virginia R. Moreno Second Prize – “THE EDGE OF THE WIND” – Artemio Tadena Third Prize – “TINIKLING (A SHEAF OF POEMS)” – Frederico Licsi Espino Jr. 1971-72 First Prize – “GRAVE FOR BLUE FLOWER” – Jesus T. Peralta Second Prize – “THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY” – Manuel M. Martell Third Prize – The judges recommend that in as much as the three third prize winners especially deserve, the prize of P 1,000.00 be divided among these three: “ THE BOXES” – Rolando S. Tinio “ NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY” – Julian E. Dacanay “ THE RENEGADE” – Elsa Martinez Coscolluela WRITERS DURING THIS PERIODJose F. Lacaba, in his book DAYS OF DISQUIET, NIGHTS OF RAGE; THE FIRST QUARTERS STORM AND RELATED EVENTS, wrote of the tragic and tumultuous moments in our country’s history. Describing this period, he writes: “That first quarter of the year 1970…It was a glorious time, a time of terror and of wrath, but also a time for hope. The signs of change were on the horizon. A powerful storm was sweeping the land, a storm whose inexorable advance no earthly force could stop, and the name of the storm was history.”
He mentions that those students demonstrating at that time knew and were aware that what they were doing would be crucial to our country’s history. Student leaders thought up grandiose names for their organizations and hence, the proliferation of acronyms likes SUCCOR, YDS, KTPD, SAGUPA, SMP, KKK, KM, MDP, and SDK. Politicians endorsed bills for those who interfered with student demonstrators. Mayor Antonio Villegas himself, on Feb. 18, 1970, led demonstrators away from angry policemen. Other politicians like Eva Estrada Kalaw, and Salvador Laurel, Benigno Aquino Jr. wrote about condemnation of police brutalities. Lacaba’s book is truly representative of writers who were eyewitnesses to this time “of terror and wrath.” Other writers strove to pour out their anguish and frustrations in words describing themselves as “gasping for the air, thirsting for the water of freedom.” Thus, the Philippine Center for the International PEN (Poets, Essayists, and Novelists) held a conference centering on the “writer’s lack of freedom in a climate of fear.” For a day they denounced restrictions on artistic freedom and passionately led a plea for freedom. Among the writers in this group were: Nick Joaquin, S.P. Lopez, Gregorio Brillantes, F. Sionil Jose, Petronilo Daroy, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Mauro Avelina, and Jose W. Diokno. People in the other media participated in this quest for freedom. Journalists Jose Burgos Jr., Antonio Ma. Nieva,; movie director Lino Brocka, art critic Anna Leah S. de Leon were battling head – on against censorship. They came up with resolutions that pleaded for causes other than their own – like the general amnesty for political prisoners, and other secret decrees restricting free expression. They requested editors and publishers to publish the real names of writers in their columns. It called on media to disseminate information on national interest without partisan leanings and resolved to be united with all causes decrying oppression and repression.
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