PHILIPPINE LITERATURE DURING THE
AMERICAN COLONIAL PERIOD
(1898 – 1946)
Although the Filipinos were defeated in the
Philippine-American War, or Philippine
Insurrection as termed by the Americans, they
kept the flame of nationalism burning as ever.
Seeking to find a better solution other than
violent means, they resorted back to the pen.
Peace movements started as early as 1900 and
many Filipinos started writing again “after the
sword was broken.”
They wrote all forms of literature like news,
poetry, stories, plays essays, novels which
clearly depicted their love of country and
longing for independence. Hence, the spirit of
nationalism of the people remained undaunted.
With the arrival of the English language, a new
way of writing literature has emerged. The
Filipinos, being lovers of languages and natural
linguists, began using this new medium to
record their thoughts, sentiments, ideas and
views, dreams and fears as well as everyday life-
matters. In short, a new weapon was added to
their arsenal.
The Philippine literature during the American
occupation had three timeframes;
Period of Re-orientation, Period of Imitation and
Period of Self-discovery and growth.
♣ Period of Re-orientation (1898 – 1910)
The Period of Re-orientation covered the early
years of American period and the landing of the
Americans to Philippine shores including the
Philippine-American War. Even during the war,
the Americans established public school system
in areas that have been pacified. English
language as a literary vehicle came with the
American occupation in August 13, 1898.
There were not much of literary works produced
during the period as Filipino writers were still
adjusting to:
○ the idea of democracy
○ the new phraseology of the English language
○ standards of the English literary style
Periodicals
○ El Renacimiento - This became the most
famous Spanish-language Filipino newspaper
which was brilliantly written but obsessed with
the micro-politics of the period. It became the
object of several libel suits from American
officials. This was established in Manila and its
first issue came out on September 1, 1901, with
Rafael Palma as editor.
○ Philippine Free Press - Founded by R.
McCullough Dick & D. Theo Rogers was the
first privately owned publication to publish
English works of Filipino writers. They pay the
Filipino writers when their work was chosen to
be published. The Philippines' oldest weekly
english language periodical currently still in
print.
Poetry
○ Sursum Cordo – written by justo Juliano and
was published in el Renacimiento in 1907. This
was the first work to be published in English
which means “lift up your hearts” or “hearts
lifted”.
○ My Mother, and Air Castles – both written by
Jan F. Salazar in 1909
○ To My Lady In Laoag – written by Proceso
Sebastian
♣ Period of Imitation (1910 – 1924)
This period was characterized by the Filipino
writers imitating the American and English
writers. In 1919, the UP College Folio, the
school publication of the University of the
Philippines, published literary compositions in
English written by the pioneers in English
poetry, essays and short stories.
Filipino writers imitated heavily American and
British models which resulted in a stilted,
artificial and unnatural style, lacking vitality and
spontaneity.
Poetry
The following are the pioneering poets during
the period:
○ Fernando Maramag – He was considered as Filipino born to freedom." His call for freedom
the best editorial writer of the period. One of his was born from the rights of the Filipinos to be
poems is Moonlight on Manila Bay. The poem proud of their inheritance and he announced that
reflects the emotion of the persona who, as can he will not find peace until the dream of freedom
be concluded in the first few lines of the poem, is achieved for his people.
romulo-feb9b3b05926fe0b
https://www.reference.com/art-literature/significance-am-filipino-carlos-p-

is most likely describing how the Manila Bay

looks like during nighttime. Or perhaps, the ○ Jorge C. Bocobo ○ Mauro Mendez
persona is simply recalling the breathtaking ○ Vicente Hilario
seascape from memory and retelling it–either
way, there is the concept of reminiscence and Informal essay writers also emerged and they are
appreciation. The tone changed from that of a composed of:
praise of beauty to a subtle tone of the
reminiscence of a painful memory. It is not ○ Ignacio Manlapaz ○ Godofredo Rivera
necessary, however, that the persona was hurt ○ Federico Mangahas ○ Francisco B. Icasiano
while illustrating to the reader that particular ○ Salvador P. Lopez ○ Jose Lansang
scene in the Manila Bay. It depends entirely on ○ Amado G. Dayrit
how one chooses to view the emotions written
Short story
with the descriptions. East and West refer to
both the Spanish and the American forces who Short story as a literary genre was brought along
dueled for the Philippines’ freedom from the by the Americans. Filipinos readily adopted
former. Meanwhile, Olympia may have become short story because as a form of relaxation and
a collective that Maramag used for describing entertainment, it proved to be worthwhile for
the might of the American forces in freeing the one can read such in just a short while. Notable
Filipinos from Spanish rule. Perhaps the writer include:
intention of Maramag in writing this poem about
a particular event in the history of the ○ Paz Marquez Benitez – She wrote the “Dead
Philippines is to remind the Filipinos not to Stars” and was published in 1920 which stand
forget such a glorious moment in the past. This out as model of perfection in character
intention is parallel to the sentiments of the first delineation, local color, plot and message. She
eight lines in which a breathtaking moonlight also became the editor of Women’s Journal, the
scene in the historical location of the Manila first literary magazine in English published in
Bay is unforgettable and should not be forgotten the Philippines. The short story pertains to
at the very least.https://www.scribd.com/doc/84656945/Analysis-on-Philippine-Poetry-Short-stories-and-Dramas forbidden love. It says that forbidden love is
only apparent, and its banes haunt the person
○ Juan Salazar ○ Jose Hernandez until such time that he realizes his faults.
○ Vicente del Fierro ○ Francisco Africa
○ Victoriano Yamzon Novel

Essay ○ Zolio Galang – He wrote the first novel

written in English entitled “A Child of Sorrow”
Essay was a Filipino literary genre that was born and was published in 1921. This novel has
in the Period of Imitation. The following biographical and historical influences. This
essayists wrote Formal essays which were truly novel depicts the life of Zoilo Galang. The
scholarly, full of sobriety, substance and simple life of Lucio in the countryside depicts
structure. his life in Bacolor, Pampanga. The author's
ideals and aspirations were also portrayed by the
○ Carlos P. Romulo –“I am a Filipino” was protagonist of the novel. It was perfectly
published in August 1941. This essay is often expressed in some scenes of the novel how the
considered a manifesto for the Filipinos' dream author abhor Governor Ismael's regime which
of freedom from colonial rule. It started with a represents commonwealth governance during his
quick walk through the history of the nation and time. During the time Galang wrote this novel,
culminated with a paragraph stating "I am a
American government only appoint those they
think are qualified to rule the town. This was
depicted in his novel wherein Pancho Ismael, the
ill-mannered governor was elected only because
he threatened the workers in his land. It was also
believed that Governor Ismael is Governor
Honorio Ventura in real life who ruled
Pampanga from 1916 to 1922. This novel
mirrored not only what was happening in the
past but it also helps us understand what had
inspired Galang to write such beautiful piece of
art.
♣ Period of Self-discovery and Growth (1925
– 1941)
Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of
English writing. They competently wrote on a
lot of subjects although the old-time favorites of
love and youth persisted. There were still
remnants of Spanish influence in the use of
expression that were florid, sentimental,
exaggerated, and bombastic. The influence of
the Western culture also was already evident.
Poetry
Poetry produced during this time was original,
spontaneous, competently written and even
socially conscious. The noteworthy names in
this field include:
○ Rafael Zulueta da Costa - Filipino poet who
began writing poems in Spanish and later he also
wrote in English. His most famous work is Like
the Molave and Other Poems, which won the
Commonwealth Literary Award for Poetry in
1940. Like the Molave is a beautiful poem that
likens the youth and vigor of Philippines youth
to the beautiful Filipino Molave tree. In the
poem, strong images of hard work, suffering,
and bloodshed evoke the difficult life of the
poorer classes in the Philippines, and the poet
wishes that these generations of young people
will show the same eventual strength, beauty,
and longevity as a fully-grown Molave tree.
Understanding this poem, the theme
independence can be extracted as it sends a clear
message that only hard work, perseverance, and
a sense of dignity can help poor people break the
chains of fate and destiny, and seek out a better
future for them and for the next generation.
○ Abelardo Subido ○ Jose Garcia Villa
○ Trinidad Tarrosa Subido
Short Story
○ Jose Garcia Villa is was a Filipino poet,
literary critic, short story writer, and painter. He
is known to have introduced the "reversed
consonance rhyme scheme" in writing poetry, as
well as the extensive use of punctuation marks—
especially commas, which made him known as
the Comma Poet. He used the
penname Doveglion (derived from
"Dove, Eagle, Lion"), based on the characters he
derived from himself. He won first place the
Philippine Free Press short story writing contest
with his “Mir-i-nisa.”
Mir-i-nisa is a tale of a Muslim Princess ready
for bethrotal according to Muslim custom. There
are two contenders for her hand: Tashi, noble
and strong and Achmed, just as virile but
aggressive and boastful besides frivolous as one
would expect a girl as young and lovely as she
is. Achmed impressed Mir-i-nisa. However, the
Datu chooses his future son-in-law. The Datu
declares that whoever retrieves the black pear he
throws into the sea, wins his daughter.
○ Arturo Rotor ○ Paz Latorena ○ Jose Lansang
○ Paz Marquez Benitez
Essays and Other Prose Styles
Essays during this period improved throughout
the years in quality and quantity, in content,
subject, and style. Various Filipino essayists
were classified according to:
Political, Social Reflective Essay – These
essays were opinions and viewpoints by the
essayists using their newspaper columns which
appeared regularly so they were very popular.
Some essayists include:
○ Federico Mangahas ○ Salvador P. Lopez
○ Pura Santillan Castrence ○ Jose Lansang
○Vicente Albano Pacis ○ Ariston Estrada
Critical Essay – These essays were serious
treatment of various issues during this period.
As these essayist regularly appear in various
newspaper columns, they became very popular.
Critical essayist include:
○ Salvador P. Lopez ○ I.V. Mallari
○ Ignacio Manlapaz ○ Jose Garcia Villa
Personal or familiar essays – These essays
were casual and light in terms of the mood they
were written. They provided sort of
entertainment and relaxation for the readers.
Popular essayists of this kind include:
○ Francisco “Mang Kiko” B. Icasiano
○ Amado G. Dayrit ○ Alfredo E. Litiatco
Notable Essays
○ “Literature and Society” was written by
Salvador P. Lopez. This is a collection of critical
reflections and serious essays. It won first place
in the Commonwealth Literary Contest in essay.
○ “The Filipino Way of Life” was written by
Camilo Osias. This is a series of essays on the
Filipino way of life as drawn from history,
folkways, philosophy, and psychology of the
Philippines.
○ “Mang Kiko” was a reprint of Francisco B.
Icasiano’s essays in the “Sunday Times
Magazine” under the column “From my Nipa
Hut.” It is an essay of the common tao and is
written with humor and sympathy.
○ “I am a Filipino” was an editorial essay
written by Carlos P. Romulo printed in the
“Philippines Herald” magazine. It was published
in his book “My Brother Americans” in New
York by Double Day & Company in 1945.
Publications
The incentives it gave flourished poetry and
short stories. The following are the publications
that rose during this time:
○ The Philippine Free Press ○ The Graphic
○ The Philippine Magazine ○ College
Publications
Drama
Drama in this period did not reach the heights
attained by the novel or short story. During this
period, the UP provided the incentive when they
introduced playwriting as a course and
established the UP Little Theatre. Some of the
notable dramas during this period include:
○ Daughters for Sale and other Plays written
by Carlos P. Romulo
○ The Radiant Symbol written by Jorge
Bocobo
○The Husband of Mrs. Cruz & A Daughter of
Destiny written by Vidal A. Tan
○ The Waves written by Hilarion Vibal
○The Oil Lamp & The Earthquake written by
Augusto C. Catanjal
○The Land of our Fathers written by Severino
Montano
○ Panday Pira, the Cannon Maker written by
Jose M. Hernandez
○ 13 Plays was a collection of plays written by
Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero
Biography
Writing biography and autobiography became
fashionable during this period. Some notable
biographies during this period include:
○ Quezon was a biography about Manuel L.
Quezon by I.P. Caballero and Marcelo de Gracia
Concepcion.
○ The Great Malayan was a biography about
Rizal which won the Commonwealth Literary
Contest for biography. It was written by Carlos
Quirino, the most famous biographer of this
period.
○ Quezon, the Man of destiny was another
biography written about Manuel L. Quezon by
Carlos Quirino, the most famous biographer of
the period.
○ The Birth of Discontent was an
autobiography written by I.V. Mallari.
SUMMARY
◘ Education was institutionalized nationwide.
◘ English was the medium of instruction.
◘ Writers adopt the new phraseology of English
language.
◘ Common theme of works were love of country
and longing for independence brought about by
the previous colonizers, Spaniards.