JAPANESE PERIOD IN THE

PHILIPPINES

HISTORICAL
BACKGROUND
Between 1941-1945, Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development
when the Philippines was again conquered by another foreign country, Japan.
Philippine literature in English came to a halt. Except for the TRIBUNE and the
PHILIPPINE REVIEW, almost all newspapers in English were stopped by the
Japanese.

This had an advantageous effect on Filipino Literature, which experienced

renewed attention because writers in English turned to writing in Filipino. Juan
Laya, who use 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
Japanese named Ishiwara.

 In other words, Filipino literature was given a break during this

period. Many wrote plays, poems, short stories, etc. Topics and
themes were often about life in the provinces.

FILIPINO POETRY
The common theme of most poems during the Japanese occupation was nationalism, country,
love, and life in the barrios, faith, religion and the arts. Three types of poems emerged during
this period. They were:
1. Haikua poem of free verse that the Japanese like. 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.

2. Tanagalike the Haiku, is short but it had measure and rhyme. Each line had 17
syllables and its also allegorical in meaning.

3. Karaniwang Anyo(Usual Form) like those mentioned earlier in the beginning

chapters of this book.

FILIPINO DRAMA
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, and Narciso Pimentel. They also founded the
organization of Filipino players named Dramatic Philippines.
A few of playwriterswere:

FILIPINO DRAMA
1. Jose Ma. Hernandezwrote PANDAY PIRA
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigowrote sa PULA, SA PUTI

3. Clodualdo del Mundowrote BULAGA (an expression in

the game Hide and Seek).

4. Julian Cruz Balmacedawrote SINO BA KAYO?, DAHIL SA

ANAK, and HIGANTE NG PATAY.

FILIPINO SHORT STORY

The field of the short story widened during the Japanese Occupation.
Many wrote short stories. Among them were: Brigido Batungbakal,
Macario Pineda, Serafin Guinigindo, Liwayway Arceo, Narciso Ramos,
NVM Gonzales, Alicia Lopez Lim, Ligaya Perez, and Gloria Guzman. 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. As a result of this selection, the following
got the first three prizes:

First Prize:Narciso Reyes with his LUPANG TINUBUAN

Second Prize:Liwayway Arceos UHAW ANG TIGANG NA LUPA
Third Prize:NVM GonzalesLUNSOD NAYON AT DAGAT-DAGATAN

http://literatureofthephilippines.snack.ws/filipino-shortstory.html