THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

The Japanese Period

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. The use of the English language was forbidden, and the use of
the Filipino language was mindated under the Japanese nale. Filipino literature was given a break during
this period. Many wrote plays poema, short stories, etc. Topics and themes were often about life in the
provinces

The Japanese Period

Literatures:

Drama

The drama experienced a hull during the Japanese period because movie houses showing American
films were closed. The big movie houses were just made to show stage shows houses were just made to
show stage shows films were closed.

Fiction

The field of the short story widened during the Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short stories

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

Newspapers

Writings that came out during this penod were journalistic in nature. Writers felt suppressed but slowly,
the spirit of nationalism started to seep into their consciousness. While some continued to write, the
majority waited for a better climate to

Three types of poems emerged during this period

1. Haiku – 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. Tanaga- like the Haiku, short but it had measure and thyme Each line had 17 syllables and it’s
also allegorical in meaning.
3. Usual Form-like those mentioned earlier in the beginning chapters of this book. It is the usual
and Common Form of Poetry.
V. JAPANESE OCCUPATION (1942-1960)

A. War Years (1942-1944)

1. Tagalog poets broke away from the Balagtas tradition and instead wrote in simple language and free
verse

2. Fiction prevailed over poetry

a. 25 Pinakamabuting Making Kthang Filipino (19431-compliation of the short story contest by the
military government
1. Suyuan sa Tubigan- Macario Pineda
2. Lupang Tinubuan- Narciso Reyes
3. Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa-Wayway Arceo

B. Period of Maturity and Originalty (1945-1960)

1. Bountiful harvest in poetry, fiction, drama and essay

b. National Artist
I. Jose Garcia Villa
II. Nick Joaquin
THE JAPANESE PERIOD (1941-1945)

9/21/20154

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.

A. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THIS PERIOD

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. Haiku – a 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.Tanaga – like the Haiku, is short but it had measure and rhyme. Each line had 17 syllables and it’s also
allegorical in meaning.

3. Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form) – like those mentioned earlier in the beginning chapters of this book.

C. THE FILIPINO SHORT STORY DURING THE JAPANESE PERIOD

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 Arceo’s UHAW ANG TIGANG NA LUPA

Third Prize: NVM Gonzales’ LUNSOD NAYON AT DAGAT-DAGATAN

D. PHILIPPINE LITERATURE IN ENGLISH (1941-1945)

Because of the strict prohibitions imposed b the Japanese in the writing and publishing of works in
English, Philippine literature in English experienced a dark period. The few who dared to write did so for
their bread and butter or for propaganda. Writings that came out during this period were journalistic in
nature. Writers felt suppressed but slowly, the spirit of nationalism started to seep into their
consciousness. While some continued to write, the majority waited for a better climate to publish their
works.

Noteworthy writer of the period was Carlos P. Romulo who won the Pulitzer Prize for his bestsellers I
SAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES, I SEE THE PHILIPPINES RISE and his MOTHER AMERICA AND MY
BROTHER AMERICANS.

Journalists include Salvador P. Lopez, Leon Ma. Geurrero, Raul Manglapuz and Carlos Bulosan. Nick
Joaquin produced THE WOMAN WHO LOOKED LIKE LAZARUS. Fred Ruiz Castro wrote a few poems. F.B.
Icasino wrote essays in The Philippine Review.