LESSON 6 – Modern Period of

Development of Philippine
Literature in English

The Modern Period (1960-1974)

By 1960 Philippine Literature in English had finished its period of tutelage and
imitation. The literary skill and originality of the Middle Period had also passed. A
modern period of literature was beginning. This new period of development was
characterized by a growing sense of nationalism and by a deeper search for identity.
These themes were reflected in the writers of the 1960s. In that decade most writers
revealed a sharper perception of their own country and the problems it was
undergoing. Students and the reading public were more interested in reading
contemporary Filipino writers than in studying foreign authors.
In 1960 the Republic Cultural Heritage Awards for Literature were started. The
purpose of these annual awards was "To initiate a movement for greater and more
purpose dedicated efforts in cultural advancement to complement the country's
program of economic development." The first winner was N. V. M. Gonzalez, for his
book, The Bamboo Dancers (1959), since translated into Russian. In some ways the
Cultural Heritage Awards were the Republic's counterpart of the prewar
Commonwealth Literary Awards of 1940.
The first Pro Patria Awards for literature were presented in 1961. The winners
that year were Jose Garcia Villa, N. V. M. Gonzalez, and Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero. In
1962, the first Asian writers' conference was held in Baguio under the auspices of the
Philippine Center of International P.E.N. A few years later, in 1966, the United Poets

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International was established in Quezon City and Amado M. Yuzon became its first
president.
W. H. Auden, in 1948, wrote a long philosophical poem entitled "The Age of
Anxiety." In this title Auden sounded the dominant tone of much literature in the
1960s. In that decade the Filipino writers frequently wrote to raise questions rather
than to propose answers. Leonard Casper described this period well when he wrote,
"In the wary 20th century, a story is often the experiencing of one's inexperience."
The simple romantic themes of the early period, and even the middle period,
gave way to themes of confusion and violence in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Among the modern writers could be detected different schools of thought. One
group stressed the proletarian form of literature which had been introduced by
Salvador P. Lopez in the 1930s and 1940s. Among this group were included: Efren
Reyes Abueg, Rio Alma, Jose Lacaba, Ricardo Lee, Bienvenido Lumbera, Rogelio
Mangahas, Ninotchka Rosca, and Rogelio Sikat. These writers aimed at social reform
and revolution through their literature. Their motto might be summed up as
"Literature from the Masses, for the Masses."
A second group of writers was interested in the art of literature itself.
Unconstrained by political considerations, they freely experimented with literary
forms and themes. These writers reflected the ideas of Jose Garcia Villa who in the
1920s stressed the need of "Art for Art's sake." Among the followers of Villa's theory
might be mentioned Tita Lacambra Ayala and Kerima Polotan Tuvera. From these
different schools of thought emerged Filipino writers who revealed a skillful
command of the language and who reflected in their works the political and social
unrest around them.
In 1970 Graphic Magazine launched a literary contest as an incentive for young
writers. The aim of these awards was to contribute to the development of a
significant national literature. The first prizes were given to Resil B. Mojares for "A
Sickness in the Town," to Luis V. Teodoro for "The Distant City," and to Ricardo I.
Patalinjug for "The Exile." In 1971 Graphic widened this contest to include Filipino
fiction and poetry. It became the first English language magazine to provide such a
contest.
In the Philippines, the literary world, as well as the nation itself, stood still on
September 21, 1972, when President Ferdinand E. Marcos declared Martial Law. The
government established a board of censors to review all printed materials. At first the
Daily Express was the only newspaper allowed to continue publication. Later the
Bulletin Today and the Times Journal appeared.
With Kerima Polotan Tuvera as editor, Focus Philippines published its first
issue on November 18, 1972. This magazine has become one of the main outlets for
new writers. But so far, the results have not been impressive. Many modern writers
are choosing topics from an earlier period and subjects that are trivial. They are
escaping from both the present and the future. At times the literature section has had

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to be filled with earlier stories by established writers such as N. V. M. Gonzalez or
Gregorio C. Brillantes. In poetry the contributions are often sentimental and read
more like prose than verse. In general, the writers seem afraid to truly express
themselves. There is an absence of new creative artists.
To encourage literary contributions, Focus held a literary contest "in
recognition of the role of writers in the building of a vital and creative society, and in
order to promote the cause of Philippine writing." First place in the short story contest
for 1972-1973 was won by Isagani Martin for "The Faction of Fools." No second or third
prizes were awarded. In the Article or Essay Division, first place went to Benjamin
Villalva for "A Saunterer through Life."
The Government has also provided encouragement for national artists. On
May 15, 1973, Proclamation No. 1144 provided that special awards were to be
presented accord recognition to artistic and literary accomplishment at its highest
level, and... to elevate creative expression in all its forms to its rightful status as the
vanguard of the country's spiritual development." For his literary accomplishments,
Jose Garcia Villa received the National Artist Award on June 12, 1973.
In April of 1974, the First National Seminar on Bilingual Education was held at
the Ateneo de Manila University. The general consensus was that there will be an
increasing use of Pilipino as the medium of instruction in all schools. This means that
the quality of English will change. More Pilipino structures and expressions will
appear in written English, and perhaps in future years the writers will use a language
that is really Englipino or Pilipinish. It appears that the future of Philippine Literature
in English is uncertain.
But whatever the future may bring, the essays, short stories, and poems
written since 1960 have proved interesting. In this Modern Period of Philippine
Literature in English the literary style and content have become more Filipino than
ever before.
Essays: Since 1960, many Filipino essayists have written about social or
political questions, history, or literary criticism. In the newspapers and magazines,
journalists such as Maximo V. Soliven, J. V. Cruz, Amelita Reysio-Cruz, and George
Sison were widely read and discussed. In the writing of history, works of high quality
were written by Horacio de la Costa, S.J., Encarnacion Alzona, Teodoro Agoncillo,
Guadualupe Fores-Ganzon, Domingo Abella, Gregorio Zaide, Esteban A. de Ocampo,
and Carlos Quirino. These authors all received Republic Cultural Heritage Awards for
their historical writings. Leonard Casper's The Wayward Horizon (1961) and The
Wounded Diamond (1964), as well as Miguel A. Bernad's Bamboo and the Greenwood
Tree (1961), were important contributions in literary criticism. In 1967 Antonio G.
Manuud edited Brown Heritage. This book contains essays of varying quality on
Philippine cultural traditions, Tagalog literature, other Philippine literature, and
Philippine literature in English. Because of its wide range of topics this book has
become an important reference work for many teachers and students.

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 Among the modern essayists are: Francisco Arcellana, Miguel A. Bernad, S.J.,
Renato Constantino, Horatio de la Costa, S.J., J. V. Cruz, Amelita Reysio-Cruz, Jose L.
Guevara, Ray Hulog, Jose Lansang, Teodoro M. Locsin, Nancy T. Lu, Cris Magdiwang,
Raul Manglapus, Cesar Adib Majul, 1. V. Mallari, Nestor Mata, Sylvia Mayuga, Carmen
Guerrero-Nakpil, Benjamin M. Pascual, Jose A. Quirino, Francisco A. Robles,
Alejandro R. Roces, Alfredo R. Roces, George Sison, Maximo V. Soliven, Doris
Trinidad, Kerima Polotan Tuvera, Teodoro F. Valencia, Benjamin Villalva, and
Leopoldo Y. Yabes.
Short Stories: During the Modern Period the artistic quality of the short story-
did not improve as rapidly as it did during the previous thirty. years. However, there
was a development in the themes which the writers treated, for the authors gradually
shifted from themes of private problems and rural life to themes of national problems
and city life. Gregorio C. Brillantes portrayed individual anxieties in The Distance to
Andromeda and Other Stories (1960). Gilda Cordero-Fernando also centered on the
individual in The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker (1962). Kerima Polotan
Tuvera covered several different themes. She treated people, politics, rural and city
life, love and fashions in her works which appeared in Stories (1968), Author's Choice
(1971), and Adventures in a Forgotten Country (1975). The problems of city life were
depicted by Andres Cristobal Cruz in White Wall, Selected Tondo Stories (1964).
Perhaps the most prolific writer of this period was Jose A. Quirino. Aside from his
numerous newspaper articles and essays, he published Loneliness is a Volcano and
New Stories (1966), Nocturne for Piano and Heartstrings and More New Stories
(1967), and The Three Faces of the Hero and Other Stories (1969).
In the late 1960s the national crisis of social and political unrest was reflected
in several works. Bienvenido N. Santos vividly portrayed a man's search for his
national identity in The Day the Dancers Came (1967). The realities and hardships of
life were themes for the stories of Federico Licsi Espino, Jr., in The Country of Sleep
(1969). Many young writers wrote to expose injustice or to reveal the conditions of
the underprivileged. Among the talented young writers was Ninotchka Rosca who
published Bitter Country and Other Stories (1970). Another promising young writer
of today is Amadis Ma. Guerrero who published Children of the City and Other Stories
in 1974.
Among the short story writers of the Modern Period are: Cirilo F. Bautista,
Gregorio C. Brillantes, Ines, T. Camayo, Linda T. Casper, Isabelo T. Crisostomo,
Andres Cristobal Cruz, Morli Dharam, Antonio Enriquez, Federico L. Espino, Jr., Gilda
Cordero-Fernando, Delfin Fresnosa, N. V. M. Gonzalez, Amadis Ma. Guerrero, Nick
Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, Emmanuel Lacaba, Jaime A. Lim, Renato E. Madrid, Resil B.
Mojares, Elsa Victoria Martinez, Wilfredo D. Nolledo, Ricardo I. Patalinjug, C. V.
Pedroche, Jose A. Quirino, Ninotchka Rosca, Bienvenido N. Santos, Luis V. Teodoro
Jr., Edilberto K. Tiempo, Edith L. Tiempo, Kerima Polotan Tuvera, Romeo P. Virtusio,
and Alfredo A. Yuson.

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 Poems: Filipino poets showed further development in skill and originality in
the Modern Period. Like the other writers of literature, the poets reflected and
interpreted the events that were happening in the Philippines and throughout the
world. In the 1960s the growing sense of nationalism made people conscious of using
their national language. This spirit influenced certain poets who began writing "Bagay
Poems." These poems were experimental in that they used a language which Blas F.
Ople coined as "Taglish" or Enggalog." Among the contributors to this movement
were Rolando Tinio, Jose Lansang, Jr., Emmanuel Torres, and Cirilo F. Bautista.
The satirical mood of the 1960s was captured by such poets as Florentino
Dauz, Alfredo O. Cuenca, and especially Alejandrino G. Hufana. These poets turned
away from the influence of Jose Garcia Villa and expressed their own view of the
modern world. Hufana's Poro Point (1961) presents an interesting anthology of lives.
One poet and literary critic whose works span both the middle and modern periods is
Ricaredo Demetillo. His poems have been published in numerous magazines and in
his collections Daedalus and Other Poems (1961), Masks and Signatures (1968), and
Scarecrow Christ (1973). Another poet who has written during both periods is G. Burce
Bunao. His clear, forceful verse has been published in The Quiver and the Fear (1968).
In the late 1960s several new poets reflected the mood of questioning and unrest.
Among the more talented poets of this period was Emmanuel Torres. He won the
Palanca Poetry Award for his collection Angels and Fugitives (1966). His more recent
poems have been published in Shapes of Silence (1972). A later Palanca Award winner
was Federico Licsi Espino, Jr., who published A Rapture of Distress (1968), Dark Sutra
(1969), and Counterclockwise: Poems 1965-69 (1969).
Another talented poet who emerged in the 1960s was Cirilo F. Bautista. He
has published some excellent verse in Summer Suns (1963), The Cave and Other
Poems (1968), and The Archipelago (1970).
In the 1970s, many poets have contributed fine collections of verse. Mauro R.
Avena has revealed his personal insights in Rain and Other Poems (1970) and Evening
Poems (1971). Perhaps the most interesting among the modern poets is Hilario
Francia, Jr., who won the Palanca Poetry Award for his Selected Poems (1970).
Among the modern poets are included: Celedonio G. Aguilar, Carlos A.
Angeles, Mauro R. Avena, Tita Lacambra-Ayala, Cirilo F. Bautista, Godofredo Burce
Bunao, Roland A. Carbonnell, Erwin E. Castillo, Albert B. Casuga, Alfredo O. Cuenca,
Florentino Dauz, Ricaredo Demetillo, Federico Licsi Espino, Jr., Hilario Francia, Jr.,
Rita B. Gadi, Edel E. Garcellano, Gloria Garchitorena Goloy, Alejandrino G. Hufana,
Nick Joaquin, Marra Lanot-Lacaba, Jose M. Lansang, Jr., Virginia Lichauco de Leon,
Ofelia Fernandez Limcaco, Virginia R. Moreno, Pacis, Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez,
Epifanio San Juan, Jr., Artemio Tadena, Edith L. Tiempo, Rolando Tinio, Emmanuel
Torres, Jose Garcia Villa, and Manuel A. Viray. Valdemar O. Olaguer, Donel B.

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 Some Concurrent Significant Historical and Literary Events in the Philippines
Historical Literary

1961: Diosdado Macapagal is elected 1960: The Republic Cultural Heritage

President. Awards are started.

1961: The Pro Patria Awards for

1965: Ferdinand E. Marcos is elected Literature are given.
President.
1966: The United Poets Laureate
1968: 296 people died in the Ruby International is established in Quezon
Tower disaster caused by a severe City.
earthquake.
1970: Graphic Magazine awards
1971: Plaza Miranda is bombed on Literary prizes.
August 21st.

1971: The Writ of Habeas Corpus is 1972: Focus Philippines begins

suspended on September 21st. publication.

1972: On September 21st, President E.

Marcos issues Proclamation No. 1081, 1973: National Artist Awards are given
initiating Martial Law. by the government.

1975: National Referendum on the 1975: Fourth Afro-Asian Writers’

Continuance of Martial Law. Symposium is held in Manila.

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