PHILIPPINE LITERATURE UNDER THE MARTIAL LAW • Works that aimed to effect social change by portraying the truths

Recapitulation of society, everyday happenings, current events, and interaction

History and disparity of social classes
• Literature broadly is any collection of written work that allows • The poet Amado Hernandez, who was also a union leader and
people to interpret their thoughts, opinions, emotions, and even the social activist, also wrote novels advocating social change.
slice of their life. - Luha ng Buwaya (1963) deals with the struggle between the oppressed
• Literature has been around since an individual discovered writing, peasantry and the class of politically powerful landlords.
and it is one thing that plays a big part of our life up until now that - Mga Ibong Mandaragit (1969) deals with the domination of Filipinos
people use this in various forms with different means. by American industry.
• The period of activism in the Philippines started in 1970 and
lasted until 1972. It was a time when the youth became more Mars shall glow tonight,
involved in social and political issues. Artemis is out of sight.
• According to Pociano Pineda, youth activism in 1970-72 was due Rust in the twilight sky
to domestic and worldwide causes and the youth moved to seek Colors a bloodshot eye,
reforms because of the ills of society. Or shall I say that dust
• After signing the Proclamation No. 1081, the tenth President of the Sunders the sleep of the just?
Philippines; Ferdinand E. Marcos officially declared the country to
be on martial law on September 21, 1972 Hold fast to the gift of fire! I am rage!
• During his term, many have feared his strong and ambitious I am wrath! I am ire!
character, and his power and political stances. And this made a The vulture sits on my rock,
massive change that affected about 44 million Filipinos. Marcos Licks at the chains that mock
being the dictator, doesn’t favor the people of the Philippines. Emancipation’s breath,
• The declaration of Martial Law, stifled the creativity of most Reeks of death, death, death
writers. The freedom of speech, media and your own human rights Death shall not unclench me.
were oppressed. I am earth, wind, and sea!
• Some people said that the reign of Marcos was their Golden Years Kisses bestow on the brave
while some people said that this was the Philippines' darkest era. That defy the damp of the grave
But one thing that we're certain of is that the government silenced And strike the chill hand of
and controlled the media. Death with the flaming sword of love.
• On September 22, 1972, Marcos issued the Letter of Instruction Orion stirs. The vulture
No. 1 which states that he will take over and control all Retreats from the hard, pure
newspapers, magazines, radios, books and televisions and other
mass media. Anyone who will speak ill of the government and Thrust of the spark that burns,
plant propaganda against the regime will be sent to jail. Unbinds, departs, returns
• September 25, 1972. The Department of Public Information To pluck out of death’s fist
issued Dept. Order No. 1 which states the policies and guidelines A god who dared to resist
for news media outlets. It states that they should assist the martial .
regime and any editorial opinion or commentary that is critical of “Prometheus Unbound”
Marcos’s reign is forbidden. Jose “Pete” Lacaba

Lacaba proved to be a staunch critic of the Marcosian dictatorship

When Martial Law was declared, the writers found themselves
as he wrote this poem in protest, also mentioning Hitler, a dictator as well. In
silenced. The literature rooted in commitment that had flowered earlier could
the guise of the pen name Ruben Cuevas, the poem “Prometheus Unbound”
no longer be written.
was published by Focus Magazine in 1973. When you read the first letter of
But the voice that spoke so eloquently could not be stilled forever.
every line, you will read
Gradually, the writers found their voice. The composition of the group of
writers whose works have already built a name for themselves.
“MARCOS HITLER DIKTADOR TUTA”
Literary Works during the Martial Law Era
Proletarian Literature
• During his regimentation, there were different form of literature
• Refers to literary works written by working-class authors about
that were being used. These forms that the journalists used include
the working class. According to Salvador P. Lopez, it shows the
Prison Literature, Protest Literature, Proletarian Literature,
experiences and struggles of the working class.
and Circumvention Literature. The journalists used these as their
• Proletarian literature is created especially by communist, socialist,
weapons but they suffer at the end.
and anarchist authors, and it is about the lives of the poor.
• Arturo B. Rotor, puts it clearly in an interview that most of the
Prison Literature
texts available during that time show the beautiful side of the
• Refers to literary works produced by authors who are
country such as the scenery in Manila Bay or the provinces.
incarcerated or confined in a secluded area such as a prison cell.
However, he feels that literature should also introduce what social
During martial law, the government arrested not only political and
injustice is and how it affects Filipinos during that time. The
media dissidents but also writers and scholars such as Bienvenido
reality of that period should be seen and realized through these
Lumbera, Ninotchka Rosca, Ricardo Lee, and Jose Ma. Sison.
literary texts.
• During martial law in the Philippines, many writers were
• Hernando Ocampo, before he became known as a visual artist,
imprisoned, and some of them produced literary works while in
wrote stories like “We or They,” depicting hungry peasants looting
confinement. Here are some examples of prison literature produced
a rice warehouse and getting killed by the guards. As Lopez put it,
during martial law:
the “truly sensitive writer” is one who “reacts positively to the
• Mila Aguilar’s Why Cage Pigeons (1984)
social milieu wherein he is born by becoming the interpreter of the
• Pintig Sa Malamig na Bakal: Poems and Letters from
hope and despair, the freedom and predicament, the tradition and
Philippine Prisons (1979)
destiny of man in his time.
Protest Literature
Circumvention Literature
• Sometimes called as revolutionary literature, refers to works that
• Refers to literary works refers to literary works that express social
express distaste, disagreement, or transgression to the present
and political transgression through metaphors, allegories,
government, applicable to the current political, social, and/or
symbolisms, etc.
economic conditions of the country when the works were written.
• Some examples of circumvention literature include Jose “Pete”
A notable example was Lualhati Bautista’s Dekada ’70.
Lacaba’s Sister Stella L. (1984) and Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim
(1985).
Social Realism in Protest Literature
 • Bienvenido Lumbera said the “literature of circumvention” consciousness. By documenting the abuses of the Marcos regime
prevalent from 1972 to 1983 was the artists’ way of “talking about and the resilience of the Filipino people, martial law writers helped
and speaking the truth. to keep the flame of hope alive during a dark period in Philippine
history.
Notable Authors under Martial Law • Martial law literature also played a vital role in mobilizing and
inspiring the opposition to the Marcos regime. By providing a
Lualhati Bautista platform for dissent and a sense of shared struggle, martial law
• Dekada '70 (Decade '70) is a novel that follows the lives of a writers helped to build a broad movement for democracy and
middle-class Filipino family during the martial law era. The novel human rights.
explores the themes of political oppression, social injustice, and the • Alternative Literary Forms: Martial Law spurred the emergence
struggle for freedom. of alternative literary forms, including protest poetry, underground
• Bata, Bata, Pa'no Ka Ginawa? (Child, Child, How Were You publications, and street theater, as mainstream media faced
Made?) is a novel that tells the story of a young teenage girl who censorship.
gets pregnant. The novel explores the themes of sexual abuse, • Filipino writers used literature as a weapon to fight against the
poverty, and the choices that women have to make in a patriarchal oppressive regime.
society.
• GAPO is a novel about a group of political prisoners who are Positive Impacts of Martial Law to Philippine Literature
being held in a military camp. The novel explores the themes of • Literature during martial law helped raise awareness of the social
torture, resilience, and the human spirit. and political issues of the time.
• It inspired people to fight against the oppressive regime.
Pete Lacaba • It helped preserve the memory of the atrocities committed during
• Mga Agimat, Mga Anting-Anting (Amulets and Talismans) is a martial law.
collection of short stories that use satire and humor to expose the • Awareness and Mobilization: Literature became a powerful tool
hypocrisy and absurdity of the Marcos regime. for raising awareness about human rights abuses, censorship, and
• Sa Sariling Bayan (In My Own Country) is a collection of political repression. It mobilized Filipinos to protest the Marcos
essays that reflect on the Filipino identity and the struggle for regime.
democracy. • Martial law literature helped to raise awareness of the human rights
• Ang Mga Kagila-Gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zoraida abuses of the Marcos regime and to promote social justice and
(The Amazing Adventures of Zoraida) is a novel about a young political reform.
woman who travels through time and meets various historical • It also helped to strengthen Filipino national identity and
figures from Philippine history. The novel is a satirical and consciousness by showcasing the resilience and courage of the
subversive take on the Marcos regime and the Filipino identity. Filipino people.
• Martial law literature also helped to document the experiences of
Bienvenido Lumbera ordinary Filipinos during this period, giving a voice to those who
• Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (Creation of the Tongue, Creation were marginalized and silenced by the regime.
of the Mind) is a collection of essays that explore the themes of
language, literature, and the Filipino identity. Negative Impacts of Martial Law to Philippine Literature
• May Isang Sundalong Humayo (A Soldier Went Out) is a poem • The government took and controlled all privately owned
about a soldier who leaves his family to fight for his country. The newspapers, magazines, radio, television facilities, and all other
poem explores the themes of war, sacrifice, and the longing for media, stifling the freedom of speech and media
home. • The Writ of Habeas Corpus was suspended, allowing people to be
• Sining ng Pagbabasa (The Art of Reading) is a collection of captured or imprisoned even without a warrant of arrest
essays that explore the importance of reading and the role of • People who wrote against the government were captured and
literature in society. tortured
• Martial law writers faced a number of challenges, including
Mila Aguilar censorship, imprisonment, and harassment.
• Aguilar is a writer and activist who wrote the book "Why Cage • The repressive environment also made it difficult for martial law
Pigeons?" while in prison during Martial Law. The book is a writers to publish their works and to reach a wide audience.
collection of essays and poems that reflect the social and political • Some martial law literature has been criticized for being too
issues of the time didactic or for glorifying violence.

Jose Ma. Sison Importance of Martial Law to Philippine Literature

• Sison is a poet, essayist, and activist who wrote the book "Pintig • Historical Record: Martial Law literature serves as a crucial
Sa Malamig na Bakal: Poems and Letters from Philippine historical record, providing insights into the period's political and
Prisons" while in prison during Martial Law. social dynamics.
• The book is a collection of poems and letters that reflect the • Inspiration for Activism: These writings continue to inspire
experiences of political prisoners during that time current and future generations to engage in activism, defending
democracy and human rights.
Pedro Cruz Reyes • Resilience and Creative Resistance: The period demonstrates
• Reyes is a writer and activist who wrote the book "Sa Mga Kuko how literature can be a means of creative resistance against
ng Liwanag" during Martial Law authoritarian rule, highlighting the enduring power of art and
• The book is a novel that explores the lives of the poor and words even in the face of adversity.
marginalized during that time.
Overall, Philippine literature during martial law played a
Lamberto Antonio significant role in raising awareness of the social and political issues of the
• Antonio is a writer and activist who wrote the book "Ang Mga time, inspiring people to fight against the oppressive regime, and
Anino ng Kahapon" during Martial Law preserving the memory of the atrocities committed during martial law. It
• The book is a collection of short stories that reflect the social and also highlights the importance of freedom of speech and media and the power
political issues of the time. of literature as a tool for social and political change. It provides a unique
perspective on the Marcos regime and its impact on the Filipino people.
Despite of the chaos that were happening, they didn’t stop writing. Martial law literature also serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of
They still try to speak out the truth to the public and fight for their rights. Even political oppression and the importance of fighting for freedom and
though, the government made a law that would journalists would have a limit democracy.
on their writings against Marcos’ regime.

Significant Contributions of Martial Law to Philippine Literature PHILIPPINE LITERATURE UNDER EDSA DEMOCRACY (1986-
• Philippine literature under martial law made significant 1994)
contributions to the development of Filipino national identity and
Philippine Literature under EDSA Democracy • made it to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Centennial
Honors List as one of the 100 most accomplished Filipino artists of
• The EDSA Revolution was a series of popular demonstrations in the century
the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila. There was a sustained Notable Works:
campaign of civil resistance against regime violence and electoral • Oldtimer and Other Stories
fraud. The nonviolent revolution led to the departure of Ferdinand • Killing Time in a Warm Place
Marcos, the end of his 20-year presidential term and the restoration • The Island
of democracy in the Philippines. • The Lavas: A Filipino Family
• The year 1986 demarcates the beginning of new scene in the
unfolding narrative of contemporary Philippine Literature. When Ricardo Lee
President Marcos placed the Philippine under marcial rule, • a fictionist, journalist, and a playwight; a giant in Philippine
initiating a regime that did not only suppress the writer’s right to Cinema
free expression but also created conditions that made collaboration • has written more than 150 film scripts since 1973, earning him
and cooperation convenient choices for artists struggling for more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including
recognition and survival. a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award
from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Filipino
Post-EDSA Literature (1986-1994) • has worked with the best Filipino directors and many of his films
have been screened in the international film festival circuit in
• Academic institutions where creative writing is a part of the Cannes, Toronto, and Berlin, among others
curricular offerings. Notable Works:
• Writers organizations that particularly sponsor symposia on • Kabilang sa mga Nawawala
writer and/or set up workshops for its members and other • Si Tatang at mga Himala ng Ating Panahon
interested parties.
• Campus publications are another group of outlets that is of Danton R. Remoto
importance as a source of nontraditional, experimental writing. • a Filipino writer, essayist, reporter, editor, columnist, and professor
These campus publications could either be weekly newspaper, and was a first prize recipient at the ASEAN Letter-Writing
quarterly magazines, or annual literary journals. Contest for Young People
• There is in the academe an emerging critical orientation that draws • the chairman emeritus of Ang Ladlad, a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
its concerns and insights from literary theorizing current in transgender (LGBT) political party in the Philippines
England and US • a professor and teaches English and Journalism at the Ateneo de
• Overall, the character of the Philippine literary scene after EDSA Manila University
may be pinpointed be referring to the theories that inform literary Notable Works:
production, to the products issuing from the publishers, to the • Skin, Voices, Faces
dominant concerns demonstrated by the writers output, and to the • X-Factor
direction towards which literary studies are tending. • Ladlad
• Post-EDSA publishing has been marked by adventurousness, a
willingness to gamble on non-traditional projects. Marjorie Evasco
• A recuperation of writing in Philippine languages other than • an award- winning Filipino poet that writes in two languages:
Tagalog. English and CebuanoVisayan.
• Feminist sentiments also flourished in Philippine contemporary • a supporter of women's rights, especially of women writers, and is
art and literature. one of the earliest Filipina feminist poets.
• a founding member of two organizations espousing the cause of
FAMOUS AUTHORS AND THEIR NOTABLE WORKS women writers: involved in Writers Creating Cultural
Alternatives (WICCA) and Women in Literary Arts (WILA)
Lilia Quindoza Santiago Notable Works:
• born in Manaoag, Pangasinan to Victorino Quindozo and Buena • Sagada Stills in a Floating World
Cadanilla • A Legacy of Light: 100 Years of
• a writer and an editor • Sun Life in the Philippine
• her work focuses on feminism in the lives of the indigenous • ANI: The Life and Art of Hermogena Borja Lungay,
people, the Ilocanos, and other ethno-linguistic groups in the Boholano Painter
Philippines
Notable Works: Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo
• famous poetry “Tula sa Sanaysay” • a poet, playwright, journalist and a retired professor at the
• The very last story of Huli University of Hawaii at Manoa advocating for Filipino language
• was the coordinator for the Department of Hawaiian and Indo-
Charlson L. Ong Pacific Languages, as well as the Filipino and Philippine Literature
• multi-awarded fictionist who has received, among others: A Program
Palanca award for his short story, The Trouble in Beijing; a • has been publishing poetry for over 30 years and has received
second-place Philippine Centennial Literary Prize for his novel, An numerous literary awards and honors
Embarrassment of Riches; and several National Book Awards for Notable Works:
his works across the years • Liham ni Pinay mula sa Brunei
• Currently teaches literature and creative writing at the University • Balada ni Lola Amonita
of The Philippines’ Department of English and Comparative • Anyaya ng Imperyalista
Literature.
Notable Works: WRITERS ORGANIZATION
• Blue Angel, White Shadow - UMPIL ( Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Pilipino )
• The Execution - The Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) is the
• The Trouble in Beijing largest organization of Filipino writers in the country. Founded in 1974, the
• An Embarrassment of Riches organization was known for a time as the Writers Union of the Philippines.
The current chairperson of UMPIL is V.E. Carmelo D. Nadera Jr.
Jose Dalisay, Jr
• a writer whose expertise is cover upon fiction, poetry, drama, - PANULAT ( Pambansang Unyon ng mga Manunulat )
nonfiction and screenplay - PANULAT is committed to the: protection and enhancement of
• has authored more than 20 books since 1984 wherein six of those the economic welfare of Filipino writers; promotion and defense of free
have garnered National Books Award from the Manila Critics expression; development and propagation of a national culture and literature
Circle and the Filipino language; and solidarity with other groups seeking to realize
national sovereignty, independence and self-reliance, peace, national unity and
the democratization of Philippine society
- Panday Lipi
- GAT ( Galian sa Arte )
- Katha
- LIRA ( Linangan sa Imahe, Retorika at Anyo )
- GUMIL ( Gunglo Dagiti Manunurat nga Ilokano )
- LUDABI ( Lubas sa Dagang Bisaya )
- PEN ( Pen, Essay, Novel )