DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE ESSAY

Birth of the English of English Language

Our use of the English language started when the Americans colonized
the Philippines.
One of the positive developments is the official adoption of English as
medium of instruction in the public schools. After the hostilities, Filipino and
American educators got together and agreed that a common language is
essential in unifying a nation divided by a plethora of dialects.
Unity of language is unquestionably a binding force of utmost
importance.
Salvador P. Lopez, in The Future Of Filipino Literature In English, wrote:
We shall have more contact with the rest of the world. During this period we
shall negotiate for trade, for security, for a neighborly living with the rest of
mankind. At the same time, we shall be expressed more fully to the currents
of universal culture. And as we continue to absorb the elements of this
culture, we shall be better be able to contribute to the stream.

A New Generation
Philippine essays developed side by side with Philippine journalism.
The introduction of the language ushered in a new generation of English
speaking readers and thus, a growing demand for materials in that language.
American publications eventually gave way to Filipino-owned magazines and
newspapers.
Campus organs served as the spring-boards for the growth of
Philippine literature in English. It was instrumental as well in exposing the
younger generations to the rudiments of the new lingo. Some of the
noteworthy school publications were the Literary Apprentice and the College
Folio of UP and the Quill and Argonaut of UST.
After college, the works of these students graduated to the Sunday
magazines of the metro dailies and other magazines. Publishers and editors
saw how literary sections generate interest and consequently increase
circulation.

Prominence and Professionalism

In the same way that British and American essays matured through
such magazines as Spectator and the Courant, so has Philippine essay
gained prominence and professionalism in several pre-War publications.
Among them are Herald Midweek, Expression, Dear Devices and Philippine
Magazine, an influential monthly edited by A.V.H. Hartendorp, which featured
essays, fiction and poetry of the highest order.
In 1939, the Commonwealth Literary Contests, the first statesponsored literary award, was established. And during the Occupation, the
Japanese sponsored Review and Pillars solicited censored literary works.
Some writers were forced to conform to the accepted political thought and
thus, freedom of expression, which is a fundamental concept of good writing,
was tortured to submission.

Mastery of the Language

It was after the Liberation when Philippine literature in English in
general and Philippine essay in English in particular achieved a renaissance,
showing a mastery of the language that was uncanny. In the words of Leon
Maria Guerrero, in his essay What Are Filipino Like? : Our adaptability, or
imitativeness, like our family system, is largely self-protective.
It was during this time when the Philippine American came out with
some of the finest literary talents in the country. Another welcome
development in its wake is the payment of the then staggering amount of
one hundred pesos for each article. The incentive fueled the growth of
professional writing. Unfortunately, the magazine folded up after a year.
The year 1951 saw the birth of the Philippine Quarterly, a
government sponsored publication issued by the Philippine Information
Council. It was accepted without question as the best quality magazine in the
country in points of writing, editing and printing. It was circulated mostly
abroad. However appropriations were stopped and it ceased publication after
the sixth issue.