U. S.

Colonialism
1898 - 1945

The downfall of the Spanish colonialism freed the printing industry from religious
censorship. With the printing industry in the hands of patriotic investors, the
printing press was used to block the American culture from entering the Philippine
lifestyle. Newspapers in our different dialects flourished all over the archipelago.
With some newspapers having a space for literary pieces, writers were given the
chance to show and prove the true talent of the Filipinos. Some of these
newspapers were Muling Pagsilang (1903, Tagalog), Ang Kaluwasan (1902,
Cebuano), Makinaugalingon (1913, Ilonggo), and Nueva Era (1908, Ilokano). The
best known magazines that capitalized on short stories and poems were Liwayway
(1922, Tagalog), Bisaya (1930, Cebuano), Hiligaynon (1934, Ilonggo), and Bannawag
(1934, Ilokano).

1924

The balagtasan, named after Francisco F. Balagtas, is a debate in verse, a poetical

joust done almost spontaneously between protagonists who debate over the pros
and the cons of a certain issue. The first ever balagtasan was held in March 1924 at
the Insituto de Mujeres, with Corazon de Jesus and Florentino Collantes as rivals.
Jose Corazon de Jesus, known also as Huseng Batute, became the first ever king of
the Balagtasan.

1926

Short stories in English of early Filipino fictionists are marked with American style.
This all changed with the founding of the U. P. Writers Club in 1926 whose aim was
to enhance and propagate the "language of Shakespeare." With the publication of
Paz Marquez Benitez' "Dead Stars," it was made the landmark of the maturity of
the Filipino writer in English. Many writers followed Benitez like Icasiano Calalang,
Arturo Rotor, A. E. Litiatco, Paz Latorena, and Manuel Arguilla started publishing
stories manifesting skills in the use of the foreign language and a keen Filipino
sensibility.
1936

With the founding of the Philippine Writers League in 1936, Filipino writers began
discussing the value of literature in the society they live in. This move was led by
Salvador P. Lopez whose works centered on proletarian literature.
It was during the early American period that the sarswela gained popularity. Most
of the sarwelas if not all are directed against the American imperialists. The works
of Severino Reyes ("Walang Sugat") and Patricio Mariano ("Anak ng Dagat") are
equally remarkable sarwelas during the period. Here are the other noted
sarswelistas: Aurelio Tolentino, Juan Abad, Juan Matapang Cruz, and Juan
Crisostomo Sotto.
Philippine literature during american period

1. 1. The Filipino Revolutionists won against the Spaniards who colonized for more than 300
years. June 12, 1898 raised the Philippine flag as a symbol of our independence. Gen.
Emilio Aguinaldo was selected the first president of the Philippine Republic but this was short
lived.
2. 2. The filipino-american war resulted in the defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903.
3. The peace movements started as early as 1900. Many filipino started writing again and the
nationalism of the people remain undaunted. Filipino writers went into all forms of literature
like news reporting, poetry, stories, plays, essays and novels. Their writings clearly depicted
their love of country and thier longings for
4. 3. A new group started to write in English. Hence, Spanish, Tagalog , the Vernaculars
and finally , English, were the mediums used in literature during these times. The writers in
Spanish were wont to write on nationalism like honoring Rizal and other heroes. The
writers in Tagalog continued in their lamentations on the conditions of the country and their
attempts to arouse love for ones native tongue. The writers in English imitated the themes
and methods of the Americans.
5. 4. The UP college Folio was later replaced by the Philippine Collegian. Dead Stars by
Paz Marquez Benitez stand out as a model of perfection in character delineation, local color,
plot and message. 1933 Footnote to youth by Jose Garcia Villa
6. 5. - EL NUEVO DIA (THE NEW DAY) - EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (THE CALL OF THE
NATION) - EL RENACIEMENTO
7. 6. KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow) Written by Aurelio
Tolentino TANIKALANG GINTO of Juan Abad MALAYA by Thomas Remigio WALANG
SUGAT by Severino Reyes
8. 7. Education became a very important issue for the united states colonial government,
since it allowed it to spread thier cultural values, particularly the english language, to the
filipino people. By 1901, public education was institutionalized in the philippines, with english
serving the medium of instruction.
9. 8. A. Literature in Spanish a) Cecilio Apostol - wrote "A RIZAL" and is considered the best
poem in praise of the hero of bagumbayan. b) Fernando Ma. Guerero - he collected the
best of his poem in a book called Crisalidas, and one of the poems written in this book was
"INVOCACION A RIZAL" c) Jesus Balmori - well-known for his pen name of Batikuling. He
and Manuel Bernabe participated in a debate on the topic - "REMEMBRANCE and
FORGETFULNESS". He was elected Poet Laureate in spanish besting Manuel Bernabe.
d) Manuel Bernabe - is a lyric poet. He was more attractive to the public in a debate with
balmori because of the melodious words he used. He defended OLVIDO e) Claro M.
Recto - he collected his poems in a book entitled BAJO LOS COCOTEROS. One of his
writings dedicated to Rizal is "ANTE EL MARTIR".
10. 9. 1. Adelina Guerrea was first woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish. She
obtained the Nobel Prize in her EL NIDO. 2. Isidro Marpori became famous for his four books
entitled Aroma de Ensueno. 3. Macario Adriatico wrote of Legend of Mindoro entitled La
Punta de Salto 4. Epifanio de los Santos
11. 10. a) Lope K. Santos - "Father of the National language Grammar", he was also called
"apo" of the tagalog writers. "BANAAG AT SIKAT" was his master piece. b) Jose Corazon
de Jesus - known as huseng batute, he was also called the poet of love in his time. "AG
ISANG PUNONG KAHOY", an elegy, is believed to be his masterpiece. c) Armando V.
Hernandez - was dubbed "Poet of the Laborers", his masterpiece is "ANG PANDAY" d)
Valeriano Hernandez Pena - known as Tandang Anong, he considers "NENA AT NENENG"
his masterpiece. e) Inigo Ed Regalado - a popular story teller, novelist and newspaper
man. He reach the peak of his success by the "sumpong" of his pen.
12. 11. 1. Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso). These included Lope K. Santos, Iigo Ed.
Regalado, Carlos Gatmaitan, Pedro Deogracias del Rosario, Ildefonso Santos, Amado V.
Hernandez, Nemecio Carabana, and Mar Antonio. 2. Poets of Life (Makata ng Buhay).
Led by Lope K Santos, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Florentino Collantes, Patricio Mariano,
Carlos Garmaitan, and Amado V. Hernandez. 3. Poets of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan).
Led by Aurelio Tolentino, Patricio Mariano, Severino Reyes, and Tomas Remigio.
13. 12. In a way, we can say that we can trace the beginnings of Philippine literature in English
with the coming of the Americans. For this purpose, we can divide this period into three time
frames, namely:
14. 13. The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-1910) English as a literary vehicle came with the
American occupation in August 13, 1898 and as they say, a choice bestowed on us by
history. By 1900, English came to be used as a medium of instruction in the public schools.
From the American forces were recruited the first teachers of English. By 1908, the primary
and intermediate grades were using English. It was also about this time when UP, the
forerunner in the use of English in higher education, was founded.
15. 14. THE PERIOD OF IMITATION (1910-1924) By 1919, the UP College Folio published
the literary compositions of the first Filipino writers in English. They were the pioneers in
short story writing. They were then groping their way into imitating American and British
models which resulted in a stilted, artificial and unnatural style, lacking vitality and
spontaneity.
16. 15. PERIOD OF SELF-DISCOVERY AND GROWTH (1925-1941) By this time, Filipino
writers had acquired the mastery of English writing. They now confidently and competently
wrote on a lot of subjects although the old-time favorites of love and youth persisted. They
went into all forms of writing like the novel and the drama.
17. 16. Poetry. Noteworthy names in this field ,they wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets
and in other types. Poetry was original, spontaneous, competently written and later,
incorporated social consciousness. Short Story (1925-1941) Poetry and short story
flourished during these times. Publications. The Philippine Free Press provided the first
incentives to Filipino writers in English by offering prizes to worthwhile contribution. Other
publication followed suit. The Drama.(1925-1941) Drama during this period did not reach
the heights attained by the novel or the short story.
American period
1. 1. AMERICAN PERIOD 1898 1941, 1945-1946
2. 2. Latin American Wars of Independence (1810-1824) 11776 1776 1810-1816 1817-1818
1810-1824 1810-1823 1811-1822 Spanish West Indies Spanish East Indies
3. 3. SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR (1898) Americans were aware of Cubas struggle for
independence (1895-1898). The United States intervened when an American battleship
Maine stationed in Cuba was blown up resulting to the death of 246 Americans. Declaration
of war: April 21, 1898.
4. 4. Spanish-American War in the Philippines Battle at Manila Bay (May 1, 1898) First major
engagement of the Spanish- American War. American Asiatic Squadron under Commodore
George Dewey engaged and destroyed the Spanish Pacific Squadron under Admiral Patricio
Montojo y Pasarn.
5. 5. The first battle of the Spanish-American War thrilled the American nation. The American
people believed we have driven Spain out of the Philippines.. The American people did not
know whether the Philippines were islands or something to eat.
6. 6. FILIPINOS May 1898 Aguinaldo returns to the Philippines June 1898 June 12
declaration of Independence and creation of the First Republic of the Philippines as a
government. AMERICANS May 1898 Battle at Manila Bay July 1898 Spanish American
Secret Agreement August 1898 Mock Battle of Manila Spaniards surrender to the
Americans
7. 7. Treaty of Paris (December 10, 1898) Ended the Spanish-American War. In accordance
with the treaty: Spain gave up all rights to Cuba US exercise indefinite colonial authority
over Puerto Rico and the Spanish East Indies. Surrendered the Philippines to the United
States for a payment of 20 million dollars. Treaty was ratified Feb.6, 1899.
8. 8. Benevolent Assimilation (Dec.21, 1898) first American policy that expressly indicated the
intention of the US to stay in the Philippines by exercising political control over the Filipinos
and its government. The First Republic of the Philippines under Pres. Aguinaldo saw this
declaration as an intrusion of the US to the sovereignty of the Philippines.
9. 9. Troubles which may Follow an Imperial Policy, New York Herald, July 3, 1898
10. 10. Political leaders in the Philippines and changing policies in the United States
government resulted to the end of the idea of the Benevolent Assimilation little brown
brothers Americans term for the Filipinos
11. 11. (Some) FILIPINO POLITICIANS/PERSONALITIES active during the American Period
The ilustrados, educated and rich elite Manuel Quezon Sergio Osmea Jose P. Laurel
Manuel Roxas Elpidio Quirino Benigno Aquino Sr. Jose Abad Santos Carlos P. Romulo
12. 12. Filipino-American War (1899-1902) Start : San Juan Bridge Incident (feb.4, 1899)
Aguinaldo was considered as a rebel by the Americans. Capital of the First Republic moved
from Malolos to San Isidro (Nueva Ecija) to Tarlac to Bayambang (Pangasinan) Palanan
(Isabela). Gregorio Del Pilar- the hero of Tirad Pass Aguinaldo was arrested March 23,
1901 in Isabela and took the oath of allegiance on April 1. Last resistance of the Filipinos :
1902 led by Miguel Malvar
13. 13. GOVERNMENTS UNDER THE AMERICANS American Military Government(1898
1901) Military government led by the military governor 4 military governors : Merritt, Otis,
Arthur MacArthur, Chaffee American Insular Government (1901 1935) Led by the
governor general appointed by the US president. The Philippines was an unincorporated
territory (insular) of the United States. Governor generals served the colony : 16
14. 14. School Begins, Puck Magazine, January 25, 1899,
15. 15. TOWARDS AUTONOMY Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 or Jones Law Proposed for
the independence of the Philippines as soon as a stable government is established. It
created a bicameral Philippine Legislature (Congress) Wood-Forbes Mission (1921) Fact
finding mission to look into the affairs and condition of the Philippines Conclusion : Filipinos
 were not yet prepared for independence and the educated Filipinos wished to remain under
the American tutelage.
16. 16. Pres. William Howard Taft to Pres Woodrow Wilson Taft followed the 1898 policy of
Benevolent Assimilation. After succeeding Taft, Pres. Wilson (1913 1921) changed the
policy regarding the Philippine colony issue The United States in the Philippines is
temporary and process leading to Philippine independence should be made. Policy of the
United States to withdraw her sovereignty as soon as a stable government is established,
manned and supported by Filipinos.
17. 17. Campaign for Independence Commission of Independence sent missions to the US
Congress 1919 First Parliamentary Mission to the US led by Senate President Quezon
and Sen. Rafael Palma 1922 2nd Parliamentary Mission led by Quezon and Osmea
1923 1924 1925 1931-1933 Os-Rox Mission Led to the passage of the Hare-Hawes
Cutting Act
18. 18. Hare- Hawes Cutting Act (1933, law 1934) First US law passed for the decolonization of
the Philippines Politically : Establishment of 10-year Commonwealth period to serve as a
transition government Military: reserved military and naval based for the US Economically
: impose tariffs and quotas on Philippine exports
19. 19. Transition to Independence Commonwealth Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934) Primarily, this
act led to the creation of the Commonwealth of the Philippines Nov. 15, 1935
Commonwealth inaugurated with Manuel Quezon as president and Sergio Osmea as vice
president Commonwealth Government ; 1935 1945
20. 20. World War II in the Philippines JAPANESE PERIOD (1941 1945)
21. 21. Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
22. 22. PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE On July 4, 1946, the Third Philippine Republic was
inaugurated at Luneta Park.