The Philippine Literature in Filipino (Tagalog) language

Majority among the Filipinos were beginning to read and write. Most of them started to read and
became informed with what is happening around. As a result, more and more Filipinos became
writers and poets and dramatists. Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar’s epic poem, Florante at Laura
and Father Modesto De Castro’s social novel, Urbana at Felisa became the inspiration of the
Filipino (Tagalog) writers. Some of the more popular writers during this period were:

Lope K. Santos was a novelist, poet, author and grammarian. He was called “Apo” of the
Tagalog writers. He was also dubbed as “Ama ng Balarilang Filipino” (Father of National
Language Grammar). The novel, “Banaag at Sikat” was his masterpiece.
Jose Corazon De Jesus was also known as “Huseng Batute.” He was deemed as “Makata ng
Pag-ibig.” He wrote the nationalistic poem, “Bayan Ko” and “Isang Punong Kahoy,” an elegy,
was his masterpiece.
Amado V. Hernandez was crowned “Makata ng mga Manggagawa” because his poems revolve
on the lives of city laborers. He wrote the poems “Isang Dipang Langit,” “Bayang Malaya,”
“Munting Lupa” while being incarcerated in the Muntinlupa Jail because of his involvement in
labor riots. The famous poem, “Ang Panday” was his masterpiece.
Valeriano Hernandez Peña was popularly known as “Tandang Anong”. He used “Kuntil Butil” as
his pen name. The novel “Nena at Neneng” was his masterpiece.
Iñigo Ed. Regalado was the son of Odalager, a popular writer during Spanish Period. He was a
popular story-teller, novelist and newspaperman during the American period.
Filipino (Tagalog) poetry
Inspired by the Propagandists and Revolutionists writers and poets, more and more Filipinos
started using the pen to share their sentiments and emotions. A lot of Filipino poets emerged
during this period. Hence, Julian Cruz Balmaceda, a popular writer, dramatist and critic
classified these poets based on the poems that they wrote. They are classified as:

Poets of the Heart (Mga Makata ng Pag-ibig)

Lope K. Santos
Inigo Ed. Regalado
Carlos Gatmaitan
Pedro Gatmaitan
Jose Corazon de Jesus
Cirilo Panganiban
Deogracias del Rosario
Ildefonso Santos
Amado V. Hernandez
Nemecio Carabana
Mar Antonio
Poets of Life (Mga Makata ng Buhay)
Lope K. Santos
Jose Corazon de Jesus
Florentino Collantes
Patricio Mariano
Carlos Gatmaitan
Amado V. Hernandez
Poets of the Stage (Mga Makata ng Entablado)
Aurelio Tolentino
Patricio Mariano
Severino Reyes
Tomas Remigio
Filipino (Tagalog) Short Story
The emergence of the English short story was instrumental in the development of this literary
genre called “Maikling kuwento” or simpy referred to as “Dagli” since they can be read in one
sitting. Short stories began to appear in Pangsandaliang Libangan (Short-time Leisure) and
Dagli (Fast) columns. Popular short story writers include:

Lope K. Santos
Patricio Mariano
Rosauro Almario
In “Liwayway,” a popular weekly publication who publishes short stories, we find the names:

Deogracias Rosario
Teodoro Gener
Cirio H. Panganiban
Filipino (Tagalog) drama
In the American period, a lot of changes began to unravel. Almost all literary genres were
affected with the coming of the Americans and the English language. However, there are still
Filipino men-of-letters who wanted to use the Tagalog medium and sought to improve various
literatures using it.

In Tagalog drama, Severino Reyes and Hermogenes Ilagan criticized the Spanish Moro-moro
and showed that dramas can be powerful vehicles for propagation of Filipino values for the
audiences. Aside from these values, these dramas were extensively used as a way to promote
nationalism as well. The popular dramatists during this period include:

Severino Reyes was called the “Father of Tagalog Drama.” His immortal play, “Walang Sugat”
was his masterpiece.
Aurelio Tolentino was deemed the “Father of Kapampangan Drama.” His work, “Luhang
Tagalog” was his masterpiece and his “Napon, Ngeni at Bukas” was a translation of his other
masterpiece, “Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas.”
Hermogenes Ilagan was a dramatist who founded the group Campaña Ilagan, presenting many
dramas in Central Luzon.
Patricio Mariano wrote the play entitled “Ninay.” His masterpiece was “Anak ng Dagat.”
Julian Cruz Balmaceda was a playwright who wrote “Bunganga ng Pating.”
Vernacular poetry
Aside from the flowering of Spanish, Filipino and English languages as literary media, several
vernaculars writers and poets gained popularity in their respective localities. Let us take a look
at some of them.

Ilokano Poetry
Pedro Bukaneg was deemed as the “Father of Ilocano Literature.” The Ilocano Bukanegan was
the Ilokano form of Balagtasan which was periodically held to honor his name.
Claro Caluya was the “Prince of Ilocano Poets.”
Leon Pichay was crowned as the “Best Bukanegero.” He was also a poet, novelist, short story
writer, dramatist and essayist.
Kapampangan Poetry
Juan Crisostomo Soto was called the “Father of Kapampangan Literature.” The Crisotan was
the Kapampangan form of Balagtasan held in his honor.
Aurelio Tolentino was a dramatist and his “Napon, Ngeni at Bukas” was a translation of his
masterpiece “Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas.”
Visayan Poetry
Eriberto Gumban was dubbed as the “Father of Visayan Literature.” He wrote a number of
zarzuela, moro-moro and plays in Visayan language.
Magdalena Jalandoni was a notable female novelist who wrote “Ang mga Tunuk san isa ca
Bulaclac.”
The Philippine Literature in English language
Although the Filipinos were defeated in the Philippine-American War, or Philippine Insurrection
as termed by the Americans, they kept the flame of nationalism burning as ever. Seeking to find
a better solution other than violent means, they resorted back to the pen. Peace movements
started as early as 1900 and many Filipinos started writing again “after the sword was broken.”

They wrote all forms of literature like news, poetry, stories, plays essays, novels which clearly
depicted their love of country and longing for independence. Hence, the spirit of nationalism of
the people remained undaunted.

With the arrival of the English language, a new way of writing literature has emerged. The
Filipinos, being lovers of languages and natural linguists, began using this new medium to
record their thoughts, sentiments, ideas and views, dreams and fears as well as everyday life-
matters. In short, a new weapon was added to their arsenal.

As students of Philippine literature, you need to understand how Philippine literature in English
developed and improved from its early years during the American period and beyond. To begin
with, let us take a look at the three periods, namely:

Period of Re-orientation
Period of Imitation
Period of Self-Discovery and Growth