American Period

American Period
History of American Occupation
The history of the Philippines from 1898 to 1946 covers the period of American rule in the Philippines
and began with the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April 1898, when the Philippines was still
part of the Spanish East Indies, and concluded when the United States formally recognized the
independence of the Republic of the Philippines on July 4, 1946.
With the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United
States. The interim U.S. military government of the Philippine Islands experienced a period of great
political turbulence, characterized by the Philippine-American War. Beginning in 1901, the military
government was replaced by a civilian government—the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands—
with William Howard Taft serving as its first Governor-General. From 1901 to 1906 there also existed a
series of revolutionary governments that lacked significant international diplomatic recognition.
Following the passage of the Philippine Independence Act in 1934, a Philippine presidential election was
held in 1935. Manuel L. Quezon was elected and inaugurated second President of the Philippines on
November 15, 1935. The Insular Government was dissolved and the Commonwealth of the Philippines
was brought into existence. The Commonwealth of the Philippines was intended to be a transitional
government in preparation for the country’s full achievement of independence in 1946.
Philippine Literature in English during American Occupation
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 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.
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
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.
Types of Literature in the Philippines during American Occupation
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 contributions. 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.
Philippine Literature during American Occupation
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 the country and their longings for independence.
In 1910, a new group started to write in English. Hence, Spanish, Tagalog, Vernaculars and finally, English,
were the mediums used in literature during these times. The writers in Spanish went 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 one’s native tongue. The writers in
English imitated the themes and methods of the Americans.
The active arousal In the field of literature started to be felt in the following newspapers:
· EL NUEVO DIA (The New Day) – Established by Sergio Osmena in 1900.
· EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call of the Nation) – established by Pascual Poblete in 1900.
· EL RENACIEMENTO (The Rebirth) – founded by Rafael Palma in 1900.
There were also plays written, included here were the following:
· 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
Philippine Literature in Spanish during American Occupation
· Cecilio Apostol wrote “A Rizal” and is considered the best poem in praise of the hero of bagumbayan.
· Fernando Ma. Guerero collected the best of his poem in a book called Crisalidas and one of the poems
written in this book was “Invocacion a Rizal”
· Jesus Balmori is 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.
· 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.
· Claro M. Recto collected his poems in a book entitled Bajo Los Cocoteros. One of his writings dedicated
to Rizal is “Ante El Martir”.
· Adelina Guerrea was first woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish. She obtained the
Nobel Prize in her El Nido.
· Isidro Marpori Became famous for his four books entitled Aroma de Ensueno.
· Macario Adriatico wrote of Legend of Mindoro entitled La Punta de Salto

American Period

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American Period

History of American Occupation

Philippine Literature in English during American Occupation

The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-1910)

The Period of Imitation (1910-1924)

Types of Literature in the Philippines during American Occupation

Short Story (1925-1941)

Poetry and short story flourished during these times.

The Drama (1925-1941)

Philippine Literature during American Occupation

· EL NUEVO DIA (The New Day) – Established by Sergio Osmena in 1900.

· EL RENACIEMENTO (The Rebirth) – founded by Rafael Palma in 1900.

· Tanikalang Ginto of Juan Abad

· Malaya by Thomas Remigio

· Walang Sugat by Severino Reyes

Philippine Literature in Spanish during American Occupation

· Macario Adriatico wrote of Legend of Mindoro entitled La Punta de Salto

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