American Era

Historical Background
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.
 The Philippines lost in the Philippine –
American War with the surrender of
Gen. Miguel Malvar of Batangas and
Gen. Simeon Ola of Bicol.
 The Filipino men-of-letters wrote all
forms of literary genres like news,
poetry, stories, plays essays, novels
which clearly depicted their love of
country and longing for independence.
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 independence.
 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 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 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.Footnote to youth by Jose
Garcia Villa
- EL NUEVO DIA (THE NEW DAY)
-EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (THE CALL OF

THE NATION)
-EL RENACIEMENTO
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
 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.
 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.
1. Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso).
These included Lope K. Santos, Iñigo 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.
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:
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.
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.
 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.
Vacation days at last are here,
And we have time for fun so dear,
All boys and girls do gladly cheer,
This welcomed season of the year.
In early June in school we’ll meet;
A harder task shall we complete
And if we fail we must repeat
That self same task without retreat.
We simply rest to come again
To school where boys and girls obtain
The Creator’s gift to men
Whose sanguine hopes in us remain.
Vacation means a time for play
For young and old in night and day
My wish for all is to be gay,
And evil none lead you astray
– Juan F. Salazar
Philippines Free Press, May 9, 1909
Wrap Up
Philippine literary production during the
American Period in the Philippines was
spurred by two significant developments in
education and culture. One is the
introduction of free public instruction for
all children of school age and two, the use
of English as medium of instruction in all
levels of education in public schools.
- DR. LILIA QUINDOZA-SANTIAGO
“How my Brother Leon Brought Home a
Wife” by Manuel Arguilla
1. When Leon came home, he first asked where his
father was. What does this imply?
2. “Sky Sown with Stars” was introduced in the first
part of the story as the song that Leon, Baldo, and their
father sang while planting when they were younger.
What was the reaction of their father upon knowing
that Maria sang it with Leon on the way to their house?
What does this imply?
3. Why do you think Baldo was asked to water Labang
as Leon and Maria entered the room?
4. What does the last paragraph say about Baldo’s view
about Maria?
 www.slideshare.com
 philippineliterature04.snack.ws/american-regime-1898-
1941.html
 britannica.com/event/Philippine-Revolution
 philippineliteraryfestival.com
 ncca.gov.ph

American Era

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American Era

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Historical Background

The Filipino Revolutionists won

-EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (THE CALL OF

English as a literary vehicle came with the

They were then groping their way into

 Short Story (1925-1941) Poetry and short story

 Publications. The Philippine Free Press provided the

 The Drama.(1925-1941) Drama during this period did

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