1) During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1941-1945, Philippine literature in English came to a halt as the Japanese prohibited writing in English. This led writers to turn to writing in Filipino instead. 2) Three types of poems emerged during this period - Haiku, Tanaga, and Karaniwang Anyo. Haiku and Tanaga were short forms that followed specific syllabic and rhyming patterns. 3) Drama experienced a lull as American movie houses were closed, but many plays were translated to Tagalog by writers like Francisco Soc Rodrigo. The short story form also widened during this time as various authors wrote and had their works selected for prizes.

1. The Japanese Period
Historical Background
Between1941-1945, Philippine Literature wasinterruptedin its developmentwhenthe Philippines
was again conqueredby anotherforeigncountry, Japan. Philippine literature inEnglishcame to a
halt. Except for the TRIBUNE and the PHILIPPINE REVIEW,almost all newspapersin Englishwere
stoppedby the Japanese.
This had an advantageouseffecton FilipinoLiterature,whichexperiencedrenewedattention
because writers inEnglish turnedto writingin Filipino. Juan Laya, who use to write inEnglish turned
to Filipinobecause ofthe strict prohibitionsof the Japanese regarding any writing in English.
The weeklyLIWAYWAYwasplacedunder strict surveillance until it was managed by Japanese
named Ishiwara.
In other words, Filipinoliterature wasgivena break during thisperiod.Many wrote plays,
poems,short stories,etc. Topics and themeswere oftenabout life in the provinces.
FilipinoPoetryDuring The Japanese Period
 The common theme of most poemsduring the Japanese occupation was nationalism,country,
love,and life in the barrios, faith, religionand the arts.
Three Types of PoemsEmergedDuring Japanese Period
 Haiku – a poemof free verse that the Japanese like. It was made up of 17 syllablesdivided
into three lines. The firstline had 5 syllables,the second,7 syllables,andthe third, five. The
Haiku is allegorical in meaning,isshort and covers a wide scope in meaning.
 Tanaga – like the Haiku, isshort but it had measure and rhyme.Each line had 17 syllablesand
it’s also allegorical inmeaning.
 Karaniwang Anyo(Usual Form) – like those mentionedearlierinthe beginningchaptersof this
book.
FilipinoDrama During The Japanese Period
 The drama experiencedalull duringthe Japanese periodbecause movie housesshowing
American filmswere closed. The big movie houseswere just made to show stage shows.
Many of the plays were reproductionsof Englishplays to Tagalog. The translators were
Francisco Soc Rodrigo, AlbertoConcio, and Narciso Pimentel. Theyalso foundedthe
organization ofFilipinoplayersnamed Dramatic Philippines.
A fewof playwriters were
 Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote PANDAY PIRA
 Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote sa PULA, SA PUTI
 Clodualdodel Mundo – wrote BULAGA (an expressioninthe game Hide and Seek).

2.  JulianCruz Balmaceda – wrote SINO BA KAYO?, DAHIL SA ANAK,and HIGANTE NG PATAY.
FilipinoShortStory During The Japanese Period
 The fieldofthe short story widenedduringthe Japanese Occupation. Many wrote short
stories. Among them were: BrigidoBatungbakal, Macario Pineda,SerafinGuinigindo,
Liwayway Arceo, Narciso Ramos, NVM Gonzales,AliciaLopezLim, Ligaya Perez,and Gloria
Guzman.
 The bestwritings in 1945 were selectedbya group of judgescomposedof Francisco Icasiano,
Jose Esperanza Cruz, Antonio Rosales,Clodualdodel Mundoand Teodoro Santos.
As a resultof this selection,the followinggotthe first three prizes:
 First Prize: Narciso Reyeswith his LUPANG TINUBUAN
 SecondPrize: Liwayway Arceo’s UHAW ANG TIGANG NA LUPA
 Third Prize: NVMGonzales’LUNSODNAYON AT DAGAT-DAGATAN
Philippine Literature InEnglish(1941-1945)
 Because of the strict prohibitionsimposedb the Japanese in the writingand publishingof
works in English,Philippine literature inEnglishexperiencedadark period. The few who
dared to write didso for theirbread and butter or for propaganda.
 Writingsthat came out duringthis periodwere journalistic innature. Writersfelt
suppressedbut slowly,the spirit of nationalismstarted to seepinto theirconsciousness.
While some continuedto write,the majority waitedfor a betterclimate to publishtheir
works.
 Noteworthywriter of the periodwas Carlos P. Romulo who won the PulitzerPrize for his
bestsellersISAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES, I SEE THE PHILIPPINESRISE and his MOTHER
AMERICA AND MY BROTHER AMERICANS.
 Journalistsinclude Salvador P. Lopez, LeonMa. Geurrero,Raul Manglapuz and Carlos Bulosan.
 Nick Joaquinproduced THE WOMANWHOLOOKED LIKE LAZARUS. Fred Ruiz Castro wrote a
fewpoems.
 F.B. Icasino wrote essaysin The Philippine Review.
 Carlos Bulosan’sworks included THE LAUGHTER OF MY FATHER (1944), THE VOICEOF
BATAAN, 1943, SIX FILIPINOPOETS, 1942, among others. AlfredoLitiatco published WithHarp
and Slingand in1943, Jose P. Laurel published Forcesthat Make a NationGreat.
The CommonwealthLiterary Awards gave prizesto meritoriouswriters. Those who won were:
 LIKE THE MOLAVE – by Rafael Zuluetada Costa (Poetry)
 HOW MY BROTHER LEON BROUGTH HOME A WIFE – by Manuel E. Arguilla(Short Story)
 LITERATURE AND SOCIETY – by Salvador P. Lopez (Essay)

3.  HIS NATIVE SOIL – by Juan Laya (Novel)
 PresidentManuel L. Quezon’sautobiography THE GOODFIGHT was publishedposthumously.
 Radio broadcasts echoedthe mingledfear and doubts in the hearts of the people.
 Other writersof this periodwere Juan Collas(19440, Tomas Confesor(1945), Roman
A. de la Cruz and Elisa Tabuñar.