LITERATURE IN THE

TH
LATE 20 CENTURY
Lesson 5
 LIT. DURING THE LATE 20TH CENTURY

 The dramatic political scene of our country in

the late 20th century shaped the literature at
this time.
 Philippine writers reacted to oppression,
censorship, and changes in government.
 Literature became multi-faceted in terms of
language and genre.
 HOW THE EVOLUTION UNFOLDED

 Last 3 Decades of the 20th Century

 The political landscape, especially during the

Marcos regime, shaped literary works.

 Literature flourished in both Filipino and

English after the 1987 Constitution
recognized them as official languages.
 AMADO V. HERNANDEZ
 Named National Artist for Literature
 published "Bayang Malaya" in 1970
 This narrative poem recalls the Japanese
occupation through the eyes of proletariat
characters like Tanggol Tala, and Lantay.
 Along with Hernandez's other works, "Bayang
Malaya" set the tone for other poets to follow
in terms of exposing political and social
realities.
 TRAININGS
 Ateneo de Manila University established a
writing workshop for Tagalog writers (1970).
 The Tiempo’s workshop in Siliman University
 NVM Gonzalez mentored new generations of
students in his college classes
 Products of this notable teacher are the ff.:
 Juan T. Gatbonton
 Resil B. Mojares
 Luis V. Teodoro
 Ninotchka Rosca
 ENGLISH-LANGUAGE WRITERS AND WORKS:

 Ruben Cuevas – Prometheus Unbound, an anti-

Marcos poem published in a pro-government
magazine.
 Emmanuel S. Torres – Published Shapes of
Silence (1972), a socio-political poetry collection.
 Virgilio Almario – Doktrinang Anakpawis (1979).
 Jose F. Lacaba – Ang Mga Kagila-gilalas na
Pakikipagsapalaran (1979).
 DICTATORSHIP ERA
 Government censorship shut down publications
like:
 Philippines Free Press
 Philippine Graphic

 Underground efforts continued with pamphlets

and anthologies:
 Kamao, Panitikan ng Protesta (1970-1986)
 Versus (1986)
 STR (1989)
 DICTATORSHIP ERA
Protest Poets:
Bienvenido Lumbera
Lamberto E. Antonio
Jose Lacaba
Edgardo Maranan
Emmanuel Lacaba
Kris Montañez
Mila Aguilar
Tomas F. Agulto
Teo Antonio
Jesus Santiago
 DICTATORSHIP ERA
 Even imprisonment could not silence Filipino
poets.

 Writers like:
 Jose Ma. Sison
 Alan Jazmines
 Judy Taguiwalo

 continued their literary activism behind bars.

 DICTATORSHIP ERA
 The assassination of Benigno Aquino Jr. in 1983 sparked
a wave of fearless poetry.
 Notable poets who expressed their dissent included:
 Gemino Abad
 Alfredo Navarro Salanga
 Tita Lacambra-Ayala
 Alfred Yuson
 Filipino poets demonstrated extraordinary courage,
making it an understatement to say they were merely
brave during the martial law period.
 1980s and 1990s
The period continued to produce outstanding
poets in both English and Filipino.
Notable poetry collections:
"Dreamweavers" (1987) – Marjorie Evasco
"The Secret of Graphite: Poems in 2
Tongues" (1989) – Ramon C. Sunico
"Wandering Roots, 1978-1988" and "From
the Hothouse, 1989-1990" – Fatima V. Lim
"Lyrics from a Dead Language" (1991) –
Eric Gamalinda
 1980s and 1990s
 Prominent contemporary Philippine poets included:
 J. Neil Garcia
 Jim Agustin
 Danton Remoto
 Ma. Luisa Aguilar-Cariño
 Marne Kilates
 Lina Sagaral Reyes
 Juaniyo Arcellana
 Herminio Beltran Jr.
 Grace Monte de Ramos
 Fanny Llego
 Merlinda Bobis
 Cesare Syjuco
 Cesar Ruiz Aquino
 PH FICTION IN 1970s

 Social themes in fiction intensified due to the martial law era.

 Significant works:
 "But for the Lovers" (1970) – Wilfredo Nolledo
 Recalled the Japanese occupation amidst the rise of an
oppressive regime.
 "Sigwa" (1972) – an anthology featuring Fanny Garcia, Epifanio
San Juan Jr., and Ricardo Lee
 Addressed social injustice during the declaration of martial
law.
 "Utos ng Hari at Iba Pang Kuwento" (1981) – Jun Cruz Reyes
 Distinguished by its use of street slang, reflecting the voice
of the masses.
 AFTER DICTATORSHIP
 Short story and novel in English continued to flourish.
Despite the fact that outlets for fiction diminished,
fictionists were able to produce nationally- and
internationally-acclaimed works.
 Successful short story anthologies included
 The Old-timer and Other Stories (1985) – Jose Y. Dalisay Jr.
 Sarcophagus and Other Stories (1992) – Jose Y. Dalisay Jr.
 Men of the East and Other Stories (1990) – Charlson Ong
 Peripheral Vision (1992) – Eric Gamalinda
 OUTSTANDING NOVELS OF THE PERIOD

 The Praying Man (1982) – NVM Gonzalez

 Great Philippine Jungle Energy Cafe (1987) –
Alfred Yuson
 Planet Waves (1989) – Eric Gamalinda
 Bamboo in the Wind (1990) – Azucena Grajo
Uranza
 Dog Eaters (1990) – Jessica Hagedorn
 The Honey, The Locusts (1992) – Lina Espina-
Moore
 Killing Time in a Warm Place (1992) – Jose Y.
Dalisay Jr.
 BRILLIANT FICTIONISTS IN THE VERNACULARS

 Gremer Chan Reyes

 Ricardo Oebanda
 Mig Alvarez Enriquez
 Alicia Tan-Gonzales
 Godofredo Roperos
 Lina Espina-Moore
 Dionisio Gabriel
 Wilfredo Nolledo
 PROLIFIC ESSAYISTS AND THEIR WORKS

 Nick Joaquin (Quijano de Manila) – Tapping into

his field experiences as a journalist, published
books like Reportage on Politics and Other
Essays, Language of the Street and Other Essays.
 Conrado de Quiros – another respected man of
the press, published Flowers from the Rubble
(1990).
 Carmen Guerrero Nakpil – The Philippines
(1989).
 Alfred Yuson – Confessions of a Q.C. House-
Husband (1991).
 TALENTED ESSAY WRITERS INCLUDE:

 Sylvia Mayuga
 Maximo Soliven
 Juan Gatbonton
 Amando Dayrit
 Napoleon G. Rama
 Alfredo Navarro Salanga
 Nestor Mata
 LITERARY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Palanca Awards:
Recognized more literary forms
(children’s literature, vernacular texts)
Discovered future literary giants

Manila Critics Circle (1981):

Honored English, Filipino, and local
language works
 LITERARY AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

 Isagani Cruz
 Soledad Reyes
 Gemino Abad
 Edel Garcellano
 Doreen Fernandez
 Priscelina P. Legasto
 Ma. Luisa Torres Reyes
 Edna Z. Manlapaz
 SELECTION IN FOCUS:

PUTO-BUMBONG, BIBINGKA,
SALABAT, ATBP.
By Doreen Fernandez
 SUMMARY
Focus on Christmas Delicacies:
 Highlights traditional Filipino holiday treats such as
puto-bumbong, bibingka, and salabat.
 Describes their preparation methods and unique
flavors.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

 Links these delicacies to Simbang Gabi (pre-dawn
Christmas Masses).
 Emphasizes their role in fostering community and
familial bonds.
 SUMMARY
Symbolism and Nostalgia:
 Food as a representation of Filipino heritage and
identity.
 Evokes memories and traditions passed down
through generations.

Evolution of Traditional Food:

 Discusses modern variations and innovations.
 Highlights how these foods have adapted to
contemporary tastes while maintaining cultural
essence.
 SUMMARY
Celebration of Filipino Identity:
 Food as a means of preserving cultural heritage.
 Reinforces the connection between food, memory,
and national pride.
 CONTEMPORARY PH LITERATURE

 A plethora of genres reflects the abundance of

local cultures across the archipelago.

 the literary traditions of English and Filipino

continues to thrive.
--End--