Period of American Regime (1898-1941) PDF

# Chapter 5: The American Regime (1898-1941) ## Historical Background The Filipino Revolutionists won against the Spaniards who colonized us for more than 300 years. Our flag was hoisted on June 12, 1898 as a symbol of our independence. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected the first President of the...

# Chapter 5: The American Regime (1898-1941) ## Historical Background The Filipino Revolutionists won against the Spaniards who colonized us for more than 300 years. Our flag was hoisted on June 12, 1898 as a symbol of our independence. Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected the first President of the Philippine Republic but this was short-lived. The Fil.-American war resulted in the defeat of Gen. Miguel Malvar in 1903. The peace movements started as early as 1900. Many Filipinos started writing again and the nationalism of the people remained 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 their longing for independence. ## The Active Arousal in The Field of Literature The active arousal in the field of literature started to be felt in the following newspapers: 1. EL NUEVO DIA (The New Day); established by Sergio Osmeña in 1900. The American censors twice banned this and threatened Osmeña with banishment because of his nationalistic writings. 2. EL GRITO DEL PUEBLO (The Call of the Nation): established by Pascual Poblete in 1900. 3. EL RENACIMIENTO (the Rebirth): Founded by Rafael Palma in 1901. There were also plays written then but after the first and second presentations, the Americans put a stop to this because of the consistent theme of nationalism. Included here were the following: 1. KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow): written by Aurelio Tolentino depicting the suppression done by the Americans and their plan to colonize the Philippines. 2. TANIKALANG GINTO: By Juan Abad 3. MALAYA: By Tomas Remigio 4. WALANG SUGAT: By Severino Reyes ## A. Characteristics of Literature During This Period Three groups of writers contributed to Philippine Literature during this period: 1. During the first year of the American period, the languages used in writing were Spanish and Tagalog and the dialects of the different regions, but Spanish and Tagalog predominated. 2. In 1910, 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. While the three groups were one in their ideas and spirit, they differed in their methods of reporting. The writers in Spanish were wont to write on nationalism like honoring Rizal and other heroes. The writers in Tagalog were lamentations on the conditions of the country and their attempts to arouse love for one's native tongue. 3. The writers in English imitated the themes and methods of the Americans. ## A. Literature in Spanish The inspiration of our Filipino writers in Spanish was Rizal not only because of his being a national leader but also because of his novels NOLI and FILI. These two novels contained the best qualities of a novel ever written, in English or in Filipino. Those who were inspired to write in praise of him were Cecilio Apostol, Fernando Ma. Guerrero, Jesus Balmori, Manuel Bernabe and Claro M. Recto. ### Cecilio Apostol Cecilio Apostol wrote poems dedicated to Rizal, Jacinto, Mabini and all other heroes, but his poem dedicated to Rizal is considered the best poem in praise of the hero of Bagumbayan. **Here is what he wrote:** *A Rizal* Heroe immortal, coloso legendario Emerge del abismo del osario en que duermes el sueño de la gloria! Ven! Nuestro amor, que tu recuerdo inflama, de la sombrosa eternidad te llama para ceñir de flores tu memoria. Duerme en paz en las sombras de la nada, redentor de una patria esclavizada! No llores, de la tumba en el misterio, del español el triunfo momentaneo, que se una bala destrozó tu craneo tambien tu idea destrozo un imperio! Gloria a Rizal! Su nombre sacrosanto, que con incendios de Thabor illumina, el la mente del sabio es luz de idea, vida en el marmol y en arpa canto. *** **Translation in English:** *To Rizal* Immortal hero, whose greatness is legendary, You emerged from the hollow of the grave, Where you slumber in glorious dreams Come, our love which your memory inflames From eternal darkness we call to you To crown your memory with flowers. Sleep peacefully in the shadows of the other life Redemptor of an oppressed nation Don't cry, in the tomb is the mystery Of the momentary triumph of the Spaniards Even if a bullet destroyed your brain Your spirit destroyed an empire Glory to Rizal! Your sacred name Like the fires of Thabor inflames The talent of a genius, you're the light of the mind a song for the harp In marble, life, *** ### Fernando Ma. Guerrero It is believed that Fernando Ma. Guerrero shared with Apostol the reign in the balagtasan in Spanish during their time. He also dedicated a poem to Rizal but he collected the best of his poems in a book called CRISALIDAS, meaning, a kind of black, wooly caterpillar. Here are a few stanzas of his call to Rizal which he wrote on June 19, 1901 to commemorate Rizal's birthday. *Invocación a Rizal* Te invoco porque no? - Yo necesito en el fiero dolor que me atenaza hablar contigo que dejaste escrito el evangelio libre de tu raza. Nuetra tierra, la tuya, un! ay padece La ulcera social que combatiste Ha retoñada y se exacerba y crece Como en aquel ayer oscuro y triste. **English Translation:** *A Call to Rizal* I call on you - why not, I need in this fierce illness that destroy my flesh To talk with you, You who left imprinted The gospel of the freedom of your race. Our country, yours, ay, still suffering The social cancer that you combatted Has returned, irritating, getting bigger Like yesterday's - dark and sad. ### Jesus Balmori 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. *Here is a stanza from the said debate:* Mi Tema es el Recuerdo, mi moto la hidalguia Mi divisa un laurel, mi corazon un peñasco! En mi frente una blanca, pluma de poesia Ondula sobre el aguila de oro de mi casco **English translation:** My topic is about remembrance, my motto is nobility My symbol is a laurel, my heart a heavy stone In front of me is a white poetic pen That I wave above the golden eagle of my boat. ### Manuel Bernabe Manuel Bernabe is a lyric poet and the fierceness of his nationalistic spirit was unchanged in any topic he wrote about. In his debate with Balmori, he was more attractive to the public because of the melodious words he used. He defended OLVIDO (Forgetfulness) and here is an excerpt from his piece: *Recordar! Ay del alma que recuerde!* la quiebra que ha sufrido la ilusión la memoria es la fiera que nos muerde el pobre corazon. **English translation:** *To remember!* The sufferings you underwent in illusion Memory is the fire that snared My poor heart. ### Claro M. Recto In nobility of speech and theme, Claro M. Recto can compare with the other writers of Spanish. He collected his poems in a book entitled BAJO LOS COCOTEROS (Under The Coconut Trees). Here is a part of what he wrote to Rizal in an article entitled: *Ante El Martir!* *(Before the Martyr)* Tagalo Redentor! la idea santa que sembraste en las almas Filipinas hoy es robusta planta que se irgue en cada pecho y se agiganta Florida de patrioticas doctrinas. **English translation:** Tagalog Redemptor! the holy idea That you planted in the Filipino soul Is now a robust plant That springs in every soul and which grows That flowers into patriotic doctrines. ## Other Writers in Spanish 1. Adelina Guerrea was the first woman poet in the Philippines who was good in Spanish. She obtained the Zobel prize in her song "El Nido" (The Nest). 2. Isidro Marpori became famous for his four books entitled Aromas de Ensueño (Scents of Dreams). 3. Macario Adriatico wrote of a legend of Mindoro entitled La Punta de Salto (The Place of Origin). 4. Epifanio de los Santos (known as Don Panyong). He was a good leader and biographer during the whole period of Spanish literature. 5. Pedro Aunario wrote the Decalogo del Proteccionismo. ## B. Filipino Literature *FLORANTE AT LAURA* of Francisco Balagtas and *URBANA AT FELISA* of Modesto de Castro became the inspiration of the Tagalog writers. Julian Cruz Balmaceda classified three kinds of Tagalog poets: They were: 1. **Poet of the Heart (Makata ng Puso):** These included Lope K. Santos, Iñigo Ed. Regalado, Carlos Gatmaitan, Pedro Gatmaitan, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Cirilo H. Panganiban, Deogracias del Posario, 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 Gatmaitan, and Amado V. Hernandez. 3. **Poets of the Stage (Makata ng Tanghalan):** led by Aurelio Tolentino, Patricio Mariano, Severino Reyes, and Tomas Remigio. In the realm of short stories that started to appear in the column Pangsandaliang Libangan (Short-time Leisure) and Dagli (Fast) we find here the names of Lope K. Santos, Patricio Mariano, and Rosauro Almario. In the Liwayway Publications, we find Deogracias Rosario, Teodoro Gener, and Cirio H. Panganiban. Noted novelists or biographers were Valeriano Hernandez Peña, Lope K. Santos, Iñigo Ed. Regalado, Faustino Aguilar, etc. Here are the autobiographies of some of the writers mentioned: ### Lope K. Santos Lope K. Santos, novelist, poet and author, and grammarian covered three periods of Tagalog literature: American, Japanese and the contemporary period. If Manuel L. Quezon is called the Father of the National Language, Lope K. Santos is called the Father of the National Language Grammar. He was also called the "Apo" of the Tagalog writers. *BANAAG AT SIKAT* was his masterpiece. ### Jose Corazon de Jesus Jose Corazon de Jesus is very popularly known as Huseng Batute. He was also called the Poet of Love in his time. *ANG ISANG PUNONG KAHOY (A TREE)*, an elegy, is believed to be his masterpiece. ### Amado V. Hernandez Amado V. Hernandez was dubbed *Makata ng mga Mangagagawa* (Poet of the Laborers) in our literature because he pictures in his poem the intense love for the poor worker or laborer. To him, a poem is a scent, bittersweet memories, a murmur of flowing water. The pen is powerful and according to him, even a king can be bent by the pen. He contributed a lot of writings to literature like *ISANG DIPANG LANGIT (A Stretch of Heaven), BAYANG MALAYA (A Free Nation), ANG PANDAY (The Blacksmith)*, and *MUNTING LUPA (A Small Plot)*, but his masterpiece is *ANG PANDAY*. ### Valeriano Hernandez Peña Together with Lope K. Santos he reached the summit of his novel-writing. He was known as Tandang Anong and his pen-name was Kuntil Butil (Small Grain). He considers *NENA AT NENENG* his masterpiece. ### Iñigo Ed. Regalado Iñigo Ed. Regalado was a son of a popular writer during the Spanish time known as Odalager. He proved that he not only followed the footsteps of his father but also reached the peak of his success by the "sumpong" (whim) of his pen. He also became a popular story-teller, novelist and news-paperman. ## The Tagalog Drama During the advent of the American period, Severino Reyes and Hermogenes Ilagan started the movement against the moro-moro (a play on the Spanish struggles against the Muslims) and struggled to show the people the values one can get from the zarzuela and the simple plays. The people one should not forget in the field of writing are the following: 1. Severino Reyes: Father of the Tagalog drama and author of the immortal *WALANG SUGAT*. 2. Aurelio Tolentino: The dramatist in whom the Kapampangans take pride. His masterpieces in his writings were *LUHANG TAGALOG*, his masterpiece, and *KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS* that resulted in his incarceration. 3. Hermogenes Ilagan: founded the group Campaña Ilagan that presented many dramas in Central Luzon. 4. Patricio Mariano: wrote the novel *NINAY* and *ANAK NG DAGAT* (Son of the Sea), his masterpiece. 5. Julian Cruz Balmaceda: wrote *BUNGANGA NG PATING* (Shark's Mouth). This gave him much honor and fame. ## The Tagalog Short Story Two collections of Tagalog stories were published during the American Period. First was the *MGA KUWENTONG GINTO* (Golden Stories) published in 1936 and *50 KUWENTONG GINTO ng 50 BATIKANG KUWENTISTA* (50 Golden Stories by 50 Noted Storytellers) in 1939. The first was written by Alejandro Abadilla and Clodualdo del Mundo that contained the 25 best stories according to them. The second was written by Pedrito Reyes. *PAROLANG GINTO* (Golden Lantern) and *TALAANG BUGHAW* (Blue List) of Abadilla became popular during this period. ## Tagalog Poetry Almost all Tagalog writers during the American Period were able to compose beautiful poems which made it difficult to select the best. Even if poetry writing is as old as history, poetry still surfaces with its sweetness, beauty, and melody. ## Other Forms of Literature The following are those recognized in the field of Ilocano Literature: 1. Pedro Bukaneg: Father of Ilocano Literature. From his name was derived the word Bukanegan which means Balagtasan (a poetic contest) in Ilocano. 2. Claro Caluya: Prince of Ilocano Poets. Known as poet and novelist. 3. Leon Pichay: known as the best Bukanegero (from Bukaneg). Also a poet, novelist, short story writer, dramatist and essayist. ## Literature of The Kapampangans (Pampango Literature) Two stalwarts in the literature of the Kapampangans stand out: they are: 1. Juan Crisostomo Soto: (Father of Kapampangan Literature). The word CRISOTAN (meaning Balagtasan) in Tagalog is taken from his name. 2. Aurelio Tolentino: He truly proved his being a Kapampangan in his translation of *KAHAPON, NGAYON AT BUKAS* into Kapampangan which he called *NAPON, NGENI AT BUKAS*. ## Visayan Literature The following are the top men in Visayan literature: 1. Eriberto Gumban: (Father of Visayan Literature) He wrote a zarzuela, a moro-moro and a play in Visayan. 2. Magdalena Jalandoni: She devoted her talent to the novel. She wrote *ANG MGA TUNUK SAN ISA CA BULACLAC*. ## C. Philippine Literature in English 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: 1. The Period of Re-orientation: 1898-1910 2. The Period of Imitation: 1910-1925 3. The Period of Self-Discovery: 1925-1941 ### (1) 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. Writers of this period were still adjusting to the newfound freedom after the paralyzing effect of repression of thought and speech under the Spanish regime. They were adjusting to the idea of democracy, to the new phraseology of the English language and to the standards of the English literary style. Writers had to learn direct expression as conditioned by direct thinking. They had to learn that sentence constructions, sounds and speech in English were not the same as in the vernacular. They had to discard sentimentality and floridity of language for the more direct and precise English language. Not much was produced during this period and what literature was produced was not much of literary worth. The first attempts in English were in two periodicals of this time: 1. *El Renacimiento*: founded in Manila by Rafael Palma in 1901. 2. *Philippines Free Press*: established in Manila in 1905 by R. McCullough Dick and D. Theo Rogers. ### Poetry In 1907, Justo Juliano's *SURSUM CORDA* which appeared in the *Renacimiento* was the first work to be published in English. In 1909, Jan F. Salazar's *MY MOTHER* and his *AIR CASTLES* were also published in this paper. It was also in 1909 when Proceso Sebastian followed with his poem *TO MY LADY IN LAOAG*, also in this same paper. ### (2) 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. Their models included Longfellow and Hawthorne, Emerson and Thoreau, Wordsworth and Tennyson, Thackeray and Macaulay, Longfellow, Alan Poe, Irving, and other American writers of the Romantic School. Writers of this folio included Fernando Maramag (the best editorial writer of this period), Juan F. Salazar, Jose M. Hernandez, Vicente del Fierro, and Francisco Tonogbanua, Maximo Kalaw, Vidal A. Tan, Francisco M. Africa and Victoriano Yamzon. They pioneered in English poetry. ### Essays The noted essayists of this time were: Carlos P. Romulo, Jorge C. Bocobo, Mauro Mendez, and Vicente Hilario. Their essays were truly scholarly characterized by sobriety, substance and structure. They excelled in the serious essay, especially the editorial type. The next group of writers introduced the informal essay, criticism and the journalistic column. They spiced their work with humor, wit and satire. These group included Ignacio Manlapaz, Godefredo Rivera, Federico Mangahas, Francisco B. Icasiano, Salvador P.Lopez, Jose Lansang and Amando G. Dayrit. ### Short Stories In the field of short stories, *DEAD STARS* by Paz Marquez Benitez written in the early 1920's stand out as a model of perfection in character delineation, local color, plot and message. Other short stories published during this time were but poor imitations of their foreign models. The UP College Folio was later replaced by the Philippine Collegian. Newspapers and periodicals also saw print during this time like the Bulletin, the Philippines Herald (1920), the Philippine Review, the Independent, Rising Philippines and Citizens, and the Philippine Education Magazine 1924. *Here are a few of the writers during this period:* 1. 1910: Bernardo P. Garcia's poem *GEORGE WASHINGTON* was published in *El Renacimiento*. 2. 1917: Eulogio B. Rodriquez, a research writer in the UP College of Liberal Arts won the Vilamor Prize in the provincial history competition. He was an authority on literary and cultural development in the Philippines. 3. 1919: Paz Marquez Benitez was editor of the *Woman's Journal*, the first literary magazine in English published in the Philippines. 4. 1924: Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion gained recognition for Filipino poetry abroad with his publication of the poem *AZUCENA*, in the US. 5. 1920: Procopio L. Solidum wrote *NEVER MIND AND OTHER POEMS*. 6. 1921: Lorenzo E. Paredes wrote the first poetry anthology *REMINISCENCES*. 7. 1921: Zoilo M. Galang published his first volume of essays entitled *LIFE AND SUCCESS*. 8. 1924: Eliseo Quirino and Vicente Hilario wrote the essays *THINKING FOR OURSELVES*. 9. 1924: Rodolfo Dato published *FILIPINO POETRY*, the first anthology of poems. 10. 1924: Carlos P. Romulo published a collection of plays *DAUGHTERS FOR SALE AND OTHER PLAYS*. 11. 1925: Zoilo M. Galang published the first anthology of short stories in *TALES OF THE PHILIPPINES*. ## C. 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. ### 1. Poetry Noteworthy names in this field include Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion, Jose Garcia Villa, Angela Manalang Gloria, Abelardo Subido, Trinidad Tarrosa Subido and Rafael Zulueta da Costa. They turned out not only love poems but patriotic, religious, descriptive and reflective poems as well. They wrote in free verse, in odes and sonnets and in other types. Poetry was original, spontaneous, competently written and later, incorporated social consciousness. Jose Garcia Villa, the first to break away from the conventional forms and themes of Philippine poetry placed the Philippines on the literary map with the publication of his books in the U.S. Some of the writings during this time were: 1. 1925: The Philippine Writers Association was organized in Manila 2. 1926: Manila: A Collection of Verses by Luis Dato 3. 1932: BAMBOO FLUTE by Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion 4. 1934: MOON SHADOWS ON THE WATER by Aurelio S. Alvero 5. 1934: An English-German Anthology of Filipino Poets by Pablo Laslo (ed.) 6. 1936: MY BOOK OF VERSES By Luis Dato 7. 1937: FIRST LEAVES by Rafael Zulueta da Costa 8. 1939: NUANCES by Aurelio S. Alvero 9. 1940: *LIKE THE MOLAVE AND OTHER POEMS*, a first-prize winning collection of poems by a single author in the Commonwealth Literary Contest won by Rafael Zulueta da Costa 10. 1940: *MANY VOICES* won second award in the Commonwealth Literary Contest. 11. 1941: *POEMS* by Doveglion: by Jose Garcia Villa. *** **Soft Night** Abelardo Subido The night is soft and cool. I wait for you Amid the garden dusk beneath the trees. This is the hour of softly falling dew. I breathe your name; it floats upon the breeze That gently stirs the clinging window-vine. You cannot hear; the fervid longing dies Upon my heart...I hear a bird repine In liquid notes that mingle with my sighs. Rise from your dreams. The sampaguitas faint; The cool, soft night is slipping, waning slow Night sheds its tears; the night bird's sad complaint Melts into silence. Love, I want you so, Rise from your dreams; I bring you love more sweet Than all the flowers I scatter at your feet. *** ### 2. The Short Story (1925-1941) Probably because of the incentives provided by publications like the Philippine Free Press, The Graphic, The Philippine Magazine and college publications like the UP Literary Apprentice, poetry and the short story flourished during these times. Here are some of the writings of our writers during this time: 1. 1927- Paz M. Benitez published her first anthology of Filipino short stories entitled *FILIPINO LOVE STORIES.* 2. 1929 - Jose Garcia Villa published *Philippine Short Stories*. 3. 1930 - Jose Garcia Villa's *Mir-in-isa* won first place in The Age Press short story writing contest. 4. 1932 - Zoilo M. Galang published his is volume of short stories entitled *TALES OF THE PHILIPPINES*. The Commonwealth Literary Contest awarded first prize to *HOW MY BROTHER LEON BROUGHT HOME.. WIFE* by Manuel Arguilla. Other writers during this time include Osmundo Sta. Romana, Arturo Rotor, Paz Latorena's *Sunset*, and Jose Garcia Villa's *Mir-in-isa*. From 1930 to 1940, the Golden Era of Filipino writing in English saw the short story writers "who have arrived," like: - Jose Lansang's *The Broken Parasol* - Sinai C. Hamada's *Talanata's Wife* - Fausto Dugenio's *Wanderlust* - Amando G. Dayrit's *His Gift* and *Yesterday* - Amador T. Daguio's *The Woman Who Looked Out of the Window* #### Characteristics of the short stories during these times: There were still remnants of Spanish influence in the use of expressions that were florid, sentimental, exaggerated and bombastic. The influence of the Western culture also was already evident. ### 3. Essays and Other Prose Styles (1925-1941) Essays during this period improved with the years in quality and quantity, in content, subject and style. Essayists like Carlos P. Romulo became even more eminent editorial writers. The notable writers of essays during this period were: 1. **Political, social reflective essays:** Through their newspaper columns the following became very popular: Federico Mangahas, Salvador P. Lopez, Pura S. Castrence, Vicente Albano Pacis, Ariston Estrada and Jose A. Lansang. 2. **Critical essays** were espoused by Salvador P. Lopez, . V. Mallari, Ignacio Manlapaz, Jose Garcia Villa, Arturo B. Rotor, and Leopoldo Y. Yabes. An example of this is Maximo V. Soliven's *THEY CALLED IT BROTHERHOOD*. 3. **Personal or Familiar essays** were written by F.B. Icasiano (Mang Kiko), Alfredo E. Litiatco, Solomon V. Arnaldo, Amando G. Dayrit and Consuelo Gar (Catuca). *Some of the notable works during this time were:* 1. 1940: Salvador P. Lopez *LITERATURE AND SOCIETY* which is a collection of critical reflections and serious essays and which won first prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest of 1940. 2. 1940: Camilo Osias published *THE FILIPINO WAY OF LIFE*, a series of essays on the Filipino way of life as drawn from history, folkways, philosophy and psychology of the Philippines. 3. 1941: F.B. Icasiano (Mang Kiko) were reprints of the best of Icasiano's essays in the Sunday Times Magazine under the column From My Nipa Hut. It is an essay of the common "tao" and is written with humor and sympathy. 4. Aug. 16, 1941: Carlos P. Romulo had an editorial printed in the Philippines Herald. Entitled *I AM A FILIPINO*, it was reprinted in his book *MY BROTHER AMERICANS* in 1945 in New York by Doubleday & Co. *Other Essayists Include:* Ignacio Manlapaz, Vicente Albano Pacis, I. V. Mallari, Jose M. Fernandez, Leopoldo Y. Yabes, Isidro L. Ritizos, Pura Santillan. The Philippine Writers' League put out a collection of essays called *Literature Under The Commonwealth*. Amando G. Dayrit with his column Good Morning Judge led others like Leon Ma. Guerrero, Salvador P. Lopez, Vicente Albano Pacis, Jose A. Lansang and Federico Mangahas. ### 4. Biography 1925-1941 In 1935, I.P. Caballero and Marcelo de Gracia Concepcion wrote about *QUEZON*. In 1938, *THE GREAT MALAYAN* won a prize in the national contest sponsored by the Commonwealth of the Philippines. This was written by Carlos Quirino, the most famous biographer of the period. He also wrote *Quezon, the Man of Destiny.* In 1940, I.V. Mallari's *The Birth of Discontent* revealed the sensitive touch of a writer who in simple language was able to reveal his profound thoughts and feelings. ### 5. History Not much about history has been written by Filipino writers. In 1937, with regard to literary history, we can cite Teofilo del Castillo's *The Brief History of the Philippin Islands*. ### 6. Publications The Philippine Free Press provided the first incentives to Filipino writers in English by offering prizes to worthwhile contributions. Other publications followed suit. ### 7. The Drama (1925-1941) Drama during this period did not reach the heights attained by the novel or the short story. The UP provided the incentives when they introduced playwriting as a course and established the UP Little Theater. Among the writers of plays during this period were: - *DAUGHTERS FOR SALE AND OTHER PLAYS* by Carlos P. Romulo - *THE RADIANT SYMBOL* by Jorge C. Bocobo - *THE HUSBAND OF MRS. CRUZ* and - *A DAUGHTER OF DESTINY* by Vidal A. Tan - *THE OIL LAMP* and - *THE EARTHQUAKE* by Augusto C. Catanjal - *THE WAVES* by by Hilarion Vibal - *THE LAND OF OUR FATHERS* by Severino Montano - *PANDAY PIRA, THE CANNON MAKER* by Jose M. Hernandez - *13 PLAYS* by Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero By and all, the plays during this period were considered "too wordy" and left nothing to the imagination. This probably accounts for the lack of drama awards during the Commonwealth Literary Contest of 1940 and 1941.