· Philippine literature in english came to a halt
· Except for the tribune and the Philippine Review, Pillars, Free Philippines, and Filipina, almost all newspapers in English were stopped by the Japanese
· During this time there was no freedom of speech and of the press.
·Victoria Abelardo has described Filipino writing during the Japanese occupation as being pessimistic and bitter.
· between 1941-1945, Philippine Literature was interrupted in its development when we were again conquered by another foreign country, japan
· there were some efforts at escapist literature, but in general, the literary output was minor and insignificant, because of strict censorship, few literary works were printed during the war years.
· the Weekly Liwayway was placed under strict surveillance until it was manage by a Japanese named Ishiwara
· the only contact with the outside world was done with utmost secrecy through the underground radio program called “voice of freedom”.
· Tagalog was favored by the Japanese military authority and writing in English was consigned to a limbo
· Japanese were able to influence and encourage the Filipino in developing the vernacular literature
· the only Filipino writers who could write freely were those who were living in the united states. most writers and authors were lead to either go underground or write in Tagalog. so, Filipino literature was given a break during this period. Filipino literature also experienced renewed attention because writers in English turned to writing Filipino.
FILIPINO POETRY
Three types of poems emerged during this period.
Haiku
A poem of free verse that the Japanese liked. It is made up of seventeen(17) syllables divided into three(3) lines. The first line has five, the second – seven and the third – five. It is allegorical in meaning, short and covers a wide scope in meaning.
Tanaga
Like haiku, it is short, but has measure and rhyme. Each line has seventeen syllables and is also allegorical in the meaning.
Karaniwang Anyo (Usual Form)
The usual and common form of poetry
FILIPINO DRAMA
The drama experienced a lull during the Japanese period because movie houses showing american films were closed. The big movie houses were just made to show stage shows. Many of the play were reproductions of English plays to Tagalog the translators were Francisco Soc Rodrigo, Alberto Concio, and Narciso Pimentel. They also founded the organization of Filipino players named, dramatic Philippines.
A few of the play writers were:
1. Jose Ma. Hernandez – wrote PANDAY RIRA
2. Francisco Soc Rodrigo – wrote sa PUA, SA PUTI
3. Clodualdo del Mundo – wrote BULAGA(an expression in the game hide and seek)
4. Julian Cruz Balmaceda – wrote SINO BA KAYO?, DAHIL SA ANAK, and HIGANTI NG PATAY.
FILIPINO SHORT STORIES
The field of the short story widened during the Japanese Occupation. Many Filipino writers wrote short stories.
Among them were:
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Brigido Batungbakal
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Macario Pineda
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Seafin Guinigindo
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Liwayway Arceo,
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Narciso Ramos
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NVM Gonzales,
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Alicia Lim
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Ligaya Perez
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Gloria Guzman
The best writings in 1945 were selected by a group of judges composed of Francisco Icasiano, Jose Esperanza Cruz, Antonio Rosales, Clodualdo del Mundo and Teodoro Santos.
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As a result of this selection, the following got the first three prizes:
First Prize:
Narciso Reyes with his LUPANG TINUBUAN
Second Prize:
Liwayway Arceo’s UHAW ANG TIGANG NA LUPA
Third Prize:
NVM Gonzales’ LUNSOD NAYON AT DAGAT-DAGATAN
Noteworthy writer of the period was Carlos P. Romulo who won the Pulitzer Prize for his bestsellers.
“I SAW THE FALL OF THE PHILIPPINES,
I SEE THE PHILIPPINES RISE and his MOTHER
AMERICA AND MY BROTHER AMERICANS”
Journalist s include Salvador P. Lopez, Leon Ma. Guerrero, Raul Manglapuz and Carlos Bulosan.
“Nick Joaquin produced THE WOMAN WHO LOOKED LIKE LAZARUS. Fred Ruiz Castro wrote a few poems.”
LITERATURE AND SOCIETY
by Salvador P. Lopez (Essay)
HIS NATIVE SOIL
by Juan Laya (Novel)
President Manuel L. Quezon’s autobiography “THE GOOD FIGHT” was published posthumously.
Other writers of this period were Juan Collas
(19440, Tomas Confesor (1945), Roman A. de la Cruz and Elisa Tabunar.
Saturno Group Philippine literature 