PH LIT UNDER US COL

• The United States exercised formal colonial rule over the Philippines, its largest overseas colony, between 1898 and 1946
• The United States acquired the Philippines from Spain as part of the Treaty of Paris, which concluded the Spanish-American War


  1898
• Philippine-American War, a conflict erupted between Filipino revolutionaries led by Emilio Aguinaldo and the United States


  1899-1902
• The United States established a civilian government in the Philippines, marking the beginning of a period of American colonial rule
• The Americans introduced educational reforms to the Filipinos
• Key events during the American colonization of the Philippines

  • Jones Act (1916)
  • Commonwealth Period (1935-1946)
  • World War II (1941-1945)
• The United States granted independence to the Philippines


  July 4, 1946
• Philippine literature was influenced by two factors: Education and Culture
• The languages used in writing were Spanish and Tagalog and the dialects of the different regions, but Spanish and Tagalog predominated
• Literature focused on topics like fighting back against colonial rule, figuring out Filipino identity amidst foreign influence, and preserving Filipino culture
• Writers drew ideas from the Propaganda Movement and the Revolutionary Movement to encourage resistance amongst colonizers
• Three periods that emerged in Philippine literature during the American colonial period


  • The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-1910)
  • The Period of Imitation (1910-1924)
  • The Period of Self-Discovery (1925-1941)
• The Period of Re-Orientation (1898-1910)


  • English as a literacy came with the American occupation in August 13, 1898
  • By 1900, English came to be used as a medium of instruction in the public school
• The Period of Imitation (1910-1924)


  • By 1919, schools particularly in UP College Folio published the literary compositions of the first Filipino writers in English
  • They were examining their way into imitating American and British models which resulted in a mannered, artificial and unnatural styles, lacking vigor and spontaneity
• Writers' models during the Period of Imitation

  • Nathaniel Howthorne
  • Henry Wadsworth Longfelow
  • Thoreau & Emerson
  • Tennyson & Wordswoth
  • Thackeray & Macaulay
  • Allan Poe
  • Washington Irving
• Writers of the UP College Folio during the Period of Imitation

  • Fernando Maramag
  • Jose M. Hernandez
  • Juan F. Salazar
  • Vicente Del Fierro
  • Francisco M. Africa
  • Victoriano Yamzon
• The Period of Self-Discovery & Growth (1925-1941)


  • Filipino writers had acquired the mastery of English writing
  • They went all forms of writing like the novel and the drama
• El Grito Del Pueblo (A Call of a Nation) was a pro-labor and radical nationalist newspaper that advocates interdependence under the protection of the United States, founded by Pascual Poblete in 1899 with a Tagalog version called 'Ang Kapatid ng Bayan'
• La Democracia, founded on 1 July 1890, was a news daily published by Luis Muñoz Rivera in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It crusaded for Puerto Rican self-government. It is the first Filipino newspaper that recognized American sovereignty in the country, and encourages the people to be open to the American government
• La Patria was the newspaper that openly championed freedom and independence and directly challenged La Democracia. It was published by Pablo Ocampo and edited by Rafael Palma and Aurelio Tolentino
• La Libertad was published by Pablo Ocampo and continued to fight for freedom and independence. As a result, the American military authorities banned the newspaper, and its publisher (Ocampo) was exiled to Guam for two years
• El Nuevo Dia was founded by Rafael Palma, a lawyer, educator, and social scientist, in Cebu on April 6, 1900. In Collaboration with the speaker Sergio Osmeña Sr. & Commissioner Jaime Carlos De Veyra, Palma criticized American Military rule
• Manila Tribune was the most informative and the most entertaining newspaper in the 1920s, edited by Carlos Romulo, former Philippine Herald editor and staffed by Mauro Mendez, Benito Sakdalan, Amando dayritt, Riberto Anselmo, and Fernando Maramag
• El Renacimiento (The Rebirth) was founded by Rafael Palma on September 01, 1900. It became the object of libel suits and was the pioneering newspaper to publish works written in the English Language
• Justo Juliano's SURSUM CORDA which appeared in the Renacimiento was the first work to be published in English in 1907
• The editorial "Aves de Rapiña" (Birds of Prey) that appeared in the bilingual Spanish-Tagalog newspaper El Renacimiento/Muling Pagsilang on Oct. 30, 1908 led to a landmark libel case, which brought an abrupt close to El Renacimiento in 1908
• The Philippine Free Press was one of the newspapers introduced during the American colonial period in the Philippines, established in 1907 and was the oldest news weekly in the Philippines
• The Philippine Free Press played a significant role in shaping public opinion, fostering nationalism, and advocating for Filipino rights and independence
• The Philippine Free Press provided a platform for Filipinos to assert their identity, advocate for their rights, and challenge colonial policies. It promoted nationalism, cultural pride, and unity among Filipinos, contributing to the growth of a distinct Filipino identity amid the influence of American colonialism
• The Philippine Free Press played a crucial role in shaping public opinion, influencing political developments, and mobilizing support for independence. It helped to raise awareness about social issues, injustices, and abuses of power, leading to calls for reform and change
• Content and Impact of the Philippine Free Press

  • Nationalism and Independence
  • Social Justice
  • Critique of Government
  • Literary Contributions
• Relevance and Effects of the Philippine Free Press

  • Provided a platform for Filipino voices
  • Promoted democratic ideals
  • Cultivated Filipino identity
• Theater provided a platform for Filipinos to express their cultural identity, beliefs, and experiences under colonial rule. It became a means of preserving and celebrating Filipino heritage amidst external influences
• Plays often served as vehicles for social and political commentary, allowing playwrights to critique colonial policies, highlight injustices, and advocate for reforms
• Theater offered entertainment and served as a form of education for both the literate and illiterate populations. Through performances, audiences could learn about history, morality, and societal values, while also enjoying the artistic aspects of storytelling and performance
• The emergence of seditious plays during the U.S. colonial period in the Philippines occurred primarily in the early 20th century, specifically during the first few decades following the American occupation, which began in 1898
• Famous works during the US colonialism period

  • Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas (Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow) by Aurelio Tolentino
  • Tanikalang Ginto (Golden Chains) by Juan Abad
  • Malaya (Free) by Thomas Remigio
  • Walang Sugat (Without Wounds) by Severino Reyes
• Severino Reyes


  Pioneering figure in Philippine literature and theater, best known for creating the character "Lola Basyang", a beloved storyteller in Philippine folklore
• Period of Self-discovery

  1908
• Why the title is "Walang Sugat"


  The title "Walang Sugat" translates to "Without Wounds" in English. The title is derived from a line in the play that expresses the ideal of love without wounds or scars, signifying pure, untainted love. It reflects the central theme of the play, which revolves around the enduring love between the main characters, Tenyong and Julia, despite the challenges and conflicts they face. Additionally, the title may also symbolize the hope for a future free from the wounds of colonial oppression and societal injustice, echoing the broader context of the Philippine Revolution depicted in the play.