Japanese Colonization Period (War and Post-War)

1946 - 1960

To eradicate Anglo-American influence in the Philippines, the Japanese Imperial Forces strictly enforced the usage of native languages particularly Tagalog in mass communication and literature. Philippine literature in Tagalog flourished and Japanese-influenced literature emerged.

Official language designation to Tagalog and Niponggo

Order Militar No. 2

The Japanese Imperial Forces led educational initiatives in the country by implementing compulsory Japanese language and culture education nationwide (Hidalgo, 2004; Tulio, 2008).

Order Militar No. 13 (Ordinansa Militar Blg. 13)

The 1942 constitution, which was specially tailored in the interests of the Japanese (Philippine History.org, 2022), designated Tagalog and Nippongo as the official languages of the Philippines. Not so much of the language’s influence or acquisition can be felt in today's time as compared to English. However, much of today’s Filipino slang and expressions came from Japanese words.

See Kami PH's article for further reading: https://kami.com.ph/55860-you-guess-filipino-words-japanese-terms.html

Forms of Literature

(Andres, 2016; MasterClass, 2021)

Haiku

An unrhymed poem with a fixed verse of seventeen syllables in three lines adhering to a 5-7-5 pattern. This type of poem offers allegorical insight into mundane moments in the natural world.

Tanka

A free verse poem with thirty-one syllables adhering to a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern—a longer version of Haiku but instead with five lines.

Common Themes

(“Japanese Period: The Japanese Occupation of the Philippines,” 2016)

Provincial life

Love

Nationalism

Faith and Religion

Arts

Other Notable Forms

Filipino Drama

The closure and suspension of movie houses showing Western films gave way for stage shows to thrive. While it started with Filipino reproductions of English plays, playwrights and translators made themselves known in the local drama scene.

Panday Pira by Jose Ma. Hernandez

Short Story

The short story genre, especially in the English language, was widely explored and pursued by many Filipino writers (Hidalgo, 2004), but this momentum was thwarted by Japan’s strict restrictions and thus opening the opportunity for short stories written in Tagalog to flourish.

Lupang Tinubuan by Narciso Reyes

Persistence of Journalism and Propaganda

(Escote, n.d.; “Japanese Period: The Japanese Occupation of the Philippines,” 2016)

Mass suspension and subjugation of major publications

At the very beginning of Japanese occupation, all publications ceased operations and were closed as ordered by the Japanese Imperial Government. Few major publications were placed under Japanese control and surveillance. Some writers became a mouthpiece for propaganda for money and survival while others continued the fight for freedom.

Rise of guerilla publications in many different provinces

To operate, those who seek to start a publication “must secure a military permit and submit to military censorship”, which is punishable by death when violated. Regional publications were such cases; however, guerilla publications commenced and proliferated in many different provinces around the country.

Works in English seeping with journalistic sentiment

At the time, Philippine literature in English was shrouded in journalistic, nationalistic sentiment, thus giving birth to the most influential journalists and writers of all time.

Including but not limited to:

Salvador P. Lopez

Leon Ma. Guerrero

Nick Joaquin

Milestones in the Literary Scene

(Hidalgo, 2004)

1949 - The Philippine Free Press Literary Award

An annual short story writing contest was established in 1949 by the Philippines Free Press magazine which recognizes and grants cash prizes to best works from not only short stories but also poems and essays.

1950 - Carlos Palanca Memorial Literary Awards

An award-giving body for literature was established in 1950 to recognize influential Filipino authors of the period. Till now, it continues to reign as the longest-running and most prestigious award-giving body in the country.

With the country fending for itself with the aftermath and remnants of war whilst transitioning to new independence, American influence still remained strong in Philippine culture.