HAND-OUT-5-IN-21ST-CENTURY-LIT-1

Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
REGION III – CENTRAL LUZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NUEVA ECIJA
NEHS – SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
CABANATUAN CITY
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

Hand-Out #5
The Period of the Third Republic
Historical Background
 After ten years of military rule and some changes in the life of the Filipino which started
under the New Society, Martial Rule was at last lifted on January 2, 1981.
 To those in government, the lifting of military rule heralded a change. To their perceptions,
the Philippines became a new nation and this; former President Marcos called “The New
Republic of the Philippines.”
 A historian called this the Third Republic. The First Republic he claimed was during the
Philippine Republic of Emilio Aguinaldo when we first got our independence form the
Spaniards on June 12, 1898.
 The Second was when the Americans granted us our independence on July 4, 1946. This
period, January 2, 1981, was the Third Republic when we were freed from Military Rule.
During this period, it cannot be denied that many people seethed with rebellion and protest
because of the continued oppression and suppression.
 This was further aggravated when former Senator Benigno S. Aquno Jr., the idol of the
Filipino masses, whom they hoped to be the next president, was brutally murdered on
August 21, 1983.
 This stage of the nation had its effect on our literature. After the Aquino assassination, the
people’s voices could no longer be contained. Both the public and private sectors in
government were chanting, and shouting; women, men and the youth became bolder and
their voices were raised in dissent.
THE PALANCA AWARDS
 The Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for literature which was launched in 1950,
continued its recognition of the best in the literary fields –poetry, short story, essays, and
the one and three-act plays.
 In 1984, the Palanca Awards started choosing the best in novel writing. This contest, held
every three years, gives time for local writers to write more beautiful and quality works.
The next contest on the best novel was held in 1987. La Tondeña continues to be its
sponsor.
FILIPINO POETRY
Poems during this period of the Third Republic were romantic and revolutionary. Writers wrote
openly of their criticism against the government. The supplications of the people were coached in
fiery, colorful, violent, profane and insulting language.
Address: Llanera & Mabini Streets, Quezon District, Cabanatuan City 3100
Tel. No.: (044) 940-6580/0906-390-8023
Email Address: [email protected]
FILIPINO SONGS
 Many Filipino songs dealt with themes that were really true-to-life like those of grief,
poverty, aspirations for freedom, love of God, of country and of fellowmen.
 Many composers, grieved over Ninoy Aquino’s treacherous assassination composed songs.
Among them were Coritha, Eric and Freddie Aguilar. Corithaand Eric composed
asongtitles LABAN NG BAYAN KO and this was first sung by Corithaduring the National
Unification Conference of the Opposition in March, 1985. This was also sung during the
Presidential Campaign Movement for Cory Aquino to inspire the movement against
Marcos in February 1986.
Freddie Aguilar revived the song BAYAN KO which was written by Jose Corazon de
Jesus and C. de Guzman during the American period.
PHILIPPINE FILMS DURING THE PERIOD
The yearly Festival of Filipino Films continued to be held during this period. The people’s love for
sex films also was unabated. Many producers took advantage of this at the expense of public
morality.
POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THE THIRD REPUBLIC
Most especially, during the wake of the tragic BenignoAquino Jr.’s incident, people reacted with
shock, appalled by the suddenness and the unexpectedness of events.
Alfredo Navarro Salanga, a consistent writer of Philippines Panorama Magazine in his column
“Post-Prandal Reflections”aptly said it: “darkness in the mind and soul is how some forgotten poet
puts it. Its suddenness was so profound that we couldn’t but react to it in any other way.”
Elemental to us (poets or writers) was how to grasp to some meaning –in a symbol, a phrase or
word –in the language of heart and tongue, the poet’s only candles. So, we tried to reach out in the
next and perhaps the only way we could: by putting pen to paper and speaking out –as partisans in
a human drama. Poets, surprisingly, by common consent, found themselves writing on a common
subject.
Reproduction of some of them is reprinted here. We aptly call them Protest Poetry of the
‘80’s. The themes of most during this time dealt with courage, shock and grief over the “treachery
inflicted upon Aquino.”
(PROSE) FABLES
The people’s cry of protest found outlets not only in poetry but also in veiled prose fables which
transparently satirized the occupants of Malacañang.
Among those that saw prints were:
1. The Crown Jewels of Heezenhurstby Sylvia Mendez Ventura
2. The Emperor’s New Underwear by MeynardoA. Macaraig
3. The King’s Cold by BabethLolarga
4.The Case of the Missing Charisma (unfinished) by Sylvia L. Mayuga.
In all the fables, the king, differently referred to as TotusMarkus or the king or Haring Matinikwas
meant to poke fun at the ruler at Malacañang; similarly, Reyna Maganda or the Queen, was a
veiled thrust at his queen.
They were both drunk with power and were punished in the end for their misdeeds.
Tel. No.: (044) 940-6580/0906-390-8023
Post Edsa 1 Revolution
Characteristics:
 Common Literary Themes were about patience, regards for native culture and customs and
beauty of nature and surroundings
 People could speak their mind without getting reprimanded.
 Filipino writers started to use their writing to explore socio-political realities.
 Due to their mood of satire, realists continue to recall the issues raised even before the
revolution and the failure of succeeding governments to address them.
Tel. No.: (044) 940-6580/0906-390-8023

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Republic of the Philippines

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

The Period of the Third Republic

THE PALANCA AWARDS

PHILIPPINE FILMS DURING THE PERIOD

POETRY IN ENGLISH DURING THE THIRD REPUBLIC

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