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Submitted by:
Ferdinand Zamora V-BSAE
Historical Background
In 1946, the Barangay Writers Project whose aim was to publish works
in English by Filipinos was established.
In 1958, the PEN Center of the Philippines (Poets, essayists, novelists)
was inaugurated. In the same year, Francisco Arcellana published his PEN
ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT STORIES.
In 1961, Kerima Polotans novel THE HAND O F THE ENEMY won the
Stonehi ll Award for the Filipino novel in English.
In 1968, Luis V. Teodoro Jr.s short story THE ADVERSARY won the
Philippines Free Press short story award; in 1969, his story THE TRAIL OF
PROFESSOR RIEGO won second prize in the Palanca Memorial Awards for
Literature and in 1970, his short story THE DISTANT CITY won the GRAPHIC
short story award.
THE NEW FILIPINO LITERATURE DURING THIS PERIOD
Philippines literature in Tagalog was revived during this period. Most
themes in the writings dealt with Japanese brutalities, of the poverty of life
under the Japanese government and the brave guerilla exploits.
Newspapers and magazine publications were reopened like the
Bulaklak, Liwayway, Ilang Ilang and Sinag Tala. Tagalog poetry acquired not
only rhyme but substance and meaning. Short stories had better characters
and events based on facts and realities and themes were more meaningful.
Novels became common but were still read by the people for recreation.
The peoples love for listening to poetic jousts increased more than
before and people started to flock to places to hear poetic debates.
Many books were published during this time, among which were:
1. Mga Piling Katha (1947-48) by Alejandro Abadilla
2. Ang Maikling Kuwentong Tagalog (1886- 1948) by Teodoro Agoncillo
3. Akoy Isang Tinig (1952) collection of poems and stories by Genoveva
Edroza Matute
4. Mga Piling Sanaysay (1952) by Alejandro Abadilla
5. Maikling Katha ng Dalawampung Pangunahing Autor (1962) by A.G.
Abadilla and Ponciano E.P. Pineda
Mamapasano Clash
ikaw na bahala.) The commander of SAF said: K. And that was supposedly
that. The Commander-in-Chief presumed that implicit in his reminder was the
presumption that the PNP and AFP and DILG would indeed be informed,
though it never struck him as strange that none of them were ever in the
room, nor ever ccd in the invitations to the briefings.
It is the implausible and insultingly riddled narrative offered by
Malacanang that has the people shaking their heads.
Never mind the MILFs own plea that nobody coordinated with them either.
The one point that the public is willing to allow government in this tragic
mission is that the MILF, too, has a lot to explain, and is in no position to
demand anything of anyone. Certified terrorists were coddled in an area under
MILF control. Either the MILF was complicit and conniving, or it was ignorant
and impotent. Either way, Filipinos ask, how in Allahs name could the MILF be
trusted to run even an autonomous barangay?
President Aquino tries to frame the peoples resulting dismay and distrust, and
their demand for such accountability from government and from the rebels
as baying for war, and then raises the straw man with its fist in the air, just
long enough to call for the sobriety that nobody has actually lost. As upset as
Filipinos are, it would be a stretch to say that any significant portion of the
population has called for the peace process to be abandoned.
Said PNoy: Let us also consider: The members of the SAF perished in the
course of pursuing their duty to maintain security. If the peace process does
not succeed, if we were to return to the status quo, or if violence were to
worsen, wouldnt this be the very opposite of what they died for?
The line would be moving if it werent so dishonest. Rich, coming from a
government that ordered the SAF into terrain they did not know, with no cover,
no backup, and no chance in hell. It was the government that has cast
uncertainty as to what comes next.
Let us now be the ones to remind: SAF was not sent to Mamasapano in the
name of peace. They were ordered to arrest a fugitive. By higher-ups who
knew or should have kept in mind the full context and larger objectives in
Maguindanao, Mindanao, the BBL, the peace process, but who trumped it all
with a mission to satisfy whom, Mr. President?
Let us now be the ones to clarify: There are two contexts here, not one, and
they are separate. The global war on terror is not necessarily intertwined with
the quest for peace in Mindanao. They complicate each other, but not to the
point of interdependency.
President Aquino knew, or should have known, that any bumbling in
Maguindanao would have the potential to derail the peace process. For
something so important, it is unfathomable though more and more it seems
in the realm of his character or competence that the President would so
easily relinquish responsibility. It is therefore he who insulted the SAF even
before he disrespected their mandate and professionalism when he, the
Father of the Nation, chose to look at gleaming Mitsubishi cars at their plant
in Laguna over bowing before the caskets of our men as they arrived at
Villamor Air Base from the killing fields. How dare he use the slaughter into
which they were ordered to cover for how their leaders decision-making has
critically injured the BBL and the peace process.
Filipinos will grant that mistakes were made. They will even grant good faith.
And, for all their anger and the furious questions in their minds, they will await
the report of the board of inquiry. But in exchange they demand at least
sensitivity, transparency, and accountability.
So far the President has failed them on all counts.