Contemporary Period (1986- present)

Characteristics

 Daring or controversial choice of subject matter.

 Very innovative in structure and style.
 Influence of different –isms and literary trends from the West .
 Characters have become more three-dimensional.
 Characters, plot structure and narrative techniques are more complex.
 Gay and lesbian literature came out.
 Excellent mastery of the English language and literary forms is evident.
 TV and films have become more popular.
 Filipino writer has become more conscious of his art with the proliferation of writers workshops
here and abroad and the bulk of literature available to him via the mass media including the
internet.
 Filipino writers continue to write poetry, short stories, novellas, novels and essays whether these
are socially committed, gender/ethnic related or are personal in intention or not.
 Contemporary literature reflects current trends in life and culture, these things change often,
contemporary literature changes as well. It reflects the author’s perspective and can come across
as cynical. It questions facts, historical perspectives and presents two contradictory arguments
side by side
 Contemporary literature features a somewhat modern narrative, but it also contains a harsher
reality.
 A new reality blossomed in the post-war mind, and it included a personal cynicism,
disillusionment, and frustration that is common to this literary period. Typical characteristics of
the contemporary period include reality-based stories with strong characters and a believable
story. Settings usually keep to the current or modern era, so futuristic and science fiction novels
are rarely included in this category. Well-defined, realistic, and highly developed characters are
important in classifying a written work as contemporary, and most writing in this category
features stories that are more character driven than plot driven.
 English and Filipino continue to be the major media of literature.
 Literature as a venue for socio-politico-economic-religious discussions and a vehicle for personal
thoughts and feelings has become more marked.
 Literary themes cover a wide range of subjects most outstanding among which are existentialism
and the search for identity in varying levels and settings, deception and violence.
 According to critics, the essays, short stories and poems written subsequently have proved
“tending”. The literary style and content of the literature written during this period have become
more Filipino than ever before.

Literary Forms and Examples

 Essay

Filipino essays address societal issues, are more free and daring, manifesting a more liberated
atmosphere, however pointing out moral degradation, indicating injustice, suggesting alternatives,
and directing thought.

 Short story

The contemporary Filipino short story writers are now at their highest point of self-assertion. The
writers have gradually shifted from themes of personal problems and rural life to themes of national
problems and city life. They showed a growing mastery of a well-handled conflict, effective technique,
imaginative expression, and compelling characterization. The Filipino writers succeeded in
discovering a style by which they can express Filipino psychology in a foreign language as medium.
Examples:

1. “A Song in the Wind.” Paterno, Maria Elena. 1992

2. “Green Rose.” Remoto, Danton. 1994
3. “Fixing a Flat.” Ong, Charlson. 1996
4. “Fish Dealer’s Tale.” Montes, Timothy. 1996
3. “The Faithful Old Lady.” Syjuco, Miguel. 1997
6. “Fish Hair Woman.” Bobis, Merlinda. 1999
7. “Sanded Soles.” Gonzales, Ma. Romina. 1999
4. “Happy Endings.” Katigbak, Luis Joaquin. 1999
5. “Portents.” Zafra, Jessica. 2000
6. “Skin Art.” Pasion, Andrea. 1998
11. “Reconnaissance.” Sering, Tara FT. 2001
12. “Corporeality.” Cuyugan, Tina. 2003
13. “The Death of Fray Salvador Montano, Conquistador of Negros.” Lucero, Rosario Cruz. 2001
14. “Old Movies.” Casocot, Ian. 2002
15. “Weight.” Sitoy, Lakambini. 2004
7. “Tenacity.” Groyon, Vicente Garcia. 2004
8. “Failure to Punctuate.” Eliserio, U. Z. 2005
18. “The Woman in the Box.” Dalisay, Jose, Jr. 2008
19. “Six from Downtown.” Alfar, Dean Francis. 2010
20. “Professor Quemada’s Last Words.” Gamalinda, Eric. 2010
9. Ang Pinakahuling Kwento ni Huli (The Very Last Story of Huli)
10. The Execution – Charlson Ong
11. Kabilang sa mga Nawawala (Among the Disappeared) – Ricardo Lee
12. Geyluv – Honorio Bartolome de Dios

 Poetry

Filipino poets showed further development in skill and originality in the Modern Period. The Filipino
poet has displayed considerable consciousness which has led him toward artistic originality and a
growing sense of creative sensibility. “Contemporary poetry ’says Teodoro Locsin is definitely
symbolic. It avoids direct statement. It does not say what it means, it merely hints, suggests, through
the use of symbols”.

1. “Elemental.” Evasco, Marjorie.

2. “Queen.” Baytan, Ronald.
3. “Glue Children.” Realuyo, Bino.
4. “Sturm and Drang.” Macansantos, Francis.
5. “Ghost Pain.” Dimalanta, Ophelia.
2. “The Year of the Comet.” Arvin Mangohig.
3. “On This Site Will Soon Rise a Shopping Mall.” Yuson, Alfred.
4. “Postscript.” Katigbak, Mookie.
5. “Echolalia.” Manalo, Paolo.
 6. “Fishbone.” Nezhukumatathil, Aimee.
11. “The Muse This Time.” Linmark, R. Zamora.
12. “hi-density.” de Veyra, Lourd Ernest.
13. “Double Takes.” Valdellon, Naya.
7. “Flood.” Suarez, Angelo.
15. “Too Many Movies.” Reyes, Isabelita.
16. “Apology.” Garcia, J. Neil.
17. “Geography Lesson.” Cruz, Conchitina.
8. “Letterpress.” David, Mabi.
19. “Baguio, the Return.” Galan, Ralph Semino.
20. “The Cave.” Toledo, Joel.

 Drama

During the contemporary period, the drama has become alive because of the formation of various
theater groups like the Barangay Theater, Dramatic Philippines, Manila Theater Guild and others.
The Palanca Awards which other substantial prizes in literary contests continue to stimulate Filipino
playwrights. Philippine drama in English has gained firmer hold with the teaching of drama in the
colleges and the production of plays as concrete achievement thereafter.

 Play

Scriptwriting, a popular and developing literature form is probably due to the growing interest in TV
and the visual arts.

Writers and their works

 JOEY DALISAY JR.

List of works:

Novels

-Killing Time in a Warm Place,1992 – Soledad’s Sister, 2008

Plays

– Madilimang Gabi sa Laot at Iba Pang Mga Dulang Ligaw na Pag-Ibig, 1993

– Pagsabog ng Liwanag/ Aninag, Anino, 1996

-Ang Butihing Babaeng Timog/Mac Malicsi, TNT, 1997

Screenplays

-Tayong Dalawa, 1994

-Miguelito, 1995

-Saranggola, 1999
Nonfiction

-The Best of Barfly, 1997 – The Lavas: A Filipino Family, 1999

– Man Overboard, 2005 -“Wash: Only a Book keeper”, 2009

– “Builder of Bridges: The Rudy Cuenca Story,” 2010 other books

-(As editor) Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino People, 1998

– The Filipino Flag, 2004

-Journeys with Light: The Vision of Jaime Zobel, 2005

 KATRINA TUVERA

Books:

– The Jupiter Effect

-Testament and Other Story

 MIGUEL SYJUCO

Book: Ilustrado

 LOUIE MAR GANGCUAGCO

Books:

-Orosa-Nakpil, Malate

-Gee, My Grades Are Terrific: A Student’s Guide to Academic Excellence

 LUALHATI BAUTISTA

Works:

-Gapo

– Dekada ‘70

-Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa

-Bulaklaksa City Jail

-Kung Mahahawi Man ang Ulap

 SIONIL JOSE

Novels:
-Po-on

-The Pretenders

-My Brother, My Executioner

-Mass

-Tree

-Gagamba

-Sin

 BOB ONG

Books:

– ABNKKBSNPLAko?!

-Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ng Libro ang mga Filipino

– Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas

-Alamat ng Gubat

– Stainless

-Longganisa

-Macarthur

-Kapitan

-Sino

– Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan

 GINA APOSTOL

Works: -Bibliolepsy -Charlie Chan is Dead 2

-The Revolution According to Raymundo -Mata