PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)

PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY (1972-1980)

Historical Background

The period of the New Society started on September 21, 1972. The Carlos Palanca Awards continued to give annual awards. Almost all themes in most writings dealt with the development or progress of the country –like the Green Revolution, family planning, proper nutrition, environment, drug addiction and pollution. The New Society tried to stop pornography or those writings giving bad influences on the morals of the people. All school newspapers were temporarily stopped and so with school organizations.

The military government established a new office called the Ministry of Public Affairs that supervised the newspapers, books and other publications. The government took part in reviving old plays like the Cenaculo, the Zarzuela and the Embayoka of the Muslims. The Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Folk Arts Theater and even the old Metropolitan Theater were rebuilt in order to have a place for these plays. Singing both Filipino and English songs received fresh incentives. Those sent abroad promoted many Filipino songs.

The weekly publications like KISLAP, and LIWAYWAY helped a lot in the development of literature. These became outlets for our writers to publish many of their works.

A. FILIPINO POETRY DURING THE PERIOD OF THE NEW SOCIETY

Themes of most poems dealt with patience, regard for native culture, customs and the beauties of nature and surroundings.

Those who wrote poetry during this period were: Ponciano Pineda, Aniceto Silvestre, Jose Garcia Revelo, Bienvenido Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir Lopez Francisco, and Pelagio Sulit Cruz.

Many more composers added their bit during this period. Among them were Freddie Aguilar, Jose Marie Chan and the group Tito, Vic and Joey. ANAK of Freddie Aguilar became an instant success because of the spirit and emotions revealed in the song. There were even translations in Japanese and in other languages.

B. THE PLAY UNDER THE NEW SOCIETY

The government led in reviving old plays and dramas, like the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the Muslims which were presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Many schools and organizations also presented varied plays. The Mindanao State University presented a play Sining Embayoka at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

In 1977, the Tales of Manuvu, a new style of rock of the ballet opera was also added to these presentations. This was performed by Celeste Legaspi, Lea Navarro, Hadji Alejandro, Boy Camara, Anthony Castello, Rey Dizon and choreographed by Alic Reyes. Even the President’s daughter at the time participated as a performing artist in the principal role of Santa Juana of Koral and in The Diary of Anne Frank.

The following organizations contributed a lot to the development of plays during this period:

1. PETA of Cecille Guidote and Lino Brocka

2. Repertory Philippines: of Rebecca Godines and Zenaida Amador

3. UP Repertory of Behn Cervantes

4. Teatro Filipino by Rolando Tinio

C. RADIO AND TELEVISION

Radio continued to be patronized during this period. The play series like SI MATAR, DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR. LONELY were the forms of recreation of those without television.

Even the new songs were first heard over the airwaves. However, many performing artists in radio moved over to television because of higher pay. Among these were Augusto Victa, Gene Palomo, Mely Tagasa, Lina Pusing, and Ester Chavez. Popular television plays were GULONG NG PALAD, FLOR DE LUNA, and ANNA LIZA.

SUPERMAN AND TARZAN were also popular with the youth.

D. FILIPINO FILMS

A yearly Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival) was held during this time. During the festival which lasted usually for a month, only Filipino films were shown in all theaters in Metro Manila. Prizes and trophies were awarded at the end of the festival in recognition of excellence in film making and in role performances.

New kinds of films without sex or romance started to be made but which were nevertheless well-received by the public.

Among these were:

1. MAYNILA…SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG written by Edgardo Reyes and filmed under the direction of Lino Brocka. Bembol Roco was the lead role.

2. MINSA’Y ISANG GAMU-GAMO; Nora Aunor was the principal performer here.

3. GANITO KAMI NOO…PAANO KAYO NGAYON: led by Christopher de Leon and Gloria Diaz.

4. INSIANG: by Hilda Koronel

5. AGUILA: led by Fernando Poe Jr., Jay Ilagan and Christopher de Leon

Sex films could not be shelved. Foreign, as well as local films dealing the bold themes were the vehicles of producers to earn more money.

E. COMICS, MAGAZINES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS

During this period of the New Society, newspapers donned new forms. News on economic progress, discipline, culture, tourism and the like were favored more than the sensationalized reporting of killings, rape and robberies.

The leading papers during this period were:

1. BULLETIN TODAY                           5. PILIPINO EXPRESS

2. TIMES JOURNAL                               6. PHILIPPINE DAILY EXPRESS

3. PEOPLES JOURNAL                       7. EVENING POST

4. BALITA                                             8. EVENING EXPRESS

LIWAYWAY had been an old-time favorite of the Filipinos since 1920. Other magazines were:

1. KISLAP                               3. EXTRA HOT

2. BULAKLAK                      4. JINGLE SENSATION

Like mushrooms, comics also proliferated everywhere and were enjoyed by the masses.

Among these were:

1. PILIPINO                            4. HIWAGA

2. EXTRA                               5. KLASIK

3. LOVE LIFE                         6. ESPESYAL

F. PALANCA AWARDEES

SHORT STORY CATEGORY

1972-73

First Prize –“SPOTS ON THEIR WINGS AND OTHER STORIES”–Antonio Enriquez

Second Prize –“ON FRIENDS YOU PIN SUCH HOPES”–Ines Taccad Camayo

Third Prize –“THE LIBERATION OF MRS. FIDELA MAGSILANG”–Jaime A. Lim

1973-74

First Prize –“THE CRIES OF CHILDREN ON AN APRIL AFTERNOON IN THE YEAR 1957”–Gregorio C. Brillantes

Second Prize –“THE WHITE DRESS”–Estrella D. Alfon

Third Prize –“TELL ME WHO CLEFT THE DEVIL’S FOOT”–Luning Bonifacio Ira

Honorable Mention –“SCORING”–Joy T. Dayrit

1974-75

First Prize –co-winners

1. “THE DAY OF THE LOCUSTS”–Leoncio P. Deriada

2. “ROMANCE AND FAITH ON MOUNT BANAHAW”–Alfred A. Yuson

Second Prize –co-winners

1. “THE MAN WHO MADE A COVENANT WITH THE WIND”–Cirilo F. Bautista

2. “ONCE UPON A CRUISE: GENERATIONS AND OTHER LANDSCAPES”–Luning Bonifacio Ira

3. “AGCALAN POINT”–Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.

Third Prize –co-winners

1. “THE DOG EATERS”–Leoncio P. Deriada

2. “THE PEOPLE’S PRISON”–Mauro R. Avena

3. “DISCOVERY”–Dr. Porfirio F. Villarin, Jr.

4. “A SUMMER GOODBYE”–Linda Ledesma and Benjamin Bautista

PLAY CATEGORY

1972-73

First Prize –“THE HEART OF EMPTINESS IS BLACK”–Ricardo Demetillo

Second Prize –“GO, RIDER!”–Azucena Crajo Uranza

Third Prize –“THE RICEBIRD HAS BROWN WINGS”–Federico Licsi Espino, Jr.

1973-74

First Prize (No Award)

Second Prize –“AFTERCAFE –Juan H. Alegre

Third Prize –“DULCE EXTRANJERA”–Wilfredo D. Nollede

1974-75

First Prize –“A LIFE IN THE SLUMS”–Rolando S. Tinio

Second Prize –“PASSWORD –Paul Stephen Lim

Third Prize –“THE MINERVA FOUNDATION”–Maidan Flores

POETRY CATEGORY

1972-73

First Prize –“CHARTS”–Cirilo F. Bautista

Second Prize –“A TRICK OF MIRRORS”–Rolando S. Tinio

Third Prize –“ALAPAAP’S MOUNTAIN”–Erwin E. Castillo

1973-74

First Prize –co-winners

1. “MONTAGE”–Ophelia A. Dimalanta

2. “IDENTITIES”–Artemio Tadena

Second Prize –co-winners

1. “BOXES”–Ricardo de Ungria

2. “GLASS OF LIQUID TRUTHS”–Gilbert A. Luis Centina III

Third Prize –co-winners

1. “A LIEGE OF DATUS AND OTHER POEMS”–Jose N. Carreon

2. “RITUALS AND METAPHORS”–Celestino M. Vega

1974-75

First Prize –“TELEX MOON”–Cirilo F. Bautista

Second Prize –“ADARNA: SIX POEMS FROM A LARGER CORPUS”–Wilfredo Pascua Sanchez

Third Prize –“THE CITY AND THE THREAD OF LIGHT”–Ricardo Demetillo

  

REPUBLIC CULTURAL HERITAGE AWARDEES

(1960-1971)

NATIONAL ARTISTS

1973

Amado V. Hernandez (Posthumous) (Literature)

Jose Garcia Villa (Literature)

Francisco Reyes Aquino (Dance)

Carlos V. Francisco (Posthumous) (Painting)

Antonio J. Molina (Music)

Guillermo Tolentino (Sculpture)

1976

Nick Joaquin (Literature)

Napoleon V. Abueva (Sculpture)

Pablo Antonio (Posthumous) (Architecture)

Lamberto V. Avellana (Movies)

Victorio G. Edades (Painting)

Jovita Fuentes (Music)