DR.

Jose Rizal

According to many, Jose Rizal is the greatest genius and hero of the Philippines. He wrote two
novels that energized the nationalism movement and the revolution during the time of the
Spaniards: Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed). Like
the works of Shakespeare, his writings are interpreted to have various meanings. Among the most
ardent of his admirers are the Kababaihang Rizalista and The Knights of Rizal. His “Last Farewell”
was written at Fort Santiago (and is said to have been smuggled out inside an oil lamp). His writing
is appreciated not only by Filipinos but also by other countries that use the Spanish language. He
was born in Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861. He was killed on December 30, 1896.
 MY LAST FAREWELL
Jose Rizal

Farewell, my adored Land, region of the sun caressed,

Pearl of the Orient Sea, our Eden lost,
With gladness I give you my Life, sad and repressed;
And were it more brilliant, more fresh and at its best,
I would still give it to you for your welfare at most.

On the fields of battle, in the fury of fight,

Others give you their lives without pain or hesitancy,
The place does not matter: cypress laurel, lily white,
Scaffold, open field, conflict or martyrdom's site,
It is the same if asked by home and Country.
I die as I see tints on the sky b'gin to show
And at last announce the day, after a gloomy night;
If you need a hue to dye your matutinal glow,
Pour my blood and at the right moment spread it so,
And gild it with a reflection of your nascent light!

My dreams, when scarcely a lad adolescent,

My dreams when already a youth, full of vigor to attain,
Were to see you, gem of the sea of the Orient,
Your dark eyes dry, smooth brow held to a high plane
Without frown, without wrinkles and of shame without stain.

My life's fancy, my ardent, passionate desire,

Hail! Cries out the soul to you, that will soon part from thee;
Hail! How sweet 'tis to fall that fullness you may acquire;
To die to give you life, 'neath your skies to expire,
And in your mystic land to sleep through eternity!
If over my tomb some day, you would see blow,
A simple humble flow'r amidst thick grasses,
Bring it up to your lips and kiss my soul so,
And under the cold tomb, I may feel on my brow,
Warmth of your breath, a whiff of your tenderness.
Let the moon with soft, gentle light me descry,
Let the dawn send forth its fleeting, brilliant light,
In murmurs grave allow the wind to sigh,
And should a bird descend on my cross and alight,
Let the bird intone a song of peace o'er my site.
 José Corazón de Jesús

Known as the King of the Balagtasan and as Makata ng Puso, José Corazón de Jesús was born in
Manila on November 22, 1896. He wrote Tagalog poetry during the American occupation of the
Philippines (1901-1946).

His most famous work is the Tagalog poem Bayan Ko (My Country, 1929), which was used as lyrics
for a patriotic song that became popular during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the 1980s. His
pen name was Huseng Batute. He died on May 26, 1932, and is buried in Manila’s North Cemetery.
 BAYAN KO
Jose Corazon de Jesus

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas

My country that is the Philippines

Lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak

Land of gold and flowers

Ibon mang may layang lumipad

Even a bird with the freedom to fly

kulungin mo at umiiyak
cage it and it cries

Pugad ng luha ko
Nest of my tears

Bayan ba kayang sakdal dilag

What more a country totally exquisite

Aking adhika
My desire

Makita kang sakdal laya

To see you completely free
 Benigno Zamora

Benigno Zamora was once chief of the section on Secondary Instruction and Supervision in Pilipino of the
Department of City Schools. Former member of the Institute of National Language. Published his first short
story at the age of eighteen. Wrote plays, zarzuelas, essays and lyrical poetry on themes that were popular yet
charming (love, faith, and nostalgia for home). The last is found in “Ang Aking Tahanan,” composed while the
poet worked as a spy against the Japanese during the Second World War II.
 PASKO NA!
Benigno Zamora

Malamig na simoy ng mabangong hangin

Na tanging sa pisngi ng langit nanggaling,
Ang inihahatid
Sa bukas na dibdib
Ng sangkalupaang dagi sa hilahil
At sala sa lalong tapat na dalangin. . .

Sa likod ng bundok ay namamanaag

Ang kaakit-akit na isang liwanag;
Ang ibinabadha
Ay malaking tuwa
Na di mag siyang malalasap
Ng lahat ng taong may mabuting hangad.

At ang ating puso ay muling hahagkan

Ng madlang ligayang di mapapantayan—
Ang diwa ng Pasko
Ang pista ng mundo—
Ang araw na siyang sa ati’y nagbigay
Ng buhay sa puspos ng madlang kariktan.
 Clodualdo del Mundo, Sr.

Clodualdo del Mundo was born in Manila in 1911. Liwayway editor, critic, scholar, and head of TANIW (Taliba
ng Inang Wika). Winner of a presidential award on literature and nationalism. Pioneer in modern drama, having
presented the first modern Tagalog zarzuela, Anong Tamis ng mga Sandali sa Sariling Bayan, at the Cultural
Center of the Philippines, and the first modern opera with Balagtas as hero. Wrote a great number of “novels”
for television, radio, and the local cinema, receiving the FAMAS award for one of his stories. In poetry, he was
among the first to write in free verse. His Ang Kanyang mga Mata (patterned after the Japanese haiku) is a
gem in its lucidity and restraint. He passed away on October 5, 1977.
 ANG KANYANG MGA MATA
CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO, SR.

Dalawang bituing
kumikislap-kislap
sa gitna
ng dilim. . .

Tambal ng aliw
na sasayaw-sayaw
sa tuwing ako’y
naninimdim. . .
Bukang-liwayway
ng isang pagsintang
walang maliw!

Takipsilim
ng isang pusong
di magtataksil!
 Rolando Tinio

This great Filipino poet was a National Artist for Theater and Literature and was in the first group of
inductees into the Palanca Hall of Fame in 1995. A native of Tondo, Manila, he was born in 1937 and
died in 1997.

Rolando (Santos) Tinio is famous for being a playwright, poet and translator. He was born in Tondo.
Date of birth: March 5, 1997. Died in Manila in on July 7, 1997. Belonged to the anti-Romantic group
of Tagalog poets known as the Bagay (Object) group who describe things and avoid giving
interpretations. The Grandmother describes a senile, cranky grandmother; this poem gives a glimpse
into the ways of a typical Filipino household at dusk when the Angelus prayer is announced.
 ANG LOLA
Rolando Tinio

Nakapuwesto sa paboritong lugar,

parang nakakuwadro sa bentanilya ng kumidor, inis
sa inaaninaw ang di makilalang alas sais—
areglado nang umandar.

Hinaharap ang lahat na dapat magsipanik na ng bahay:

mga lasenggo’t sugarol, imbi’t tampalasan, mga tarantado
silang wala nang inatupag kundi maglandian sa lansangan.

Pati na yata ang araw na di pa kursunadang pagbigyan

ang nagririnyegong karimlan.
Walang awat silang kinakatkatan ng Lola
gayung-kasi’y may pagkauliyanin na —
hindi na matandaan kung sinu-sino sila.
Hindi na matandaan ang puno’t dulo ng paghihimagsik
na parang atakeng nandiyan na lang tuwing alas sais.
Orasyon — biro namin — panatang walang hanggan
nang di raw mapariwara ang kaluluwa ng lansangan.

At ayaw gambalain ang mga litanya,

tahimik ang Ate sa pamamalantsa.
Nagdidilim ang mukha. Maaga pa naman daw,
ayaw pang gaasan ang ilaw.

At ang Nanay, napisikan yata ng mantika,

marahang tinatangisan ang pinipritong hasa-hasa.
At si Bulilit, pagkahatid ng tatal sa kusina,
nakangising naupo sa sala,
minataan ang abuwela.
Siguro’y alas sais medya na.

Kahit tapos na ang mga seremonya,

nakadambana pa rin ang da-matan sa bentanilya.
Nahapo rin pala:
napikit ang mga mata, nalaglag ang panga,
ika nga’y bumunot sa dibdib ng buntong hininga —
parang humanda namang atupagin
ang di masansalang pagdidilim.
 Julian Cruz Balmaceda

Julian Cruz Balmaceda was born in Orion, Bataan. Date of birth: 28th of January, 1885. Death:
September 18, 1946. Better known as a playwright (penned “Who are You?”). Wrote “Wound of the
Heart” when he was only fourteen years old. Won first place in a competition by the Bureau of Posts,
1928, for his “Ang Piso ni Anita.” Also known as a novelist with daring themes and deft
characterization. A poet who loved contests of Tagalog poetry (he won an award for his defense of
“Tomorrow” against the “Yesterday” and “Today” of Regalado and Ramos. Also published a few long
poems such as “Sa Bayan ni Plaridel,” “Anak ni Eba,” etc. As a critic, author of “The Three Periods of
Tagalog Drama” and made several linguistic studies.
 KUNG MAMILI ANG DALAGA
Julian Cruz Balmaceda

Nang may labinlimang Disyembre pa lamang

ang dalagang aking naging kaibiga’y
ganito ang laging kanyang bulay-bulay
“Pagka’t ang ganda ko’y di pangkaraniwan
ay pipili ako ng isang liligaw na
bata, makisig, mabait, mayaman.”
Nang dumalawampung taon ang dalaga
at ang pinipili’y di pa rin makita’y
ganito ang kanyang nagunita tila:
“Hindi kailangan kundi man pustura
o kaya ay hindi sagana sa k’walta
kung bata’t mabait ay maaari na.”

Nang magdalawampu’t lima at hindi rin

yata sumisigid ang isda sa pai’y
ganito ang kanyang parating dasalin:
“Ang gulang? Hindi ko aalumanahin,
may kabaitan lang na maituturing
kahit matanda na’y puede na sa akin.”

At nang tumatlumpu’t ni sinoman wari’y

wala nang mabuyong sa kanya’y gumiri
tahas na sinabing wa(ang pagkabali:
“Ngayon kahit sino’y walang tangi-tangi
huwag lang di mayrong sa aki’y bumati.”
 Amado V. Hernandez

Amado V. Hernandez was a Filipino writer and labor leader who was known for his criticism of social injustices in
the Philippines and was later imprisoned for his involvement in the communist movement. He was the central figure
in a landmark legal case that took 13 years to settle.

He was born in Tondo, Manila, to parents from Hagonoy, Bulacan. He grew up and studied at the Gagalangin,
Tondo, the Manila High School and at the American Correspondence School.
 Isang Dipang Langit
Amado V. Hernandez

Ako’y ipiniit ng linsil na puno

hangad palibhasang diwa ko’y piitin,
katawang marupok, aniya’y pagsuko,
damdami’y supil na’t mithiin ay supil.
Ikinulong ako sa kutang malupit:
bato, bakal, punlo, balasik ng bantay;
lubos na tiwalag sa buong daigdig
at inaring kahit buhay man ay patay.

Sa munting dungawan, tanging abot-malas

ay sandipang langit na puno ng luha,
maramot na birang ng pusong may sugat,
watawat ng aking pagkapariwara.

Sintalim ng kidlat ang mata ng tanod,

sa pintong may susi’t walang makalapit;
sigaw ng bilanggo sa katabing moog,
anaki’y atungal ng hayop sa yungib.

Ang maghapo’y tila isang tanikala

na kala-kaladkad ng paang madugo
ang buong magdamag ay kulambong luksa
ng kabaong waring lungga ng bilanggo.

Kung minsa’y magdaan ang payak na yabag,

kawil ng kadena ang kumakalanding;
sa maputlang araw saglit ibibilad,
sanlibong aninong iniluwa ng dilim.
Kung minsan, ang gabi’y biglang magulantang
sa hudyat – may takas! – at asod ng punlo;
kung minsa’y tumangis ang lumang batingaw,
sa bitayang moog, may naghihingalo.

At ito ang tanging daigdig ko ngayon –

bilangguang mandi’y libingan ng buhay;
sampu, dalawampu, at lahat ng taon
ng buong buhay ko’y dito mapipigtal.

Nguni’t yaring diwa’y walang takot-hirap

at batis pa rin itong aking puso:
piita’y bahagi ng pakikilamas,
mapiit ay tanda ng di pagsuko.

Ang tao’t Bathala ay di natutulog

at di habang araw ang api ay api,
tanang paniniil ay may pagtutuos,
habang may Bastilya’y may bayang gaganti.

At bukas, diyan din, aking matatanaw

sa sandipang langit na wala nang luha,
sisikat ang gintong araw ng tagumpay…
layang sasalubong ako sa paglaya!
 Bartolome Del Valle

Si Bartolome del Valle ay isang Pilipinong manunulat na kilala sa pagsasatula ng

epikong Indarapatra at Sulayman. Kilala rin siya sa kanyang mga akda na: Ang
Demokrasya, Kung Buhay pa si Rizal, Ang Kapangyarihan ng Eduasyon, Ang
Bantayog, at Panawagan sa Kabataan. Karamihan sa kanyang mga sinulat ay
tumatalakay sa mga sosyal isyus ng ating bansa at binibigyang-tuon ang realidad ng
buhay at maituturing din na inspirasyon para sa mga kabataan.

Siya ay isang dakilang manunulat ng 1980's at naging guro ng Pilipino sa isa sa mga
Mataas na Paaralan ng Maynila mula noong 1945. Si Bartolome del Valle ay
nagtapos ng BSE Major in Filipino and History. Naging pangalawang punongguro ng
Mataas na paaralan sa Maynila at tagapagmasid ng Pilipino sa parehong paaralan.
 ANG BANTAYOG

May isang bantayog sa liwasang-bayan,

nililok sa marmol, maganda’t matibay,
ang bawa’t magdaa’y lubos ang paghanga
sa bagong bantayog ng isang dakila.
Nagdaan ang araw, linggo, buwan, taon,
ang bagong bantayog ay luma na ngayon,
inula’t inaraw, dumupok, nabasag,
hanggang sa madurog ay walang lumingap.

Ang tanging bantayog na di-magigiba

ay gawa ng pusong mapagkawanggawa,
buhay na inukol sa buhay ng iba.
at di sa sariling kapakanan niya,
ang ipinupunla’y pag-ibig sa puso
na tanging bantayog na di-maguguho.
 Gémino Abad

Gémino Henson Abad is a literary critic from Cebu, Philippines. His family moved to Manila when his father, Antonio
Abad, was offered professorships at Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines. He earned his
B.A. English from the University of the Philippines in 1964 and Ph.D. in English literature from the University of
Chicago in 1970. He served the University of the Philippines in various capacities: as Secretary of the University,
Secretary of the Board of Regents, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of the U.P. Institute of Creative
Writing. For many years, he also taught English, comparative literature and creative writing at U.P. Diliman.

Abad co-founded the Philippine Literary Arts Council (PLAC) which published Caracoa, a poetry journal in English.
His other works include Fugitive Emphasis (poems, 1973); In Another Light (poems and critical essays, 1976); A
Formal Approach to Lyric Poetry (critical theory, 1978); The Space Between (poems and critical essays,
1985); Poems and Parables (1988); Index to Filipino Poetry in English, 1905-1950 (with Edna Zapanta Manlapaz,
1988) and State of Play (letter-essays and parables, 1990). He edited landmark anthologies of Filipino poetry in
English, among them Man of Earth (1989), A Native Clearing (1993) and A Habit of Shores: Filipino Poetry and
Verse from English, ‘60s to the ‘90s(1999).
 Care of Light
Gemino Abad

As soon as it gets dark, I turn on the lights

in my old professor’s cottage, and the following

morning before office, turn them off again.

With one key I open the iron gate, and with two,

the main door. I turn the lamp on in her library,

the vigil light for the Sacred Heart on the shelf

jutting out a wall; then I switch on the single

electric bulb outside the kitchen, and last,

the red and green halogen like Christmas lights

below the front eaves.

I follow strictly her instructions.

She loves order in her life, and requires

a similar order in other people’s behavior –

a discipline of mind sometimes terrorized

by the haps and hazards of thieving time.

She needs to be always in control,

but she’s old now and frail, can hardly walk,

deaf and half-blind, and often ill, so that,

having no choice, no housemaid able to endure

her sense for order, she had to leave

and stay at her sister’s place,

finally dependent.

In the half-darkness and mustiness now

of her deserted cottage, all its windows closed,

her books and papers, once alive with breath

of her impetuous quests, are filmed with dust

on her long working table, awaiting it seems

her return.

I think of how a time ago

she’d walk briskly to her early morning class,

dressed in style to shame old maids; then call

our names as though each had irreplaceable

post in her invincible order of things;

and then, her shoulders hunched, teach

with a passion that, before the imperious gale

of her questioning, drove us bleating

on the open plain of the world’s sharp winds.

So; at the day’s end,

I’m her lamplighter on her silent asteroid,

among books, papers, rubble of chalk.

I close the gate behind me as I stride out,

making sure I hear the lock’s tiny click.

I follow strictly her instructions.

Down her street the street lamps cast

my shadow ahead. Crickets in the bushes

whirr according to their nature.

In the same order, the sun too will rise

tomorrow, and I shall be back.

 Edith Tiempo

Edith L. Tiempo (April 22, 1919 – August 21, 2011),[1] poet, fiction writer, teacher and literary critic was
a Filipino writer in the English language.
Tiempo was born in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, but later became a resident of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Her poems are intricate verbal transfigurations of significant experiences as revealed, in two of her much
anthologized pieces, "Lament for the Littlest Fellow" and "Bonsai." As fictionist, Tiempo is as morally profound. Her
language has been marked as "descriptive but unburdened by scrupulous detailing." She is an influential tradition
in Philippine Literature in English. Together with her late husband, writer and critic Edilberto K. Tiempo, they
founded (in 1962) and directed the Silliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City, which has produced
some of the Philippines' best writers.
She was conferred the National Artist Award for Literature in 1999.
 Bonsai
Edith Tiempo

All that I love

I fold over once
And once again
And keep in a box
Or a slit in a hollow post
Or in my shoe.

All that I love?

Why, yes, but for the moment-
And for all time, both.
Something that folds and keeps easy,
Son’s note or Dad’s one gaudy tie,
A roto picture of a queen,
A blue Indian shawl, even
A money bill.

It’s utter sublimation,

A feat, this heart’s control
Moment to moment
To scale all love down
To a cupped hand’s size

Till seashells are broken pieces

From God’s own bright teeth,
And life and love are real
Things you can run and
Breathless hand over
To the merest child.