Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Nueva Vizcaya
BAMBANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya

The Life and Work of Edith L. Tiempo

National Artist for Literature Dr. Edith L. Tiempo passed away on August 21, 2011 of a myocardial
infraction, at the age of 92 years.

Edith L. Tiempo, poet, fictionist, teacher and literary critic was one of the finest Filipino writers in
English whose works are characterized by a remarkable fusion of style and substance, of craftmanship and
insight. She was born on April 22, 1919 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. Her poems are intricate verbal
transfigurations of significant experiences as revealed, in two of her much-anthologized pieces, “The Little
Marmoset” and “Bonsai”. As fictionist, Tiempo was as morally profound. Her language has been marked as
“descriptive but unburdened by scrupulous detailing. “She was an influential tradition in Philippines literature
in English. Together with her late husband, Edilberto K. Tiempo, she founded and directed the Siliman National
Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City, which has produced some of the country’s best writers.
Tiempo’s published works include the novel A Blade of Fern (1978), The Native Coast (1979), and The
Alien Corn (1992); the poetry collections, The Tracks of Babylon and other poems (1966), and The Charmer’s
Box and other poems (1993); and the short story collection Abide, Joshua, and other Stories (1964)
The Aquino Administration expressed its grief over the death of Dr. Tiempo, as well as of Mrs. Kerima
Polotan Tuvera, a renowned fictionist and essayist who died of a stroke on the evening of August 19.
In a statement released on the day of Dr. Tiempo’s death, President Aquino’s Spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda said it was a sad weekend for the Philippine literary community, citing the great influence the two
eminent writers have had over generations of Filipino literary practitioners. “The Aquino administration is
united in grief with a country that mourns their passing,” he said.

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/banner-artwork/edith- tiempo/#:~:text=Together%20with%20her%20late
%
20husband,of%20the%20country's%20best%20writers. Retrieved October 27, 2022.

1. Where did Edith Timepo live?

a. Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
b. Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya
c. Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
d. Solano, Nueva Vizcaya
2. Which of the following texts are the most anthologized pieces of Edith Tiempo
a. The Tracks of Babylon and The Charmer’s Box
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region II – Cagayan Valley
Schools Division of Nueva Vizcaya
BAMBANG NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya

b. The Little Marmoset and Bonsai

c. A Blade of Fern and The Native Coast
d. The Alien Corn and Abide and Joshua
3. What was the profession of Edith L. Tiempo?
a. A dancer
b. A singer
c. A writer
d. A reporter
4. What does the excerpt want to convey?
a. To inform
b. To entertain
c. To persuade
d. To educate
5. How did the writer influence the life of the readers?
a. She inspires the readers.
b. She educates the readers.
c. She persuades readers to write.
d. She shows the culture of Nueva Vizcaya.

ANSWER KEY
1. C
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. B