LESSON 1

Kristian Sendon Cordero is an essayist, fiction writer, poet, filmmaker and translator based
in Bikol. He is known for his poem about Mayon Volcano entitled “Mayon” which talks
about the tourist attraction in Albay, Bikol, known for its perfect cone shaped, the Mayon
Volcano; about how it is interpreted as a sublime experience, that can be both exemplified
as a natural disaster and at the same time, a wondrous phenomenon.
His poetry collections in three Philippine languages have won the Gintong Aklat Awards,
the Madrigal-Gonzales Best First Book Award, and the Philippine National Book Awards
(Golden Book Awards). He represented the Philippines in the University of Iowa's
International Writing Program in 2017. Additionally, the Center for Southeast Asian
Studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor named him artist-in-residence. He has
translated the writings of Oscar Wilde, Franz Kafka, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Jorge Luis
Borges into Bikol and Filipino. The Bikol translations of José Rizal's two novels are among
his current endeavors. He was awarded the Southeast Asian Writers Prize (SEAWRITE) in
2019 by the Thai monarchy in Bangkok, Thailand. The 2022 Stellenbosch Institute of Art
has selected him as its Artist-in-Residence.
LESSON 2

Cirilo F. Bautista was a Filipino poet, writer of nonfiction and critic, and received a
Philippines Award for National Artist in 2014. Bautista was born on July 9, 1941 in
Manila and spent most of his childhood days in Balic-Balic, Sampaloc.
Legarda Elementary School (1st Honorable Mention, 1954) and Victorino Mapa
High School provided him with his fundamental education (Valedictorian, 1959).
He graduated with honors in AB Literature from the University of Santo Tomas in
1963, MA Literature from St. Louis University in Baguio in 1968, and a PhD in
Language and Literature from De La Salle University in Manila in 1973. (1990). He
was given a scholarship to the University of Iowa's International Writing Program.
Before relocating to De La Salle University-Manila in 1970, Bautista taught
literature and creative writing at St. Louis University (1963–1968) and the
University of Santo Tomas (1969–1970). Along with being a member of the Manila
Critics Circle, the Philippine Center of International PEN, and the Philippine Writers
Academy, he was also a founding member of the Philippine Literary Arts Council
(PLAC).
His poem entitled “Third World Geography” talks about poverty, hunger, and hope
in third world countries like the Philippines. It highlights the struggles of the people
living in such countries and their resiliency towards change.

LESSON 3

The birthdate of John Jack G. Wigley is December 25. He is a resident fellow of

the Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies and the chair of the literature
department at the University of Santo Tomas.
John Jack G. Wigley became deputy director of the UST Publishing House in June
2010, where he previously served as officer-in-charge and assistant to the director.
He is known for his work about the eruption of the Mt. Pinatubo which was entitled
“Home of the Ashfall”. In addition to presenting lectures on cultural and literary
studies at national and international conferences and fora, he is a co-author of two
books on Philippine literature. He currently teaches literature and film at UST's
Faculty of Arts and Letters and College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Additionally, he
wrote the memoir Falling Into the Manhole.
In addition to being a researcher at the Research Cluster on Culture, Arts, and
Humanities (RCCAH). He is an accomplished novelist who has written six books to
date. "Home of the Ashfall: A Memoir" and "Falling into the Manhole: A Memoir"
are two of his best-known books.

LESSON 4

Ariel S. Tabag is a bilingual Ilocano fiction author poet, editor, translator, and

musician. He was born on August 16, 1978.
He performs as a musician with the Ilocano rock group Manong Diego and the
underground band Pilo (formerly Samtoy). They founded Danirock, a poetry
performance with rock music, with Mighty C. Rasing, another Ilocano writer and
musician. He received numerous awards including the Talaang Ginto-
Gantimpalang Collantes and the Reynald F. Antonio awards for Iluko literature.
He is known for his novels and short stories like Mangmangkik in Da City, Dung-
aw," "Sudario," "1001 a Kalsada iti Siudad," "Eman," "Dagiti Samiweng ti Angin,"
"Maris ti Birhen," "Littugaw," "'Tom & Jerry'," Dagiti Ayup iti Bantay
Quimmallugong," “Tapingaran,”.
And especially “Voice Tape” which highlights the struggles of being an Overseas
Filipino Worker (OFW).
Lesson 5
Alexis Augusto L. Abola has won awards for his short tales and articles. His debut book was a
compilation.2012 saw the release of the collection of essays Trafficking in Nostalgia: Essays from
Memory. His writing has appeared in periodicals, literary journals, and anthologies. His work entitled
Five Brothers, One mother from Many Mansion are his most known and influential work.

Lesson 6
Winton Lou G. Ynion is a writer, teacher, and a poet. An award-winning writer, Winton was my co-fellow
in the 5th IYAS National Writers Workshop held in La Salle-Bacolod, Bacolod City in the summer of
2005. His works including “The Love of Magdalena Jalandoni” talks about Magdalena Jalandoni, a
novelist, writer, poet, sculptor and painter, and her struggles in fighting for her love in writing.

Lesson 7
Merlie M. Alunan is a poet, essayist, author who was born on December 14, 1943 and is a Siliman
University graduate with an MA in creative writing and currently lives in Tacloban City. Her poems
include Haiyan Dead which talks about the survivors and the deceased individuals during the strongest
typhoon in the Philippines which was Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

Lesson 8
Antonio Enriquez is the author of several books of short stories and novels. He was born in Barangay
Labuan, Zamboanga city in 1936. He was educated at a local Jesuit school in Zamboanga. His works
include “Dance a white horse to sleep”, “The Living and the Dead”, “Subanons”, and “Surveyors of the
Liguasan Marsh” which is highlighted as the “Green Sanctuary”.
Lesson 9
Genevieve L. Asenjo is a Filipino poet, novelist, translator and literary scholar in Kinaray-
a, Hiligaynon and Filipino. Lumbay ng Dila, her first novel received a citation or the Juan C. Laya Prize
for Excellence in Fiction in a Philippine Language in the National Book Award. Her other works include
Always, Beloved, The Rain. Her short story entitled Promdi@Manila lesson underlines how the concept
of the region figures in the discussion of nation and identity in Philippine literature.

Lesson 10
Temistokles Adlawan was a contemporary Cebuano poet and short story writer who often writes with
irreverent humor usually associated with Cebuano folk. His writings on sometimes demonstrate a
greater awareness to gender concerns. Some of his works include “Lili”, “Mamamasol”, and “Ang gidak-
on sa dagat”. He also wrote “One day on the road” which he wrote to spread awareness that every
action has a consequence through the life of Miguel, a tricycle driver. He also received numerous
awards and recognition for his talent.

Lesson 11
Merlinda Bobis is a contemporary Filipina-Australian writer and academic. She was born in Legazpi
and she attended Bicol University. She holds a post degrees from the University of Santo
Tomas and University of Wollongong and she is currently residing in Australia. Her works include
Banana Heart Summer, The Solemn Lantern Maker, Fish-hair Woman, Locust Girl: A lovesong,
and the Kindness of Birds. Her work entitled “An Earnest Parable” talks about the nature of the
tongue and how it is described as the “pink flesh” in the story.

Lesson 12
Rio Alma, the pen name of Filipino visual artist, novelist, poet, critic, translator, editor, teacher, and
cultural manager Virgilio Sendrin Almario, is also known as Rio Alma. He is one of the
Philippines' national artists. He previously held the position of chairman of the Komisyon sa
Wikang Filipino (KWF), a government organization tasked with standardizing and promoting the
usage of the Filipino language. Almario was also chosen to lead the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts on January 5, 2017.

Lesson 13
J. Neil Carmelo Garcia received his AB Journalism, magna cumlaude, from the University of Santo
Tomas in 1990; his MA in Comparative Literature from the University of the Philippines Diliman
in 1995; and his PhD in English Studies: Creative Writing from the University of the Philippines in
2003. Garcia is the author of numerous poetry collections and works in literary and cultural
criticism, such as Closet Quivers, Our Lady of the Carnival, The Sorrows of Water, Kaluluwa,
and other poems. He also wrote “XVIII, From Amsterdam: A Cycle”.

Lesson 14
Laurel Fantauzzo is a writer, author, essayist, and teacher. She spends a lot of time researching things
like cravings, identities, signs of true love, and the desire for a place to call home. She primarily
writes essays and factual books, although she also writes young adult fiction. Laurel Fantauzzo
was born in Southern California to an Italian-American father and a Filipina mother. Her works
include My heart underwater, The first impulse, and Under my Invisible Umbrella.

Lesson 15

Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas is a Filipina poet, essayist, and fiction writer.She was born in Dumaguete,
Philippines. She graduated from Silliman University with a PhD in English Literature as well. [3] She
married multimedia artist Lemuel Torrevillas, and the two of them had a daughter named Lauren Maria
Torrevillas Seamans. She worked for the International Writing Program and for the University of Iowa.
Her works include Mountain Sacraments, Genetic Dreams, The world comes to Iowa and The
Roadrunner.

Lesson 16

The Chinese Question: Ethnicity, Nation, and Region In and Beyond the Philippines and Necessary
Fictions: Philippine Literature and the Nation,

Caroline Sy Hau are among her works on Filipino culture and literature. Hau earned a B.A. She earned
her M.A. in English from the University of the Philippines Diliman. a PhD from Cornell University in
English language and literature. At the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University, she is
currently a professor of Southeast Asian literature.

Lesson 17