BIOGRAPHY OF VIRGILIO S.

ALMARIOp
Virgilio Senadren Almario
BORN ON MARCH 9, 1944 IN San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines.
Almario completed his Bachelor of Arts in Filipino in 1963 at the University of the
Philippines (UP) and later obtained his Master of Arts in Filipino from the same
university.
better known by his pen name Rio Alma, is a Filipino author, poet, critic, translator,
editor, teacher, and cultural manager.
He is a National Artist of the Philippines.
On January 5, 2017, Almario was also elected as the chairman of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Growing up in Bulacan, Almario sought his education at the City of Manila and
completed his degree in A.B. Political Science at the University of the Philippines
Diliman.
His life as a poet started when he took master's units in education at the University of
the East where he became associated with Rogelio G. Mangahas and Lamberto E.
Antonio. He did not finish the program.[3]
He only took his M.A. in Filipino in 1974 at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Almario has written numerous literary works, including poetry, essays, and children's
stories. His poetry often reflects the richness of the Filipino language and culture,
addressing themes such as identity, history, and social issues.
He is known for his advocacy of the Filipino language, emphasizing its importance in
preserving the cultural identity of the Filipino people.

CONTRIBUTION
> > His earliest pieces of literary criticism were collected in Ang Makata sa Panahon ng
Makina (1972), now considered the first book of literary criticism in Filipino.
> He also advocated the use of Filipinas as the Philippines official name in both Filipino
and English languages
> Aside from being a critic, Almario engaged in translating and editing. He has
translated the best contemporary poets of the world. He has also translated for theater
production the plays of Nick Joaquin, Bertolt Brecht, Euripides and Maxim Gorki. Other
important translations include the famous works of the Philippines' national hero, José
Rizal, namely Noli Me Tangere and El filibusterismo. For these two, he was awarded
the 1999 award for translation by the Manila Critics Circle.
> Almario has been a recipient of numerous awards such as several Palanca Awards,
two grand prizes from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Makata ng Taon of the
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, the TOYM for literature, and the Southeast Asia Write
Award of Bangkok.
> He was an instructor at the Lagao Central Elementary School from 1969 to 1972. In
2003, he was appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Letters at the University of the
Philippines Diliman. On June 25 of the same year, he was proclaimed National Artist for
Literature
 Mga Retrato at Rekwerdo (1984)
 Palipad-Hangin. (1985)
 Katon Para sa Limang Pandama. (1987)
 Sentimental. (2004)
 Estremelenggoles. (2004)
 Memo Mulang Gimokudan. (2005)
 Dust Devils. (2005)
 Sonetos Postumos, book of poems with translation by Marne Kilates and
paintings by National Artist Ang Kiukok. (2006)
 Tatlong Pasyon sa Ating Panahon, poems for children with illustrations by Mark
Justiniani, Neil Doloricon, Ferdinand Doctolero. (2006)
 Buwan, Buwang, Bulawan. (2009)
 UP Diksyunaryong Filipino
 Kulo at Kolorum
 Baklang Kolorum