CANON

- in literature, this is the collection of works considered representative of a certain genre and period.

CANONICAL AUTHORS
- writers whose works have been well appreciated and considered representatives of certain genres of literature. Take
note: When we study canonical authors and their works, we can glean new appreciation for them in modern
perspective.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE

- is the highest national recognition given to Filipino writers who made significant contributions to the development
of Philippine Literature. What else should you?

AMADO V. HERNANDEZ Hagonoy, Bulacan (1903-1970)

• Poet, playwright, novelist.
• He practiced "committed art" and he was known as the "Manunulat ng Manggagawa."
• In his view, the function of a writer is to act as the conscience of the human spirit in the face of inequity and
oppression.
• His works talked about the struggles of Filipino laborers Works: Isang Dipang Langit, Luhang Buwaya, Mga
bong Mandaragit (first Filipino Socio-Political Novel that exposed the ills of the society.)
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1973

JOSE GARCIA - VILLA Singalong, Manila (1908-1997)

• Known as DOVEGLION
• Known as the COMMA Poet
• He was the finest contemporary poet regardless of race and language. He introduced the reversal consonance
and comma poems "First, a poem must be magical, then musical as a sea gull, and it must hold as fire as
well."
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1973
• Works: Footnote to Youth, Many Voices, Have come, Am Here, The Anchored Angel

NICK JOAQUIN Paco, Manila (1917-2004)

• The most distinguished Filipino writer in English Writing; known as Quijano de Manila
• His contribution: exploration of the Philippine colonial past under Spain and his probing into the psychology
of social danger as seen by the young.
• He has written, plays, novels, poems, short stories, essays, reportage and journalism
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1976
• Works: The Woman Who Had Two Navels, Ballad of the Five Battles, Rizal in Saga, Almanac for Manilenos,
Cave and Shadows (about Martial Law time) Summer Solstice

CARLOS P. ROMULO Intramuros, Manila (1899-1985)

• His career spanned 50 years of public service as educator, soldier, university president, journalist and
diplomat.
• He was the 1st Asian President of UN General Assembly and the Philippine Ambassador to US. He was a
reporter at 16, newspaper editor at 20, publisher at 32. His broadcasts during the Japanese colonization was
known as the VOICE OF FREEDOM 4
• The only Asian to win Pulitzer Prize for Journalism for a series of articles predicting the outbreak of WWII.
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1982

FRANCISCO ARCELLANA Sta. Cruz, Manila (1916-2002)

• Writer, poet, essayist, critic, journalist, teacher.
• One of the most important progenitors of the modern Filipino short story in English.
• He pioneered the development of short story as a lyrical prose-poetic form
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1990
 • Works: Poetry and Politics, The State of Original Writing in English and Philippines Today, The Other
Woman, To Touch You and I touched Her, Frankie, The Man Who Would be Poem, Death in a Factory. A
down Remembers

N.V.M. GONZALES Romblon, Romblon (1915-1999)

• Filipino novelist, short story writer, essayist and poet.
• Distinctively wrote of the Filipino life and of the Filipino in the world.
• He said: "There is no such thing as children's literature."
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1997

LEVI CELERIO Tondo, Manila (1910-2002)

• A prolific lyricist and composer for decades. He effortlessly translated/rewrote anew the lyrics to traditional
melodies: O Maliwanag a Buwan (Iloko)
• Ako ay may Singsing (Pampango) Alibangbang (Visaya)
• He made it to Guinness Book of World Records as the only person to make music using leaf. He wrote 4000
songs and he contributed in enriching Philippine music.
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1997

EDITH L. TIEMPO Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (1919-2011)

• Widely acknowledged as the Mother of Philippine Literature. Poet, fictionist, teacher and literary critic.
• Her works are characterized by remarkable fusion of style and substance, of craftsmanship and insight.
• Her poems The Little Marmoset and Bonsai are intricate verbal transfigurations of significant experiences.
Founded and directed Siliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City which produced some of the
country's best writers.
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1999

F. SIONIL JOSE Rosales, Pangasinan (1924-present)

• His writings since the late 60s when taken collectively can be described as epic. His works reflect the
consistent espousal of the aspirations of Filipinos: NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY and SOCIAL JUSTICE
• His works were translated intro various languages NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2001
• Works: Rosales Saga (The Pretenders, Tree: My Brother, My Executioner, Mass, Poon) captures Philippine
History while simultaneously narrating the lives of generations of Samsons whose personal lives intertwine
with the social struggles of the nation.
• He is the founder of the Philippine Chapter of the International Organization PEN. (Poets, Playwrights,
Essayists, Novelists) NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 2001 Photos grabbed from Santiago
Villafania

VIRGILIO ALMARIO San Miguel, Bulacan (1944-present)

• Also known as Rio Alma.
• A poet, literary historian, critic who has revived and reinvented traditional poetic forms.
• In 34 years, he published 12 books of poetry. His works reflected his often-severe examination of the self and
the society.
• He founded LIRA (Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo) and GAT (Galian sa Arte at Tula).
• He put a face to the Filipino writer in the country, one strong face determinedly wielding a pen into untruths,
hypocrisy, injustice
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2003

ALEJANDRO R. ROCES Manila (1924-2011)

• Short story writer and essayist.
• The country's Best Writer of Comic Short Stories.
• He wrote innumerable newspaper columns that focused on the neglected aspects of the Filipino cultural
heritage.
• His works were published in international magazines. He brought to attention the aesthetics of the country's
fiestas. He was instrumental in popularizing several local fiestas like Moriones and Ati- Atihan.
 • He changed the Independence Day from July 4 to June 12
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2003
• "You cannot be a great writer, first you have to be a great person."

DR. BIENVENIDO LUMBERA Lipa, Batangas (1932)

• Poet, librettist and scholar. He introduced to Tagalog literature what is known as Bagay Poetry, a landmark
aesthetic tendency that has helped to change the vernacular poetic tradition
• NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 2006
• His works: Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa; Balaybay, Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang, Sa Sariling Bayan,
Apat na Dulang May Musika, Agunyas sa Hacienda Luísita, Tales of the Manuvu and Rama Hari