Module 6: The

National Artists of
the Philippines for
Literature
 Philippine literature is a rich group of literary works that
has developed along with country’s history. Long before
the arrival of Western influences, early Filipinos already
have stories to tell to younger generations.
 The Philippines has a rich collection of fables, legends,
and myths from different regions.
 The babaylan, the early healers, used chants to please
the supernatural beings or spirits to bestow good health
and fortune in the home and the fields.
 Philippine literature is diverse, although some of the
most famous literary works focus on the county’s
postcolonial heritage, politics, and modern traditions.
 Filipinos must recognize and give importance to the
people behind the development of Philippine literature.
Spaniards
 They introduced Christianity to
the islands and used literature
to colonize the country in 16th
century.
Francisco
Arcellana 1916-
2002
-One of the greatest Filipino poets of his generation in
Francisco Arcellana. He studied in Tondo Intermediated
School.
-He took up his writing seriously and became a staff
member of The Torres Torch.
-While still student at Florentino Torres High School, he
wrote his first story, “The Man Who Would Be Poe.”
Arcellana is considered as one of the pioneers of modern
Filipino short story in English.
-His short stories are written in lyrical prose-poetic
form.
N. V. M. Gonzalez
1915-1999
-Was born on 8 September 1915 in the beautiul province
of Romnlon.
-In 1948, N. V. M. Gonzalez received a Rockefeller
Foundation Fellowship, which allowed him to study in
Stanford University and Columbia University.
-He is a famed poet, short story writter, essayist,
proffesor, and recipient of numerous recognitions.
-Some of his famous works are the following: The Winds
of April (1941), A Season of Grace (1956), and The
Bamboo Dancers (1988).
Nick Joaquin
1917-2004
-Nick Joaquin's literary works are prolific and
unparalleled.
-Nick Joaquin's first short story dealt with the
vaudeville of Manila, “The Sorrows of Vaudeville,”
published in 1937 by the Sunday Tribune
Magazine.
-He worked as a journalist for most of his life,
pioneering literary journalis.
- He became national artist in 1976.
F. Sionil Jose
1924
- Francisco Sionil Jose is a prolific Filipino writer whose works
have been translated in more than 20 languages.
-His literary works represent the social underpinnings of class
strugggles amd colonialism in the society.
- His most famous woork is the Rosales Saga that includes The
Pretenders, Tree, My Brother, My Executioner, Mass, and Po-on.
-Jose was the founder of the Philippine chapter of the
international organization PEN.
- In 1999, he was awarded the CCP Centennial Honors
for the
Arts.
Jose Garcia Villa
1908-1997
- considered as a powerful literary influence in the country.
- his style is similar to Seurat's architectonic and measured
pointillism.
Piontillism is a painting technique in which the artist uses
small, distinct dots of pure color to create an image.
-Villa's first collection of short stories was published under the
title Footnote to Youth: Tales of the Philippines and Others in
1993.
-His poetry collection include Doveglion: Collected poems,
Poems 55, and Poems in Praise of Love: The Best Love Poems of
Jose Garcia Villa.
Edith L. Tiempo
1919-2011
-Edith L. Tiempo's literary works are often described as a
remarkable fusion of style and substance.
-She received the greatest honor as a National Artist for
Literature in 1999 and a recipient of the Carlos Palanca
Memorial Awards for the short story “The Black Monkey” in
1951.
-Together with her husband, fictionist and novelist
Edilberto K. Tiempo, she founded the Siliman University
National Writers Workshop which modeled after the lowa
Writers Workshop in the University of lowa.
Virgilio S.
Almario 1944
-Also known as Rio Alma, Virgilio S. Almario is a
Filipino poet and historian.
-He was born on 9 March 1944 in San Miguel de
Mayumo, Bulacan.
-His translation of Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo were considered by the Manila Critics
Circle as the best version.
Amado V. Hernandez
1903-1970
-This courageous Filipino writer was well-known
for his disapproval of social injustices in the
country.
-He firmly believed that writers play an
important role in society, acting “a the conscience
of society and to affirm the greatness of the human
spirit in the face of inequity and oppression.”
-He wrote his novel Mga Ibong Mandaragit while
in prison.
Carlos P. Romulo
1898-1985
-Carlos P. Romulo was an envoy, statesman,
soldier, correspondent, writer, and founder of the
Boy Scouts of the Philippines.
-He was already a reporter by the young age of
16, and became a publisher at 32.
-He was the only Asian to be awarded a Pulitzer
Prize in Journalism for a series of articles
forecasting the outbreak of World War II.
Carlos L. Quirino
1910-1999
-One of the most talented biographers of his
time.
-He was the first Filipino to be recognized as the
National Artist in HIstorical Literature in 1997.
-He wrote Man of Destiny (1935), a biography
about the second president of the Philippines,
Manuel L. Quezon.
Alejandro R. Roces
1924-2011
-Alejandro R. Roces was an exceptional writer of
comic short stories.
-One of his finest literary work is “My Brother's
Peculiar Chicken.:
- He also wrote several newspaper.columns.
-He is also a multi-awarded writer, receiving
honors and recognitions including Rizal Pro Patria
Award and the Gawas CCP para sa sining.
Lazaro Francisco
1989-1980
-Lazaro Francisco is considered to be an icon in
Tagalog writing through his nationalist and social
critisms.
-IN 1958, he founded the Kapatiran nga mga
Alagad ng Wikang Pilipino (KAWIKA).
-In 1979, the Ateneo de Manila University
awarded Francisco the Tanglaw ng Lahi Award for his
work.
Bienvenido Lumbera
1932
-Bienvenido Lumbera is an award-winning
poet, librettist, and scholar.
-His scholarly work in the field of lterary
history and critism are foundation texts in
Philippines colleges and universities.
Cirilo F. Bautista
1941
-Cirilo Bautista is a highly praised poet, fictionist, and
essayist.
-He is also a Palanca Hall of Famer, winning countless
awards and honors, including the National Book Awards,
Gawad Jose Corazon de Jesus, and Gawad CCP para sa
sining.
-In 1998, Bautista was named winner of the Philippine
Centennial Prize for Epic Poetry.
-Bautista is also an academician and a scholar, and has
taught for more than 30 years.