21st Century Literature

from the Philippines

and the World
DESCRIPTION
This course aims to engage students in appreciation and
critical study of 21st Century Literature from the
Philippines and the World encompassing their
dimensions, genres, elements, structures, contexts, and
traditions

Study and appreciation of the literature of the region

where the school is located in relation of the regions of the
country.
ACTIVITY

1. FORM YOUR GROUP.

2. SELECT YOUR LEADER.
3. AS A GROUP, DISCUSS THE ANSWERS TO THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS:
A. What is literature?
B. Give one importance of literature.
C. Differentiate fictional from non-fictional literature.
4. PRESENTOR IN EACH GROUP WILL COME IN FRONT AND
EXPLAIN THE ANSWERS TO THE THREE QUESTIONS ABOVE.
5. ANSWERS WILL BE GIVEN POINTS BASED FROM THE
SUBSTANCE.
WRITE YOUR NAME IN A ¼
SHEET OF PAPER.

PRESENTOR IN EACH GROUP,

GET READY AND COME
INFRONT
WHILE THEY ARE EXPLAINING,
KINDLY LISTEN.

THE MOST TALKATIVE/UNBEHAVE

GROUP WILL BE DUDUCTED
 Literature
 Pieces of writing that are valued as works of art, especially
novels, plays and poems – Oxford Advanced Learner’s English
Dictionary
 Body of written works on a particular subject – Merriam
Webster’s Dictionary/Thesaurus
 Any body of written works that is written and produced in any
country, language or age for a specific purpose such as
information, education or entertainment to the reader –
which can be fictional or non-fictional in nature – Dickson
Monga
Depicts the history, culture and tradition of a country. It is hard
to imagine a nation without it.
 Importance of Literature
 Improves command of the language
 Teaches about life, cultures and experiences of people in other
parts of the world
 Sort of entertainment
 Makes one a wiser and more experienced person by forcing
one to judge, sympathize with or criticize the characters read
 sharing of human experiences
 One compare his own experiences with the experiences of
other people
 Gives information which may be useful in other subjects (e.g.
Geography, Science, History, Social Studies, etc.)
---- Shimmer Chinodya, 1992:36
Kinds of Literature
Generally divided in to two:

 Fictional Literature
 Non-Fictional Literature
 Fictional Literature
Imaginary composed writing or work of art that is
meant to provide information, education and
entertainment to the reader
Based on the writer’s imagination rather than
reality
Ex: plays, poems, short stories, novels, oral
literature, and songs
 Non-Fictional Literature
Factual writing or written work that gives facts that
can be proved as it provides real places, events,
characters, times or reality rather than imaginary
things
Ex: autobiographies, newspapers, subject text
journals, magazines, subject texts books such as
Geography, History and Civic Education
Philippine Literature
during the
Pre-colonial Period
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to :

 Identify the characteristics of pre-colonial

literature of the Philippines.
 What texts are considered pre-colonial
literature?
Objective
 PRE-COLONIAL
LITERATURE

Includes all literature produced before the
Spanish colonization like chants, proverbs,
songs, and folk narratives.

These were all passed down from generation
to generation by word of mouth.

Philippine folk narratives are varied and
distinct. They depict the people’s livelihood,
customs, and traditions.
 FOLK NARRATIVES
1. Folktale – This is a characteristically
anonymous, timeless, and placeless tale
circulated orally among a people.
2. Fable – This features animal characters
or inanimate objects that behave like
people.
3. Legend – This is presented as history
but is unlikely to be true.
 FOLK NARRATIVES

4. Myth – This is told to explain a

belief, a practice, or a natural
phenomenon.
5. Epic – This narrative poem
celebrates the adventures and
achievements of a hero.
 PERFORMANCE 1.2
Choose one (1) folk narrative and present
next meeting.
1. Folktale (story of Juan Tamad) Grp 2
2. Fable (story of animals) Grp 5
3. Legend (Legend of Lakay-lakay) Grp 1
4. Myth – (Si Malakas at si Maganda) Grp 4
5. Epic (Biag ni Lam-ang) Grp 3
CRITERIA FOR JUDGING THE
PRESENTATION

Creativity - 30
Presentation/Delivery - 40
Props/Costumes – 10
Teamwork – 20
TOTAL = 100
 Folktales
 Folktales about Juan are very popular.
 Some emphasize certain virtues, and some serve as
warning about behavior.
 Also, some are for the reader’s amusement.
 Fables
The monkey is a common animal character in
Philippine fables. It is often depicted as a
cunning animal.
The Monkey and the Crocodile continuation
Trying to conceal its anxiety, it said, “I’m very glad that you
mentioned the matter. I thought myself that you might be
hungry, so I have prepared my liver and kidneys for your
dinner. Unfortunately, in our haste to depart, I left them
hanging on the macopa tree. Let us return, and I’ll get them
for you.”
Convinced that the monkey was telling the truth, the
crocodile turned around and swam back to the direction of
the macopa tree. When they got near the riverbank, the
monkey nimbly jumped up onto the land and scampered up
the tree. The crocodile came to realize what happened and
said, “I am a fool.”
 Legend
 There are different Filipino legends of the great flood.
 The story of Bukidnon, for instance, tells that a huge crab
caused the water to rise by going into the sea.
 On the other hand, the Igorot story tells that the sons of
Lumawig the Great Spirit caused the flood.
 Myth
There are Philippine versions of the creation myth.
The Igorot’s story tells that Lumawig the Great Spirit
created people.
On the other hand, the Tagalog story tells that the first
man and woman came from a bamboo.
 Epic
The Philippine epics are sung or chanted in episodes. They
feature supernatural characters and reflect the society where
they originated. Also, there are different versions of a story.
 EPIC Example:

Biag ni Lam-ang:

This Ilocano epic tells the adventures of Lam-ang,

a man with supernatural powers. He goes to war
at nine-months-old and seeks the killers of his
father. He embarks on a quest with his animal
friends and meets his future wife, Innes Kanoyan.
He is swallowed by a fish and resurrected from
death by his animal friends.
 EPIC Example:

Hinilawod:

This epic is of the Sulod, a group of people living in

the mountains of central Panay. It tells the story of three
very strong men, namely, Labaw Donggon, Humadapnon,
and Dumalapdap. They are the sons of Datu Paubari, the
ruler of Halawod, and the goddess Alunsina. The exploits
of each son concerns beautiful women that he wants to
have as a wife.
 EPIC Example:

Darangan:

This Maranao epic depicts the adventures of a brave

warrior named Bantugan. He owns a magical sword
protected by a spirit. After a battle, he rests and
accidentally falls into the water. A crocodile finds him and
brings him to the enemies. He fights, regains his strength,
and wins the war.
The precolonial literature of the philippines
includes all literature produced before the
spanish colonization. It includes chants,
proverbs, songs, spells, and different folk
narratives like folk tales, fables, legends,
myths, and epics that were all passed down
from generation to generation through the
word of mouth.

Summary
Philippine Literature
during the
Spanish Colonial
Period
At the end of this lesson, you should be
able to:
• Name some literary works published
during the Spanish colonial period, and
• Analyze some literary works.

Objectives
 Notes on the Spanish Colonial Period (1521–1898)

 Expeditions to the Philippines were sent by Spain in the

16th century. In their conquest, the Spaniards brought
Christianity with them. The clergy made a great impact on
faith, education, and government.
 Notes on the Spanish Colonial Period (1521–1898)

 Through the Manila-Acapulco trade (1565–1815), liberal

ideas entered the country. Also, the trade gave rise to a
wealthier middle class. Children in middle class families
could then be sent to Europe to get an education. Upon
their return, they brought European ideals of liberty and
freedom with them. Such ideals would then give rise to
Filipino nationalism.
 Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

 The Spanish missionaries taught the gospel

through the native language, so they hired
natives to translate Spanish religious
instructional materials. Eventually, the
natives became fluent in Spanish and
became known as ladinos.
 Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

 Fernando Bagongbanta
◦ - wrote Salamat nang walang hanga/gracias de sin
sempiternas,” which appeared in Memorial de la vida
cristiana en lengua tagala (1605), a book containing basic
Catholic doctrines.
 Gaspar Aquino de Belen.
◦ - wrote “Ang Mahal na Passion ni Jesu Christong
Panginoon natin na tola” (1704), the earliest version
of pasyon.
 Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation
Native drama called the komedya or moro-
moro was popular. It depicted the war
between Christians and Muslims, wherein
the former always wins. The poet Jose de la
Cruz (1746–1829) was a master of such art
form.
 Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

Native literature continued. Though the

Spaniards destroyed the written literature in
their effort to replace it with their own, the oral
tradition survived and flourished in areas
beyond the reach of the Spaniards.
 Authors who contributed to the nourishment of
Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

 Francisco Baltazar (1788-1862),
- the master of traditional Tagalog poetry
- became well-known for his work Florante at
Laura (1838–1861), the most famous metrical
romance of the country.
 Authors who contributed to the nourishment of
Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

 Pedro Paterno (1857–1911)
- wrote Sampaguitas y poesias varias (1880), the first
poetry collection in Spanish by a Filipino
- also wrote the novel Ninay (1885), in Spanish
which is considered to be the first Filipino novel
 Authors who contributed to the nourishment of
Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

 Jose Rizal (1861–1896)
- a prominent ilustrado and the country’s national
hero
- famous for the novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo. These novels portray the corruption
and abuse of the Spanish officials and the clergy.
Authors who contributed to the nourishment of
Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

 Andres Bonifacio (1863–1897)
- the founder of the Katipunan
- wrote the poem “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.”
This poem appeared in the Kalayaan, the official
newspaper of the Katipunan, in March 1896.
Authors who contributed to the nourishment of
Philippine Literature
during the Spanish Occupation

 Leona Florentino (1849–1884)
- known as the “Mother of Philippine Women’s
Literature,”
- was a poet in both Ilocano and Spanish.
- Twenty of her poems were preserved and
exhibited in Europe. The poems were included in the
Encyclopedia International des Oeuvres des Femme
in 1889.
Philippine literature during the Spanish
occupation was mostly influenced by
Christianity as well as the European
ideals of liberty and freedom through
trade. Filipino writers either wrote in
Spanish or in their own tongue or both.

Summary
 Literature
during the
American
and the Japanese
Periods
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• identify some Filipino writers who produced significant

works of literature during the American and Japanese
Periods (1898–1945), and
• Analyze a poem by the Filipino poet Fernando
Maramag.

Objectives
 Notes on the American Occupation
(1898–1940)

 The US established a civil government in 1901. Free

public education was introduced. Also, English was the
medium of instruction.
 In 1934, President Roosevelt signed a bill making the
Philippines a commonwealth. On May 14, 1935 Manuel
L. Quezon was elected president.
 AMERICAN PERIOD
Literary Works Produced
 The production of literary works in English is the direct result of
the American colonization of the Philippines.
 The first collection of poetry in English is Filipino Poetry (1924),
edited by Rodolfo Dato.
 AMERICAN PERIOD
Literary Works Produced
 The short story “Dead Stars” (1925) by Paz Marquez
Benitez is considered as the first Filipino modern short
story in English. 
 A Child of Sorrow (1921) by Zoilo M. Galang is the first
Filipino novel in English.
 The novel His Native Soil (1940) by Juan C. Laya won first
prize in the First Commonwealth Literary Awards in 1940.
 AMERICAN PERIOD
 Filipino writers in English during the apprenticeship
period (1900–1930) imitated American writing.
 The poet Fernando Maramag writes in the
Romantic tradition in his sonnet “Moonlight on
Manila Bay” (1912).
 Filipino fictionists copied Sherwood Anderson, William
Saroyan, and Ernest Hemingway.
Jose Garcia Villa used the Anderson pattern.
Manuel Arguilla and N. V. M. Gonzalez were
influenced by Anderson and Hemingway.
Francisco Arcellana was influenced by
Saroyan.
 Notes on the Japanese Occupation (1941–1945)
 On December 8, 1941, the Japanese attacked Manila.
 On January 2, 1942, Japanese occupied Manila. They
set up a Council of State in the country and started
propaganda to remold the Filipinos.
 In October 1943 the Japanese declared the Philippines
“independent.” On September 20, Jose P. Laurel was
elected president.
 Notes on the Japanese Occupation (1941–1945)

 McArthur and his Allied forces returned to the country

in 1944. They landed on Leyte on October 20, and the
biggest naval battle in history ensued.
 The Japanese surrendered formally on September 2,
1945.
Literary works produced during the Japanese
Occupation (1941–1945)
 During the occupation, publications were
censored by the military.
 Also, Tagalog was declared an official language
(together with Nihonggo). In effect, Philippine
literature in English came to a halt.
 Some Filipino writers then turned to writing in
Filipino.
Literary works produced during the Japanese
Occupation (1941–1945)
 The Tagalog short story reached its maturity during the
period.
 The best works were compiled by the Liwayway magazine
editors in Ang Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino
ng 1943, which came out in 1944. It is a collection of
stories that won a contest sponsored by the Japanese.
 The top four stories were
1. “Lupang Tinubuan” by Narciso G. Reyes
2. “Uhaw ang Tigang na Lupa” by Liwayway Arceo
3. “Nayon at Dagat-dagatan” by N. V. M. Gonzalez
4. “Suyuan sa Tubigan” by Macario Pineda.
The American occupation of the Philippines
spurred the writing of Filipinos in English.
On the other hand, the Japanese occupation
censored literary works yet contributed to
the maturity of the tagalog short story.

Summary
Philippine Literature in the
Postwar and Contemporary
Period
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON, YOU SHOULD
BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY POSTWAR AND
CONTEMPORARY LITERARY AUTHORS AND
THEIR WORKS AND NAME THEIR
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF
LITERATURE IN THE PHILIPPINES.

Objective
Postwar and Contemporary Literature
 Postwar and contemporary literature include all
literary works written and published in the Philippines
from 1946.
 After World War II, the Philippines had to deal with the
economy and the need for rehabilitation and
reconstruction of infrastructures.
 There was political, economic, and social confusion, as
well as great poverty, and these issues found their way
into the short stories and novels during that time.
 postwar period
 Filipino writers got their inspiration from American
teachers and were able to learn their techniques,
which also helped in mastering the English language.
 Writers wrote fiction that focused on courageous
deeds as well as the sacrifices and suffering in the lives
of Filipinos.
 postwar period
 It was also common for writers to write about the experiences
of the Filipino people under the Spanish and American rule
and the Japanese Occupation.
 Other subjects and themes include:

religious faith poverty

politics nationalism
morality superstitions
fantasy social problems
Literary works during the postwar period
 Philippine literature flourished even more during the
postwar and contemporary period.
 Writers were able to produce short stories, novels,
essays, and poems that continue to be read by
Filipinos today.
 Literary works during the postwar
period/contemporary

 May Day Eve by Nick Joaquin, 1947

 Waywaya by F. Sionil Jose, 1983
 We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers by Alejandro Roces, 1948
 The Return by Edith L. Tiempo
 History and Philippine Culture by Horacio de la Costa,
1965
 Without Seeing the Dawn by Stevan Javellana, 1947
Explanation:
Nick Joaquin, a National Artist for Literature awardee, wrote articles under
the name of Quijano de Manila. His short story "May Day Eve," published in
1947, is about love in a patriarchal society. It also made use of magic realism.
F. Sionil Jose, one of the most widely read Filipino writers in English, wrote
the short story "Waywaya," which is about pre-Hispanic society and the
people’s struggle for moral order.
Alejandro Roces, a Filipino author, essayist, and dramatist, wrote the short
story "We Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers." This story focuses on the drinking
habits and culture of Filipinos and Americans.
Edith L. Tiempo's poem "The Return" is a sentimental piece that talks about
life in old age.
Horacio de la Costa wrote the essay "History and Philippine Culture," which
emphasizes the importance of understanding and presenting a nation’s
culture.
Stevan Javellana wrote the first postwar Filipino novel in English, Without
Seeing the Dawn. This novel narrates what people experienced during World
War II under the Japanese rule in the Philippines.
 TO BE ABLE TO FULLY
APPRECIATE LITERATURE IN
THE PHILIPPINES, AS A
READER AND A CRITIC, YOU
MUST ALSO BE AWARE OF
THE COUNTRY’S HISTORY,
CULTURE, SOCIETY, AND
PSYCHE (HUMAN SPIRIT).
Tip
Life and Works of Jose
Garcia Villa
Objective

AT THE END OF THE LESSON, YOU

SHOULD BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE JOSE
GARCIA VILLA’S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE.
 Learn about it!
Jose Garcia Villa
Jose Garcia Villa was a Filipino literary critic, poet, painter, and short
story writer. He was born on August 5, 1908 in Manila.
He gained both local and international recognition for his works. He
was named as the National Artist for Literature in 1973, and he was
also a recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship.
During his college years, he wrote Man Songs, a collection of
controversial poems that was considered too bold by the University of
the Philippines and became the ground for his suspension from the
said institution.
Some of his well-known literary works are "Mir-i-nisa" (won in the
Philippines Free Press in 1929), and "Footnote to Youth" (published in
1933)
 Jose Garcia Villa as a Poet
As a poet, Jose Garcia Villa is known for introducing the
reversed consonance rhyme scheme. According to Villa, in this
method, the last sounded consonants of the last syllable, or
the last principal consonant of a word, are reversed for the
corresponding rhyme. Thus, a rhyme for light would be words
such as tile, tall, tale, etc.
He is also known for his comma poems, where he employed a
comma after every word.
He used the pseudonym Doveglion, which is derived
from dove, eagle, lion.
He died on July 7, 1997.
Analyzing a writer's works will help you understand and identify his or her
contributions to Philippine literature.
Example:
One of Jose Garcia Villa's well-known works is "Footnote to Youth."
a. Setting
The short story is set in a small town.
b. Plot
◦ Exposition
Dodong, a seventeen-year-old boy, tells his parents that he wants to marry his girlfriend
Teang. 
◦ Rising Action
Teang secretly regrets marrying Dodong at a young age. She wonders what can happen if
she has married Lucio, who is nine years older than Dodong.
◦ Climax
Dodong wonders why life does not get to fulfill all of a youth’s dreams.
 ◦ Falling Action
Blas tells Dodong about his plan to marry Tona.
◦ Conclusion
Dodong wants to keep Blas from marrying Tona, but he cannot do anything
about it. He feels sorry for Blas.
◦ c. Theme
The story focuses on the consequences of marrying at an early age and
starting a family.

Explanation:
In the story "Footnote to Youth," Dodong is the symbol for the Filipino
youth. His decision to marry his love interest, Teang, at the age of
seventeen demonstrates the passion of teenagers when it comes to
relationships.
Those of the younger generation usually strive for new pursuits to learn
things on their own, often rejecting their elders’ guidance. From the
story, it is depicted that lessons are learned through experience. Dodong,
as well as Teang, had many realizations when he became a parent.
• IN ANALYZING A LITERARY WORK, MAKE SURE
THAT YOU READ IT
THOROUGHLY AND ANALYZE IT WELL.
• STUDY THE BACKGROUND OF THE AUTHOR , AS
THIS WILL GIVE YOU INSIGHTS REGARDING THE
SETTING OF THE STORY AND THE HISTORICAL
AND/OR SOCIAL INFLUENCES OF THE TIME AND
PLACE IN WHICH THE AUTHOR LIVED.
• ANALYZE THE CONCEPTS PRESENTED IN THE
LITERARY WORK BY RELATING THEM TO
TipsTRADITIONS IN THE
PRACTICES AND
PHILIPPINES OR IN THE PLACE USED AS THE
SETTING OF THE STORY.
Life and Works of
Carlos P. Romulo
At the end of this lesson, you should be
able to identify Carlos P. Romulo's
contributions to the development of
Philippine literature.
Objective
Learn about it!
Carlos P. Romulo
Carlos P. Romulo was a Filipino diplomat, statesman,
journalist, and soldier. He was born on January 14, 1898 in
Intramuros, Manila and grew up in Camiling, Tarlac.

He was the first Filipino journalist who was awarded with

the Pulitzer Prize in Journalism. He was also the first Asian
who served as the president of the United Nations General
Assembly.
"I am a Filipino" is one of the many essays written by Carlos
P. Romulo. It was published in The Philippines Herald in
August 1941.
Learn about it!
Carlos P. Romulo
He also wrote the book entitled I Saw the Fall of the Philippines, in
which he narrated his personal experiences as an aide-de-camp to
General Douglas MacArthur in Corregidor. This book was followed
by a sequel, I See the Philippines Rise, a journalistic account of the
Philippine War in 1944.

Among his other famous literary works are Mother America: A

Living Story of Democracy, a discussion of his political ideals about
American democracy in the Philippines, and I Walked with Heroes,
his autobiography.
He was conferred as National Artist for Literature in 1982.
He died on December 15, 1985.
 Carlos P. Romulo is a profound writer
who wrote the essay I am a Filipino,
which is one of the great contributions
to Philippine literature not only because
it shows one’s love for his country and
freedom but also of being proud as a
Filipino.

Summary
-I am a Filipino is one of the valuable contributions of Carlos P. Romulo
to Philippine literature. Analyzing it would help one understand what he
thinks of the Filipino and what it means to be one.
-In the essay, the author speaks of the pride and dignity of the Filipino
race, which is something he wants the future generation to uphold and
cultivate.
-The essay also explains the Filipino identity as a product of the fusion of
Western culture (Spanish and American) and Eastern culture (Japanese
occupation and Malayan roots).
-Carlos P. Romulo stresses that the fight for freedom sprung up from
one’s pride of being a Filipino. He takes pride in the bravery and
sacrifices of the heroes who fought for freedom like Lapu-Lapu , Diego
Silang, Jose Rizal , Gregorio del Pilar, Antonio Luna, and Manuel L.
Quezon.

About the Essay I am a

-He also emphasizes the beauty of the Philippines as blessed with
bountiful natural resources and colorful history and culture.
Filipino
Life and Works of Francisco
Arcellana
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON, YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF FRANCISCO
ARCELLANA TO PHILIPPINE LITERATURE
BY ANALYZING HIS LITERARY WORKS.

Objective
Francisco Arcellana
Learn about it!
Francisco Arcellana is a Filipino teacher and a contemporary writer. He is one of the
prominent Filipino fictionists in English.

He is known for innovating and exploring new literary forms and experimenting with
different techniques in short story writing.

He was a member of the group The Veronicans, which was composed of influential
Filipino writers who aimed to use sensible literature in order to create a greater impact
on the Philippines.
He was also the first director of the University of the Philippines Creative Writing Center.
Some of his well-known literary works are the short stories "The Man Who Would Be
Poe," "Death in a Factory," "A Clown Remembers," "The Mats," and "Lina."
In 1990, he was awarded as the National Artist for Literature.
His short stories "Flowers of May," "Christmas Gift," and "The Mats," were adapted as
screenplays.
 Francisco Arcellana is a Filipino fictionist who
demonstrated his craftsmanship in writing great
literary pieces such as “The Mats," a story that
highlights Filipino family values and pictures an
interesting character coping with the death of loved
ones. In this short story, he uses writing techniques
such as emphasizing the characters’ actions and
dialogues to reveal their inner motives and emotion

Summary
Analyzing a writer's literary works will help in identifying his contributions to Philippine literature.
Example:
Below are details regarding Francisco Arcellana's "The Mats."
a. Setting
The short story is set in the afternoon until evening at the house of the Angeles family.
b. Plot

◦ Exposition
Mr. Angeles comes from a periodic inspection trip in Mariveles. During the trip, he
writes to his family and gets them excited about the exceptionally beautiful and
colorful mats he bought from an artist.
◦ Rising Action
Upon arriving, he gives the mats one by one to his children. Each mat is woven with
his child’s name and symbols. They are all happy to receive the mats.
◦ Climax
There are three mats that are to be unfolded. In a loud voice, he offers the three
mats to his dead children named Josefina, Victoria, and Concepcion.
◦ Falling Action
Nana Emilia, anguished, said he should not have bought mats for them, but Mr.
Angeles insists that they must be remembered.
◦ Conclusion
The children feel the tension and see the grief in the face of Mr. Angeles and the
sadness of Nana Emilia. The father unfolds the three mats in silence.
 ◦ c. Theme
Coping with the death of a loved one is a struggle. Commemorating his or her life
is painful, but it must be faced with courage and faith.

Explanation:
Francisco Arcellana presented the story using a distinct style. He focused on
the characters' actions and dialogues to reveal the innermost feelings and
motives of the characters, which set the dramatic tone of the short story.
Life and Works of Nestor Vicente
Madali (N.V.M.) Gonzalez
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON,
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO
ANALYZE LITERARY WORKS BY
N.V.M. GONZALEZ AND NAME
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE.
Objective
 Learn about it!
N.V.M. Gonzalez
Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzalez is an award-winning
Filipino poet, essayist, fictionist, journalist, editor, and
teacher of creative writing.
He is the first president of the Philippine Writers’
Association.
He is also honored as one of the great Filipino writers
who advanced literary traditions and culture.
He was a recipient of the following awards: The Republic
Cultural Heritage Award, the Jose Rizal Pro-Patria Award,
the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, and
the National Artist Award for Literature in 1997.
 Learn about it!
N.V.M. Gonzalez

Some of his published works are Seven Hills

Away (1947), Children of the Ash-Covered Loam and
Other Stories (1954), and The Bamboo Dancers (1949),
which appeared in Russian translation in 1965 and 1974.
Seven Hills Away is a collection of short stories that sketch
the daily lives of the Filipino kaingeros in his hometown
province, Mindoro.
The Bamboo Dancers is a diasporic novel that features the
challenges faced by Filipinos in America.
"Children of the Ash-Covered Loam"
a. Setting
The story is set in a provincial place where kaingin is a
common practice.
b. Plot

◦ Exposition
The story begins one sunny afternoon when Tarang’s father
arrives with a pig to be taken care of by Tarang, a seven-year-
old boy.

◦ Rising Action
Tia Orang, an old midwife, sees Tarang and tells him to inform
his mother of her passing by.
"Children of the Ash-Covered Loam"

◦ Climax
Tatay and Nanay, Tarang’s parents, together with their
neighbors are all set for performing religious rites
after kaingin (burning of trees). They believe that
these practices will take away all evil spirits and will
give them a bountiful harvest. Tatay lays the pullet’s
neck and lets the streaks of blood drop on the ash-
covered loam.
◦ Falling Action
After the clearing of the land, Tia Orang visits
the family and performs hilot on Nanay and tells
her that she is ready to bear a child. She also
shares stories of evil ones and spirits.
◦ Conclusion
Tarang, half-awake, hears the noise outside, gets
up, and accidentally strikes a tree stump with
his big toe. The hurt does not concern him, for
he is more interested in seeing how life emerge
from the land as the rice grains peek through
the dirt
◦ c. Theme
Death forms new life. Death and new formations of life are
recurring motifs in the story. When a living thing dies, a
new life emerges. The story paints a cycle of life and death
for the family. The kaingin practice and the killing of the
pullet as a ritual are some forms of deaths that the family
believes will bring new life like a bountiful harvest and
another child.
Explanation:
The use of words such as kaingin, hilot, Nanay, and Tatay is
part of N.V.M. Gonzalez's writing style, as even his other
works showcase terms that are unique to the setting of the
story. Analyzing a story will help readers see details such as
this that will give them ideas regarding the writer's
contributions to Philippine literature.
N.V.M. Gonzalez
N.V.M. Gonzalez is known as a local colorist
writer. Local color is a literary technique that
features the unique regional traditions of people
and emphasizes the ordinary events in their lives.
This is used by N.V.M Gonzalez to present the
sociocultural dimensions of Filipino families and
farmers in the provinces. In "Children of the Ash-
Covered Loam," words that show local color
include kaingin, hilot, Nanay, and Tatay.
SINCE THE TERMS USED BY LOCAL
COLORISTS MAY BE UNFAMILIAR TO
YOU, YOU SHOULD ANALYZE AND INFER
THEIR MEANING BY TAKING NOTE OF
CONTEXT CLUES IN THE STORY.

Tip
Life and Works of Edith L.
Tiempo
 AT THE END OF THIS LESSON,
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO
IDENTIFY EDITH L. TIEMPO'S
CONTRIBUTIONS TO PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE BY ANALYZING
HER LITERARY WORKS.

Objective
 Learn about it!
Edith L. Tiempo

Edith L. Tiempo was a Filipino writer in English. She was a poet, fiction writer, and literary
critic.
She was known for using intricate and witty representations to portray significant human
experiences.
Some of her well known poems are "The Return," a poem that describes the characteristics of
old age, "Lament for the Littlest Fellow," a poem that presents a metaphor to describe the
plight of a submissive wife under her domineering husband, and "Bonsai," a poem that gives a
look at how tangible objects could be keepers of memories and emotions.
As a fictionist, she was known for her moral profoundness. One of her remarkable short
stories, "The Black Monkey," won third prize in the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award. "The Black
Monkey," which is set during the time when guerrillas were fighting against the Japanese
during World War II, narrates the tormenting encounter of a woman with a monkey.
She also wrote the novel A Blade of Fern, which depicts the problems of Filipino miners of
Nibucal in southern Philippines.
She was awarded as the National Artist for Literature in 1999.
She founded with her husband the Silliman University National Writers Workshop, which
produced great young writers of her time.
Analyzing the literary work of a writer would help in determining what her contributions are to
literature.
Example:
Below is an excerpt of Edith L. Tiempo's poem "The Return."
The Return

If the dead years could shake their skinny legs and run
As once he had circled this house in thirty counts,
he would go thru this door among those old friends and they would not shun
Him and the tales he would tell, tales that would
bear more than the spare
Testimony of willed wit and his grey hairs.
And he would live in the whispers and locked heads.
Wheeling around and around turning back was where he started:
The turn to the pasture, a swift streak under a boy’s running;
The swing, up a few times and he had all the earth he wanted;
The tower trees, and not so tall as he had
imagined;
The rocking chair on the porch, you pushed it and it started rocking,
Rocking, and abruptly stopped. He, too, stopped in the doorway, chagrined.
He would go among them but he would not tell, he could be smart,
He, an old man cracking the bones of his embarrassment apart.
The excerpts cited in this material are copyrighted by their respective authors. Quipper ensures
that the use of these works has permission from their authors and this effort is ongoing. Should
you have concerns regarding the proper use of these works, or if you have not received
communication from us regarding this matter, please let us know immediately.
Explanation

Old age is the subject of the given poem. This poem describes the life of an old
man who loved to travel in his youth. The phrases dead years, skinny
legs, and thirty counts denote the physical weakness and isolation that the old
man feels. The old man wants to visit his friends to bond with them and share to
them his travel stories and experiences. Hopelessly, he sees only the things
associated with old age: irritability and illness, rocking chair, pasture, and the
tower tree.
The themes or messages of the poem are:
Time is irreversible, and memories can only be remembered and cherished.
Old people face physical weakness and emotional challenges such as feelings of
isolation, sadness, and frustration.
Old age is an inevitable period in human growth and development.
Author’s Style
Edith L. Tiempo used a very contemplative style in writing
the poem "The Return." The theme and the subject of the
poem are very serious. Her narrative tone and vivid visual
imagery allow readers to think deeply about old age and
evoke emotions of nostalgia and sadness from the old man’s
perspective.
Edith L. Tiempo is one of the foremost Filipino contemporary
writers in English who is known for her style and substance.
Her language is considered descriptive but without
scrupulous detailing. Her literary works are hailed for their
artistic representation of significant human experiences.
• IN ANALYZING AND
INTERPRETING A POEM, A READER
MUST NOT CONFUSE THE SUBJECT
AND THE THEME OF THE POEM. THE
SUBJECT IS WHAT THE POEM IS
ABOUT WHEREAS THE THEME IS
THE POEM'S UNDERLYING IDEA OR
MESSAGE.
Tips
• A POEM COULD HAVE TWO OR
MORE THEMES.
Life and Works of Francisco
Sionil Jose
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON,
YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO
IDENTIFY F. SIONIL JOSE’S
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE

Objective
LITERATURE.
 Learn about it!
F. Sionil Jose
Francisco Sionil Jose, widely known as F. Sionil Jose, was
born on December 3, 1924 in Rosales, Pangasinan.
His life and most of his works are influenced by Dr. Jose P.
Rizal.
He edited various literary and journalistic publications,
and he founded the Philippine PEN, an organization of
poets, playwrights, and novelists.
He opened Solidaridad Publishing House in 1965. A year
after, he founded Solidarity, a magazine that produces
content mainly focused on "current affairs, ideas, and the
arts."
 Learn about it!
F. Sionil Jose

He was a recipient of numerous awards. Some of which

are the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism,
Literature, and Creative Communications in 1980, the
Pablo Neruda Centennial Award in 2004, and the
Officer in the French Order of Arts and Letters in 2014.
He was conferred as National Artist for Literature in
2001.
 F. Sionil Jose's Literary Works

F. Sionil Jose’s are generally written in English and are

translated to more than twenty languages and
produced worldwide.
Among his most celebrated works is the Rosales Saga.
It is a series of novels that are set from the Spanish
colonial period to the proclamation of Martial Law in
the 1970s. This saga includes the following novels: Po-
on, Tree, The Pretenders, Mass, and My Brother, My
Executioner.
 F. Sionil Jose's Literary Works

He has also written several short stories, including the notable

"The God Stealer". It is a story about the friendship of Philip
Latak, an Ifugao, and Sam Christie, an American who wanted to
buy a bulol, a sculpture of an Ifugao god. The story depicts the
relationship and truths about the colonizer and the colony.
Waywaya: Eleven Filipino Short Stories is a compilation of short
stories about pre-Hispanic Philippine society.
In 2004, he published the children’s book The Molave and Other
Children’s Stories.
To identify a writer's contributions to Philippine literature, it is
important to analyze and take a close look at his literary works.
Example:
In a nutshell, F. Sionil Jose’s "The God Stealer" tells the story of Philip
Latak and Sam Christie. Philip was residing in the city for years
against his family’s wishes. Sam, his colleague, was an American who
wanted a bulol, an Ifugao God sculpture, as a souvenir before he gets
back to Boston. Philip stole his grandfather’s bulol for Sam, as he felt
indebted to repay Sam’s kindness. Then Philip’s grandfather died, and
he no longer wanted to come with Sam back in the city.
Explanation:
The story tackles one of the many effects of colonization, that is,
losing one’s identity. Philip represents the Philippines, while Sam
represents America. Philip’s way of offering the bulol to Sam out of
gratitude shows how he tried to denounce his roots by embracing a
new one, thus losing himself in the process.
F. SIONIL JOSE IS AMONG THE MOST
WIDELY READ FILIPINO WRITERS IN
ENGLISH WHOSE NOVELS AND SHORT
STORIES DEPICT A WIDE SCOPE OF
SOCIAL UNDERPINNINGS AND
STRUGGLES OF THE FILIPINO MASSES.
HE IS THE COUNTRY’S MOST
INFLUENTIAL LIVING WRITER WHO
EMPLOYS
Summary REALISM THROUGH HIS
NARRATIVE TECHNIQUES AND STYLES.
Life and Works of
Virgilio S.
Almario
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON, YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
• IDENTIFY THE VALUABLE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO
TO PHILIPPINE LITERATURE; AND
• ANALYZE ONE OF HIS POEMS.

Objectives
 Learn about it!
Virgilio S. Almario
Virgilio S. Almario, popularly known by his pen name Rio Alma, is a
Filipino artist known for his poetry and literary criticism. He was
proclaimed National Artist for Literature in 2003.
Almario, together with poets Rogelio Mangahas and Lamberto E.
Antonio, pioneered the second modernist movement in Filipino
poetry. In his own words, he defines modernist poetry as sparing,
suggestive, and restrained in emotion; its vocabulary and subject
are immersed in the now.
Among his poetry collections are: Makinasyon at Ilang Tula (1968),
his very first collection; Peregrinasyon at Iba Pang Tula (1970),
which won first prize in poetry in the Carlos Palanca Memorial
Awards; Doktrinang Anakpawis (1979); Mga Retrato at
Rekwerdo (1984); and Muli Sa Kandungan ng Lupa (1994).
Almario’s earliest works of literary criticism were published in the
Dawn, the weekly organ of the University of the East. Some of those
works were later included in Ang Makata sa Panahon ng
Makina (1982), now considered as the first book of literary criticism
in Filipino. His other critical works include Taludtod at
Talinghaga (1965), which tackles the traditional Tagalog prosody;
and Balagtasismo Versus Modernismo (1984), in which he presents
the two main directions of the Tagalog Poetry.
Almario performed significant deeds in the field of Philippine
literature. He founded the Galian sa Arte at Tula (GAT) with the other
poets Teo Antonio and Mike Bigornia in 1970; and the Linangan sa
Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), an organization of poets who write
in Filipino, in 1985. From 1986 to 1992, he served as chairman of the
Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), considered to be the
biggest umbrella organization of writers. From 1998 to 2001, he
served as executive director of the National Commission for Culture
and the Arts (NCCA). In 2013 he became the chairman of the
Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF).
Example:
High Zoociety
Ni Rio Alma
Masdan ang tagak sa likod ng kalabaw, 
Parang birheng-birheng manang
Na di-madapuan ng langaw 
Sa ibabaw ng karosa patungong simbahan;
At ang mga dekadenteng gansa sa gilid ng lawa,
Maluluma ang mga donyang nakahilata
Habang ibinibilad ang kuto at muta.
Hayun ang mga maryakaprang paawit-awit,
Parang mga binibining umiikot ang puwit,
Sa bulwagang hitik sa masalapi’t makikisig;
At ang mga burukratang unggoy
Sa tuktok ng mala-palasyong kahoy,
Pulu-pulutong kung magpulong
Kung paanong mas lalapad ang papel at tumbong.
Naghahari’t matitikas na oso’t agila,
Nagkikikil lang ng kuko’t pangil tuwing umaga
Para isakmal sa karne’t isuob na barya
Kaya tumatambok ang tiyan at bulsa.
Samantala, matatalinong kuwago’y naghihilik,
Malalaki nga ang mata’y lagi namang pikit,
Marahil, bagong paraiso ang laman ng panaginip.
Di tulad ng buwayang laging abala
Sa paghanap ng kahit butiking mabiktima,
Bundat na’y lagi pa ring nakanganga.
Pero higit na mag-ingat sa hunyango’t ahas 
Na sa damuhan ay nagkalat;
Tuwing maghuhunos ng kulay at balat,
Pakay ay kay-hirap madalumat.

(Reproduced by permission of National Artist, Virgilio S. Almario)

Explanation:
The poem "High Zoociety" is part of the collection Doktrinang
Anakpawis (1979). Published during the martial law years (1972–1981),
the poem and the rest of the collection are considered committed
poetry, that is, of social awareness and concern. The title is a play on
the term "High Society," which refers to the rich and powerful.
"High Zoociety" has eight stanzas following this pattern of number
of lines: 4-3-3-4-4-3-3-4. It uses what is called in Tagalog poetry as
"tugmang karaniwan," wherein the last word of each line has the
same sound. The second, fifth, and seventh stanzas use "tugmang
patinig," wherein the last words of the lines have the same vowel
wound. On the other hand, the rest of the stanzas use "tugmang
katinig," wherein the last words of the lines end in a consonant
preceded by the same vowel sound. However, the poem has no
regular meter.
V IR G ILI O S . A LM A R I O , O R RI O A LM A , I S A
F I L I P I N O A RT I S T K N O W N FO R H I S W O RK S O F
M O D E RN I S T P O E TRY A N D L I TE RA RY CRI T I C I S M
O N F I L I P I N O P O E TRY, W H I CH A RE VA LU A BL E
CO N T RI B U TI O N S TO PH I L I P P I N E L I TE RAT U RE .

Key Points
Life and Works of
Alejandro Roces
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON, YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY
ALEJANDRO R. ROCES’S
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT
OF PHILIPPINE LITERATURE.

Objective
 Learn about it!
Alejandro R. Roces as a Filipino Writer
Alejandro R. Roces was a Filipino literary writer. He was born on
July 13, 1924.
He was a playwright, an essayist, and a short story writer. He was
also a columnist at the Philippine Star, the Manila Times, and
the Manila Chronicle.
He attended the Ateneo de Manila University for his primary and
secondary education and the University of Arizona where he
earned his degree in fine arts. He pursued further studies at the
following institutions: Far Eastern University (master’s degree);
Ateneo de Manila University, Polytechnic University of the
Philippines, St. Louis University, and Tokyo University in Japan
(doctorate).
 Learn about it!
Alejandro R. Roces as a Filipino Writer
Alejandro R. Roces was known for his short story "We
Filipinos Are Mild Drinkers," a story about an American
soldier in the Philippines who brags about his drinking
habits, but becomes overly drunk after
drinking lambanog offered by a Filipino farmer.
From 1961 to 1965, he served as the Secretary of
Education under the regime of former president Diosdado
Macapagal.
From 1961 to 1965, he served as the Secretary of Education
under the regime of former president Diosdado Macapagal. He
has also served as chairman of the Movie and Television Review
and Classification Board (MTRCB) in 2001.
His other literary works are "My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken," a
story which talks about two brothers who were arguing whether
the chicken they caught was a hen or a rooster; Something to
Crow About, the first Filipino zarzuela in English about a man
named Kiko who earns a living by means of cockfighting;
and Fiesta, a collection of essays about various Philippine
festivals.
Alejandro R. Roces was conferred as National Artist for Literature
in 2003.
He died on May 23, 2011.
Read the synopsis of “My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken” below, one of
Alejandro R. Roces’ notable works.

Synopsis:

Kiko and his brother found a peculiar chicken. They argued whether it was a hen or
a rooster. Kiko believed that it was a rooster, while his brother thought otherwise.
Kiko’s brother emphasized that it could not be a rooster as the chicken has neither
wattles nor comb. Their parents took turns in looking at the chicken and had
different thoughts about it; thus, they ended up arguing like their children. Kiko
and his brother asked the chieftain about it, and he thought that it was a bird of a
different kind. They also asked Mr. Eduardo Cruz, someone who studied poultry
raising, and he suggested examining the insides of the chicken, to which Kiko
refused. They both agreed to bring the chicken to a cockpit and have it fight with a
rooster from Texas. However, the rooster performed a love dance around the
peculiar chicken. It turned out that the peculiar chicken was waiting for a chance
to attack. It stubbed its spur into the rooster, and won. Kiko’s brother was
convinced that the chicken was a rooster. However, when he was holding the
chicken, it suddenly quivered and laid an egg.
Humor is a literary device which aims to make the audience or
readers laugh or be amused. Alejandro R. Roces employed humor in
most of his works. There are various types of humor. Some of which
are exaggeration/hyperbole, surprise, and sarcasm.
Sarcasm – is a literary device used to mock. In the story, the chicken
crowed and Kiko triumphantly asked his brother if he heard it. Kiko
then mocked his brother by saying “I suppose you are going to tell
me now that hens crow and that carabaos fly.”
Exaggeration/Hyperbole – is a literary device used to make an event
appear better or worse than what it really is. In the story, Kiko’s
brother shared how they were almost whipped for arguing too
much.
Surprise – is a literary device commonly found in unlikely situation
or an unexpected turn of events. As the brothers ran from the mob,
Kiko’s brother was convinced that the chicken was a rooster based
on how it defeated its opponent, until it laid an egg.
ALEJANDRO R. ROCES WAS BEST
KNOWN FOR HIS SHORT STORIES,
"MY BROTHER’S PECULIAR
CHICKEN" AND "WE FILIPINOS ARE
MILD DRINKERS." HE EMPLOYED
HUMOR IN MOST OF HIS WORKS,
USUALLY TACKLING THE FILIPINOS’
Summary
FASCINATION OF COCKFIGHTING.
Life and Works of
Bienvenido S.
Lumbera
AT THE END OF THIS LESSON, YOU
SHOULD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF
BIENVENIDO S. LUMBERA IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF PHILIPPINE
LITERATURE, AND ANALYZE TWO
OF HIS POEMS.

Objectives
 Learn about it!
Personal Life :
Lumbera, who was called Beny when he was a young boy,
was born in Lipa, Batangas on April 11, 1932. His parents
had passed away before he turned five.
Beny and his older sister were raised by Eusebia Teru, their
paternal grandmother.
When Eusebia died, Beny came to live with his godparents,
Enrique and Amanda Lumbera.
Beny showed natural aptitude for English. In sixth grade,
his writing impressed his teacher so much that she once
asked him, in an accusatory tone, if he did write his
composition himself. In his third year in high school, his
teacher gave him difficult works of literature to read.
 Learn about it!
Personal Life :

Lumbera took a degree in journalism at the University of

Santo Tomas in 1950 and graduated cum laude in 1954. A
year before his graduation, his first published work, the
poem “Frigid Moon,” appeared in the Sunday magazine of
the Manila Chronicle.
On a full scholarship granted by the Fulbright Committee,
Lumbera obtained his masters and doctorate degrees at
Indiana University.
Literary Background
Lumbera writes in English and Filipino. Below are some of his works.
Poetry Collections
Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (1993)
Balaybay: Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang (2002)
Critical Works
Abot Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa Nagbabagong Kultura at
Lipunan (1987)
Writing the Nation/Pag-Akda ng Bansa (2000)
Tagalog Poetry, 1570–1898: Tradition and Influences in Its
Development (2001)
Literary Background
Librettos
Tales of the Manuvu (1977)
Rama Hari (1980)
Sa Sariling Bayan: Apat na Dulang May Musika (2003)
Lumbera is a strong advocate of the Filipino language. According to
him, the gap between the well-educated Filipinos and the majority
cannot be bridged until Filipino becomes their true lingua franca.
Lumbera has received numerous awards for his work. The most
notable ones were the Special Prize from the Palanca Awards for his
poetry collection Sunog sa Lipa at Iba Pang Tula in 1975, the Ramon
Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative
Communication Arts in 1993, and the Philippine Centennial Literary
Prize for Drama in 1998.
Lumbera received the title of National Artist for Literature in 2006.
Blessed are the They settle where they wish
A Eulogy of Roaches
and have no rent to pay.
cockroaches. by Bienvenido Lumbera
Eviction is a word
quite meaningless to them
who do not have to own
their dingy crack of wall.
In this country they are
the citizens who last.
They need no police
to promulgate their
peace
because they tolerate
each other’s smell or
greed.

Friends to dark and filth,

they do not choose their
Not knowing dearth or the strong, the wise, the
taxes, dead.
they increase and multiply.
Survival is assured
even the jobless roach; (Reproduced by permission
his opportunities of National Artist, Dr.
pile up where garbage Bienvenido S. Lumbera.)
grows.

Dying is brief and cheap

and thus cannot affright.
A whiff of toxic mist,
an agile heel, a stick
—the swift descent of pain
is also final death.
 Analysis of the Poem
Published in 1965, “A Eulogy of Roaches” is a piece of Bagay poetry. Its
subject, the roaches, represents a deeper meaning. However, the poet merely
focuses on giving precise visual images of the subject and not on explicitly
stating its representations.
The poet uses imagery, a literary technique in which figurative language is
used to appeal to the reader’s physical senses. An example is the poet’s
description of roaches as “friends to dark and filth.”
Also, the poet uses juxtaposition, a literary technique in which two (or more)
ideas are placed side by side for comparison and contrast. In the last two
stanzas, the poet draws both a comparison and a distinction between the
roaches’ life and the life of the poor: that the poor die simply of starvation,
but the roaches still go on living their short lives in the “cupboards of the rich,
the strong, the wise, the dead.”
BIENVENIDO S. LUMBERA  IS A POET, CRITIC,
AND LIBRETTIST. HE HAS MADE VALUABLE
CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE ESPECIALLY IN THE
VERNACULAR LANGUAGE. HE HAS
PUBLISHED WORKS IN ENGLISH AND
FILIPINO AND RECEIVED NUMEROUS
AWARDS INCLUDING THE NATIONAL ARTIST
FOR LITERATURE TITLE IN 2006.

Summary