CANONICAL AUTHORS

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.

NATIONAL ARTISTS FOR LITERATURE

– is the highest national recognition given to Filipino writers who made significant contributions to the
development of Philippine Literature.

AMADO V. HERNANDEZ
Hagonoy, Bulacan (1903-1970)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1973
 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, Luha ng Buwaya, Mga Ibong Mandaragit (first Filipino Socio-Political Novel
that exposed the ills of the society.)
“At ito ang tanging daigdig ko ngayon – Bilangguang mandi’y libingan ng buhay;
Sampu, dalawampu, at lahat ng taon, Ng buong buhay ko’y dito mapipigtal.
Ngunit yaring diwa’y walang takot-hirap At batis pa rin itong puso
Piita’y bahagi ng pakikilamas, mapiit ay tanda ng di pagsuko.
(Excerpt from Isang Dipang Langit, 1952)
Singalong, Manila (1908-1997)

JOSE GARCIA VILLA

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1973
 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.”
Works: Footnote to Youth, Many Voices, Have Come, Am Here, The Anchored Angel

NICK JOAQUIN
Paco, Manila (1917-2004)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1976
 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
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)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1982
 His career spanned 50 years of public service as educator, soldier, university president,
journalist and diplomat. He was the 1 st 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
  The only Asian to win Pulitzer Prize for Journalism for a series of articles predicting the
outbreak of WWII.

FRANCISCO ARCELLANA
Sta. Cruz, Manila (1916-2002)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1990
 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
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,
Lina, A Clown Remembers

NVM GONZALES
Romblon, Romblon (1915-1999)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1997
 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.”

LEVI CELERIO
Tondo, Manila (1910-2002)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1997
 A prolific lyricist and composer for
decades
 He effortlessly translated/rewrote anew the lyrics to traditional melodies: O Maliwanag na
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.

EDITH L. TIEMPO
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (1919-2011)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE - 1999
 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.

F. SIONIL JOSE
Rosales, Pangasinan (1924-present)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2001
 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
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.

VIRGILIO ALMARIO
San Miguel, Bulacan (1944-present)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2003
 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

DR. BIENVENIDO LUMBERA

Lipa, Batangas (1932-present)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2006
 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
His works: Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa; Balaybay, Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang, Sa Sariling Bayan,
Apat na
Dulang May Musika, Agunyas sa Hacienda Luisita, Tales of the Manuvu and Rama Hari

LAZARO FRANCISCO
Orani, Bataan(1898-1980)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2009
 Developed a social realist tradition in Philippine Fiction
 His novels embodied the author’s commitment to nationalism
 His novels exposed the evils of the tenancy system, exploitation of farmers by unscrupulous
landlords and foreign domination
 His pen dignifies the Filipino and accents all the positives about the Filipino way of life.
 He’s known as the MASTER OF TAGALOG NOVEL

CIRILO F. BAUTISTA
Sampaloc, Manila (1941-2018)
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE -2014
 Poet, fictionist and essayist with exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the
development of the country’s literary arts
 He held regular funded and unfunded workshops throughout the country to bring poetry and
fiction closer to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to develop their
creative talent
 He’s a teacher of literature and realized that classroom is an important training ground for
Filipino writers