TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL and/or BESTSELLING FILIPINO 

WRITERS
https://pinoypanitikan.wordpress.com/2010/07/15/top-10-most-influential-andor-bestselling-filipino-
writers/

This list was based on the popularity and number of bestselling works and whose works became
influential to the lives of the Filipinos.

10. CARLO J. CAPARAS

Carlo J. Caparas is a comic strip creator, writer, director and producer who became sensational known
for his created local superheroes and comic book characters that are still popular to Filipinos until now.
Some of his creations turned Filipino icons such as “Panday” (a Blacksmith hero) and many others. As
a producer and director, Carlo J. Caparas produced box-office movies based on comics and true-to-life
stories and crimes. In 2009 he received National Artist Award granted by the President of the
Philippines.

9. MARS RAVELO
Mars Ravelo is also a comic strip creator and writer who became phenomenal in the Philippines for his
created superheroes such as “Darna” (a Filipino version of Wonder Woman), Dyesabel (name of the
Filipino mermaid/heroine), and many others. During his time, the “Golden Age of Comics” flourished.
Like Carlo J. Caparas, Mars Ravelo’s creations and writings were turned into films and became box-
office hit during 1960’s to 1980’s. Ravelo was also the highest paid comic writer during his time. Until
now, his creations is still influential to Philippine contemporary literature.

8. LOUIE MAR GANGCUANCO

The youngest among the list, Louie Mar Gangcuanco published his debut novel entitled “Orosa-Nakpil,
Malate” at the age of 18. The novel illustrates the pink culture in the streets of Orosa and Nakpil,
which is known as the haven of gay Filipino culture. The novel became an instant hit, becoming a
bestseller months after it was released. His work was featured in the top-rating TV show, Sharon, in
June of the same year. In August 2006, Louie Mar was awarded the Y Idol Award (Youth Idol Award)
by Studio 23’s Y Speak. Later that month, the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino conferred a Sertipiko ng
Pagpapahalaga for Orosa-Nakpil, Malate. His phenomenal novel is endorsed by prominent people and
institutions including the multi-awarded director, Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan
(former DOH secretary) and Dr. Raul Destura of the National Institutes of Health Philippines.
After one year of circulation, Orosa-Nakpil, Malate made it to the Best Sellers List released by National
Book Store in April 2007. With him in the list are authors Mitch Albom of One More Day, James
Patterson and Maxine Paetro of The Fifth Horseman, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez of Memories of My
Melancholy Whores. The book landed on the Top 8 spot, overtaking international authors Steve Berry
and Kiran Desai.

7. GILDA OLVIDADO
Gilda Olvidado is a popular Filipino novelist and writer, known for her extraordinary love stories. She
became famous during the 1970’s with her remarkable novels “Sinasamba Kita (I Worship You)”,
“Babangon ako’t Dudurugin Kita (Sweet Revenge)”. She also wrote screenplays that later turned into
blockbuster such as “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (Where is Love Hiding?)” who made her rise into
popularity after the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences recognized it as the best story.
Today, Gilda Olvidado’s fans are still counting, waiting the release for her next novel.

6. NICK JOAQUIN
Nick Joaquín was born in Paco, Manila, one of the ten children of Leocadio, a colonel under General
Emilio Aguinaldo in the 1896 Revolution, and Salome Marquez, a teacher of English and Spanish.
Being read poems and stories by his mother, Joaquin taught himself by reading widely at the National
Library of the Philippines and the library of his father, who by that time was a successful lawyer after
the revolution. This developed further his interest in writing.
At age 17, Joaquín was first published in the literary section of the Pre-World War II Tribune under
writer and editor Serafín Lanot. Before publishing in the Tribune, Joaquin worked as a proofreader of
the paper.
After winning a Dominican Order-sponsored nationwide essay competition for La Naval de Manila, the
University of Santo Tomas awarded Joaquín an honorary Associate in Arts (A.A.) and a scholarship to
St. Albert’s Convent, the Dominican monastery in Hong Kong. Upon his return to the Philippines, he
joined the Philippines Free Press, starting as a proofreader. Soon, he was noticed for his poems,
stories and plays, as well as his journalism under the pen name Quijano de Manila. His journalism was
markedly both intellectual and provocative, an unknown genre in the Philippines at that time, raising
the level of reportage in the country.
Joaquín deeply admired José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Joaquín paid tribute to Rizal by
way of books such as The Storyteller’s New Medium – Rizal in Saga, The Complete Poems and Plays of
Jose Rizal, and A Question of Heroes: Essays in Criticism on Ten Key Figures of Philippine History. He
also translated the hero’s valedictory poem, in the original Spanish “Mi Ultimo Adios,” as “Land That I
Love, Farewell!”
Joaquín served as a member of Motion Pictures under President Diosdado Macapagal and President
Ferdinand E. Marcos. Joaquin’s first move as National Artist was to secure the release of imprisoned
writer José F. Lacaba. Later, at a ceremony on Mount Makiling attended by First Lady Imelda Marcos,
Joaquín delivered an invocation to Mariang Makiling, the mountain’s mythical maiden. Joaquín touched
on the importance of freedom and the artist. As a result, for the remainder of the Marcos regime,
Joaquín no longer received invitations to address important cultural events.
5. LUALHATI BAUTISTA
Lualhati Bautista  is one of the foremost Filipino  female novelists  in the history of contemporary
Philippine Literature. Her novels include, “Dekada ’70 (Decade ’70)”, “Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa?
(Child, Child… How were you made?”, and “‘GAPÔ (short name for Olongapo, Philippines)”.
In addition to being a novelist, Lualhati Bautista is also a movie and television screenwriter and a
short story writer. Her first screenplay was Sakada (Seasonal Sugarcane Workers), a story written in
1975 that exposed the plight of Filipino peasants. Bautista has received recognition from the
Philippines’ Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa in
1987. Her award-winning screenplays include Bulaklak sa City Jail (A Flower in City Jail) (1984), Kung
Mahawi Man ang Ulap (If The Clouds are Parted) (1984), Sex Object  (1985). For screenplay writing,
she has received recognition from the Metro Manila Film Festival (best story-best screenplay), Film
Academy Awards (best story-best screenplay), Star Awards (best screenplay), FAMAS (finalist for best
screenplay), and URIAN awards. Two of her short stories have also won the Carlos Palanca Memorial
Awards for Literature, Tatlong Kuwento ng Buhay ni Julian Candelabra (Three Stories in the Life of
Julian Candelabra), first prize, 1982; and Buwan, Buwan, Hulugan mo Ako ng Sundang (Moon, Moon,
Drop Me a Sword), third prize, 1983. Bautista also authored the television dramas Daga sa Timba ng
Tubig (The Mouse in the Bucket of Water) (1975) and Isang Kabanata sa Libro ng Buhay ni Leilani
Cruzaldo (A Chapter in the Book of Life of Leilani Cruzaldo) (1987). The latter won best drama story
for television from the Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Bautista was honored by the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings on March 10, 2004 during the 8th
Annual Lecture on Vernacular Literature by Women. In 2005, the Feminist Centennial Film Festival
presented her with a recognition award for her outstanding achievement in screenplay writing. In
2006, she was recipient of the Diwata Award for best writer by the 16th International Women’s Film
Festival of the UP Film Center.
She is also the only Filipino included in a book on foremost International Women Writers published in

Japan, 1991.
4. F. SIONIL JOSE
F. Sionil Jose is one of the most widely-read Filipino  writers in the English language. His novels and
short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism  in Filipino society.
José’s works – written in English – have been translated  into 22 languages, including Korean,
Indonesian, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Dutch.
Jose Rizal’s life and writings profoundly influenced José’s work. The five volume Rosales Saga, in
particular, employs and interrogates themes and characters from Rizal’s work.
Throughout his career, Sionil José’s writings espouse social justice and change to better the lives of
average Filipino families. He is one of the most critically acclaimed Filipino authors internationally,
although much underrated in his own country because of his authentic Filipino English and his anti-
elite views.
In 1980, Sionil Jose received Ramon Magsaysay Award (Asia’s Nobel Prize) for Literature.

3. FRANCISCO BALAGTAS
Francisco Baltazar, known much more widely through his nom-de-plume Francisco Balagtas, was a
prominent Filipino poet, and is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for
his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work.
Balagtas learned to write poetry from José de la Cruz (Huseng Sisiw), one of the most famous poets of
Tondo. It was de la Cruz himself who personally challenged Balagtas to improve his writing. (source:
Talambuhay ng mga Bayani, for Grade 5 textbook)
In 1835, Balagtas moved to Pandacan, where he met María Asunción Rivera, who would effectively
serve as the muse for his future works. She is referenced in Florante at Laura as ‘Celia’ and ‘MAR’.
Balagtas’ affections for Celia were challenged by the influential Mariano Capule. Capule won the battle
for Celia when he used his wealth to get Balagtas imprisoned under the accusation that he ordered a
servant girl’s head be shaved. It was here that he wrote Florante at Laura—In fact, the events of this
poem were meant to parallel his own situation.
He wrote his poems in Tagalog, during an age when Filipino writing was predominantly written in
Spanish.
Balagtas published Florante at Laura upon his release in 1838. He moved to Balanga, Bataan in 1840
where he served as the assistant to the Justice of peace and later, in 1856, as the Major Lieutenant.
He was also appointed as the translator of the court.
Balagtas is so greatly revered in the Philippines that the term for Filipino debate in extemporaneous
verse is named for him: balagtasan.

2. BOB ONG
Bob Ong, is the pseudonym of an anonymous Filipino contemporary author known for using
conversational Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of life as a Filipino.
A Filipino Literary critic once commented:
” Filipinos really patronize Bob Ong’s works because, while most of his books may have an element of
comedy in them, this is presented in a manner that replicates Filipino culture and traditions. This is
likely the reason why his first book – and those that followed it, can be considered true Pinoy classics.”
The six books he has published thus far have surpassed a quarter of a million copies. His words of
wisdom were applied by some of the Filipinos to their daily lives.
1. JOSE RIZAL
For obvious reasons, he is the most influential and the most bestselling author/writer until now.
Jose Rizal was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist whose most famous works
were his two novels, “Noli me Tangere (Touch Me Not)” and El filibusterismo “The Filibuster”).  These
are social commentaries on the Philippines  that formed the nucleus of literature that inspired dissent
among peaceful reformists and spurred the militancy of armed revolutionaries against the Spanish
colonial authorities.
His books are still cracking the bestselling list.

Filipino Writers
This list was based on the popularity and number of bestselling works and whose works became influential to
the lives of the Filipinos.
this greatest Filipino writers blog was made by jecmendiola and onesounddrum.

10. CARLO J. CAPARAS

Carlo J. Caparas is a comic strip creator, writer, director and producer who became sensational known for his
created local superheroes and comic book characters that are still popular to Filipinos until now. Some of his
creations turned Filipino icons such as “Panday” (a Blacksmith hero) and many others. As a producer and
director, Carlo J. Caparas produced box-office movies based on comics and true-to-life stories and crimes. In
2009 he received National Artist Award granted by the President of the Philippines.

9. MARS RAVELO
Mars Ravelo is also a comic strip creator and writer who became phenomenal in the Philippines for his created
superheroes such as “Darna” (a Filipino version of Wonder Woman), Dyesabel (name of the Filipino
mermaid/heroine), and many others. During his time, the “Golden Age of Comics” flourished. Like Carlo J.
Caparas, Mars Ravelo’s creations and writings were turned into films and became box-office hit during 1960′s
to 1980′s. Ravelo was also the highest paid comic writer during his time. Until now, his creations is still
influential to Philippine contemporary literature.

8. LOUIE MAR GANGCUANCO

The youngest among the list, Louie Mar Gangcuanco published his debut novel entitled “Orosa-Nakpil, Malate”
at the age of 18. The novel illustrates the pink culture in the streets of Orosa and Nakpil, which is known as the
haven of gay Filipino culture. The novel became an instant hit, becoming a bestseller months after it was
released. His work was featured in the top-rating TV show, Sharon, in June of the same year. In August 2006,
Louie Mar was awarded the Y Idol Award (Youth Idol Award) by Studio 23’s Y Speak. Later that month, the
Sentro ng Wikang Filipino conferred a Sertipiko ng Pagpapahalaga for Orosa-Nakpil, Malate. His phenomenal
novel is endorsed by prominent people and institutions including the multi-awarded director, Jose Javier “Joey”
Reyes, Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan (former DOH secretary) and Dr. Raul Destura of the National Institutes of Health
Philippines.
After one year of circulation, Orosa-Nakpil, Malate made it to the Best Sellers List released by National Book
Store in April 2007. With him in the list are authors Mitch Albom of One More Day, James Patterson and
Maxine Paetro of The Fifth Horseman, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez of Memories of My Melancholy Whores.
The book landed on the Top 8 spot, overtaking international authors Steve Berry and Kiran Desai.

7. GILDA OLVIDADO
Gilda Olvidado is a popular Filipino novelist and writer, known for her extraordinary love stories. She became
famous during the 1970′s with her remarkable novels “Sinasamba Kita (I Worship You)”, “Babangon ako’t
Dudurugin Kita (Sweet Revenge)”. She also wrote screenplays that later turned into blockbuster such as “Saan
Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (Where is Love Hiding?)” who made her rise into popularity after the Filipino Academy
of Movie Arts and Sciences recognized it as the best story. Today, Gilda Olvidado’s fans are still counting,
waiting the release for her next novel.

6. NICK JOAQUIN
Nick Joaquín was born in Paco, Manila, one of the ten children of Leocadio, a colonel under General Emilio
Aguinaldo in the 1896 Revolution, and Salome Marquez, a teacher of English and Spanish. Being read poems
and stories by his mother, Joaquin taught himself by reading widely at the National Library of the Philippines
and the library of his father, who by that time was a successful lawyer after the revolution. This developed
further his interest in writing.
At age 17, Joaquín was first published in the literary section of the Pre-World War II Tribune under writer and
editor Serafín Lanot. Before publishing in the Tribune, Joaquin worked as a proofreader of the paper.
After winning a Dominican Order-sponsored nationwide essay competition for La Naval de Manila, the
University of Santo Tomas awarded Joaquín an honorary Associate in Arts (A.A.) and a scholarship to St.
Albert’s Convent, the Dominican monastery in Hong Kong. Upon his return to the Philippines, he joined the
Philippines Free Press, starting as a proofreader. Soon, he was noticed for his poems, stories and plays, as
well as his journalism under the pen name Quijano de Manila. His journalism was markedly both intellectual
and provocative, an unknown genre in the Philippines at that time, raising the level of reportage in the country.
Joaquín deeply admired José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Joaquín paid tribute to Rizal by way of
books such as The Storyteller’s New Medium – Rizal in Saga, The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal,
and A Question of Heroes: Essays in Criticism on Ten Key Figures of Philippine History. He also translated the
hero’s valedictory poem, in the original Spanish “Mi Ultimo Adios,” as “Land That I Love, Farewell!”
Joaquín served as a member of Motion Pictures under President Diosdado Macapagal and President
Ferdinand E. Marcos. Joaquin’s first move as National Artist was to secure the release of imprisoned writer
José F. Lacaba. Later, at a ceremony on Mount Makiling attended by First Lady Imelda Marcos, Joaquín
delivered an invocation to Mariang Makiling, the mountain’s mythical maiden. Joaquín touched on the
importance of freedom and the artist. As a result, for the remainder of the Marcos regime, Joaquín no longer
received invitations to address important cultural events.

5. LUALHATI BAUTISTA
Lualhati Bautista is one of the foremost Filipino female novelists in the history of contemporary Philippine
Literature. Her novels include, “Dekada ’70 (Decade ’70)”, “Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa? (Child, Child… How
were you made?”, and “‘GAPÔ (short name for Olongapo, Philippines)”.
In addition to being a novelist, Lualhati Bautista is also a movie and television screenwriter and a short story
writer. Her first screenplay was Sakada (Seasonal Sugarcane Workers), a story written in 1975 that exposed
the plight of Filipino peasants. Bautista has received recognition from the Philippines’ Don Carlos Palanca
Memorial Awards for Literature and the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa in 1987. Her award-winning screenplays
include Bulaklak sa City Jail (A Flower in City Jail) (1984), Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap (If The Clouds are
Parted) (1984), Sex Object (1985). For screenplay writing, she has received recognition from the Metro Manila
Film Festival (best story-best screenplay), Film Academy Awards (best story-best screenplay), Star Awards
(best screenplay), FAMAS (finalist for best screenplay), and URIAN awards. Two of her short stories have also
won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Tatlong Kuwento ng Buhay ni Julian Candelabra
(Three Stories in the Life of Julian Candelabra), first prize, 1982; and Buwan, Buwan, Hulugan mo Ako ng
Sundang (Moon, Moon, Drop Me a Sword), third prize, 1983. Bautista also authored the television dramas
Daga sa Timba ng Tubig (The Mouse in the Bucket of Water) (1975) and Isang Kabanata sa Libro ng Buhay ni
Leilani Cruzaldo (A Chapter in the Book of Life of Leilani Cruzaldo) (1987). The latter won best drama story for
television from the Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Bautista was honored by the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings on March 10, 2004 during the 8th Annual
Lecture on Vernacular Literature by Women. In 2005, the Feminist Centennial Film Festival presented her with
a recognition award for her outstanding achievement in screenplay writing. In 2006, she was recipient of the
Diwata Award for best writer by the 16th International Women’s Film Festival of the UP Film Center.
She is also the only Filipino included in a book on foremost International Women Writers published in Japan,
1991.

4. F. SIONIL JOSE
F. Sionil Jose is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language. His novels and short
stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. José’s works –
written in English – have been translated into 22 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Russian, Latvian,
Ukrainian and Dutch.
Jose Rizal’s life and writings profoundly influenced José’s work. The five volume Rosales Saga, in particular,
employs and interrogates themes and characters from Rizal’s work.
Throughout his career, Sionil José’s writings espouse social justice and change to better the lives of average
Filipino families. He is one of the most critically acclaimed Filipino authors internationally, although much
underrated in his own country because of his authentic Filipino English and his anti-elite views.
In 1980, Sionil Jose received Ramon Magsaysay Award (Asia’s Nobel Prize) for Literature.

3. FRANCISCO BALAGTAS
Francisco Baltazar, known much more widely through his nom-de-plume Francisco Balagtas, was a prominent
Filipino poet, and is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on
Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work.
Balagtas learned to write poetry from José de la Cruz (Huseng Sisiw), one of the most famous poets of Tondo.
It was de la Cruz himself who personally challenged Balagtas to improve his writing. (source: Talambuhay ng
mga Bayani, for Grade 5 textbook)
In 1835, Balagtas moved to Pandacan, where he met María Asunción Rivera, who would effectively serve as
the muse for his future works. She is referenced in Florante at Laura as ‘Celia’ and ‘MAR’.
Balagtas’ affections for Celia were challenged by the influential Mariano Capule. Capule won the battle for
Celia when he used his wealth to get Balagtas imprisoned under the accusation that he ordered a servant girl’s
head be shaved. It was here that he wrote Florante at Laura—In fact, the events of this poem were meant to
parallel his own situation.
He wrote his poems in Tagalog, during an age when Filipino writing was predominantly written in Spanish.
Balagtas published Florante at Laura upon his release in 1838. He moved to Balanga, Bataan in 1840 where
he served as the assistant to the Justice of peace and later, in 1856, as the Major Lieutenant. He was also
appointed as the translator of the court.
Balagtas is so greatly revered in the Philippines that the term for Filipino debate in extemporaneous verse is
named for him: balagtasan.

2. BOB ONG
Bob Ong, is the pseudonym of an anonymous Filipino contemporary author known for using conversational
Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of life as a Filipino.
A Filipino Literary critic once commented:
” Filipinos really patronize Bob Ong’s works because, while most of his books may have an element of comedy
in them, this is presented in a manner that replicates Filipino culture and traditions. This is likely the reason why
his first book – and those that followed it, can be considered true Pinoy classics.”
The six books he has published thus far have surpassed a quarter of a million copies. His words of wisdom
were applied by some of the Filipinos to their daily lives.

1. JOSE RIZAL
For obvious reasons, he is the most influential and the most bestselling author/writer until now.
Jose Rizal was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist whose most famous works were his
two novels, “Noli me Tangere (Touch Me Not)” and El filibusterismo “The Filibuster”). These are social
commentaries on the Philippines that formed the nucleus of literature that inspired dissent among peaceful
reformists and spurred the militancy of armed revolutionaries against the Spanish colonial authorities.
His books are still cracking the bestselling list.

MarianoPonce
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mariano Ponce

Jose Rizal(left), Marcelo del Pilar (middle), Mariano Ponce (right)

Born March 23, 1863

Baliwag, Captaincy General of the Philippines

Died May 23, 1918 (aged 55)

Sai Ying Pun Community Complex, British Hong Kong

Nationality Filipino

Other names Naning, Kalipulako, Tikbalang

Known for Philippine Revolution

 Political party Nacionalista

Religion Roman Catholicism

Mariano Ponce (March 23, 1863 – May 23, 1918), was a Filipino physician, writer, and active
member of thePropaganda Movement. In Spain, he was among the founders of La
Solidaridad and Asociacion Hispano-Filipino. Among his significant works was Efemerides Filipinas,
a column on historical events in the Philippines which appeared in La Oceania Española (1892–
1893) and El Ideal (1911–1912). He wrote Ang Wika at Lahi (1917), a discussion on the importance
of a national language. He served as Bulacan's representative to the National Assembly.

Contents
  [hide] 

 1Biography
 2References
 3External links
 4External links

Biography[edit]
The Mariano Ponce House and Commemorative Marker atBaliuag, Bulacan.

Ponce was born in Baliwag, Bulacan where he completed his primary education. He later enrolled at
the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and took up medicine at the University of Santo Tomas. In 1881,
he traveled to Spain to continue his medical studies at the Unversidad Central de Madrid.
There he joined Marcelo del Pilar, Graciano López Jaena, José Rizal and other Propagandists in an
anti-Spaniard movement. This espoused Filipino representation in the Spanish Cortes and reforms
in the Spanish colonial authorities of the Philippines. He was the co-founder of La Solidaridad with
fellow co-founder Graciano López Jaena. Ponce was also the head of the Literary Section of the
Asociacion Hispano-Filipina, created to aid the Propaganda Movement where he served as
secretary.[1]
In La Solidaridad, his works included daily editorials on history, politics, sociology and travel. He also
created himself many alias as well. His most common names are Naning, his nickname; Kalipulako,
named after Lapu-Lapu; and Tigbalang, a supernatural being in Filipino folklore. [2]
Ponce was imprisoned when the revolution broke out in August 1896 and was imprisoned for forty
eight hours before being released. Fearing another arrest, he fled to France and later went to Hong
Kong where he joined a group of Filipinos and Filipino-Chinese, who served as the international front
of the Philippine revolution.
In 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo chose him to represent the First Philippine Republic. Ponce was tasked to
draft a framework of the revolutionarygovernment. In 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo selected him as a
representative of the First Republic to Japan. He traveled to Japan to seek aid and purchase
weapons. During his stay he met with the founder and First President of the Chinese Republic; Sun
Yat-Sen. Through discussions and negotiations, Dr. Sun and Ponce became close friends. Dr. Sun
introduces Ponce to a Filipino-Japanese man named José Ramos Ishikawa, who assists Ponce in
purchasing weapons and munitions for the revolution. But the shipment did not reach the Philippines
due to atyphoon off the coast of Formosa.[2]
 Mariano returned to Manila with his wife, a Japanese girl named Okiyo Udanwara. [3] In 1909, he was
made director of "El Renacimiento" (The Renaissance). He also joined the "Nacionalista Partido"
(National Party) and established "El Ideal" (The Perfect), the party's official organization. Ponce later
ran for a seat in thePhilippine Assembly and was elected assemblyman for the second district
of Bulacan. Ponce wrote his memoirs, "Cartas Sobre La Revolución" (Letters on the Revolution), he
died in the Government Civil Hospital in Hong Kong, on May 23, 1918

Literary Works of Filipino Authors

http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/library/webliography/subject/filipino_writers.asp

Scope note and definition :The following links are composed of

selected articles, novels, poems, short stories and other creative
and/or academic publications of some of the great Filipino authors
of the 20th Century.
Lualhati Bautista
She is known for novels that were adapted for movies such as "Bata, Bata�Pa'no ka ginawa?" in 1998 and "Dekada '70" in 2002.

 Ang Hukom
Written in Tagalog, the story revolves around the judge, the assistant and the verdict.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21198496/ANG-HUKOM-by-Lualhati-Bautista-Dela-Cruz
 Seven Short Stories
Compilation of some of the writings of Lualhati Bautista.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12744173/Seven-short-stories-of-Lualhati-Bautista
N. V. M. Gonzales
Nestor Vicente Madali Gonzales was the first recipient of the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1940. He received the National Artist Award in 1990.

 The Happiest Boy in the World [From the book Seven Hills Away]
Situated in the island of Mindoro, it is a short story that talks about provincial life.
http://www.4to40.com/story/print.asp?p=The_Happiest_Boy_in_the_World&k=Smell
Nick Joaquin Also known under his pseudonym
"Quijano de Manila,"
Nick Joaquin is so far the most distinguished Filipino writer in English Writing. He was awarded as the National Artist for Literature in 1973.

 Culture and History [Excerpt]

In the last chapter of this book, Nick Joaquin tries to attest that there is a Filipino identity. 
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1136048021&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=47883&RQT=309&VName=PQD
 BUSINESSWORLD (PHILIPPINES): WEEKENDER: Portrait of Vivian Velez as stage actress
The article features the play, Larawan, and an interview with Vivian Velez 
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=56445515&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=47883&RQT=309&VName=PQD
 May Day Eve [Excerpt]
One of the best short narratives that believed to pioneer the literary style called "magic realism". 
http://www.palhbooks.com/joaquin.htm
F. Sionil Jose
Francisco founded the Philippine Chapter of PEN, an international organization for writers. Aside from the National Artist Award, he also obtained the
Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts.

 A Call For Revolution

A critique that challenges the credibility of EDSA Revolution and the Filipino society 
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=774208851&sid=1&Fmt=6&clientId=47883&RQT=309&VName=PQD
 Graduation 
A teenager accounts the eagerness and dread of leaving his hometown. 
http://www.scribd.com/doc/34579567/Graduation-by-Sionil-Jose-F
Bienvenido Lumbera
A critic, librettist and poet, Beny created famous musical plays such as the "Tales of the Manuvu and Rama Hari" at "Hibik at Himagsik Nina Victoria
Laktaw."

 A Eulogy of Roaches
The analogous poem depicts the roaches of the general public. 
http://lumbera.ph/a-eulogy-of-roaches/
 Agunyas sa Hacienda Luisita
A poem that commemorates the massacre of farmers in Tarlac. 
http://lumbera.ph/agunyas-sa-hacienda-luisita/
 Ang Ating Bagong Panatang Makabayan
Pledged by the protestors in 2008, it sardonically condones corruption. 
http://lumbera.ph/ang-ating-bagong-panatang-makabayan/
 Paggunita sa Pamamaslang
A poem about the massacre executed by the Ampatuan Family in 2009. 
http://lumbera.ph/tula-hinggil-sa-masaker-sa-ampatuan/
 Toward a National Literature 
Originally a speech, it was delivered by Lumbera himself to an assembly of writers. 
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1877549321&sid=3&Fmt=3&clientId=47883&RQT=309&VName=PQD
 Tribute to Alex Remollino
A poetry dedicated by Bienvenido Lumbera to his friend. 
http://lumbera.ph/kaming-naiwan-mo-para-kay-alex-remollino/
 Alejandro Roces
Anding won the Best Short Story award for "We Filipinos are Mild Drinkers" in the United States. He received the Rizal Pro Patria, one of the highest
recognitions given by the Republic of the Philippines. As a nationalist, he was known for promoting Ati-atihan, Moriones and Penafrancia Festivals, to
name a few.

 I wrote as I wrote 
Roces bids farewell in this last article published in Philippine Star.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=594984&publicationSubCategoryId=64
 My Brother's Peculiar Chicken 
The humorous short tale was featured in Martha Foley's Best American Stories. 
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1164993301&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=47883&RQT=309&VName=PQD
 We Filipinos are Mild Drinkers 
A funny short story set during World War II. 
http://shadesofgray07.blogspot.com/2006/02/we-filipinos-are-mild-drinkers.html
Edith Tiempo
She is the only female among the receivers of the National Artist Award in Literature.

 Bonsai
A poem, surreally written about love. 
http://readalittlepoetry.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/bonsai-by-edith-tiempo/
 The Black Monkey 
Though typically short for a short story, the baffling plot and intricate details contribute well. 
http://stories-in-the-sand.blogspot.com/2008/11/black-monkey-by-edith-l-tiempo.html

Should you have comments or suggestions on this pathfinders,

please call us at these telephone numbers, 536-0244, 524-4611
local 620 or email us through "Ask LORA".
Compiled by: Adrian Dator
Date : December 07, 2010

DOMINGO GOAN LANDICHO

GEOGRAPHICAL AREA

       Tagalog literature has been born, cradled, nourished and peaked into fruition in the
provinces of  Southern Luzon, Central Luzon and the present Metropolitan Manila or the
National Capital Region.
       Among the Southern Tagalog provinces are Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon,
Aurora, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Palawan and some towns
of Rizal province. In Central Luzon, there are three provinces where Tagalog is
predominantly used and these are the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bataan and Bulacan. 
Metro Manila is comprised of cities composing the national capital region namely
Manila, Quezon City, Pasay City, Caloocan City, Mandaluyong City, Pasig City,
Marikina City, Muntinlupa City and suburban towns of Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela,
Pateros and Taguig.  Some parts of the provinces that are not originally Tagalog cannot
escape the onslaught of Tagalog language and culture, like some parts of the Bicol
region and Pampanga.

THE CRADLE OF CULTURE

       Tagalog region is the birthplace of a rich tradition of Philippine culture in language,

politics, economy and literature.

       The oldest university in the Philippines, University of Sto. Tomas is located in

Manila.   The first printing press was established in Manila. This gave way to the
publication of the first book, Doctrina Cristiana in xylography in 1593, written in Spanish
and Tagalog versions. The bible was first translated into Tagalog in Barlaan and
Josaphat in 1708 and 1712.  The life of Christ in epic tradition known popularly today
as Pasyon was written in Tagalog by various writers like Gaspar Aquino de Belen and
Fr. Mariano Pilapil.

       The literary tradition in the Tagalog regions specially outstanding in the field of oral
literature likebugtong(riddle), proverbs, native songs.  These oral literatures are always
in poetic forms, usually seven-syllabic rhymes, so Asian in form and perspective.

       Considering this rich and envigorating cultural matrix, it is not surprising that it is the
Tagalog region that was destined to be the birthplace of historic men in Philippine
politics, culture and literature that includes Francisco Balagtas Baltazar, Jose Rizal,
Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, Emilio Jacinto, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Jose P.
Laurel, Claro M. Recto, Amado V. Hernandez, Lope K. Santos, Lazaro Francisco,
Faustino Aguilar, Jose Corazon de Jesus, Alejandro Abadilla, Modesto de Castro.

       It is not noticeable that such men are not only man of history that played a great
role in Philippine independence movement but men of letters as well.

THE LITERARY TRADITION

       It is the pens of these men that shaped the political consciousness of the Filipinos. 

       Balagtas could be said to have voiced out the first concept of nationhood in
Philippine politics and literature in his epic poem, Florante at Laura.  Says Balagtas:
Sa loob at labas ng bayan kong sawi
Kaliluha’y siyang nangyayaring hari
Kagalinga’t bait ay nilulugami
Ininis sa hukay ng dusa’t pighati.

In and out of my miserable country

Repression is the dominant king
Goodness and well-meant intention are suppressed
Doomed in the grave of sufferings and grief.

       Although Balagtas used Albania as an allegory, the situations clearly spoke of the
Philippines.  This epic poems of Balagtas had inspired a generation of young writers of
the period, like Marcelo H. del Pilar, who spearheaded the Propaganda Movement in
Europe and Jose Rizal, whose novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo set the
conflagration of revolutionary spirit and movement.

       While Rizal was living in banishment in a far-flung town of Dapitan in Mindanao

island, a man of the masses, Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan, a revolutionary
organization that sought total independence from the Spanish yoke.

       Even the revolutionary struggle of the people was guided by the light of literature.   
Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, his close associate in the revolutionary struggle were men
of letters, both writing nationalist essays and poems.

       Jacinto in his essay, “Liwanag at Dilim” (Light and Darkness), discoursed on the
spirituality of man’s natural desire for freedom.  On the other hand, Bonifacio spoke of
the dimension of love of country in his poem, “Pag-ibig sa Tinibuang Lupa” (Love for the
Native Land).  He says:

Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya

Sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila
Gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa
Aling pag-ibig pa, wala na nga, wala.

Which love can be more powerful

More pure and noble
Than the love for one’s native land
Which other love, there is no such.

       This tradition of Tagalog literature has been bequeathed upon the national
consciousness of the Filipinos all over the Philippines.  Manila being the center of the
country in all aspects of national life of the Filipinos becomes the logical conduit of
national consciousness emanating from the literary legacy of the region’s gifted minds.

       During the long period of Philippine subjugations by foreign dominations —

Spanish, American and Japanese — vigorous literary traditions have been nurtured.
       In the contemporary Philippine society, Tagalog literature is continuing its role
bequeathed upon it by historical development.

       However, Tagalog literature now, more and more is given a new name — Filipino
literature.  But this is another story.

About the Author:

Domingo Goan Landicho is one of the most-awarded writer in the Philippines. He
writes poetry, short fiction, drama, essays, biographies and literature for children. A
professor of creative writing and journalism in Filipino at the University of the
Philippines, he has authored more than 30 books, including four novels. He has
travelled in so many countries as a writer. He is an actor for film, TV and theater and
acted in 1983 with Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver in MGM’s The Year of Living
Dangerously.