Yana: Good afternoon, 12 HUMSS.

We’re the first group to report and yung binigay na national artists
samin ay sina Francica Reyes- Aquino at Amado Vera Hernandez. With that we’ll now start.

F: The first national artist that we’ll meet today is Francisca Reyes-Aquino, more known as Francisca
Reyes. She’s born in Bocaue, Bilacan on March 9, 1899. Fransica studied Physical Education and
graduated with a BS Education degree from the University of the Philippines and Sargent College in
Boston. She was the eldest of three children of Filipe Reyes and Juliana Santos Reyes of Manila. She
obtained her High School Teacher's Certificate in 1923 and her Bachelor of Science in Education degree
in 1924 from the University of the Philippines. In 1924, she became an Assistant Instructor.

F: In 1947, she married Serafin Aquino, secretary-treasurer of the Philippine Amateur Athletic
Federation, an enthusiastic collaborator in presentation of his wife's work. That same year, Frances
Reyes Aquino became the superintendent of Physical Education, Bureau of Public Schools, Philippine
Republic. She was awarded a Doctor of Sciences degree in Physical Education, Honoris Causa, from
Boston University and, in 1959, a Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa, from Far Eastern University in
Manila, Philippines.

F: A Memorial Fund was established in her name and "Lola Kikay," a musical based on her life, has been
staged. Dances Dr. Reyes Aquino taught include Alahoy, Apat Apat, Ba-Ingles, Basulto, Binadyong, Himig
Sa Nayon, Kalapati, Lubi-Lubi, Maglalatik, Manang Biday, Polka sa Nayon, Tiklos, and Tinikling. She was
awarded in Year 1962 with the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

F: Her major awards are the following:

• "Outstanding contribution toward the advancement of Filipino culture" (1954)

• Presidential citation for distinguished service to the 10th World Jamboree from the
Boy Scouts of the Philippines (1959)
• The Rizal Pro Patria Award (1961)
• Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service (1962)

F: While her major works include:

For books:

• Philippine National Dances (1946)

• Gymnastics for Girls (1947)
• Fundamental Dance Steps and Music (1948)
• Foreign Folk Dances (1949)
• Dances for all Occasion (1950)
• Playground Demonstration (1951)
• Philippine Folk Dances - Volumes I to VI
• Thesis-
• Philippine Folk Dances and Games (1926)

(video)
A: The second national artist will be Amado Vera Hernandez also known as the names Amante Hernani,
Herminia dela Riva and Julio Abril. Amado Vera Hernandez was born in Hagonoy, Bulacan but grew up
Tondo, Manila, where he studied at the Manila High School and at the American Correspondence
School. While being a reporter, columnist and editor of several newspaper and magazines including
Watawat, Mabuhay, Pilipino, Makabayan and Sampaguita, he also honed his poetic craft.

A: After World War II, he became a member of the Philippine Newspaper Guild and his writings
increasingly dealt with the plight of the peasants and laborers. Hernandez’s poetic sensibility was
initially developed in literary circles. During the second decade he was a member and vice-president of
Aklatang Bayan and later on joined Ilwaw at Panitik. His experiences as a guerilla, labor leader, and a
political detainee were shaped into the novels Mga Ibong Mandaranggit (1969) and Luha ng Buwaya
(1972). He was awarded as a National Artist for Literature in 1973.

A: His major awards are the following:

• Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (1959)

• Repbulic Heritage Award (1962)
• Balagtas Award (1969)
• Tanglaw ng Lahi Award (1970)
• Commonwealth Literary Contest (1938)
• Makata ng Ilaw at Patinik (1925)

A: And here are some example of the works he is known for:

Isang Dipang Langit (1952)

• Muntinglupa (1956)
• Hagdan sa Bahaghari (1959)
• Ang mga Kagalang-galang (1960)
• Pili sa Pinili (1964)
• Bayang Malaya (1969)
• Mandaragit (1969)
• Luha ng Buwaya (1972)