April Joy Yanong

Prk.19 Balai, Bago Aplaya Davao City

09654523390
yanongapriljoy@gmail.com

THE INSPIRING LIFE STORY OF FRANCISCO ARCELLANA

By April Joy Yanong

Approximately 2,300 words
 Chapter 1

Francisco Arcellana was not only a prolific Filipino writer but also a renowned
English professor, editor, and critic. His life story is one of great inspiration, perseverance,
and dedication to the craft of writing. Born in 1916 in the small town of Sta. Cruz, Manila.
Francisco Arcellana's passion for writing started at a young age. Despite facing challenges,
including the outbreak of World War II, he pursued his love for writing and eventually
became one of the most distinguished writers in the Philippines. His literary works, ranging
from short stories to essays, are a reflection of his life experiences and the socio-political
issues of his time. In this manuscript, we will dig deeper into the life of Francisco Arcellana,
his struggles, triumphs, and how he became a literary icon. Join me on this journey as we
explore the inspiring life story of Francisco Arcellana.

Francisco Arcellana (Zacarias Eugene Francisco Quino Arcellana) was not only a
prolific Filipino writer but also a renowned English professor, editor, and critic. His life story
is one of great inspiration, perseverance, and dedication to the craft of writing. He is fourth of
Jose Arcellana y Cabaneiro and Epifanio Quito’s 18 children. He was born on September 6,
1916 in a small town of Sta. Cruz, Manila. Francisco married Emerenciana Yuvienco and had
six children: Francisco Jr., Elizabeth, Jose Esteban, Maria Epifania, Emerenciana Jr., and
Juan Eugenio, also known as Juaniyo who is an essayist, poet, and fictionist.When Arcellana
went to Tondo Intermediate School, his writing consciousness suddenly became deeper. Then
he entered Manila West High School and he became an active writer of The Torres Torch, the
school organ.

In 1932 Francisco Arcellana went to the University of the Philippines (UP) he took up
a pre-medicine course and had his bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1939. Arcellana was
invited to join the UP writers club because of Arcellana’s publication “trilogy of the turtles”
in the literary apprentice. Arcellana also edited and published Expression, a quarterly
experimental writing who caught the attention of Jose Garcia Villa.
 Chapter 2
After his pre-med ,Francisco Arcellana attended medical school while juggling his job
at Herald Midweek Magazine where his weekly column “Art and Life” was published every
week. However, the war happened that made him stop going to school. Despite facing
challenges due to the outbreak of World War II , he became the manager of the International
News Service and the editor of This week as he joined media and publishing . As he became
part of the UP Department of English and Comparative Literature he served as the adviser of
the Philippine Collegian and director of the UP Creative Writing Center from 1979 up to
1982.

In 1932  Arcellana published his first story entitled “ The Man Who Could Be Poe”
while he was still at Torres High School. The following year he also published two of his
stories, “ Death is a factory” and “Lina” , which got included in Jose Garcia Villa’s honour
roll. 

Francisco Arcellana was a prominent Filipino writer who lived from 1916 to 2002. He
was a key figure in Philippine literature during the mid-20th century, and his works helped
shape the country's cultural identity during that time. In terms of the economic history of the
Philippines during Arcellana's lifetime, it was a period of significant change. The Philippines
gained its independence from the United States in 1946, and this ushered in a new era of
economic development and growth.During the post-war period, the Philippine government
implemented a number of policies aimed at promoting economic growth and modernizing the
country. This included investment in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and airports, as
well as the development of new industries like manufacturing and electronics.However,
despite these efforts, the Philippine economy remained relatively weak and underdeveloped
compared to other countries in the region. Poverty and income inequality were widespread,
and many Filipinos struggled to make ends meet.This economic backdrop is reflected in
much of Arcellana's writing, which often explores the lives and struggles of ordinary
Filipinos. In his short stories and novels, he depicts the daily lives of working-class people,
their struggles, and their aspirations.

Overall, the economic history of the Philippines during the time of Francisco
Arcellana was characterized by both progress and challenges. While the country made
significant strides in terms of modernization and economic development, poverty and
inequality remained major issues that continued to affect the lives of many Filipinos.
Chapter 3
Arcellana's legacy continues to be felt in Philippine literature today. His work has
inspired generations of writers, and his influence can be seen in the work of many
contemporary Filipino writers. His commitment to his craft and his unwavering dedication to
his art continue to serve as an inspiration to writers and readers alike. Francisco Arcellana
created the; 
"The Francisco Arcellana Sampler” (1991) is a collection of selected works by
Filipino writer Francisco Arcellana. The book was published in 1991 and includes a variety
of Arcellana's writings, including short stories, essays, and poems.

The collection is divided into three sections: "Prose," "Essays," and "Poems." The
"Prose" section includes some of Arcellana's most famous short stories, such as "The Mats,"
"The Flowers of May," and "The Other Woman." These stories explore themes such as family
relationships, love, and betrayal, and are known for their evocative imagery and elegant
prose.The "Essays" section features a selection of Arcellana's non-fiction writing, including
"Poetry and Politics," which examines the state of original writing in English in the
Philippines, and "The Art of Fiction," which provides insights into Arcellana's approach to
writing and the creative process.

The "Poems" section includes a collection of Arcellana's poetry, which often reflects
his love of nature and his passion for social justice. Many of the poems also explore themes
such as love, loss, and the human experience.
Throughout the collection, Arcellana's writing is characterised by its lyrical quality
and attention to detail. His prose is known for its ability to evoke powerful emotions in the
reader, while his poetry is celebrated for its vivid imagery and strong sense of voice.

"Selected Stories" (1963) is a collection of short stories written by Francisco

Arcellana, a renowned Filipino writer and educator. The book was first published in 1962 and
has since become a staple in Philippine literature. The collection includes fourteen stories, all
of which showcase Arcellana's mastery of the short story form. The stories are diverse in
terms of theme, style, and setting, but they all share a common thread of exploring the
complexities of human relationships and emotions.
 Chapter 4
Poetry and Politics: The -State of Original Writing in English in the Philippines
Today It is an essay written by Francisco Arcellana in 1979. The essay explores the state of
original writing in English in the Philippines at that time, with a particular focus on poetry
and the role of politics in shaping the literary landscape. "Poetry and Politics" is a thought-
provoking essay that highlights the complex relationship between literature, culture, and
politics in the Philippines. Arcellana's insights into the challenges facing Filipino writers in
the late 1970s continue to resonate with readers today and provide valuable context for
understanding the literary landscape of the Philippines.

There is no exact number of poems that Francisco Arcellana wrote. While he was
primarily known as a fiction writer, he did dabble in poetry as well, but the number and
extent of his poetry works are not as well-documented as his fiction.
• "Cadaqués, Spain" - A poem about the picturesque town of Cadaqués in
northeastern Spain, where the poet spent some time. This poem is often cited as one of
Arcellana's more notable works in verse. (*No exact year given)
• "This Is My Beloved" - A romantic poem about a cherished loved one, reminiscent
of the Song of Solomon in the Bible.
• "The Prayer" - A contemplative poem about seeking solace and guidance from a
higher power.
• "I Wait for You" - A romantic poem expressing the longing for a loved one.
• "I Touched Her" - A sensual and provocative poem about a physical encounter with
a lover.
SHORT STORIES
• "The Mats" (1948)- A family reunion sparks memories and emotions as they
examine a set of woven mats that represent the different stages of their lives.
• "The Flowers of May" (1950) - A young man and woman fall in love despite the
disapproval of their families, but their relationship is threatened by a tragedy.
• "The Wing of Madness" (1951) - A man reflects on his past love and the events that
led to her tragic death.
 • "The Other Woman" (1954) - A man's infidelity leads to a confrontation with his
wife and a painful realisation about the nature of love and marriage.
• "The Virgin" (1951) - A young woman struggles with the pressures of society and
tradition as she faces the prospect of marriage.
Chapter 5
• "Divide by Two" (1951) - Two sisters must confront the bitterness and jealousy that
has divided their family for years.
• "The Mats" (1952) (a different story with the same title) - A woman reminisces
about her past loves and the choices she made that led to her current state.
• "His Native Soil" (1953) - A man returns to his hometown and reflects on the
changes that have occurred, both in the town and within himself.
• "The Judge" (1952) - A judge is faced with a difficult decision that challenges his
sense of justice and morality.
• "The Peripatetic Coffin" (1953) - A man reflects on his life and the mistakes that
have led him to a lonely and isolated existence.
• "The Returning" (1952): This short story is about a man named Lope, who returns to
his hometown after being away for many years. Lope is surprised to find that his hometown
has changed, and he is not sure how to fit back in. He tries to reconnect with his old friends
and acquaintances, but he finds that he no longer has much in common with them. In the end,
Lope realises that he has changed just as much as his hometown has, and he must learn to
accept and embrace his new identity.
• "The Fence" (1952): This short story is about two neighbours who have a
longstanding feud over a fence that separates their properties. The fence is old and
dilapidated, and both neighbours refuse to take responsibility for repairing it.
• "The Figure" (1953): This short story is about a man named Tacio who becomes
obsessed with a statue of a woman that he sees in a shop window. He is captivated by the
statue's beauty and decides that he must have it at any cost. Tacio becomes increasingly
fixated on the statue, and he begins to neglect his work and his relationships in pursuit of it.
The story is a commentary on the dangers of obsession and the destructive power of desire.
• "The Road" (1953): This short story is about a group of travellers who are stranded
on a remote road in the middle of a storm. As they wait for help to arrive, they begin to reveal
their true selves to each other, and their relationships become strained. The story explores
themes of isolation, fear, and the fragility of human connections.
 Arcellana's very first story was published in 1932. “The Man Who Could Be Poe '' in
Graphic while still a student at Torres High School. Two of his short stories, "Death is a
Factory '' and "Lina," made it on Jose GarciaVilla's honour roll the following year.

Chapter 6
Throughout the 1930s, which he describes as his most productive period, he created
his most notable stories, including "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal," which Villa named the
finest story of the year in 1938. At the same time, he started composing poetry, with many of
his works appearing in Philippine Collegian, Graphic, and Herald Midweek Magazine.

A few of his published works have been published and transcribed into Tagalog,
Malaysian, Italian, German, and Russian. Selected Stories, 1962, and The Francisco
Arcellana Sampler, 1990, are two notable collections of his work. Arcellana cites Erskine
Caldwell and Whit Burnett as inspirations. He edited the Philippine PEN Anthology of Short
Stories in 1962 and Fifteen Stories: Story Masters 5, 1973. 14 of his short stories were
recognized in Jose Garcia Villa's honour roll from 1928 to 1939. In 1951, his short tale "The
Flowers of May" was awarded second place in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for
Literature. In 1953, another short tale, "Wing of Madness," came in second place in the
Philippines Free Press literary prize. In addition, he acquired the Art Association of the
Philippines' first award in art criticism in 1954, the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan award
from the city government of Manila in 1981, and the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
for English fiction from the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipino (UMPIL) in 1988. In 1989,
he was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters by the University of Pennsylvania.
In 1990, he was named a National Artist in Literature - L.R. R.C. Lacuesta and R.C. Lucero

Francisco Arcellana was a true literary giant whose contributions to Philippine

literature continue to be felt today. His writing was characterised by its realism, attention to
detail, and exploration of the complexities of human relationships.Francisco Arcellana's life
and work are a testament to the power of literature and the arts to shape and enrich our lives.

As we look back on the life and works of Francisco Arcellana, we are reminded of the
power of literature to move us, to inspire us, and to challenge us. We are reminded of the
importance of telling our stories and of bearing witness to the struggles and triumphs of the
human spirit. And we are reminded of the enduring legacy of one of the greatest writers in
Philippine literature.