National Artists for Literature

The Order of National Artist 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.)

JOSE GARCIA - VILLA Singalong, Manila (1908-1997)

 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 1st 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

N.V.M. 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.
 He is the founder of the Philippine Chapter of the International Organization PEN. (Poets,
Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists)

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.

ALEJANDRO R. ROCES Manila (1924-2011)

 National Artists for Literature - 2003
 Short story writer and essayist
 The country’s Best Writer of Comic Short Stories.
 He wrote innumerable newspaper columns that focused on the neglected aspects of the
Filipino cultural heritage.
 His works were published in international magazines.
 He brought to attention the aesthetics of the country’s fiestas. He was instrumental in
popularizing several local fiestas like Moriones and Ati-Atihan.
 He changed the Independence Day from July 4 to June 12
 He said: “You cannot be a great writer, first you have to be a great person.”

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)

 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