TEACHING AND ASSESSMENT OF NICK JOAQUIN

LITERATURE STUDIES
A SURVEY OF AUTHORS
Filipino Authors
A country shaped by centuries of
colonization by violent wars, long-lasting
poitical upheaval, and the idyllic beauty
of its islands, the Philippines offer
writers plenty of material to work with. In
stories drawn from this complex
heritage, Filipino authors stand out for
their creative, compelling voices.
A National Artist for Literature
won a scholarship in a nationwide essay
contest in Hong Kong
A journalist
His book, The Woman With Two Navels,
is essential reading in Philippine
Literature
His short story, May Day Eve, is
extremely accessible and enjoyable for
those new to the Philippines

JESSICA HAGEDORN MERLINDA BOBIS

Best known for her 1990 novel Dog
Eaters, she was born and raised in the
Philippines and relocated to San
Francisco in her teens. Her ethinic
heritage is a mix Spanish, Filipino,
French, Irish, and Chinese.
An award wiining writer who started off
as a painter
Her books, short stories, and poems tell
of lesser-known aspects of Filipino life,
often from a strong feminist stance

This book won the American Award and One of her well-known novels, Fish-Hair
was a finalist fo the National Book Woman, describes a romance between
award, shines a light on the many layers a young village woman and an
of Filipino society, especially the Australian soldier in the middle of a
American influence pevalent in the harrowing conflict that threatens the
entertainment industry. entire province. (the Australian called it
a “superb novel” that maintains its tragic
intensity throughout)
SIONIL JOSE She won the International Prix Italia
Award for her play “Rita’s Lullaby”
A writer deeply concerned with social
justice, F. Sionil Jose’s novels have She also won the Steele Rudd Award for
been translated into 22 languages, nd her short story “White Turtle”
he’s one of the most widely read Filipino
authors.
His Rosales Saga is a five volume work
that follows the Samson family and their
changing fortunes over a 100-year time
frame.
His books are especially illuminating for
anyone interested in provincial life in the
Philippines, the revolution against Spain,
and the framework of the Filipino family.
He won the Ramon Magsaysay Award
for Literature in 1980.
JOSE DALISAY JR. JOSE RIZAL
Writes a popular online column where a NATIONAL HERO
he’s more commonly known by his pen
A prolific writer, poet, essayist
name, Butch Dalisay
His two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El
Was imprisoned during Martial Law and
Filibisterismo were social commentaries
his experiences from this portion of
that sharply revealed the injustices of
Philippine history are brought to life in
Spanish colonization while praising the
his first novel, Killing Time in a Warm
Filipino in his most natural state
Place
Noli Me Tangere and El Filibisterismo
His second novel, Soledad’s Sister,
which are surprisingly wry and romantic,
tackles the plight of overseas Filipino
crystalized the growing anti-Spanish
workers and was shortlisted for the Man
sentiment and were banned within the
Asian Literary Prize in 2007.
Philippines
has won 16 Palanca Awards, the
His execution at 35 years old set off the
country’s highest prize for literature
Philippine Revolution and paved the way
for the country’s independence.
LUIS FRANCIA Even without these dramatic events, his
books and his final poem, “Mi Ultimo
An award winning Filipino-American
Adios,” stand on their own literary merit
writer, poet, and teacher
and have influenced scores of Filipino
He wrote and co-edited the Village writers since.
Voice newspaper for more than 20 years
His memoir Eye of the Fish: A Personal
Archipelago won a PEN Open Book
Award and Asian American Literary
Award.
(Amitav Ghosh, author of The Glass
Palace, described Francia’s memoir as
a “hugely readable travelogue and an
indispensable guide to a fascinating and
richly varied archipelago)