LESSON 7

VISUAL ARTS IN THE PHILIPPINES 1;

"PORTRAIT OF THE VISUAL ARTS AS A FILIPINO IN TRANSITION"

Fernando Amorsolo
National Artist for Painting (1972)

- He was the first ever to be honored as National Artist for Painting in 1972 but was not present at the awarding ceremony as
he had passed away four days earlier.

- While he was born in Paco, Manila on May 30, 1892, Amorsolo spent most of his childhood in Daet, Camarines Sur.

- His family moved back to Manila when he was 11 years old following the death of his father and came to live in the home of
his uncle Fabian.

- For him to provide for his schooling, he made watercolor postcards and sold them for 10 centavos each, a significant
amount in those days.

- In 1908, Amorsolo enrolled at the Arts School of the Liceo de Manila, where he won first prize for a genre painting of figures in
a garden that he had before his graduation. Later, he attended the School of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines, where his
uncle Fabian is an instructor.

- In 1916, he graduated with honors from UP and took on two jobs-art instructor and commercial artist.

- He designed the label of Ginebra San Miguel and it caught the eye of Don Enrique Sobel, the owner of the beverage company, and
he offered to sponsor Amorsolo for further studies at the Academia de San Fernando in Madrid.

- Spent seven months in Madrid, studying the works of the Spanish and other European masters.

- He painted the “Planting Rice with the Mayon Volcano” in 1921

- Throughout his career, Amorsolo would produce some 10,000 oil paintings, drawings, sketches, and studies.

- He continued painting until the last year of his life despite having to deal with sorrow over the deaths of two of his sons and the
difficulty of health issues that accompany aging.

- He died on April 24, 1972, at the age of 79.

Carlos Francisco
National Artist For Painting (1973)

His full name is Carlos Modesto Villaluz Francisco

He proclaimed National Artist for Visual Arts in 1973, was regarded as the “Poet of Angono”

He was born in Angono, Rizal on November 4, 1914 and Died on March 31, 1969

His friends and townmates called him “Botong” and it has become the name that he is remembered by in the
art world.

Botong was able to proceed to the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts. Unfortunately, Carlos "Botong" Francisco he
did not complete his college studies as it was more urgent that he earn a living. He worked as an illustrator for the Tribune and La
Vanguardia and painted sets for the Manila Grand Opera House and the Clover Theater in the years before World War ll.

Botong became a member of the "Thirteen Moderns" in 1938, and, after the war, he, together with Victorio Edades (later to become
another National Artist for Painting) and Galo Ocampo, vigorously endeavored to wrest Philippine art from the traditionalism
exemplified by Amorsolo and to develop new idioms for visual expression.
Botong did his first important mural for the 1953 International Fair in Manila.

Guillermo E. Tolentino
National Artist for Sculpture (1973)

Born on July 24, 1890 in the town of Malolos, Bulacan.

As a boy used to mold horses and dogs using the clay gathered from the banks of fish pond.

He graduated in 1915 with a degree in Fine Arts from UP, garnering prizes in all his subjects.

Tolentino rendered the monument of San Miguel de Payumo representing the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, which was designed by Juan
Arellano.

Tolentino felt that he was far from being a full-fledged sculptor, so he went to US.

While working as a waiter, he created a small statue symbolizing peace, which he was able to present to then President Woodrow
Wilson at the White House.

In 1925, he opened his studio in manila and in the following year he would begin a 29-year career teaching sculpture and later
became the director of the UP school of Fine Arts.

Using the pseudonym Batang Elias, he joined a contest for a design for a monument honoring Andres Bonifacio. He won and was
granted a commission for the installation of Oblation the monument.

Tolentino worked on the Oblation, which was commissioned by then UP president Rafael Palma

The Oblation was transferred in 1949 to UP Diliman, where it continues to stand as a symbol of academic freedom.

Philippine's master of classical sculpture

Victorio C. Edades
National Artist for Painting (1976)

Known as the "Father of Modern Philippine Painting" Victorio C. Edades was born on December 23, 1895
in Bolosan, Dagupan, Pangasinan

He died on March 7, 1985

After high school, he boarded a ship with friends to the US, worked briefly in salmon canneries in Alaska, and then enrolled at the
University of Washington in Seattle where he earned a bachelor's degree in architecture and then a master's degree in painting.

Edades returned to the Philippines in 1928, fired by the desire to change the course of Philippine visual arts, which was largely
determined by Amorsolo and Guillermo.

Edades retired from the UST after 70 years of service and was conferred the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa, for
having been "an outstanding visionary, teacher, and artist!"

He spent his last years in Davao where he taught at the Philippine Women's College while continuing to paint in the radical
modernist style that had earned him the National Artist Award for Painting in 1976.

Napoleon V.Abueva
National Artist for Sculpture (1976)
- Named as National Artist for Sculpture in 1976, the youngest, at 46 years old, to have given the ultimate recognition all artists
aspire for.

- He was born on January 26, 1930, in Tagbilaran, Bohol

- And growing up, he reportedly had only one readily available piece of sculpture at home – a bust of Jose Rizal.

- He was given a Pura Villanueva Kalaw scholarship in 1951 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fine arts at the University of the
Philippines, where Guillermo Tolentino would be among his mentors.

- After graduating from UP in 1953, he enrolled in a special course in ceramics at the University of Kansas in the US as a Fulbright
Smith-Mundt scholar.

- In 1955, he earned his master’s degree in fine arts from the Cranbook Academy of Arts.

Vicente Manansala
National Artist for Painting (1981)

Vicente Manansala was born on January 22, 1910 in Macabebe, Pampanga

Manansala's hobbies were designing kites and making charcoal sketches.

He was 15 years old, he came to study under painter Ramon Peralta even while he earned some money doing signboards for a
printing shop.

He attended Fine Arts at the University of Santo Tomas School, from year 1926 to 1930

He worked as illustrator for the Philippines Herald and Liwayway and layout artist for Photonews and Saturday Evening News.

He became an illustrator for the Cultural Office of the Japanese Pounding Rio Occupational Government.

Pounding Rice - His painting Pounding Rice won for him the first prize in the UST National Art Exposition

Barong-barong & Fish Vendor - Manansala's most important works include Barong- barong 1, which garnered the first prize at the
1950 Manila Grand Opera House Exhibition, as well as those that won awards from the Art Association of the Philippines such as
Breakfast (1948), Kahi (1953), Fish Vendors (1955),and Give Us This Day (1962).

Cesar Legaspi
National Artist for Visual Arts (1990)

He was born in Tondo, Manila on April 2, 1917

Cesar Legaspi is another of the "Thirteen Moderns" and one of the "Triumvirate of Neorealists”

Legaspi enrolled for a painting course at the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts. He shifted to commercial art courses,
He received his Certificate of Proficiency in 1936,

In 1953, he flew to Madrid for a year of Art Studies as a scholar of Cultura Hispanica.

Legaspi's early paintings, which he produced in the years before and after World War II, reflected his perspective of the
cataclysmic event.

In Man and
Woman/Beggars (1945)
Gadgets (1947)
Legaspi's Bayanihan
Stairway to Heaven

Hernando R. Ocampo
National Artist for Visual Arts (1991)

Born in Sta. Cruz, Manila on April 28, 1911

He was a man of many talents and inclinations. He is a writer who pursued painting.

Ocampo is one of the "Veronicans", a group of Filipino writers who wanted to reflect the "face" of the Philippines and the Filipino
in their stories.

He was self taught in painting, but he clearly had the talent and temperament for it.

He was honored as National Artist for Painting in 1991, 13 years after his death

Hernando Ocampo went through distinctive phases in his development as an artist: Amorsolo, Proletarian Transitional, and Visual
Melody Period

AMORSOLO PERIOD (1929-1934)

He did work that mirrored the conservative style and subjects of the prominent painter

PROLETARIAN PHASE (1934-1945)

His paintings depicted stark realities like his work Cavalry. His style was still figurative but not in the realist style, expressionist in
its distortion of figures and use of garish colors. This was the time He became one of the thirteen modern and formed the triumvirate
of neorealist with Vicente Manansala and Cesar Legaspi.

TRANSITIONAL PERIOD (1945-1963)

Ocampo's depictions had become more stylized and abstract and focused on design, color, and texture (ex. Fiesta). The 19605 saw
him move into his mutants period as he was inspired by a science fiction fim that featured mutants created by a nuclear explosion.
Characteristic of his work during this period is Dancing Mutants, which had fingerlike shapes that exuded a nervous, quivering
quality.

VISUAL MELODY PERIOD (towards the end of 1960s)

This is the time he brought back tonality into his abstract designs of organic shapes. It was during this time that he painted Genesis,
describing it as indicative of the "final maturation of the artist in painting the search of the Filipino spirit".

Eduardo Mutuc
Master metalsmith Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (2004)

Eduardo Mutuc, who was born on October 12, 1949 in Apalit, Pampanga, is a metal smith who developed his trade relatively late
at 29 years old as he had to help his farmer-parents work the fields and raise his nine siblings.

Mutuc decided to apprentice as a woodcarver at a furniture shop to augment his income. It took him a few years to master the skills
of woodcarving, but when a colleague introduced him to the craft of silver- plating, he did not think twice about concentrating on
the latter. Known locally as pinukpok, the grue on process was used to make silver adornments for church items.

Most of Mutuc's commissioned pieces are handmade and include human representations, whose facial expressions he finds most
challenging to execute.

Maricris Jan Tobias paraphrases Tatang Eddie, as this Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan of 2004 humbly prefers to be addressed:
"The only way to improve one's skills is to immerse oneself, learn the technique, and to practice. Only in perfecting one's craft can
there be real reward."
Lesson 8
Visual Arts in the Philippines 2
“Portrait of the Visual Artist as a Modern Filipino.”

Arturo “Art” R. Luz

National Artist for Visual Arts (1997)

Was born in Manila on November 20, 1926.

He studied painting at the School of Fine Arts of the University of Santo Tomas.

He earned a diploma from Califorian College of Arts and Crafts.

He was a prominent printmaker, sculptor, and art administrator who was named as a national artist for visual arts in 1997.

He was a minimalist and he used geometric abstracts that “exemplify an ideal of sublime austerity in expression and form.”

He pioneered the professionalization of the art galleries that “set a prestigious influence over generations of Filipino artists.”

Contributions:
Bagong Taon, Man with Guitar, Self-Portrait, and Cities of the Past
STREET MUSICIAN
THE JUGGLER

J. Elizalde Navarro
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR PAINTING (1999)

Was born on May 22,1924, in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

A painter and sculptor whose works, aside from painting and sculpture, include graphic design, printmaking, and mask-making in
hardwood which “merge the human and the animal.”

Navarro liked to experiment. He painted using oil, acrylic, and watercolor and tried his hand at incision painting.

In 1954, at the Philippine At Gallery, he had his first solo exhibit of woodcuts and construction pieces of mixed media namely
wood, metal, and found objects.

Navarro career spanned 40 years** and saw him involved in, aside from painting and sculpture, drawing, printmaking and saw
graphic designing.

He represented the Philippines in International exhibitions such as the Sao Paulo Biennale ( Sculpture Category)

1999, Navarro was honored by his alma mater UST with the Parangal Hagbong and by the Filipino people with the National Artist
Award for Visual Arts.

Navarro major mixed media works include: I’m Sorry,Jesus, I Can’t Attend Christmas This Year (1965)
Homage to Dodjie Laurel (1969)
Flying Contraption for Mr. Icarus (1984)
The Seasons ( 1992)

Ang Kiukok
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS(2001)

*Was born on March 1, 1931, in Davao* to immigrants from Xiamen, China, and his name “Kiukok” means *“Save the Country”*
One of the *most talented and energetic figures who began his flourishing career during the 1960’s.*

In 1959, the Art Association of the Philippines awarded

“ Ang’s Blind Musicians a special prized at its 12th annual art exhibition.

Ang’s style did not lend itself well to traditional portraiture.

It was a *unique fusion of cubism, surrealism, and expressionism* that was influenced by modernist painters.

He painted the *Virgin Mary, the Queen of the Rosary*, lovers and mothers and fathers cradling their children.

DOG FIGHT
MAN OF FIRE

Jose T. Joya
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR (2003)

* Loved to draw as a boy growing up in Manila*, where he was born on *June 3, 1931*.

*1954, he received a scholarship from the Intitute de Cultura Hispanica and went to Madrid for her higher studies in painting.*

He was the student of the traditionalist at UP

His work would gradually reflect his exposure to Western *abstraction during his studies abroad and the influence of the growing
modernist school in the Philippines*.

A former dean of the College of Fine Arts of UP.

He was one who initiated abstract expressionism in the country.

His masterpieces *showed “dynamic spontaneity” and “quick gestures” of action painting.*

*He participated in the first Exhibition of Nonobjectives Art in Tagala in 1953* and put up his first one-man show in 1954.

*1958 , he won 1st prize for his nonobjective “Painting” at the 11th annual PAG exhibition.*

Received the *Ten Outstanding Young Men Award for Painting ( 1961), the ASEAN Cultural Award (1970)*. THE Patnubay ng
Singing at Kalinangan from the City of Manila(1971), the Gawad CCP para sa Sining (1991)

‘’ In creating an artwork, the artist is concretizing his need for communication. He has an irresistible urge to reach that level of
spiritual satisfaction and to project what he is and what he thinks.”

Joya’s major works:

Barter of Panay ( 1948)
Christ Stripped of his Clothes (1954)
Dimensions of Fear (1965)
Vista Beyond Vision, Torogan ( 1985)
Playground of the Mind (1998)

Contributions:
Nanking, Hills of Nikko, Mariveles, Beethoven Listening to the Blues, Cityscape, Granadean Arabesque, and Biennial.

BENEDICTO CABRERA “BenCab”

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS(2006)

Was born in Malabon on *April 10, 1942*

He is a *brilliant painter* who has “upheld the primacy of drawing over the decorative color.”

Was an *enterprising young man*, and while a student at the Arellano High School.

Cabrera dropped out of college and work as an *illustrator for Liwayway Magazine* , but he after 2 years because the eye strain
led to his developing *myopia.*

One of the ‘Thirteen Artists” who had created a *significant body work the exhibited artistic maturity.*

In 2009, he build the Bencab Museum in the outskirst of Baguio City, where he houses a rich collection of Cordillera tribal art. The
museum has a café that is named ‘Sabel” After Bencab’s favorite muse.

Outstanding Citizen of Baguio in the Arts (1997).

*Outstanding artist*, who began his career in *art painting the pavement* and the walls around his house in Manila at the *age of
7*, walked into the Heroes Hall of Malacanan Palace.

Contributions:
Madonna with Obects, Studies of Sabel, People Waiting, The Indifference, and Waiting for the Moonsoon.

FEDERICO AGUILAR ALCUAZ

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS(2009)

Was born in Manila on *June 6, 1939.*

Was very popular among his teachers because he would gift them with their potraits that he himself had drawn.

Known for his *gestural paintings in acrylic and oil for his sketches in ink, watercolor, and pencil.*

He was also a *gifted sculptor, producing abstract and figurative works in ceramics, and relief sculpture made of paper and mixed
media.*

Was honored with the *Outstanding Alumnus Award by San Beda and the Republic Cultural Heritage Award (1965)*

Alcuaz has the singular distinction of having been proclaimed *National Artist for Visual Arts by two Philippine presidents, Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo (2009) Benigno Simeon Aquino (2011)*

FRANCISCO V. COCHING
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS (2014)

Born in *Buting , Pasig, on January 29,1919.*

The * Philippine’s greatest illustrator* “ Dean of Filipino Illustrators,”

The young Coching was so drawn into this excitingly creative world that he did not finish his formal schooling, choosing to become
an apprentice illustrator at Liwayway.

At the *age of 15*, he created *Bing Bigotilyo for Silahis Magazine, at 16 developed Marabini, an Amazon warrior, for
BAHAGHARI Magazine.*

His imagery was drawn from Philippine culture of the 19th century until the 1960s and depicted the racial and class conflict that
permeated Philippine colonial society.

He also combined *myth and fantasy*, creating grotesque characters, vampires, bats. And witches as in Haring Ulupung.

Coching retired at 54 years old after 39 years as a comics creator and 61 comics novels
In *1981*, Coching received the *Makasinig na Komiks Award from the Manila Commission of Arts and Culture.*

Declared *National Artist for Visual Arts in 2014-sixteen years after his death.*

ABDULMARI ASIA IMAO

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR VISUAL ARTS (2006)

Was born on *January 14, 1936*, and grew up in Sulu and belonged to a line of toking or boat makers of the Precolonial Era.

He was originally surnamed *Allih*

But was renamed Asia Imao upon the instructions of an imam to his mother.

Imao graduated from *UP in 1959*, and soon received a *Fulbright Smith-Mundt.*

*1963*, Imao , the 1st Asia to receive the *New York Museum of Modern Art Grant to Europre and Scandinavia.*

He created *abstracted patterns of the ukkil, naga, and pako rabang* combined with cubism and integrated the form of the
sarimanok ( bird with a fish in its beak) in his paintings and sculpture.

Imao was also a *photographer, ceramist,documentary filmmaker, and teacher.*

In *2006, he become the 1st Muslim to be proclaimed National Artist for Visual Arts.*

TEOFILO GARCIA
MASTER HAT MAKER GAWAD MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN(2012)

Was born on March 27, 1941, from San Quintin Abra.

Maker of tabungaw.

He weaves tabungaw when he harvest upo, a subcrop.

Garcias sees the export potential of the tabungaw because of its uniqu indigeneous charm and its durability ; a tabungaw.

He also tries to experiment with using other materials for the trimmings like nito from Cagayan.

Lesson 9
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE 1:
A CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE

What is Philippine literature all about?

The literature associated with the Philippines from prehistory, through its colonial legacies, and on to the present.

Pre-Hispanic Philippine literature was actually epics passed on from generation to generation, originally through an oral tradition.

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE

JOSE GARCIA VILLA
NICK JOAQUIN
CARLOS P. ROMULOS
FRANCISCO ARCELLANA
N.V.M.GONZALEZ
EDITH L. TIEMPO
F.SIONIL JOSE
ALEJANDRO ROCES

MASTER AMBAHAN CHANTER GAWAD MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN(1993)

GINAW BILOG

JOSE GARCIA VILLA

NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (1973)

Was born on August 5, 1908 in Singalong Manila.

He began his tertiary studies at the University of the Philippine in Deliman, Quezon City.

He was the *first Filipino National Artist for literature*.

He was a Filipino poem, literary critic, short story writer, and painter.

He is considered as a *powerful literary influence* in the country in the 20th century.

He is known as the “comma poet” for he invented and popularized comma poetry.

He used the *pointillism* technique in which he uses small distincts dots of pure color to create an image.

He used the pen name “Doveglion”, which was a combination of the words “dove”, “eagle”, and “lion” and was what he believed
was his true persona.

Major Works:
Footnote to Youth
Poems 55
Poems in Praise of Love

NICK JOAQUIN
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (1976)

Born in Paco, Manila, on May 4, 1917.

The only Filipino writer with a real imagination…which knows how to express itself in great language.

He particularly liked fiction, the Bible, the lives of saints, ancient and medieval history, and poetry.

He started writing short stories, poems, and essays at the age of 17.

Received streams of praise and prizes for his rich body of work that includes, aside from essays, poems, and short stories, full-
length plays, novels, and biographies.

Recreates the superstitious custom of a young boy or girl looking into a mirror on the eve of the first day of May to see, if the spirits
were kind.

Was awarded First Prize in the Philippine Free Press Short Story Contest in 1949

1996, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Art.

CARLOS P. ROMULO
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR Literature (1982)
Born in Intramuros, Manila, on January 14, 1899.

Romulo began his diplomatic career in 1945 as the Philippine delegate to the United Nations Organization Conference ( UNOC) in
san Francisco, US.

Romulo was named secretary of foreign affairs of the Philippine Republic and eventually Philippine ambassador to the United
States.

He published more books, including his autobiography/ Walked with Heroes (1961) and Identity and Change (1965)

FRANCISCO ARCELLANA
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (1990)

Born on September 6, 1916, in Sta, Cruz Manila.

Arcellana started writing in secondary school as a staff member of the student publication at the University of the Philippines.

Fictionist, poet, essayist, critic, journalist, and teacher.

Considered one of the roots of the modern Filipino short story in English.

Arcellana went on to edit and publish Expression in 1994, encouragingbwriters to experient with nontraditional forms and themes.

Most Notable stories are:

The Flower of May ( 1st prise, Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, 1951)
Win of Madness (2nd prize, Philippines Free Press Literary Contest, 1953)
The Man Who Could Be Poe
Death in a Factory
Lina and Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal

N.V.M. GONZALEZ
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (1997)

Was born in Romblon on September 8, 1915, but grew up in Mindoro.

He wrote for the Philippine Graphic, a popular magazine at the time, in which his 1st published essay appeared in 1934.

Reflected the Filipino spirit in rural and urban contexts and used the English language to express and enrich Philippine culture and
perspective.

Received from a grateful nation a final accolade his life and work.

Philippines Centenial Award for Literature in 1998.

Works include:
Seven Hills Way
Children of the Ash-covered Loam Grammar of Dreams and Other Stories
Work on the Mountain
On This Island Now
The Winds of April ( 1st Commonwealth Literary Contest, 1940)

EDITH L. TIEMPO
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (1999)
Was born on April 22,1919, in Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya.

Earned in 199 the distinction of being the 1st –and thus far the only woman to be honored as a National Artist for Literature.

Poet, fictionist, and literary critic.

Published Works:
Joshua and Other Stories (1964)
The Volumes of Poetry , The Tracks of Babylon and Other Poems (1966)
The Chairman’s Box , Beyond Extensions(1993)
Marginal Annotations and Other Poems, The Novels A Blade of Fern (1978)
His Native Coast (1979)
The Alien Corn ( 1992)
One Tilting Leaves( 1995)
The Builder (2004)
The Jumong (2006)

F. SIONIL JOSE
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE(2001)

Born on December 3, 1924, in Rosales Pangasinan.

1949, began writing.Since then he has authored more than 35 books, which have been translated into ore that 20 languages and
published worldwide.

The most widely read Filipino writer outside hr Philippines.

“The Rosales Saga”, best known work which comprises five novels.

The Pretenders ; Tree ; My Brother;My Executioner; Mass;Po –on

He was edithor of the Manila Times Sunday Magazine (1949-1960) Manila Times annual Progress (1958-1960)

In 1966, he established Solidarity, a magazine of current affairs, ideas, and arts.

Was selected for the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Arts in 1980.

ALEJANDRO ROCES
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR Literature (2003)

Was born on July 13, 1924, grew up in Manila.

He attended the University of Arizona, where he earned a degree in Fine Arts.

He was the 1st recognized for his writing ability.

Loved teaching and working with young people.

Roces pushed for Independence Day to be declared on June 12, instead of July 4 and the use of our national language in passports,
coins, bills, and diplomas.

GINAW BILOG
MASTER AMBAHAN CHANTER GAWAD MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (1993)
Was born on January 3, 1953, from Panaytayan Oriental Mindoro.

The pride of Mindoro, having received the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA).

Ginaw’s most treasured collections are pieces inherited from his father and grandfather, which continue to inspire and guide him in
his work of preserving ambahan.

Ultimate goal to keep this unique form of indigenous poetry alive and well thriving.

He established in the village of Bait in Mansalay the School of Living Traditions (SLT).

Died of lingering illness at the relatively young age of 50.

The National Comission of Culture and the Arts.

Lesson 10
PHILIPPINE LITERATURE 2:
CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

AMADO V. HERNANDEZ
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE(1973)

Was born in Hagonoy, Bulacan, on September 13, 1903, but growing up in Tondo Manila

Began writing when he was a teenager and works in Tagalog published a column for Pagkakaisa and become editor of mabuhay.

1922, he was welcomed to the literary organization Aklatang Bayan.

1942, he joined the resistance movement against the Japanese, working as an intelligence agent

1947, he led widespread labor strikes in Manila, which led to his imprisonment

1948 , being a leader of the communist rebellion.

The 1st Filipino sociopolitical novel that exposes the ills of society, particularly the agrarian problems of 1950s

He was editor of the prison newspaper Muntinlupa Courier.

A poet, an essayist, a playwright, and a novelist.

He believed that art must be “ committed” that the writer is the “ conscience” of society, demonstrating to readers the ability of the
human spirit

CARLOS QUIRINO
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR HISTORICAL LITERATURE (1997)

Born on January 14, 1910.

He joined the guerrilla movement, was captured by the Japanese,and endured the infamous Bataan Death March.

1st Filipino correspondent of the international news agency United Press Institute.
ROLANDO S. TINIO
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR THEATER(1997)

Born in Gagalangin, Tondo Manila, on March 5, 1937.

He received earlier distinctions, including Ten Outstanding Young Men ( 1967) Manila’s Patnubay ng Sining at Kalingan ( 1967)
Gantimpalang Quezon sa Panitikan (1977), Gawad CCP para sa Sining (1993).

Received his 1st literary prize from the University of the Philippines for Rage and Ritual, a collection of poems he had written in
lowa.

Believed that it was only through this foreign language that he could clearly communicate his thoughts
and that Tagalog was inadequate.

1960s, Tinio began to try writing in Tagalog.

His 1st collection of poems in Tagalog was entitled Bagay, and it set a trend in the use of “ Taglish:

VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (2003)

Born on March 9, 1944, and raised in Bulacan

Pen name “ Rio Alma”

A poet. Literary historian, critic, and educator.

1963, Almario’s poetry dwelt on political issues and expressed a nationalist fervor.

Almario’s 1st two volumes of poetry were Makinasyon (1968) Peregrinasyon (1970).

BIENVENIDO LUMBERA
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE(2006)

Was born in Lipa, Batangas, on April 11,1932, and was orphaned at the age of five.

Lumbera spreadheaded a new movement in Tagalog literature that was known as Bagay poetry, which sought to reconcile the poet
and the outside world.

His most important poetry collections are Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (1993) and Balaybay:

LAZARO FRANCISCO
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (2009)

Born on Febraury 22,1898.

He was prodigious storyteller.

Master of the Tagalog Novel.

He was the highest paid writer in his heyday.

He authored 12 novels, most of them dealing with the tenancy system, the explanation of farmers by landlords, and the foreign
domination of our society.
CIRILIO F. BAUTISTA
NATIONAL ARTIST FOR LITERATURE (2014)

Born on July 9, 1941.

Was excellent student, graduating first honorable mention from grade school and valedictorian from high school.

Poet, fictionist, and essayist.

Bautista published 18 books, the 1st of which is The Cave and Other Poems (1968)

Bautista continued to write and mentor young writers.

His with to see more native stories from different regions in the Philippines emerge and be published.

FEDERICO (‘’TUOHAN”) CABALLERO

NATIONAL MASTER EPIC CHANTER GAWAD MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN (2000)

Born on December 25,1938.

An epic chanter from Kalinog, Iloilo.

Gawad manlilkha ng Bayan (GAMABA).

Filipino epic chanter who is a recipient of the National Living Treasures Award.

Caballero is of the Panay-Bukidnon people from the Central Panay mountains.

He is known for his work on the documentation of the oral literature, particularly the ten epics.