Filipino Authors

Lualhati Bautista

Lualhati Bautista is known as one of the foremost Filipina fiction novelist in the history of contemporary Philippine Literature. She is a recipient of the country’s literary award giving bodies such as the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for her novels Gapo (1980), Dekada 70 (1983), and Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa ? (1984). Her honest depiction of the reality , her bold exploration of women's issues, and her compelling female protagonists became her trademark in literary circle. Because of her dedication in addressing feminist issues, she was given recognition by Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings during the 8th Annual Lecture on Vernacular Literature by Women.

Jose Garcia Villa

Jose Garcia Villa is a Filipino poet, a literary critic, and Philippine National Artist in Literature. He is well known for his extensive use of commas in his works thus it made him famous as the Comma Poet. Garcia Villa found his true passion in thJose Garcia Villa is a Filipino poet, a literary critic, and Philippine National Artist in Literature. He is well known for his extensive use of commas in his works thus it made him famous as the Comma Poet. Garcia Villa found his true passion in the arts through painting but then turned into writing after reading Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson. His collection of poetry such as Have Come, Am Here in 1942, and Volume Two, 1949 were published abroad and received critical claim. In his works, he introduced his poetic innovations: the comma poems and reversed consonance. He also believed that art should be “for art’s sake”.

Amado V. Hernandez

Amado V. Hernandez is a National Artist in Literature. Among his award winning works are Mga Ibong Mandaranggit (Birds of Prey), 1969, and Luha ng Buwaya (Crocodile's Tears), 1972. His association in the labour movement and sympathy for the working class grew his criticism of the social injustices and liberation in the country. His involvement with the communists brought his imprisonment ordeal which then provided him the creative drive of most of the poems in his collection. Hernandez’ works Isang Dipang Langit (A Stretch of Sky), 1961 and the epic, Bayang Malaya (Free Country), 1969, both of which were written behind bars. In his writings, he bared the neocolonial mentality of the society during his time and advocated for nationalistic movements and to end the long history of oppression of the poor

References:

http://panitikan.com.ph/authors.htm

http://ecsamar.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/bautistalualhati.jpg

http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/images/a/a9/Josevilla.jpg

http://nationalartists.panitikan.com.ph/profilepictures/blumbera.jpg

Literature?

Defining literature has perplexed and confused me because of the different views of my references. Hence, I decided to define it on my own perspective. Literature, on my own terms, is the reflection of a particular culture, behaviour, hallucination, and frustration of an individual, a society, or a nation through written expressions and emotions. It is also the manifestation of the life and observations of people of a certain epoch. Thus, making literature as the basis of our history and facts. The world of literature is boundless by imagination where characters varies from talking polar bears to a mad scientist who has evil plans of world domination, the setting can be on the remote town of Macondo or in the busy streets of Mumbai, and the mood could be strangely melancholic or highly satirical.

In this respect, literary works brings delight to its active readers. The readers can travel around world and other universes in one sitting and be someone else living in another lifetime. I believe the greatest thing about literature is that it opens your eyes to different perspectives and possibilities. It gives another light and a new meaning to the things you normally take for granted or things that you are accustomed with. It also reminds us of the events in the past that had tremendous impacts on the shaping of the society today that will reflect on the moulding of our future. Furthermore, it magnifies the fact that we are all connected in this world and everyone has a story to tell.

Photo Taken on August 30, 2009

Location: Sariaya, Quezon

“I picked this photograph because it reminds me of the possibilities that life offers. Literature is like an open sea where anything is possible and limitless. You just need a boat to journey around it.”