Filipino Authors and Their Notable Works

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing Filipino authors, their key contributions, and representative works.

Pedro Bucaneg

First known Ilocano poet; credited with the Ilocano epic “Biag ni Lam-ang.”

Carlos Bulosan

Advocate for Filipino laborers in the United States; authored the semi-autobiographical novel “America Is in the Heart.”

Manuel Arguilla

Short-story writer who portrayed rural Ilocano life; wrote “How My Brother Leon Brought Home a Wife.”

Francisco Sionil José

Prolific novelist of class struggle and nationalism; created the multi-volume “Rosales Saga.”

Amador Daguio

Ilocano poet-fictionist who stressed nationalism; known for the short story “Wedding Dance.”

Edith L. Tiempo

National Artist who elevated Philippine literature in English; famous for the poem “Bonsai.”

Marcelo H. del Pilar

Father of Philippine journalism; used satire for reform in “Diariong Tagalog.”

Francisco Balagtas Baltazar

Elevated traditional Tagalog poetry to national stature; authored the epic poem “Florante at Laura.”

Juan Crisóstomo Soto

Pioneer of early Kapampangan literature; wrote the collection “Mga Tula ng Sambayanan.”

Virgilio Almario

Revived classical Filipino poetic forms and translated nationalist texts; compiled in “Mga Tulang Pambansa” and translations of “La Solidaridad.”

Rogelio R. Sikát

Trail-blazer of social realism in Tagalog fiction; author of the story “Impeng Negro.”

José Rizal

Father of Filipino nationalist literature; wrote the novels “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.”

Mars Ravelo

Comics creator of iconic Filipino superheroes such as “Darna” and “Captain Barbell.”

Bienvenido Lumbera

Leading poet, critic, and educator; works include “Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa” and the libretto “Luna, ang Babaeng Tagalog.”

N.V.M. Gonzales

Master storyteller of rural life and Filipino values; wrote the novel “The Bamboo Dancers.”

Lualhati Bautista

Feminist novelist acclaimed for the martial-law era novel “Dekada ’70.”

Paz Marquez Benitez

Pioneer of the modern Philippine short story in English; best known for “Dead Stars.”

Nick Joaquín

Author of urban, cultural-history fiction; wrote the novel “The Woman Who Had Two Navels.”

Rolando S. Tinio

Theater artist, translator, and poet; published the poetry collection “A Trick of Mirrors.”

Andres Bonifacio

Used literature as a revolutionary tool against colonial rule; penned “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa.”

Mariano Perfecto

Known as the Father of Bikol literary journalism; compiled “Bikol Folklore Anthologies.”

Potenciano Gregorio Sr.

Composer of the beloved Bicolano song “Sarung Banggi.”

Ricardo Lee

Highly respected screenwriter in Philippine cinema; wrote the film screenplay “Himala.”

Merlinda Bobis

Writer who fuses literature with visual art and dance; author of the novel “Banana Heart Summer.”

Estellito Baylon Jacob

Contemporary writer noted for the chapbook “Mga Nirirukidukit,” part of NCCA’s UBOD Writers Series.