21ST AUTHORS

  • Francisco Balagtas

  • “Prince of Tagalog Poets”

  • Florante at Laura (Awit, 1838) classic epic poem on love and social justice.

  • Critiques Spanish colonial abuses through a romantic allegory

  • Blends classic and native literary traditions


  • Marcelo H. Del Pilar

    • “Dakilang propagandista”

    • “father of philippine journalism”; Founded Diariong Tagalog

    • Editor of La Solidaridad, advocating reforms under Spanish rule.

    • Used satire and essays to promote nationalism and social reform


  • Pedro Paterno (Justo Desiderio Magalang, J.M.P., La Solidaridad)

    • Author of Nínay (1907); the 1st Filipino novel written in Spanish.

    • Sampaguitas y poesias varias; 1st Filipino who wrote poetry collection in Spanish

    • Combined historical narratives with romantic elements.


  • Jesus Balmori (Batikuling) 1887-1848

    • Premio Zobel Award

    • Poet Laureate in Spanish;  Mi Casa de Nipa, Mi Choza de Nipa (Poetry, 1940)

    • Three novels: Bancarrota de Almas (Failure of the Soul), Se Deshojó la Flor (I Tear The Pages Out of The Flower), and Pájaros de Fuego (Birds of Fire) which was completed during the Japanese occupation.

    • Famous for romantic poetry with themes of love and nature.


  • Fernando Ma. Guerrero Ramirez

    • Member of the Philippine Assembly

    • Crisàlidas (Book of poetry, 1914) 

    • Aves y Flores (Verse compilation, 1971)

    • Hispania (Poem)


  • Jose Corazon de Jesus (Huseng Batute, Poet)

    • “King of Balagtasan”

    • Unang makata s panahon ng kolonyalismong americano

    • Poet of love;  Ang Pagbabalik.

    • Isang punong kahoy (elegy)


  • Zoilo Galang

    • Pioneer of English language writing

    • A Child of Sorrow (1921) the first English-language Ph novel - ANAK NG DALITA translation

    • Tales of the Philippines (1921) – first volume of Philippine legends and folk tales written in English

    • Life and Success (1921) – first volume of Ph essays in English

    • The Box of Ashes and Other Stories (1924) – first volume of Philippine short stories in English


  • Alejandro G. Abadilla 1906-1969

    •  "excessive romanticism and emphasis on rhyme and meter".

    • Pioneer of modernist poetry in the Philippines.

    • Ako ang daigdig (tula, 1955), Tanagabadilla (1964), Piniling Mga Tula ni AGA (1965).

    • Mga kuwentong ginto


  • Jose Garcia Villa (Doveglion)

    • "Comma Poet."  I, began, to, Die, and, I, began, to, Grow

    • reversed consonance rhyme scheme technique 

    • Man-songs (erotic poem series)


  • Edith L. Tempo

    • First female National Artist for Literature (1999).

    • Known for her poetry and fiction exploring morality and identity.

    • Bonsai (poem, love that valuable and can be inherited)


  • Nick Joaquin

    • Known for exploring Filipino identity, history, and culture.

    • The Woman Who Had Two Navels (story) ,May Day Eve, The Summer Solstice, Tropical Gothic.

    • A portrait of the artists as filipino (play)

    • National Artist for Literature in 1976.


  • Lope K. Santos

    • "Father of the Philippine National Language Grammar."

    • Banaag at Sikat (1906, novel) addressing social and labor issues.

    • Balarila  ng wikang pambansa(1940); 1st grammar book

    • Panggingera (epic poem), Ang apat na himagsik ni Francisco balagtas

    • Appointed by Quezon as director of surian ng wikang pambansa til 1946


  • Lualhati Bautista (delailah)

    • Period: Contemporary Period (1960-present).

    • Bata, Bata... Pa'no Ka Ginawa?, 

    • Dekada '70 (1983 palanca award grand prize)

    • Kasalanan ng bastos (novel)

    • gender/feminsim, family, political struggles, social justice