Filipino Author: Bienvenido Lumbera

Bienvenido Lumbera

He is a Filipino poet, critic and dramatist. He is also a National Artist of the Philippines and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communications and many more.

A little background check on Mr.Lumbera: he was born in Lipa on April 11, 1932. His parents died when he was but a mere 5 year old boy.  He received his Litt.B. and M.A. degrees from the University of Santo Tomas in 1950, and then his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana University in 1968.

Taught Literature, Philippine Studies and Creative Writing at the Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, the University of the Philippines Diliman, and the University of Santo Tomas.

A few of his works are the following:

Poetry - Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa, 1993; Poetika/Pulitika, 2008; Ka Bel.

Literary criticism – Revaluation: Essays on Literature, Cinema, and Popular Culture, 1984; Tagalog Poetry, 1570-1898: Tradition on its Development, 1986; Abot-Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa Nagbabagong Kultura at Lipunan, 1987.

He has also been the author of numerous textbooks like, Pedagogy; Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology; Rediscovery: Essays in Philippine Life and Culture and many, many more.

To be frankly honest, I have not read at least one of his books but this is not the first time I’ve heard of Mr. Bienvenido Lumbera. I used to hear about him from my grandfather who, sadly, passed away many years ago.

Also, during my elementary and high school years, we have studied a bit about Filipino authors, and to say the truth, I am not that interested in local authors and books, I am more drawn to international books. But this does not mean that when I have the chance to read a locally written book, I would read it. I would read it because I would like to understand these authors and delve into their emotions that they have written on paper.

references : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bienvenido_Lumbera