Collection of
Collection of
Poetry
Clodualdo del Mundo
SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
Clodualdo del Mundo was born in Manila in 1911. Liwayway editor, critic, scholar, and head of TANIW (Taliba ng Inang Wika). Winner of a presidential award on literature and nationalism. Pioneer in modern drama, having presented the first modern Tagalog zarzuela, Anong Tamis ng mga Sandali sa Sariling Bayan, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the first modern opera with Balagtas as hero. Wrote a great number of “novels” for television, radio, and the local cinema, receiving the FAMAS award for one of his stories. In poetry, he was among the first to write in free verse. His Ang Kanyang mga Mata (patterned after the Japanese haiku) is a gem in its lucidity and restraint. He passed away on October 5, 1977.
TAGALOG POEM BY CLODUALDO DEL MUNDO:
Ang Kanyang Mga Mata is a short Tagalog love poem by Clodualdo del Mundo. The title is translated into English as "Her Eyes."
Rolando Tinio, National Artist
This great Filipino poet was a National Artist for Theater and Literature and was in the first group of inductees into the Palanca Hall of Fame in 1995. A native of Tondo, Manila, he was born in 1937 and died in 1997.
SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
Rolando (Santos) Tinio is famous for being a playwright, poet and translator. He was born in Tondo. Date of birth: March 5, 1997. Died in Manila in on July 7, 1997. Belonged to the anti-Romantic group of Tagalog poets known as the Bagay (Object) group who describe things and avoid giving interpretations. The Grandmother describes a senile, cranky grandmother; this
poem gives a glimpse into the ways of a typical Filipino household at dusk when the Angelus prayer is announced.
POETRY COLLECTIONS BY ROLANDO TINIO:
Sitsit sa Kulilig (Whistling at Cicadas, 1972); Dunung-Dunungan (Pedantry, 1975);Kristal na Uniberso (Crystal Universe, 1989); Trick of Mirrors (1993)
EXAMPLE OF POETRY TRANSLATION BY ROLANDO TINIO: Tagalog-English translation of Florante at Laura excerpt
Virgilio Almario
This great Filipino poet is known by his pen name "Rio Alma." SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
Virgilio Almario was born in San, Miguel, Bulacan. Date of birth: March 9, 1944. More known by his pen name “Rio Alma.” Also famous as a translator of poems, plays, and novels, particularly of the works of Jose Rizal. Won the Palanca Award for Poetry of 1970 for his Peregrinasyon at Iba pang mga Tula. Has a broad knowledge of world poetry particularly of the contemporary school. His themes range from nature and love to contemporary problems. His “Dolores” describes a teacher dreaming of her past.
POETRY COLLECTIONS of Virgilio Almario:
Kung Bakit Kailangan Ang Himala (University of the Philippines Press, 2007)
Teo Baylen
This great Filipino poet is also known by the initials TSB. SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
Teo Baylen was born in Noveleta, Cavite, in 1904. The timeliness and timelessness of his work is attested to by such awards as the Cultural Heritage (1962-1963), the Palanca (1965, 1972), and the U.N. (1965). The symbols Pinsel at Pamansing (Brush and Fish Hook), the title of his 1967 poetry collection, suggest his method and his aim. His imagery is Biblical — of caves, wells, pastures, lambs, altars — and his goal is to point out (like T.S. Eliot) that our so-called modern civilization with its godless “isms” has succeeded only in creating a Frankenstinian monster.
TAGALOG POETRY BY TEO S. BAYLEN: Mga Sugat ng Siglo (Wounds of the Century)
Lamberto E. Antonio
This great Filipino poet has won the Palanca award ten times! SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
Lamberto E. Antonio was born in Manila in 1946. Former editor of the Univeristy of the East's newspaper Dawn. Has won the Palanca award ten times. His poetry has been termed “a savage blow against regular versification.” Also an essayist, translator and short -story writer. Wrote Insiang (1978), the very first Filipino movie shown at the Cannes Film Festival.
TAGALOG POETRY COLLECTION OF LAMBERTO ANTONIO: Pingkian at Apat Pang Aklat ng Tunggalian (1997)
Julian Cruz Balmaceda
This great Filipino writer was also known by his initials JCB. SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
Julian Cruz Balmaceda was born in Orion, Bataan. Date of birth: 28th of January, 1885. Death: September 18, 1946. Better known as a playwright (penned “Who are You?”). Wrote “Wound of the Heart” when he was only fourteen years o ld. Won first place in a competition by the Bureau of Posts, 1928, for his “Ang Piso ni Anita.” Also known as a novelist with daring themes and deft characterization. A poet who loved contests of Tagalog poetry (he won an award for his defense of “Tomorrow” against the “Yesterday” and “Today” of Regalado and Ramos. Also published a few long poems such as "Sa Bayan ni Plaridel,” “Anak ni Eba,” etc. As a critic, author of “The Three Periods of Tagalog Drama” and made several linguistic studies.
TAGALOG POEMS BY JULIAN CRUZ BALMACEDA:
Kung Mamili Ang Dalaga (How a Single Girl Chooses) - a humorous poem in Tagalog O Sintang Lupa (Oh, Beloved Land) - his co-translation of the original Spanish lyrics of the Philippine national anthem
Jose Rizal, Filipino National Hero
His nickname was Pepe (from Giuseppe / Joseph).
SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
According to many, Jose Rizal is the greatest genius and hero of the Philippines. He wrote two novels that energized the nationalism movement and the revolution during the time of the
Spaniards: Noli Me Tangere (The Social Cancer) and El Filibusterismo (The Reign of Greed). Like the works of Shakespeare, his writings are interpreted to have various meanings. Among the most ardent of his admirers are the Kababaihang Rizalista and The Knights of Rizal. His “Last Farewell” was written at Fort Santiago (and is said to have been smuggled out inside an oil lamp). Appreciated not only by Filipinos but also by other countries that use Spanish. He was born in Calamba, Laguna, on June 19, 1861. He was killed on December 30, 1896.
MOST FAMOUS POEM BY JOSE RIZAL:
Mi Ultimo Adios (written in Spanish, translated into English as Last Farewell and into Tagalog as Huling Paalam and also as Ang Aking Huling Paalam)
Jose Corazon de Jesus
He was known as the King of the Balagtasan. José Corazón de Jesús was born in Manila on November 22, 1896. He wrote Tagalog poetry during the American occupation of the Philippines (1901-1946). His most famous work is the Tagalog poem Bayan Ko (My Country, 1929), which was used as lyrics for a patriotic song that became popular during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the 1980s. His pen name was Huseng Batute. He died on May 26, 1932, and is
buried in Manila's North Cemetery.
TAGALOG POEMS BY JOSE CORAZON DE JESUS: Ang Tren (The Train)
a Tagalog poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus Ang Posporo Ng Diyos (The Matchstick of God)
a metaphorical Tagalog poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus Bayan Ko (My Country)
a patriotic Tagalog poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus Kahit Saan (Wherever)
a Tagalog love poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus
Ang Magandang Parol (The Beautiful Christmas Lantern) a Tagalog poem about a beloved grandfather
Biyolin (Violin)
a metaphorical Tagalog poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus Agaw-Dilim (Twilight)
a Tagalog poem by Jose Corazon de Jesus Itanong mo Sa Bituin (Ask the Stars)
David Mamaril
This great Filipino poet is known as the Makatang Caviteño. SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
David T. Mamaril is a writer and declaimer of Tagalog poetry. He was born in Noveleta, Cavite, on March 17, 1918. Known as a journalist as well, he is among the few top poets in the country. His mother is from Cavite while his father is from Pangasinan. Initially wrote verses in English before writing in his own language. Served in the United States Navy before the outbreak of the Second World War. Wrote many portada poems for Liwayway and other magazines. Became a writer of Mabuhay-DMHM, and wrote weekly poems for two and a half years. His poems were anthologized in Parnasong Tagalog ni AGA and various schoolbooks. Won many literature awards, such as those from the Women’s Interna tional Guild, the Juan Luna Centennial, Rizal Centennial and many others. On April 2 (Balagtas Day), 1971, he was crowned King of Lyric Poetry and honored at the Philippine National Library.
TAGALOG POEMS by David T. Mamaril:
Panggabing Hangin (Evening Wind) is a plaintive, wistful poem that recalls the fact that the poet was a sailor in US navy before World War II.
Liham na Walang Titik; Ina, Oh, Ang Ina; Ang Unang Pag-ibig; Mga Tinik at Bulaklak; Maliit na Pag-ibig; Talulot ng Umaga; Kayumangging Manggagawa; Ikaw Rin; Ang mga Mata Mo; Hindi Kita Malimot; Walang Maliw; Pakikipagtunggali at Pag-ibig; Mga Liham ng Diyos
Benigno Zamora
SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION IN ENGLISH
Benigno Zamora was once chief of the section on Secondary Instruction and Supervision in Pilipino of the Department of City Schools. Former member of the Institute of National
Language. Published his first short story at the age of eighteen. Wrote plays, zarzuelas, essays and lyrical poetry on themes that were popular yet charming (love, faith, and nostalgia for home). The last is found in “Ang Aking Tahanan,” composed while the poet worked as a spy against the Japanese during the Second World War II.
To My Muse by Jose Rizal
The following are part of a series of nineteen verses published in La Solidaridad for which Jose
Rizal used his favorite pen name of Laong Laan:
To my Muse
Invoked no longer is the Muse, The lyre is out of date;
The poets it no longer use,
And youth its inspiration now imbues With other form and state.
If today our fancies aught Of verse would still require, Helicon’s hill remains unsought; And without heed we but inquire,
Why the coffee is not brought. In the place of thought sincere That our hearts may feel, We must seize a pen of steel, And with verse and line severe
Fling abroad a jest and jeer.
Muse, that in the past inspired me, And with songs of love hast fired me;
Go thou now to dull repose, For today in sordid prose
I must earn the gold that hired me. Now must I ponder deep,
Meditate, and struggle on; E’en sometimes I must weep; For he who love would keep Great pain has undergone. Fled are the days of ease, The days of Love’s delight; When flowers still would please And give to suffering souls surcease
From pain and sorrow’s blight. One by one they have passed on, All I loved and moved among;
Dead or married—from me gone, For all I place my heart upon By fate adverse are stung. Go thou, too, O Muse, depart, Other regions fairer find; For my land but offers art
For the laurel, chains that bind, For a temple, prisons blind.
But before thou leavest me, speak: Tell me with thy voice sublime, Thou couldst ever from me seek A song of sorrow for the weak,
Defiance to the tyrant’s crime.
'My Last Farewell' by Jose Rizal
English translation by Charles Derbyshire of Jose Rizal's last poem, written in Spanish and known popularly as Mi Ultimo Adios.
My Last Farewell
Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress'd, Pearl of the Orient seas, our Eden lost!
Gladly now I go to give thee this faded life's best, And were it brighter, fresher, or more blest,
Still would I give it thee, nor count the cost. On the field of battle, 'mid the frenzy of fight,
Others have given their lives, without doubt or heed; The place matters not--cypress or laurel or lily white, Scaffold of open plain, combat or martyrdom's plight, 'Tis ever the same, to serve our home and country's need. I die just when I see the dawn break,
Through the gloom of night, to herald the day; And if color is lacking my blood thou shalt take,
Pour'd out at need for thy dear sake, To dye with its crimson the waking ray. My dreams, when life first opened to me,
My dreams, when the hopes of youth beat high, Were to see thy lov'd face, O gem of the Orient sea, From gloom and grief, from care and sorrow free; No blush on thy brow, no tear in thine eye
Dream of my life, my living and burning desire, All hail! cries the soul that is now to take flight; All hail! And sweet it is for thee to expire;
To die for thy sake, that thou mayst aspire; And sleep in thy bosom eternity's long night.
If over my grave some day thou seest grow, In the grassy sod, a humble flower,
Draw it to thy lips and kiss my soul so,
While I may feel on my brow in the cold tomb below The touch of thy tenderness, thy breath's warm power. Let the moon beam over me soft and serene,
Let the dawn shed over me its radiant flashes, Let the wind with sad lament over me keen; And if on my cross a bird should be seen,
Let the sun draw the vapors up to the sky,
And heavenward in purity bear my tardy protest; Let some kind soul o'er my untimely fate sigh, And in the still evening a prayer be lifted on high
From thee, O my country, that in God I may rest. Pray for all those that hapless have died,
For all who have suffered the unmeasur'd pain; For our mothers that bitterly their woes have cried, For widows and orphans, for captives by torture tried; And then for thyself that redemption thou mayst gain. And when the dark night wraps the graveyard around,
With only the dead in their vigil to see;
Break not my repose or the mystery profound,
And perchance thou mayst hear a sad hymn resound; 'Tis I, O my country, raising a song unto thee.
When even my grave is remembered no more, Unmark'd by never a cross nor a stone;
Let the plow sweep through it, the spade turn it o'er, That my ashes may carpet thy earthly floor,
Before into nothingness at last they are blown. Then will oblivion bring to me no care,
As over thy vales and plains I sweep;
Throbbing and cleansed in thy space and air, With color and light, with song and lament I fare, Ever repeating the faith that I keep.
My Fatherland ador'd, that sadness to my sorrow lends, Beloved Filipinas, hear now my last good-by!
I give thee all: parents and kindred and friends; For I go where no slave before the oppressor bends, Where faith can never kill, and God reigns e'er on high! Farewell to you all, from my soul torn away,
Friends of my childhood in the home dispossessed! Give thanks that I rest from the wearisome day!
Farewell to thee, too, sweet friend that lightened my way; Beloved creatures all, farewell! In death there is rest!
