21st 3

• Finest Writers/Authors from different regions of the Philippines

  • Kristian Sendon Cordero
  • Abdon M. Balde, Jr.
  • Merlinda Bobis
  • Gil L. Gregorio
  • Francisco Sionil Jose
  • Cirilo F. Bautista
• Kristian Sendon Cordero


  His books of poetry in three languages have won the Madrigal-Gonzales, Best First Book Award, the Philippine National Awards and the Gintong Aklat Awards (Golden Book Awards). In 2017, he represented the Philippines in the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. As a translator, he has translated the works of Rainer Maria Rilke, Jorge Luis Borges, Franz Kafka, and Oscar Wilde into Bikol and Filipino.
• Abdon M. Balde, Jr.


  He was born in Busac, Oas, Albay, and a contemporary Bicolano writer in Bikol, Filipino and English. He was awarded as one of the Outstanding Bikolano Artists for 2009 in Literary Arts category in Naga City, In 2012, he was named Poet laureate of Albay. Today, he is a councilor of the organization Lupon Sa Wika, a member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and director of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL; English: Writers' Union of the Philippines)
• Merlinda Bobis


  Award-winning writer Merlinda Bobis grew up in Albay, Philippines at the foot of an active volcano, which figures prominently in her writing and performance. As a child her main interest was painting, but at age ten she began writing poetry because 'painting with words' was cheaper. She has published novels, short stories, dramas and poems. Works: Fish-Hair Woman, Coffee Grove, Banana Heart Summer, Dwell, The Kissing
• Gil L. Gregorio


  Born in Naga, Camarines Sur. He has been into poetry writing since 1983 while serving as one of the staff of the Nueva Caceres Bulletin, the official publication of the University of Nueva Caceres. He is a regular contributor to the Bicol literature publication, An Tambobong nin Literaturang Bikolnon, where several of his poems in Bicol dialect were published. Notable work: A View From Afar
• Francisco Sionil Jose or F.Sionil Jose


  From Rosales, Pangasinan (1924-Present) Region 1, Ilocos Region. His writings since 1960s when taken collectively can be described as epic. His works reflect the consistent espousal of the aspirations of Filipinos: National Sovereignty and Social Justice and were translated into various languages. Rosales Saga, The Pretenders, The Molave and the Orchid (2004)
• Cirilo F. Bautista


  A poet, fictionist and essayist with exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the development of the country's literary arts. As a way of bringing poetry and fiction closer to the people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to develop their creative talent, Bautista has been holding regular funded and unfunded workshops throughout the country. Summer Suns (1963), The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus (2001), Pedagogic (2008),Third World Geography (2005)