Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard is a natural storyteller. Although she wanted to become a filmmaker, the author "fell in love with words on paper," said Manguerra-Brainard, who was reminiscing about her childhood during an interview with Rappler. She is the author of Magdalena, The Newspaper Widow, and When the Rainbow Goddess Wept which includes real epics that the author strived to retell in simpler language.

At the young age of eight years old, Jessica Hagedorn knew she wanted to be a writer. She lived her dream later on and wrote Dream Jungle, Toxicology, and Dogeaters which was adapted into a play. Although she moved to the US in her teenage years, Hagedorn could never forget her experience in the Philippines. She retells this in the Dogeaters which earned the American Book Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award. 

See also: F Sionil Jose's Open Letter To Writers: Advice From A National Artist for Literature

While Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo is known for her creative non-fiction, she is also an esteemed fictionist who has authored Recuerdo, Where Only the Moon Rages: Nine Tales, and Catch a Falling Star. "I began writing long before I became a scholar. I consider myself first and foremost a writer," she shared with The Manila Times. She first started writing a "family newspaper" as early as nine-years-old. Today, she has over 30 publications.

Two of Ninotchka Rosca's works, State of War and Twice Blessed, have become literary classics in the Philippines for her socio-political pieces that inspire and challenge the readers. Not only is she celebrated for her grit and brilliance in the country, but she is also known internationally for her activism.

If you've heard of Dekada '70, then you've probably heard of the woman behind the work, Lualhati Bautista. But apart from this popular piece, Bautista has also penned other works such as 'Gapo and Bata, Bata...Pa'no Ka Ginawa?, both of which serve as the author's critique of social injustices and other events that have occurred in history.

Merlinda Bobis draws inspiration from her experiences both locally and internationally. "Many times, the incorporation is a natural progression. It is seamless. Because your writing is informed by your lived life – so besides my experiences in Australia and memories in the Philippines – my world view now is planetary," she shared with SBS. Some of her popular works are Locust Girl: A Lovesong, Banana Heart Summer, and Fish-Hair Woman.

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