National Artist Bienvenido "Bien" Lumbera was born with an extraordinary gift for storytelling. At the age of 89, the renowned poet passed away and left nothing but his awe-inspiring words
The very existence of Bienvenido "Bien" Lumbera was a gift to lovers of art. In his lifetime, he was able to cross genres and inspire generations of writers through his critical works Abot Tanaw: Sulyap at Suri sa Nababagong Kultura at Lipunan (1987) and Writing the Nation/Pag—Akda ng Bansa. He is also the genius behind poetry collections like Likhang Diwa (1993) and Balabay: Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang.
Born in Lipa, Batangas, the poet always believed that every fibre of his being is made as an instrument for storytelling. In an interview, Lumbera shared that even as a child, he was already interested in composing his own stories. "I would usually play with salagubang or June beetles as if they were characters on stage with a plot and dialogue.”
Lumbera grew up as a man who followed his childhood dream. In 1950, he studied at the prestigious University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila and completed his MA and PhD in comparative literature at Indiana University in 1967.
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The beloved playwright founded and led many of the country's cultural groups and societies. Among them are the Pambansang Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (Panulat), Philippine Comparative Literature Association, Pamana ng Panitikan ng Pilipinas, Panulat para sa Kaunlaran ng Sambayanan (PAKSA), Kalipunan para sa Literatura ng Pilipinas, Philippine Studies Association, Cultural Research Association of the Philippines, Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, and Concerned Artists of the Philippines.
Lumbera also wrote the libretto for Alice Reyes' Tales of Manuvu and Rama, Hari which are now regarded as the archetype of modern Filipino dance. He was also the librettist of Tanghalang Pilipino's Noli Me Tangere: The Musical as well as the musical drama Hibik at Himagsik nina Victoria Laktaw Atbp.
The literary magic that his works possess has earned him noteworthy awards and titles. He was named the National Artist for Literature in 2006 and was the Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts in 1993. He also holds the distinction of Professor Emeritus (an honourary title for professors who want to stay active in scholarship following retirement) in the University of the Philippines (UP).
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