Photo: Unsplash
Cover Photo: Unsplash

Get to know the Filipino women behind Philippine literature's most beloved pieces

We round up a list of female poets that have produced collections and works that give a glimpse into the experiences of being a Filipina woman.

Although some may consider poetry an old-fashioned practice and genre, the Philippines boasts a deep history of lyricism and literature. Browse through our list to see which Filipina writers to add to your reading list this 2021:

Read more:Learn About Poetry With Miguel Hernandez

1. Ophelia Dimalanta

Tatler Asia
Above Cover of Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta's 'Love Woman'

Perhaps one of the country’s most renowned female poets is Ophelia Dimalanta. Fondly remembered for her works Flowing On (1988), Love Woman (1998), and Lady Polyester: Poems Past and Present (1993), she has been a vanguard for Thomasian writers in the Philippines. 

For Dimalanta, erotic pieces mean so much more than what the public perceives. Her works prove that it takes sensible ideas and good command of language to create effective works. She was once quoted in an article by The Varsitarian, “eroticism can be applied if it is functional; if it is important to what you are writing about”. The much-anthologised poet had passed away at the age of 76 but she left an irreplaceable mark in the local poetry scene. 

Read more:5 Reasons To Write Poetry

 

2. Edith Tiempo

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Above National Artist for Literature Edith L. Tiempo | Photo: Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)

A teacher and literary critic, Edith Tiempo is unlike any other writer. Her works, albeit descriptive, lets her readers experience the joy of unlocking symbols before moving on to the next lines.

One of her works, The Return tells of an old man who pictured his youth and past glories through dreadful memories. Tiempo used phrases such as “dead years” and “grey hair”  to define old age. In 1999, Tiempo was conferred the National Artist Award for Literature.

Read more: How To Beat Writers Block

3. Conchitina Cruz

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: @Conchitinabot on Twitter

A lot of writers can leave their readers speechless but no one does it like Conchitina “Chingbee” Cruz, a 45-year-old literature professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

Her modern and relatable tone is evident in the coming of age poem Exhibition Notes where she captured life’s varying milestones defined by age.

As of this writing, Cruz already bagged two Carlos Palanca Awards: one in 1996 for Second Skin and another in 2001 for The Shortest Distance. Her work, Dark Hours, was also recognised at the 2016 National Bookstore award for poetry. 

Read more: 9 Fiction Books By Filipino Authors You Should Read

4. Merlie Alunan

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Goodreads

Merlie Alunan’s fluency in major Visayan languages made way for her to write Pagdakop sa Bulalakaw ug Uban Pang Mga Balak, Sa Atong Dila: Introduction to Visayan Literature, and Tinalunay: Hinugpong mga Panurat.

According to Alunan, most of her works are conceived and written in Cebuano or Waray before being translated to English. Her writings aim to inspire non-Tagalog writers to showcase their works and embrace language diversity in literature. 

At the age of 77, Merlie continues to intensify her advocacy to encourage young writers to publish Waray poems by creating writing workshops.

Read more: Miguel Syjuco Shares Wise Words On Literature

5. Ma. Luisa Aguilar Igloria

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: The Missouri Review

Author Ma Luisa Aguilar Igloria lets her credentials speak for her. In 2015, she was chosen by former UK Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, Alice Oswald, and Jo Shapcott as the inaugural winner of the Resurgence Prize (UK), the world's first major award for ecopoetry (poetry with a strong ecological emphasis or message).

Igloria acknowledges her privileges as the only child of her lawyer father and a stay-at-home mother. "I was raised as an only child and my parents were completely invested in my education. They taught me to read when I was three and signed me up for piano lessons at around the same time". 

"We weren't poor, but we weren't exactly wealthy. We got our first television set when I was nearly 10 years old, our first car when I was nearly out of high school," Igloria explained in an interview

Originally from Baguio, Igloria settled in Virginia together with her four daughters. She was recently appointed as the 20th Poet Laureate of the Commonwealth of Virginia (2020-2022). 

Read more:Author Joy Tan-Chi Mendoza On Why She Turned To God After Her Brutal Attack

6. Dinah Roma

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop

Dinah Roma was born in Samar but went to Manila to take a double degree in Literature and Marketing Management at the De La Salle University (DLSU). The author also spent five years in Japan to take her Master's Degree in Comparative Culture. 

One of her latest and most notable works is Naming the Ruins, which explores "the guises of ruins in our encounter with every day". In 2014, she was chosen to represent DLSU at the Sydney Writers' Festival: the Asian Contemporary Poetry Reading Marathon.

 

7. Rebecca Añonuevo

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Goodreads

Rebecca T Añonuevo teaches literature and writing subjects at Miriam College. Her book titled, Talinghaga ng Gana: Ang Banal sa mga Piling Tulang Tagalog ng Ika-20 Siglo, won the National Book Award for Literary Criticism from the Manila Critics Circle. She also grew fond of giving teacher training and panelling writing workshops in the country. 

The author is also known for writing children's stories. Some of her most famous works are Ang Mahiyaing Manok, Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, and Ang Bisikleta ni Monmon.

8. Benilda Santos

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Ateneo de Manila University archives

Award-winning author, editor, and professor Benilda Santos is often described by her colleagues as an exceptional poet and film critic. In her lifetime, she garnered three Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature in poetry (both in English and in Filipino). The author's first collection, Pali-palitong Posporo has already gone through three editions, the latest of which was published by High Chair in 2016. She is also a winner of the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Award.

On February 18, 2016, Santos was appointed as the Dean of the School of Humanities (SOH) at the Ateneo de Manila University. In his memo, University President Fr Jose Ramon T Villarin described Santos as someone "concerned about national issues, and the rootedness of these to the role and relevance of the arts”.

Read more: 17 New Cookbooks For 2021

9. Marjorie Evasco

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Philstar News

Born into a Visayan family who communicates in English, Marjorie Evasco’s works are written in two languages: her mother tongue Binisaya (Boholano-Visayan), and English. 

When she moved to Manila, Evasco wasted no time and finished her Master's Degree in Creative Writing at Silliman University. She was also able to finish Doctor of Philosophy in Literature (Ph.D.Litt.) at De La Salle University.

Evasco's most notable achievement is her participation in conceiving Writers Involved in Creating Cultural Alternatives (WICCA) and Women in Literary Arts (WILA), two local organizations espousing the cause of female writers.

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