To celebrate Independence Day, we're reading up on the lives of inspiring Filipinos whose stories deserve to be told and retold
Well-written memoirs, autobiographies, and biographies are among some of the most interesting literary genres out there. Unfortunately, biographical literature doesn't seem to be thriving as much in the Philippines as it is in other countries.
There is, however, no shortage of talented writers in our country—and neither is there a scarcity of interesting stories to tell. This Independence Day, we're going to look through our libraries for some of the most interesting and informative stories we know. These comprise the narratives brought unto us by local figures whose stories remain as important today as they did in their time.
Read also: World Book Day 2021: 7 Of The Most Intriguing Filipino Fiction Books
1. The First Filipino by León María Guerrero III
The First Filipino, written by León María Guerrero III in 1961, is an award-winning biography of the Philippines' national hero, Dr Jose Rizal. It's a lengthy book, around 500 pages, and details a comprehensive look into the life, beliefs, and imagined emotions of Rizal. Though some people have commented on the verbosity of Guerrero's style, most have praised it for the vivid way in which our hero was portrayed within its pages.