The Philippine National Heroes1. Dr. Jose Rizal  - The National Hero.2. Andres Bonifacio  - The Great Plebian and Father of the Katipunan.3. General Gregorio del Pilar  - Hero of the Battle of Tirad Pass.4. General Emilio Aguinaldo  - President of the First Philippine Republic.5. Apolinario Mabini  - Sublime Paralytic and Brains of the Revolution.6. GOMBURZA  - Martyred Priests of 1872.7. Trece Martirez  - 13 Martyrs from Cavite.8. Emilio Jacinto  - Brains of the Katipunan.9. General Antonio Luna  - Cofounder of La Independencia .10.Melchora Aquino ( Tandang Sora )  - Mother of Balintawak.11.Graciano Lopez-Jaena  - Greatest Filipino Orator of the Propaganda Movement.12.Panday Pira  - First Filipino Cannon-maker.13.Mariano Ponce  - Propagandist, Historian, Diplomat And Managing Editor of La Solidaridad.14.Gregoria de Jesus  - Lakambini of Katipunan and Wife of Andres Bonifacio.15.Fernando Ma. Guerrero  - Poet of the Revolution.16.Felipe Agoncillo  - Outstanding Diplomat of the First Philippine Republic.17.Rafael Palma  - Cofounder of La Independencia and First UP president .18.Juan Luna  - Greatest Filipino Painter.19.Marcelo H. Del Pilar  - Greatest Journalist and Moving Spirit of the Propaganda Movement.20.Leona Florentino  - First Filipino Poetess(from Ilocos Sur).21.Pedro Paterno  - Peacemaker of the Revolution.22.Isabelo delos Reyes  - Founder of Philippine Socialism.23.Artemio Ricarte  - Revolutionary General, known as Viborra.24.Jose Palma  - Wrote the Spanish Lyrics of the Philippine National Anthem.25.Lakandola  - Chief of Tondo, Friendly to the Spaniards.26.Rajah Soliman  - The Last Rajah of Manila.27.Leonor Rivera  - Cousin and Fiancee of Jose Rizal.28.Marcela Mariño Agoncillo  - Maker of the First Filipino Flag.29.Galicano Apacible  - One of the Founders of Katipunan.30.Jose Ma. Panganiban  - Bicolandia's Greatest Contribution to the Historic Campaign for Reforms.31.Diego Silang  - Leader of the Ilocano Revolt.32.Maria Josefa Gabriela Silang  - Continued the Fight After her Husband's Death.33.Lapu-Lapu  - Chieftain of Mactan Who Killed Magellan. First Filipino Hero.34.Francisco Dagohoy  - Leader of the Longest Revolt in Bohol.35.Epifanio delos Santos  - A Man of Many Talents; the Former Highway 54 is Now Named After him

(EDSA).36.Francisco Baltazar  - Prince of Tagalog Poets.37.Teresa Magbanua  - First Woman Fighter in Panay. Visayan Joan of Arc.38.Trinidad Tecson  - Mother of Biak-na-Bato.39.Agueda Esteban  - Wife of Artemio Ricarte Who Carried Secret Messages About Spanish Troops.40.Marina Dizon  - Daughter of One of the Trece Martirez.41.General Francisco Makabulos  - Leader of the Revolt in Tarlac.42.Julian Felipe  - Composer of the Philippine National Anthem.

Presidents of the Philippines from past to present:

1

General Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – April 1, 1901)

To make it easier for you to master, always remember why Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was on the 5-peso bill (which is not used

anymore, instead his head-profile is on the 5-peso coin) bearing the Philippine flag at the celebration of the Philippine

Independence Day, it’s because he was the first president of the Philippines First Republic (a.k.a. Malolos Republic).

Contributions and Achievements of Emilio Aguinaldo:

first president

youngest president – he became the country’s leader at age 28

longest-lived president – he died when he was 94 (wow!)

one of the active leaders of KKK

signed the Pact of Biak na Bato

known as the President of the Revolutionary Government

he fought against the Spanish and American to retain our independence

2

Manuel L. Quezon (November 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944)

Notable facts about Manuel Luis Quezon is that, he is known as the “Father of National Language” (Ama ng Wikang

Pambansa) and he died in Saranac Lake, New York due to tuberculosis. I’ve seen his life-sized wax statue inside the Quezon

Memorial Circle, it was well crafted.

Contributions and Achievements of Manuel L. Quezon:

first Senate president elected as President of the Philippines

first president elected through a national election

first president under the Commonwealth

he created National Council of Education

he initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth

he made Tagalog / Filipino as the national language of the Philippines

he appears on the twenty-peso bill

a province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila were named after him

his body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle

3

Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945)

Laurel was the third to sit at the office during Japanese occupation of World War II. He was the only Filipino president to have

been shot outside of combat.

Contributions and Achievements of Jose P. Laurel:

he was considered as the legitimate president of the Philippines

he organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas).

he declared Martial Law in 1944

he and his family developed the establishment of Lyceum of the Philippines

4

Sergio Osmeña (August 1, 1944 – May 28, 1946)

Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the Commonwealth; he succeeded Quezon after his death.

Contributions and Achievements of Sergio Osmena:

he was 65 when he became president– making him the oldest president to hold office

he was the first Visayan to become president

he joined US Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 starting the freedom of the Philippines from the

Japanese during World War II

during his time, the Philippine National Bank has been rehabilitated and the country joined the International Monetary

Fund

on his time, the Bell Trade Act was approved by the US Congress

Sergio Osmena appears on the 50 peso bill

5

Manuel Roxas (May 28, 1946 – April 15, 1948)

Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines overall but he was considered as the third and last president under the

Commonwealth and the first of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He only sat in the office for 1 year, 10 months and 18

days.

Contributions and Achievements of Manuel A. Roxas:

was inaugurated as the new and first president of the new Republic because the Philippines was finally free after the

WW II

in his time, the country has started reconstruction from war damage and the Philippines started breathing without foreign

rule

under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were accepted by the congress

he is in the 100 peso bill

6

Elpidio Quirino (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953)

He was the vice president at Roxas time. He became president when the latter died in 1948.

Contributions and Achievements of Elpidio Quirino:

under his term Hukbalahap movement was active

he created Social Security Commission

he also created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption

in 1948, Quezon City was the capital of the Philippines

peso and dollar exchange rate at his time was 1 US = P2

7

Ramon Magsaysay (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)

He was born in Iba, Zambales, was a military governor, and engineer. He died on a plane crash on Dec. 1957, boarding the

presidential plane named “Mt. Pinatubo

Contributions and Achievements of Ramon Magsaysay:

was a chairman of the Committee on Guerilla Affairs

was the first president sworn into office wearing Barong Tagalog  in his inauguration

his presidency was referred as the Philippines’ Golden Years for it was the cleanest and zero-corruption

the Philippines was ranked 2nd in Asia’s clean and well-governed countries

he established National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) among his agrarian reforms

8

Carlos P. Garcia (March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961)

Another lawyer, Carlos P. Garcia was a poet, teacher, and guerilla leader too. Born from Bohol, he was the vice president of

Magsaysay and secretary of Foreign Affairs for 4 years. He became president when Magsaysay died in 1957.

Contributions and Achievements of Carlos P. Garcia

he was known for “Filipino First Policy”

he established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce

was known as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “bard from Bohol”

cultural arts was revived during his term

was the first president to have his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani

9

Diosdado Macapagal (December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965)

He was born in Lubao, Pampanga, Diosdado Macapagal is the father of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the 14thand second woman

president of the Philippines. He was a lawyer and a professor, too.

Contributions and Achievements of Diosdado Macapagal:

he established the first Land Reform Law

he placed the Philippines currency – peso, on the currency exchange market

he made June 12 1898 as the Philippines’ Independence Day

he signed the Minimum Wage Law

he signed the creation of the Philippine Veteran’s Bank

10

Ferdinand Marcos (December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986)

Born from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was a lawyer and Senate President for 3 years. He was president

for 21 years and only quit office after the People Power Revolution. His wife, Imelda Marcos became quite popular in the

world too. His term was the most controversial and messy one because of Martial Law and People Power although Marcos

has contributed a lot of nice things in the Philippines. He was one of the best and brightest presidents even though their

family was rumored to have embezzled public funds to Switzerland and other wealthy countries.

Contributions and Achievements of Ferdinand Marcos:

he was the first president to win a second term

he declared Martial Law on Sept. 22, 1972

he increased the size of Philippine military and armed forces

in 1980, GNP was 4 times greater than 1972

in 1986, the Philippines was one of the most indebted countries in Asia

he built more schools, roads, bridges, hospitals and infrastructures than all former presidents did combined

is the only president whose remains interred inside a refrigerated crypt

Source: CC BY SA 2.0 by Philippinepresidency Flickr photostream

11

Corazon Aquino (February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992)

The first woman president of the Philippines and the first woman president in Asia, Cory Aquino is the wife of Benigno Aquino

Jr. (who was assassinated during Marcos regime). She was born in Paniqui, Tarlac

Contributions and Achievements of Corazon Aquino:

was named “Woman of the Year” in 1986 by Time magazine

first woman president of the Philippines and Asia

she’s known to bring back democracy in the country

she abolished 1973 Marcos Constitution brought the new Constitution of the Philippines

she reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government

signed the Family Code of 1987 and 1191 Local Government Code

she always initiated charitable and social activities helping the poor and the needy

she’s been cited as a modern-day Joan of Arc by many

she is in the new 500 peso bill together with her husband Ninoy Aquino

she has received great honors and awards such as one of:

100 Women Who Shaped World History

20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century

65 Great Asian Heroes

a recipient of J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding

Source: CC BY SA by Philippinepresidency Flickr Photostream

12

Fidel V. Ramos (June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998)

FVR was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he became president. Unknown to many, he’s also a

civil engineer. He brought back economic growth and stability in the country in spite of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. He

is the first and only non-Catholic president of the Philippines.

Contributions and Achievements of Fidel V. Ramos

during his time, the Philippines was cited as Asia’s Next Economic Tiger because he brought back economic growth

the Philippines celebrated Centennial Independence in 1998

he’s the only Filipino who received British Knighthood from the United Kingdom, bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II

(Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George)

he led the 4th APEC Summit held in the Philippines

his “Philippines 2000” vision made the Philippine Stock Exchange one of the best in the world in the mid-90s

Death Penalty was reinstated at his time

he signed peace talks and agreement with the MNLF

13

Joseph Estrada (June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001)

Known as Erap, he was the first president who was a famous film actor. His governance had so many downs due to

controversies, impeachment and slow economic growth. I think he’s the first president who has been impeached and the

second one who was forced to leave the office because of People Power III in Edsa. Philippine economy was at its worst

because of leadership uncertainty.

Contributions and Achievements of Joseph “Erap” Estrada:

during his time, the MILF’s headquarters and camps were captured

he joined other leaders and politicians who supported against the Charter Change

was cited as one of the Three Outstanding Senators in 1989

was among the “Magnificent 12” who voted for the termination of the Philippines and US Military Bases Agreement from

Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base

Source: CC BY Piercing Pens Flickr Photostream

14

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010)

Gloria Arroyo, daughter of ex-president Diosdado Macapagal, was the second female president of the Philippines. She was

14 when she moved and lived in the Malacanang Palace. Oakwood Mutiny occurred on her term. There were also lots of

messy controversies against Gloria like impeachments and the Hello Garci disgrace but Gloria has known to have contributed

big record for road, bridges infrastructures and higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents term did. Amid the 2008

global financial crisis, the Philippines still had an impressive GDP growth and it was so hard to keep it afloat but she did.

Contributions and Achievements of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo:

second female president of the country

first and only female vice-president of the Philippines so far (to date)

first president to had oath taking outside Luzon

an ex-professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University where Noynoy Aduino was one of her students

an ex-classmate of former US president Bill Clinton at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service

where she maintained Dean’s list status

she regained higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents before her

Philippine economy grew at its fastest in 3 decades in 2007, GDP exceeding 7% growth

US ex-president Bill Clinton cited Gloria’s “tough decisions” because of her brilliant strategy to make the country's

economy back in shape amidst the 2008 global financial crisis

Peso became the best performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007

eVAT Law was implemented under her term

she is currently in the 200 peso bill

Source: CC BY Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Flickr Photostream

15

Benigno Aquino III (June 30, 2010 – present)

Son of the first female president of the Philippines and Asia – Corazon Aquino, Benigno Aquino III Aquino a.k.a. NoyNoy

joined the House of Representatives and the Senate before his presidency. He is the first president who is a bachelor,

unmarried and has no children.

Contributions and Achievements of Benigno Aquino III:

he created the no wang-wang policy and this was practiced on his inaugural address

he assigned the notable Jesse Robredo as the secretary of DILG in 2010.

he initiated the K-12 education in the Philippines

he renamed the Office of the Press Secretary into Presidential Communications Operations Office and appointed new

officers

he signed an EO about suspension of allowances and bonuses of GOCCs and GFIs board members

has paved peace in Mindanao thru the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement

in 2012, the Philippine economy grew 7.1% besting other South East Asian countries

(will definitely add more info to date…)

Emilio Aguinaldo (1869 - 1964)

The president of the first Philippine republic (1899). He started as a member of the Magdalo Chapter of the Katipunan in Cavite,

then was elected president of the revolutionary government at the Tejeros Convention on March 22,1897, and, later, Biak-na-Bato

Republic. He proclaimed Philippine independence at Kawit on June 12, 1898. His capture foreshadowed the end of large-scale

armed resistance to American rule. H

Manuel L. Quezon (1878-1944)

The first Filipino president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines under American rule. He was president of the Philippines from

1935 to 1944. For advocating Filipino-language amendments to the 1935 Constitution, he is known as the "Father of the National

Language."

Jose P. Laurel (1891 - 1939)

President of the Second Republic from 1943 to 1945. He had been secretary of the interior (1923), senator (1925 - 1931), delegate

to the Constitutional Convention (1934), and chief justice during the commonwealth. When World War II broke out, he was

instructed by Quezon to stay in Manila and deal with the Japanese to soften the blow of enemy occupation.  As president, he

defended Filipino interests and resisted Japanese efforts to draft Filipinos into the Japanese military service. Upon return of the

American forces, Laurel was imprisoned in Japan when Douglas Macarthur occupied that country He was returned to the

Philippines to face charges of treason, but these were dropped when President Roxas issued an amnesty proclamation. In the Third

Republic, he was elected senator and negotiated the Laurel-Langley Agreement.

Sergio Osmeña, Sr. (1878 - 1961)

The first Filipino national leader under the American regime as speaker of the Philippine assembly and the second president of the

Philippines (1944-1946).

Manuel Roxas (1892 - 1948)

The last president of the Philippine Commonwealth and the first president of the republic (1946 - 1948).

Elpidio Quirino (1890—1956)

President of the Philippines from 1948 to 1953. As vice president during Manuel Roxas’s term, he was also secretary of foreign

affairs. He became president when Roxas died in 1948. He was elected president in his own right in 1949.

Ramon Magsaysay (1907 - 1957)

President of the Philippines from 1953 to 1957. He had been President Quirino’s secretary of defense who was instrumental is

suppressing the HUK rebellion. As president, he persuaded Congress to pass the Agricultural Tenancy Act (1954). It was during his

term that the Retail Trade Nationalization Act was passed. He secured revisions in the Bell Trade Act and was the first president to

revise the US Military Bases agreement to bring it more in line with Philippine interests.  

Carlos P. Garcia (1896 - 1971)

President of the Philippines from 1957 to 1961. Remembered for his Filipino First Policy. He was among the founders of the

Association for Southeast Asia (1963), the precursor of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Diosdado Macapagal (1910 - 1997)

President of the Republic of the Philippines from 1961 to 1965. He asked Congress to pass the Agricultural Land Reform Code,

which abolished share tenancy and installed a leasehold system in its place; it finally passed on August 8, 1963. This was a

significant step toward resolving the agrarian problem. It was during his presidency that Independence Day was moved from July 4

to June 12, the date when General Aguinaldo proclaimed Philippine independence in Cavite.

Ferdinand Marcos (1917 - 1989)

President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. Declared martial law on September 21, 1972. After the People Power revolution in

February 1986, he was ousted from power and lived in exile in Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

Corazon Cojuangco Aquino (1933 - )

President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. With Salvador Laurel as running mate, she led the opposition that overthrew the

authoritarian government of Marcos, who went into exile after the successful People’s Power revolution of 1986. She first

established a revolutionary government under the Freedom Constitution, later replaced by the Constitution of 1987, which served as

the basis for reestablishing democracy

Fidel V. Ramos (1928 - )

President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1997. As head of the Constabulary under President Marcos, he was instrumental in

helping to design and implement martial law. Together with General Ponce Enrile and the RAM, he defected from the government in

1986 and joined the People’s Power revolution that ousted Marcos from power. His presidency is remembered for better integrating

the national economy in the global scheme.

Joseph Estrada (1937 - )

President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001.  During his term in office, he was arrested and stood trial at a congressional

impeachment hearing on charges of accepting bribes and corruption. While this trial was aborted when the senators voted 11 to 10

not to open incriminating evidence against him, he was ousted from power anyway as a peaceful People’s Power II revolution arose

and called for his resignation 

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (1947 - )

The current president of the Philippines.  She served as vice president under President Estrada and became president when he

was forced to step down for malfeasance, through the People’s Power II revolution. PGMA has confronted some of the same

obstacles as did her father, President Diosdado Macapagal, when he tried to clean up corruption in government. Her government

continues enjoy political legitimacy in the face of opposition.

This list of Filipino writers is organized by the first letter in the surname.

Francisco Arcellana

Francisco Balagtas

Lualhati Bautista

Carlos Bulosan

Cecilia Manguerra Brainard

Linda Ty Casper

Ingrid Chua-Go

Gilda Cordero-Fernando

Edmundo Farolan

Zoilo Galang

N. V. M. Gonzalez

Jessica Hagedorn

Nick Joaquin

F. Sionil José

Peter Solis Nery

José Rizal

Alejandro R. Roces

Bienvenido Santos

Edilberto K. Tiempo

Kerima Polotan Tuvera

This list was based on the popularity and number of bestselling works and whose works became influential to the lives of the Filipinos.this greatest Filipino writers blog was made by jecmendiola and onesounddrum.

10. CARLO J. CAPARASCarlo J. Caparas is a comic strip creator, writer, director and producer who became sensational known for his created local superheroes and comic book characters that are still popular to Filipinos until now. Some of his creations turned Filipino icons such as “Panday” (a Blacksmith hero) and many others. As a producer and director, Carlo J. Caparas produced box-office movies based on comics and true-to-life stories and crimes. In 2009 he received National Artist Award granted by the President of the Philippines.

9. MARS RAVELOMars Ravelo is also a comic strip creator and writer who became phenomenal in the Philippines for his created superheroes such as “Darna” (a Filipino version of Wonder Woman), Dyesabel (name of the Filipino mermaid/heroine), and many others. During his time, the “Golden Age of Comics” flourished. Like Carlo J. Caparas, Mars Ravelo’s creations and writings were turned into films and became box-office hit during 1960′s to 1980′s. Ravelo was also the highest paid comic writer during his time. Until now, his creations is still influential to Philippine contemporary literature.

8. LOUIE MAR GANGCUANCOThe youngest among the list, Louie Mar Gangcuanco published his debut novel entitled “Orosa-Nakpil, Malate” at the age of 18. The novel illustrates the pink culture in the streets of Orosa and Nakpil, which is known as the haven of gay Filipino culture. The novel became an instant hit, becoming a bestseller months after it was released. His work was featured in the top-rating TV show, Sharon, in June of the same year. In August 2006, Louie Mar was awarded the Y Idol Award (Youth Idol Award) by Studio 23’s Y Speak. Later that month, the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino conferred a Sertipiko ng Pagpapahalaga for Orosa-Nakpil, Malate. His phenomenal novel is endorsed by prominent people and institutions including the multi-awarded director, Jose Javier “Joey” Reyes, Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan (former DOH secretary) and Dr. Raul Destura of the National Institutes of Health Philippines.After one year of circulation, Orosa-Nakpil, Malate made it to the Best Sellers List released by National Book Store in April 2007. With him in the list are authors Mitch Albom of One More Day, James Patterson and Maxine Paetro of The Fifth Horseman, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez of Memories of My Melancholy Whores. The book landed on the Top 8 spot, overtaking international authors Steve Berry and Kiran Desai.

7. GILDA OLVIDADOGilda Olvidado is a popular Filipino novelist and writer, known for her extraordinary love stories. She became famous during the 1970′s with her remarkable novels “Sinasamba Kita (I Worship You)”, “Babangon ako’t Dudurugin Kita (Sweet Revenge)”. She also wrote screenplays that later turned into blockbuster such as “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (Where is Love Hiding?)” who made her rise into popularity after the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences recognized it as the best story. Today, Gilda Olvidado’s fans are still counting, waiting the release for her next novel.

6. NICK JOAQUINNick Joaquín was born in Paco, Manila, one of the ten children of Leocadio, a colonel under General Emilio Aguinaldo in the 1896 Revolution, and Salome Marquez, a teacher of English and Spanish. Being read poems and stories by his mother, Joaquin taught himself by reading widely at the National Library of the Philippines and the library of his father, who by that time was a successful lawyer after the revolution. This developed further his interest in writing.At age 17, Joaquín was first published in the literary section of the Pre-World War II Tribune under writer and editor Serafín Lanot. Before publishing in the Tribune, Joaquin worked as a proofreader of the paper.After winning a Dominican Order-sponsored nationwide essay competition for La Naval de Manila, the University of Santo Tomas awarded Joaquín an honorary Associate in Arts (A.A.) and a scholarship to St. Albert’s Convent, the Dominican monastery in Hong Kong. Upon his return to the Philippines, he joined the Philippines Free Press, starting as a proofreader. Soon, he was noticed for

his poems, stories and plays, as well as his journalism under the pen name Quijano de Manila. His journalism was markedly both intellectual and provocative, an unknown genre in the Philippines at that time, raising the level of reportage in the country.Joaquín deeply admired José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Joaquín paid tribute to Rizal by way of books such as The Storyteller’s New Medium – Rizal in Saga, The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal, and A Question of Heroes: Essays in Criticism on Ten Key Figures of Philippine History. He also translated the hero’s valedictory poem, in the original Spanish “Mi Ultimo Adios,” as “Land That I Love, Farewell!”Joaquín served as a member of Motion Pictures under President Diosdado Macapagal and President Ferdinand E. Marcos. Joaquin’s first move as National Artist was to secure the release of imprisoned writer José F. Lacaba. Later, at a ceremony on Mount Makiling attended by First Lady Imelda Marcos, Joaquín delivered an invocation to Mariang Makiling, the mountain’s mythical maiden. Joaquín touched on the importance of freedom and the artist. As a result, for the remainder of the Marcos regime, Joaquín no longer received invitations to address important cultural events.

5. LUALHATI BAUTISTALualhati Bautista is one of the foremost Filipino female novelists in the history of contemporary Philippine Literature. Her novels include, “Dekada ’70 (Decade ’70)”, “Bata, Bata, Pa’no Ka Ginawa? (Child, Child… How were you made?”, and “‘GAPÔ (short name for Olongapo, Philippines)”.In addition to being a novelist, Lualhati Bautista is also a movie and television screenwriter and a short story writer. Her first screenplay was Sakada (Seasonal Sugarcane Workers), a story written in 1975 that exposed the plight of Filipino peasants. Bautista has received recognition from the Philippines’ Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature and the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa in 1987. Her award-winning screenplays include Bulaklak sa City Jail (A Flower in City Jail) (1984), Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap (If The Clouds are Parted) (1984), Sex Object (1985). For screenplay writing, she has received recognition from the Metro Manila Film Festival (best story-best screenplay), Film Academy Awards (best story-best screenplay), Star Awards (best screenplay), FAMAS (finalist for best screenplay), and URIAN awards. Two of her short stories have also won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, Tatlong Kuwento ng Buhay ni Julian Candelabra (Three Stories in the Life of Julian Candelabra), first prize, 1982; and Buwan, Buwan, Hulugan mo Ako ng Sundang (Moon, Moon, Drop Me a Sword), third prize, 1983. Bautista also authored the television dramas Daga sa Timba ng Tubig (The Mouse in the Bucket of Water) (1975) and Isang Kabanata sa Libro ng Buhay ni Leilani Cruzaldo (A Chapter in the Book of Life of Leilani Cruzaldo) (1987). The latter won best drama story for television from the Catholic Mass Media Awards.Bautista was honored by the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings on March 10, 2004 during the 8th Annual Lecture on Vernacular Literature by Women. In 2005, the Feminist Centennial Film Festival presented her with a recognition award for her outstanding achievement in screenplay writing. In 2006, she was recipient of the Diwata Award for best writer by the 16th International Women’s Film Festival of the UP Film Center.She is also the only Filipino included in a book on foremost International Women Writers published in Japan, 1991.

4. F. SIONIL JOSEF. Sionil Jose is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. José’s works – written in English – have been translated into 22 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Dutch.Jose Rizal’s life and writings profoundly influenced José’s work. The five volume Rosales Saga, in particular, employs and interrogates themes and characters from Rizal’s work.Throughout his career, Sionil José’s writings espouse social justice and change to better the lives of average Filipino families. He is one of the most critically acclaimed Filipino authors internationally, although much underrated in his own country because of his authentic Filipino English and his anti-elite views.In 1980, Sionil Jose received Ramon Magsaysay Award (Asia’s Nobel Prize) for Literature.

3. FRANCISCO BALAGTASFrancisco Baltazar, known much more widely through his nom-de-plume Francisco Balagtas, was a prominent Filipino poet, and is widely considered as the Tagalog equivalent of William Shakespeare for his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work.Balagtas learned to write poetry from José de la Cruz (Huseng Sisiw), one of the most famous poets of Tondo. It was de la Cruz himself who personally challenged Balagtas to improve his writing. (source: Talambuhay ng mga Bayani, for Grade 5 textbook)In 1835, Balagtas moved to Pandacan, where he met María Asunción Rivera, who would effectively serve as the muse for his future works. She is referenced in Florante at Laura as ‘Celia’ and ‘MAR’.Balagtas’ affections for Celia were challenged by the influential Mariano Capule. Capule won the battle for Celia when he used his wealth to get Balagtas imprisoned under the accusation that he ordered a servant girl’s head be shaved. It was here that he wrote Florante at Laura—In fact, the events of this poem were meant to parallel his own situation.He wrote his poems in Tagalog, during an age when Filipino writing was predominantly written in Spanish.Balagtas published Florante at Laura upon his release in 1838. He moved to Balanga, Bataan in 1840 where he served as the assistant to the Justice of peace and later, in 1856, as the Major Lieutenant. He was also appointed as the translator of the court.Balagtas is so greatly revered in the Philippines that the term for Filipino debate in extemporaneous verse is named for him: balagtasan.

2. BOB ONGBob Ong, is the pseudonym of an anonymous Filipino contemporary author known for using conversational Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of life as a Filipino.

A Filipino Literary critic once commented:” Filipinos really patronize Bob Ong’s works because, while most of his books may have an element of comedy in them, this is presented in a manner that replicates Filipino culture and traditions. This is likely the reason why his first book – and those that followed it, can be considered true Pinoy classics.”The six books he has published thus far have surpassed a quarter of a million copies. His words of wisdom were applied by some of the Filipinos to their daily lives.

1. JOSE RIZALFor obvious reasons, he is the most influential and the most bestselling author/writer until now.Jose Rizal was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist whose most famous works were his two novels, “Noli me Tangere (Touch Me Not)” and El filibusterismo “The Filibuster”). These are social commentaries on the Philippines that formed the nucleus of literature that inspired dissent among peaceful reformists and spurred the militancy of armed revolutionaries against the Spanish colonial authorities.His books are still cracking the bestselling list.

Wonder Location Image Year

Taj Mahal

ता�ज महलمحل تاج

Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India AD 1632

Giza Necropolis

(honorary title)

الجيزة أهرامات

Giza, Egypt 2589 BC

Petra

البتراء

Al-Batrā

Ma'an

Governorate, Jordan312 BC

Colosseum

ColosseoRome, Italy AD 70

Chichen Itza

Chi'ch'èen Ìitsha'Yucatán, Mexico AD 600

Machu Picchu

Machu PicchuCuzco, Peru AD 1438

Great Wall of China

万里长城

Wànlǐ Chángchéng

China 700 BC

Christ the

Redeemer

Cristo Redentor

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil AD 1931

The Giza Necropolis in Egypt, the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, was granted an honorary site.

Other finalists[edit]

The other 13 finalists,[16] listed alphabetically, were:

Wonder Location Image Year

Acropolis of Athens Athens, Greece 447 BC

Alhambra Granada, Spain 1333

Angkor Wat Angkor, Cambodia 1113

Eiffel Tower Paris, France 1887

Hagia Sophia İstanbul, Turkey 360

Kiyomizu-dera Kyoto, Japan 1633

Moai Easter Island, Chile 1250

Neuschwanstein Füssen, Germany 1869

Red Square Moscow, Russia 1561

Statue of Liberty New York, United States 1886

StonehengeAmesbury, United

Kingdom2400 BC

Sydney Opera House Sydney, Australia 1959

Timbuktu Timbuktu, Mali 1327