Alright, if you’ve ever found yourself deep in the pages of Filipino literature, getting lost in the intricate web of words and stories, then honey, you are in for a treat! We’ve pulled together a list of the crème de la crème of Filipino authors – the legends whose pens have brought forth iconic works that have both tickled our fancies and pulled at our heartstrings. We’re talking about a mix of the big guns in contemporary novel land and those classic poets who probably were penning verses while sipping on some coconut water under a tropical Filipino sunset. Curious? Read on Tagalog learner!
Best Filipino Authors Of All Time
Planning to visit an aklatan in the Philippines? If yes, then you’ve gotta keep an eye on these superb Tagalog and English pieces we rounded up below!
Nick Joaquin
Back in my university days, I distinctly remember being tasked with reading the masterpieces of Nick Joaquin, specifically “The Woman Who Had Two Navels” and “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino.” At first, my sole motivation was to tick off the boxes for my course requirements (hello, 1.0 GPA!).
However, as I got into the really page-turning parts, I found myself completely hypnotized by his incredible talent for capturing the essence of Filipino culture. Joaquin painted a vivid kaleidoscope of traditions and values that seemed to jump off the pages, inviting us to dive in and bask in the beauty of the Philippines’ rich culture.
Want to read his novels? Check these out!
- “The Woman Who Had Two Navels”
- “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino”
- “Tropical Gothic”
- “May Day Eve and Other Stories”
- “Cave and Shadows”
- “The Summer Solstice and Other Stories”
- “Culture and History”
- “Almanac for Manileños”
Amado V Hernandez
Ever heard of “Mga Ibong Mandaragit”? No? Well, honey, let me enlighten you! This book is a must-read if you wanna get schooled (literally!) about the heart of social justice issues in the Philippines. Maybe due to his genuine desire to show off the REAL Pilipinas, he even served as the secretary-general of the Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan.
Here are some of his most celebrated works:
- “Mga Ibong Mandaragit” (“Birds of Prey”)
- “Luha ng Buwaya” (“Crocodile Tears”)
- “Bayang Malaya” (“Free Nation”)
- “Isang Dipang Langit” (“An Arm’s Length of Sky”)
- “Pulang Sulo” (“Red Torch”)
- “Panata sa Kalayaan” (“Vow to Freedom”)
- “Liriko” (“Lyric”)
- “Amado V. Hernandez: Tudla at Tudling” (“Amado V. Hernandez: Writings and Poems”)
F. Sionil Jose
I highly recommend checking out the works of F. Sionil Jose, the rockstar of Philippine literature! His books are a captivating exploration of the social and political realities that shape our country. From “The Rosales Saga” to “Ermita,” each page immerses you in the struggles and triumphs of the Filipino people. Trust me, you won’t be able to take your eyes off these masterpieces!
Just as a note, his books are always flying off the shelves, so good luck to you if you can snatch up one.
Here are some of the influential works of F. Sionil Jose:
- “The Pretenders” (Book 1 of The Rosales Saga)
- “My Brother, My Executioner” (Book 2 of The Rosales Saga)
- “Tree” (Book 3 of The Rosales Saga)
- “The Samsons: Mass” (Book 4 of The Rosales Saga)
- “Po-on” (Book 5 of The Rosales Saga)
- “Ermita: A Filipino Novel”
- “Gagamba: The Spider Man”
- “Sin”
- “Viajero”
- “Dusk (Modern Library Series)”
- “Don Vicente: Two Novels (Modern Library Series)”
Lualhati Bautista
Ever heard of “Dekada ’70” when speaking with Filipinos? This best-selling (and perhaps one of the most controversial) book features a story that takes you straight into the heart of a Filipino family living under Martial Law. It’s like she pulled back the curtain and showed us all the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. I read several books from her, and I believe that she sheds light on big issues like gender inequality and social oppression with such finesse that you’ll be left in awe.
Here are some of the notable works by Lualhati Bautista:
- “Dekada ’70”
- “Bata, Bata… Pa’no Ka Ginawa?”
- “Desaparesidos”
- “Gapô”
- “The House”
- “Bulaklak sa City Jail”
- “In Sisterhood”
- “Sixty in the City”
Tagalog Words Related To Books
Are you an aspiring linguist or simply hungry to add another language to your vocabulary arsenal? To help you get started on your journey and let literature fuel your adventures in Tagalog learning, today we’re bringing you some key vocabulary related to reading! Get ready to curl up with a good book—in Tagalog this time.
| English | Tagalog |
|---|---|
| Author | May-akda |
| Bestseller | Pinakamabenta |
| Book | Aklat |
| Chapter | Kabanata |
| Character | Tauhan |
| Critique | Pagsusuri |
| Dialogue | Usapan |
| Fiction | Kathang-isip |
| Genre | Uri |
| Hardcover | Matigas na Saklay |
| Literature | Panitikan |
| Non-fiction | Hindi Kathang-isip |
| Novel | Nobela |
| Plot | Plots |
| Poet | Makata |
| Poetry | Tula |
| Prose | Prosa |
| Story | Kwento |
| Writing | Pagsusulat |
Learn Tagalog With Ling
In this post, we discovered that delving into these Tagalog words is like unlocking a treasure trove of Filipino awesomeness! It’s as if you’ve been granted access to a secret garden where you can freely explore the rich literary traditions of the Philippines. From fascinating genres and esteemed publishing houses to ancient religious texts and timeless works in the public domain, there’s so much to explore.
Ready to read in Tagalog? The good news is, it’s never been easier! Simply grab your phone, visit the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and download the Ling app. It’s like having a portable classroom right at your fingertips because with it…learning Tagalog is just a tap away!
