The Rise Of Philippine Literature

for Children
1 CERES S. C. ALABADO
Godmother of Philippine Children’s
Literature and credited for having single-
handedly saved the genre from impending
literary death. She founded the Children’s
Literature Association of the Philippines
Inc. and Pamana Inc. She published books
for juvenile literature. She wrote Writing for
Children in the Philippine and in the Third
World Editor of Kosmik, a science
magazine for children . In 1986, she wrote
the novel “Kangkong”.

JOSE ARUEGO 2

He wrote 82 Children’s books. Whose

Mouse are You?, Leo the Late Bloomer and
Gregory the Terrible was among his best
known books. He work with Arianne Dewey
in creating books that were about animals
and their first book was published in 1969. In
2006, they reunited to produce the Last
Laugh, a picture book that had a strong
anti-bullying message.

3 ALBERT GAMOS

A book designer, illustrator and a

versatile artist. An honorary member of
Ang Illustrator ng Mga Kabataan. One
of the first illustrator of work for Adarna
House, illustrating 28 books. His works
have been published locally and
internationally.

IBARRA CRISOSTOMO 4

One of the Adarna House’s original

artist. One of the foremost
children’s book illustrators in the
Philippine and an honorary member
of Ang Illustrator ng Mga Kabataan.
 NICOMEDES “NICK “MARQUEZ JOAQUIN
5

Most distinguish Filipino writer in English writing. Critics

have coined the term "Joaquinesque" to describe his
baroque, Spanish-influenced English and his innovative
use of English infused with Filipino elements. His
significance in Philippine literature lies in his exploration
of the country’s colonial past under Spain and his
examination of social changes through the eyes of the
young, as exemplified in stories such as Doña Jeronima
1980, Candido’s Apocalypse 1965 , and The Order of
Melchizedek 1966. His voluminous works are, The
Woman Who Had Two Navels 1961 , A Portrait of the
Artist as Filipino,My Manila, A History for the Young,
The Ballad of the Five Battles, Rizal in Saga, Almanac
for Manileños, and Cave and Shadows.

RENE O. VILLANUEVA 6

One of the most influential children's writers in

the Philippines, he wrote stories that tackled
social issues and Filipino values.In 1980, he
won his first Palanca Award with the one-act
play "Kumbersasyon". He became the head
writer and creative director of the Filipino
children's television program “Batibot” during
the 1985. In 2002 he was nominated by the
Philippine Board on Books for Young People
(PBBY) to the Hans Christian Andersen Award
for Children's Writer the most prestigious
international recognition in the field of writing
for children. He is the first Filipino writer to have
been nominated to the award.

7 VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO

Known for his pen name Rio Alma. He

revived and reinvented traditional
Filipino poetic forms and was able to
publish 12 poetry books. According to
him, illustration of modern books was
influenced by cartoons. In 2003, he
was awarded as National Artist for
Literature.

GENARO R. GOJO CRUZ 8

Is a distinguished Filipino writer, poet, and

educator, renowned for his significant
contributions to children's literature. He
received numerous awards for children's
literature, including the Don Carlos Palanca
Memorial Awards for Literature, PBBY-
Salanga Writers Prize, Romeo Forbes
Children's Story Writing Competition, Gig
Book Storywriting Contest, and Gawad
Panitikang Pangkalusugan. Some of his
notable works include Mga Titik sa Dahon, Mga
Munting Pasan, and Ang Batang May
Maraming Maraming Bahay.
 Alba (2003) recognized the following as writers in
children's literature in today’s generation

9 LIN ACACIO-FLORES

Is an award -winning writer of stories for children.

Among her awards are, an Honorable Mention in the
parker Pen-Honolulu Magazine; a third prize (co-
winner) in the children's story category in English,
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards in 1993 and another
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, 1995. Among her
notable works are Adventures of a Child of War (2002),
A Child’s Treasury of Philippine Christmas Stories
(1996), The Secret, When I Cross the Street..., and The
Reluctant Hero. She is a member of Kuwentista ng
mga Tsikiting, an association of writers for children.

NATASHA VISCARRA 10

A Filipino author and science writer known for her

engaging children's stories and contributions to
science communication. She has authored
several children's books that often incorporate
elements of Filipino culture and folklore including,
Muscular System A True Book: Your Amazing
Body in 2024, Busy Bees, Safety in the kitchen,
Blizzards , Robots Helping Humans, and her
famous book Ang Itim na Kuting that was
recognized with the PBBY-Salanga Writers' Prize
in 1996.

11 CARLA PACIS

A writer, a teacher and a former bookstore owner. She

has written several books for children, a couple of novels
for young adults and has won several local awards for
her stories. She has also edited several books, not all for
children, a print magazine and an on-line magazine,
both for children. Carla is a founder-member of KUTING
or Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting, a local organization of
writers for children that meets regularly once a month.
Carla is also a member of the Society for Children's
Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI) and has attended at
least one their conferences in the U.S.A.

AUGUSTO ‘AUGIE’ RIVERA 12

Is a renowned kids’ storybook writer and

scriptwriter. His foray into TV began with
‘Batibot,’ where he worked from 1992 to 1999.
He wrote his first children’s storybook “Ang
Alamat ng Ampalaya” in 1995, and was a
finalist for PBBY-Salanga Prize In 1998, he
won Second Prize in the Short Story for
Children category at the Carlos Palanca
Memorial Awards for Literature for his work
“Sa Ilalim ng Dagat”. In 2020, he received
the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni
Balagtas for Children's Literature. He now
has 24 book titles to his name.
 13 DR. LUIS GATMMAITAN

Is a Filipino medical doctor and children's

literature author. Gatmaitán has authored
and published more than 30 storybooks
for children tackling issues such as
disability, senility, coping with death,
coping with cancer, childhood diseases,
and children's rights in his stories. His
books include Mga Kwento ni Tito Dok and
Sandosenang Sapatos. He was inducted
into the Palanca Hall of Fame in 2005, he
has also been a recipient of the Catholic
Mass Media Awards and the PBBY-
Salanga Writers Prize. His children's book
“Sandosenang Sapatos”, now listed in the
International Board on Books for Young
People (IBBY) catalogue for the Bologna
International Children's Book Fair 2005
and was named the 2005 Outstanding
Book for Young People with Disabilities by
the IBBY.

BECKY BRAVO 17

Is a Filipino author known for her

contributions to children's literature,
particularly stories that highlight Filipino
culture, folklore, and values. Has written
several children's books that reflect
Filipino traditions and societal themes,
making them engaging and relatable for
young readers. Her books include Just
Add Dirt (2009), Mga Kuwento ng
Maaliwalas (2023), A Rooster in the Sun
(Ang Tandang sa Araw) (2002), Lilay
(2011), Ang Lakambini at Ako (2016),
Fetch (1997), and Green Luntian (2018).
Won the PBBY-Salanga Writers' Prize in
2018 and “Just Add Dirt” was among the
winners of the first Philippine National
Children's Book Awards in 2010. The Cat
Painter received the National Book
Award for Children's Literature in 2006.
She translated Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer's Stone into Filipino,
broadening its accessibility to Filipino
readers.
 History of Children’s
Literature in the
Philippine Shores
The Rise Of Philippine Literature
for Children

Submitted To:
Mrs. Antonette A. Ang
Subject Teacher
Submitted By:
GROUP 4
Alvarez, Trixie
Anoche, Melendy
Billones, Marven
Brua, Clerk Kevin
Natabio, Primcess Mae
Olavia, Lyka Marie
Valencia, Roselyn
Varona, Claire