Bienvenido Lumbera: A Glimpse on Success

“The writer has the advantage of a medium that can be contemplated many times over on the pages of a book or a magazine. The words lie on the page and the writer has an extended opportunity to imprint on his reader every meaning and nuance distilled from experience.”

                                                                                                              -Bienvenido Lumbera

 

Source: www.rmaf.org.ph

“PANITIKAN”, a single word that can reflect the Filipino culture, values and traditions. This is what Bienvenido Lumbera , (the person behind numerous awards and successful works in literature) enriched for several years.

Bienvenido Lumbera is “tubong” Lipa, Batangas. He was born on April 11, 1932. At an early age he became an orphan. He and his sister lives with Eusebia Teru, their grand mother. When Eusebia died, he choose to live with his godparents, Enrique and Amanda Lumbera. He says that he chose them because they can support or sustain what he need, especially when it comes to education. He grew up in Batangas , study in University of Santo Tomas and received his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature in Indiana University.

He created several musical drama like:

• ·         Rama, Hari
• ·         Noli Me Tangere: The Musical
• ·         Tales of the Manuvu
• ·         Hikbi at Himagsik nina Victoria Laktaw
• ·         And Nasa Puso ang Amerika , which is obviously the Filipino version of his previous musical America Is In The Heart    by Carlos Bulusan.

He also write textbooks and anthologies like:

source: google

•            Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology
• ·         Rediscovery: Essays in Philippine Life and Culture
• ·         Filipinos Writing: Philippine Literature from the Regions
• ·         Revaluation
• ·         Paano Magbasa ng Panitikang Filipino: Mga Babasahing Pangkolehiyo
• ·         Pedagogy

He receive prestigious awards namely:

• ·         Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism
• ·         Palanca Award for Literature
• ·         National Book Award from Manila Critic Circle
• ·         Literature and Creative Communication Arts
• ·         Philippine Centennial Literary Prize for Drama
• ·         CCP Centennial Literary for the Arts
• ·         And finally on April 2006 he was proclaimed as National Artist.

Those are just a glimpse of what are Lumbera’s success and contribution on our Philippine Literature. Admit it or not this new era, which technology dominate, doesn’t pay so much attention on our literature as well as on our tradition and culture (things that are truly “Tatak Pinoy!”). But because of those people such as Lumbera who loves our country, preserving it never became impossible. And because of that, for me Lumbera is not just an artist, but a hero that saves the fading identity of his country.