21st Century Literature | Amado Hernandez as National Artist

Summary

Amado V. Hernandez, a Filipino poet, playwright, and novelist born in 1903, is celebrated for his significant contributions to Tagalog prose and Philippine literature. His work, particularly 'Mga Ibu Mandaragit,' highlights sociological issues of the 1950s. Hernandez, a labor leader and freedom fighter, was honored with numerous awards and posthumously declared a National Artist for Literature in 1973, recognizing his impact on Philippine arts and his role in shaping a Filipino sense of community.

Takeaways

• 📚 Amado V. Hernandez was a Filipino poet, playwright, and novelist born on September 13, 1903, in Hagon.
• 🏫 He spent his early years in Tondo, Manila, and attended Manila High School and the American Correspondence School.
• 📰 Hernandez worked as a reporter, writer, and journalist for various publications, which led to his imprisonment from 1951 to 1954.
• 📝 He significantly contributed to the development of Tagalog prose by writing in a more colloquial style, as opposed to the ornamental styles of the time.
• 📖 While in prison, he wrote 'Mga Ibu Mandaragit,' one of his best works, a social and political novel illustrating sociological issues like agrarian problems in the 1950s.
• 🏆 Hernandez was recognized for his literary contributions with more than 20 awards for his short stories and poems.
• 🏅 His works 'Pilipinas' and 'Kayumangi' won first prize in the Commonwealth Literary Contest in 1938 and 1940, respectively.
• 🏛 In 1962, he received the Public Cultural Heritage Award for 'Isandipan Langet,' and the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for 'Mounting Lupa' and 'Huged Bensabag'.
• 🏅 He was awarded the NPCSO Journalism Award for his novel 'Luha Nabuwaya,' and for his essays in 1963, 1964, and 1965.
• 🎖 In 1973, Hernandez was posthumously proclaimed a National Artist for his contribution to the development of Tagalog prose.
• 🌟 To be considered a National Artist, one must be a natural-born Filipino citizen with significant contributions to Philippine arts and a sense of Filipino neighborhood.

Q & A

When and where was Amado V. Hernandez born?

Amado V. Hernandez was born on September 13th, 1903, in Hagon.

What were Amado V. Hernandez's early educational experiences?

He spent his early years in Tondo, Manila, where he attended Manila High School and the American Correspondence School.

What professions did Amado V. Hernandez hold before his imprisonment?

He worked as a reporter, writer, and journalist for various publications, including newspapers and magazines.

Why was Amado V. Hernandez imprisoned?

The script does not specify the exact reason for his imprisonment, only mentioning that it occurred from 1951 to 1953.

How did Amado V. Hernandez contribute to the development of Tagalog prose?

He made a significant contribution by stripping Tagalog of its ornamental styles and writing in a more colloquial style than the official style.

What is one of Amado V. Hernandez's best-known works?

One of his best-known works is 'Mga Ibong Mandaragit,' which he wrote while in prison.

What themes does Amado V. Hernandez's work often explore?

His works often illustrate sociological issues, such as agrarian problems in the 1950s.

What was Amado V. Hernandez's opinion on the role of a writer in society?

According to the script, Hernandez believed that a writer's role is to uplift society's conscience and affirm the nobility of the human spirit in the face of injustice and persecution.

What awards did Amado V. Hernandez receive in his lifetime?

He won more than 20 awards for his short stories and poems, including the Commonwealth Literary Contest first prizes for 'Pilipinas' and 'Kayumangi,' and the Public Cultural Heritage Award for 'Isandipan Langet.'

When was Amado V. Hernandez posthumously declared a National Artist?

He was posthumously declared a National Artist in 1973 for his contribution to the development of Tagalog prose.

What are the qualifications to be considered as a National Artist in the Philippines?

To be considered as a National Artist, one must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, have made a significant contribution to the development of Philippine arts, and have contributed to building a Filipino sense of neighborhood.