Bienvenido Lumbera Notes

Bienvenido Lumbera
Awarded National Artist for Literature (2006)
Biography
- Dr. Bienvenido L. Lumbera, National Artist for Literature, passed
away on September 28, 2021, at 89, leaving behind a remarkable
legacy as a writer, poet, critic, dramatist, scholar, and fearless
activist. Known as Ka Bien, he used literature and the arts to
champion freedom, truth, and nationalism.
- Born in Lipa, Batangas, on April 11, 1932, Lumbera was orphaned
young and raised by his grandmother and later godparents.
Despite early tragedy, his childhood in Lipa nurtured his love for
literature, inspiring works like his musical drama Hibik at Himagsik
nina Victoria Laktaw.
- He earned his B.Litt in Journalism from the University of Santo
Tomas in 1957 and later an M.A. and Ph.D. in Comparative
Literature from Indiana University. His dissertation on Tagalog
poetry was groundbreaking.
- Lumbera returned to the Philippines to teach literature, Philippine
Studies, and Creative Writing. His activism flourished during the
Filipinization movement in the 1960s, leading to his arrest under
Martial Law in 1974. He was released a year later, following an
appeal by Cynthia Nograles, his former student and future wife.
Genre (Lycca Mae Llena)

- POETRY
Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (1993)
Balaybay: Mga Tulang Lunot at Manibalang (2002)
These two works of Bienvenido Lumbera belong to the Poetry genre as

these works are collections of poems written by him. The author conveys
his ideas, thoughts, and feelings through carefully chosen and arranged
words, creating numerous meaningful and powerful poems combined in
books.
- CREATIVE NONFICTION
Revaluation: Essays on Philippine Literature, Cinema, and Popular
Culture
Tagalog Poetry, 1570–1898: Tradition and Influences in Its
Development (1986)
Writing the Nation/Pag-akda ng Bansa (2000)
Filipinos Writing: Philippine Literature from the Regions (2001)
These four works of Bienvenido Lumbera belong to the Creative

Nonfiction genre as these books contain numerous informative, factual,
and realistic essays compiled into a book, which are intended to help the
readers understand and be enlightened to different concepts in the
Philippines.
- DRAMA
Tales of the Manuvu
Rama, Hari
Hibik at Himagsik nina Victoria Laktaw
These three works belong to the Drama genre as these masterpieces

written by Bienvenido Lumbera are divided into acts and are performed
on stage. These works demonstrate each of its plots through dialogues,
and through singing and dancing.
Cultural Background (Moh’d Pangandag)

- Filipino Heritage and Language:
Lumbera was deeply rooted in the Filipino culture and language.
His works are written in both Filipino (Tagalog) and English, but he
emphasized the importance of promoting the Filipino language as
part of the decolonization process. He was a staunch advocate of
writing in Filipino to strengthen the country's cultural identity.
- Education:
Lumbera earned his education both in the Philippines and abroad,
receiving his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from Indiana
University. His academic training exposed him to Western literary
theories, which he later adapted to critically analyze and
contextualize Philippine literature.
- National Artist of the Philippines:
In recognition of his literary work and contributions to Philippine
culture, Bienvenido Lumbera was named National Artist for
Literature in 2006, one of the highest honors for a Filipino artist.
Historical Context (Moh’d Pangandag)

- Colonial Influence:
Lumbera lived through the tail-end of the American colonial period
in the Philippines, followed by the Japanese occupation during
World War II, and then the country's post-colonial struggle for
independence and national identity. These historical events
profoundly shaped his literary perspective, especially his concerns
about the cultural impact of colonization.
- Rise of Nationalism and Martial Law:

Lumbera was an intellectual voice during the rise of Filipino
nationalism in the mid-20th century. His work was also politically
significant during the Martial Law period under President
Ferdinand Marcos (1972–1981). He was imprisoned for a short
time due to his involvement in activism and his criticism of the
dictatorship. His political writings reflect a commitment to social
justice and human rights, central themes in his works.
- Development of Philippine Literature and Media:

Lumbera contributed to the growth of Philippine literature, not only
through his poetry and plays but also through his scholarly work in
literary criticism. He wrote about the evolution of Philippine
literature from pre-colonial oral traditions to the influences of
Spanish, American, and contemporary Filipino writers. He also
worked on promoting the study of media, including Philippine
cinema, which he considered as a vital cultural form.
His Life Works
Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa (Airah Abdullah)
- Bienvenido Lumbera's "Likhang Dila Likhang Diwa" which illustrates
how significantly the author’s place of birth, Lipa, Batangas, has
contributed to his understanding of literature. This collection of poetry
embodies the history of the region complete with its myths and
traditions, thereby showing the cultural circumstances of the era.
Growing up in Lipa where such rich culture thrives, Lumbera developed
an admiration for the Filipino language and culture.
- This shows in the themes presented by the poems such as love, grief,
displacement, and identity, all set against the backdrop of the cultural
history of Batangas. The title of the collection itself, "Likhang Dila
Likhang Diwa," indicates the importance of language as well as spirit
which is central to the Filipinos' way of life.
- "Sa Lipa, sa Lipa, / Sa bayan kong minamahal, / Sa lupang aking

sinilangan, / Sa puso kong nag-iisa,"
From the very first lines of the poem, the reader is brought straight to
Lipa, inviting the readers to relate the author’s experience to the cultural
setting of his place.
Filipino’s Writing
- In the context of Filipino’s Writing, Bienvenido Lumbera explores

Philippine literature’s interaction with colonial history, language,
and identity. He also argues that Filipino literature reflects the
struggle to assert cultural identity amid Spanish and American
colonization. While critiquing the use of English and Spanish,
Lumbera acknowledges their role in connecting Filipino writers to
global literary spaces, but pressures the importance of native
languages, particularly Tagalog, in conveying authentic Filipino
experiences and socio-political realities.
- Lumbera also examines how literature mirrors and responds to
social and political disruptions in Philippine history. He argues that
Filipino writers have used their works to critique social injustice
and oppressive regimes, playing key roles in nationalist
movements. Figures like José Rizal and Amado V. Hernandez
used literature as a tool for resistance, inspiring future generations
to fight for freedom and national consciousness. For Lumbera,
Filipino writing is deeply connected to activism and the nation's
pursuit of self-determination.
-
- "For the Filipino writer, the choice of language is not merely a
technical matter but a political act. Writing in English or Spanish
often meant catering to the elite and perpetuating colonial values,
while writing in the vernacular carried the weight of reclaiming a
Filipino identity lost or suppressed by foreign rule."
In this excerpt, Lumbera highlights that the choice of language in

Filipino literature is deeply tied to the nation's colonial history and
its struggle for cultural identity. Writing in colonial languages like
English or Spanish often reinforced elitism and foreign values,
distancing writers from the majority of Filipinos. By advocating for
vernacular languages, Lumbera highlights how Filipino writers can
reclaim their cultural heritage and foster a more inclusive,
authentic representation of Filipino life and experiences.
Author’s Role to Contribution

- (Mikyla Tan)
Bienvenido would impact society and literature by using Filipino to

write stories, poems, and His pieces, adding His studies and research of
Filipino culture to bring a culture on the brink of extinction to life again.
He would not only impact literature but also society by being a Marcos
critic, being a voice for those who have lost theirs during the dictatorship
and for those who needed to get justice.
Furthermore, in the literary scene, Bievenido would be a part of

literary groups such as Concerned Artists of the Philippines and Cultural
Research Association of the Philippines, which aims to strengthen
Filipino culture’s influence on literature. This in turn, would unearth
details from the past almost forgotten, and also becoming a saviour for
research writers with guidebooks such as Paano Magbasa ng
Panitikang Filipino: Mga Babasahing Pangkolehiyo and
Rediscovery: Essays in Philippine Life and Culture.
With all these works, people would find their way back to
being introduced to the Filipino language again, encouraging the
study of the Filipino language and culture. Most would be influenced
to find more about our people and our history, fighting against the
effects of centuries, decades, and years of colonialism done unto
the country while revealing who we were, showing who we are now,
and who we will be in the future.
References
- David Jonathan Y Bayot, (2006). Bienvenido L. Lumbera on Revaluation: The
National Stages of Philippine Literature and Its History. Google Scholar.
https://scholar.google.com.ph/citations?
view_op=view_citation&hl=en&user=h0KwpREAAAAJ&citation_for_view
=h0KwpREAAAAJ:Zph67rFs4hoC
- Bienvenido L. Lumbera, (2001). Filipinos writing : Philippine literature from the
regions / Bienvenido Lumbera, general editor. Technological Institute of the
Philippines Libraries. https://library.tip.edu.ph/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?
biblionumber=8703&query_desc=au%3A%22Lumbera%2C
%20Bienvenido%2C%22
- Patricia Lourdes Viray, (2021). National Artist for Literature Bienvenido
Lumbera, 89. PhilStar.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/09/28/2130310/national-artist-
literature-bienvenido-lumbera-89
- Celeste Ann Castillo Llaneta, (2021). A writer’s truth: The legacy of National
Artist Bienvenido Lumbera. University of the Philippines. https://up.edu.ph/a-
writers-truth-the-legacy-of-national-artist-bienvenido-lumbera/
- Salamat, M. (2011, February 5). Bien Lumbera: activist, national artist for
literature. Bulatlat. https://www.bulatlat.com/2006/04/29/bien-lumbera-
activist-national-artist-for-literature/
- Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation Philippines. (2024, August 29).
Lumbera, bienvenido - Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation Philippines.
https://rmaward.asia/rmawardees/lumbera-bienvenido/
- Moya, J. (2024, July 17). Bienvenido Lumbera: Remembering the Filipino

Poet, Playwright, and National Artist. Tatler Asia.
https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/arts/filipino-national-artist-
bienvenido-lumbera

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Bienvenido Lumbera

Awarded National Artist for Literature (2006)

Genre (Lycca Mae Llena)

These two works of Bienvenido Lumbera belong to the Poetry genre as

These four works of Bienvenido Lumbera belong to the Creative

These three works belong to the Drama genre as these masterpieces

Cultural Background (Moh’d Pangandag)

Historical Context (Moh’d Pangandag)

- Rise of Nationalism and Martial Law:

- Development of Philippine Literature and Media:

- "Sa Lipa, sa Lipa, / Sa bayan kong minamahal, / Sa lupang aking

- In the context of Filipino’s Writing, Bienvenido Lumbera explores

In this excerpt, Lumbera highlights that the choice of language in

Author’s Role to Contribution

Bienvenido would impact society and literature by using Filipino to

Furthermore, in the literary scene, Bievenido would be a part of

- Moya, J. (2024, July 17). Bienvenido Lumbera: Remembering the Filipino

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