1ST BLOG ENTRY

1. Look up different definitions/perceptions about literature. Choose which one you like best; explain your reason for choosing that one. Then construct your own definition of literature using an image/picture which you personally took or lifted from another site. Make sure you cite all your sources. (20 PTS.)

Answers:

"Literature is news that STAYS news" [Ezra Pound ABC of Reading]

Source:
Ezra Pound. “literature.” The Free Dictionary by Farlex. Web. 14 Jan. 2010 <http://www.thefreedictionary.com/literature>.

I choose this statement of Ezra Pound because it is short, simple, easily understood but heavy.

Based on my understanding of Ezra Pound’s definition of literature, a news like literature is whatever the author writes. It’s a piece that shows how he perceives things around on that moment which can never be changed. It STAYS. Same applies with the reader.

Literature will only be considered such if at least a reader claims it is. Literature will only gain its “high quality” if the Literati (the academe, critics, writers) consider that particular form of writing a literature.

2. Look up at least three different Filipino authors. Include their pictures in your entry. Give a

brief description about each one of them by identifying the following: (30 PTS.)

- MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO PHIL. LITERATURE
- OUSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
- WRITING INFLUENCES
- DRIVING PRINCIPLE FOR WRITING

Answers:

FILIPINO AUTHORS

a. Jose Garcia Villa
Jose Garcia Villa was a consummate artist. A poet, critic, short story writer, and painter. He is an undisputed Filipino supremo of the practitioners of the "artsakists."

According to the biography prepared by the Foreign Service Institute said Villa was first interested in painting but turned to writing after reading Sherwood Anderson's "Winesburg, Ohio .

Some of his published books: Philippine Short Stories, best 25 stories of 1928 (1929) , Footnote to Youth, short stories (1933), Selected Poems and New (1942) and A Doveglion Book of Philippine Poetry (1962)

Some of his achievements where: Outstanding work in American literature, won first prize in poetry at the UP Golden Jubilee Literary Contests (1958) and National Artist Award for Literature (1973).

He is individualistic with provoking ideas while stirring strong feelings.

Source:
Maximo Ramos. “Creatures of Midnight.” A Philippine Literature Page . 16 March 2007. Web. 14 Jan. 2010 <http://pinoylit.webmanila.com/>.

b. Graciano Lopez Jaena
López Jaena is the founder of the fortnightly newspaper, La Solidaridad. Marcelo del Pilar succeeded in the editorship.

He was recognized as the "Prince of Filipino Orators" who wrote great and striking articles in the infamous newspaper La Solidaridad in Barcelona, Spain.

From medicine, he then moved to the field of journalism.

His driving inspiration in writing is his country.

Source:
Wikipedia. “Graciano López Jaena.” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 14 Jan. 2010 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graciano_L%C3%B3pez_Jaena>.

Image Source:
eTravel Pilipinas. “Philippine Heroes - Graciano Lopez Jaena (1856-1896).” eTravel Pilipinas. Web. 14 Jan. 2010 <http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/about_philippines/graciano_lopez_jaena.htm >.

c. Nick Joaquin
Poet, fictionist, essayist, biographer, playwright, and National Artist, decided to quit after three years of secondary education at the Mapa High School.

He started writing short stories, poems, and essays in 1934. One of his essays La Naval de Manila (1943) won in a contest sponsored by the Dominicans whose university, the UST, awarded him an A.A. (Associate in Arts) certificate on the strength of his literary talents.

He is included in Heart of the Island (1947) and Philippine Poetry Annual: 1947 - 1949 (1950), both edited by Manuel A. Viray.

Some of Joaquin's published books:
Prose and Poems (1952); The Woman Who Had Two Navels (1961); Selected Stories (1962); La Naval de Manila and Other Essays (1964); Stories for Groovy Kids (1979) ); Reportage on the Marcoses (1979, 1981)

Joaquin's awards and prizes he has received include:
Republic Cultural Heritage Award (1961); Stonehill Award for the Novel (1960); first prize, Philippines Free Press Short Story Contest (1949); first prize, Palance Memorial Award (1957-58); Jose Garcia Villa's honor roll (1940); and the National Artist Award (1976).

Driving principle for writing - He thought that classroom work was simply boring and his teachers didn't know enough.

Source:
PinoyLit. “A Philippine Literature Page.” A Philippine Literature Page. Web. 14 Jan. 2010 <http://pinoylit.webmanila.com/>.