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Biography of Nick

Joaqun (1917-
2004)
Post! on "pt#$r 1%& 2010 $y Pp
Nicomedes "Nick" Joaqun
'his is th $st $iography of Nick that ()*
ncountr! so far+
The 1996 Ramn Magsaysay Award
for Journalism, Literature and
Creative Communiation Arts
!"#$RA%&' of (i) Joa*u+n
Resil B. Mojares
, -as th gratst .i/ipino -ritr of his
gnration0 1*r si2 !ca!s an! a ha/f& h
pro!uc! a $o!y of -ork un#atch! in
richnss an! rang $y any of his
cont#poraris0 3i*ing a /if -ho//y
!*ot! to th craft of con4uring a -or/!
through -or!s& h -as th -ritr)s -ritr0
(n th passion -ith -hich h #$rac! his
country)s #anifo/! $ing& h -as his
pop/)s -ritr as -//0
Nick Joaqun -as $orn in th o/! !istrict of
Pac5 in 6ani/a& Phi/ippins& on "pt#$r
1%& 1917& th fast !ay of "aint Nico#!s& a
proto#artyr of 7o#& aftr -ho# h took
his $aptis#a/ na#0 , -as $orn to a ho#
!p/y 8atho/ic& !ucat!& an! prosprous0
,is fathr& 3oca!io Joaqun& -as a prson
of so# pro#innc0 3oca!io -as a
procura!or (attorny) in th 8ourt of .irst
(nstanc of 3aguna& -hr h #t an!
#arri! his first -if& at th ti# of th
Phi/ippin 7*o/ution0 , short/y 4oin! th
insurrction& ha! th rank of co/on/& an!
-as -oun!! in action0 9hn th hosti/itis
cas! an! th country ca# un!r
:#rican ru/& h $ui/t a succssfu/ practic
in /a-0 :roun! 190;& aftr th !ath of his
first -if& h #arri! "a/o#< 6=rqu>&
Nick)s #othr0 : frin! of ?nra/ @#i/io
:guina/!o& 3oca!io -as a popu/ar /a-yr
in 6ani/a an! th "outhrn 'aga/og
pro*incs0 , -as unsuccssfu/ ho-*r
-hn h #a! a $i! for a sat in th
Phi/ippin :ss#$/y rprsnting 3aguna0
Nick Joaqun)s #othr -as a prtty& -//-
ra! -o#an of hr ti# -ho ha! stu!i! in
a tachr-training institut !uring th
"panish prio!0 'hough sti// in hr tns
-hn th Anit! "tats took possssion of
th Phi/ippins& sh -as a#ong th first to
$ train! $y th :#ricans in @ng/ish& a
/anguag sh taught in a 6ani/a pu$/ic
schoo/ $for sh /ft taching aftr hr
#arriag0
3oca!io an! "a/o#< $ui/t a gnt/&
pri*i/g! ho# -hr "panish -as spokn&
th fa#i/y -nt to church rgu/ar/y& ha!
outings in th fa#i/y)s hug @uropan car
(on of th first 7nau/ts in th city)& an!
th chi/!rn -r tutor! in "panish an!
piano0 "a/o#< (B-ho sings $autifu/
#/o!is an! -rits -ith an 2quisit
han!&C rca//s a fa#i/y ##$r) ncourag!
in hr chi/!rn an intrst in th arts0 'hr
-r tn chi/!rn in th fa#i/y& ight $oys
an! t-o gir/s& -ith Nick as th fifth chi/!0
'h Joaqun ho# on ,rr=n "trt in Pac5
-as a /arg sction of a t-o-story
rsi!ntia/-co##rcia/ $ui/!ing Dth first
such $ui/!ing in Pac5D that 3oca!io ha!
$ui/t an! fro# -hich th fa#i/y !r- a
han!so# inco# fro# rnta/s0 (n this
ho# th young Nick ha! Ban 2tr#/y
happy chi/!hoo!0C
3oca!io Joaqun& ho-*r& /ost th fa#i/y
fortun in an in*st#nt in a pionring oi/
2p/oration pro4ct so#-hr in th
Eisayas in th /at 1920s0 'h fa#i/y ha! to
#o* out of ,rr=n to a rnt! hous in
P=say0 3oca!io)s !ath not /ong aftr&
-hn Nick -as on/y aroun! t-/* yars
o/!& -as a turning point in th /if of th
fa#i/y0
7ticnt a$out his pri*at /if& Nick Joaqun
r*a/! /itt/ a$out his fathr0 (n th
#annr of fathrs of his ti#& 3oca!io
#ust ha* $n a prsnc $oth !istant an!
!o#inant0 , -as a/ra!y an acco#p/ish!
#an -hn Nick -as $orn0 1n has a
g/i#ps of hi# in th charactr of th prou!
Foctor 8h=*> in Joaqun)s short story
B:ftr th Picnic&C th fathr -ho /i*s $y a
strict patriarcha/ co! an! yt is a// at onc
r#ot& *u/nra$/& an! sy#pathtic0 (n an
ar/y po#& Joaqun *agu/y a//u!! to
-hat in his fathr -as so#ho- $yon!
rach (Bth patriot /if an! th fai/!
po/itician $uri! -ith th first -ifC)0 Gt h
#ourn! th *oi! his fathr)s !ath /ftH
B1n fro> at th gra*si! in Fc#$r)s
co/!& I chi/!hoo! stash! -ith th $ir0 1h&
aftr-ar!s I -as no ti# to $ young& unti/
on -as o/!0C
'h young Joaqun !ropp! out of schoo/0
, ha! attn!! Pac5 @/#ntary "choo/
an! ha! thr yars of scon!ary !ucation
in 6apa ,igh "choo/ $ut -as too
int//ctua//y rst/ss to $ confin! in a
c/assroo#0 :#ong othr changs& h -as
una$/ to pursu th r/igious *ocation that
his strict/y 8atho/ic fa#i/y ha! n*ision!
to $ his futur0 Joaqun hi#s/f confss!
that h a/-ays ha! th *ocation for th
r/igious /if an! -ou/! ha* ntr! a
s#inary if it -r not for his fathr)s
!ath0
:ftr h /ft schoo/& Joaqun -ork! as a
#o>o ($oy apprntic) in a $akry in P=say
an! thn as a printr)s !*i/ in th
co#posing !part#nt of th 'ri$un& of
th 'E' ('ri$un-Eanguar!ia-'a/i$a)
pu$/ishing co#pany& -hich ha! its offics
on .0 'orrs "trt in 6ani/a)s "anta 8ru>
!istrict0 'his got hi# start! on -hat -ou/!
$ a /if/ong association -ith th -or/! of
print0
'hrough this ti# h pursu! a passion for
ra!ing0 "arah J0 Joaqun& Nick)s sistr-in-
/a-& rcounts that in his tns Nick ha! a
Bra$i! an! insan /o* for $ooks0C , -ou/!
ho/! a $ook -ith on han! an! ra! -hi/
po/ishing -ith a coconut husk th f/oor -ith
his ft0 , -ou/! -a/k !o-n a strt& on an
rran! to $uy th fa#i/y)s #a/& -ith a
!innr pai/ in on han! an! an opn $ook
in th othr0
Both his parnts ha! ncourag! his
intrst in $ooks0 9hn h -as aroun! tn&
his fathr got hi# a $orro-r)s car! at th
Nationa/ 3i$rary (thn in th $as#nt of
th 3gis/ati* Bui/!ing in 3unta) an!
thr h !isco*r! Ba#$i an! ,i!i an!
th no*/s of "t*nson& Fu#as& an!
Fickns (Fa*i! 8opprfi/! -as his grat
fa*orit)0 , 2p/or! his fathr)s /i$rary
an! th $ookstors of 8arri!o in
!o-nto-n 6ani/a0 , -as *oracious&
ra!ing practica//y *rything that caught
his fancy& fro# th potry of @!na "t0
Eincnt 6i//ay an! Each/ 3in!say to th
storis of :nton 8hkho*& to th no*/s of
Fostoy*sky& F0 ,0 3a-rnc& an! 9i//a
8athr0 , ra! :#rican #aga>ins
("atur!ay @*ning Post& 8os#opo/itan&
,arpr)s 6aga>in) an! !isco*r! th
fiction of Booth 'arkington& "o#rst
6augha#& .0 "cott .it>gra/!& an! @rnst
,#ing-ay0
Joaqun)s choic of ar/y ra!ings -as not
2cptiona/0 Joaqun an! othr -ritrs of
his gnration -ho -r schoo/! in th
:#rican ra !isco*r! Fostoy*sky an!
,#ing-ay $for thy !i! such 'aga/og
-ritrs as 3op J0 "antos an! 7osauro
:/#ario0 Gt& it can $ sai! that Joaqun
n*r ra//y /ost his sns of -hr h -as0
, ra! 6ani/a)s @ng/ish-/anguag
n-spaprs an! #aga>ins for -hat
.i/ipinos th#s/*s -r -riting0 (, ha!
ra! th Jos< 7i>a/ no*/s in th 8har/s
Fr$yshir trans/ation $for h -as
thirtn& Joaqun sai!0) , a/-ays ha! a
strong sns of p/ac& a *irtu that -as to
$co# a ha//#ark of his $o!y of -ork0
B9hn ( start! -riting in th /at 19K0s&C
h -ou/! rca// #any yars /atr& B( -as
a-ar nough of #y #i/iu to kno- that it
-as #issing fro# our -riting in @ng/ish0
'h 6ani/a ( ha! $n $orn into an! ha!
gro-n up in ha! yt to appar in our
@ng/ish fiction& a/though that fiction -as
#ost/y -rittn in 6ani/a an! a$out
6ani/a0C
,is first short story !a/t -ith th
*au!*i// of 6ani/a& B'h "orro-s of
Eau!*i//&C an! -as pu$/ish! in "un!ay
'ri$un 6aga>in in 19K70 ('h !itors
chang! its tit/ to BBhin! 'ins/ an!
?ras0C) @ar/ir& in 19K4& h pu$/ish! his
first po# in @ng/ish& a pic a$out Fon
Lui2ot0 'h story is to/! that -hn this
po# appar! in th 'ri$un& "rafn
3anot& th 'ri$un)s potry !itor& /ik! th
po# *ry #uch an! -nt to congratu/at
th pot -hn h ca# to co//ct his f& $ut
th shy an! /usi* Joaqun ran a-ay0
Ery ar/y& Joaqun -as st on crafting his
o-n *oic0 9riting in 19M% on his ar/y
yars as a -ritr& h sai! that it appar! to
hi# in th 19K0s that $oth an :#rican
/anguag an! an :#rican !ucation ha!
!istanc! .i/ipino -ritrs in @ng/ish fro#
thir i##!iat surroun!ings0 B'hs
young -ritrs cou/! on/y s -hat th
:#rican /anguag sa-0C (t -as B#o!rnC
to snu$ anything that -or th na# of
tra!ition an!& for th $oys an! gir/s -ho
troop! to th :#rican-institut! schoo/s&
Phi/ippin history $gan -ith 8o##o!or
F-y an! th Batt/ of 6ani/a Bay0 B'h
rsu/t -as a fiction so strict/y cont#porary
that $oth th authors an! thir charactrs
s#! to $& as ( put it onc& N-ithout
gran!fathrs0)C , rca//!H B( ra/i> no-
that -hat i#p//! # to start -riting -as a
!sir to $ring in th prspcti*& to $ring
in th gran!fathrs& to #anifst roots0C
'his -as Nick Joaqun rca//ing in 19M%
-hat it -as /ik in th 19K0s0 Back thn& th
young Joaqun -as 4ust $ginning to fin!
his -ay into a /itrary /if0 , -as gaining
notic as a pro#ising -ritr& pu$/ishing
$t-n 19K4 an! 1941 a f- storis an!
o*r a !o>n po#s in th ,ra/! 6i!-
9k 6aga>in an! th "un!ay 'ri$un
6aga>in0 'h /itrary scn -as *i$rant in
th 8o##on-a/th yars& as -ritrs an!
critics !$at! th ro/ an! !irction of
Phi/ippin -riting an! for#! fu!ing
groups such as th Phi/ippin 9ritrs
3agu an! th Eronicans0 Joaqun stoo!
at th priphry of this scn0 , pro$a$/y
ha! /itt/ ti# to $ too rf/cti*0 , -as
a/ra!y trying to fn! for hi#s/f -hi/
quit young0 , -as a/so gro-ing into a
-or/! that -as #arching to-ar! th
catac/ys# of a -or/! -ar0
'h prio! of th Japans occupation -as
a !ifficu/t ti# for th Joaquns -ho& at this
ti#& ha! #o*! fro# P=say to a hous on
:r/gui "trt in th historic "an 6igu/
!istrict of 6ani/a& -hr 6a/acaOang
Pa/ac is /ocat!0 3ik othr rsi!nts in th
n#y-occupi! city& Joaqun sca*ng! for
-ork to h/p support th fa#i/y0 'h
Japans ha! c/os! !o-n th 'ri$un an!
othr pu$/ications at th onst of th
occupation0 Joaqun -ork! as a port
st*!or& factory -atch#an& rig !ri*r&
roa! -orkr& an! $uy-an!-s// sa/s#an0
"ing corpss on th strt& -orking for a
-ag in ric& !#an! $y far an! po*rty&
Joaqun !tst! th -ar0 , /atr sai! in
an intr*i- that th 2princ of th -ar
so !rain! $oth his $o!y an! spirit that
-hn it -as o*r& h -as fi//! -ith th
!sir to /a* th country an! go
so#-hr far0 , !ra#! of pursuing a
r/igious *ocation $y going to a #onastry
in "pain or so#-hr in @urop&
Bso#-hr -hr you cou/! c/an up0C
'hrough th -ar yars& h continu!
-riting -hn an! -hr h cou/!0 ,
finish! B'h 9o#an 9ho ./t 3ik
3a>arus&C a story a$out an aging *au!*i//
star& an! th ssay B3a Na*a/ ! 6ani/a0C
Both appar! in th -arti# @ng/ish-
/anguag 4ourna/ Phi/ippin 7*i- in 194K0
: #onth/y pu$/ish! $y th 6ani/a "in$un-
sya an! !it! $y Eicnt :/$ano Pacis an!
.rancisco (casiano& th 7*i- a/so
pu$/ish! Joaqun)s story B(t 9as 3atr
'han 9 'houghtC (194K) an! his
trans/ation of 7i>a/)s 6i A/ti#o :!ios
(1944)0 7a!rs -r $ginning to tak
notic0 , cu/ti*at! a prsona inaccssi$/
an! #ystrious0 9hn h -as ask! to fi//
up a $iographica/ for# for th 7*i-& h
si#p/y -rot !o-nH B2% yars o/!&
sa/s#an0C
B3a Na*a/ ! 6ani/aC t//s of a 6ani/a
r/igious c/$ration $ui/t on th tra!ition
that th B/ss! Eirgin ha! #iracu/ous/y
intr*n! in th "panish *ictory o*r a
Futch in*asion f/t in 1;4;0 :/ra!y it sts
forth a #a4or th# Joaqun -ou/! !*/op
in th yars aha!H that th .i/ipino nation
-as for#! in th #atri2 of "panish
co/onia/is# an! that it -as i#portant for
.i/ipinos to apprciat thir "panish past0
, -rotH B'h contnt of our nationa/
!stiny is ours to crat& $ut th $asic for#&
th t#pr& th physiogno#y& "pain crat!
for us0C 'h artic/ triggr! an angry
rspons in a su$squnt issu of th
7*i- fro# .!rico 6aOgahas& thn a
/a!ing int//ctua/& -ho tsti/y inquir!
-hy th 7*i- -as B$ui/!ing upC this
young -ritr -ho -ou/! ha* ra!rs
$/i* that prco/onia/ Phi/ippin socity
-as 4ust a pri#*a/ B!rift of tot#-an!-
ta$oo tri$sC an! that 8atho/ic saints can $
th country)s unifying nationa/ sy#$o/s0
Joaqun !c/in! to rp/y $ut h ha! rais!
an issu that -ou/! continu to $ !$at!
aftr th -ar0
:ftr th :#ricans /i$rat! 6ani/a in
.$ruaryP:pri/ 194%& Joaqun -ork! as a
stag #anagr for his sistr-in-/a-)s acting
troup an! !ra#! of gtting a-ay0 (n th
#anti#& h continu! -riting an!
pu$/ishing0 , o$*ious/y !i! not s/p-a/k
through th yars of th -ar $ut -as -riting
out storis in his ha!0 (n ha!y yars right
aftr th -ar& h pu$/ish! in rapi!
succssion such storis as B"u##r
"o/stic&C B6ay Fay @*&C an! B?uar!ia !
,onor0C 'hs storis ha* $co# Nick
Joaqun)s signatur storis an! c/assics in
Phi/ippin -riting in @ng/ish0
'h opportunity to /a* th country ca#
in 1947 -hn h -as accpt! as a no*ic at
"aint :/$rt)s 8o//g& a Fo#inican
#onastry in ,ong Jong0 'h story is to/!
that th Fo#inicans in 6ani/a -r so
i#prss! $y his B3a Na*a/ ! 6ani/aC that
thy offr! hi# a scho/arship to "aint
:/$rt)s an! ha! th Fo#inican-run
Ani*rsity of "anto 'o#=s a-ar! hi# an
honorary :ssociat in :rts crtificat so h
-ou/! qua/ify0 ,is stay at "aint :/$rt)s
schoo/! hi# in 3atin an! th c/assics0 ,
n4oy! th p/asant !i*rsions of th
scnic port city an! th occasiona/ co#pany
of his $rothr Porfirio (Ping) -ho -as in
,ong Jong on a stint as a 4a>> #usician0 (t
s#!& ho-*r& that h -as too rst/ss
for /if in a #onastry0 , stay! /ss than
t-o yars an! rturn! to 6ani/a0
Back in th Phi/ippins in 19%0& h 4oin!
th country)s /a!ing #aga>in& Phi/ippins
.r Prss& -orking as a proofra!r&
copy-ritr& an! thn ##$r of th staff0
:t this ti#& .r Prss -as so -i!/y
circu/at! across th country an! so
!o#inant a #!iu# for po/itica/ rportag
an! crati* -riting& it -as ca//! Bth Bi$/
of th .i/ipinos0C Practica//y a// #i!!/-c/ass
ho#s in th country ha! a copy of th
#aga>in0
Joaqun)s .r Prss yars sta$/ish! hi#
as a /a!ing pu$/ic figur in Phi/ippin
/ttrs0 (n its pags appar! th storis an!
ssays that #a! hi# kno-n to a -i!
nationa/ au!inc0 'h pu$/ication
of %rose and %oems (19%2)& a co//ction
of short storis& po#s& a no*//a& an! a
p/ay& c#nt! his rputation as an origina/
*oic in Phi/ippin /itratur0 , #in! a
/o! of /oca/ 2princ that no on ha!
quit !a/t -ith in th -ay h !i!0 ,
su##on! ancint rits an! /gn!s&
*ok! a .i/ipino 8hristianity at onc
#ystica/ an! profan& an! !ra#ati>!
gnrationa/ conf/icts in a #o!rn socity
that ha! not quit co# to tr#s -ith its
past0 ,is -as a *ision that rang! through a
/arg 2pans of history in an @ng/ish so
fu//-$o!i! an! a sty/ snsuous an! sur0
(n 19%%& his first p/ay& A %ortrait of the
Artist as ,ili-ino. An /legy in Three
0enes& -as pr#ir! on stag at th
:urora ?ar!ns in (ntra#uros& 6ani/a& $y
th Barangay 'hatr ?ui/!0 , ha! -rittn
th p/ay so#ti# aroun! 19%0 upon th
urgings of "arah Joaqun& -ho -as acti* in
6ani/a)s thatr circ/s0 'hough it ha! $n
pu$/ish! in 9k/y 9o#n)s 6aga>in
an! Pros an! Po#s in 19%2 an! ha! $n
air! on ra!io& th p/ay -as not stag! unti/
19%%0 (t pro*! to $ an i##ns succss0 (t
-as #a! into an @ng/ish-/anguag #o*i
$y th high/y rspct! .i/ipino fi/##akr
3a#$rto E0 :*//ana in 19;%& trans/at!
into 'aga/og& a!apt! in othr for#s& an!
stag! hun!r!s of ti#s0 No .i/ipino p/ay
in @ng/ish has $n as popu/ar0
Asing th f/ash$ack !*ic of a narrator
-ho rca//s th sa! fat of a pr-ar fa#i/y
as h stan!s in th ruins of post-ar 6ani/a&
th p/ay sts its/f not on/y in th !i*i! of
-ar $ut that of past an! prsnt in
Phi/ippin socity0 'racing th
!isintgration of an o/! an! prou! fa#i/y in
th transition fro# past to prsnt& Nick
Joaqun 2p/or! -hat ha! $n a$i!ing
th#s in his -riting across th yars0
, !i! not s th pr#ir of th p/ay
sinc& in 19%%& Joaqun /ft th country on a
7ockf//r .oun!ation crati* -riting
f//o-ship0 'h prstigious a-ar! took hi#
to "pain& th Anit! "tats& an! (-ith a
@ugn .0 "a2ton .//o-ship fro# th
pu$/ishrs of ,arpr)s 6aga>in) 62ico0
(n this so4ourn& -hich /ast! #or than t-o
yars& h -ork! on his first no*/& The
1oman 1ho &ad Two (avels (19;1)& a
short an! ar/y *rsion of -hich ha!
appar! in Pros an! Po#s0 'h 9o#an
9ho ,a! '-o Na*/s is a #any-/ayr!
an! /ss-than-prfct no*/ that tass out
uni*rsa/ antino#is of truth an!
fa/shoo!& i//usion an! ra/ity& past an!
prsnt& an! /ocats th# in th cont2t of
th .i/ipino sarch for i!ntity0 'hough
Joaqun ha! $n critici>! for a ro#antic
Bnosta/gia for th past&C this no*/ an! his
othr -orks& inc/u!ing Portrait& sho-!
that h /ook! at th past a/-ays -ith th
consciousnss of th n! for ngaging th
prsnt -or/! in its o-n tr#s0
Joaqun n4oy! his tra*/s0 , tra*/! a//
o*r "pain& /i*! in 6a!ri! an! 6a//orca&
*isit! .ranc& stay! a yar in 6anhattan&
-nt on an :#rican cross-country trip on
a ?ryhoun! $us& cross! th $or!r to
3ar!o& an! ha! fun 2p/oring 62ico0
"pain an! 62ico fascinat! hi# (B#y kin!
of country&C h says)0 , -ou/!& in th yars
that fo//o-!& tak trips to 8u$a& Japan&
8hina& 'ai-an& an! :ustra/ia0 Gt h -as
c/ar/y in his /#nt in his ho#/an! an!
in 6ani/a& th city that has $n his
i#agination)s fa*orit haunt0
.ro# th ti# h r4oin! .r Prss in
19%7 unti/ h /ft it in 1970 (!uring -hich
ti# h ros to $ th #aga>in)s /itrary
!itor an! associat !itor)& Joaquin -as as
pro#innt in his prsona as Lui4ano !
6ani/a (a psu!ony# h a!opt! for his
4ourna/istic -ritings -hn h 4oin! th
.r Prss in 19%0) as h -as th crati*
artist Nick Joaqun0 , churn! out an
a*rag of fifty fatur artic/s a yar !uring
this prio!0 , -rot -ith /oqunc an!
*r* on th #ost !#ocratic rang of
su$4cts& fro# th arts an! popu/ar cu/tur
to history an! currnt po/itics0 , -as a
-i!/y ra! chronic/r of th ti#s& origina/
an! pro*ocati* in his insights an!
nrgtic an! co#passionat in his #$rac
of /oca/ ra/itis0
1n of his cont#poraris r#ark!H BNick
Joaqun th 4ourna/ist has $rought to th
craft th snsi$i/ity an! sty/ of th /itrary
artist& th prcptions of an astut stu!nt
of th .i/ipino psych& an! th intgrity an!
i!a/is# of th #an of conscinc& an! th
rsu/t has $n a c/ass of 4ourna/is# that is
!ra#atic& insightfu/& ##ora$/& an!
#innt/y ra!a$/0C
, rais! 4ourna/istic rportag to an art
for#0 (n his cri# storisDfor 2a#p/&
B'h ,ous on Qapot "trtC (19;1) an!
B'h Boy 9ho 9ant! to Bco# "ocity)C
(19;1)Dh !p/oy! his narrati* ski//s in
pro!ucing gripping psycho/ogica/ thri//rs
rich in scn& inci!nt& an! charactr0 6or
i#portant& h turn! -hat -ou/! othr-is
$ or!inary cri# rports (0g0& a cri# of
passion in an unr#arka$/ 6akati
su$ur$an ho# or th poor $oy -ho gts
caught up in a tnag gang -ar) into
pric/ss *igntts of Phi/ippin socia/
history0
:s .r Prss /itrary !itor& h *irtua//y
prsi!! o*r th country)s /itrary scn0
.r Prss -as th stan!ar! in Phi/ippin
-riting in @ng/ish $caus of its -i!
circu/ation an! Joaqun)s !itorship0 (ts
-k/y pu$/ication of short storis an!
po#s -as a*i!/y fo//o-!0 Joaquin -as
gnrous in ncouraging young -ritrs an!
2rt! an inf/unc on -ritrs not on/y in
@ng/ish $ut in th Phi/ippin /anguags0 (n
a .i/ipino gnration that ha! sn
outstan!ing fictionists (N0 E0 60 ?on>=/>&
.0 "ioni/ Jos<& an! othrs)& h -as fon!/y
spokn of as pri#us intr pars0
"inc h 4oin! th .r Prss& h ha! $n
a fu//-ti# -ritr0 'h on/y othr B4o$C h
took -as an appoint#nt to th Boar! of
8nsors for 6otion Picturs& fro# 19;1 to
1972& un!r $oth prsi!nts Fios!a!o
6acapaga/ an! .r!inan! 6arcos0 , took
th post $caus& in /arg part& h /o*! th
#o*is an! practica//y !i! no cutting or
$anning of fi/#s& $/i*ing in th
int//ignc an! goo! sns of #o*igors0
, !scri$! this stintH B( -as non-
cnsoring0C
Phi/ippin socity -as going through a
prio! of !pning socia/ crisis0 'h high
hops ngn!r! !uring th popu/ar ru/
of 7a#Rn 6agsaysay $gan to !issipat
aftr 6agsaysay)s !ath in 19%7& as
corruption& factiona/ po/itics& an! cono#ic
crisis $ufft! th a!#inistrations of
prsi!nts 8ar/os ?arca& Fios!a!o
6acapaga/& an! .r!inan! 6arcos0 'h
Eitna# 9ar po/itici>! th .i/ipino
int//igntsia& th cono#y f/oun!r!& a
n- 8o##unist Party -as sta$/ish! in
19;9& an! a n- -a* of #i/itant
nationa/is# s-pt through such institutions
as uni*rsitis an! th #!ia0
(n th high/y charg! !ays /a!ing up to th
!c/aration of #artia/ /a- on "pt#$r 21&
1972& Joaquin #aintain! his in!pn!nc
as an autono#ous *oic in Phi/ippin
#!ia0 , -rot artic/s that -r currnt&
stay! c/os to th *nts& an! -r !p/y
fir! $y /i$ra/ snti#nts0 (n a ti#
po/ari>! $y i!o/ogica/ conf/ict& h
continu! to spak in his o-n *oic an! not
in thos of othrs0 'his in!pn!nc ha!
a/-ays $n a signa/ *irtu of his -riting
carr0
(n th 19K0s& -hn h start! -riting& h
-as a/ra!y a -ritr apart0 :t a ti# -hn
th Anit! "tats -as *i-! as Bth *ry
#asur of a// goo!nss&C an! BhistoryC an!
Bci*i/i>ationC in th Phi/ippins s#! to
ha* $gun -ith th a!*nt of :#rica&
Joaquin in*ok! a !pr past0 :t a ti#
-hn to $ cont#porary -as to $
Bscu/ar&C Joaqun *ok! th country)s
8hristian tra!ition0 :t a ti# -hn
Bpro/tarian /itraturC -as th BcorrctC
/in for young -ritrs to fo//o-& Joaqun
-as th skptic -ho f/t it -as on #or
instanc of /oca/ /itrary hirarchs)
Bparroting th :#ricans& a#ong -ho#
Npro/tarian) -as thn th /atst $u>>-or!0C
, -rotH B( can s no- that #y start as a
-ritr -as a s-i##ing against th currnt&
a going against th grain0C
, ha! a/-ays $n a -ritr ngag! $ut
apart0 Part of th 2p/anation rsi!! in his
charactr0 @ngag! in a pu$/ic profssion&
-ith a *ry pu$/ic na#& h -as a *ry
pri*at prson0 ,is rc/usi* charactr -as
for#! ar/y0 (n a rar& affctionat pic
his sistr-in-/a- "arah Joaqun -rot a$out
hi# in Phi/ippin 7*i- in 194K& sh spok
of th young Nick as a #o!st an!
unassu#ing young #an -ho -as i// at as
-ith pu$/ic prais an! shi! a-ay fro#
$ing intr*i-! or photograph! (Bh
ha!n)t ha! any takn for fiftn yarsC)0
@*n thn h /i*! his !ays accor!ing to
crtain -//-/o*! rits0 , /o*! going out
on /ong -a/ks (Ba ta//& thin f//o-& a /itt/
s/ouch!& -a/king in (ntra#uros& a/#ost
a/-ays hurri!/yC)& si#p/y !rss!& shos
-orn out fro# a grat !a/ of -a/king
(-hich h/p! hi# cogitat)& o$sr*ing th
strt /if of th city& #aking th roun!s of
churchs0 B, is th #ost r/igious f//o- (
kno-&C "arah -rot0 B@2cpt -hn his -ork
intrfrs& h rci*s ,o/y 8o##union
*ry!ay0C , -as gnrous -ith frin!s
an! !*ot! to th fa#i/y -ith -ho#& *n
in his tns& h shar! -hat /itt/ #ony h
arn!0
: prson of ha$it& h scri$$/! a$out
hi#s/f #any !ca!s agoH
I have no hobbies, no degrees; belong to no
party, club, or association;
and I like long walks; any kind of
guinataan; ickens and !ooth "arking#
ton; the old $arbo pictures; anything with
%red &staire' the 1pus Fi
according to the ominican rite' Jimmy
urante and (ole )orter tunes'
the *ar+ brothers; the Brothrs
Jara#a>o*; (armen *iranda; )aul,s
-pistles and *ark,s; )iedmont cigarettes'
my mother,s cooking'
playing tres#siete; praying the .osary and
the /fficium )arvum' I don,t
like fish, sports, and having to dress up0
'hough h cut th i#ag of on grgarious
-ith his /ou!& $oo#ing *oicS his /o* for
"an 6igu/ $r (a pro!uct that turn! hi#
into an icon for .i/ipino $r !rinkrs)S an!
his 4oy in $/ting out 8o/ Portr an! .rank
"inatra songs in inti#at gathrings in his
fa*orit 6ani/a caf<s& h stuck c/os to th
co#pany of a f- frin!s an! hat! #aking
for#a/ apparancs in pu$/ic0 ,
gru!ging/y ga* intr*i-s an! r*a/!
such scant !tai/ a$out his prsona/ /if that
thr ar #any gaps an! contra!ictions in
his pu$/ish! $iographis0 , -as not
a$o* #aking #ischif on un-itting
intr*i-rs $y in*nting storis a$out
hi#s/f0 , rfus! to gi* th 2act !at of
his $irth (6ay 4 an! "pt#$r 1% in 1917
ha* $n cit!) $caus& h sai!& h hat!
ha*ing pop/ co# aroun! to c/$rat his
$irth!ay0
, ha! >a/ous/y car*! out pri*at spac
in his ho# -hr h -rot ra#s in
/onghan! or on a typ-ritr0 'hough h
ga* strangrs th i#prssion of so#on
car/ss an! *n !isso/ut& Joaqun -as a
*ry !iscip/in! -ritr0 , -ok up ar/y to
ra! th n-spaprs& took $rakfast& an!&
fro# 9H00 a0#0 to 12H00 noon& rtir! to his
/i$rary on th scon! f/oor of his hous
-hr no on -as a//o-! to !istur$ hi#0
(n his c/an an! spar stu!y& -ith $ooks on
sh/*s /ining th -a//s an!& in th cntr& a
chair an! a ta$/ -ith a #anua/ typ-ritr&
Nick !i! his -ork0 .ro# 1H00 to KH00 p0#0&
h took a sista an!& oftn& his scon! $ath
of th !ay& an! thn fro# aroun! 4H00 p0#0
on-ar!& h -as out of th hous to go to th
!itoria/ offic or 2p/or his fa*orit
haunts in 6ani/a0
'h tur$u/nt !ays of po/itica/ acti*is#& as
th 19;0s ca# to a c/os& !i! not /a* this
*ry pri*at prson unaffct!0 (n 1970& h
4oin! a /a$or union organi>! $y th
-orkrs of .r Prss an! agr! to $ its
prsi!nt0 'his -as th first union to $
organi>! in th si2ty-t-o-yar-o/!
pu$/ishing co#pany that -as -i!/y
rgar!! as a $acon of /i$rtarian i!as0
1rgani>! at a ti# -hn 6ani/a -as
sthing -ith ci*i/ unrst& th apparanc of
th union spark! a $ittr fight in th
co#pany0 9hn #anag#nt crack!
!o-n on th union& Joaqun rsign!0 9ith
.r Prss !itor--ritrs ?rgorio 80
Bri//ants an! Jos< .0 3aca$a& artist Fani/o
Fa/na& an! c/os to thirty prsonn/ of th
a!#inistrati* an! printing !part#nts&
Joaqun /aunch! th -k/y :sia-
Phi/ippins 3a!r in 1971 an! sr*! as its
!itor-in-chif0 (n th pags of th
#aga>in h -rot a rgu/ar co/u#n& B'his
9k)s Jottings&C -hr h continu! his
trnchant co##ntaris on th Phi/ippin
scn0
6artia/ /a- c/os! !o-n Phi/ippin #!ia&
inc/u!ing .r Prss an! :sia-Phi/ippins
3a!r0 'h 6arcos go*rn#nt
su$squnt/y a//o-! th pu$/ication of a
f- fa*or! prio!ica/s contro//! $y th
6arcoss an! thir cronis0 Joaqun
rfus! to contri$ut0 :#ong #any
int//ctua/s& si/nc $ca# a for# of
protst0 Joaqun)s irrprssi$/ pn&
ho-*r& cou/! not $ sti//!0 B( -as n*r
si/nt !uring #artia/ /a-&C Joaqun !c/ar!
in an intr*i- in 19M00 B()* n*r $n
si/nt0C , continu! to -rit& -ork!
in!pn!nt/y& an! contri$ut! to $oth th
un!rgroun! an! a$o*groun! a/trnati*
prss& th s#a// n-spaprs an! n-s
shts that ca# to $ rfrr! to as th
B#osquito prssC !uring th #artia/-/a-
prio!0
(ronica//y& thr -as pro$a$/y no othr ti#
-hn thr -as as #uch pu$/ishing of
Joaqun -ritings as in th 1970s0 'hs
pu$/ications sho-cas! his $oun!/ss
crati*ity an! *rsati/ity0 (n 1977& th
Nationa/ Book "tor start! issuing popu/ar
co#pi/ations of his .r Prss hu#an-
intrst faturs an! cri# storis
(Re-ortage on Lovers& Re-ortage on
Crime) as -// as artic/s on /oca/ icons of
popu/ar cu/tur ((ora Aunor and #ther
%rofiles& Ronnie %oe and #ther
0ilhouettes&Amalia ,uentes and
#ther /things& 2oveglion and #ther
Cameos& $loria 2+a3 and #ther
2elineations& Jose-h /strada and
#ther 0)ethes)0 "uch -as his ra!rship
that& $t-n 1979 an! 19MK& #or
co//ctions of his 4ourna/istic artic/s -r
issu!H Re-ortage on the
Maroses& Re-ortage on
%olitis&Language of the 0treet and
#ther /ssays& an! Manila. 0in City and
#ther Chroniles0 : s/ction of his
spchs an! artic/s appar!
in 2isourses of the 2evil4s Advoate
and #ther Controversies (19MK)0 (t is
not !isingnuous to say that such $urst of
pu$/ishing #ay ha* $n fu/! $y a
crtain nosta/gia for th co/orfu/& rough-
an!-tu#$/ yars $for #artia/ /a-
i#pos! an or!r of rprssion an! !u//
confor#is#0
6r0 T 6s0 Pu$/ishing pu$/ish! Nick
Joaqun)s Almana for
Manile5os (1979)& a coff-ta$/ $ook that
turns th for# of th o/! a/#anac into Ba
-athr chart& a sanctora/& a >o!iac gui!&
an! a #ini-ncyc/op!ia on th -or/! of th
6ani/Oo0C :/#anac is a ro#p for a -ritr
-hos kno-/!g of th country)s capita/
city Dfro# churchs to $roth/s& po/iticians
an! cri#ina/s& fashions high an! /o-& past
an! prsntD has not $n #atch! $y
anyon0 (n 197MP1979& th sa# pu$/ishr
a/so co##ission! Joaquin)s chi/!rn)s
storis an! #o!rni>! fairy ta/s an! put
th# out as in!pn!nt tit/s as -// as in
an antho/ogy& %o- 0tories for $roovy
6ids0 "o# of ths storis a/so appar!
in a *o/u# ntit/! Joa*uines*uerie.
Myth 7 la Mod (19MK)0 , ha! $n ask!
to -rit 4ust on story in th $ginning& $ut
h so n4oy! !oing it that #or fo//o-!
(Bit)s /ik ating panutsC)0 'hat this -ritr
of #taphysica/ thri//rs a/so ha! a !ft
han! -riting for young ra!rs is sho-n in
his ssays on 6ani/a for young 6ani/Oos&
6ani/a& 6y 6ani/a (1990)& an! his rt//ing
of th $iography of Jos< 7i>a/& Ri3al in
0aga. A Life for 0tudent ,ans (199;)0
, trans/at! "panish -orks into @ng/ish&
so#thing h ha! !on intr#ittnt/y for
yars0 ,is #ost i#portant in this fi/!
-as The Com-lete %oems and %lays of
Jos8 Ri3al (197;)0 Nick a/so rturn! to
thatr0 , a!apt! th storis B'hr
?nrationsC an! B"u##r "o/sticC as th
p/ays ,athers and 0ons (1977)
an!Tatar+n (197M)& rspcti*/y0 (n 197;&
h -rot 'h Batas& th story of a
s*ntnth-cntury .i/ipino $guinag& a
r/igious co##unity of /ay -o#n&
rprss! $y a #a/-!o#inat!& co/onia/
or!r0 'h su$*rsi* #ssag of th p/ay&
in th particu/ar cont2t of #artia/ ru/& /nt
its/f to a staging in 'aga/og trans/ation in
th high/y po/itica/ ca#pus of th Ani*rsity
of th Phi/ippins in 197M0 'hs p/ays /atr
appar! in th *o/u#& Tro-ial
!aro*ue. ,our Manile5o Theatrials&
pu$/ish! in 6ani/a in 1979 an! in
:ustra/ia in 19M20
(n 1972& th Ani*rsity of Luns/an! Prss
in :ustra/ia pu$/ish! a n- !ition of his
fiction un!r th tit/& Tro-ial $othi0
:n i#portant fatur of this !ition -as th
inc/usion of thr no*//as that origina//y
appar! in .r Prss& B8=n!i!o)s
:poca/yps&C BFoOa JrRni#a&C an! B'h
1r!r of 6/ki>!k0C 'hs no*//as ar
po-rfu/& historica//y rsonant narrati*s
that pro$a$/y $st rprsnt th
in*nti*nss an! !pth of Joaqun as
fictionist0 'hy ar a#ong th #ost
outstan!ing pics of Phi/ippin fiction that
ha* $n -rittn0
, -nt $ack to -riting potry& so#thing
h ha! not !on sinc 19;%0 /l Camino
Real and #ther Rimes appar! in 19MK
an! 8o//ct! Ers& th author)s choic of
thirty-thr po#s& -as pu$/ish! in 19M70
7anging fro# /ight *rs to /ong narrati*
pics& ths po#s Dro$ust& confi!nt&
2pansi*& /gantD ar #arkrs in th
!*/op#nt of Phi/ippin potry0 'hy
!#onstrat& says th pot-critic ?<#ino ,0
:$a!& a /*/ of achi*#nt in -hich th
.i/ipino is no /ongr -riting in @ng/ish $ut
has in!! B-rought fro# @ng/ish& ha*ing
as it -r co/oni>! that /anguag0C
'hat th .i/ipino -ritr -rot in @ng/ish
-as a *irtu that s#! s/f-*i!nt -hn
Joaquin start! his carr in th 19K0s0
@ng/ish -as th /anguag of go*rn#nt&
th schoo/s& an! th /a!ing pu$/ications0 (t
-as& for young .i/ipinos& th /anguag of
#o!rnity an! th futur0 (n th /at 19;0s&
ho-*r& th us of th @ng/ish /anguag in
such fi/!s as !ucation& /itratur& an!
pu$/ishing ca# un!r srious qustion as
a 6ar2ist-inspir! nationa/is# sought to
sta$/ish a ra!ica/& popu/ar $asis for th
nationa/ cu/tur0 'hos -ho -rot in
@ng/ish ithr s-itch! /anguags or f/t
ca//! upon to !fn! thir us of a forign
tongu0 :rguing out of his fa*orit thsis
that th .i/ipino is nrich! $y his crati*
appropriation of n- tchno/ogis& Joaquin
2to//! th frsh *a/us of t#pr an!
snsi$i/ity that @ng/ish ha! $rought into th
nationa/ /itratur0 :s for his o-n -ritings&
Joaquin)s rspons to th issu -as #or
$/untH B9hthr it is in 'aga/og or @ng/ish&
$caus ( a# .i/ipino& *ry sing/ /in (
-rit is in .i/ipino0C (n a #or 4ocu/ar *in&
h ha! -rittn a$out ho- th /oca/ #i/iu
-as irr*oca$/y prsnt in his -orksH B( t//
#y ra!rs that th $st co#p/i#nt thy
can pay # is to say that thy s#// a!o$o
an! /chRn -hn thy ra! #0 ( -as
s#//ing a!o$o an! /chon -hn ( -rot
#0C
(n 197;& Nick Joaqun -as na#! Nationa/
:rtist of th Phi/ippins in th fi/! of
/itratur& th highst rcognition gi*n $y
th stat for an artist in th country0
8onfrr! in 6ani/a on 6arch 27& 197;& th
a-ar! prais! his -orks as B$acons in th
racia/ /an!scapC an! th author for his
Brar 2c//nc an! significant
contri$ution to /itratur0C
Joaqun ha! rsr*ations a$out accpting
an a-ar! conci*! $y th 6arcos
go*rn#nt as part of .irst 3a!y (#/!a
6arcos)s high-profi/ progra# of arts
pro#otion in th country& $ut h !ci!! to
accpt it on th a!*ic of fa#i/y an! frin!s0
, a/so f/t th a-ar! -ou/! gi* hi#
/*rag to ask 6a/acaOang Pa/ac to
r/as fro# prison Jos< .0 3aca$a& a c/os
frin! of his an! on of th country)s $st
-ritrs& -ho -as i#prison! for his
in*o/*#nt in th anti-6arcos rsistanc0
3aca$a -as r/as! in 197;0
Joaqun kpt his !istanc fro# po-r&
stu!ious/y rsisting in*itations to attn!
stat functions in 6a/acaOang Pa/ac0 :t a
cr#ony on 6ount 6aki/ing& 3aguna&
attn!! $y 6rs0 6arcos& -ho ha! $ui/t on
th fa$/! #ountain sit a Nationa/ :rts
8ntr& Joaqun !/i*r! a spch in -hich
h pro*ocati*/y spok of fr!o# an! th
artist0 , -as n*r again in*it! to a!!rss
for#a/ cu/tura/ occasions for th rst of th
6arcos rgi#0 , -as too unpr!icta$/ to
suit th pious prtnsions of th #artia/-/a-
go*rn#nt0
'h fact that go*rn#nt ha! confrr! on
hi# th honor of Nationa/ :rtist !i! not
pr*nt hi# fro# critici>ing go*rn#nt0 (n
19M2& h put hi#s/f at th forfront of a
pu$/ic !#onstration to protst
go*rn#nt)s c/osur of th oppositionist
n-spapr 9 .oru# an! th arrst an!
!tntion of its pu$/ishr an! !itors0 'h
n-spapr ha! 4ust pu$/ish! a sris of
artic/s 2posing .r!inan! 6arcos)s fak
-ar #!a/s0
'h strt apparanc -as not
charactristic of th #an0 (t -as in th fi/!
of -riting that h ngag! po-r0 Joaquin
-as th pro*ocatur -ho !/ight! in
!$unking -hat -as po/itica//y an!
int//ctua//y fashiona$/0 1n such
BfashionC -as th intrst in th BthnicC
an! Bin!ignousC !uring th 6arcos ra0 :
/giti#at 2prssion of post-Eitna#
.i/ipino nationa/is#& th rturn to th
Bnati*C -as appropriat! $y stat
nationa/is# !uring th #artia/-/a- prio!0
(n th att#pt to c/oth -ith /giti#acy
6arcos)s B2pri#ntC in Phi/ippin-sty/
!#ocracy (an! authoritarianis#) an!
$/unt $oth th insurgnt opposition to his
ru/ an! 9strn criticis# of hu#an-rights
*io/ations& th 6arcos go*rn#nt
appa/! to Bnationa/is#C $as! on an
in!ignous an! :sian hritag0 (n th
int//ctua/ fi/!& this foun! 2prssion in
#any intrscting -aysH th g/orification of
$arangay !#ocracyS th pro#otion of
'aga/og as th nationa/ /anguag an! th
!o-ngra!ing of @ng/ish -ritingS th
B.i/ipini>ationC of scho/ar/y !iscip/insS th
ro#ancing of th 1971 !isco*ry of th
a//g!/y "ton-:g 'asa!aysS an! th
stat-sponsor! 'a!hanU pro4ct start! in
197%& in -hich a group of .i/ipino historians
-rot a Bn- historyC of th Phi/ippins
un!r th na# of .r!inan! 6arcos0
:!!rssing this trn!& Nick Joaqun -rot
artic/s attacking nati*is# an! th
g/orification of th in!ignous an! th
thnic0 Fscri$ing th .i/ipino as a B-ork in
progrssC -hos nationa/ i!ntity is th
!yna#ic pro!uct of th *arious cu/tura/
inf/uncs in his history (in particu/ar& h
strsss& th "panish-8hristian 2princ)&
h !$unk! th i!a of a BpurC nati*
cu/tur an! /a#nt! th !nigration of
9strn inf/unc0 : *igorous po/#icist&
h taunt! th Bn-C nationa/ists -ith
stat#nts such as B:sia& $for 1%21& -as
conspicuous $y its a$snc in Phi/ippin
cu/turC or B'hos -ho -ant Phi/ippin
cu/tur to $ -hat it -as 400 yars ago ar
aff/ict! -ith th Forian ?ray i//usionH th
i//usion that innocnc can $ fro>n or that
a prsona/ity can $ kpt fro# sho-ing th
ffcts on it of ti#& spac& natur& socity&
th outsi! -or/!0C
'h trrain ha! chang! $ut Joaqun -as
fighting a $att/ h ha! start! to -ag as
ar/y as th 19K0s0 'hn h -as racting to
an int//ctua/ sta$/ish#nt that&
infatuat! -ith :#rica& -ant! to -an
its/f fro# th past #uch too quick/y0 No-
h -as rspon!ing to /a!rs an!
int//ctua/s -ho& !siring to $rak a-ay
fro# th 9st& -r in*oking a go/!n past
h f/t -as not thr0 (n th yars of th
Japans occupation& h -as -riting
against th grain -hn h -rot th s#ina/
ssay B3a Na*a/ ! 6ani/a0C 'hn h -as
rspon!ing (-hthr !/i$rat/y or not) to
th trn!& ncourag! $y th B?ratr @ast
:sia 8o-Prosprity "phr&C for .i/ipinos to
rturn to thir B:sianC an! B6a/ayanC roots0
No-& in th 1970s& h -as intrrogating th
scapgoating of th 9st an! th
ro#ancing of B:siannss0C
Po/#ica/ rathr than aca!#ic& h
si#p/ifi! th tr#s of th !$at& !r-
!i*i!ing /ins #uch too sharp/y& an!
couch! argu#nts in hypr$o/ic tr#s0 ,
-as i#patint -ith th ithrIor rhtoric of
in!ignists an! nationa/ists0 B9hy isn)t it
nough to $ 4ust .i/ipinoVC Luoting Ja#s
Joyc& h !c/ar! of his o-n -orkH B'his
country an! this pop/ shap! #S ( sha//
2prss #ys/f as ( a#0C , -as& as a/-ays&
th -ritr apart $ut passionat/y ngag!0
"n A 9uestion of &eroes. /ssays in
Critiism on Ten 6ey ,igures of
%hili--ine &istory (1977) an! Culture
and &istory. #asional (otes on the
%roess of %hili--ine
!eoming (19MM)& h sho-! hi#s/f an
insightfu/ historian an! *igorous cu/tura/
critic0 :!!rssing a gnra/ pu$/ic rathr
than spcia/ists& h sai! that it -as his ai#
to Bopn up frsh *i-points on th
nationa/ procssC $y asking Bthos psky
qustions -hich& though thy s# so
o$*ious& ha* so#ho- n*r $n ask!
a$out our history an! cu/tur0C
(n Lustion of ,ros& a sris of artic/s on
.i/ipino hros that first appar! in th
.r Prss in th 19;0s& h !#ystifi! th
hros associat! -ith th $irth of th
nation in th /at nintnth cntury0 ,
hu#ani>! th#& thickn! thir /i*s -ith
sharp an! t//ing !tai/& an! situat! th#
in th /i*ing cont2t of thir ti#s0 'h
rsu/t -as not 4ust a critica/ r*a/uation of
historica/ figurs $ut a cohrnt pictur of a
nation in for#ation0 8u/tur an! ,istory
offr! a #or *ari! far of fiftn ssays
that !*/op! Joaquin)s i!as on -hat h
ca//! Bth procss of .i/ipino $co#ing0C
An!r/ying ths i!as -as an *o/utionary
an! opti#istic confi!nc in th .i/ipino
capacity to in*nt hi#s/f out of th
constraints an! opportunitis of his
historica/ 2princ0 :ttacking th
syn!ro# of sha# o*r th co/onia/ past
an! gui/t o*r $ing Bnithr @ast nor
9st&C Joaqun c/$rat! hy$ri!ity0
:ttacking nati*is# an! othr for#s of
2c/usionis#& h sai! (quoting 1s-a/!
"png/r)& B,istoric is that -hich is& or has
$n& ffcti*&C an! h g/ori! in -hat th
.i/ipino has an! -i// $co#0
'hr ar concptua/ gaps in Joaqun)s *i-
of Phi/ippin history0 , tn!! to $ too
!is#issi* of prco/onia/ cu/tur (*n as it
figur! in his o-n fiction)& o*rstrss! th
transfor#ati* ro/ of tchno/ogy& an! -as
prhaps too apo/ogtic of th "panish an!
8hristian inf/unc in Phi/ippin cu/tur0
'hr -as no !nying& ho-*r& th
int//ignt passion -ith -hich h #$rac!
his pop/)s cu/tur an! history0 .- in his
ti# p/ay! as ffcti* a ro/ in th pu$/ic
!iscours on th nationa/ cu/tur0
'h shaking /oos of th structur of th
#artia/-/a- rgi# aftr th assassination
of Bnigno :quino Jr0 in 19MK& an! th
*ntua/ co//aps of th rgi# in th
BPop/ Po-r 7*o/utionC of 19M;& sa-
Nick Joaqun right in th pu$/ic stra# as
th country)s pr#ir chronic/r of currnt
history0 : $ook that h start! -riting
$for #artia/ /a- -as !c/ar! in
1972& The A*uinos of Tarla. An /ssay
on &istory as Three $enerations&
appar! in 19MK0 ,is chronic/ of th
Pop/ Po-r 7*o/ution& The 9uartet of
the Tiger Moon& -as pu$/ish! in 19M;0
'-nty-t-o yars aftr 'h 9o#an 9ho
,a! '-o Na*/s& Joaqun ca# out -ith his
scon! no*/& Cave and 0hadows (19MK)0
, 4oking/y r#ark! at its apparancH
BNo-& ()// $ kno-n as th #an -ho has t-o
no*/s0C .r*i! an! !ns& 8a* an!
"ha!o-s -as Joaqun)s Bo$4cti*
corr/ati*C to th 8risis of )720 "t in
6ani/a in th sta#y #onth of :ugust 1972&
4ust $for th !c/aration of #artia/ /a-&
th no*/ -a*s a p/ot aroun! th
!isco*ry of a -o#an)s nak! $o!y in a
ca* in th su$ur$s of 6ani/a0 'h sarch
for ans-rs to th #ystry of th -o#an)s
!ath $co#s a #taphysica/ thri//r in
-hich past an! prsnt co//i! an! ra/ity is
unhing! as a socia/ or!r $raks !o-n in
!i*ision an! r*o/ution0
: !p fount of crati* nrgy& Joaqun
-as a #uch sought-aftr $iographr0 .ro#
1979 to 2000& h author! #or than a
!o>n $ook-/ngth $iographis of
pro#innt .i/ipinos& fro# artists an!
!ucators to $usinss pop/ an!
po/iticians0 'hs inc/u! th $iographis of
!ip/o#at 8ar/os 7R#u/o& snators 6anu/
6anahan an! "a/*a!or 3aur/& tchnocrat
7afa</ "a/as& $usinss#n Jai# 1ngpn
an! F0 60 ?u*ara& artist 3onor 1rosa
?oquingco& !ucator Nicanor 7ys& ci*ic
/a!r @stfania :/!a$a-3i#& an! Jai#
8ar!ina/ "in0 , a/so -rot /oca/ an!
institutiona/ historisDsuch as "an 6igu/
! 6ani/aH 6#oirs of a 7ga/ Parish
(1990) an! ,rs& 'his ?ro*H 'h "tory of
Phi/ippin 9o#n)s Ani*rsity (199;)Dan!
author! or !it! !i*rs othr *o/u#s0
, -as critici>! for B-riting too #uch&C
pro!ucing co##ission! $iographis of
un*n qua/ity& an! forsaking crati*
-riting for 4ourna/is#0 9hi/ his :quinos of
'ar/ac -as a #astrfu/ intr-a*ing of th
/if of a fa#i/y an! that of a nation& May
Langit 2in Ang Mahira- (199M)& his
$iography of for#r 6ani/a 6ayor :/fr!o
3i#& s#! /ik a hurri!& past-up 4o$0
9hi/ his ta/nt cou/! $ quit prof/igat&
thr -as no #istaking th gnuinnss of
his apptit for /oca/ /if an! !ri* to
con*rt this to ##ora$/ for#0
Nick Joaqun)s statur in his country is
!#onstrat! $y th nu#rous pri>s h
rci*! for his /itrary an! 4ourna/istic
-ritings0 ,is contri$utions to Phi/ippin
cu/tur -r ackno-/!g! $y th 8ity of
6ani/a -ith an :ra- ng 6ayni/a :-ar!
(19;K)& a Patnu$ay ng "ining at Ja/inangan
:-ar! (19;4)& an! a Fi-a ng 3ahi :-ar!
(1979)0 'h nationa/ go*rn#nt confrr!
on hi# its highst cu/tura/ honors& th
7pu$/ic 8u/tura/ ,ritag :-ar! (19;1)
an! th tit/ of Nationa/ :rtist of th
Phi/ippins (197;)0
(n 199;& h rci*! th 7a#Rn 6agsaysay
:-ar! for Journa/is#& 3itratur& an!
8rati* 8o##unication :rts& th highst
honor for a -ritr in :sia0 'h citation
honor! hi# for B2p/oring th #ystris of
th .i/ipino $o!y an! sou/ in si2ty inspir!
yars as a -ritr0C :ccpting th a-ar! on
:ugust K1& 199;& Joaquin !i! not /ook $ack
on past achi*#nts $ut r/ish! th
#o#nt& saying that in!! th goo! -in
has $n rsr*! for /ast an! Bth $st is
yt to $0C 'his fro# a #an -ho -as a$out
to turn ighty -hn h rci*! th a-ar!0
(n his 199; 7a#Rn 6agsaysay :-ar!
/ctur& Joaqun a!!rss! -hat& h sai!&
ha! trou$/! his critics as his BJky//I,y!C
prsona/ity as 4ourna/ist an! /ittratur0 ,
ha! n*r $n th hothous artist& h
!c/ar!& an! ha! a/-ays f/t thr -as no
su$4ct not -orthy of his attntion0 'h
practic of 4ourna/is# nourish! his
popu/ist sy#pathis0 BJourna/is# train!
# n*r& n*r to f/ suprior to -hat*r
( -as rporting& an! a/-ays& a/-ays to
rspct an assign#nt& -hthr it -as a
$askt$a// ga#& or a po/itica/ ca#paign& or
a fashion sho-& or a #ur!r cas& or a
#o*i-star intr*i-0C Journa/is# 2rcis!
his po-rs of storyt//ing0 B?oo! rportag
is t//ing it as it is $ut at th sa# ti#
t//ing it n-& t//ing it surprising& t//ing it
significant0C
'hough h /arg/y p/ay! his /if an! carr
B$y ar&C Joaqun r/ish! ho- h ha!
#o*! in th right !irctions0 1n th on
han!& h cou/! trac hi#s/f $ack to th
ti#s -hn P/ato an! 8r*ants or th
:ra$ian Nights an! th 3ttrs of "aint Pau/
-r a// B/itraturC an! thr -r no fin
!istinctions as to -hich #o! of -riting
-as $// an! not $// nough0 1n th
othr han!& h ha! forsha!o-! currnt
trn!s that ha! $rokn !o-n th gnric
$oun!aris of fiction an! nonfiction or
B4ourna/is#C an! B/itratur0C
9ith th #ischi*ous g/ of on -ho
n4oy! -hat h -as !oing& h sai! that
such Joaqun rportag as B,ous on
Qapot "trtC an! B'h Boy 9ho 9ant!
to Bco# N"ocity)C ant!at! th
:#rican BN- Journa/is#C that -ritrs
such as Nor#an 6ai/r& 'ru#an 8apot&
an! ?or Ei!a/ #a! fa#ous0 6oro*r&
th fiction that h -rotDfro# B6ay Fay
@*C an! B'h 6ass of "t0 "y/*strC to
BFoOa JrRni#aC an! B8=n!i!o)s
:poca/ypsCD$o!i! forth B#agic ra/is#C
/ong $for th 3atin :#rican no*/ists
#a! it fashiona$/0
9hi/ Nick Joaqun -rot in @ng/ish& -as
pu$/ish! a$roa!& an! ha! so# of his
-orks trans/at! into forign /anguags& h
!i! not quit rci* th high attntion h
!sr*! outsi! th Phi/ippins0 'his -as
so#thing pro$a$/y of no grat #o#nt to
Joaqun hi#s/f0 , -as fir#/y root! in
p/ac an! in acti* !ia/ogu -ith his
.i/ipino au!inc0 'his spaking to an!
a$out his pop/ ha! a/-ays fra#! his
-riting /if0 'hough h spok fro# a
spcific /ocationD-riting in @ng/ish out of
6ani/a (h ha! not /i*! for any significant
a#ount of ti# outsi! th capita/)Dhis
*oic carri! far a#ong .i/ipinos0
(n th Phi/ippins& Nick Joaqun -as a
kpr of tra!ition an! a #akr of ##ory0
, gr- up in -hat h ca//! an B:g of
(nnocncC in Phi/ippin history& an ra
-hn .i/ipinos& s!uc! $y th pro#is of
:#rica an! #o!rnity& !istanc!
th#s/*s fro# thir "panish co/onia/ past
an! s/ipp! into a kin! of a#nsia0 , sa-
Dha*ing gro-n up in a ho# -hr his
fathr to/! storis a$out th r*o/ution an!
his #othr ncourag! a /o* for "panish
potryDthat it -as his ca//ing Bto $ring in
th prspcti*& to $ring in th
gran!fathrs& to #anifst roots0C (n his
-ritings& h trac! a /an!scap haunt! $y
th pastDpagan rits in th sha!o-s of th
8hristian church& /gn!s of a -o#an in th
ca*& strang prophts roa#ing th
countrysi!& gran!fathrs -ho s# /ik
ghosts -ho ha* stray! into th prsnt0
, con4ur! a socity stran!! in th
prsnt an! not quit -ho/ $caus it ha!
not co# to tr#s -ith its past0
'h pro$/# of i!ntity -as cntra/ in
Joaqun)s -orks0 (n an i#prssi* $o!y of
/itrary& historica/& an! 4ourna/istic -ritings&
Joaqun -as a significant participant in th
pu$/ic !iscours on B.i/ipino i!ntity0C
9hat #ark! th positions h took -as his
rfusa/ of asy ortho!o2is0 :n outsi!r to
go*rn#nt& th po/itica/ partis& an! th
uni*rsitis& h kpt his spac to $ an
in!pn!nt thinkr on th issus
confronting th nation0 .ro# th 19K0s to
unti/ his !ath& h -as consistnt in his ro/
as th critic of -hat pass! for th
po/itica//y BcorrctC of th !ay0 (n this
#annr& h opn! up spacs for th
.i/ipino to i#agin hi#s/f in no*/ -ays
an! act on this $asis0
Nick Joaqun /i*! through ight !ca!s of
Phi/ippin history an! -itnss! th s/o-&
un*n& an! oftn *io/nt transfor#ation of
th nationDth :#rican i!y// of th
pr-ar yars& th *io/nc an! !gra!ation
of an n#y occupation& th 8o##unist
insurgncy an! th har! choics it
confront! th .i/ipino -ith& th !ark yars
of #artia/ ru/& th -a2ing an! -aning of
hops for a $ttr nation0 (t is history that
t#pts #any -ith !spair0 Prhaps th
#ost r#arka$/ thing a$out Nick Joaqun&
th -ritr& -as that his -as a/-ays th *oic
of a !p& inc/usi*& an! co#passionat
opti#is# in th .i/ipino0
, ha! a/-aysDas Joaqun hi#s/f -ou/!
say& quoting on of his fa*orit /itrary /ins
Drag!& rag! against th !ying of th /ight0
'his -as tru not on/y of -hat h ha!
-rittn $ut ho- h ha! /i*! his /if0 9hn
#any of his cont#poraris ha! /ong fa!!
into th $ackgroun!& Joaqun continu! to
spak of his craft -ith th *r* of a young
-ritr0 9// into his ightis& -ith c/os to
si2ty $ook tit/s to his na#& h -as
-orking on #or0 , a/so continu! to
practic 4ourna/is#0 , -rot th rgu/ar
co/u#ns B"#a// BrC an! BJottingsC for th
Phi/ippin Fai/y (nquirr an! th "un!ay
(nquirr 6aga>in fro# 19MM to 1990S
sr*! as !itor of Phi/ippin ?raphic
#aga>in an! pu$/ishr of its sistr
pu$/ication& 6irror 9k/y& in 1990S an!
continu! to contri$ut to *arious
pu$/ications unti/ his fina/ !ays0 9hn
ask! onc if h *r intn!! to rtir&
Joaqun -as sai! to ha* rspon!!& -ith
typica/ #ischif& B()# not rtiring an! ()#
not rsign!0C
N(8J Joaqun /i*! in th city an! country
of his affctions an! continu! to -rit
unti/ his !ath in :pri/ 2004 at th ag of
ighty-si20
A high school drop-out turned National
Artist.
Certainly, a success of a person can never
be measured by the number of college
degrees one has completed, nor is it
measured by simply getting that University
diploma. How many prominent people have
proved that to us? o name a few, we!ve got
"ill #ates, Albert $instein, Christina
Aguilera, %ennifer Anniston, &oody Allen
and yes even %ane Austen dropped out of
school. And, from a third-world country,
such fate is very much possible. Nic'
%oa(uin is as ordinary as anybody could be.
&hy? He felt the same way that we
possibly felt for our classroom disscussions)
boring. Unli'e most of us though, who tried
to struggle over it, he decided to (uit school
during his secondary year in high school,
although he did not stop from learning. He
decided to teach him self. He read and read
and fortunately, his dad!s library had
supplied him enough boo's to last him a
lifetime. And this is where his legacy to all
*ilipinos started. After-all, most great writers
are great readers, too. And Nic' is +ust li'e
that. Nic' was born on ,ay -, ./.0 at 1aco
,anila. His father, 2eocadio %oa(uin, was
the one who had greatly influenced his
interest in boo's. His mother!s name was
3alome ,ar(ue4 %oa(uin. He started out
as a writer by writing short stories, poems
and essays and most of those where
published in different maga4ines based in
,anila. "ut perhaps, his most acclaimed
wor' in the 1hilippines is his short-story
entitled 5atarin5 which means he 3ummer
3olstice. 6t!s about a ritual usually made by
women as'ing the gods to ma'e them
fertile. 6t involves a woman dancing around
a century old "alete tree. 6t was even
adapted in to a movie in the 1hilippine
cinema. 7uring the ,arcos regime in the
1hilippines, a time where the country was
under the state of ,artial 2aw, Nic' was
never imprisoned unli'e other artists that
time. He was even a member of the
1hilippine "oard of Censors for ,otions
1ictures during those days. "ut, he was not
a...

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