Nick Joaquin and Jessica Zafra

Nick Joaquin

Nicomedes Márquez Joaquín, usually known as Nick Joaquin (May 4, 1917–April 29, 2004), was a Filipino writer, historian and journalist, best known for his short stories and novels in the English language. He also wrote using the pen name Quijano de Manila. Joaquin was conferred the rank and title of National Artist of the Philippines for Literature.


Joaquín deeply admired José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Joaquín paid tribute to Rizal by way of books such as The Storyteller's New Medium - Rizal in Saga, The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal, and A Question of Heroes: Essays in Criticism on Ten Key Figures of Philippine History. He also translated the hero's valedictory poem, "Land That I Love, Farewell!"
Joaquín served as a member of the Philippine Board of Censors for Motion Pictures under President Diosdado Macapagal and President Ferdinand E. Marcos. According to writer Marra PL. Lanot, Joaquín was untouched by Marcos' iron fist. Joaqun's first move as National Artist was to secure the release of imprisoned writer José F. Lacaba. Later, at a ceremony on Mount Makiling attended by First Lady Imelda Marcos, Joaquín delivered an invocation to Mariang Makiling, the mountain's mythical maiden. Joaquín touched on the importance of freedom and the artist. As a result, for the remainder of the Marcos regime, Joaquín no longer received invitations to address important cultural events.


(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Joaquin)
(image source: http://www.listal.com/viewimage/74239)

Jessica Zafra

She won first place in the 1991 Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for "Portents" Being a sore loser that she admits she is, she won two more times but didn't mention what articles it were because they were only third placers.In 1985, she was a University of the Philippines Summer Writer's Workshop Fellow, and in 1996, she was University of the Philippines Creative Writing Center National Fellow.

(http://www.pinoyhenyo.com/talambuhay_ni_Jessica_Zafra-20090128175428444.html)

(image source: http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Jessica_Zafra)