Virgilio S. Almario, also known as Rio Alma, is a National Artist for Literature. His creative work spans the genres of poetry, literary criticism, essay, and translation. Almario has authored an extensive array of books, encompassing poems and works of literary criticism. Among his collected works are Makinasyon at Iba Pang Tula (1968), Peregrinasyon at Iba Pang Tula (1970), Doktrinang Anakpawis (1979), Mga Retrato at Rekwerdo (1984), and numerous others.
In literary criticism, Almario has contributed notable works including Ang Makata sa Panahon ng Makina (1972), Balagtasismo versus Modernismo (1984), Taludtod at Talinghaga (1985), Kung Sino ang Kumatha kina Bagongbanta, Ossorio, Herrera, Aquino de Belen, Balagtas Atbp. (1992), Filipino ng mga Filipino (1993), and Panitikan ng Rebolusyon(g 1896) (1993, 1997), among others.
Born on March 9, 1944, in Camias, San Miguel, Bulacan, Almario pursued his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1963 and later earned his master’ degree in Filipino in 1974 at the University of the Philippines (UP). He holds honorary doctorates in literature from the University of Regina Carmeli, Bulacan (2009), and the University of the East (2016).
Almario taught in institutions such as San Miguel High School in Bulacan, Philippine Science High School, and Ateneo de Manila University. He was chair of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas from 1986 to 1992. Almario also was executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) from 1999 to 2001.
In UP, Almario held positions such as president of the UP Writers’ Club and editor of the Literary Apprentice. He also served as director of the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino from 1993 to 1996 and the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing from 2002 to 2003. He was also the dean of the UP College of Arts and Letters from 2003 to 2009. Almario continues to contribute to UP Diliman as professor emeritus since 2010.
He is the founder and workshop director of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), an organization of poets in Filipino. Additionally, he chaired the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino from 2013 to 2020 and the NCCA from 2017 to 2020.
In literary criticism, Almario has contributed notable works including Ang Makata sa Panahon ng Makina (1972), Balagtasismo versus Modernismo (1984), Taludtod at Talinghaga (1985), Kung Sino ang Kumatha kina Bagongbanta, Ossorio, Herrera, Aquino de Belen, Balagtas Atbp. (1992), Filipino ng mga Filipino (1993), and Panitikan ng Rebolusyon(g 1896) (1993, 1997), among others.
Born on March 9, 1944, in Camias, San Miguel, Bulacan, Almario pursued his bachelor’s degree in political science in 1963 and later earned his master’ degree in Filipino in 1974 at the University of the Philippines (UP). He holds honorary doctorates in literature from the University of Regina Carmeli, Bulacan (2009), and the University of the East (2016).
Almario taught in institutions such as San Miguel High School in Bulacan, Philippine Science High School, and Ateneo de Manila University. He was chair of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas from 1986 to 1992. Almario also was executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) from 1999 to 2001.
In UP, Almario held positions such as president of the UP Writers’ Club and editor of the Literary Apprentice. He also served as director of the UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino from 1993 to 1996 and the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing from 2002 to 2003. He was also the dean of the UP College of Arts and Letters from 2003 to 2009. Almario continues to contribute to UP Diliman as professor emeritus since 2010.
He is the founder and workshop director of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), an organization of poets in Filipino. Additionally, he chaired the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino from 2013 to 2020 and the NCCA from 2017 to 2020.