Pedro “Jun” Cruz Reyes Jr. is a fictionist, poet, essayist, and visual artist. Among his earlier works are Utos ng Hari at Iba Pang Kuwento (1981), Tutubi-Tutubi, ’Wag Kang Magpahuli sa Mamang Salbahe (1987), and Etsa-Puwera (2000).
His writing is often characterized as reflective of the language of ordinary and poor folk, and takes the viewpoint and interests of the marginalized people. His other publications include Negros (1988), Ilang Taon Na ang Problema Mo? (1995), Ilang Talang Luma buhat sa Talaarawan ng Isang May Nunal sa Talampakan (1998), Ang Huling Dalagang Bukid at ang Authobiography na Mali: Isang Imbestigasyon (2011), Hu U Rizal (o Kung Bakit Lagi’t lagi Kang Kailangang Barilin) and Panaghoy at Pagtutol (2020).
Reyes is also known for his biographies of progressive and historical figures. Among them are Mga Daluyong, mga Unos sa Panahon ni Rolando Olalia (1989), Armando (2006), and Ka Amado (2012).
Reyes received National Book Awards for his books Utos ng Hari, Tutubi-Tutubi, and Etsa-Puwera. He won numerous times at the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. He was also recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa for his creative work. He won the grand prize for the novel in Filipino at the Centennial Literary Prize in 1998. He received the Dangal ng Lipi ng Bulacan in 1994, the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas from Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas in 2002, the Gawad Amado Hernandez from the local government of Hagonoy, Bulacan, the South East Asian Writers or SEA Write Award in 2014, among others.
He was born in Tondo, Manila on 27 July 1947. He obtained his bachelor of arts in political science and bachelor of science in foreign service at the Lyceum of the Philippines in 1969. He finished his master’s and doctor’s degrees in creative writing at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in 1999 and 2008, respectively. He is a fellow of the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing and teaches literature and creative writing courses at UP Diliman and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).