Virgilio S. Almario, also known as Rio Alma, is a poet, literary historian and critic, who has
revived and reinvented traditional Filipino poetic forms, even as he championed modernist
poetics. In 34 years, he has published 12 books of poetry, which include the
seminal Makinasyon and Peregrinasyon, and the landmark trilogy Doktrinang
Anakpawis, Mga Retrato at Rekwerdo and Muli, Sa Kandungan ng Lupa. In these works,
his poetic voice soared from the lyrical to the satirical to the epic, from the dramatic to the
incantatory, in his often severe examination of the self, and the society.
He has also redefined how the Filipino poetry is viewed and paved the way for the discussion of
the same in his 10 books of criticisms and anthologies, among which are Ang Makata sa
Panahon ng Makina, Balagtasismo versus Modernismo,Walong Dekada ng Makabagong
Tula Pilipino, Mutyang Dilim and Barlaan at Josaphat.
Many Filipino writers have come under his wing in the literary workshops he founded –the
Galian sa Arte at Tula (GAT) and the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA). He has
also long been involved with children’s literature through the Aklat Adarna series, published by
his Children’s Communication Center. He has been a constant presence as well in national
writing workshops and galvanizes member writers as chairman emeritus of the Unyon ng mga
Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL).
He headed the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as Executive Director, (from 1998
to 2001) ably steering the Commission towards its goals.
But more than anything else, what Almario accomplished was that he put a face to the Filipino
writer in the country, one strong face determinedly wielding a pen into untruths, hypocrisy,
injustice, among others.
Published works
International
National
Editor, UP Centennial Edition of Balagtas’ Florante at Laurawith English translation by Marne Kilates,
Office of the Chancellor, UP Diliman, 2008
Author, Romanza, poetry collection with paintings by Marivic Rufino and English translation by Marne
Kilates, Tahanan Books, 2008
Author,Mga Biyahe, Mga Estasyon (Journeys, Junctions), poetry collection with English translation by
Marne Kilates, Anvil Publishing Inc., 2008
Author,Si Rizal: Nobelista, critical essays on Noli and Fili, UP Press, 2008
Sonetos Postumos, book of poems with translation by Marne Kilates and paintings by National Artist Ang
Kiukok, 2006
Mahigit Sansiglo ng Makabagong Tula sa Filipinas, editor of an anthology of modern poems in Filipino,
English, Spanish, Pampanggo, Ilocano, Bicolano, Cebuano, Ilonggo, Waray, Anvil publishing, 2006
Pag-unawa sa Ating Pagtula, a literary history and criticism of poetry in Filipino, Anvil Publishing, 2006
Tatlong Pasyon sa Ating Panahon, poems for children with illustrations by Mark Justiniani, Neil Doloricon,
Ferdinand Doctolero, UST Press, 2006
Memo Mulang Gimokudan, book of poems, University of the Philippines Press, 2005
Dust Devils, book of poems with translation by Marne Kilates, Aklat Peskador, 2005
Dionatext, co-editor of an anthology of modern diona, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2004
Pablo Neruda: Mga Piling Tula, co-editor and translator, University of the Philippines Press, 2004
Barlaan at Josaphat, editor of a modern edition of the first translated fiction in the Philippines, 2003
Ikatlong Bagting, co-editor of an anthology of young poets, UST Press, 2003
Pacto de Sangre: Spanish Legacy in Filipinas, Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Committee, 2003
Textanaga, co-editor of an anthology of modern tanaga, National Commission for Culture and the Arts,
2003
Dalitext, co-editor of an anthology of modern dalit, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2003
Bulacan: Bayan ng Bayani’t Bulaklak, editor of a coffeetable book on the history and culture of Bulacan,
Bulacan Heritage Foundation, 2002
Florante at Laura, editor of the revised edition, Institute for Public Policy, 2002
Tradisyon at Wikang Filipino, collection of critical studies on language, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, 1998
Manuel Sityar: Rebolusyong Filipino, editor of the translation of Memorias Intimas (1896-1898) by Manuel
Sityar, Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, 1998
Una Kong Milenyum, two volumes, anthology of all published poems, U.P. Press, 1998
100 Events that Shaped the Philippines, editor, Adarna books, 1999
Patnubay sa Pagsasalin, co-editor, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 1996
Si Tandang Basio Macunat, editor, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 1996
Poetikang Tagalog: Mga Pagsusuri sa Sining ng Pagtulang Tagalog, editor, National Commission for
Culture and the Arts, 1996
Sa Dakong Silangan: Jose Corazon de Jesus, editor, Cultural Center of the Philippines, 1995
*Sentimiento: Translation of Gemma Cruz’ Fiction and Essays, Anvil Publishing Inc., 1995
Dakilang Tinig ng Dakilang Awit, translation of Jovita Fuentes, A Lifetime of Music by Lilia Hernandez
Chung, Foundation for Nationalist Studies, 1995
Bumasa at Lumaya: A Source Book on Children’s Literature in the Philippines, editor with Ma. Elena
Paterno et al, Anvil Publishing Inc., 1994
Jose Corazon de Jesus: Ilang Piling Taludtod, a salute to J.C. De Jesus and his poetry in commemoration
of his birth centennial, editor with Romulo Baquiran Jr., Sentro ng Wikang Filipino and UMPIL, 1994
Panitikan ng Rebolusyon (G1896), Isang Paglingon at Katipunan ng mga Akda nina Bonifacio at Jacinto,
Sentrong Pangkultura ng Pilipinas, 1993
Filipino ng mga Filipino, collection of newspaper columns about language, Anvil Publishing, 1993
Kung Sino ang Kumatha kina Bagongbanta, Ossorio Herrera, Aquino de Belen, Balagtas, atbp., literary
criticism, Anvil Publishing, 1992
Parikala, anthology of new poets in the 1980s, editor, Kalikasan Press, 1990
Turtle Voices in Uncertain Weatherby Alfredo Navarro Salanga, editor, CCP, 1989, co-translator and
editor, 1989
Makabagong Tinig ng Siglo, selected modern world poets in translation, co-translator and editor, 1989
Mga Piling Tula ni Jose Corazon de Jesus, editor, Aklat Balagtasyana, 1984 and Dela Salle University
Press, 1995
Walong Dekada ng Makabagong Tulang Pilipino, anthology of major poets in Pilipino 1900-1980, PECO,
1981
More than a hundred poems and stories and numerous essays on literature and history published in
national and international publications
Saiko Eiyosho, highest honorary award from Soka Gakkai University, 2003
Lifetime Achievement Award, July 2002, by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People
Gatpuno Antonio Villegas Award, June 2002, Lungsod ng Maynila
The Book Development Leadership Awards, 29 June 2001, by the National Book Development Congress
2001
Centennial Award for Literature, 1998, given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines to 100 outstanding
Filipino artists and writers of the 20th century
National Book Award for Translation, 1999, by the Manila Critics Circle
National Book Award for Editing, 1999, by the Manila Critics Circle
Plaque of Honor and Citations, 19 July 2000, by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People
Outstanding Citizen Award for Literature, Dangal ng Lipi Award, Bulacan, 1993
Outstanding Citizen Award for Literature, Gantimpalang Quezon, Quezon City, 1993
Outstanding Citizen Award for Literature, Gawad Patnubay ng Sining, City of Manila, 1992
Poet of the Year (Makata ng Taon), Talaang Ginto, Institute of National Languages, 1984
Palanca Memorial Awards for poetry and essay, 1970, 1979, 1984, 1990
CCP Literary Awards for poetry and essay, 1975, 1979, 1984
Emilio Jacinto Plaque for Outstanding Contributions to Literature and Philippine Studies, U.P., Department
of Filipino and Philippine Languages, 1976
Second Poet of the Year, Talaang Ginto, Institute of National Languages, 1967 and 1970
Benigno Aldana Award, Outstanding Teacher of Bulacan, Bulacan Public School Teachers Association,
1968