THIS IS in remembrance of the first llonggo writer who was chosen in 2018 to be the recipient of the National Artist of the Philippines in Literature award. Ramon L. Muzones wrote in Hilagaynon – our native tongue.
He was born on March 20, 1913 to the spouses FLORENTINA LARUPAY of Lambunao, Iloilo and SANTIAGO MUZONES SR. of Miag-ao, Iloilo. They were a large brood of 10 children, Ramon (the eldest), Anita, Angelica, Maria (a Superintendent of Schools), Lourdes, Manuel, Dionisio, Raymundo (of the National Intelligence Security Agency or NISA), Atty. Angel Muzones (of the defunct Bureau of Supplies and Statistics, absorbed by the Department of Finance); and Commissioner of Human Rights, Jersey City, USA, Santiago Muzones Jr. (the youngest at 90 years and the only survivor in the family).
Muzones was a prolific writer of 61 llonggo novels and the founder in 1948 of the SUMAKWELAN, Guild of Ilonggo Writers which still exists today. He was a consultant of public schools in the vernacular and authored a Hiligaynon-English Dictionary. He was likewise elected as City Councilor of Iloilo City from 1963 to 1971.
His writing prowess gained national attention as he was a Gawad Balagtas Awardee of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipino (UMPIL); Gawad CCP sa Sining; NCCA Gawad Bonifacio Awardee in Hiligaynon Literature; Centennial Artist of the Philippines award, among many literary citations.
The guidelines to qualify for nomination as a National Artist is that the writer must have published works and awarded at least two of herein nationally recognized literary awards, and posthumously in 2018 Ramon L. Muzones was conferred the National Artist of the Philippines in Literature plaque.
In further recognition of this honor, the Iloilo City Mayor’s Office was named RAMON MUZONES HALL and a street was named after him (formerly Gen. Hughes Street).
We remember with fondness this kind, gentle and soft-spoken man of letters whose love and passion for our regional literature and culture boosted Iloilo to a respected stable in the national consciousness.
“Hanti, pangibulahan Agalon – Malmalan nga Payhod sa Kaugalingon nga Pulong. Kon sa di-in ka man, sa busilak sang adlaw ukon pitipit nga kadulom, magapabilin gihapon ang imo handumanan. Ang matam-is nga igsusulat— katulad sa mayuyom nga ambahanon sang tamsi sa talon – nagasia-ak sa kalipay kag pagpasalamat bangod may kabuhi bisan umalagi lamang.”/PN
