Filipino poet Bienvenido Lumbera passes away

Filipino poet and National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera has passed away. He was 89 years old.

His daughter, Tala, confirmed the news in a Facebook post, saying her dad passed away on Tuesday, September 28. 

Meanwhile, Metro Manila Film Festival spokesperson and talent manager Noel Ferrer said the cause of death was stroke complications.

"Maraming salamat at paalam, Tatay Bien!!!" he wrote. "Pumanaw na ang ating Pambansang Alagad Ng Sining sa Panitikan BIENVENIDO LUMBERA kaninang 9:14 ng umaga dahil sa 'complications of stroke.'"

[Thank you so much and goodbye, Tatay Bien!!! Our National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera passed away a while ago at 9:14 a.m. due to 'complications of stroke.']

According to Noel, Novena masses and a memorial will be held every 8 p.m. in the evening from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6.

Many of Bienvenido's colleagues and friends also expressed their grief online as they bid the renowned writer a heartfelt farewell.

Writer Rolando Tolentino said, "Ang sakit ng pagyao ng Artista ng Bayan. Maraming salamat (Our National Artist's passing hurts so much. Thank you)."

Lualhati Bautista meanwhile bid him goodbye. "Paalam, Bien, (Bienvenido Lumbera), Pambansang Alagad ng Sining. Isa ka sa mga taong mahal ko talaga. Pakikiramay sa iyo, Cynthia, sa pamilya, sa lahat ng manunulat, estudyante, at mga kaibigan. Dala mo ang aming taos-pusong pagpupugay (Farewell, Bien, National Artist for Literature. You are one of the people I truly love. My condolences to you, Cynthia, to the family, to all the writers, students, and friends. You have our utmost honor."

In remembering Lumbera, film director Rahyan Carlos shared his favorite snapshots with the late writer and wrote, "Paalam at sobra kitang mamimiss Tatay Bien Lumbera (Goodby and I'll miss you so much, Tatay Bien Lumbera)!"

"Nung nag-pandemic nag-Zoom chat pa tayo nina Ricky [Lee], dinalaw ka din namin last January at kinuwento mo pa sa kainan natin na marami kang napapanood na broadway musicals...Mahal kita Tatay, Guro, Kaibigan at National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera!  Mahigpit na yakap at lubos ang aking pakikiramay sa iyong pamilya."

[When the pandemic hit, we even had a Zoom chat with Ricky, we visited you last January and you told us during our meal that you were able to watch a lot of Broadway musicals...I love you, Father, Teacher, Friend, and National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera! My tightest hug and condolences to your family.]

Born in April, 1932, Bienvenido was a renowned Filipino poet and critic who taught literature and creative writing in Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas.

In 1993, he was given the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communications after he "challenged Philippine society's colonial point of view and restored the poems and stories of vernacular writers to an esteemed place in the Philippine literary canon."

In 2006, he was honored with the National Artist Award for Literature.— LA, GMA News