MANILA, Philippines?Foremost Tagalog writer Genoveva Edroza Matute, the first grand prize winner of the Palanca literary award for Tagalog short story, died in her sleep on March 21, at the age of 94.

Her remains lie at Sanctuario, Araneta Avenue corner Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. She will be buried on March 25, 1 p.m., at the Manila North Cemetery.

Matute?s Palanca-winning story, ?Kuwento ni Mabuti,? about a dedicated and doting teacher as seen through the eyes of an adoring student, is perhaps the most anthologized Tagalog story today. Matute went on to win several Palanca and other literary awards for her fiction, essays and prodigious literary output.

Matute obtained her education at the University of Santo Tomas, where she also took up her masters and doctorate.

She became a top educator and mentor. She was a teacher for 46 years, becoming department head (Filipino) and Dean of Instruction at Philippine Normal University. She received the Republic Literary Awards, Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines, Kapisanan ng mga Propesor sa Pilipino and outstanding citizen award from Quezon City and Manila.

She was the widow of Epifanio Gar. Matute, who created ?Kuwentong Kutsero,? the popular radio program and TV serial during the 1950s and ?60s.