DID YOU KNOW: 8th death anniversary of Alejandro Roces

Today, May 23, is the eighth death anniversary of National Artist for Literature Alejandro Roces who is considered the country’s best writer of comic short stories.

Born on July 13, 1924, he was a short story writer and essayist.

Roces led the campaign to change the country’s Independence Day from July 4 to June 12 and the usage of the Filipino language, instead of English, in the country’s stamps, currency and passports.

He also initiated the recovery of Jose Rizal’s manuscripts when they were stolen from the National Archives.

He was named a National Artist in 2003.

—Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research

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