DID YOU KNOW: 39th death anniversary of Lazaro Francisco

Today, June 17, is the 39th death anniversary of National Artist for Literature Lazaro Francisco.

He founded the Kapatiran ng mga Alagad ng Wikang Filipino, a brotherhood aimed at fostering the development of the Filipino language.

For his work, he received the prestigious Balagtas Award in 1969, the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1970 and the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award from the Manila City government in 1975.

He was named a national artist in 2009. —Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research