Palace mourns deaths of 2 writers

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang mourned the deaths of National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo and essayist Kerima Polotan-Tuvera, who both passed away over the weekend.

“It is a sad weekend for the Philippine literary community as two of its most eminent elders Tiempo and Polotan-Tuvera passed away within a day of each other. The Aquino administration is united in grief with a country that mourns their passing,” said a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

The Palace recognized the efforts of Tiempo and her late husband in establishing the Silliman National Writers Workshop which it noted was where “many of the country’s established literary practitioners, as well as its most promising young talents, trace their lineage.”

“Among those who served as a pillar of the workshop was Mrs. Polotan-Tuvera, whose own body of work has been widely recognized as crucial to the development of Philippine Literary Fiction written from English,” the statement said.

“Both stalwarts have influenced generations of writers through their mentoring and through their own works, inspiring countless to tread the same path. We are certain that coming generations of Filipinos will likewise find a timeless vibrancy in the wealth that they contributed to our culture, our collective memory, and our nation’s story,” Lacierda said.