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Today, September 13, is the 108th birth anniversary of the late journalist, politician, labor leader and National Artist for Literature Amado V. Hernandez. Born in Tondo, Manila, Hernandez once served as a councilor in Manila where he sponsored the rights of the working class.  For over five years, he was imprisoned for alleged subversive activities.  While detained, he started to write one of his most famous works, “Mga Ibong Mandaragit,” said to be the first Filipino socio-political novel.  He was eventually cleared of all charges. A multi-awarded author, he died on March 24, 1970, and was posthumously given the National Artist Award in 1973.—Schatzi Quodala, Inquirer Research