Did you know: Alejandro R. Roces

National Artist for Literature Alejandro R. Roces was born on July 13, 1924. A short story writer and essayist, he is considered the country’s best writer of comic short stories. He spearheaded the campaign to change the country’s Independence Day from July 4 to June 12 and was instrumental in changing the language used in the country’s stamps, currency and passport from English to Filipino. He was named a national artist in 2003.–Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research