PIA Press Release
Sunday, January 22, 2012

Center for Kapampangan Studies honors Pampango poet laureate

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Jan. 22 (PIA) -- A known Kapampangan poet laureate was crowned by the Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS) of Holy Angel University (HAU) here in recognition of his immense contribution for the birth and revitalization of Kapampangan literature in this province.

Delfin Turla Quiboloy, as represented by his family, was given a gold crown of laurel leaves as a symbol of dignity of long-ago glory last Jan. 14 at HAU.

According to CKS Director Robby Tantingco, “Delfin Quiboloy was born in the golden age of Kapampangan zarzuela. He was a contemporary and town mate of two of the greatest zarzuelistas, Rogelio de la Rosa and Diosdado Macapagal.”

While Rogelio went on to become the king of Philippine movies and Diosdado became the president of the Philippines, Delfin Quiboloy entered an equally noble profession - teaching. He eventually became a principal, Tantingco explained.

As his academic and administrative responsibilities expanded, he continued nurturing his art and craft as a poet, playwright, novelist and short story writer. He produced more than 200 literary works, which is a huge output by any standard. His stature is nearly equal to that of the acknowledged leading poet of his generation, Jose Gallardo of Candaba. In fact, the two of them joined forces to produce the book “Kuriru at Kawatasan,” now considered a classic. "Kuriru" is reciting poetry in narrating a story, while "kawatasan" means flashes of thoughts.

Among the zarzuelas Quiboloy wrote are “Ing Tagumpe ning Katutwan” (The Triumph of Truth), “Gánid” (A Greedy Person), “Sinta’t Balen” (Love and Country), “Aus ning Laman” (Call of the Flesh), “Angga Banwa” (Till Hereafter) and “Malagung Ubingan” (Beautiful Serpent).

Quiboloy is a poet laureate from Lubao town who died in the year 1999, an educator who became a prolific poet and playwright in the 1960s until the 1980s.

He was one of the founders of “Aguman Ding Talasulat Kapampangan o AGTAKA,” which is a league of Kapampangan writers in 1964. He was elected president of the organization in 1977.

In 1969, the United Poet Laureates International, an organization that promotes world brotherhood and peace through poetry, honored him for his contributions to world poetry in general and Kapampangan literature in particular.

Also, he launched the annual Don Gonzalo Puyat Memorial Awards for Pampango Literature in 1978, which is a tribute to the unique Kapampangan literary works through the assistance of the late Senate President Gil Puyat.

CKS has revived the tradition of crowning poets laureate to honor Kapampangan poets who contributed in the Kapampangan language and literature.

Among the poets crowned at HAU are Francisco Gunito of Macabebe, Amado Gigante of this city and the US-based Ernesto Turla, Rafael Maniago and Renato Alzadon. (WLB/JGB- PIA 3)