National Philippine Artist for Literature (1976): Nick Joaquin

Quijano de Manila: Nick Joaquin

Nicomedes "Nick" Joaquín y Márquez

Nicomedes "Nick" Joaquín y Marquez (1917- 2004) was a Filipino writer and journalist who produced works under the pen name "Quijano de Manila" ("Manila Old-Timer")—when he began to write for the Philippine Free Press magazine in 1950. Unlike other known authors like Jose Rizal and Claro M. Recto, he wrote in the English language despite being a native Spanish speaker himself. He was known for his short stories such as 'The Summer Solstice' and 'Three Generations' as well as his novels 'The Woman Who Had Two Navels' and 'Caves and Shadows'. Nick was granted the title of National Philippine Artist for Literature in 1976.

'The Woman Who Had Two Navels' and 'Caves and Shadows'

Before he started writing for the Philippines Free Press, Nick Joaquín was a seminarian in Hong Kong who eventually recognized another way to serve God and humanity by becoming a writer. His devotion was reflected in the content and style of his works, wherein he emphasized that restoration of national consciousness was a necessity. In between his transition from being a seminarian to a writer, World War II was occurring—which led Nick and his family to relocate. He took on many temporary jobs that required manual labor: rig driver, salesman, factory watchman, road worker, and many more. Then he even witnessed the Battle of Manila in 1945.

Looking up to our national hero, Jose Rizal, he was one of the many translators who translated 'Mi Ultimo Adios' into English as "Land That I Love, Farewell!". He had a profound aspiration of Rizal, to the extent of paying tribute to our national hero through his works.  Nick's journalism brought exceptional concepts into the papers: intellectual and controversial—which were uncommon in the Philippines back then and raised the country's level of reportage. He then served as representative of the Philippines at the International PEN Congress in Tokyo (1957). He was even chosen to be a member of the Motion Pictures Commission under our former presidents Diosado Macapagal and Ferdinand D. Marcos.

Once appointed his National Artist title, he utilized his position to work for intellectual freedom in society. Nick was excluded by the Marcos regime as a speaker for significant cultural events. He went on with his life as a writer, becoming an editor for the Philippines Graphic magazine working with the magazine's first publisher, Juan P. Dayang. Even became a publisher for its sister publication, 'Mirror Weekly', a magazine for the female audience. 

When Nick Joaquín, unfortunately, passed away due to cardiac arrest on April 29, 2004, several of his works were made into films enabling his legacy to live on in the modern world.