“Leoncio P. Deriada”

Do you believe that to become a writer you must be a good reader? Addicted in reading books and reading articles is my thing. When I was a child I was so addicted to reading I wanted to write a book. My imagination was so big I don’t even know where to start, but when I grew up I’m still addicted to books but then I realized that when it comes to writing articles or story, you don’t have to be a book worm, you only need to open your eyes and see the things and happening around you. Observation is also the key into writing a good book not only reading. 

Leoncio P. Deriada is a Filipino writer that graduated from Ateneo De Davao University where he earned his BA English degree as a cum laude in 1959.  He later received his MA in English from Xavier University in 1970 and went on to receive his PhD in English and Literature with a specialization in creative writing from Silliman University in 1981 where he later on served as professor and chairperson of the English Department. He is a writer that knows how to speak in different languages like English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a and Cebuano. He wrote thirteen books in different translations. "The Day of the Locusts" (Short Story, 1975), "Mutya ng Saging" (Dulaang May Isang Yugto, 1987), "The Man Who Hated Birds" (Short Story for Children, 1993), "Medea of Siquijor" (One-Act Play, 1999), and "Maragtas: How Kapinangan Tricked Sumakwel Twice" (Full-Length Play, 2001). These stories won awards first price award and the rest are Planca awards. Aside from these awards he also won other prestigious awards such as Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Asiaweek, Gawad CCP, Graphic, Focus, Yuhum (Iloilo), and Blue Knight Award from Ateneo de Davao for Outstanding Achievement in Literature. In 2002, he was one of Metrobank's Outstanding Teachers. Leoncio now works as a professor in University of the Philippines in Visayas and also the head of Sentro ng wikang Filipino at University of the Philippines Visayas. He is also an associate of the University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing.

I may know a little about Leoncio Deriada, but my observation about him is that he is an observer not just a reader.