Amado V. Hernandez was a Filipino writer and National Artist awarded posthumously in 1973 for literature. As a writer, he moved away from ornate Tagalog and wrote in a style closer to everyday spoken language. His first major work, the novel "Mga Ibong Mandaragit," exposed the problems of land and farming in 1950s society and was written while he was imprisoned. Hernandez was also a renowned playwright and essayist who believed art should serve as a conscience for society.

1. AMADO V. HERNANDEZ

2. Sept. 13, 1903- May 24, 1970
Year Awarded: 1973
Category: Literature
Place of Birth: Hagonoy Bulacan
 Amado V. Hernandez is a writer and
stalwart of the laborers. He believed that
his art should act as a conscience of
society, correcting and calling attention
to what is needed.
 As a writer he was one of the first who
drew away from the flowery and ornate
quality of the Tagalog language and
instead wrote in prose that is much closer
to the everyday spoken language.
 His first major work was his novel “ Mga
Ibong Mandaragit,” which was written
while he was in prison. This novel bared
the problems of society focusing on the
land and farming problems during his
time, in the 1950s.
 He is also a critically acclaimed
playwright and essayist. He was conferred
the National Artist award posthumously in
1973 for literature

3. Major Works
Novel
 Mga Ibong Mandaragit (1969)
 Luha ng Buwaya (1972)
Play
 Munting Lupa (1957)
 Magkabilang Mukha ng Isang Bagol (1960)