• Rio Almo •

Virgilio Senadren- Almario a.k.a Rio Almo

 is a Filipino artist, poet, critic, translator, editor, teacher, cultural manager, a National Artist of the Philippines and currently serves as the chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).

                                                                                    

-Wikipedia

He is known for many of his poems. Namely: Oriental, Sanaysay sa Sining, Korido sa Kalunos-lunos na Kapalaran ng Dilis, etc.

I've read only two of his poems. Both of which came from "Muli sa Kandungan ng Lupa" (Heartland) :

Mariquita

Because of her,

You will never forget that mole of an islandOn the green face of a placid sea.                                                Mariquita,Most giving, most guileless allure of brown skin,Sparkling scent of sweet rice and anise.What sorcery was there in her kiss—Waking memory’s seeds when we most unwanted,When we’re buried in the fragrance of a foreign breast.You say you were an innocent when first enticedBy the tiny stings of her love.   And, too, it was she drove youTo your long and endless wandering.What weed have you eatenFrom the wild of her belly dark and grim?
Friend, what a child you are in your longing,And you call her Native Land.

and

Typhoons

The typhoons’ episodes of terror are yearly:

Berserk wind and shattered glass

Streaming from the mouths of a thousand serpents,

Smoke of dark crystal billowing

From beyond the ancient shoulders of the bristling land.

The heavens crawl with crackling electricity

And the verdicts of thunder are without forgiveness or pity.

There were nights

When we were children watching

And listening for the keening

And whiplash of wet, demented monsters:

Turning wildly they tore every roof,

They toppled and smashed every wall and post;

The drains and canals choked,

The distressed bamboo begged for mercy.

We shut our eyes

At the final rumbling rape

Of our prostrate crops, the helpless land.

Tightly we shut our eyes,

Tightly, ever tightly…

Only to wonder in the morning

What power of sun expunged

And expelled these armies of the night. 

I've noticed that he is passionate. He expresses his admiration, criticism, and passion through his work. He displays them gracefully and honest. Being a literary and critic, publisher, cultural administrator, academic he is without a doubt a treasure to the country. 

I may not be familiar with his other works of literature but I can honestly say that just by reading two of his pieces I am amazed.