I would like to take a pause from my regular blog activity to pay homage to National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin, who died early Thursday morning in his sleep at the age of 86. He was an essayist, a novelist, poet, playwright, editor, biographer, and a journalist. In other words, he was a true man of letters, and also holds the distinction not just as the country's best post-war author, but also as one of the most influential Filipino writers of the 20th century. His works like his first novel "The Woman Who Had Two Navels" (1962) and the short story "Summer Solstice" were widely received by his fellow peers. But his most greatest work would probably be "A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino: An Elegy in Three Scenes", which became the most widely-staged/produced play written by a Filipino. It was also adapted into a 1966 film by National Artist for Film Lamberto Avellana and also translated to Filipino as "Larawan" by another National Artist, the late Rolando Tinio. He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1996 for "exploring the mysteries of the Filipino body and soul in sixty inspired years as a writer." As Quijano de Manila (Quijano is an anagram of Joaquin, it also means Manila Old Timer), he wrote many articles on daily life in Manila for such publications as Philippines Free Press and Philippine Graphic (at the time of his death, he was its literary editor) as well as non-fiction works like the acclaimed "Quartet of the Tiger Moon", an account on the EDSA Revolution and the fall of Ferdinand Marcos, and recently a book on the history of the Malacanang Palace as well as biographies of Jose Rizal, the Aquino family, & President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He also served as a beacon & an inspiration for a new generation of young Filipino writers, and helped nurture their talents during the '50s and '60s up to his death. Joaquin was also known for his love of San Miguel beer, his booming voice and his joy in belting out Cole Porter and Frank Sinatra songs during intimate gatherings with friends in favorite bars and cafes. Many admirers lament that with his passing comes "the passing of an era", an era marked with radical change & development in Philippine literature. Indeed, for not only has Nicomedes Joaquin become a literary institution, but also a national treasure, who engaged life with the same passion he gave his art, according to one admirer. The nation will never forget this great man, even those too young to know him, but his legacy will live on in our hearts & minds, for he is now in the company of God. "You’re the top!" he’d sing to bosom buddy Virginia Moreno, but now he is indeed on top of the world. May you rest in peace, Nick Joaquin/Quijano de Manila!!!