Kapampangan Writers and Authors

Delfin was born to Dionisio Quiboloy and Anastasia Turla on July 23, 1911 in Santa Catalina, Lubao, Pampanga, Philippines where one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Philippines was initially built. He attended public schools in his hometown during the same decade when famous Lubenians like President Diosdado P. Macapagal and Senator Rogelio de la Rosa were also pursuing their elementary school education. Delfin started his teaching career after he earned his Elementary Teacher Certificate and Bachelor of Science degree in Education from National University in Manila, Philippines.

He married the former Africa V. Paule on January 10, 1935 and their happy marriage produced a dozen children who all grew up to become successful professionals and respectable citizens. After many years of service in the teaching profession as a school principal, Delfin and his wife migrated to the USA to join most of their children who made the “land of opportunity” as a second home. At the time of Delfin’s death, he was survived by eleven of his and Africa’s twelve children namely, Celia Q. Flores, Liberty Q. Singian, Estrella Q. Bognot, Dante Quiboloy, Alice Q. Singian, Daisy Q. Bautista, Delfin Quiboloy, Jr. , Nestor Quiboloy, Agnes Q. Japlit, Florante Quiboloy and Manuel Luis Quiboloy. His wife, Africa Paule Quiboloy died on March 7, 1986 and his second eldest daughter, Amelia Q. Cruz passed away on August 2, 1998. Despite of a busy schedule as the breadwinner of the family and patriarch of the Quiboloy clan, Delfin was a prolific husband and a very productive poet laureate, playwright, educator and a leader among his peers. His literary achievements included several awards, medals and trophies.

His crowning glory was on March 1, 1969 when he was honored by the president of United Poet Laureates International, Dr. Amado Yuzon in recognition of Delfin’s contribution to World Poetry in general and Kapampangan Poetry in particular. His “Indung Kapampangan” (Mother Pampanga) won the 1st Prize in the Pampango Writing Contest on February 13, 1981 in connection with the celebration of Pampanga Day sponsored by the Province of Pampanga under the leadership of Governor and Solicitor General Estelito Mendoza.

Delfin was one of the founding members of Aguman Ding Talasulat Kapampangan in 1964 and he was elected as the organization’s president in June 1977. Through the assistance of the late Senate President Gil J. Puyat, he launched the annual Don Gonzalo Puyat Memorial Awards for Pampango Literature in 1978. Delfin wrote more than two hundred poems, novels, and dramas. A few of the zarzuelas he wrote are “Ing Tagumpe ning Katutwan” (The Triumph of Truth); “Ganid” (A Cruel Person); “Sinta’t Balen” (Love and Country); “Aus Ning Laman” (Call of the Flesh); “Angga Banwa” (‘Till Eternity) and “Malagung Ubingan” (Beautiful Traitor).

Together with another poet laureate, Jose M. Gallardo, Delfin published a masterpiece called “Kuriro at Kawatasan” in the early eighties. “Kawatasan nang Delfin T. Quiboloy”, a compilation of some of Delfin’s favorite poems, includes “Iyas King Balas”; “Indung Kapampangan”; “Pamibule-bule”; “Ibpa: King Penganak”; “Penganak: King Ibpa”; “Ketang Milabas”; “Poeta, Nanu Ka? “; “Dalit Babo Ning Damulag”; “Bisa Kung Dalit Pa”; “Katandanan”; “Katapatan; Musika, Kayupaya Mo.! “; “Ing Lugud Ku, Ngamo.? ; “Pamana;” “Tagulele Ning Ulila”; “Nanu Ya Ing Sinta? “; “Ing Diwa Ku Manyabi Ya. “; “Salamin Ning Napun”; “Ibpa Ko.! “; “Maki-lulu Ka King Aldo.! “; “Tatanam Na Naman.! “; “Sangkan”; and “Ing Poeta”. (Andro S. Camiling – 03/19/01 Zoilo S. Hilario (June 27, 1892- June 13, 1963) Born in San Fernando, Pampanga on June 27, 1892, he was the son of Tiburcio Hilario, a lawyer and revolutionary governor of Pampanga during the First Republic, by his second marriage to Aduana Sangalang.

He obtained his early education in his hometown under local teachers Hilarion Caniza and Modesto Joaquin. For his higher studies, he went to Manila. He enrolled at the Liceo de Manila where he received his bachiller en artes degree, and then at the Escuela de Derecho, where he received his bachelor of laws degree in 1911. He was admitted to the bar in 1912. While practicing his profession in his hometown, he contributed to and, later, edited the provincial papers published in Spanish, namely: El Imparcial and El Paladin.

Some of his poems appeared in La Vanguardia, El Ideal, and Comalidacion Nacional. His first volume of poetry were in Spanish: Adelfas Patria y Redencion, Ilustre Variones, and Himnos y Arengas. In 1917, upon delivering “Alma Epola,” he was acclaimed poet-laureate in Spanish and even engaged Manuel Bernabe, his friend, in a poetical joust I 1932 in Pampanga. A year later, in 1918, when his poem “Ing Babai,” was awarded a prize, he was acclaimed also as poet-laureate in Kapampangan. Hilario was not only a poet but a dramatist as well.

He wrote the plays, “Mumunang Sinta” (First Love), “Sampagang E Malalanat” (Unfading Flower), “Bandila Ning Filipinas” (Flag of the Philippines), “Juan de la Cruz, Anak ning Katipunan” (Child of the Katipunan), “Ing Mapamatubu” (The Loan Shark), “El Sonado Ibarra” (Visionary Ibarra,” and “Reyna Ning Malasya. ” An active and innovative civic leader, Hilario organized Maka-Dyos, Maka-Tau, MakaBatas, Katipunan Mapanampun, Rosacris (Reverenciadores del Orden social Altamente Cristiana), Akademyang Kapampangan, Laborantes Civico, Pampanga Historical Association, Boni Cives, Romanceros Nacionales, and Liga Pampanguena.

He was also an active member of Fernando Ma. Guerrero’s Jardin de Epicuro. His political career started when he was elected to the municipal council of San Fernando. He served as secretary of the provincial board from 1915 until 1931, when he was elected to the House of Representatives (he was chosen the valedictorian of the House). He authored the first tenancy law. He was co-author of the laws on woman suffrage and the observance of National heroes Day, the law creating the Philippine Charity sweepstakes, and a number of laws for the benefit of the laboring class.

In 1932, he was selected as one of the 15 leading legislators of the country during the Ninth Legislature and, in 1933, the Congressional Press Club voted him one of the “Ten Outstanding Congressmen. ” His political activities never prevented him from continuing his literary interests. At one time, on April 27, 1932, he engaged Manuel Bernabe in a poetical joust in San Fernando. After he was defeated in the next general elections, he engaged once more in the practice of law. In 1938, however, President Manuel L. Quezon appointed him as one of the first members of the National Language Institute, to represent the Kapampangan speakers. He served in this position until the end of 1941. In 1947, he was appointed judge of the Court of First Instance in Vigan, Ilocos Sur by President Manuel A. Roxas. In 1954, he was transferred to Tarlac and served as judge until his retirement in 1960. After his retirement, he dedicated his time to the compilation of his Kapampangan works, and published and edited Batang Aldo (New Day). At the same time, he performed his functions as legal adviser of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

His last service to the government was his appointment to the Philippine Historical Commission by President Diosdado Macapagal in 1962. He died of heart failure on June 13, 1963 and was buried in San Fernando, Pampanga. He was survived by his wife, Trinidad Velasquez, and children Rafaelita H. Soriano, Evangelina H. Lacson, Tiburcio and Ulysses. On June 27, 1982, on his 90th birth anniversary, the National Historical Institute, the Province of Pampanga, and the municipalities of San Fernando and Bacolor paid tribute to Hilario by unveiling a memorial bust and historical marker in his honor.