By Keziah G. Huelar
CPU awards a posthumous citation to Atty. Ramon L. Muzones. The said award was received by his son, Atty. Rex Muzones together with his wife, Gloria Muzones.
Celebrating the legacy of Atty. Ramon L. Muzones, the Central Philippine University Department of Languages, Mass Communications and Humanities held a memorial lecture entitled “Ramon Muzones: From Region to Nation” at the 4th Floor, Conference Room I, Henry Luce III Library on February 26, 2019. The resource speaker was Dr. Ma. Cecilia Locsin-Nava.
For the welcome remarks, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico recognized Atty. Muzones’ contribution in the field of literature and the distinction he gave as an alumnus of the university: “It is with great pride and honor that one of our alumni, Atty. Ramon L. Muzones, a 1952 graduate of the CPU Bachelor of Law has been posthumously awarded by the President of the Republic of the Philippines the order of National Artist in Literature. This memorial lecture is a recognition of the University [for] the rare talent and contribution of [an alumnus in the field where he] excelled.” Muzones’ recognition as National Artist for Literature took place on October 24, 2018.
After which, a dramatic excerpt from Atty. Muzones’ novel entitle “Margosatubig” as translated by Dr. Locsin-Nava, resource speaker, was read by Prof. Carmelle Frances M. Romero and Engr. Vitini Edhard O. Idemne.
Prof. Esther Rose A. Romarate, Chairperson, DLMCH then formally introduced Dr. Ma. Cecilia Locsin-Nava.
Dr. Ma. Cecilia Locsin-Nava, a Muzones scholar, passionately campaigned for Atty. Ramon Muzones to be nominated as National Artist for Literature.
Dr. Locsin-Nava is an award winning writer and a specialist on the literature and culture of Western Visayas. She was formerly the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. She is also the first curator and director of the Negros Museum and the Museo Negrense De La Salle.
A Muzones scholar, Dr. Locsin-Nava passionately campaigned for Atty. Muzones to be hailed as National Artist. She translated the works of Muzones to English in order for him to be considered for nomination for the said accolade: “The award for National Artist in Literature was monopolized by writers in Filipino and English. For years, when I campaigned for his inclusion for the nomination for national artist I was told he would not make it because he wrote in his mother tongue, in his native Hiligaynon, which he was very proud of. My mentor told me the first time I talked to him that I was going to work on Muzones said, ‘Who is he? I’ve never heard of him’ and I said, ‘You will.’ And 32 years after, everybody is hearing about him. You have to have a lot of faith in what you are doing.”
She goes on to talk about how Atty. Muzones’ life and works contributed to nationhood and socio-political awareness. Dr. Locsin-Nava also highlighted his contributions to Hiligaynon literature and journalism. “[Muzones] authored a Hiligaynon dictionary and grammar book to combat the youth’s growing preference for English which earned him a language consultancy with public schools. While to address Hiligaynon’s downgrading to the language of the market place, he fathered two writer’s groups dedicated to the enrichment and preservation of his native tongue.”
CPU honors Atty. Ramon Muzones through a memorial lecture celebrating his life, love and works.
According to Dr. Nava, Atty. Muzones dedicated his writings to the empowerment of Hiligaynon literature. His appreciation for his native tongue paved the way for other regional writers to venture and showcase their works: “CPU has every reason to feel proud that it has produced a very rare breed of talent—the first regional writer who wrote in Hiligaynon to be awarded the Order of the National Artist Award.”
After her lecture, Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona, Chairman, CPU Board of Trustees; Rev. Gico; and Prof. Romarate presented Dr. Nava a token and a certificate of appreciation.
Atty. Muzones was a former Iloilo City councilor. During his lifetime, Muzones wrote over 62 novels, most of them in Hiligaynon. Some of his popular works include Kuting-Kuting sa Kudyapi, Tibud nga Bulawan, Maambong nga Sapat, Bagong Maria Clara, and Margosatubig, which became the first Hilgaynon bestseller.
In 1988, Muzones received the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas ng Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas, Gawad CCP Para sa Sining in1989 and the Gawad Bonifacio sa Panitikan Centennial Award granted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 1997.
He co-founded Sumakwelan, a pioneering organization of Hiligaynon writers and poets promoting Hiligaynon literature.