Background
Virgilio S. Almario , also known as Rio Alma , is a National Artist for Literature. His creative work spans the genres of poetry, literary criticism, essay, and translation. Born on March 9, 1944, in Camias, San Miguel, Bulacan. His parents are Ricardo Almario and Feliciana Senadren. He is married to Emelina B. Soriano and has three kids named Asa Victoria, Ani Rosa and Agno Virgilio. Almario pursued his bachelor's degree in political science in 1963 and later earned his master's degree in Filipino in 1974 at the University of the Philippines (UP). He holds honorary doctorates in literatu re from the University of Regina Carmeli, Bulacan (2009), and the University of the East (2016). Almario taught in institutions such as San Miguel High School in Bulacan, Philippine Science High School, and Ateneo de Manila University. He was chairman of the Writers' Union of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992. Almario was also executive director of the National Commission for Culture ...