1. Jose Rizal (1861-1896): Considered the national hero, Rizal was a novelist, poet, and physician known for his powerful works like "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo." He used literature to expose Spanish colonial injustices, igniting the Philippine Revolution.
2. Nick Joaquin (1917-2004): A prominent short story writer and novelist, Joaquin is known for his vivid descriptions of Philippine life, history, and culture. His works like "The Woman Who Had Two Navels" and "The Legend of the Lawin" are considered Filipino literary classics.
3. F. Sionil Jose (1924-2022): Jose was a prolific novelist and short story writer, known for his "Rosales Saga" series depicting Filipino society from pre-colonial times to the present. His work often addressed social issues like poverty, corruption, and inequality.
4. Bienvenido Santos (1911-1996): An award-winning novelist and short story writer, Santos was known for his stories about Filipino immigrants in the United States. He explored themes of identity, alienation, and the immigrant experience.
5. Lualhati Bautista (1945-2020): A prominent novelist and screenwriter, Bautista explored feminist themes and issues of social injustice in her works like "Dekada '70" (The Decade of the 70s) and "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?" (Child, Child, How Were You Made?).
6. Edgar Calabia Samar (1953-): A prolific novelist, short story writer, and playwright, Samar is known for his works exploring Filipino history, culture, and social issues. He often incorporates magic realism and fantasy into his narratives.
These are just a few examples, and there are many more talented Filipino authors to discover!