There aren't many writers in the world who shine as brightly as
Bobby Flores Villasis, the Palanca Literary Icon, is a genuine literary knight.
He wrote stories of wonder and delight while holding a pen in his hand, captivating readers with his words day and night.
Born on November 16, 1946, in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, Bobby Flores Villasis also spent some of his early years in Iloilo City. He completed his undergraduate studies in English at Paul's College in Dumaguete. He began teaching English and theater literature in 1960 at the Liberal Arts Education in St. Paul, which is now known as the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education.
Finally, he started as a freelance writer, He received writing guidance from the late Edilberto Tiempo, Edith Lopez Tiempo, and Albert Faurot. He was a creative writing fellow at both the National Writers Workshop in Silliman University and the University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop, where his manuscript entitled “Storm Signals” won the prize for best fiction in 1974.
Tito Bobby participated in the Summer Writers Workshop in 1966 as a fellow and afterward as a regular panelist. He was also a writing associate at Silliman University's Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center.
He was invited to teach as a guest lecturer in literature and drama at Foundation University's College of Arts & Sciences. He also served as the school paper adviser and on the executive committees for the First Provincial Folk Festival and the Buglasan Festival, both of which were hosted there.
In St. Paul College, he directs and writes plays like Macbeth in 1968, Maria Clara in 1971, Edsa in 1987, Annie in 1990s, and Life of St. Paul in 2000, to name a few. He was the moderator of the Paulinian Arts Society and adviser to the school newspaper, "The Paulinian." In 2004, he was given the distinguished Centennial Alumni Award in the category of literature, arts, and culture.
He has also received multiple Don Carlos Palanca Awards for his plays, including "Vigil" [1st Prize, 1978], "Demigod" [2nd Prize, 1979], "Fiesta" [1st Prize, 1987], "Salcedo" [1st Prize, 1988], "Brisbane" [2nd Prize, 1989], "Eidolon" [Honorable Mention, 1990], and "Caves" [3rd Prize, 1994].
His short fiction has also won honors from Focus Magazine and the Philippines Free Press. He received first-place awards for "Menandro's Boulevard" in 1994–1995 and "Elegies from Another Book" in 2004 for the latter. Demigod, a 1998 collection of plays, poems, and short stories, and Suite Bergamasque, a collection of tales about Dumaguete's renowned Rizal Boulevard, are two of his publications that have been published. Along with Merlie Alunan, he served as co-editor of Kabilin, the official publication of the Negros Oriental Centennial Celebration.
In addition, Tito Bobby served as the Editor in Chief of Dayon Magazine for three years, and the Negros Oriental Cultural & Arts Officer, of the Provincial Tourism Unit until his retirement. Who passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 6:30 a.m. He suffered from Parkinson's disease for many years.
He worked tirelessly to promote the arts and maintain the Negros Oriental history as a cultural officer, serving with commitment and pride while honoring his heritage, culture, and people.
Bobby Flores Villasis, is a literary icon, a true treasure, A symbol of the power of words, of measure. A tribute to his life and legacy, we give with joy, For he will forever be remembered, as a literary envoy.
