Lazaro Francisco (February 22, 1898-June 17, 1980) developed the social realist tradition in Philippine fiction. His eleven novels, now acknowledged classics of Philippine literature, embody the author's commitment to nationalism. Francisco gained prominence as a writer not only for his social conscience but also for his "masterful handling of the Tagalog language" and "supple prose style." He put up an arm to his advocacy of Tagalog as a national language by establishing the Kapatiran ng mga Alagad ng Wikang Pilipino (Kawika) in 1958. He is widely considered the "Master of the Tagalog Novel" and his novels include Ama, Bayang Nagpatiwakal, Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig and Daluyong. He was declared National Artist in 2009. (Agung, March-June 2015)
