Jalandoni, Magdalena (1893-1978), was a Filipina novelist and poet. She was the first well-known woman in literature in the Philippines. Known as the “Grand Old Lady of Ilongo Literature,” Jalandoni was a prolific writer who produced 50 novels and hundreds of short stories, poems, essays, and plays. She wrote in Hiligaynon, the language of the Ilongo people, from the present-day Philippine province of Iloilo, on the south coast of the island of Panay.
Jalandoni’s first literary efforts were corridos (traditional Filipino poetic romances), which followed the style of Spanish ballads. In later years, she continued to use verse for some of her long narratives, giving her novels a romantic flavor. Ang Bantay sang Patyo (The Caretaker of the Graveyard, 1925) is generally considered her best novel. It tells of the youthful love and faithlessness of an old graveyard caretaker, and his vow to watch over the grave of the dead heroine of the story. Jalandoni’s other novels include Ang Mga Tunuc sang Isa ca Bulac (Thorns of the Flower, 1907), which takes the form of a confessional narrative, and Ang Dalaga sa Tindahan (The Maiden in the Store, 1935), a love story set in the province of Iloilo. Jalandoni blended elements of idealism and sentimentalism with attention to detail and elegant symmetry.
Jalandoni’s last novel was Ang Manggad sa Balay nga Tisa (Treasures in the House of Tile, 1969). In the same year, she received the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in recognition of her vast contribution to literature.
Magdalena Jalandoni was born on May 27, 1893, in Jaro, Iloilo. She began her studies at Colegio de San Jose but was removed by her family when the school became coeducational. Jalandoni began writing despite the disapproval of her family, initially using a pseudonym to hide her identity. Jalandoni was known for her work with charity and women’s rights organizations. She died on Sept. 14, 1978.
