Esteemed educator, literary historian, poet, and cultural manager, VIRGILIO ALMARIO goes by the moniker Rio Alma. He has published numerous collections of poetry, his first being Makinasyon at Ilang Tula (1967), which was followed by Peregrinasyon at Iba Pang Tula (1970), Doktrinang Pawis (1979), Palipad-Hangin (1985), Katon Para sa Limang Pandama (1987). He has also published several books on criticism and literary history. He has received several awards for his work as a poet and scholar and was named National Artist for Literature in 2003.