Damiana Eugenio facts for kids

Damiana Ligon Eugenio (born September 27, 1921 – died October 10, 2014) was a famous Filipino author and professor. She was known as the Mother of Philippine Folklore. This special title was given to her in 1986. She taught at the University of the Philippines. She also wrote many books about Philippine folklore. These include a series of seven important books that she put together and edited.

Who Was Damiana L. Eugenio?

Damiana Ligon Eugenio was born on September 27, 1921. She became a very important person in the world of Philippine stories and traditions. She spent her life studying and sharing the rich folklore of the Philippines. Her work helped many people, both in the Philippines and around the world, learn about these amazing tales.

Her Journey in Education

Damiana Eugenio was a very bright student. She earned her first degree from the University of the Philippines. She graduated with honors, which is called cum laude. Later, she earned her master's degree in English Literature and folklore. She became a professor in the English Department at the University of the Philippines. She taught students about literature and comparative folklore. Her studies helped her become an expert in Filipino stories.

Exploring Filipino Stories

Damiana Eugenio wrote many books about Philippine folklore. Her books are very detailed and well-organized. They are excellent resources for anyone studying the Philippines or folklore from different cultures. One of her famous books is Philippine Folk Literature: The Myths (1993). This book helps people everywhere learn about Filipino folklore.

What Her Books Are Like

Her books gather stories from written sources. They aim to make people more interested in Filipino myths and legends. In her work, Eugenio also explained the stories in a scholarly way. She even included the legends of saints. This showed how different kinds of stories fit into Filipino culture. Her books are highly recommended for anyone interested in Filipino beliefs and values. They are also great for scholars studying myths across cultures. Anyone who enjoys learning from a culture's stories will find her books interesting.

Awards and Special Honors

Damiana Eugenio received many awards for her important work. In 1991, she got a lifetime achievement award. This was from the Philippine Board on Books for Young People. It recognized her big help in making children's books better. She also received many other honors, including:

• Most Outstanding Novo Ecijano in Arts for Literature (1983)
• Professional Achievement Award for folklore studies (1987)
• A finalist for the Catholic Mass Media Award: Best Book in English (1987)
• National Book Award for Literary History (1987)
• Achievement Award in the Humanities (1989)
• Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for cultural research (1992)
• Golden Jubilarian Achievement Award (1992)
• National Follower of Balagtas Award (1993)
• Manila Critics Circle Citation (1995)
• Centennial Award for Cultural Research (1999)
• Most Distinguished Alumna of Nueva Ecija High School (1999)
• Silver Torch Award (2000)

These awards show how much her work was valued. She truly made a lasting impact on Filipino culture and literature.

Her Final Years

Damiana Eugenio passed away on October 10, 2014. She had a bad fall in December 2013. After that, she was not able to move around much. Her legacy as the Mother of Philippine Folklore continues to inspire many.

Works

• Philippine Proverb Lore (1975)
• Awit and Korido: A Study of Fifty Philippine Metrical Romances in Relation to Their Sources and Analogues (1965)
• Philippine Folk Literature: An Anthology (1981)
• Philippine Folk Literature, (May 31, 2008)

See also

In Spanish: Damiana Eugenio para niños

• Philippine mythology
• Philippine folk literature
• Philippine proverbs
• E. Arsenio Manuel