Background
He was born in Iloilo but spent most of his life in Davao.
He was born in Iloilo but spent most of his life in Davao.
He went to school at the Davao City High School and graduated in 1955. He earned his Bachelor English degree at the Ateneo de Davao University where he graduated cum laude in 1959. He later received his Master of Arts in English from Xavier University in 1970 and went on to receive his Doctor of Philosophy in English and Literature with a specialization in creative writing from Silliman University in 1981 where he later on served as professor and chairperson of the English Department.
He is a multi-lingual writer having produced works in English, Filipino, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a and Cebuano. His thirteen Palanca awards include works in English, Filipino and Hiligaynon. Of these thirteen, five are first-prize winners, and these include "The Day of the Locusts" (Short Story, 1975), "Mutya ng Saging" (Dulaang May Isang Yugto, 1987), "The Manitoba Who Hated Birds" (Short Story for Children, 1993), "Medea of Siquijor" (One-Acting Play, 1999), and "Maragtas: How Kapinangan Tricked Sumakwel Twice" (Full-Length Play, 2001).
He became a Palanca Hall of Famer on September 1, 2001.
In 2002, he was one of Metrobank"s Outstanding Teachers. He is currently a professor at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas - Iloilo.
Doctor Deriada heads the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino at the United Presbyterian Visayas. He is also an associate of the United Presbyterian Institute of Creative Writing.
Deriada, Little Lessons, Little Lectures.
Iloilo: Seguiban Printers and Publishing House, 2001.
