Macario Pineda
Macario Pineda (Macario de Guzman Pineda) was a fictionist. He was born in Malolos, Bulacan on 10 April 1912. He died on 2 August 1950. His parents were Felisa de Guzman and Nicanor Pineda, a wellknown practitioner of the balagtasan. He married Avelina Reyes, with whom he had seven children. After finishing his secondary schooling at Bulacan High School, he worked as a municipal clerk. Later, he became treasurer of the towns of Meycauayan, Pandi, and Bigaa. He also wrote columns for Daigdig and Liwayway magazines.
Pineda published his first story, “Five Minutes,” in the Graphic. He continued writing in English, but his Tagalog writings became more popular. In 1937, his “Walang Maliw ang mga Bituin” (The Stars Will Not Fade), which appeared in Mabuhay, was chosen as one of the 10 best short stories published that year. His works also appeared in Liwayway, Malaya, Bulaklak, Ilang-Ilang, Daigdig, and Sinag-Tala.
Some of his stories, which are notable for their subtle characterization and fine storytelling technique, are “Suyuan sa Tubigan” (Courtship at the Water’s Edge), “Kung Baga sa Pamumulaklak” (As a Flower Blooms), “Sinag sa Dulong Silangan” (Glimmer from the Far East), and “Ang Langit ni Ka Martin” (Ka Martin’s Heaven). His works were included in an anthology published during the Japanese occupation, Ang 25 Pinakamabuting Maikling Kathang Pilipino ng 1943 (The 25 Best Pilipino Short Stories of 1943), 1944, and in Teodoro A. Agoncillo’s Maikling Kuwentong Tagalog, 1886-1948 (Tagalog Short Stories, 1886-1948), 1949. His stories were collected in Ang Ginto sa Makiling at Ibang mga Kuwento (The Gold in Makiling and Other Stories), 1990, and Sa Himaymay ng Puso at Iba Pang Kuwento (Heart’s Thread and Other Stories), 2013, both edited by Soledad S. Reyes.
Among Pineda’s novels that were serialized in magazines or published as books are Halina sa Ating Bukas (Welcome to Our Future), 1947; Ang Ginto sa Makiling (The Gold in Makiling), 1947; Mutyang Tagailog (River Nymph), 1947-48; Langit ng Isang Pag-ibig (Lover’s Paradise), 1947; Isang Milyong Piso (One Million Pesos), 1950; and Nagugoran, 1952.
Written by Malou L. Maniquis
This article is from the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art Digital Edition. Title: Pineda, Macario Author/s: Malou L. Maniquis URL: https://epa.culturalcenter.gov.ph/9/80/5596/ Publication Date: November 18, 2020 Access Date: November 13, 2023 Copyright © 2020 by Cultural Center of the Philippines