Bienvenido Noriega, Jr.

Bienvenido Munoz Noriega, Jr. is a Phiippine playwright.^[1]

He is the second child of Bienvenido Noriega and Socorro Munoz of Cauayan, Isabela and Cabatuan, Isabela, respectively. He finished his secondary education in St. Anthony School, Singalong, Malate (Salutatorian, 1968), and he took up his tertiary education in the University of the Philippines (A.B. Economics, cum laude and Valedictorian of the class, 1971 and M.A. Economics, 1973) and he continued his postgraduate studies at Harvard University (Master in Public Administration, 1979; “A” student) and in Columbia University (Executive Program in Business Administration, 1983). In the University of the Philippines he took up courses such as Modern Drama, Shakespeare, Comedy and Film Theory.

He worked for the Philippine government for more than twenty years (most of them were in the National Economic and Development Authority and Philippine National Bank). He taught part-time in the U.P. Diliman and U.P. Manila, Ateneo, La Salle, Assumption, and U.E. Norieda helped in Experimental Cinema of the Philippines, in Tanghalang Pilipino and currently in Dramatis personæ. And even before he died Noriega was an Executive Vice President at a large bank in Makati, Philippines.

About his work

He wrote plays that engaged in the complexities and conflicts of the values and identity of the Filipino. His works question issues of identity formation, especially those institutionally produced. His works mirrored current social problems at the same time critical of institutional practices. His works bring about the issue of individual or community identity as representation of national identity. He also wrote for television and film. He guided modern Philippine theater to its sensitive appeal to personal and national identity issues

Creative works

His famous plays are Bayan-Bayanan, Ramona Reyes ng Forbes Park, Kaunlaran ng Buhay, Ang Mga Propesyunal, W.I.S (Walang Ibang Sabihin), Takas, Regina Ramos ng Greenwich Village, Kenkoy at Rosing, Naikwento Lang Sa Akin, Juan Luna, Barkada, Kasalan sa Likod ng Simbahan, Batang Pro, and Bongbong at Kris.

Awards

Palanca Awards

• 1981: One Act Play in Filipino, Second Prize: “Barkada” Full-length Play in Filipino, Second Prize: “Juan Luna”
• 1983: Full-length Play in Filipino, “Batang Pro“
• 1986: Full-length Play in Filipino, “Bayan Mo”
• 1990: One Act Play in Filipino, Third prize: “Naikwento Lang Sa Akin” Full-length Play in Filipino, Third Prize: “Deuterium

Manila Critics Circle

• “Bayan-bayanan at Iba pang Dula” (1982)
• “Pares-pares” (1983)
• “Soltero” (1985)
• “Deuterium/Mga Idolong Romantiko” (1995)

References