The revolutionary ‘Homo Academicus’ that is Delfin Tolentino Jr.

“Batid kong oras mo’y higit na naalay/Sa mga saliksik at diwang pambansa;/Patunay na alab ay hindi pumanaw (I know you devoted your life/To researches and national consciousness;/Proof that the flame did not die),” notes a stanza in one of two tribute villanelles written by National Artist Virgilio Almario to Delfin Tolentino Jr., poet, writer and scholar who passed away on 17 May.

In the same villanelle, Almario describes his friend as a role model in terms of kindness and for being “mapagpalaya” or liberating.

Born in 1950 and raised in Baliwag, Bulacan, professor emeritus Tolentino was a trailblazing literati and culturati who served at the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) in various capacities such as being the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Communications and director of the Cordillera Studies Center from 2003 to 2012. He was also the founder and founding editor of The Cordillera Review, UPB’s journal of Philippine culture and society. He served as its editor from 2009 to 2012.

Tolentino obtained his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1974 and master’s degree in English Literature from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in 1980.

His former student and colleague at UPB, Oscar Campomanes, now of ADMU described him as “a true exemplar of Homo Academicus” or an esteemed scholar.

“He preferred to work in relative obscurity so as not to be distracted by the crash and boom of the academic stock market, and by the furious turnings of the academic fads/fashions, in undertaking his various projects,” said Campomanes.

Campomanes likewise described Tolentino as a lifetime teacher and friend “may bagyo ma’t may rilim (in storm or darkness).”

Paying homage to Tolentino which it describes as a “brilliant scholar, dedicated mentor and a kind soul,” UPB said he “touched countless lives through his exceptional academic contributions and compassionate guidance.”

The late writer’s essay “Estetikang Mapagpalaya ng Ikatlong Daigdig” (Aesthetic Freedom of the Third World) won the UP President’s Award for Outstanding Publication in 1993. His poems were included in many anthologies from the 1970s.

In 2008, he was awarded the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas by the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas.

Tolentino co-edited the book Tradition and Transformation: Studies on Cordillera Indigenous Culture (2015) and edited other important books on Cordilleran culture such as the Feasts of Merit: Wealth, Status, and Feasting in the Luzon Cordillera (2018) and Hunting for Artifacts: 19th Century German Explorers in the Luzon Cordillera (2025).

He was honored by UPB in 2016 through Hoy Boy! A Festschrift for Delfin Tolentino, Jr. This book has poems paying homage to Tolentino by National Artists for literature, Almario, Bienvenido Lumbera and Gemino Abad, and essays from many of his colleagues and friends including Shirley Lua, Babeth Lolarga and June Prill-Brett.

In the same book, Tolentino’s sister, Sister Lilia Therese Tolentino, SPC, paid homage to her brother upon his retirement then, describing him as “highly intellectual but also quite sentimental.”

“He is a born teacher, a craftsman who has mastered the science of pedagogy and an artist with a rare gift for connecting with his students, forming and honing their God-given talents,” she noted.

With their two other brothers who are medical doctors, Sister Lilia added that Tolentino “without the slightest reservation” is “the pride and joy” of their family, the same pride and joy he brought to his colleagues, students, friends, and beloved hometown.”