Wake of National Artist Resil B. Mojares’ at the Cebu Memorial Parks and Gardens in Cebu City. Photos courtesy of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
The late National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares received a 21-gun salute during his recent necrological service.
The salute was done by the Armed Forces of the Philippines in honor of Mojares' contribution as an esteemed scholar of literature and culture, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts said in a press statement.
Mojares passed away on September 5, just a day after his birthday. He was 83.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared September 12 a National Day of Mourning for Mojares through Proclamation No. 1434, which also recognized the deceased's profound contributions as a teacher, scholar, writer and historian whose work promoted regional literature.
Some of Mojares' literary works displayed during the necrological service last September 12, 2026.
Mojares earned his bachelor's degree in English from the University of San Carlos and later completed his Ph.D. in Literautre at the University of the Philippines-Diliman in 1979.
READ: National Artist Resil Mojares dies at 83
Mojares' works received accolades for National Book Awards, such as his collection of essays titled "House of Memory."
He was also the founding director of the Cebuano Studies Center, a research library and cultural hub.
During the martial law period under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., Mojares fought for press freedom, covering student demonstrations and protests, and writing for Sun Star Cebu.