Politics · Philippines Bureau
Philippines declares national day of mourning for literary icon Mojares
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has proclaimed September 12, 2026, as a Day of National Mourning to honor National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares, who died on September 5 at age 83.
LSN Philippines ·

MANILA — The Philippine government has formally declared a national day of mourning following the death of Resil Mojares, one of the country's most celebrated literary figures. President Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1434 to set aside September 12 as the official day of remembrance for the National Artist for Literature.
Mojares passed away on the morning of September 5, just one day after celebrating his 83rd birthday. His death marks the loss of a prolific writer and scholar whose contributions to Philippine literature and cultural studies have been widely recognized across the region.
The declaration of a national day of mourning underscores the significance of Mojares' legacy in Philippine arts and letters. The proclamation allows the nation to pay formal tribute to the acclaimed author and cultural figure whose work has influenced generations of Filipino writers and scholars.
Mojares was honored with the prestigious National Artist award in recognition of his lifetime achievements in literature and his role in preserving and advancing Philippine cultural heritage. His passing represents a substantial loss to the country's literary and academic communities.