16/03/2026
Who's Who in Gubat?
Gubat, Sorsogon
FRESNOSA, DELFIN E. (Delfin Espano Fresnosa) Born – Gubat, Sorsogon on May 23, 1916, died in Gubat, Sorsogon on December 19, 1988.
Fictionist. He is the son of Alejandro Fresnosa and Florencia Espano. He married Asuncion Epino with whom he had nine children. He grew up and attended elementary and high school in the barrio of his birth. He obtained his college education at the Philippine Normal School (now University), University of the Philippines, and Far Eastern University, finishing the degree of bachelor of science in education in 1937. After earning his master of arts degree in English from the East-Normal School, he decided to go home and teach at Gubat High School in 1937.
Having experienced joblessness and hunger in the city, he thought of the city as without conscience and soul and believed those of lowly origin to be the “real people.”
Fresnosa began writing in high school. His early short story, “The Beggars,” appeared in the July 1935 issue of Philippine Magazine. His other short stories were printed in the Graphic, Philippines Free Press, Sunday Times Magazine, Herald Midweek Magazine, Philippine-American, Veronican, and other journals. His story, “Tragedy at Lumba’s Bend,” was published in Life and Letters, 1937, a London literary quarterly, and was reprinted in a South African magazine. He wrote about 60 stories before World War II and 50 more after.
His notable prewar stories were “War,” “Dark,” “Child Wife,” “Junkman’s Holiday,” “Harvest,” and “Nightfall.” Among his postwar stories were “Walls of Jericho,” “Visitor in the Night,” and “Journey into the Night.” He wrote a novelette, Generations, and two novels, A Stranger Alone, and Gaunt.
Fresnosa’s story, “Tandoz,” 1937, was adjudged second best of the year in a contest sponsored by the Philippine Women’s Writers League. Edward J. O’Brien, the American anthologist, listed Fresnosa among the world’s most distinguished short story writers. “War,” “Dark,” “Child Wife,” “Nightfall,” and “Tandoz,” were included in Jose Garcia Vila’s honor roll of short stories from 1926 to 1940 along with two others, “The Disinherited” and an episode from “Three Cows.” – M.L. Maniquis
(References: Tiongson, Nicanor G. (Editor-in-chief). CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art. Volume IX. Philippine Literature. Manila. Cultural Center of the Philippines. 1994. Pp. 608-609.)
