Edgardo Reyes

Writing

Born: September 20, 1936

Edgardo M. Reyes (September 20, 1936 – May 15, 2012) was an influential Filipino novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. He rose to prominence as a key figure in modern Tagalog literature, co-authoring the seminal 1964 anthology Mga Agos sa Disyerto, which helped reshape Tagalog prose fiction with social realism. He is best known for his 1968 novel Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, which served as the source material for Lino Brocka's seminal film Manila in the Claws of Light (1975). As a prolific screenwriter, Reyes authored and adapted numerous screenplays for Philippine cinema, including Laro sa Baga (2000) and Ligaw na Bulaklak (1976).