 He is the author of several critically acclaimed books - "Hagkis ng Talahib" (1971), "Pagsalubong sa Habagat" (1986 National Book Award for Poetry), and "Pingkian at Apat Pang Aklat ng Tunggalian" (1997 National Book Award for Poetry).A Palanca awardee 10 times over, he has also won the grand prize for the Epic Narrative in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Literary Competition, and was hailed "Makata ng Taon" by the "Surian ng Wikang Pambansa.