Pong Pagong

Our Daily Grace!!! 

September 22, 1954 – On this day, Rene O. Villanueva was born and world was graced. 

Rene O. Villanueva was a Filipino playwright and author. He is famed for his deep involvement in theater and television and in children's literature, whether it be on television, in books or on stage. 

He won the following awards: Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP), New York Film and TV Festival, First Latin American Video and Film Festival (Columbia), Japan Prize (Preschool Category), Prix Juenesse Winner (Germany), Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM), CCP, Gawad Collantes, Gantipalang Quezon, National Book Award, and Palanca. His short play, Kumbersasyon (1980), won him the first of many Palanca Awards. His award-winning plays include May Isang Sundalo (1981, first prize), Huling Gabi sa Maragondon (1983, first prize), Punla ng Dekada (1984, second prize), Ang Hepe (1986, third prize), Asawa (1987, second prize), and Awit ng Adarna (1987, second prize). 

He also co-created along with Feny Bautista, the famous turtle of Batibot named Pong Pagong. 

In celebration of the birthday of Rene O. Villanueva, Amazing Grace is metamorphosed into Pong Pagong. 

Catch more of Amazing Grace’s hilarious antics when you buy a copy of the Manila Bulletin every Sunday.