Dr. Isagani Cruz of the Manila Critics Circle is one of my good friends. Congratulations, Gani, for winning the TOFIL. I am reprinting his wise words on how writers shaped -- and gave a habitatin and a name -- to our country. Then and now, our writers are public intellectuals who never shirked from their roles as voices and commentators in our quotidian lives. *** Response to TOFIL MINI CRITIQUE By Isagani Cruz (The Philippine Star) Updated December 23, 2010 12:00 Here are excerpts from the response I prepared for the awarding ceremonies last Dec. 9 of The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL), which had the theme “Of Hopes and Heroes” (I have translated the Filipino portions into English): Thank you very much for the great honor you gifted me with this Christmas season. I cannot possibly repay your kindness. Please allow me to use my three minutes of fame to appeal for outstanding writing and outstanding reading. You gave the TOFIL to Dionisio Salazar in 1994 for “Drama and Literature” and ...