THE UNIVERSITY of the Philippines mourned the passing of Professor Virginia Reyes Moreno, the founding director of the University of the Philippines Film Center.

Moreno who died last August 14 at the age of 98 was a Filipino poet, educator, playwright and cultural icon.

She became known among her fellow poets, writers and literary icons as “The High Priestess” and “The Empress Dowager of Philippine Poetry.”

Moreno earned her degree at UP Diliman. During her time, she served as the literary editor of the Philippine Collegian.

She was also a Rockefeller fellow in creative writing at the Kansas Institute of International Education.

Moreno became a professor of English and Humanities. She influenced generations of Filipino writers, visual artists, academics, teachers, curators, and filmmakers throughout her career.

She was also a driving force behind the establishment of the Humanities Center at UP Diliman, which later became the Bulwagang Rizal or UP Faculty Center.

Moreno was also the chair of the Philippines’ UNESCO Culture Committee.

She served as the President of J. Moreno Foundation, Inc. until her death.