Ildefonso Santiago Santos (1897–1984) was a Filipino educator, poet, and linguist. Recognized as one of the finest poets in Tagalog, Santos was also renowned with his translations of Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam and of the Philippine National Anthem, and for his use of the ancient Filipino form of poetry known as Tanaga. He was the father of Ildefonso P. Santos, Jr., the architect who was awarded as national artist for his outstanding achievement in architecture and allied arts. Early life Ildefonso Santos was born on January 23, 1897, at Baritan, Tambobong (the present-day Malabon) to Andres Santos and Atanacia Santiago, the last of five siblings. A son of a tailor, Santos came from a poor family but with high interest in literature. As a student at Malabon Elementary School, he would go home and read out loud various awit and corido such as Don Juan Teñoso, Don Alejandro at Don Luis, and Ibong Adarna, to his old aunt who could not read nor write. This sparked his interest in poetry. During his fifth grade, Santos and his friend published a simple periodical of poetry which they sold for one centavo. His close relationship with his cousin, the poet Leonardo A. Dianzon inspired him to pursue his interest in poetry. Dianzon was the first one who recognized Santos' skill in writing Tagalog poems and helped him to get his poem published in ‘Ang Mithi’ under the pen name ‘Ilaw-Silangan’, even while still in elementary school. This caught the attention of the editor, Iñigo Ed. Regalado who then encouraged him to pursue his poetry skills. Teaching career After his graduation from elementary school, Santos was not able to continue his secondary education for two years. His uncle promised to send him to Manila High School (now Araullo High School) but was not accepted due to a then-recent regulation that non-Manila residents may not enroll in the said school. Santos enrolled at Philippine Normal School and signed a contract that after his graduation, he would teach in the same school for a year. The school recognized his excellence in teaching and appointed him to represent Rizal province to the Teacher’s Vacation Assembly in Manila where he underwent training as a demonstration teacher. Soon, he qualified as a Senior Teacher and was appointed as principal of Marikina Elementary School. He was then appointed as district superintendent but could not assume the position due to