This undated photo shows celebrated poet and essayist Cirilio F. Bautista. National Commission for Culture and the Arts

MANILA - National Artist for Literature Dr. Cirilo Bautista has passed away at 76, the De La Salle University (DLSU) confirmed Sunday.

The DLSU Department of Literature made the announcement on Facebook, but did not provide immediate details on the passing of the celebrated poet, author, critic, columnist, and professor of literature.

Bautista graduated magna cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas' AB Literature program.

He took up graduate studies at Saint Louis University in Baguio, where he taught for a time.

He was also a professor at the San Beda College and DLSU, where he obtained his doctorate and helped establish the Bienvenido Santos Creative Writing Center.

Bautista was also the moving spirit behind the founding of the Philippine Literary Arts Council in 1981, the Iligan National Writers Workshop in 1993, and the Baguio Writers Group, said the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in its website.

As a way of bringing poetry and fiction closer to people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to develop their creative talent, Bautista held regular funded and unfunded workshops throughout the country, the NCCA added.

Among his works are Summer Suns, Words and Battlefields, The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus, and Galaw ng Asoge.

Former President Benigno Aquino III conferred the Order of the National Artist for Literature to Bautista in 2014.

Bautista is also a Palanca Awards Hall of Famer.