The Sweet Temptation

Joaquнn deeply admired Josй Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Joaquнn paid tribute to Rizal by way of books such as The Storyteller's New Medium - Rizal in Saga, The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal and A Question of Heroes: Essays in Criticism on Ten Key Figures of Philippine History. He also translated the hero's valedictory poem, "Land That I Love, Farewell!"

Joaquнn also served as a member of the Philippine Board of Censors for Motion Pictures under President Diosdado Macapagal and President Ferdinand E. Marcos. According to writer Marra PL. Lanot, Joaquнn was untouched by Marcos' iron fist. Joaqun's first move as National Artist was to secure the release of imprisoned writer Josй F. Lacaba. Later, at a ceremony on Mount Makiling attended by First Lady Imelda Marcos, Joaquнn delivered an invocation to Mariang Makiling, the mountain's mythical maiden. Joaquнn touched on the importance of freedom and the artist. As a result, Joaquнn no longer received invitation to address important cultural events for the rest of the Marcos regime.

Joaquнn died of cardiac arrest in the early morning of April 29, 2004. He died in his home in San Juan, Metro Manila. At the time of his death, Nick Joaquнn was editor of Philippine Graphic magazine and publisher of its sister publication, Mirror Weekly, a women’s magazine. He also wrote columns (“Small Beer”) for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Isyu, an opinion tabloid.

Joaquнn deeply admired Josй Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Joaquнn paid tribute to Rizal by way of books such as The Storyteller's New Medium - Rizal in Saga, The Complete Poems and Plays of Jose Rizal and A Question of Heroes: Essays in Criticism on Ten Key Figures of Philippine