"Roces was awarded National Artist for Literature in 2003. In recent years, he was content in writing his column, “Roses and Thorns,” in the opinion section of The Philippine Star. On separate occasions during the previous administration, he served as member of the board of trustees of various government agencies and educational institutions.
In the 1960s, Roces served as Secretary of Education in the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal. While serving as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in Far Eastern University, he was widely known for convincing poet Jose Garcia Villa to come home after decades of self-exile in the bohemian district of Greenwich Village in New York City to teach at the said campus along Azcarraga Street in downton Manila. Villa was the first National Artist for Literature."
In the 1960s, Roces served as Secretary of Education in the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal. While serving as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in Far Eastern University, he was widely known for convincing poet Jose Garcia Villa to come home after decades of self-exile in the bohemian district of Greenwich Village in New York City to teach at the said campus along Azcarraga Street in downton Manila. Villa was the first National Artist for Literature."
