Merlinda Carullo Bobis was born in Albay on November 25, 1959, to Nicolas Bobis and Amprao Carullo Bobis. She finished high school at Bicol University High School in 1976. In 1980, she graduated summa cum laude from Aquinias University, Legaspi City, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Adminstration. She continued her studies to gain a master's degree in literature from the University of Sto. Tomas in 1987, and a doctorate in creative arts from the University of Wollongong, Autralia, in 1994.

Merlinda Bobis has taught in various universities, including the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the University of Sto. Tomas, and De La Salle University. She presently teaches creative writing at the University of Wollongong in Australia.

An author of four books and four plays, Merlinda Bobis is a complete artist who writes stories, plays and poems, as well as paints and dances. Most of her works, apart from possessing strong lyrical value are also high in feminist content. The issues they frequently touch upon also point to her high social awareness. To many, she is considered as the true Bikol woman writer.

Merlinda C. Bobis is married to an Australian national and is now based in Australia as a citizen of the country.