Poet E. San Juan publishes 4th book of poems in Filipino

“US-based Filipino scholar E. San Juan, Jr., emeritus professor of English, Comparative Literature and Ethnic Studies, has just published his fourth book of poems in Filipino, "Bukas Luwalhating Kay Ganda," sponsored by the Philippines Cultural Studies Center.

His previous collections include "Alay sa Paglikha ng Bukang-liwayway" (Ateneo U Press), "Sapagkat Iniibig Kita" (U.P. Press), "Sutrang Kayumanggi" and "Mahal Magpakailanman" (LuLu.com).

San Juan is currently a fellow of the Harry Ransom Center, University of Austin, Texas. He was a fellow of the W.E.B. Institute, Harvard University, for which he is completing a monograph on “African American Internationalism and Solidarity with the Philippine Revolution.” A part of the research has been published in Socialism and Democracy, July 2010, and in the e-journal Cultural Logic.”

Read more…

Related article

• Visual poetry: 'Pictures and Poems and other (Re)visions'

F Sionil Jose reviews Chronicle of a Life Foretold by Mila D. Aguilar

From the same column as Jose's comment on the readership of Philippine literature (below), comes his review of Mila D Aguilar's Chronicle of a Life Foretold.

“Mila D. Aguilar (nom de guerre Clarita Roja) was a University of the Philippines teacher. She continues to be a teacher and more. She was very much involved with the revolutionary opposition to Marcos and the oligarchy for which she paid dearly, with years in prison. She continues to resist and her resistance now is strengthened by her religious faith and her continuing devotion to her art, as this brilliant collection of poetry — her latest — illustrates.

I have admired Mila since the ’70s when I became aware of her work, and this admiration continues to this very day when so many of her contemporaries have fallen by the wayside or succumbed to the pleasures of a bourgeois life.

I also remember fondly her publisher — the still struggling, fighting, persevering bookstore Popular, whose founder Joaquin Po I met in the ’40s and whose friendship I have always valued.”

Read more… 

Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo, Multi-awarded Poet and Presidential Awardee | Asian Journal

“CONSIDERED as one of the leading female Filipino poets of our time, Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo’s success did not come easy.

If you read her biography, it seems as though awards and recognition sprinkle her like tiny drops of rain.

For the past 30 years, Mabanglo has racked up awards from being the first woman to receive the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Hall of Fame, “Makata ng Taon” Poet of the Year by the Commission on Filipino Language, to earning the Manila Critics Circle National Book Award for Poetry for her book, Mga Liham ni Pinay (The Letters of Pinay).

Most recently, President Benigno Aquino III awarded University of Hawaii professor Mabanglo the 2012 Presidential Awardee for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas, in the “Pamana ng Pilipino” category.

The Presidential award is given to Filipino individuals and overseas groups, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national development efforts, or their outstanding achievements in their field of profession.

In the Pamana ng Pilipino category, Mabanglo exemplified the talent and industry of the Filipino, and brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession.”

For Mabanglo, a professor and coordinator of Filipino and Philippine Literature Program at the University of Hawaii, it’s been a difficult but worthwhile journey.

Read more… 

Center to launch book of late Kapampangan poet

The Center for Kapampangan Studies at Holy Angel University

“Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS) of Holy Angel University will launch today late poet Delfin Turla Quiboloy’s book entitled “Iyas King Balas” (Gem on the sand) in his hometown in Lubao.

“The book is a collection of poems made by Quiboloy during his lifetime” CKS Director Robby Tantingco said.

“The launch, to be held at the Diosdado Macapagal Museum, shall feature music and poetry reading. Quiboloy’s son Dante will speak in behalf of the family while Romeo Rodriguez shall give a message in behalf of all Kapampangan poets in his capacity as Prinsipe ning Parnaso” Tantingco added.”

Read more…