Resident writers
can partner with writers and cultural workers from the area to come up with books of local history, short stories, poetry, and essays on topics and themes
rooted in the region
Congratulations to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) National Committee on Literary Arts (NCLA) on its successful conduct of a literary conference in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Titled “Panitikan ng Panumduman (Literature of Memory),” the conference delved into three strands: Klima (Climate), Kuwerpo (Body), and Kronika (Chronicle).
The two-day public plenary event held March 24-25 featured two National Artists for Literature, Dr. Gémino H. Abad and Prof. Virgilio Almario as the keynote speakers along with Dr. Mahar Lagmay Jr., executive director of the University of the Philippines Resilience Institute and one of the developers of weather forecasting service Project NOAH.
Among the activities were tributes to Pangasinan literary stalwarts National Artist F. Sionil Jose, Carlos Bulosan, and Maria Magsano, as well as a launch of four literary publications by the NCLA.
One of the books launched was the 21st Century Philippine Literature Reader: Prose Narratives Vol. 1, intended as a textbook for literature classes. I am honored to have one of my award-winning short stories published there, “How I Spent My U.S. Vacation.”
The conference featured stellar scholars from across the country, among them, as moderators, Dr. Joyce Arriola (an outgoing NCLA officer), Dr. Luna Sicat-Cleto, and Dr. Priscilla Macansantos (recently named a National Book Award finalist for her collection of essays “Departure”).
Among the many presenters were prolific writers and researchers Dr. Genevieve Asenjo, Dr. Edgar Calabia Samar, Ms. Honeylet Alerta, and Dr. Joey Tabula.
I was also glad to have the chance to present my paper on Philippine horseracing as a construct of collective memory (pamanang gunita).
The event was among the NCCA’s activities celebrating National Arts Month (February). It was coordinated by NCLA outgoing head Dr. Julieta C. Mallari and incoming head Mr. Niles Jordan Breis.
Thanks to Pangasinan Gov. Ramon V. Guico III and Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG Lambino, Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo N. Bataoil, and their staff who showed us their kind hospitality, and allowing the NCLA the use of the magnificent Sison Auditorium that is the best conference hall I have ever seen in the country to date.
The food was excellent, and the hosts took the opportunity to showcase the best of Pangasinan cuisine, particularly their bangus, tamales, and other dishes.
That’s one of my fondest memories of that event, along with seeing NAs Abad and Almario deluged with requests for selfies and autographs by the students of Pangasinan State University who attended the event, some 200 of them.
Abad and Almario were treated like the (literary) rock stars that they are.
This appreciation by the young people of these stalwarts of Philippine belles lettres is a signal that we need many more such outreach events.
Let’s bring the NAs and other personalities to the regions, where they can share so much.
Perhaps the incoming NCLA can spearhead more conferences all over the country this year.
I also proposed to Mayor Bataoil a residency program for writers that was well received by Pangasinan educator and cultural worker Dr. Linda Andaya-Grubb, who asked for a proposal.
I hope that we can come to an arrangement on this program not only with Lingayen but with other LGUs across the country.
A writers residency program will feature writers from all over the country visiting a certain area for a month or two, for the purpose of having the space and inspiration to complete a research or creative work.
Their stay will be sponsored by the LGU.
Resident writers can partner with writers and cultural workers from the area to come up with books of local history, short stories, poetry, and essays on topics and themes rooted in the region.
This would help LGUs, particularly those with significant tourism initiatives, to ramp up production of books and materials on their local culture and history.
Governors and mayors, please feel free to email me if you would like to support this idea in your province/city/town.
* * *
The Asian Institute of Management has partnered with the University of Houston to establish an undergraduate dual degree program.
Last March 15, AIM’s Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, & Entrepreneurship (ASITE) through AIM President and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang and UH’s C.T. Bauer College of Business through Dean Dr. Paul Pavlou signed an agreement for a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Business Administration (BSDSBA) and Bachelor of Business Administration Major in Management Information Systems (BBAMIS) double degree program.
This is a “first-of-its-kind double degree undergraduate program in the country…and the region,” AIM said.
It is among their initial forays into offering programs for undergraduate students.
The program will be taught by faculty from AIM and UH.
The first three years of the program will be held at the AIM Campus in Makati, Philippines with one online class per semester taught by UH.
For their senior year, students have the option of attending classes onsite at UH with a 12-month visa and the opportunity to pursue optional practical training in the U.S. after graduation.
* * *
Dr. Ortuoste is a board member of PEN Philippines, member of the Manila Critics Circle, and judge of the National Book Awards. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com
