Pinoy creative writers recognized in Hong Kong

Two Filipino creative writers brought honor to the country after they were recognized in Hong Kong for their outstanding literary works. Eric Gamalinda is in the short list for this year’s Man Asian Literary Prize, while Miguel Syjuco was chosen as one of eight fellows in a prestigious visiting writers’ program. Gamalinda was one of five authors shortlisted for the award that was eventually won by Chinese writer Su Tong for the novel “The Boat to Redemption." The Filipino writer has already won several Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards and is currently a professor at Columbia University. His work, “The Descartes Highlands," is a novel that explores the concepts of cosmic indifference and circular time through the stories of three bi-racial men dealing with the idea that they had each been given up for adoption by their American father. Still, the Philippine Consulate General said it is “proud of Mr. Gamalinda for becoming the fourth Filipino to be shortlisted since the literary prize was conceived in 2007." Meanwhile, Syjuco, winner of last year’s Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel “Ilustrado," was chosen as one of eight fellows in Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)’s prestigious Visiting Writers 2009 program. “As visiting writer, Mr. Syjuco is expected to serve as a cultural ambassador who will help promote the appreciation of the literary arts at HKBU and other local venues through the public readings, lectures and seminars that he will attend," the DFA said. Joining Syjuco, an alumnus of Columbia University and the Ateneo de Manila, are prominent writers from Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States. Consul General Claro Cristobal cited the two Filipinos for the honor they have brought to Filipinos in Hong Kong and around the world. - GMANews.TV