FIVE THOMASIAN alumni are set to join the UST National Writers’ Workshop on April 7 to 14 in Baguio City.

Literature graduates Tristan Joshua Acda, Christine Andas and Ma. Doreen Evita Garcia were named as fellows for fiction, while journalism alumnus Benjamin Joshua Gutierrez and behavioral science alumna Ana Algabre-Hernandez were selected for katha.

Gutierrez said the writing workshop would develop his writing skills by allowing him to be exposed to different literary forms.

“Ever since, self-taught writer ako, iyon ang kahinaan ko. Doon [sa workshop], baka ma-expose ako sa iba’t ibang porma. Doon ako mas gagaling,” he said in an online interview with the Varsitarian.

Garcia said “tough voices” and harsh criticisms from writing workshops would help a budding writer.

“[D]o not confine yourself to your room; go outside and learn from others as well,” she said. “Do not think that just because someone spoke harshly on your work, you no longer have a future in writin[g].”

UST National Writers’ Workshop, now in its 19th installment, is hosted by the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (UST CCWLS) and is open to Thomasian and non-Thomasian writers.

Poet and literary critic Gémino Abad, screenwriter Jerry Gracio and playwright Vim Nadera are this year’s senior guest panelists.

The workshop panelists from the creative writing center are Director Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Asst. Director Ralph Galán, associates Michael Coroza and Nestor Cuartero, and resident fellows Augusto Antonio Aguila, Joyce Arriola, Ma. Ailil Alvarez, Paul Castillo, Joselito de los Reyes, Dawn Marfil, Jose Mojica, Lulu Torres Reyes, and John Jack Wigley.

Varsitarian publications adviser Joselito Zulueta will serve as the workshop director while UST CCWLS resident fellow Chuckberry Pascual will be the workshop coordinator.

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