NO GRAND winners emerged from Premio Tomas, the Quadricentennial Literary Contest, during the awarding ceremony at the Alfredo M. Velayo–Accountancy Hall last February 8.
But special jury prizes were awarded to Reynaldo Duque for epic poetry (Premio Recto), Joni Cham for the novel (Premio Jose) and Jose Victor Torres for creative nonfiction or essay (Premio Mabini).
Duque’s Dugo ng Paniki is an epic poetry depicting the audacity of Iluko heroes. It is a narrative of humanitarian ancient leaders who fought for freedom of their civilization.
Duque said that his wife is his inspiration for writing, and the one who kept on supporting him with his literary journey.
Meanwhile, Cham’s novel In My Mother’s House is a discerning exploration of intricate, sometimes tortured, relationship between an immigrant Chinese mother and her Philippine-born daughter. It depicts a minefield of personal, familial and cross-cultural trauma to that place made safer by the finality of death and the chances given by forgiveness and re-birth.
Torres’ A Wartime Legacy: UST During the Second World War 1941–1945 renders a thought-provoking Philippine subject-position. It is also a prototype of painstaking research, meticulous analysis, clear expression, and commitment to a cause. Most importantly, it is a contribution to social, historical and literary studies on or about the University of Santo Tomas vis-a-vis the Philippines during World War II.
No special jury prize was given for full length drama in three acts, or Premio Tinio. According to the National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, the chair of Premio Tinio jury, no entry was a deserving theatre piece.
“Playwrights are expected to be up-to-date and understanding of their craft,” he said. “They must have experience in viewing theatre goers.”
The judges were Florentino Hornedo, Rebecca Añonuevo Cuñada, and Michael Coroza (epic poetry); F. Sionil Jose, Charlson Ong and J. Neil Garcia (novel); Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, Jose Wendell Capili and D.M. Reyes (expanded creative nonfiction or essay collection) aside from Lumbera, other judges were Priscelina Patajo–Legasto, and Vim Nadera (full-length drama). Ana May R. Dela Cruz
