THE UST Publishing House (USTPH) launched 17 new titles, including veteran Thomasian author Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo’s collection of stories, last April 4 at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino of the Benavides Building.
USTPH Director Ma. Ailil Alvarez said academic publishing continues to “thrive despite not being a profitable venture.”
“[T]he intangible rewards far outweigh the real costs. The publication of books is […] chiefly an intellectual function more than a physical one,” Alvarez said.
“Our job as an academic publisher is to cater the needs of the learners, writers, researchers, literary enthusiasts, faculty, and students in providing them with quality materials,” she added.
Alvarez reflected on the level of priority that books occupy in contemporary Filipino culture.
“What we invest our resources in reflects our priorities. [F]ilipinos would rather buy a signature venti drink at a first-rate coffee shop than spend the same amount of book in poetry,” she said.
Alvarez emphasized that the 17 authors of newly published titles would prove that “merits of devoting themselves to a life of the mind are worth far more than the tactile values describe them.”
The launch was held in celebration of the National Literature Month.
The following books were launched:
Philosopy:
- “Muni: Paglalayag sa Pamimilosopiyang Filipino” by Jovito Cariño
- “Between Confucian Li and Ren: A Philosophical Hermeneutics” by Richard Ang, O.P.
Fiction:
- “A River, One-Woman Deep” by Linda Ty-Casper
- “Hantong: Mga Kwento” by John Jack Wigley
- “Collected Stories & Tales” by Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo
Poetry:
- “Drift: Poems” by Joel Vega
- “Sa Mga Pagitan ng Buhay at Iba Pang Pagtutulay” by Ralph Semino Galan
- “Each Sold Separately: Poems Selected & New” by Ruel de Vera
- “Walang Iisang Salita” by Paul Castillo
- “Damagan” by Allan Popa
Creative Non-Fiction:
- “Finding Teo: Tula/Talambuhay” by Joselito de los Reyes
- “Ilang Sulyap sa Daigdig” by Dionisio San Agustin
- “Shaw Boulevard” by Popi Laudico
- “Under Manila Sky: A Memoir on the Art of Survival” by Irene Hecht
Academic References:
- “Ang Tagalabas sa Panitikan” by Chuckberry Pascual
- “Aralin at Siyasat at mga Pagninilay Hinggil sa Tula” ni Louie Jon Sanchez
- “Catholic Educational Institutions and Inclusive Education: Transforming Spaces, Promoting Practices, Changing Minds” by The Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universitie
