THOMASIAN authors and resident fellows of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (CCWLS) launched three new titles in the book launch “The Vanishing Point” at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino of the Benavides Building.
The books and collections launched during the event were Asst. Prof. Benedict Parfan’s “The Vanished,” Joel Toledo’s “Planet Nine,” and Asst. Prof. Paul Castillo’s “Kondenado.”
CCWLS Director Prof. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo said the book launch, which was part of the center’s UST Authors Series, was organized to connect the three authors to Thomasian readers.
“We see the work that we do here [in the center] as the University’s contribution to the continuing development of Philippine literature,” Hidalgo said during her opening remarks at the Feb. 19 launch.
“The Vanished” was the first translation book of Parfan. It was based on Assoc. Prof. Chuckberry Pascual’s 2013 novel “Ang Nawawala,” which consists of seven interconnected stories revolving around the journey of Bree, a gay masseur who turns into a detective.
Parfan, director of the UST Publishing House, said translating the works of other authors helps broaden the access and range of readers.
“I wanted to translate the book because it’s different, and I want the novel to reach a different kind of audience,” he told the Varsitarian. “Para siyang synecdoche ng Philippine society kaya maganda na mabasa rin siya through a different language.”
Parfan’s “The Vanished” was a recipient of a National Book Development Board translation grant.
Meanwhile, Toledo launched his sixth collection of poetry titled, “Planet Nine,” which tackles various topics ranging from science to history, music, and geopolitics, among others.
The multi-awarded poet said the collection was his attempt at helping his readers “make sense of that little three-year gap” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Castillo also drew inspiration from the health crisis that broke out in 2020, as he fused photography and poetry in his new title “Kondenado.”
“Ang intention ko sa pagsulat ng tula ay mapatingkad lalo ‘yung hindi kayang mapatingkad ng litrato using words through my poems,” said Castillo, deputy director of the UST Publishing House.
The UST Authors Series is a CCWLS event where the newly published works of Thomasian authors are launched. Jenna Mariel A. Gonzales
