30 October 2013 - As part of the celebration of the Filipino-American Heritage Month, the University of Guam (UOG) College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, conducted the 4th Philippine Studies Lecture featuring the award-winning author, Dr. Almira Astudillo Gilles, on October 25 at the IT&E Lecture Hall of the School of Business and Public Administration (SBPA) Building, University of Guam.
Dr. Gilles lecture was entitled “History and Destiny” in which she talked about writing and her efforts to preserve the heritage collections and natural resources of the Philippines.
Dr. Gilles is an award-winning author based in Chicago, Illinois. She is one of the very active members of the Filipino community there. She was a recipient of the 2012 Pamana ng Pilipino Award for Literature, which was bestowed on her by no less than President Benigno S. Aquino III in December 2012 at the Malacañan Palace. The award opened the doors for her other advocacies and projects particularly the conservation of Philippine wildlife and natural resources.
Some of the books she has written are “The Fires Beneath: Tales of Gold,” “Remembering Rizal,” and an award-winning children’s book, “Willie Wins.”
Dr. Gille’s lecture was attended by Dr. John A. Peterson, UOG’s Assistant Vice President; Dr. James D. Sellman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences; faculty members and students of the University of Guam; as well as officers and members of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Guam.
Dean Sellman delivered the welcome remarks on behalf of UOG while Consul General Bayani V. Mangibin delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Philippine Consulate General.
Consul General Mangibin also hosted a luncheon in honor of Dr. Gilles at the Sheraton Laguna Resort Hotel on that day.
Dr. Gilles likewise visited the Philippine Consulate General last October 28 to view the exhibit on “Camp Roxas” in celebration of the Filipino-American Heritage Month. She was received by Consul Edgar Tomas Q. Auxilian, Acting Head of Post, and Ms. Mildred C. Sayurin, the Consulate’s Cultural Officer. As a highlight of her visit, she also handed over one of her books entitled “Remembering Rizal” as an addition to the Consulate’s library collection. END