PHL Consulate General Launches Penguin Classics Edition of Nick Joaquin’s “The Woman Who Has Two Navels”
10 May 2017 SAN FRANCISCO — The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, in partnership with the Philippine American Writers and Artists (PAWA), Inc., and in support of the upcoming Fourth Filipino American International Book Festival Event (Fil Bookfest), held a book launch of the Penguins Classic Edition of “The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic” at the Philippine Folklife Museum on the 2nd floor of the Philippine Center on Wednesday, April 26 2017.
Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. thanked PAWA President Edwin Lozada for partnering with the Consulate in propagating the works of Philippine writers and Philippine literature in San Francisco, particularly the works of novelist, poet, playwright, biographer, essayist, and Philippine National Artist for Literature, Nick Joaquin.
The Consul General encouraged guests to acquaint themselves with Nick Joaquin’s work, which “provides a snapshot of Filipino culture and traditions that give us a glimpse of what it is like to be Filipino. Many of our habits and perceptions as a people that are contained in his writings still remain true to this day, which makes it worthwhile for us to continue revisiting these works and learning from his wisdom and insights.”
Johaina Crisostomo, professor at the University of California in Berkeley, recounted her journey in discovering the works of Mr. Joaquin, who put into words the struggles of the Filipino people in search for its identity.
Mr. Vicente Rafael, History Professor at the University of Washington, stated his pleasure in having Penguin Classics print the books of Nick Joaquin, for the enjoyment of Filipino Americans in the United States. He recommended revisiting “The Woman Who Has Two Navels” in view of the lesson it imparts that history repeats and continues to haunt the present.
The event was attended by members of the academe, and millennials, who were eager to learn more about Philippine literature.
For more information, visit www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PCGSF. END
