Filipino Narrative Shines at Emirates Literary Festival 2023 with 10 Filipino Authors
Philippine Ambassador to UAE Alfonso A. Ver engages historian Prof. Ambeth Ocampo (left photo), and Mr. Laquesta, Dr. Syjuco and Ms. Gutierrez (right photo), in a lively discussion during the Emirates Literary Festival 2023. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)
ABU DHABI 09 February 2023 — Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso A. Ver met with Filipino authors and artists featured at the annual Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature (Emirates LitFest), led by historian Ambeth Ocampo, award-winning novelist Dr. Miguel Syjuco, poet Danabelle Gutierrez, authors Angelo R. Laguesta and Ms. Rissa Mananquil-Trillo, and Mr. Budjette Tan (writer) and Kajo Baldisimo (illustrator) of comic book-turned-Netflix animated series “Trese” on 04 February 2023.
Now on its 15th year, the Emirates LitFest 2023 featured 10 Filipino authors, the largest Filipino contingent in its history, including the above-cited writers who held talks and interviews that shed light on their creative process, how their identity as Filipinos are manifested in their works, and the prospects writers face in introducing the next generation of Filipinos in diaspora to Philippine culture and identity. Amb. Ver attended 3 thought-provoking sessions, namely, Prof. Ocampo’s “Dirty Ice Cream, Banana Ketchup & Stinking Fish - Deliciously Filipino”, Messrs Tan and Kajo’s “Tabi-Tabi Po: Entering the World of Trese”, and “Kwentong Filipino” with Ms. Gutierrez, Dr. Syjuco and Mr. Laquesta.
Ambassador Ver said, “In my discussions with the seven Filipino artist/authors at Emirates LitFest and having attended their talks today, I can say with confidence that the future of Philippine culture is in good, talented hands. From Prof. Ambeth Ocampo’s thought-provoking historical insights, Dr. Syjuco’s novels featuring socio-political commentary, Ms. Gutierrez’ poetry reflecting her multicultural narrative, Ms. Mananquil-Trillo’s stories of empowerment, Messrs Tan and Kajo’s focus on Filipino myths and folklore for their comics and animation, and Mr. Laquesta’s ease of shift from screenplays to short stories and novels, the next generation of Filipino readers have a wide range of selection to choose from. I am proud of these authors’ commitment to their craft, and their desire to write distinctively Filipino stories that will also resonate universally. I hope the Filipino youth and our kababayans especially here in the UAE will be inspired to likewise create and write the Filipino narrative.” END
Ambassador Ver also took part in the book signing done by Prof. Ocampo for “Rizal Without the Overcoat” (left) and Mr. Budjette Tan (right) for “Trese” at the event. (Abu Dhabi PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/, https://twitter.com/PHinUAE or https://www.instagram.com/phinuae/.