3 Filipino Writers Receive S.E.A. Write Award for their Literary Contributions

Left photo: Dr. Tantivejkul presents the award to Mr. John Iremil Teodoro, S.E.A. Write Awardee (2019). Right photo: Dr. Tantivejkul presents the award to Mr. Nicholas B. Pichay, S.E.A. Write Awardee (2021). (Bangkok PE photo)

BANGKOK 17 August 2023 — Deputy Chief of Mission Edna May Lazaro represented the Philippine Embassy in the S.E.A. Write Award Ceremony held on Thursday, 10 August 2023, at the Grand Ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Plaques were presented to the distinguished recipients of the S.E.A. Write Awards for the years 2019 to 2021.

Under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, the S.E.A. Write Award Ceremony serves as a platform to honor and celebrate exceptional literary contributions from Southeast Asian writers. The 2019-2021 awardees were recognized for their profound impact on the region’s literary landscape, capturing the essence of Southeast Asian culture and heritage through their remarkable works.

The Philippines garnered significant recognition with three outstanding writers receiving the coveted S.E.A. Write Awards. Mr. John Iremil Teodoro, a luminary in the realm of Philippine literature, was honored for his poignant work “Pagngaran sa Elepante” (Naming the Elephant) for 2019. For the year 2020, Ms. Christina Pantoja-Hidalgo’s enchanting masterpiece “Pagan: City of Four Million Pagodas” captivated the hearts of the award’s committee. In 2021, Mr. Nicholas B. Pichay’s creation “Tanaw Mula sa Court of Appeals” (View from the Court of Appeals) earned him the award.

The event showcased the literary prowess and creative brilliance that the Philippines brings to the S.E.A. Write Awards, underscoring the country’s rich literary heritage and its enduring impact on the region.

The S.E.A. Write Award Ceremony was a resounding success, honoring writers, and their invaluable contributions to the tapestry of Southeast Asian literature. The event served as a testament to the power of words to transcend borders, unite cultures, and inspire generations. END

(Center) Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman of the S.E.A. Write Award, together with the 2019 awardees from Southeast Asian countries on stage after the ceremony. (Bangkok PE photo)

(Center) Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman of the S.E.A. Write Award, together with the 2020 awardees from Southeast Asian countries on stage after the ceremony. (Bangkok PE photo)

(Center) Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman of the S.E.A. Write Award, together with the 2021 awardees from Southeast Asian countries on stage after the ceremony. (Bangkok PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinThailand/.