The University of Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies and the National Book Development Board co-present the 4th Philippine International Literary Festival (Litfest) starting Nov. 11.
With the theme, Text and the City, it is fitting that this year’s Litfest celebration will open in Manila’s—and Asia’s—oldest existing university, on Nov. 11, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
The professional conference will take place at the UST Faculty of Civil Law Auditorium, while the student summit will be held at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino, Benavides Building (old UST Graduate School).
Both conferences will consist of lectures, panel discussions, paper presentations, conversations with artists, film screenings, a literary showcase, and a photo exhibit, on and about the city.
Invited speakers include National Artists for Literature Francisco Sionil Jose and Bienvenido Lumbera; Philippine Women’s University president Jose Francisco Benitez; NBDB chair Flor Marie Sta. Romana Cruz; Hong Kong-based writer Xu Xi; Philippine fictionists Jose Dalisay, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo and Charlson Ong; writers and scholars Oscar Campomanes (Ateneo de Manila University, UST); Augusto Antonio Aguila (UST); Shirley Lua (De la Salle University); John Jack Wigley (UST); Isabelita Orlina Reyes (University of the Philippines); Ralph Semino Galan (UST); DM Reyes (Ateneo); Ferdinand Lopez (UST); Vladimir Gonzales (UP); Rebecca Añonuevo-Cunada (Miriam College, UST); Chuckberry Pascual (UST); Ronald Baytan (DLSU); Jaymee Siao (UST); Joanna Parungao (UP, UST); Michael Coroza (Ateneo, UST); Joselito de los Reyes (UST); film director Gil Portes (UST).
Registration fee for the professional conference is P1,000 which entitles a participant to all seminar events, a seminar kit, meals and a souvenir program. The student conference is free, but by institutional invitation only.
Limited seats are available, strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Deadline for registration is Nov. 10. Call Ana Nicolas at 4061611 loc. 8281; Raen Ledesma 0915-1492583; Neil Patrick Cuevas 0917-5024530.