Writers union hands out annual awards
The Unyon ng Manunulat ng Pilipinas (Umpil) handed out its annual literary awards during its 50th national congress last April 27 at the Gimenez Gallery, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
Given to writers for their outstanding work in any language in the Philippines and for their contributions to the development of Philippine literature, the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas were awarded to: Antonio A. Aguilar Jr. (prose and poetry in Hiligaynon), Gene Alcantara (essay and translation in Filipino and English), Maria Felisa H. Batacan (fiction in English), Jim Chiu Hung (poetry and essay in Chinese), Apolonio B. Chua (criticism in Filipino), Jimmuel C. Naval (fiction in Filipino), Fatima Lim-Wilson (poetry in English), Ma. Cecilia Locsin-Nava (literary history and translation in English) and Felice Prudente Sta. Maria (essay in English).
The Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez for distinguished achievement in literary pedagogy was awarded to Jerry C. Respeto, associate professor of literature and drama at the Ateneo de Manila University.
The Gawad Pedro Bucaneg for organizations and institutions that have a track record for exemplary promotion of literature, arts and culture was awarded to The Writers’ Bloc Inc.
In front, from left to right:
JIMMUEL C. NAVAL
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Fiction Filipino
MARIA FELISA H. BATACAN
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Fiction in English
FELICE PRUDENTE STA. MARIA
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Essay in English
MA. CECILIA LOCSIN-NAVA
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Literary History and Translation
JERRY C. RESPETO
Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez
THE WRITER’S BLOC INC.
Gawad Pedro Bucaneg
(Kinatawan ng Pangulo na si Rody Vera)
ANTONIO A. AGUILAR JR.
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Hiligaynon Poetry and Fiction
(Kinatawan ng kapatid na si Salvacion Aguilar Taganile)
APOLONIO B. CHUA
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Criticism in Filipino
JIM CHIU HUNG
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Chinese Poetry and Essay
GENE ALCANTARA
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Essay and Translation
Not in the picture:
FATIMA LIM-WILSON
Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
Poetry in English
UMPIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 2023 – 2025
At the back, from left to right:
VICTOR EMMANUEL CARMELO D. NADERA JR.
ABNER E. DORMIENDO
JOHN ENRICO C. TORRALBA (Secretary General)
JAZMIN B. LLANA
JOEY A. TABULA
MICHAEL M. COROZA (Chair)
VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO (Chair Emeritus)
DIANDRA DITMA A. MACARAMBON
CLARISSA V. MILITANTE (Auditor)
ROMULO P. BAQUIRAN JR. (Treasurer)
ALDRIN P. PENTERO
SUSAN S. LARA (Vice Chair)
