Books published, launched: Gani Cruz leads authors

At the launching of Isagani R. Cruz’s book “The Other Other”, National Artist Bien Lumbera said that he gave Isagani a grade of A Plus for his excellent paper in Lumbera’s class at the Ateneo U. Tomas Santos said he was the biological son of Bienvenido Santos but Isagani was Bienvenido’s literary son, making him “the other, other son.”

Dr. David Bayot, chair of DLSU’s Dept. of Literature, editor of “The Other Other” delivered a brilliant, erudite introduction of Isagani. Rustica Carpio movingly sang two songs. FEU chair Lourdes R. Montinola awarded Isagani the Diamond Book Series Medallion; FEU president Dr. Lydia Echauz gave the closing remarks.

In the research project entitled The Canon of Philippine Literature, conducted from 1985 to 1997 by the Ford Foundation and the Philippine Department of Education, teachers and writers voted Isagani R. Cruz as the top Filipino critic of all time. “The Other Other” consists of Cruz’s critical essays in English, many of which were originally published outside the Philippines. His critical essays in Filipino are collected in Bukod na Bukod, proclaimed by the UP as one of the best 100 books published by its University Press.

What critics say:

“The most influential Filipino writers would be Nick Joaquin, Bienvenido Santos, NVM Gonzales, Isagani R. Cruz (he deserves more credit for what he is doing), and Jose Garcia Villa (not as a poet but as a most influential critic).” — Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, SJ, Philippine Daily Inquirer (2004)

“One of the most significant critics of the second half of the 20th century.” — Soledad S. Reyes, Kritisismo (1992)

“The distinguished Filipino film critic.” — Fredric Jameson, The Geopolitical Aesthetic (1992)

“A leading Filipino critic.”

— Shirley Geok Lin Lim, Nationalism and Literature (1993)

“Blighted” by Frank Chavez, Solicitor General during Tita Cory’s presidency, is a very apt title because it describes our country’s wretched, miserable condition caused by the rampant, widespread and overwhelming corruption in government, from the highest to the lowest echelons. The fearless candor of the author is profusely praised by highly respected academicians, editors and journalists among them Randy David, Pete Lacaba, Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, Antonio Abaya, Jose C. Laureata and Domini M. Torrevillas. I say “fearless candor” because the personalities and activities described in the book are only too recognizable. Therefore, the most telling statement of Chavez in “Blighted” is:

“Any living person who feels wronged and alluded to has a guilty conscience.”

Instituto Cervantes launched “Cuentos de Juana” by Adelina Gurrea, a native of La Carlota, Negros Oriental. The book is a collection of tales published in 1943 based on Gurrea’s favorite stories of her Visayan nanny. It was awarded first prize by the Certamen International de Literatura de la Union Latina de Paris in 1951. The Filipina was also recipient of the Premio Zobel, the oldest literary award in the Philippines.

IC director Jose R. Rodriguez contends: Fil-Hispanic literature is somehow losing popularity here and abroad with Spanish writings of Filipino authors becoming less and less available. Thus, the launch of “Cuentos de Juana.”

Dolly Perez’s book “Your Garden, Your Eden” should be of great interest to interior and exterior designers — the garden being an extension of a house — as well as to architects and particularly, to home owners who wish to create an Eden within eye-view. Take it from Dolly who is an authority on beautifying your premises.

Fr. Antonio Rosales, well-loved former pastor of San Antonio Church in Forbes, launched “The Day Jesus Died” at the Parish Center. The mundane observations at the start of the book which describes the happy-go-lucky days before Fr. Rosales was called to the priesthood, turn into deeply reflective and moving spiritual reflections after his ordination. Fr. Rosales who writes under the pseudonym Serafin de la Cruz, was introduced by Lolita Monsod.

The book jointly authored by Ching de las Alas Montinola and Menchu de las Alas Concepcion on their father Don Antonio — “A Small Man with a Tall Shadow” — will be launched tomorrow at the Philippine Columbian Association, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the occasion of Don Antonio’s 120th birthday. The launch will include an exhibit of the life and times of this distinguished and outstanding government official.

Eduardo “Eddie” H. Yap, CPA, sends me a booklet “Getting to Know the National Budget”— which he co-authored, and which is of course Greek to me. What really is a source of wonder is Eddie himself; he is both a finance wizard and an avid music lover and authority. Notes and numbers make a wonderful mix in Eddie’s brilliant mind.