PANPACIFIC UNIVERSITY HOSTS PANGASINAN, LITERATURE, AND THE NATION
In collaboration with PEN Philippines, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Panpacific University, through its Panpacific Language Center, conducted the event Pangasinan, Literature, and the Nation on July 1, 2024. This event aimed to discuss the rich literary and cultural tapestry of the province and to commemorate the birth centenary of National Artist F. Sionil Jose, a prominent writer from Rosales, Pangasinan.
The event is composed of presentations and panel discussions. The panelists for the roundtable discussion in the morning include: Dr. Melchor Orpilla, Commissioner for the Pangasinan Language Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino and Department Chairperson of PSU-Bayambang Laboratory High School; Dr. Linda Andaya, author and retired dean of PSU; Mr. Lexon Castillo, the Press Relations Officers of Ulopan na Pansiyansiya’y Salitan Pangasinan; Mr. Jayson Vega, co-founder of the Pinoy Reads Pinoy Books Book Club; Mr. Dean Alfred Narra, Development Management Officer III of Pangasinan Polytechnic College; Mr. Angelo ‘Sarge” Lacuesta, President of PEN Philippines; and Mr.Charlson Ong, PEN Philippines Board. The discussion centered on Pangasinan literature: its definition, themes and motifs, roles of Pangasinan languages in promoting the local literature, challenges of local writers, and contributions of Pangasinan literature to the status and prestige of Philippine literature.
A discussion on the works of F. Sionil Jose was also one of the highlights in the morning session. Mr. Jason Vega presented their tour which aimed to visit the places mentioned in one of the works of the National Artist.
In the afternoon, the Pangasinan authors Dr. Orpilla, Dr. Andaya, Mr. Dean Narra, and Mr. Lexon were joined by Ms. Beverly Siy, Senior Culture and Arts Officer of Cultural Center of the Philippines(CCP), and Prof. Junley Lazaga of UP Baguio. This session focused on the increase of readership to which the panelists suggested that online platforms must be maximized as most people use their mobile phones most of the time. An issue of plagiarism was also brought out, which became a predominant issue with the use of social media posts. Lastly, to encourage aspiring writers, Miss. Siy shared the grants that they can avail from different government agencies and organizations.
This event marked the first celebration of its kind in the province, dedicated to Pangasinan Literature and honoring the birth centenary of F.Sionil Jose. There were more than 500 participants from different universities in the province and the country—majority of whom were from the host university. The event concluded with a book donation from PEN Philippines and CCP.
This event was opened to the public and free of charge as finances were covered from the sponsors which include COMPASS, Alliedbankers Insurance Corporation, NCCA, LGU Urdaneta, LGU Rosales, and Office of the Board Member Noel Bince.
