THE UST AUTHORS Series will return for its 11th year later this month to highlight books written by the resident fellows of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (CCWLS).
The literary event, which usually features three books, will promote six titles on Feb. 24 at the Miguel de Benavides Library Auditorium from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Creative Writing instructor Kisha Aleena Abuda said half of the entries were initially planned for the first semester. However, consecutive suspension of classes caused the series to be postponed.
According to Abuda, one of the event’s organizers, the entries that were set to be released during the first semester include Encantada: The Essential Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, Ang Lihim, Kung Pag-ibig and Seasonal Adversities: An Ekphrasis on the Climate Crisis. These entries will now be joined by Mga Bubuyog na Nagkumpulan, The Gathering Bees and The Travel Bug.
Abuda noted that the expanded lineup offers readers a wider range of genres and reading experiences.
“I think there’s a little something for everyone. If you want short stories, go with fiction. Or if you want a slice of life – where it’s as if you’ve been to these places – you go with the travel essay. If you want to fall in love, go with poetry,” Abuda told The Flame.
The curated selection, which spans multiple literary forms, will highlight works released in 2025. All featured books were published this year and will be showcased in a morning and an afternoon session.
Encantada: The Essential Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo is a new compilation of works by CCWLS Director and Filipina author Prof. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, whose work covers fiction, nonfiction, criticism and journalism. The compendium was compiled and edited by her former student at the University of the Philippines, Ruth Jordana Pison, and was published by the UP Press.
Ang Lihim, Kung Pag-Ibig is the latest poetry collection written by Palanca award-winning poet Asst. Prof. Paul Castillo. The book features poems written in Filipino and tackles the timeless concept of love and the duality that naturally accompanies it. The book was published by Librong LIRA in 2025.
Seasonal Adversities: An Ekphrasis on the Climate Crisis is multiple award-winning poet and Creative Writing instructor Joel Toledo’s meditation on environmental degradation and climate issues. As an ekphrastic work, each poem is accompanied by the art of Pancho Alvarez, whose visual work accentuates its written counterpart to convey the distress of climate change.
Mga Bubuyog na Nagkumpulan and The Gathering Bees are re-releases of fictionist and Creative Writing Prof. Chuckberry Pascual’s early short story collection Kumpisal: Mga Kuwento, published in 2015. The reprint also features stories from his previous work Hindi Ito Romansa, another collection of short stories.
The Gathering Bees is the English language translation of Mga Bubuyog na Nagkumpulan, and was translated by CCWLS fellow Assoc. Prof. Ralph Semino Galan. The Filipino and English language releases were simultaneously published by the UST Publishing House in 2025, a rare feat because translated versions of books are usually printed after the original version’s release.
UST Creative Writing Prof. John Jack Wigley returns with the latest addition to his celebrated nonfiction catalogue with The Travel Bug, a collection of essays about his travels around the world. Wigley injects his trademark sense of humor in every piece, creating a wide curation of travel experiences.
Abuda expressed hope that the variety of the works and the recognizability of the authors’ names would push young non-readers to read.
“Because reading, unfortunately, is a rare skill these days… Hopefully, [the UST Authors Series] will encourage people to read and eventually write,” she added.
The UST Authors Series’ morning session will host Pantoja-Hidalgo, Castillo and Toledo from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Pascual and Galan, alongside Wigley, will be featured in the afternoon session from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Attendees will have the chance to meet the authors in a book signing opportunity after every session. The featured books will be displayed in the Miguel de Benavides Library lobby until the end of the event. F — Adam Joseph Bolante
