THE COORDINATOR of the UST creative writing program emerged as the best creative nonfiction writer during the 2022 Gintong Aklat Awards.
Assoc. Prof. Joselito delos Reyes’ collection of essays, #Pasahero: Mga Nakikisakay na Sanaysay, won in the creative nonfiction in Filipino category on Thursday, Sept. 14.
“This is a validation of my efforts as a writer and a [creative] writing professor at our beloved University and Faculty of Arts and Letters, which has a long-standing tradition of excellence in writing,” delos Reyes told The Flame.
The professor said achievements are not limited to awards, reminding aspiring writers to pursue ideas that would also make readers “more reflective and intelligent.”
“To those striving to write, whether awarded or not, whether popular or not, try to articulate an idea that will improve the condition of the people and society,” delos Reyes said.
“Be a good writer, but beyond that, be a good person. Be humane, with or without the validation of awards,” he added.
UST literature Asst. Prof. Paul Castillo also earned recognition for his work, Lunas sa Nabubuong Lubos, which finished as a finalist under the Filipino poetry category.
The book entries were evaluated based on production quality, design and content.
Established in 1981, the Gintong Aklat Awards is a biennial competition that recognizes book publishers who are members of the Book Development Association of the Philippines. This year’s awarding ceremony took place during the opening of the 44th Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Convention Center Manila. F
