October 13, 2004

Award-Winning Filipino Author, José Dalisay, Will
Discuss His Work And The Influence Of English On
Filipino Society In A Public Lecture At UCSD, Oct. 18

By Paula Cichocka

Dr. José (Butch) Y. Dalisay, award-winning novelist, poet and columnist, and Vice Chancellor of the University of the Philippines will discuss the influence of globalization, and more specifically the English language, on Filipino society and culture at 4:00 p.m. on October 18 at UCSD. The public is invited to this free event, which is co-sponsored by UCSD’s Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS), the Department of Literature and the Center for the Humanities.

Dalisay has published eleven books of stories, plays, and essays, with five of those works receiving the National Book Award from the Manila Critics Circle. In 1998, he was named to a Centennial Honors List as one of the 100 most accomplished Filipino artists of the past century. Among his distinctions, he has won 16 Palanca Awards, (equivalent of the Pulitzer prize) in five genres – entering the Palanca Hall of Fame in 2000. Dalisay has also received five Cultural Center of the Philippines awards for play writing, and was named, in 1993, as one of The Outstanding Young Men for his creative writing.

Dalisay writes political and social commentaries for a leading Filipino newspaper and serves as an editorial consultant for the news magazine, Newsbreak. Imprisoned under the Marcos regime, Dalisay has a unique perspective on Filipino political life, particularly since he has served as a speechwriter for the past five Filipino presidents. His current columns reflect upon ways to preserve and strengthen democracy, to advance human rights, to foster economic development, and to promote peace and security in the Philippines.

Media Contact: Paula Cichocka, IR/PS, (858) 534-1465