call us geeks (like we care!).

July 8, 2008. The UP Institute of Creative Writing awarded five writers (with one writer nabbing two categories) who won in this year’s UP Centennial Gawad Likhaan. And to grace the event, some of the Philippines’ greatest writers (from malachite to genesis) were there to witness the ceremony. How does F. Sionil Jose, Gemino Abad, Jose “Butch” Dalisay Jr., National Artists Bienvenido Lumbera and Virgilio Almario, to name a few, sound? Of course, (UP) Epistaxis had to be there! We even had the chance to chat with Senator Edgardo Angara (who was very politician-ish).

(R-L) CAL professors J. Neil Garcia, [guy in blue], Priscelina Pantajo - Legasto, and Anril Tiatco.

(Even if you don't believe it, that's) F. Sionil Jose with Cristina Pantoja - Hidalgo.

and this one (behind the man in pink) is Gemino Abad.

with Alfred Yuson

with Sir Jose "Butch" Dalisay Jr.

and that's us doing the "Sir Dalisay pose" after the event

with National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera (a.k.a. Sir Bien daw).

with with College of Arts and Letters Dean and National Artist Virgilio Almario.

Senator Edgardo Angara (who was like "Cynthia [the BS Biology graduate from UP turned Senator's secretary], bigyan mo sila ng calling card." WAW!)

and the winners of UP Centennial Gawad Likhaan.