This is the second lecture of “States of the Filipino Novel,” a three-part joint lecture series presented by Exploding Galaxies and the Ateneo de Manila University’s Literary and Cultural Studies Program, in coordination with Kritika Kultura and PLUME. The lecture series explores the contexts and prospects of the Filipino novel at home and in the global diaspora. It revisits the foundational works in Philippine literature, hoping to revise and expand the canon, with a special focus on the so-called lost classics.
For this second lecture, we're honored to welcome professor, writer, and critic Dr. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, joined by publisher Mara Coson with questions about the writing process. Dr. Pantoja-Hidalgo traces the evolution of the Philippine historical novel—exploring the vital contributions of Filipina writers to our literary tradition and examining the genre's enduring relevance for the readers of today.
The lecture was held on March 21, 2025 at the Natividad Galang Fajardo Conference Room in Dela Costa Hall, Ateneo de Manila University. The lecture series aims to bring the key texts in Philippine literature to the attention of new readers, creating opportunities for specialists, publishers, sellers, and readers in the country and beyond.
