J. Neil García
Encyclopedia
J. Neil C. Garcia earned his A.B.
Journalism
, magna cum laude
, from the University of Santo Tomas
in 1990; M.A.
in Comparative Literature
in 1995, and Ph.D.
in English Studies: Creative Writing in 2003 from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is currently a Professor of English
, Creative Writing
and Comparative Literature
at the College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines Diliman, where he also serves as an Associate for Poetry at the Likhaan: U.P. Institute of Creative Writing.
Garcia is the author of numerous poetry
collections and works in literary and cultural criticism, including Closet Quivers (1992), Our Lady of the Carnival (1996), The Sorrows of Water (2000), Kaluluwa (2001), Slip/pages: Essays in Philippine Gay Criticism (1998), Performing the Self: Occasional Prose (2003), The Garden of Wordlessness (2005), and Misterios and Other Poems (2005). Garcia's groundbreaking study, Philippine Gay Culture: The Last Thirty Years (1996), was awarded a National Book Award
by the Manila Critics Circle in 1996. An editor of the famous Ladlad series of Filipino gay
writing, Garcia also edited for the Likhaan, the following anthologies: The Likhaan Book of Philippine Criticism (1992-1997) and The Likhaan Book of Poetry and Fiction (1998 and 2000).
Garcia's latest critical work , Postcolonialism and Filipino Poetics: Essays and Critiques, is a revised version of his very provocative Ph. D dissertation
. The book examined Filipino poetics from the perspective of post-colonialism consisting of the author's own critical and personal reflections on poetry-both as he "reads" and "writes" it. Garcia sought to answer a specific and difficult question: just how do the dominant poetic theories in the Philippines
address the problems and debates of postcolonialism? This inquiry led Garcia to confront the issue of Filipino nationalism
. Garcia addressed the assumptions and consequences of Filipino nationalism
then engaged with the poetics of National Artist Virgilio Almario and eminent poet-critic Gemino Abad
, whom Garcia referred to as "the foremost commentators on Filipino poetics."
Garcia is currently working on a full-length book, a post-colonial survey and analysis of Philippine poetry in English. Professor Garcia has won several literary awards including the Palanca
and the National Book Award
from the Manila Critics Circle. He has also received grants and fellowships to deliver lectures in Taipei
, Hawaii
, Berkeley
, Manchester
, Cambridge
, Leiden and Bangkok
.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
Journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
, magna cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
, from the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
in 1990; M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Comparative Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
in 1995, and Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in English Studies: Creative Writing in 2003 from the University of the Philippines Diliman. He is currently a Professor of English
English literature
English literature is the literature written in the English language, including literature composed in English by writers not necessarily from England; for example, Robert Burns was Scottish, James Joyce was Irish, Joseph Conrad was Polish, Dylan Thomas was Welsh, Edgar Allan Poe was American, J....
, Creative Writing
Creative writing
Creative writing is considered to be any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works which fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems...
and Comparative Literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
at the College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines Diliman, where he also serves as an Associate for Poetry at the Likhaan: U.P. Institute of Creative Writing.
Garcia is the author of numerous poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
collections and works in literary and cultural criticism, including Closet Quivers (1992), Our Lady of the Carnival (1996), The Sorrows of Water (2000), Kaluluwa (2001), Slip/pages: Essays in Philippine Gay Criticism (1998), Performing the Self: Occasional Prose (2003), The Garden of Wordlessness (2005), and Misterios and Other Poems (2005). Garcia's groundbreaking study, Philippine Gay Culture: The Last Thirty Years (1996), was awarded a National Book Award
Philippine National Book Awards
The Philippine National Book Awards, or simply the National Book Awards, is a Philippine literary award sponsored by the NBDB and the MCC . It is the national book award of the Philippines...
by the Manila Critics Circle in 1996. An editor of the famous Ladlad series of Filipino gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
writing, Garcia also edited for the Likhaan, the following anthologies: The Likhaan Book of Philippine Criticism (1992-1997) and The Likhaan Book of Poetry and Fiction (1998 and 2000).
Garcia's latest critical work , Postcolonialism and Filipino Poetics: Essays and Critiques, is a revised version of his very provocative Ph. D dissertation
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
. The book examined Filipino poetics from the perspective of post-colonialism consisting of the author's own critical and personal reflections on poetry-both as he "reads" and "writes" it. Garcia sought to answer a specific and difficult question: just how do the dominant poetic theories in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
address the problems and debates of postcolonialism? This inquiry led Garcia to confront the issue of Filipino nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
. Garcia addressed the assumptions and consequences of Filipino nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
then engaged with the poetics of National Artist Virgilio Almario and eminent poet-critic Gemino Abad
Gémino Abad
Gémino Henson Abad is a poet and critic from Cebu, Philippines. His family moved to Manila when his father, Antonio Abad, was offered professorships at Far Eastern University and the University of the Philippines. He earned his B.A. English from the University of the Philippines in 1964 and Ph.D....
, whom Garcia referred to as "the foremost commentators on Filipino poetics."
Garcia is currently working on a full-length book, a post-colonial survey and analysis of Philippine poetry in English. Professor Garcia has won several literary awards including the Palanca
Palanca
Palanca may refer to:*Palanca Awards*Palanca, Angola a comune in Luanda Province, Angola*Palanca, a commune in Bacău County, Romania*Palanca, a village in Floreşti-Stoeneşti Commune, Giurgiu County, Romania...
and the National Book Award
Philippine National Book Awards
The Philippine National Book Awards, or simply the National Book Awards, is a Philippine literary award sponsored by the NBDB and the MCC . It is the national book award of the Philippines...
from the Manila Critics Circle. He has also received grants and fellowships to deliver lectures in Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Cambridge
Cambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, Leiden and Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
.
Poetry
- Closet Quivers, 1992
- Our Lady of the Carnival, 1996
- Sorrows of Water, 2000;
- Kaluluwa: New and Selected Poems, 2001
- The Garden of Wordlessness, 2005
- Misterios and Other Poems, 2005
Cultural Criticism
- Philippine Gay Culture: The Last Thirty Years, 1996
- Slip/pages: Essays in Philippine Gay Criticism, 1998
- Postcolonialism and Filipino Poetics: Essays and Critiques, 2004
Creative Non-Fiction
- Closet Queeries, 1997
- Myths and Metaphors, 2002
- Performing the Self: Occasional Prose, 2003
Anthologies (as editor)
- Ladlad, 1994;
- Ladlad 2, 1996;
- The Likhaan Book of Philippine Criticism, 1992-1997
- The Likhaan Book of Poetry and Fiction, 1998 & 2000
- Bongga Ka 'Day: Gay Quotes to Live by, 2002
- Ladlad 3, 2007
Honors and Awards
- British CouncilBritish CouncilThe British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
Fellowship Grant to CambridgeCambridgeThe city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the... - British AcademyBritish AcademyThe British Academy is the United Kingdom's national body for the humanities and the social sciences. Its purpose is to inspire, recognise and support excellence in the humanities and social sciences, throughout the UK and internationally, and to champion their role and value.It receives an annual...
Fellowship - TaipeiTaipeiTaipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
International Artist-in-Residence - Visiting ICOPHIL Fellow at the International Institute of Asian Studies, Leiden, the NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
- Procyon Poetry Prize
- National Book AwardsPhilippine National Book AwardsThe Philippine National Book Awards, or simply the National Book Awards, is a Philippine literary award sponsored by the NBDB and the MCC . It is the national book award of the Philippines...
from the Manila Critics Circle - PalancaPalancaPalanca may refer to:*Palanca Awards*Palanca, Angola a comune in Luanda Province, Angola*Palanca, a commune in Bacău County, Romania*Palanca, a village in Floreşti-Stoeneşti Commune, Giurgiu County, Romania...
Awards for Literature - Philippines Free Press Literary Awards for Poetry
- U.P. Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Literary Artist,
- U.P. Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Literary Work,
- U.P. Gawad Chancellor for Outstanding Research
- U.P. Gawad Chancellor as Artist of the Year
- Outstanding Thomasian Writers Award
- 29th National Writers' Workshop, Dumaguete
- 20th U.P. National Writers' Workshop
External links
- Online Resource Center for Filipino Writers and Readers: About J. Neil C. Garcia
- Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, transgender and Queer Culture
- Fiction for Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian and Transgendered People
- The Filipino Book Barn Gay and Lesbian Books
- Online Resource Center for Filipino Writers and Readers: About J. Neil C. Garcia
- Filipino Writings at the University of Cambridge: The Garden of Wordlessness, 4 and A Cambridge Journal
- Archipelago
- A Critical Survey of Philippine Literature
- University of the Philippines Press
- 1st International Conference of Queer Studies
- Caroline Brewer, Baylan, Asog, Transvestism, and Sodomy: Gender, Sexuality and the Sacred in Early Colonial Philippines
- De la Salle University Press
- University of California, Berkeley Library
- Investigating the Philippines: New Approaches and Ethnographic Contexts, London School of Economics
- Filipino-American Literature
- Panitikan.Com
- Intersections: Gender, Culture, History in the Asian Context: Postcolonial Perverse
- AsiaPacifiQueer International Conference of Asian Queer Studies
- International Institute of Asian Studies Newsletter
- Contemporary Literary Criticism in the Philippines: Preliminary Notes
- Philippine Gay Culture: Binabae to Bakla, Silahis to MSM