SENATOR FRANCIS Pangilinan, Richard Gomez, Armida Siguion Reyna, Carlitos Siguion Reyna, Bibeth Orteza, Robert Arevalo, Barbara Perez, Tony Mabesa, Princess Punzalan, Angel Aquino, Joey Ayala, Jon Santos, and other celebrities will read from the latest literary titles of the University of the Philippines Press during “Got to Believe… in the Pinoy Writer!” at 4 p.m. on September 8, Sunday, Megatrade Hall B, SM Megamall.

The literary reading marks the launching of the UP Press’ campaign to read more and to read Philippine books–READ UP. The campaign addresses the concern about the waning interest in books and the deterioration of reading skills among young Filipinos.

The celebrities hope that, by joining the campaign, they will convince wider audiences about the pleasures of reading. As part of the campaign, the UP Press is offering its first set of the UP Jubilee Student Edition at the ongoing Philippine Bookfair.

This new line of inexpensive books is aimed at making the finest of contemporary Philippine literature in English and Filipino more accessible to students and to the general public.

The first package consists of three first books, two new editions, and two reprints of books by some of the most distinguished writers in the country. The new books are: “Smaller and Smaller Circles,” a novel by F.H. Batacan; “Barriotic Punk,” stories by Mes De Guzman; and “Marginal Bliss,” a collection of poems by Carlomar Daoana.

The other four books are new editions of Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.’s “Old Timer and Other Stories” and Jun Cruz Reyes’ “Utos ng Hari,” and reprints of Rio Alma’s “(A)lamat at (H)istorya” and Gemino H. Abad’s “Poems and Parables”.

The UP Press will publish more student-edition titles at very affordable prices, and will organize a caravan to different schools to sell them directly to students.

Other new literary titles available at the bookfair are: “The Likhaan Book of Poetry and Fiction 2000” edited by J. Neil Garcia and Charlson Ong, “Ang Aklat Likhaan ng Tula at Maikling Kuwento 2000” edited by Joi Barrios and Roland Tolentino, “Enuegs: Extracts of Tributes to My Civilization” by Alex Hufana, “Kaulayaw ng Agila” by Lilia Quindoza Santiago, “The Way Things Work” by Scott Garceau, “Remembered Songs and Other Stories” by Norma Miraflor, “Makinilyang Altar” by Luna Sicat-Cleto, “Virgintarian at Iba Pang Kuwento” by Mayette Bayuga, and “Kundiman ng Katipunan: Awit nina Andres at Oryang” by Elynia S. Mabanglo.

Among other UP Press 2002 releases are: “Metro Manila: In Search of a Sustainable Future” edited by Emerlinda R. Roman and Tatsuo Ohmachi, “National and Local Government Roles in Public Health Under Devolution” by Victoria Bautista et al., “Home Body Memory” by Flaudette May Datuin, Rape, Love and Sexuality: The Construction of Women in Discourse” by Sylvia E. Claudio, “The Filipino-American War, 1899-1913” by Samuel K. Tan, “In the Name of the Mother: 100 Years of Philippine Feminist Poetry” by Lilia Quindoza-Santiago, “Saga and Triumph: The Filipino Revolution Against Spain” by Onofre D. Corpuz, “Philippine Folk Literature: The Legends” by Damiana L. Eugenio, “Gender-Sensitive and Feminist Methodologies” by Sylvia Guerrero, and “Cavite Before the Revolution” by Isagani Medina.

For more details, contact Person: Ruth Pison at 925-2930.

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