Alumni Updates (August 3-9)
Sillimanian poet Myrna Pena-Reyes recently launched her third poetry collection, “Memory’s Mercy: New and Selected Poesm”. This new collection contains new poems written after she retired with her husband, William T. Sweet, and moved to Dumaguete City in 2015 after living abroad for 34 years. The book includes 13 selections from the out-of-print The River Singing Stone, which earned a nomination for the National Book Award.
Myrna was born and raised in the Philippines of Ilocano stock but Visayan upbringing, together with her twin sister Lorna Pena-Reyes Makil and late brother Dion. Her elementary through college (AB English) years were all spent at Silliman. She obtained her master’s (MFA in creative writing) from the University of Oregon. Together with her twin sister, Lorna (a retired professor at Silliman), Myrna continues to be tapped as expert by the Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creating Writing Center in Silliman. Both are active members of the Silliman alumni chapter of Dumaguete. For copies of her books, e-mail: [email protected].
The Sillimanians In Metro Manila (SIMM) alumni chapter will honor all recipients of the prestigious Outstanding Sillimanian Award coming from their chapter, in a grand celebration dubbed the Galing Awards at the New World Hotel on August 30. The nominees are: Dr. Alfred L. Tan (Medicine), Dr. Marl V. Tan (Education), Geuel F. Auste (HR Management), Deputy Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro (Public Service), Ann Tiukinhoy-Pamintuan (Arts) and Col. Jocelyn Turla (Public Service). The awarding also doubles as a celebration of SIMM of the University’s 114th Founders Day, and will have as performers Katria Marie Saga, an alumni and a soloist with the Madrigal Singers, and Dondi Ong, a three-time Aliw awardee. For ticket reservations, contact 0920-9543599.
SIMM has also lined up other activities during the Founders Month of August: Sing-Along Night with Andy Bais on the 14th at the San Lorenzo Village Multi-Purpose Hall C in Makati, and Silliman Sunday on the 9th at the Cosmopolitan Church in Manila.
