Hidalgo receives Gawad Balagtas

MANILA - Fictionist Dr. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo was conferred the Gawad Balagtas last August 25, 2001 by the Unyon ng Mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL). Dr. Hidalgo was among six awardees recognized by their peers for their outstanding literary works and for their dedication to the development and promotion of Philippine literature.
   Dr. Hidalgo was cited by UMPIL for "her short stories and novels in English, which are meticulously attended by a fine sense of craft that uplifts the major thematic concerns and universal understanding inherent in her work."
   Dr. Hidlago obtained her PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of the Philippines and her MA in English from the University of Santo Tomas. Several of her books have won national awards, including the Palanca Grand Prize for the novel Recuerdo, and three National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle for Tales for a Rainy Night, Catch A Falling Star and Coming Home. She is currently the Director of the Likhaan: UP Creative Writing Center. She is also a Professor at the UP and Coordinator of the UP Creative Writing Program.