Ateneo publishes three books by Macario Pineda

Ateneo de Manila University closed the birth centenary of Filipino writer Macario Pineda with a launching of Pineda’s three books.

 

The books “Halina sa Ating Bukas,” Pineda’s first novel, “Sa Himaymay ng Puso at iba pang kuwento,” a collection of his short stories, and “Isang Milyong Piso,”his last novel, are now available at the Ateneo University press with an introduction by Dr. Soledad S. Reyes.

 

Reyes said that the two novels Halina sa Ating Bukas and Isang Milyong Piso mark both the first as well as the last of Pineda’s novels.  “Ang dalawang nobelang ilulunsad natin ngayon ang hudyat ng pagsisimula ni Pineda sa isang dako bilang nobelista at ang kaniyang madamdaming pamamaalam bago siya tuluyang yumao sa gulang na 38 sa kabilang dako,” Reyes said.

 

Reyes has long been researching and studying about Pineda since her undergraduate thesis 40 years ago. “Isa siyang manunulat na nagsulat ng mga akdang nagpapasubali sa karamihang pagtingin sa artipisyal na oposisyon ng anyo at laman. Para kay Pineda, ang bawat pagsulat ay pagtuklas sa hiwaga ng sarili,” she said.

 

Director of the Ateneo University Press Rica Bolipata-Santos said that through Reyes, literature gems such as Pineda’s, are now in the midst of Filipinos. “It is through Ma’am Sol’s depth, abled and generous hands that these works are now available for study and for pleasure,” Santos said.

 

She added that Pineda provides the space for us to think about not only ourselves as individuals but also as Filipinos. “Pineda through his works invites us to reflect on the ideas of inheritance, history, time, and heart.”

 

The book launch was also attended by the family of Pineda. Nikki Mendoza, daughter of Nicanor Pineda, the youngest son of Macario Pineda, gave a few words in behalf of the family. She said that prior the researches of Reyes, they were not aware of the legacy and achievements of their grandfather, who they fondly call as “Cayong.”

 

“Sa totoo lang po, hindi namin siya kilala dahil ang tatay ko po ay hindi na rin nasaksihan ang aming lolo. Wala kaming alam na kuwento na magaling pala siya sumulat,” Mendoza said.

 

Mendoza thanked Reyes for introducing them to the works of their grandfather. “Dahil po kay Dr Soledad Reyes, maraming salamat po dahil ang buong pamilya naming ay na-aamaze na magaling pala talaga siya magkuwento.”

 

The recent launching ended the year-long celebration of the Ateneo, through the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, of the centenary of Pineda’s birth (1912- 1950).

Press release and photos from Ateneo de Manila University