Letter of support from Prof. Jose Wendell Capili, Ph.D., from the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman

Letter of support from Prof. Jose Wendell Capili, Ph.D., from the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman

The Board of Regents

The University of the Philippines System

Quezon Hall

Diliman, Quezon City 1101

1 February 2011

To the Board of Regents, The University of the Philippines System:

I am very privileged to endorse the nomination of Professor Roland Tolentino as Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.

As writers, Professor Tolentino and I are contemporaries. Professor Tolentino's creative and critical productions [e.g., Sakit ng Kalingkingan: 100 Dagli sa Edad ng Krisis (2005), Kuwentong Syudad (co-editor, 2002), Sapinsaping Pag-ibig at Pagtangis: Tatlong Novella ng Pagsinta’t Paghinagpis(1999); Fastfood, Megamall at iba pang kwento sa pagsasara ng ikalawang milenyum (1999); Relasyon: Mga Kwuwento ng Paglusong at Pag-ahon (co-editor, 1999); Ali*bang+Bang atpb. Kwento (1994); Habilin: Antolohiya ng Katha Para sa Pambansang Kasarinlan (co-editor, 1991); Engkwentro: Kalipunan ng mga Akda ng Kabataang Manunulat (co-editor, 1990)] challenged the boundaries the separated "high" art from "low" art in the Philippines. For Professor Tolentino, creative and critical productions should not cater to a privileged few. Art should be accessible to a larger demographic. 

As a panel member in many conferences, creative writing workshops, thesis and dissertation defense panels and literary/cultural projects, Professor Tolentino empowers his audience to develop a strong Philippine subject-position in their personal and professional lives. But in doing so, Professor Tolentino also encourages diversity of opinion, freedom of speech and critical judgment.

By sheer coincidence, Professor Tolentino and I became Visiting Professors at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2005. He was detailed at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and I was working at the Asia Research Institute (ARI). Personally, I have witnessed Professor Tolentino's articulate renditions on Philippine art, culture and society before local and foreign audiences. 

Clearly, there will be very few individuals who can approximate Professor Tolentino's capabilities and accomplishments as a writer, scholar, administrator and teacher. We need his guidance, vision and strength to enable UP Diliman's various sectors to achieve their respective goals and aspirations towards a cohesive, unified academic community.

I am truly happy to endorse the nomination of Professor Roland Tolentino as Chancellor, University of the Philippines Diliman.

Respectfully,

カピリ ホセ
Prof. Jose Wendell P. Capili, MA (UP), Monbusho Research Scholar (Tokyo), MPhil (Cambridge), PhD (ANU)

Professor (Creative Writing and Comparative Literature)
Department of English and Comparative Literature
College of Arts and Letters
Bulwagang Rizal (Faculty Center)
Roxas corner Roces Streets
University of the Philippines-Diliman
Diliman, Quezon City 1101