Dr. Guazon-Uy’s novella launched

In celebration of the National Arts Month, the Ateneo de Naga University Press will launch Dr. Maryjane Guazon Uy’s first novella entitled The Book Pedro Bautista on February 24, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. at the Soledad Restaurant, Magsasay Avenue, Naga City.

Dr. Uy is a dermatologist and is the Chief of Clinics of the Bicol Medical Center. Her first book is one of her attempts to write fiction on Bikol. Her previous works have appeared in anthologies like Girok: An Erotic Anthology of Bikol Writings published by the Kabulig Writers’ Group and the V.C, Igarta Foundation and in The Naga We Know, edited by Paz Verdades Santos and Kristian Sendon Cordero. Dr. Guazon-Uy’s first book is an attempt to fictionalize particular events and characters relevant to the history of Nueva Caceres. According to Dr. Guazon-Uy, her writing on the alleged mysterious book said to be previously owned by the martyred Pedro Bautista is a work of fiction, a work of imagining certain possible things that could have happened. Her reconstruction is in no way does not go against history, which for Dr. Guazon-Uy is always an open field making it a rich and open material for novelists and artists. Historical novels have always fascinated the doctor-writer who despite her busy schedules as a government doctor has managed to weave a narrative that will surely entice young and adult readers. San Pedro Bautista founded several parishes in Bikol region and is declared as the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Caceres. He was martyred in Japan alongside with all other European Franciscans and Japanese Jesuits. During the launch, historian Danny Gerona and Kristian Sendon Cordero, deputy director of the Ateneo de Naga University Press will have a back-to-back presentation on History as Fiction and Fiction as History. To read excerpts from the book are Dr. Guazon-Uy’s son, Dr. Leonard Uy and award-winning fictionist from Iriga City, Mia Tijam who also served as one of the reviewers of the book.