Dr. Ferdinand P. Jarin, a professor from the Humanities Division of the College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) was recently awarded the Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda 2026 by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino for his DLSU-Manila dissertation titled, “Ang Kalyeng Walang Kamatayan: Ang Paglalandas ni Leoncio P. Deriada sa Panitikan ng Banwa at Bansa.”
As part of the recognition, Dr. Jarin will receive PHP 100,000.
According to the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Dr. Jarin successfully articulated the development of regional literature, specifically the existence of Western Visayas literature in the contemporary period. Through the presentation of selected works by Leoncio P. Deriada, he was able to show the sensibility and concept of nationhood. Furthermore, his work continues to link regional literature and national literature.
The Gawad Julian Cruz Balmaseda recognizes outstanding theses and dissertations written in Filipino across academic disciplines, particularly in the natural sciences, social sciences, and mathematics. It seeks to foster the writing and publication of original scholarly works by providing incentives that support the intellectualization and modernization of the Filipino language.
Written by Gerthrode Charlotte Tan-Mabilog, IPO, with sources from Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino
Photo courtesy of Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino
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