FOR his full-length play in English, former Panay News columnist Peter Solis Nery received his third Palanca gold medal at the awards night of the 58th Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature held at the Peninsula Manila on September 1, 2008.
Nery’s play “The Passion of Jovita Fuentes,” is the story of the first Filipina international diva and National Artist for Music, Maestra Jovita Fuentes who hailed from Roxas City, Capiz.
Nery’s play so eclipsed all other entries in the category that it was made the sole winner with no second and third placers.
Nery’s previous Palanca wins include two gold medals in 2007 and 1998, a second place in 2006, and a third place in 2000, all for his short stories in Hiligaynon.
“The Passion of Jovita Fuentes” has been accepted for publication by a Manila-based publishing house, and is being considered for production to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Cultural Center of the Philippines next year.
Nery is currently based in Los Angeles, California where he continues to write, and works as an orthopedic nurse.
© Panay News: September 10, 2008