THE 3RD DR. ARTURO B. ROTOR MEMORIAL AWARDS FOR LITERATURE: HONORING THE INTERSECTION OF MEDICINE AND LITERATURE

 

Pasig City, Philippines – 17 October 2024

Three years ago, the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) inaugurated the Dr. Arturo B. Rotor Memorial Awards for Literature in honor of one of its most prominent members. This prestigious literary competition was created to reclaim the heart and soul of Internal Medicine through the lens of literature, providing internists across the country with an opportunity to showcase their literary talent. It stands as the first national literary contest for physicians in the Philippines and Asia.

For this year, the competition featured two genres—Creative Nonfiction (CNF) and Short Story—with physician-writers delivering exceptional work reflecting their unique perspectives on life, medicine, and humanity.

This year’s panel of judges for CNF and Short Story is chaired by the much-respected poet and essayist, Dr. Marjorie Evasco. She is joined by distinguished personalities in the literary world: Ms. Susan Lara (for Short Story), Dr. Alice Sun-Cua (for CNF), and Dr. Abercio V. Rotor (for both categories), the cousin of the award's namesake, Dr. Arturo B. Rotor. Screening judges are Dr. Noel Pingoy and Dr. Sandra Tankeh-Torres (for CNF) and Dr. Joey Tabula and Dr. Wilfredo Liangco (for Short Story).

Dr. Arturo B. Rotor is celebrated as one of the finest Filipino short story writers of the 20th century. His literary contributions, such as "Confidentially, Doctor" (1965), "Selected Stories from the Wound and The Scar" (1973), and "The Men Who Play God" (1983), have earned him the Republic Cultural Heritage Award in 1966. In the medical world, he is known for discovering Rotor Syndrome, a rare form of jaundice, and his contributions to healthcare and government service, particularly during his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Health and Welfare after World War II.

The event features Dr. Imelda Mateo, President of the PCP, as the guest of honor. Also gracing the occasion are members of the PCP Board of Regents, Past Presidents, and other dignitaries.

Below are the winners this year and the past two years:

2024 Winners
•   Creative Nonfiction
        o   First Prize: Dr. Rey Isidto – “To Remember”
        o   Second Prize: Dr. Boby Jay Cueva – “To Tita, My Patient”
        o   Third Prize: Dr. Maria Angeli Pamintuan – “I am a 58-Year- Old Ballerina Doctor”
•   Short Story
        o   First Prize: Dr. Elvie Victonette Razon-Gonzalez – “Munificence”
        o   Second Prize: Dr. Lance Isidore Catedral – “Nap9”
        o   Third Prize: Dr. Marie Louise Emille Largoza – “The Road Not Taken”

2023 Winners
•   Creative Nonfiction
        o   First Prize: Dr. Lance Isidore Catedral – “Passing It On: The Doctor as Teacher”
        o   Second Prize: Dr. Mark Siñagan – “Memory from Onions:
        o   Third Prize: Dr. Lea Dianne Ayuyao – “Voiceless as a Third Language”
•   Poetry
        o   First Prize: Dr. Patrick Antonne Gonzalez – “Patients, Pain, and Perfection”
        o   Second Prize: Dr. Elvie Victonette Razon-Gonzalez – “On Healing and Dying”
        o   Third Prize: Dr. Kenneth Samala – “Homesickness”

2022 Winners
•   CNF – Trainees Category
        o   First Prize: Dr. Florge Francis Sy – “A Spark of Hope”
•   CNF – Consultant Category
        o   First Prize: Dr. Paula Theresa Sta. Maria – “Notes from Piano”
        o   Second Prize: Dr. Elvie Victonette Razon-Gonzalez – “The Courage to Heal”
        o   Third Prize: Dr. Rogelio Tangco – “When the Heart Beats in Pace with the Universe”

The inaugural Rotor Literary Awards saw an impressive array of entries, and an anthology, titled "Rx Narratives: Anthology of Creative Nonfiction of Filipino Internists," edited by Dr. Joey Tabula, Dr. Noel Pingoy, and Dr. Sandra Tankeh-Torres was published last year to showcase the best entries. This anthology has been recognized as one of the finalists for the 42nd National Book Awards in the Best Anthology in English Category. The prestigious National Book Awards, an annual prize that acknowledges outstanding book titles, written, designed, and published in the Philippines, is set to take place in November 2024.

This unique competition continues to strengthen the bond between the medical and literary communities, paying homage to the multifaceted legacy of Dr. Arturo B. Rotor, whose contributions extend far beyond the medical field into the realm of arts and culture.

EVENT PRESS RELEASE
Release Date: 17 October 2024