Sample Term Paper

EROS S. ATALIA : A FILIPINO AUTHOR

A Term Paper presented to
Dr. Reynaldo Padilla
Mapua Institute of Technology

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for
Rizal’s Works & Writings of Other Filipino Heroes
(RZL10)

Submitted by:
Mendoza, Gaven Earl C.
December 2012

I. Bibliography

Eros S. Atalia (born on July 7 1975), is a Filipino Writer known for his works such as "Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me" and "Peksman (Mamatay Ka Man) Nagsisinungaling Ako". Formerly a contributor and columnist in "Remate" as well as "Diyaryo Pinoy" and the former editor-in-chief of Responde Cavite. Also, he was a junior researcher at the Social Research Center and a junior associate at the Center for Creative Writing and Studies. Currently he is a professor at the University of Santo Tomas teaching Filipino, Filipino Journalism and Creative Writing.

II. Personal Background

Eros S. Atalia finished his studies at the Philippine Normal University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Filipino and received the "Balagtas Award". Was given the honor as one the best in his majors during 1994 upto 1996. His poem "Maririing Tusok ng Kalawanging Karayom sa Nagngangalit na Ugat" won first prize in a National Poetry Writing contest in Pandaylipi Inc. in 1995. He became a writer at "The Torch" (The Official Board in Campus of PNU) from 1993 to 1995. He became a contributor as well in national tabloids. The Commision on the Filipino Language praised his poem "Maglaba ay Di Biro" as second prize citation in 2004 and in the same year he won third place at the Gawad Collantes for his essay titled "Ang Politika ng Wikang Pambansa: Mula sa Iba't ibang Pagsipat ng Paglapat (Paghimay, Pagbistay at Pagtugaygay sa Suliranin ng Pilipinas sa Wika)". One of the editors of the Filipino edition of "Kamasutra" and was a creative consultant of the Asian Social Institute with a printed monograph. Currently he is finishing his Master of Arts in Language and Literature Major in Filipino at the De La Salle University under the Society of Filipino Archivist.

III. His Philosophy of Life

Tagalog : "Trabaho ng writer na makahanap ng ibang pagtingin sa karaniwang mga bagay. Kung tataasan niya lang ang sensibilities niya at lumabas sa comfort zone, makakasulat siya ng labas sa kanyang pang-araw-araw na karanasan. Pero syempre, iba pa rin kapag nararanasan”

English : "It is the writer's job to look out for simple things in life. If he/she would only heighten his/her insight and move out from his/her comfort zone, he/she can think outside the box with his/her everyday experience. But still, it is still different when experienced."

The books written by Eros Atalia were basically the everyday experiences of a normal person. From his first book “Ligo na U, Lapit na Me”, it is the story of Karl Vladimir Lennon J. Villalobos, aka Intoy, who is secretly in love with his friend Jenny, the most beautiful girl in the campus. Jenny is rich and quirky; Intoy is street-smart and ordinary. But this friendship is not simple, since Jenny has bestowed on Intoy some perks and privileges, including going to bed with her on the condition that they will not fall in love with each other. Before graduation, Intoy feels that he has to shed his pretensions of being “astig” and finally profess his love for Jenny. But he is devastated to learn that Jenny is pregnant. Worse, Jenny tells him: “Don’t worry, this is not yours”. This book is an example of postmodern love and relationship and the way the generation deals with love and fear. The prequel of this is “Peksman (Mamatay Ka Man) Nagsisinungaling Ako" wherein our main protagonist “Intoy” is already finished in his studies and now looking for a job in the city. Alongside with this is the philosophical effect of our main character who questions and gives of opinions of everything he experiences. Sometimes he provides a solution to a problem but sad to say it is out of the question. But in the end like what he (Atalia) has said, the life of Intoy goes on despite the downs his family is coping up with.

IV. How It Influenced My Philosophy of Life

Eros Atalia have the same or almost the same mind like his fellow Filipino writer, Bob Ong. Their main goal was to give humor but at the same time an insight of ordinary lives of ordinary people. I have been a fan of both their works and especially from their books ”Ligo na U, Lapit na Me” and “Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ang mga Pilipino?” For some time now they both influenced my realizations to reality, I mean how they affect my point of view on our society.

Sometimes whenever I go out and do my usual stuff, I stop and think and be suddenly critically analyze everything. But it usually happens when I’m bored or rather not doing anything, it sometimes help to give out analysis and insight on our daily lives. Sometimes I wish that Morgan Freeman could narrate my life and give life-giving lessons along the way.