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December 13, 2020
Game Changer: Miguel Syjuco
Author & Democracy Advocate
With a slew of prominent enemies, haters and bashers on social media, Miguel Syjuco is without a doubt a notorious thought leader among Filipinos. Despite the numerous public opinions and rumors about him in the end, he is an activist with a unique story that has challenged the Filipino state of mind in a daring effort to come out more progressive and globally minded.
Known for his strong criticism of the current state of government in the Philippines, his story has manifested into several award-winning titles. His novel ‘Ilustrado’ won the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize, Palanca Awards grand prize and was hailed as the NY Times Notable Book of 2010 among other accolades for instance. Ilustrado has since reached to a wider global audience, translated into over 16 languages. He has published for international print platforms like The Guardian, The New York Times, The Globe and Mail, Open Democracy and many others.
While remaining a world-class writer and journalist, Miguel serves as an educator, advocating public discourse on political issues and working as a visiting Assistant Professor of Practice, Literature, and Creative Writing at New York University Abu Dhabi – making use of his educational background to empower the young minds that will lead the future.
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Novelist, Journalist, and Educator
He’s got memes created in his ‘honor’ and a slew of haters on social media. He has been bashed and harassed and has made a number of prominent ‘enemies’ – something which appears to be typical, nowadays, for anybody who is publicly known and takes a strong stance whether pro-or against the current government within the rambunctious Philippine political landscape. But for activist Miguel Syjuco, these are all just part and parcel of the duty that he has voluntarily signed up for – something that he has to live with to continue his advocacy.
Photo by Alwee Villarosa – Shot at Rove Trade Centre Dubai
Known for his critical pieces against the Duterte administration, published in the New York Times, The Guardian, Time, The Globe and Mail, Open Democracy and other publications, Miguel Syjuco is a world-renowned novelist, journalist, and professor of Literature and Creative Writing at the New York University (NYU) Abu Dhabi.
His novel Ilustrado won the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize, the grand prize at the Palanca Awards in the same year, and was also hailed as NY Times Notable Book of 2010, among its many accolades. Ilustrado, which has become an important part of Filipino literature, has been published in over 20 countries, translated into 15 languages; and is now being taught in high schools and universities in the Philippines and abroad. Miguel’s new novel, ‘I Was the President’s Mistress!!’, is currently in the editing phase and is set to be released in Canada and the USA.
An internationally acknowledged campaigner for democracy, Miguel has spoken at the World Forum for Democrary (2017) as well as the World Economic Forum in 2017 and 2018.
This year, to further his advocacy to encourage productive discourse in the Philippines he is working on a project with Rev. Tet Gallardo, Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines who is a Duterte supporter. Usapang A.T.I.N. (Ako, Tayo, Ikaw, Ngayon) is an independent framework for community-based discussions that focus on civics and citizen participation. Apart from providing a model to help people discuss productively, learning materials will also be offered. All resources will be made available online and can be downloaded as a booklet. Miguel enthuses, “Hopefully, we can get people talking about political ideas rather than politics, fundamental civics rather than personalities. This will give people an alternative to just complaining about grievances or mere chismis.”
Believing that discourse will empower people to make better-informed decisions, Miguel continues, “I want the youth to believe in themselves rather than just believing the promises of politicians. We do not see our opportunity as citizens to do more than just protest on Facebook, in turn giving our power to politicians. If we can organize properly, we can take our power back.”
Often dismissed by detractors as a coňo who has no right to speak for the masses, Miguel acknowledges of his privileged life, “I’ve been blessed just through the chance of my birth – which is completely unfair. Because of that, I feel I’m obliged. I’m trying to do good. It’s my duty to contribute. This is why I tell stories. This is why I teach people to tell stories. I don’t have the answers. But I know how to ask the tough questions. And I’m hoping that with discourse and connecting with other Filipinos that we, together, can find better answers.”
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