El Premio Zobel and Fr. Jerry’s visit

How mighty proud we Cebuanos are of our very own author, Barili-born

Antonio Abad Y. Mercado (1894-1970) for having earned the prestigious Premio Zobel award twice! The novel, La Oveja de Nathan ( Nathan’s

Sheep), obtained the Premio in 1929. The year before, his first award was given for his first book, El Ultimo Romantico.

He is the only author ever to be a recipient of the Premio twice!

Georgina Padilla y Zobel de Mac-

Crohon presented the book La Oveja de Nathan at the Ayala Museum recently. The republication of this book after 85 years since it was first printed is unique as it is now a bilingual edition—Spanish and English. The latter translation was done by professor Lourdes Brillantes, herself a recipient of the Premio in 1998.

Attended by the metro’s litterati, the launching program had welcome remarks by Maritoni Ortigas, with Brillantes giving the rationale. The author’s son, Gemino

Abad, rendered a poem, and reminisced about his father.

A highlight of the event was a video presented by Gaspar Vibal of the publishing house that printed the book, which related all the facts about the Premio Zobel, and the family that instituted it.

In 1920, the Premio Zobel literary prize was founded by don Enrique Zobel de

Ayala, Georgina’s grandfather. This award recognizes excellent literature written in Spanish by Filipino authors.

Premio Zobel became the concern of Georgina’s mother, doña Gloria Zobel de Padilla and her husband, don Ricardo

Padilla Satrustegui and this commitment was continued by their children, Georgina and Alejandro.

“It was indeed an honor to have published the book,” said Georgina. She announced the next one would be La Carrera de Candida ( Candida’s Career) in 2006. Its author, Guillermo Gomez, won the first Premio Award for this work, in 1922.

*** Celebrating their ruby year, the mem- bers of St. Theresa’s College (STC) high school class 1973, thought of a meaningful addition to the usual song and dance activities, pre-homecoming day. Why not invite an inspirational speaker to energize and enliven our spiritual life. Why not indeed?

On this vein, their choice was much-indemand Fr. Agerico “Jerry” Orbos SVD, who jetted to our Queen City, at the invitation of class member, Marissa Fernan. Venue was of course, St. Pedro Calungsod Chapel at the SM Complex in SRP.

The talk’s topics ranged from the spiritual to the not-so, as the good father traced a ‘70s timetable to the present, with humor in between. Ask any class 1973 member, the difference between a prayer room, chapel or cathedral. You’ll get a good laugh!

FAMILY.Georgina Padilla y Zobel with the family of Gregorio and Lourdes Brillantes (extreme right).

BOOK.Nena Ortoll, Georgina Padilla y Zobel, and Gaspar Vibal whose firm printed La Oveja de Nathan.

GREETINGS. Georgina Padilla y Zobel and Maritoni Ortigas greet Eric Torres (left), art professor of Fernando Zobel at Ateneo.

SISTERS.Theresian sisters Betsy Bowler-Chiongbian and Therese BowlerGonzalez (right).

INSPIRING. Fr. Jerry Orbos inspiring the class members at the homecoming talk at the St. Pedro Calungsod Chapel at SRP Cebu.

JUBILARIAN Marissa Fernan of high school class 1973 (standing, left), with guests Nonie Uy and Teresin Mendezona.

HISTORIANdon Benito Legarda greets Georgina Padilla y Zobel.

COUSIN.Georgina’s cousin Bea Roxas and Butch Zialcita.

AT THE EVENT. Jaime Picornell, former honorary consul of Spain in Cebu.