Antonio Reyes Enriquez was born in Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga City (Mindanao Region) in 1936. Enriquez’s parents sent him to a university in Manila so that he could pursue his dream of studying medicine, but he also left after a few years and didn’t graduate. Later, he worked at a variety of occupations, including writing news articles and other features for different newspapers and magazines. In Cotabato, he also started working for a surveying company, where he gained expertise that helped him create the settings and characters for his book “Surveyors of the Liguasan Marsh”. After receiving an award of a writing fellowship, it brought him to Siliman University and earned a liberal degree in creative writing. The Palanca award is considered as the most prestigious award for literature in the Philippines and in 1982 and 1993, Enriquez won the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial grand prize for Literature. Same as in 1996, he was known with the Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas Award for Fiction in English by the Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas (UMPIL) or Writer’s Union of the Philippines. In 2000, he was presented by the Thai royal family with the S.E.A Write Award in Bangkok, Thailand. Enriquez’s novels and short stories have been published both in the Philippines and abroad. The majority of his works were widely acclaimed worldwide, and some of his written short stories were translated into Korean and German languages.
The dedication of this man made his name be remembered through his works. Here are mostly works of Enriquez: “Dance a white horse to sleep” in 1977 a short story, “ Surveyors of the Liguasan Marsh” in 1981 a novel which somewhat reflects the culture of Zamboanga into his work, “The Night I cry” in 1989, “The Living and the Dead: A Novel” in 1994, “The Unseen War and Other tales from Mindanao” in 1996, “Subuanons” in 1999, “The Voice from Sumisip & Four Short Stories” in 2003, “Samboangan: The Cult of War” in 2006, “The Activist” and “The Survivor” in 2011, and lastly “Twice-told Subanon Tales” in 2013. With all of his writing I noticed that it is much focused on the culture and events that happened inside the community of Enriquez’s. And how it is said or written like a witness.
“Green Sanctuary” is one of Enriquez’s novel that pertains and explores the complex of relationships and conflicts that exist in the Philippines between the environment and the people. Mindanao is known for its rich biodiversity and cultural diversity. The story focuses on people’s lives who inhabit the region, especially the relationship between indigenous groups and the natural environment. He examines topics like ecological preservation, cultural legacy, and the effects of modernization and deforestation, using vivid descriptions.” Struggles” belongs to the central theme of this novel to maintain the balance of development and environmental conversation. Characters face various challenges like making a choice that navigates the pressure of economic necessities and protesting or protecting their traditional way of living and the environment. The resilience and adaptability of the human spirit are emphasized in his literature, along with the beauty and fragility of the natural environment. The novel celebrates the distinctive cultural landscape of Mindanao while also giving a moving commentary on the environmental problems confronting the Philippines.
From that summarization of his novel “Green Sanctuary” it clarifies the cultural and social literary work which approaches with the stories of criticism for us to understand the effect of a literary work upon its original readers. Socialization is also involved that is explored with the relationship between the author and his society. Sanctuary means peace,protection and safety and I think this novel seeks for the positive areas that are weighted by the problems of their society that even though they have wealthy biodiversity and natural resources, the dark moments of truth don't fade in them.
Many of Antonio Enriquez’s works are heartfelt for the community you are into for it mirrors the behaviors of the people who care about their lives. It is a privilege for me to talk about the life of Enriquez and his amazing literature. His novels and short stories should stretch out more for the society that cries burdens and hardships. Antonio Reyes Enriquez is remembered.
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