Jose Wendell P. Capili

PhD Literature, Screen and Theatre Studies (Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, 2009)
MPhil Social Anthropology (Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, 1996)
Diploma, Japanese Language, Culture and Affairs (International Center, University of Tokyo, 1994)
Monbusho Research Scholar (Department of Comparative Literature and Culture, University of Tokyo, 1993-1995)
MA Comparative Literature (Department of English and Comparative Literature, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1993)
BA Journalism (Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas, 1988)

Jose Wendell Capili

Biography

Jose Wendell P. Capili (カピリ・ ホセ) obtained degrees from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), University of the Philippines (UP), The University of Tokyo, The University of Cambridge and The Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies (renamed School of Culture, History & Language, College of Asia and the Pacific) of The Australian National University (ANU), where he earned his Ph.D.

He is Professor 12 at the Department of English and Comparative Literature, College of Arts and Letters (CAL), UP Diliman (UPD).He is also Vice President for Public Affairs, University of the Philippines System.

Previously, he was Program Development Associate to the UP Diliman Chancellor (1997-1999, 1999-2001); UP CAL Associate Dean for Administration and Development (2000-2003, 2003-2004), Associate Dean for Research, Creative Works and Publications (April-May 2007), Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (June 2007-July 2009), Coordinator, UP CAL Graduate Studies Office (June 2007-July 2009); Director, UP System Information Office (May 2009-February 2011), Director, UP System Office of Alumni Relations (February 2011-February 2017; January 2018-March 2019) and Officer in Charge, UP System Information Office (renamed UP Media and Public Relations Office [MPRO], February-June 2017; 18 January 2021-9 February 2023).

He is one of the 7 Achievement Awardees for 2020 of the Department of Science and Technology-National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP). He was a recipient of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for Literature (Essay, 1996), the Cultural Center of the Philippines Award for Literature (Poetry, 1993), the UP International Publication Award (2001), the UP Diliman Gawad Chancellor (1998), the UP System Outstanding Student Artist Award (1989), the UP System Creative Writing Grant (2003-2004), the UP Carlos P. Romulo Professorial Chair (1998-1999, 2000-2001), the UP Centennial Professorial Chair (2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2016-2017), the UP Centennial Faculty Grant (2021-2022) and the One UP Professorial Chair for Teaching and Research (2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022) as well as scholarships, grants and fellowships from Arts NSW (renamed Create NSW)/Sydney Writers Festival (2007, 2008), the city councils of Blacktown, Casula, and Fairfax, NSW (2007, 2008), The Cambridge Trust (1995-1996), British Council (2000, 2001), The Japanese Ministry of Education (Monbusho)/University of Tokyo (1993-1995), The University of Hawai'i at Hilo (2017, 2019), The University of Hong Kong/Standard Chartered Bank (2000), Korea Foundation/Seoul National University/Yonsei University (1995), Asia-Europe Institute (2003) and Cultural Centre (2003) of The University of Malaya (UM), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM, 2012), Silliman University (1989, 2017), University of St. La Salle-Bacolod (2001), University of Kyoto (2012), Waseda University (1997), UP (1990, 2004-2007) and ANU (2004-2007) in the fields of creative writing, literature, social anthropology and (Pacific and Asian) history.

His books are A Madness of Birds (poetry, University of the Philippines Press, 1998); Bloom and Memory (essays, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2002), Mabuhay to Beauty! (pop culture, Milflores Publishing, 2003), From the Editors: Migrant Communities and Emerging Australian Community (Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, 2007) and Salu-Salo: In Conversation with Filipinos (with John Cheeseman, Blacktown, and Liverpool, NSW: Blacktown Arts Centre and Casula Powerhouse, 2008). With John Jack Wigley, he translated and edited Lupito and the Circus Village (written by Rowald Almazar, artworks by Jose Santos III, Manila: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2008).

Migrations and Mediations: The Emergence of Southeast Asian Diaspora Writers in Australia (1972-2007), his seventh book, was launched by the University of the Philippines Press on 27 May 2016. On 2 December 2017, the book garnered the 36th Philippine National Book Award for Literary History/Literary Criticism from the Manila Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

His poems, reviews, creative/critical essays, newspaper articles, translations and academic papers were published in Australia, Austria, China, England, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the United States, including Banwa at Layag: Antolohiya ng mga Kuwentong Paglalakbay ng mga Pilipino sa Ibayong Dagat (Manila: Limbagang Pangkasaysayan, 2023), The Achieve Of, The Mastery: Filipino Poetry and Verse from English, mid-'90s to 2016 (UP Press, 2018), Amihan, Ang Aklat Likhaan ng Tula at Maikling Kuwento, Anagram (Johns Hopkins University), Ang Pagiging Babae Ay Pamumuhay Sa Panahon ng Digma (translation of poems by Joi Barrios, Babaylan Women's Publishing Collective, 1990), Ani (Cultural Center of the Philippines), Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, At Home in Unhomeliness: The Philippine PEN Anthology of Postcolonial Poetry in English (The Philippine PEN Poetry Anthology, 2007), Budhi (Ateneo de Manila University), Bukal, Bulawan (National Commission on Culture and the Arts), Business Mirror, Caracoa, Carillon, Dadaanin (Anvil/De la Salle University), Daluyan, Dapitan, Diliman Review, Dyaryo Filipino, Environment and Literature (Tokyo), Evening Paper, Filipino Magazin, The Filipino Reporter (New York), Flame, Flippin': Filipinos on America (New York: Asian-America Writers' Workshop, 1996), Get Luckier (Poetry Festival Singapore (2022), ITJ (Tokyo), A Habit of Shores (UP Press, 1998), Heritage and History of the University of Santo Tomas (2012), HanPil (Occasional Papers on Korean and Philippine Studies), Katipunan (Journal ng mga Pag‑aaral sa Wika, Panitikan, Sining at Kulturang Filipino, Ateneo de Manila University), Korea Herald, Korea Times, Le Spirit D’Aujourd'hui (Tokyo: Shibundo Co. Ltd., 1999), Likhaan Anthology of Poetry and Fiction, Literary Review (Farleigh Dickinson University), Look Japan, Love Gathers All: Philippine-Singapore Poetry (Singapore: Ethos Press, 2002), Mabuhay (Philippine Air Lines), Manila Bulletin, Manila Chronicle, Mantala (NCCA), Mirror, Mr. & Ms., Nation and Culture (Solidaridad Publishing House, 2012), National Midweek, Panitikang Filipino, 100 Love Poems: Philippine Love Poetry since 1905 (UP Press, 2004), Philippine Collegian, Philippine Daily Globe, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippines Free Press, Philippines Graphic, Philippines Graphic Reader, Philippine Panorama, Philippine Studies (Ateneo de Manila University), Poet's Voice (University of Salzburg, Austria), Saligan, Sa Madaling Salita (UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, 2019), Sands and Coral (Silliman University), Sansiglong Mahigit ng Makabagong Tula sa Filipinas (One Hundred Years of Modernist Poetry in the Philippines, Anvil, 2006), Sarilaysay: Danas at Dalumat ng Lalaking Manunulat sa Filipino (UP Press, 2004), Second Genesis (India), Social Science Diliman, Solidarity (Southeast Asian Magazine of Ideas, Culture and the Arts), Southeast Asian Review of English (Malaysia), Starweek, Sunday Inquirer Magazine, The Lives of a Filipino/a High School Student (UST Publishing House, 2022), Tinig, Tomas, 21st Century Literature, Under the Storm, UPdate, UP Forum, Varsitarian, Varsity (University of Cambridge), Westerly (University of Western Australia), World Poetry Yearbook (China), Writ Hop (NCCA, 2005), Writing to the Future: Poetika at Politika ng Malikhaing Pagsulat (NCCA, 2008), 環境と文学：言葉で何ができるか？(Japan PEN), ), 東京大学国際センターニュース (University of Tokyo), 東部研究の国際会議のトランザクション ( 東京：東方学会) and 詩のアンソロジー (Japan PEN).

He was interviewed by the BBC, CNN, CCTV (China), Channel NewsAsia (Singapore), Agencia EFE (Spain), eldiario.es (Spain), El Pais (Spain), KENH-14 (Vietnam), Madame Figaro (France), Nong Nghiep (Vietnam), SBS (Australia), South China Morning Post (Hong Kong), The Strait Times (Singapore), Telemundo (Latin America), The Nation (Thailand) and Voice TV (Thailand), for his insights on creative writing, higher education, literature, migration and popular culture.

He is a Life Member of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge. He sits on the International Advisory Board of the Hawai'i Journal of the Humanities and 3L: Language, Linguistics, Literature®️ The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia).

He was a visiting scholar at the University of Cambridge, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, University of Hong Kong, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, University of Malaya, University of Melbourne, University of Queensland, Seoul National University, Silpakorn University, National University of Singapore, University of Sydney, Waseda University, University of Western Australia, and Yonsei University.

His poems and critical essays were read and featured in conferences and festivals, including the Cambridge Seminar on the Contemporary Writer, organized by the British Council at Downing College, University of Cambridge (2000), the inaugural Hong Kong International Literary Festival at the Fringe Club & the University of Hong Kong (2001), the Sydney Writers' Festival at The Liverpool Regional Museum (2007), Blacktown Arts Centre (2008) & Casula Powerhouse (2008), the 76th PEN International Congress at Keio Plaza Hotel, Japan PEN Club, & Waseda University (Tokyo, 2010), Poetry Festival Singapore (2022), and the First International Conference on Multicultural Filipino Studies in Hawai'i (2017), where he was the Keynote Speaker. He also delivered the Keynote Address at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Humanities International Conference (UHHHIC, 2019), and at the International Multidisciplinary Academic Conference (IMAC) on “Embracing Teaching and Learning In The New Norm Education” (Kota Kinabalu, 2022).

He was one of the speakers during the Roundtable Session in Honor of the Scholarship of Australian National University Professor Emeritus Benedict J. Tria Kerkvliet at the Association for Asian Studies Conference (Online/Boston, 2023). The session was sponsored by the AAS Southeast Asia Council (SEAC).

Administrative Positions

Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs, Internal Communication and Cultural Programs (1 January 2019-9 February 2023) and OIC-Director, UP Media and Public Relations Office (January 2021-9 February 2023)

Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Director, Office of Alumni Relations, UP System (January 2018-January 2019)

Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs (Communications, February-December 2017) and Officer in Charge, UP System Information Office (renamed UP Media and Public Relations Office on 1 April 2017)

(SIO)/UP Media and Public Relations Office (MPRO), UP System (February-June 2017)

Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Director, Office of Alumni Relations, UP System (February 2011-February 2017)

Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs and Director, Information Office, UP System (May 2009-February 2011)

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Coordinator, Graduate Studies Office (GSO), College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman (June 2007-July 2009)

Associate Dean for Research, Creative Works and Publications, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman (April-May 2007)

Associate Dean for Administration and Development, UP College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman (2000-2003, 2003-2004)

Program Development Associate to the UP Diliman Chancellor (1997-1999, 1999-2001)

Courses handled

College of Arts and Letters (CAL)

Graduate

CW 400 Doctoral Dissertation

CW 340 Creative Nonfiction I

CW 341 Creative Nonfiction II

CW 302 Seminar on Poetics (Characteristic Techniques, Conventions, and Strategies on the Art and Craft of Writing)

CW 300 Master's Thesis

CW 298 Special Topics (Creative Writing and Popular Culture)

CW 240 Creative Nonfiction I

CW 241 Creative Nonfiction II

CL 400 Doctoral Dissertation

CL 350 Seminar: Philippine Literatures in English

CL 300 Master's Thesis

CL 250 Philippine Literatures in English I

CL 298 Directed Readings: Literatures from the Diaspora (Japan, Australia, United States)

Theatre 291 Seminar in Selected Areas of Theatre: Performance as Spectacle, Spectacle as Performance

Undergraduate

CL 200 Undergraduate Thesis

CL 150 The Literature of the Philippines in English I

CL 151 The Literature of the Philippines in English II

CL 145 The Literature of Japan

CL 121 Critical Approaches to Literature I

CL 100 Introduction to Comparative Literature

CL 50 Survey of Philippine Literature in English

CW 200 Undergraduate Thesis

CW 198 Special Problems (Creative Writing and Popular Culture)

CW 140 Creative Nonfiction I

CW 141 Creative Nonfiction II

CW 120 Poetry I

CW 121 Poetry II

CW 100 Introduction to Creative Writing

CW 10 Creative Writing for Beginners

Comm I Communication Skills I

Comm II Communication Skills II (Types of Academic Discourse)

English 13 Writing as Thinking

English 10 College English

Hum 1 (English) Literature, Society & the Individual

Hum 1 (Filipino) Tao, Panitikan at Lipunan

Center for International Studies (CIS)

Undergraduate

Japan Studies 101 Japanese Culture and Society I

Japan Studies 100 An Overview of Contemporary Japanese Culture and Society

SEA 30 Asian Emporiums: Networks of Culture & Trade in Southeast Asia

College of Science (CS)

Undergraduate

STS Science, Technology and Society

Asian Center / Tri-College Philippine Studies Program

Graduate

PS 400 Doctoral Dissertation

PS 201 The Philippines in Asia and the Pacific

PS 201 Introduction to Philippine Studies

PS 215 Philippine Languages and Cultures

AS 255.2 Politics and Governance in Southeast Asia

AS 255.3 Culture and Society in Southeast Asia

Publications

Books:

Poetry

A Madness of Birds, (Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 1998)

Essays

Bloom and Memory, (Manila: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2002)

Popular culture

(as editor) Mabuhay to Beauty!, (Quezon City: Milflores Publishing, 2003)

Anthology

(As editor) From the Editors: Migrant Communities and Emerging Australian Literature, (Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia: Casula Powerhouse, 2007)

(As co-editor, with John Cheeseman) Salu-Salo: In Conversation with Filipinos, (Blacktown and Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia: Blacktown Arts Centre and Casula Powerhouse, 2008)

Translation

(Translated and edited with John Jack Wigley) Lupito and the Circus Village (translation of Si Lupito at ang Barrio Sirkero written by Rowald Almazar, artworks by Jose Santos III), (Manila: University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2008)

Literary History / Literary Criticism

Migrations and Mediations: The Emergence of Southeast Asian Diaspora Writers in Australia (1972-2007), (Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, 2016)

See Also

• UP College of Arts and Letters
• Department of English and Comparative Literature
• Professor Jose Wendell P. Capili (Pages.UPD)