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Two weeks before lockdown began, I delivered the Fr Henry Lee Irwin, S.J. Memorial Lecture at the Ateneo. My lecture was entitled Fiction Vs. The Apocalypse, and I dedicated it to my late friend, Uro Q. de la Cruz. I talked about how I became interested in writing, how I found my voice, my influences, the hell of writing for a living, and why I cannot think of doing anything else. I also advised people to live alone, so I guess I am psychic.

Thank you to the Ateneo de Manila University School of Humanities, headed by Dean Jonathan Chua, for the honor. The pandemic cancelled the workshop that was supposed to follow the public lecture; hopefully the workshop will be held when schools reopen.

The first voice you will hear is that of Louie Jon Sanchez, assistant professor, who helped me put my presentation together and answered all my questions about the professorial chair. The photos are by Mickee Escueta. Slightly edited for length.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5