Paz Marquez Benitez and the Enduring Light of "Dead Stars" - The 23rd Paz Marquez Benitez Memorial Lecture

The Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings (ALIWW), in partnership with the School of Humanities, Department of Fine Arts, and Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, cordially invites you to the 23rd Paz Marquez Benitez Memorial Lecture titled "Paz Marquez Benitez and the Enduring Light of Dead Stars". The lecture will be held on 18 March 2026, from 2:00 to 3:30 pm at Escaler Hall, Ateneo de Manila University. 

This event forms a part of the centennial celebration of the pioneering short story, “Dead Stars,” first published in September 1925 by author, editor, and educator Paz Marquez-Benitez. Fictionist and literary critic, Dr Rosario Cruz-Lucero, will deliver the lecture delving into the story’s transformative impact on Philippine literature and its continuing relevance a century hence. Complementing the lecture will be a dramatic reading of “Dead Stars” along with an exhibit of archival materials from the ALiWW collection through which the audience can gain a more personal glimpse into the life and work of Paz Marquez Benitez. 

This invitation is open to faculty, scholars, students, and alumni who would love to re/discover 'Dead Stars' and deepen their understanding of the story and the works of Paz Marquez Benitez. 

Please register via: https://go.ateneo.edu/PMBandtheEnduringLightofDeadStars

For more information, contact us at aliww.rl@ateneo.edu / 8426-6001 loc. 5561

We look forward to your being part of this event.