Bangkok, 28 August 2019 – The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok reports that Mr. Karlo Antonio Galay David, a Filipino writer who hails from Kidapawan, Cotobato participated in the “Anthology of ASEAN Short Stories”, where the book “I was Born to be Yours” was launched. The event, which was jointly organized by the Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) of the Thai Ministry of Culture (MoC) and the Writers Association of Thailand, was held on 24 August 2019 at the Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Centre, Bangkok, and presided over by Minister of Culture Itthiphol Kunplome.

The book, “I was Born to be Yours” is a collection of ten short stories written by ten Southeast Asian writers who have been selected to represent their respective countries Mr. David’s contribution to the book is his short story entitled “Lahadda”. A graduate of Ateneo de Davao University and post graduate of Silliman University, Mr. David was also a recipient of Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Award for drama and of Nick Joaquin Literary Award for fiction. At present, he is involved in writing the history of Kidapawan under the project of the local government.

Post’s Cultural Officer Mrs. Edith C. Mallillin represented Ambassador to Thailand H.E. Mary Jo A. Bernardo-Aragon, at the event.

Above is a group picture of the ten ASEAN writers from the ten ASEAN Member States, together with Minister of Culture Mr. Itthiphol Kunphlome and ASEAN foreign embassy representatives from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, represented by Cultural Officer Edith C. Mallillin (sixth from right), at the book launching of “I was Born to be Yours”. Philippine writer Mr. Karlo Antonio Galay David, standing second from right, contributed his short story “Lahadda”.