Poet James Shea, author of Last Day of My Face, will participate in a public conversation on poetics and the practice of writing at Ateneo de Manila University on January 14, 2026. The event, hosted by Kritika Kultura, will take place from 5:00–7:00 PM in Escaler Hall.
A Conversation on Poetry and Practice
The program will feature a reading from Shea’s latest collection, Last Day of My Face, followed by a discussion with writers Nikka Osorio Abeleda and Abner E. Dormiendo. Kritika Kultura is collaborating with the Literary and Cultural Studies Program, the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices, the Department of Fine Arts, and PLUME to host the event.
Admission to the event is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to bring a valid ID for campus access. Books by James Shea are expected to be available for purchase before and after the conversation.
About the Participants
James Shea is also the author of The Lost Novel and Star in the Eye. He has translated works of Japanese poetry and co-edited The Routledge Global Haiku Reader. He currently directs the International Writers’ Workshop and a bilingual creative writing program at Hong Kong Baptist University.
Nikka Osorio Abeleda teaches at Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University, and is a member of LIRA, a group of poets writing in Filipino. Abner E. Dormiendo, president of LIRA, is the author of Sa Antipolo pa rin ang Antipolo, a finalist for a national book award.
Kritika Kultura is a peer-reviewed journal indexed in several prominent academic databases, including the MLA International Bibliography and Scopus. More information about the journal and future events can be found at https://archium.ateneo.edu/kk.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where will the event take place?
The conversation with James Shea will be held on January 14, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 PM at Escaler Hall, Ateneo de Manila University.
Is registration required?
While admission is free, attendees are encouraged to register in advance via https://go.ateneo.edu/KKReadingSeriesShea.
Who are Nikka Osorio Abeleda and Abner E. Dormiendo?
Nikka Osorio Abeleda and Abner E. Dormiendo are writers who will be in conversation with James Shea, discussing poetics and the practice of writing.
Will this event be livestreamed or recorded for later viewing? The source does not provide information on whether the event will be livestreamed or recorded.
