Dr. Ralph Lorenz Fonte, a young Palaweño physician, poet, essayist, and translator has been recognized as the Philippine awardee for the Southeast Asian Writers Awards (S.E.A. Write Awards) 2025.
According to a news release from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the thirty-something Fonte is one of the youngest recipients to receive this honor in the history of S.E.A. Write Awards.
His winning entry, “Balangkas ng Karaniwang Bahay sa Maynila,” which he delivered in a spoken-word format at the awarding ceremony, serves as a social commentary on the socio-economic conditions and challenges encountered by everyday Filipinos.
Fonte is a three-time Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee for poetry. He writes in English, Filipino, and Cuyonon. He is currently based in Spain, pursuing his graduate studies with a focus on public health.
The S.E.A. Write Award, established in 1979, is designed to honor leading poets and writers in the ASEAN region. The aim of the Award is to promote the creation of literary works by writers of this region, honor regional literary talents, create a wider awareness and appreciation of literary wealth as well as enhance mutual understanding and harmony among writers and readers of the ASEAN countries.
Notable Filipino authors who have received this prestigious award include literary greats Nick Joaquin, Alejandro Roces, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Virgilio S. Almario, among others.
For more information, visit https://www.bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinThailand/.