Tag: “Patricia Mulles”

2024 Singapore Writers Fest Recap

Victor Fernando R. OcampoLeave a comment

It finally happened! After being a part of the Singapore Writers Festival since 2012, I have successfully made it to the opening ceremony. This time there were no overseas work trips, family emergencies, pandemics, or major health issues.

With author Claire Betita de Guzman and calligrapher Malik Mazlan.

Tech Talks: Exploring AI’s Impact on Literary Arts

Thank you to #SingaporeWritersFestival for organising and hosting a panel on the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and the literary arts last Saturday, with Arianne Saga, Daryl Lim Wei Jie, and Simon Chesterman. We talked about how AI affected the writing profession, copyrights and copyright law, as well as its impact on education. Notably, we also discussed whether the fair use provisions of SG’s Copyright Act covered GEN AI transformers or not. Lots of good questions from a very full house. I wish we had half a day to discuss.

Book Bar and the Infinite Library

I was surprised (but grateful) to see my short story collection, The Infinite Library and Other Stories, at the Bookbar in SWF 2024. I only had one panel this year, so I didn’t think they’d stock it.

With author Noelle de Jesus and M&O publisher Patricia Mulles (Thank you Pat for the photos!).

Late Post: Celebrating Rizal Day with the Philippine Embassy and Penguin Random House

Victor Fernando R. OcampoLeave a comment

Most Filipinos don’t know that the Philippine’s national hero Jose Rizal had quite a few connections to Singapore. In fact in 1896, Rizal’s friends urged him to save himself by remaining here, but sadly, it was not to be…

Thank you to the Philippine Embassy in Singapore and Penguin Random House Southeast Asia for hosting today’s celebration of Jose Rizal’s life, writing and his connection to Singapore. Chargé d’ Affaires (and author) Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, his wife Alice and Penguin authors Noelle De Jesus, Migs Bravo Dutt, Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta and Sarge Lacuesta, as well as yours truly, read excerpts from our national hero’s poetry, letters and novels

Afterwards, I moderated a lively panel that discussed Rizal’s influence on Filipino writers, writing from the diaspora versus from the homeland, speculations about a hypothetical third novel, and other interesting topics. If host and cultural attaché Rosellie L. Bantay had not gently reminded us of the time, we would have probably talked for the whole afternoon.

Thanks to Patricia Mulles for the photos below.

Special thanks to Penguin publisher Nora Nazarene Abu Bakar for inviting me! Have a meaningful Rizal Day!

Exceedingly Late Post: The 2017 Singapore Writer’s Festival Wrap-up

Victor Fernando R. OcampoLeave a comment

It’s almost time for the 2018 Writer’s Festival and I realize that I had never posted my pictures from last year’s run.

Top to bottom, left to right: (1) SWF Opening, (2) Outside the festival grounds, (3) Watching a panels while seated on LKY’s chair,  (4) With Junot Diaz, (5) “Writing between Genre Lines” panel with Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé (moderator), Aliette de Bodard, Jason Erik Lundberg and O Thiam Chin, (6) With Dean Alfar, (7) With Lavie Tidhar, (8) Crab dinner with Aliette, Jason, Nikki, Pat and Dean, (9) Peranakan lunch with Ken Liu, and (10) birthday dinner with Aliette.

Here are some pictures from my panels:

  • The Real Science in Science Fiction – with Shelly Bryant, Kevin Martens Wong, and Dave Chua moderating
    5 Nov, Sun 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Arts House, Living Room

  • A Brave New World: Speculative Fiction in Singapore – with Jon Gresham, Christina Sng , and Gene Tan moderating
    6 Nov, Mon 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    The Arts House, Chamber

Lastly, check out the special packaging for my book The Infinite Library and Other Stories  which was only available at the festival venue.

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My Late Post regarding the 2017 Hugo Awards

Victor Fernando R. Ocampo2 Comments

Here are the pictures from this year’s Hugo Awards ceremony during The 75th World Science Fiction Convention (commonly in Helsinki, Finland last 11 August. Despite the efforts of the self-described “Sad Puppies,” and their alt-right equivalents, the “Rabid Puppies, women almost completely swept the Hugo Awards, taking home the top prizes for literature in the science fiction community (Woohoo!). The full list of winners can be found here.

Hugos 2017 (1)

Welcome to the Hugo Awards!

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The very, very, very, very long queue to get in.

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Look at that audience!

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Which includes me and my lovely wife, Patricia.

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The esteemed host Dr. Karen Lord and the inimitable George R. R. Martin.

Hugos 2017 (6)

The Song of Ice and Fire Chronicler and German actress Sibel Kekilli (Shae on GoT).

Hugos 2017 (7)

The dapper winner of one of the 2017 Seiun Awards, Ken Liu

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More Ken Liu

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Best Fan Artist: Go Likhain!

Hugos 2017 (10)

Best Fan Writer: Go Natalie Luhrs!

Hugos 2017 (11)

Best Novelette: Go Fran Wilde!

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With a real-life ISS astronaut – Dr. Kjell Lindgren, a member of Expedition 44/45 to the International Space Station (ISS), and a NASA Distinguished Service Medal recipient (2016).

Hugos 2017 (13)

Patricia with Game of Throne’s Shae, the 2-time Lola winner Sibel Kekilli.

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Fan boy with the great Nalo Hopkinson!

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The Hugo Award winners and presenters.

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Amazing writers and artists Aliette de Bodard, Fran Wilde and Likhain!

Hugos 2017 (17)

That’s all folks!