About MERLINDA
Award-winning writer Merlinda Bobis grew up in Albay, Philippines at the foot of an active volcano and now lives in Ngunnawal Country (Canberra), Australia. Novelist, poet, short story writer, dramatist and performer, she dreams up stories across different geographies and languages: English, Filipino and Bikol. She defies borders by transforming them into flourishing spaces of interconnection.
MERLINDA’S WORK
Merlinda published novels, short story and poetry collections in Australia, Philippines, and the US, and critical-creative essays internationally. Her plays for stage and radio were performed in various countries, some by herself with dance and music, and she has also been composing songs. She has designed and facilitated community arts projects on the environment, women’s business, intercultural engagements and migration. She continues to work across genres as writer, performer, community arts facilitator and scholar.
Merlinda Bobis Performing River, River
MORE ABOUT MERLINDA
Merlinda has a Bachelor of Arts (Summa cum Laude) from Aquinas University of Legazpi and a Master of Arts in Literature (Meritissimus) from University of Santo Tomas, Manila. For ten years, she taught Literature and English at Philippine universities before coming to Australia on a study grant. She completed her Doctorate of Creative Arts at University of Wollongong where she taught Creative Writing for more than 20 years. She is currently Honorary Senior Lecturer at Australian National University.