Sta. Maria is an essayist born in 1950.  Some of her solo-authored books have garnered awards from Book Development Association of the Philippines, Ceres Alabado Award for Outstanding Literature for Children, Manila Critics Circle, Public Relations Society of the Philippines, and Writer’s Association of the Philippines.  On 1990, the second year of the Kalakbay Award given by the Philippine Department of Tourism, she was named Travel Writer of the Year.  In 2001, she received the SEA Write Award.

For her continuing work in cultural advocacies she was awarded: in 2001, the first Dangal ng Haraya for cultural management, a lifetime achievement award from the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); Women of Distinction Award in Cultural Education from Soroptomist International of Mandaluyong City, 2001; University of the Philippines Alumni Association Outstanding Professional Award in Arts and Letters, 1999; Sigma Delta Phi Alumnae Association Mariang Maya Award, 1998 for Literature (Culture and History); Philippine Centennial Commission Gawad Sentenaryo Award, 1998; National Commission for Culture and the Arts Service Award, 1995;  NCCA Committee of Museums/International Council of Museums Philippines Service Award, 1995; and the rank of Knight in Le Grand Ordre des Artes et Lettres of the Republic of France, 1990.

Her literary topics center around heritage studies, cultural education, cultural environment development, culinary history, development of holistic wellness, and values regeneration.  Sta. Maria’s writings have evolved into a personal philosophy for social transformation.  She pursues ideas she writes about through pro-active cultural advocacy and endeavors to improve the teaching of social studies, arts, and heritage conservation side by side with civics education.  She is a member of the Philippine Center of International PEN.

List of Publications:

Solo-edited books

Works Published
Discovering Philippine Art in Spain (Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Centennial Commission’s International Relations Committee, 1998)

Co-edited books

Works in Progress
Slow Food: Traditional Philippine Cooking (Anvil Publishing for release 2005), Erlinda Panlilio, co-editor

Works Published

Comforting Cuisine (International Wine & Food Society’s Manila Ladies Branch, 2003)
Erlinda Panlilio, co-editor

Philippine Culinary Sentiments (International Wine & Food Society’s Manila Ladies Branch, 2002) Norma Chikiamco and Erlinda Panlilio, co-editors

Using Important Concepts in Social and Human Sciences to Improve Learning Content and Processes in Social Studies (Unesco National Commission of the Philippines, 2002) Florentino Hornedo and Virginia Miralao, co-editors

The Social & Human Sciences in Philippine Basic Education: A Review of Elementary and High-School Textbooks (Unesco National Commission of the Philippines, 2000)

Solo-authored books

Works in Progress

The Governor-General’s Kitchen: Philippine Culinary Vignettes, 1521-1935 (Anvil Publishing for 2005 release)

Sakandal (a novel for young English-language readers)

A Dictionary of Selected Philippine Culinary Terms (for Anvil Publishing)

Works Published

A Cultural Worker’s First Manual for Appreciating the Everyday (Anvil Publishing, 2001)

Dynamic Partnerships: A Fusion of Power and Vision (Petron Corporation, 1999)

Visions of the Possible: Legacies of Philippine Freedom (Studio 5, 1998)

Savor the Philippines: The Events of the 1997 Manila Gastronomic Festival (Asia Pacific Zone Committee of the International Wine and Food Society, 1998)

Ang Panganay (The Eldest, a story for children about the first Philippine flag; Adarna Books, 1998)

In Excelsis: The Mission of Jose P. Rizal, Humanist & Philippine National Hero (Studio 5, 1996)

Fountain of Gold: The Club Filipino Story (Club Filipino, 1983)

Household Heirlooms & Antiques (GCF Books, 1980, 2nd edition 1996)

Co-authored Books

Values Education through History for Peace & Tolerance (Unesco National Commission of the Philippines, 1996) with Lourdes Quisumbing, Secretary-General of Unesco National Commission of the Philippines

Halupi: Essays in Philippine Culture (1990) with Corazon S. Alvina

Selected Essays and Papers  

Works Awaiting Publication

“Cultural Literacy in Basic Education: Is the Present Basic Education Curriculum Adequate in Developing Cultural Literacy in Our Children” (keynote lecture at Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education Inc., July 18, 2000)

“A Twist of Taste: American Influence on Philippine Cuisine” (presented at Sangandaan to document and critique 10 years of Philippine-American relations, 2003)

“Gambila: A Preliminary Framework for the Study of Philippine Culinary History with Multidisciplinary Impact on Contemporary Social Reality” (presented at the 25th National Conference on Local and National History, October 21, 2004; to be released by Philippine National Historical Society, 2005)

“Holy Rice: Sacrifice for Sustenance” (commissioned by the National Museum of the Philippines for its International Year of Rice book for release in 2005)

“Filipino Cod Stew” (to be released by Anvil Publishing for the International Wine & Food Society’s Manila Ladies Branch and the Manila Slow Food Convivium in 2005)

“Christmas Cookies” (to be released by Anvil Publishing for the International Wine & Food Society’s Manila Ladies Branch and the Manila Slow Food Convivium in 2005)

Works Published

“Familiar Rhythms and Recipes” in Comfort Food edited by Erlinda Panlilio (Anvil Publishing, 2003)

“Books on a Shelf: Readings Between the Lines” in Life on the Cusp edited by Rita Ledesma and Mert Loinaz (Anvil Publishing, 2003)

“Stove of My Life” in Comforting Cuisine edited by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria and Erlinda Panlilio (International Wine & Food Society’s Manila Ladies Branch, 2003)

“A Cuisine of Three Seasons” in Philippine Culinary Sentiments edited by Norma Chikiamco, Erlinda Panlilio and Felice Prudente Sta. Maria (International Wine & Food Society’s Manila Ladies Branch, 2002)

“Suggested Development of Social Studies Textbook Units for Grades 1-6” in A Draft Social Studies Curriculum for Basic Education (Philippine Social Science Information, 29:1, January-June 2001)

“Guidelines for the Journey” in Prepian ’65: 35th Anniversary Celebration (University of the Philippines Preparatory School Alumni Association, 2000)

Darling, Where Is Your Heart?: Beauty’s Role in Generating Pride of Place for Philippine Urbanscapes” in Cityvisions: National Symposium on Filipino Architecture and Design 1998 (University of the Philippines College of Architecture, 2000)

“Amazing Space: Reviewing the Role of Cultural Environment Development Toward Values Education” in Journey of 100 Years: Reflections on the Centennial of Philippine Independence edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Edmunto Litton (Philippine American Women Writers and Artists, 1999)

“Celebrating the Right to be Filipino: Using Art to Shape the Philippines, 1898-1998” in The CCP Centennial Honor”s for the Arts (Cultural Center of the Philippines, 1999)

“Celebrating the Freedom to Do Good: The Philippine Centennial of 1998 and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)” in the commemorative publication for the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, 1998

“Cultural Environment Development Towards Continuing Education for Values Education” in Alternative Futures Towards a Learning Society: Papers Presented During the First National Congress for Continuing Education (Foundation for Continuing Education, 1997)

“Noble Style: Thinking, Feeling and Acting from a Cultural Perspective” in White Paper: 2nd Hitachi Leaders Initiative Forum, 1997

“Tolerance and Humanism: Conscience and Reason for the 21st Century” in UNESCO Philippines (July-December, 1996)

“The Essentiality of Difference,” Guest Editorial in UNESCO Philippines (January-June, 1995)

“Brown Man’s Burden” in Turn of the Century edited by Gilda Fernando (GCF Books, 1978)

“The Turn-of-the-Century Kitchen” in The Culinary Culture of the Philippines edited by Gilda Fernando (Bancom Audiovision Corporation, 1976)

Sta. Maria authored a number of essays and articles in the 10-volume Filipino Heritage book series released in1979, Mabuhay the in-flight magazine of Philippine Air Lines (1985-1996), Manila Hotel Register magazine, Mr. & Ms. magazine (1978), and Woman’s Home Companion magazine (1973-1975) to name a few of the publications that have included her works.  Her newspaper columns were: “The Joyful Cook” on the food page of Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2002-2003;  “Pahiyas” on the Sunday opinion page of Philippine Star, 1989-1996; and “Halupi: Spirits of Reminiscence” (alternating with Corazon S. Alvina) on the daily culture page of The Manila Times, 1986-1989.

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Country: Philippines