Born and raised in Manila and currently living in New York City, Eric Gamalinda is the author of five novels that revolve around a common theme: an examination of the Filipinos’ soul and identity, and their struggle to make sense of a complicated history often marked by hardship and brutality, but also love and beauty. Each novel addresses a different social issue, from the loss of innocence and coming of age under martial law (Planet Waves), overseas workers in Japan (Confessions of a Volcano), the rise and fall of the Marcos regime (Empire of Memory), the Philippine-American War (My Sad Republic), and multiracial identity (The Descartes Highlands, described as "exquisitely written" by Amy Tan).
Aside from his novels, he has also published three collections of poetry and has also published two collections of short stories, and his work has been featured in a number of anthologies in the US, Philippines and Europe.
Recognition for his work includes a New York State Council on the Arts grant for film and media [2014], the Cultural Center of the Philippines Independent Film and Video Awards [2004], the Asian American Literary Award and the Alice James Books New York/New England Selection for Zero Gravity [2000], the New York Foundation for the Arts [fiction, 1998], the Philippine Centennial Literary Prize for My Sad Republic [1998], the Philippine National Book Award twice for Planet Waves [1990] and My Sad Republic [2000], and the Asiaweek Short Story Competition [1985]. He has also won the Philippines’ top literary prize, the Palanca Memorial Awards, several times for poetry, fiction, non-fiction and playwriting. In 2009, The Descartes Highlands was shortlisted for the Man Asian Prize. In 2010, his three-act play, Resurrection, was staged off-Broadway at the Clurman Theater on 42nd Street by Diverse City Inc.
Garmalinda has been in residence at Civitella Ranieri [Italy], Association d’Art de La Napoule [France], Chateau de Lavigny Residence pour Ecrivains [Switzerland], Fundacion Valparaiso [Spain], The Rockefeller Foundation in Bellagio [Italy], Hawthornden Castle International Retreat for Writers [Scotland], and The Corporation of Yaddo, MacDowell, The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico, The Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, and Ledig House International Writers Colony [USA].
