John Rey Dave P. Aquino

Instructor | Writer

John Rey Dave P. Aquino is an Instructor in Language and Literature at the University of the Philippines Baguio. He is completing his MA Language and Literature at the same university, where he also earned his BA Language and Literature (2019). His critical and research interests include Philippine literature, popular culture, ethnicity and indigeneity, language studies, and the Filipino language. Prior to teaching, he also worked as a research assistant and senior office assistant at UP Baguio.Occasionally a writer, he writes fiction in Filipino and English. His writing frequently surveys familial relationships, queerness, childhood, and his personal experiences and critical reflections. He attended the Ateneo National Writers Workshop (2019) as a fellow for fiction, and the Palihang Rogelio Sicat (2021) as a fellow for maikling kuwento.

Sunset at Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Cebu
22 November 2022

Fiction

Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2022. “Padre de Familia.” Your Impossible Voice 26 (Spring): 93–102. [Audio excerpt].
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2022. “Sampaguita.” ALPAS Journal 5: 79–84. Story archived in Wayback Machine.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2022. “In This Imagining.” Headcanon Magazine.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2022. “There is.” Novice Magazine: The Chastity Issue: 55.
—. “There are four parts to a prayer.” Novice Magazine: The Chastity Issue: 68–69.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2021. “A Boy, Inarticulate.” Katitikan: Literary Journal of the Philippine South 4.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2021. “Satisfactory.” Quarterly Literary Review Singapore 20 (2).
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2020. “Blockade.” The Literary Apprentice: Unnatural Disasters, 80–87. UP Writers Club.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2020. “Marbles.” Anak Sastra 41: 6–12.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2020. “The Gift” & “Nightmare.” In Southeast Asian Fantasy Drabbles, compiled by Kelly Matsuura. BWWP Publishing.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2020. “Naroon Siyang Nagkasala.” In Balintuna: Mga Kuwentong Kakatwâ, compiled by Rey Tamayo Jr., 110-121. Tanza, Cavite: 7 Eyes Productions.

Column

Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2021—. “Riding The Wave.” Column at Headcanon Magazine.

—. 2023. “The idol's visage: Image, distance, visual, and gaze.” Headcanon Magazine, 24 September.
—. 2022. “The empires wave back.” Headcanon Magazine, 14 June.
—. 2021. “Before we ride the wave, some notes.” Headcanon Magazine, 15 August.

Payyew of Brgy. Maligcong, Bontoc, Mt. Province
4 April 2023

Courses Taught

BLL 124. Translation. Theories and practice of translation.
2nd Semester AY 2025-26 | 2nd Semester AY 2024–25
WIKA 1. Wika, Kultura at Lipunan. Pagsusuri sa ugnayan ng wika, kultura at lipunan.
2nd Semester AY 2025–26 | 1st Semester AY 2025–26 | 2nd Semester AY 2024–25
Kom 11. Sulating Pangkolehiyo: Pagsusuri at Pagsulat. Pagpapakadalubhasa sa analitikal at kritikal na pagbasa at sa paggamit ng Wikang Filipino sa paglalahad ng mga sulong na ideya sa iba’t ibang disiplina.
1st Semester AY 2025–26 | Midyear AY 2024–25 | Midyear AY 2023–24
PI 100. Ang Buhay at mga Akda ni Rizal. Pag-unawa at pagsusuri sa kabuluhan ng buhay ni Jose Rizal at relasyon ng kanyang mga akda at mga sulatin sa buhay at identidad ng isang Filipino sa ika-21 siglo.
1st Semester AY 2025–26 | 1st Semester AY 2023–24
BLL 116. Semantics. Introductory approaches to the study of meaning in English and Filipino.
Team-taught with Friedrich Andres Aquino, 2nd Semester AY 2023–24

Journal Article

Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2025. “Ang Pagtuklas sa Katutubo bilang Nagpapatuloy na Tropong Kolonyal sa Romantikong Nobelang You’re My Shining Star." The Cordillera Review: Journal of Philippine Culture and Society 15 (1–2): 31–57.

Conference Presentations

Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2025. “The Filipino Estetik Explicated.” Poster presented at the 7th Linguistic Society of the Philippines International Conference, Pangasinan State University, Lingayen, Pangasinan, 24–26 April.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2024. “Ang Katutubong Igorot Bilang Leading Man sa Panitikang Popular.” Paper presented at the Salindunong 2024: Ika-16 Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Filipino, Panitikan, at Pananaliksik, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, 24–26 April.
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2023. “We’re Half-People: Elizabeth II as Queen and as Sovereign in The Crown." Paper presented at the Dieu et Mon Droit ('God and My Right'): Representations of the British Royal Family in Popular Culture Virtual Conference, organized by the Pop Culture Research Network, University of New England, via Zoom, 28–29 September.

Short Communication

Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2025. "Estetik: towards a deeper understanding of beauty in Philippine languages and cultures." Ti Similla (August).
Aquino, J.R.D.P. 2024. “Sa Panahong Digital, Anong Silbi ng Filipino at Panitikan?” Ti Similla (May).