going to dumaguete in may: 54th Silliman University National Writers Workshop Opens on May 11

Early in April I was invited by poet Ricky de Ungria, Silliman Workshop Director-in-Residence, to sit as a guest panelist for the second week of the upcoming 54th Silliman University National Writers Workshop. The Silliman Workshop is the oldest creative writing program in Asia. Many many thanks to Mr. De Ungria for the honor and opportunity. I will be heading to the warm south after climbing down from cool Baguio after the UP Workshop. I need to focus on improving my packing skills, obviously.

Below is the full announcement:

54th Silliman University National Writers Workshop Opens on May 11

The 54th edition of the Silliman University National Writers Workshop will open on 11 May 2014 at the Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village in Camp Look-out, Valencia, Negros Oriental. The workshop is the oldest and longest creative writing workshop of its kind in Asia. It was founded in 1962 by S.E.A. Write Awardee Edilberto K. Tiempo and National Artist Edith L. Tiempo, and was recently given the Tanging Parangal in the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Twelve writers from all over the Philippines have been accepted as regular workshop fellows. They are: Aimee Paulette O. Cando of Quezon City (University of Santo Tomas), Angela Gabriele R. Fabunan of Olongapo City (University of the Philippines—Diliman), Darylle Luzarita Rubino of Polomolok, South Cotabato (University of the Philippines Mindanao), and Mohammad Nassefh R. Macla of Davao City (University of the Philippines Mindanao) for poetry; Luis Manuel Diores of Cebu City (University of San Carlos), Patricia Corazon F. Lim of Quezon City (Ateneo de Manila University), Kristine Abelink Patenio of Murcia, Negros Occidental (University of St. La Salle in Bacolod), and Rodolfo Eduardo T. Santiago of Quezon City (Ateneo de Manila University)for fiction; and Jona Branzuela Bering of Cebu City (Cebu Normal University), Rowena Rose M. Lee of Manila (University of the Philippines Mindanao), Miguel Antonio Lizada of Davao City (Ateneo de Manila University), and Edmark Tejarcio Tan of Quezon City (University of Santo Tomas) for creative nonfiction.

Khail Campos Santia of Malaybalay, Bukidnon (Silliman University) will join them as a special fellow for poetry. Three applicants have also been invited to sit as special workshop mentees: Ana Joaquina Adriano of Dumaguete City (Enderun College), Silvin Federic Real Maceren of Cebu City (Silliman University), and Chuckie Perez Manio of Bacolod City (Silliman University).

This year the panel of writers/critics includes Director-in-Residence Ricardo M. de Ungria; Dumaguete-based writer César Ruìz Aquino; regular panelists Gémino H. Abad, Marjorie Evasco, Susan Lara, and Alfred Yuson; and guest panelists Timothy Montes, Dinah Roma, Patricia Evangelista, and Eliza Victoria. They will be joined by two foreign panelists, Dr. Gwee Li Sui of Singapore and Cha: An Asian Literary Journal founding co-editor Dr. Tammy Ho Lai Ming of Hongkong.

This year’s workshop will feature lectures by Dr. Gwee Li Sui on “Poeticising Love” (May 14, 10AM at the ASRC Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library) and Dr. Tammy Ho on “The Ghost in the Machine: Poems on Photographs” (May 21, 10AM at the ASRC Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library). Dr. Ho will also have the Philippine launch of her first poetry book, Hula Hooping on May 21, 5:00 PM at the ASRC Robert B. and Metta J. Silliman Library. On May 14, the National Book Development Board will hold a panel discussion on book publishing, preparing manuscripts for publication, and online publishing with NBDB ED Graciela M. Cayton, Andrea Pasion Flores, and Mina V. Esguerra. Venue will be at the Byblos Reading Room. Atty. Pasion Flores, the country’s first literary agent, has expressed interest to see writers on May 15 from Dumaguete, Bacolod, Cebu, and nearby islands who have ready manuscripts with them. Please call the Department of English and Literature at (035) 422-6002 loc. 350 to sign up for this. And on May 28, 10AM at Byblos, Dr. Evasco and Ms. Lara will talk on literary friendships and doing writing residencies abroad. All the lectures are meant to introduce the young writers to the different support systems available to enhance their literary production and careers. The lectures are free and open to the public. Books of the panelists will also be available for sale during the workshop.

This year, the workshop is co-sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.

For more information about forthcoming events during the workshop, please email Workshop Coordinator Alana Leilani Cabrera-Narciso at silliman.cwc@gmail.com or call the Department of English and Literature at (035) 422-6002 loc. 350 (Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center).