LGUs can work together with writers’ group and communities, universities, NBDB and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and other organizations to set up their writing residency programs
Last week I wrote about the writing workshops going on this summer, with the aim of nurturing and developing the skills of Filipino writers.
I mentioned how essential these workshops are not only to teach craft and technique, but also to build and foster a sense of community among people who often feel they are alone in their endeavors.
I can’t emphasize enough just how important workshops, literary conferences, and similar gatherings are, especially those that are conducted face-to-face.
As I see in workshop after workshop the happy and fulfilled faces of participants and read their messages of thanks and acknowledgment, I become even more convinced we need to do more to propagate activities and events that bring people together to celebrate the written word and all the other forms and permutations of narrative and storytelling.
Thus I call upon provincial and city/municipality leaders to be open to holding literary residencies and workshops in their areas to further promote reading and writing among their constituents, and to provide points of collaboration for their writers with others from across the country.
What are writers’ residencies?
These are programs that provide housing, food, etc. to writers to stay in a certain area for a certain length of time (could be weeks or months) so that they can do research or finish a literary work.
Residencies are necessary because the craft of writing requires time, focus, and an environment conducive to creativity.
Writing residencies offer a unique opportunity for writers to retreat from their everyday lives and immerse themselves in their work.
To fully harness the potential of literary talent in the country, local governments should consider offering and subsidizing writing residencies.
These programs not only foster the growth of individual writers but also contribute to the cultural fabric and creative landscape of a nation.
By offering fully or partially funded residencies, governments can alleviate the financial burdens that often hinder writers from pursuing their craft full-time.
Subsidized residencies enable writers to focus on their creative endeavors without the constant pressure to generate income through unrelated jobs.
This support allows them to explore their artistic potential, develop their voice, and refine their writing skills. In turn, these accomplished writers become ambassadors for their province or city’s achievements.
Writing residencies also promote cultural exchange. When writers from different regions and cultures come together, a vibrant exchange of ideas, experiences, and perspectives takes place.
This cultural cross-pollination enriches the literary landscape, fostering the development of new narratives, styles, and approaches to storytelling.
By facilitating such exchanges through subsidized residencies, provinces and LGUs may empower their writers to connect with their peers and expand their creative horizons.
These interactions not only enhance the quality and diversity of a nation’s literature but also contribute to a deeper understanding of different cultures, fostering empathy and appreciation.
Last March I went to Pangasinan for the “Panitikan ng Panumduman” literary conference organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Among the guests of honor were National Artists for Literature Gémino Abad and Virgilio Almario. The 200 or so students who attended fangirled over these literary idols. It was obvious such exchanges are treasured by participants.
What if we conducted such events more often and in more places all over the country? How many more of the youth will walk away inspired to create?
While in the province, we stayed in Lingayen and met the city’s leader, Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil.
He told us tales about Limahong, the Chinese pirate who plays a large part in the area’s history. But there are hardly any books, if any, about the personage and the historical incidents surrounding him.
I asked in an open forum if the Mayor would be amenable to supporting a writer’s residency program in their town. I suggested that guest writers could collaborate with local historians and storytellers to come up with narratives about Limahong, Lingayen, and other local topics.
The resulting books could be sold at their LGU gift shops, be given to guests, and donated to libraries.
Mayor Bataoil said he was most interested in the idea, and their cultural consultant approached me afterward for a proposal. Now if only more mayors and provincial governors would show the same support!
Riffing off this anecdote, I present another rationale for writer’s residencies: to preserve national heritage.
Every community in this country has a unique cultural heritage that deserves to be preserved and celebrated.
Writing residencies can play a crucial role in this endeavor by supporting projects that explore and capture the essence of a country’s traditions, history, and folklore.
By providing financial aid and resources to writers working on projects centered around national themes, provinces and LGUs can actively contribute to the preservation and promotion of their cultural heritage.
Such initiatives result in a body of literature that not only resonates with domestic audiences but also attracts international readers, further enhancing a nation’s global literary footprint.
Supporting writing residencies can also have a significant impact on a nation’s publishing industry.
As writers benefit from the focused writing time provided by residencies, they produce high-quality manuscripts that can contribute to the growth and diversification of the domestic publishing market.
By subsidizing residencies, LGUs can encourage the creation of compelling stories and foster a literary ecosystem that nurtures both emerging and established writers.
The resulting surge in original works helps stimulate readership and book sales, bolstering the publishing industry’s economic vitality while putting national literature on the global map.
What’s additionally important to note is that local publishing is entering a new renaissance. There are more Philippine publishers than ever, and in fact foreign publishing houses are releasing more works by Philippine authors (thank you, Penguin Random House SEA, for one).
The National Book Development Board (NBDB) under its chairperson Dante ‘Klink’ Ang and its visionary executive director Charisse Aquino Tugade are also giving major support to Philippine letters with their local and international book fairs, grants for writers, and many other programs.
Their efforts have helped boost the local publishing industry to a great extent.
Writing residencies can also contribute to tourism and the local economy.
By creating programs that allow the public to engage with resident writers through readings, workshops, and other events, LGUs can capitalize on the cultural and economic potential of these programs.
Writing residencies can become valuable components of a broader cultural tourism strategy, attracting visitors interested in exploring the literary traditions and contemporary voices of a country.
This can lead to increased tourism revenue, job creation in the creative sector, and the conduct of literary festivals and events that further showcase the nation’s literary heritage.
I call upon the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, League of Provinces of the Philippines, League of Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, Liga ng mga Barangay, and other related organizations to give stronger consideration and priority than they are giving now to developing the literary arts in their communities.
LGUs can work together with writers’ group and communities, universities, NBDB and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and other organizations to set up their writing residency programs.
By recognizing the intrinsic value of literature and investing in the growth of national literature through writing residencies, LGUs can foster an environment where the written word thrives, cultural identities are celebrated, and the legacy of a nation’s literature grows and endures.
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