“The jubilee will be a moment to recognize the profound influence GMM has had on shaping social consciousness”
FROM up close, we see diverse literary writers in the metropolis, whose roots are from northern Philippines, now at full throttle as they get ready for their Diamond Jubilee, symbolizing the strength of their association.
The cohesive association called GUMIL Metro Manila, whose members come from the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, the Cordilleras, and Central Luzon, will mark in December a major milestone of longevity, cultural endurance and lasting impact on the literary community and society.
The group, now headed by Faye Flores-Melegrito of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, a book translator, will once again launch at least two anthologies – one on poetry and another on short stories, each edited by three Ilokano writers.
We feel close to the association, having been with the group since 1989, a score and three years after its founding in what was originally called the Greater Manila Area, with Dr. Hermogenes Belen of Naguilian, La Union, a professor at the old Philippine College of Arts and Trade as founding president.
Since then, the group, under the umbrella association of GUMIL Filipinas, the association of Ilokano writers here and overseas, has had 17 presidents, two of whom are women, the first Eden Cachola-Bulong (2015-2018), a retired public school teacher from Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.
Reaching 60 years in an era of rapid digital content consumption demonstrates the association’s resilience and the enduring power of storytelling and the written word.
Undoubtedly, the December event provides an opportunity to honor the founders, authors, editors, and translators who have contributed over the decades, preserving a rich history and a body of work for future generations of Ilokanos and non-Ilokanos.
The collective works produced over 60 years serve as a cultural artifact, reflecting societal changes, political upheavals, and technological revolutions.
Having been to all the anniversaries of GUMIL Metro Manila, which gifted us with four years of the presidency in the 1990s, we are persuaded the celebration can highlight how the association has addressed universal themes of identity, resilience, and transformation through literature.
Admittedly, GMM has been a crucial bridge between generations linking past cultural moments and literary traditions with contemporary experiences and new perspectives, at the same time connecting established literary figures with emerging authors, fostering mentorship and community.
We have no doubt the jubilee will be used to reaffirm the organization’s mandate and inspire new directions, with GMM strengthening its endorsement of webinars and other activities to explore new theoretical approaches, digital humanities, and new media, ensuring continued relevance in the 21st century.
Positively, the jubilee will hopefully allow GMM to engage with a broad audience, including readers, enthusiasts, and educational institutions, strengthening the literary community and promoting the importance of literature in modern society.
At the end of the day, the jubilee will be a moment to recognize the profound influence GMM has had on shaping social consciousness and enriching the intellectual life of its community and the Ilokano roots.
