I call upon the national government and LGUs to consider setting up workshops and writers’ residencies to foster the literary arts in the country and local communities
Summer is workshop season, when teachers and students are free of the requirements of the school semester and may turn their attention to other activities.
Creative writing workshops last several days to two weeks and aim to mentor writers in an immersive experience to further develop their craft so that they may contribute in their own way to Philippine letters.
Being held right now, online, is the University of Santo Tomas National Writers Workshop. It is the flagship program of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (CCWLS).
This year’s writing fellows are Amroding Baraiman, Carmina Cruz, Jannina Del Rio, Rey Isidto, Ian Nievero Jerez, Ivan James Layugan, Alyssa Jude Montalban, Nicolo Nasol, Kimberly Rose Pillo, Antonette Ramos, John Leihmar Toledo, Glenn Ford Tolentino, and Fe Esperanza Trampe.
The guest panelists are National Artist for Literature Gémino Abad, Luna Sicat Cleto, Jerry B. Gracio, and Vim Nadera.
Also serving as panelists and session moderators are the officials and Resident Fellows of the CCWLS: Director Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Co-Director Augusto Antonio A. Aguila, Assistant Director Ralph Semino Galan, and Jose P. Mojica, John Jack G. Wigley, Ned Parfan, Nerisa del Carmen Guevara, Joel Toledo, Ailil B. Alvarez, Dawn Marfil Burris, Joselito delos Reyes, Paul Alcoseba Castillo, Chuckberry J. Pascual, Mark Angeles, Lito B. Zulueta, and myself.
We also teach creative writing and/or literature subjects at UST.
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Meanwhile, this year’s Ateneo National Writers Workshop ended yesterday. Organized by the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices (AILAP), the eight writing fellows had their works critiqued by AILAP director Allan Derain and panelists Luna Sicat- Cleto, Jhoanna Lynn Cruz, Alvin Yapan, Eli Guieb III, Junley Lazaga, Genevieve Asenjo, and Vincenz Serrano.
The chosen writing fellows were Ryan Cezar O. Alcarde, Amanda Juico de la Cruz, DJ Ellamit, Elio Garcia, Vincent Imbat, Jehu Laniog, Hunny Laurente, and Jessa C. Suganob.
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After two years of being conducted in virtual mode, the 16th Palihang Rogelio Sicat (PRS) will again be held face-to-face at the University of the Philippines-Diliman on June 21 to 25, 2023.
Organized by the UP Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature (UP-DFPL), PRS is the only all-Filipino language writing workshop in the country.
It also provides continuous mentoring of workshop fellows by the panelists long after the workshop is over.
PRS 16 will also see the launching of its first anthology of former fellows’ works and a special workshop on the visual arts and text to be delivered by Prof. Manolo Sicat of the UP College of Fine Arts.
The fellows for poetry are: John Rafael Alcantara (Quezon), Sofia Angela Federico (Camarines Sur), Kei Gemora (Iloilo/Negros), Jose Velando Ogatis (Cavite), and Nethalie Jane Rojas (Catanduanes).
For the short story: Christian Balagoza (Bulacan), Lance Romulus Dayrit (Pangasinan), and Rica Mae Roberto (Bulacan).
For flash fiction: Precioso Dahe (Bukidnon), Loi Vincent Deriada (Iligan), Melencio Fernando (Bulacan), and Rey Mart Lapiña (Davao).
For the essay: Denmark Soco (Davao de Oro).
For drama: Angel Salvador Chiutea (Valenzuela) and Hannah Adtoon Leceña (Sarangani).
This year’s guest of honor is scholar, critic, editor, writer and editor emeritus of Kritika Kultura, Prof. Maria Luisa Torres-Reyes.
Some of her works are Sipat Salin and the translated version of The February Revolution by Letizia R. Constantino and Renato Constantino.
Comprising the PRS teaching panel are teacher-writers of the UP Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature including Reuel Molina Aguila and Jimmuel Naval, PRS founders, as well as Luna Sicat-Cleto, Vim Nadera, Romulo P. Baquiran Jr., Rommel B. Rodriguez, Elyrah L. Salanga Torralba, Will P. Ortiz and Maynard Manansala.
Guest panelists are Joi Barrios-Leblanc, Marne L. Kilates, Fidel Rillo Jr., and Jess Santiago.
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Creative writing workshops are important for the development of writers and the cultivation of a national literature.
Workshops provide a nurturing environment where aspiring authors can refine their craft, explore their unique voice, and receive valuable feedback from experienced mentors and fellow writers.
They also offer a space for writers to hone their skills and experiment with different styles and techniques.
Through constructive criticism and guidance, participants learn to refine their storytelling abilities, develop compelling characters, and master the art of crafting vivid imagery.
By receiving feedback about their pieces, writers gain the confidence and knowledge needed to produce their best work.
Workshops foster a sense of community among writers.
Writers can learn from one another’s perspectives, receive encouragement during challenging times, and build lasting connections.
The networking developed among participants stand them in good stead later on for collaborations, help with publishing, jobseeking, and so on.
Workshops are also essential for nurturing emerging talents.
Aspiring writers often face barriers to entry in the publishing world, but workshops provide a platform for undiscovered voices to be heard.
By encouraging new writers, workshops play a crucial role in ensuring the representation of different perspectives and experiences in the literary landscape.
Writing workshops empower writers to produce more and share their own particular stories, participating in the constant construction and development of national identity.
This is why I call upon the national government and LGUs to consider setting up workshops and writers’ residencies to foster the literary arts in the country and local communities.
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