10th iyas creative writing workshop fellows

After submitting the same (sort of) kind of works (like those from my 47th Duma) to this workshop in the past year and getting rejected through e-mail, the only sane thing to do is to get out of my niche and send something entirely beyond what I have been heavily influenced in college. I think I have done the right thing for risking a little bit. I made it—this time, for fiction naman! Here’s the official statement released by University of St. La Salle Bacolod's website:

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The IYAS Creative Writing Workshop proudly announces its roster of Fellows for 2010.

Fellows for Fiction
Fred Jordan Carnice (English)
Roselle Jimeno (English)
Vernan Jagunap (English)
Gino Francis Dizon (English)
Anne Carly Abad (English)
Jesus Insilada (Hiligaynon).

Fellows for Poetry
Gian Paolo Lao (English)
Alyza Mary Taguilaso (English)
Charmaine Carreon (English)
Arbeen Acuña (Filipino)
Noel Fortun (Filipino)
Rogerick Fernandez (Filipino)
Paul Randy Gumanao (Cebuano)
Glenn Muñez (Cebuano)
Elsed Togonon (Kinaray-a)
Simplicio Gadugdug (Boholano)

The panelists for this year are Dr. Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Dr. Elsie Coscolluela, Dr. Genevieve Asenjo, Dr. Danilo M. Reyes, Dr. Anthony Tan and Prof. John Iremil Teodoro.

The IYAS Creative Writing Workshop is sponsored by the University of St. La Salle and the Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center of De La Salle University and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The 10th IYAS Creative Writing Workshop is set on April 25- May 1, 2010.

fellows of the 49th silliman university national writers workshop

Fellow Iligan Hipon and Cosmo Girl Samantha Echavez got in the workshop--just a year before it turns golden! Like any proud acquaintance, there's only one important thing that I can impart, "Inuman na!" Before I let out the party poppers, since she have yet to encounter the slicing and dicing of the panelists, here's the official statement of the list of fellows:

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National Writers Workshop Director-in-Residence Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Silliman University are pleased to announce that the following young writers have been accepted as fellows for the 49th National Writers Workshop scheduled on 3-21 May 2010:

For Poetry

Gian Paolo Simeon Lao (Ateneo de Manila University)
Dominique Allison Santos (University of Santo Tomas)
Jacob Dominguez (University of Santo Tomas)
Oscar Serquina Jr. (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

For Fiction

Aaron James Jalalon (University of the Philippines–Mindanao)
Jenette Ethel Vizcocho (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Gilda Ysobel Galang (Ateneo de Manila University)
Anne Carly Abad (Ateneo de Manila University)
Gino Francis Dizon (Ateneo de Manila University)
Jose Carlo Flordeliza (De La Salle University)
Ida Anita Del Mundo (De La Salle University)
Samantha Echavez (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

For Creative Non-Fiction

Kelly Marie Tulio Conlon (University of the Philippine–Mindanao)
Miro Frances Capili (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Christina Mae del Rosario (Ateneo de Manila University)

trips to two provinces

A question made my eyebrows raise a bit when I was frolicking in the shallow waters in an islet that was a short boat-ride away from the shores of Caramoan: “Which is better, Bohol or Camarines Sur?”

I do not know how to respond but feebly say that the attractions of my home province tend to project a more relaxed and soothing atmosphere while CamSur, as it is famously known from across the globe by now, goes for the edge, the adventure fix of anyone’s needs.

Finally reaching the arc after nine hours

Yes, Bohol may be sporting new offerings lately—like Danao’s extreme activities such as the semi-bungee jumps, ziplines and numerous spelunking tours—but overall, what makes the land of Tarsiers, Loboc River Cruise, and Chocolate Hills a destination for the much-anticipated vacation is its quite charm. Like its neighbor, Negros Oriental, Bohol basks in a laidback setup that ironically calls attention to its natural undisturbed beauty.

For example, there are the beaches of Panglao. Like anyone who has stepped onto the blue seas and the wide stretch of white sand, the feeling of contentment is unmistakable. No need for bars muted by house music, no need for celebrities, just the things that are simply provided.

Dumaluan Beach in Panglao

Suislide in Danao

Café Lawis in Dauis

Camarines Sur, on the other hand, is one vast arena to make use of those dormant energies—especially for those who drill themselves into the seats of their offices five days a week. Though the long travel hours between the best spots around will definitely crush all forms of human feelings from numbness, these will all be forgotten once the destinations are reached.

Wakeboarding in Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC)

Visiting one of the islands around Caramoan

Sunset at CWC Obstacle Course

There is no need elaborating the differences between the two. Both are beautiful in their respective uniqueness, just like the rest of the provinces all over the Philippines that I have yet to visit. (This thought in particular makes me wonder why some people have to get out of the country to spend their vacation in shopping centers. The sundry places of our country do not only feed our eyes, they feed the soul. That is why it not surprising quite a number of scribes write about our country’s falls, mountain ranges, seas, and cities).

Now back to the question: Which is better, Camarines Sur or Bohol? I do not want to be biased. After all, I am from Tagbilaran, Bohol. I would let the photos speak for themselves, which will all honestly scream that I have enjoyed equal portions of the greats.

17th iligan national writers workshop set

[I know this is a little too late but I still go for the idea that this tiny promotion could help...]


The 17th Iligan National Writers Workshop will be held on May 24-28, 2010 in Iligan City.

The Iligan workshop is one of three national writers workshops in the country institutionalized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Founded by Jaime An Lim, Christine Godinez-Ortega and Anthony L. Tan, the workshop opened in 1994 with Bienvenido Lumbera as its first keynote speaker.

The Iligan workshop accepts entries in English, Filipino and the regional languages: Sebuano (this is the correct spelling of Sebuano according to Philippine linguistics professors/researchers), Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Waray and Chabacano.

Each year, the Iligan workshop chooses a keynote speaker to deliver his address during its opening program that also features the MSU-IIT resident theater company, the Integrated Performing Arts Group, it gives a quota of five writing fellows per region and it is the only national workshop that publishes its proceedings. The proceedings contain the works submitted by writing fellows, their photos and bionotes and the commentaries of the panelists.

The panelists this year are: Ma. Rosario Cruz Lucero, Leoncio P. Deriada, Merlie M. Alunan, Victor N. Sugbo, Steven P.C. Fernandez, German V. Gervacio, Bro. Karl Gaspar, CSSR, the workshop director, Christine Godinez-Ortega and this year's keynote speaker, Lawrence Ypil of Ateneo de Manila University.

This is a unique year for the Iligan workshop however because there is no regular funding from the NCCA therefore, qualified writing fellows will have to either look for sponsors or fund themselves to enable them to attend the workshop.

The Iligan workshop would like the guidelines below to be posted in panitikan.com.ph so more will know about them.

Guidelines for Applicants

I. Application Form

Submit filled up application form. Download form at: www.msuiit.edu.ph

II. Sponsor

A qualified applicant has to have a sponsor this year to pay for his round trip transportation to and from Iligan City and for his board and lodging totaling P10,000.00 for the duration of the workshop.

III. Cash/check deposits

All payments should be deposited in the Mindanao Creative Writers Group, Inc. checking account no. 000-322-1107-07, Landbank, Iligan City . Please inform the MCWG Treasurer, Pat Cruz when the cash or check has been deposited. Tel. (063) 2232343 or cell no. 0917-716-2822.

IV. Qualification requirement

1. An applicant shall have attended a local or regional workshop before joining the INWW but this may be waived by the evaluators in meritorious cases.

2. Applicants should submit any one of the following [or one genre per applicant]:

· Poetry – 5 poems

· Short Story – one short story of not more than 30 pages, double spaced on regular bond paper

· Play – one, one act play

· Novel – one chapter of a novel or novel-in-progress. This must be accompanied by a background and a summary of the novel.

3. Entries should be encoded in Word Document, Times New Roman, font 12, double spaced on regular sized bond paper.

4. Entries accepted are: English, Filipino and in the regional languages – Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Sebuano, Waray, Chabacano. Translations in English should also be submitted with the manuscripts in their original languages.

5. One hard copy and a soft copy in CD [Word Document] of each entry are submitted with the application form and cover letter.

6. Address cover letter to:

Christine Godinez-Ortega
Director, 17th Iligan National Writers Workshop
c/o Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Extension
MSU-IIT, Iligan City

Tel. (063) 2232343

Contact Pat Cruz or Alice Bartolome

7. Deadline for all submissions: April 15, 2010

8. Qualified applicants will be notified by the INWW Director.

V. For other queries or details

Please call Pat Cruz or Alice Bartolome, MSU-IIT, OVCRE, tel (063) 2232343