The prestigious 62nd Silliman University National Writers Workshop is in full swing, upholding its legacy as the longest-running creative writing program in Asia.
This year, 12 fellows were chosen from a competitive pool of applicants:
Poetry: Margarita Labrador (Quezon City), Andrea Ingrid Lopez (Taytay, Rizal), John Dave Pacheco (General Santos City);
Sugilanon: Jevin Astillero (Misamis Occidental);
Fiction: Kyrios Hafid Concordia (Quezon City), Trisha Marie Matabalan (Maribojoc, Bohol), John RayPucay (Baguio City), Alyana Marie Aguja (General Santos City);
Creative Non-fiction: Larraine Franchesca Lopez (Parañaque City), Sabrina Victoria Dayao (Malate, Manila), Maria Suson (Cebu City); and
Drama: Andrea Therese Nazareno (Dumaguete City).
The workshop strives to embrace contemporary voices while honoring its rich tradition, established in 1962. Founded by literary luminaries Edith Tiempo and Edilberto K.Tiempo, the workshop remains dedicated to fostering exceptional writing talent.
Under the guidance of distinguished panelists, the Fellows will delve into intensive critique and analysis of their work. The first week featured sessions led by John Labella of Filipinas Heritage Library; Creative Writing Prof. Ian Casocot, multi-awarded writer Alexis Abola, renowned poet Danilo Francisco M. Reyes, and poet César Ruìz Aquino, who had joined the very first Silliman writers workshop, and who continues to inspire generations of writers.
The Silliman Writers Workshop also offers non-Fellows opportunities to enrich their literary experience by organizing events and lectures open to the public. These include a lecture on the poetry of Edith Tiempo, and the launch of the 2023 Writing Folio. For a nominal fee, interested audiences can also audit weekday workshop sessions.
The 62nd SUNWW is made possible by the generous support of long-time sponsors: Macrina Ramos-Fuentes and Sande Fuentes/Hayahay Treehouse Bar, Maripaz Gonzales Montaño/Wuthering Heights B&B, Jansen Tan/ Adorno Café, Dumaguete MetroPost, National Museum of the Philippines – Dumaguete, Emilio Yoldi and Xenia Denise Bandivas/InPeace Foundation, Dr. Diomar Abrio/ SU Culture & Arts Council, Dessa Quesada-Palm/Youth Advocates through Theatre Arts, Andrea Alviola/SU Davao Cottage, SU Cafeteria, SU Library, Christine Batiles/SU Anthropology Museum. (Evan Witkowski)
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Photo Caption: CREATIVE WRITING FELLOWS AT SILLIMAN. Guest panelists Exie Abola and John Labella, and director-in-residence D.M. Reyes (6th to 8th from left) are flanked by the 12 writing fellows who were selected to participate in the 62nd National Silliman Writers Workshop: Sabrina Victoria Dayao (Creative Non-fiction), Andrea Ingrid Lopez (Poetry), Jevin Astillero (Sugilanon), John Ray Pucay and Kyrios Hafid Concordia (Fiction), John Dave Pacheco (Poetry), Andrea Therese Nazareno (Drama), Maria Suson and Larraine Franchesca Lopez (Creative Non-fiction), Margarita Labrador (Poetry), Alyana Marie Aguja and Trisha Marie Matabalan (Fiction). (SU Camera Club photo)
