First virtual Silliman Writers Workshop opens with 13
The Silliman University National Writers Workshop (SUNWW), held virtually for the first time, opened its 59th season through a virtual ceremony, June 28, 2021 via Zoom, with 13 budding literary writers from across the country as this year’s fellows.
The fellows are Frederick Cumagun (Lipa, Batangas), Thomas Leonard Shaw (Cebu City), and Isabel Torres (Kalibo, Aklan) for poetry; Leanne Claire Bellen (Naga City), David Jason Oquendo (General Santos), and Francheska Isabel Guazon (Cebu City) for fiction; Andyleen Feje (Nueva Ecija) and Pietros Val Patricio (Athens, Greece) for creative nonfiction; Beryl Andrea Delicana (Butuan City) for drama; Jovanie Garay (San Isidro, Davao Oriental) and Michael Florentino (Cebu City) for Balak; and Jennifer Ebdani (Calbayog City, Samar) and Hannah Leceña (Saranggani Province) for Sugilanon.
Dr. Betty Cernol-McCann, SU president, said in her welcome message during the event that it is important to continue the tradition of the SUNWW despite the difficulties of logistics caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The [SUNWW] is a long, unbroken tradition of literary excellence and literary mentorship that has produced many of our brilliant contemporary writers in the Philippines, and some even from neighboring countries like Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Korea,” added McCann.
McCann also said that the workshop has “evolved with the times” since it was founded by Edilberto Tiempo and National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo, who hoped to “break the mold” of literary writing in the country through the SUNWW.
“Sharpening the words of writers who have something to say about society’s ills, who have something to say about the plight of the country, who have something to say about the importance of the languages we write in, and marrying all of that with the infinite concern for sharpening the craft; those two things are not necessarily at odds with each other. They complement each other,” said McCann.
The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Timothy R. Montes, director-in-residence of the 59th SUNWW; resident panelist Dr. César Ruìz Aquino; regular panelist Dr. Marjorie Evasco; and guest panelists Richel G. Dorotan, Charlson Ong, Dr. Ma. Elena L. Paulma, Ester Tapia, and Januar Yap.
The SUNWW is the longest-running workshop in Asia. It is known not only for its program but also for its competitiveness in its selection of fellows.
For updates and other details, check the official Facebook page of the workshop: https://www.facebook.com/The-Silliman-University-National-Writers-Workshop-105074978439435.
