SU Writing Workshop concludes its 61st year

Fellows, panelists, organizing committee members, and volunteers of the 61st Silliman University National Writers Workshop pose for a group photo after the closing ceremony. (Photo by Francis Basa Pabiania)

The Silliman University National Writers Workshop (SUNWW) concluded its 61st season in a closing ceremony with its 12 fellows, July 7, 2023 at Silliman Hall.

The 61st SUNWW fellows also presented their literary folio titled “Dagit,” which includes one work from each fellow. The works of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and sugilanon (a story in Visayan) were written during the course of the two-week intensive writing workshop.

Dr. Dinah Roma, director-in-residence of the 61st SUNWW, encouraged aspiring writers and applicants of the oldest creative writing workshop in Asia to submit their work when applications open because being a fellow would introduce them to a community of writers who are “supportive of each other” and care for each other’s writing.

Roma was also the director-in-residence of last year’s workshop when it was held fully online due to pandemic restrictions.

Meanwhile, Yehudi Santillan III, a fellow for drama and an incoming fourth-year creative writing student at SU, said the workshop pushed him to be better at his craft as a writer.

“It was emphasized throughout the entire workshop [that] one of the reasons why this [workshop] was created [is] to build a community. I am very grateful to be part of this and get to meet these interesting people to build that community [and] help each other out,” said Santillan. 

He said that he has learned a lot from the workshop and urged aspiring writers to join the next SUNWW seasons even if they are not part of the creative writing program of the university.

“If you think you have the love for the craft, you love writing, I really encourage everyone to submit and be part of this community because you will learn a lot and you will meet interesting people,” he said.

Santillan is the lone fellow from Dumaguete City who was accepted for drama along with Eunice Joy Bacalando from Pasay City.

(With Francis Basa Pabiania, SU Office of Information and Publications intern)

Dr. Dinah Roma, director-in-residence of the 61st SUNWW, delivers her message to the fellows, panelists, and organizing committee. (Photo by Francis Basa Pabiania)

Yehudi Santillan III, a 61st SUNWW fellow for drama, receives his certificate of participation. (Photo by Francis Basa Pabiania)