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Writers convene for Cordi literature awareness

BAGUIO CITY (Apr. 7) — Both aspiring and ‘mid-career’ writers have gathered here at Pines View Hotel, Legarda Rd. for a Seminar-Workshop on Teaching Creative Writing in Filipino and English, as sponsored by the University of the Philippines Baguio (UP Baguio) College of Arts and Communication (CCA) and the Likhaan-Institute of Creative Writing, UP Diliman (UP-ICW). The Seminar-Workshop lasted from April 4 to April 7.

The UP-ICW was formerly established as UP Creative Writing Center (UP-CWC) in December 1978, only in July 2002 that the Board of Regents made it into IWC. The group aspires to encourage Filipino writers to contribute to national cultural development, especially in Literature.

This year’s event is a landmark as the group parallelized the Writers’ Workshop with the Seminar of Creative Writing teachers (as the mentioned activities were previously held separately). Twelve writers and 9 teaching staff participated in the Likhaan Seminar-Workshop.

“During the workshop, participants presented a chapter of their works, and a short essay to explain the philosophy of their writing form and genre,” ICW Associate Lilia Quindoza-Santiago, Ph. D. (Philippine Studies, UP Diliman) explained.

Moreover, the seminar-workshop aimed to tackle various pressing issues the writers and the Filipino literature itself face.

This year, the group embarked upon the current awareness of the Cordillera literature among Baguio schools and universities.

Quindoza-Santiago said, “I grew here in Baguio City and yet I have only known about the indigenous literature of the Cordillera when I researched in college. It is time to reach the elementary school levels so they will be familiarized early on with the rich Cordilleran literature.”

As far as Filipino and English literature consciousness is concerned, Quindoza-Santiago claims that Filipino writers are generally knowledgeable, especially with the varied exposure of media.

However, she still believes that what is more important is that writers should enhance comprehension and familiarity of the myriad of indigenous literatures, eventually to lead to a unified and genuine national Filipino identity.

“Since we have links in UP Mindanao, UP Tacloban and Iloilo, we hope to establish connections soon at UP Baguio. We look forward to holding again our Seminar-Workshop here next year,” Quindoza-Santiago said.

To be updated with Likhaan’s activities and programs, visit their website, www.up.edu.ph and www.panitikan.com.ph. # Pink-Jean Fangon Melegrito for NORDIS

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