Setting writing in Mindanao to become a pillar of a National Literature, Mindanao writers have convened the 1st Mindanao Writers Summit.
Characterizing a ‘Southern consciousness’ in their works, these creative writers will meet in Cagayan de Oro on March 19-20, 2010 at the Capitol University to plan and implement a blueprint for the future of Mindanao writing.
Convening the summit is MSU-IIT Literature Professor Dr. Christine F. Godinez-Ortega, current Vice Chairperson of the Committee of Literary Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Ortega also organizes the Iligan National Writers Workshop, one of three institutionalized write-shops in the country which has been based in the MSU-IIT since its founding 18 years ago.
This first-ever summit of Mindanaoan wordsmiths will have, as among its highlights, the launch of the online publication for southern writers and the conceptualization of a textbook on Philippine literature featuring the works of Mindanao writers as per memo from the Commission on Education.
According to Ortega, the summit will plan writing-related activities for the next five years such as workshops, literary forums and literary readings, and book launches, among others. The summit will also conduct planning workshops to help writers organize and plan their courses of action to improve the conditions for writers in the island.
Ortega added that the summit should reinforce the network of Mindanao writers and assist writers groups to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) so that these groups can be accredited by the NCCA.
To keynote the summit will be novelist and SEA Write Awardee Antonio Reyes Enriquez.
Institute-based writers who are also involved in the planning of the event include playwright Steven Patrick C. Fernandez and poet German V. Gervacio. Past fellows of the Iligan workshop are expected to attend.
For those who are interest to join, please contact Leda Gonzales or Ofelia Taneo at the MSU-IIT OVCRE through (063) 2232343; Jayson Parba of CU at 0917-7270583; Raul Moldez at the Cagayan de Oro City Hall through 0926-4830646; Mar Geocallo of Linamon, Lanao del Norte at 0926-9110973; Bart Savior of Xavier University at 0905-3034377; Amy Bojo of Bukidnon through 0917-3997732; and Ben Halili of ADZU at 0916-7583652.
You may also email Zola Gonzalez Macarambon at zolagonzalez.macarambon@gmail.com or Raul Moldez at rgmoldez@yahoo.com