17th San Agustin Writers Workshop fellows named

The Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Institute of the University of San Agustin has named the eleven fellows of the 17th San Agustin Writers Workshop to be held on May 2 to 4, 2019 at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City.

They are Cyrus Belle Calimpong (Hiligaynon Poetry), Roehl Joseph A. Dazo (Filipino and English Drama), Bradlean Gallos Espejo (Filipino and English Poetry), Rey Alexander V. Palmares (English Creative Nonfiction), Noel P. Pingoy (English Creative Nonfiction), Serafin I. Plotria, Jr. (Hiligaynon Poetry), Adhoniz Rebong (Hiligaynon Short Story), Alrom Christian P. Ricafuente (English Poetry), Reyson Peralta Samulde (Kinaray-a Poetry), Charles Dominic P. Sanchez (English Short Story), and Rizzah Saplada (English Short Story).

Cirilo F. Bautista Novel Prize winner Atty. Rayboy T. Pandan, the project director of IYAS National Writers Workshop, will give the keynote address during the opening ceremonies.

The workshop panel is composed of award-winning writers and teachers: Palanca Hall of Famer Alice Tan-Gonzales; National Book Award-winning critic Isidoro M. Cruz; UP Centennial Literary Prize winner Criselda Yabes; and Palanca award-winning fictionist Dulce Maria V. Deriada. Veteran theater director Eric Divinagracia is the guest lead panelist for drama. The workshop director is the award-winning prolific writer John Iremil Teodoro.

The workshop fellowships would include free attendance to the workshop, board and lodging for fellows from outside Iloilo City, and subsidy for travel expenses.

The San Agustin Writers Workshop is the longest running creative writing workshop primarily for West Visayan writers writing in Aklanon, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, English, and Filipino.

This year it is opening its doors for writers outside Region 6.

The 17th San Agustin Writers Workshop is organized by USA’s College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education or CLASE.

Press release from University of San Agustin