National writers workshop to start April 30 in Silliman

By Jennifer C. Tilos

Wednesday 25th of April 2012

DUMAGUETE CITY, April 25 (PIA) -- The 51st edition of the Silliman University (SU) National Writers Workshop starts on April 30 at the Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village in Camp Look-out, Valencia, Negros Oriental.

According to creative writer Ian Casocot of Silliman University, 11 writers from all over the Philippines were accepted as fellows for the workshop in various categories.

For poetry accepted were CD Borden (University of San Carlos) and Deborah Rosalind Nieto (University of Santo Tomas).

For Fiction fellows include Michael Aaron Gomez (Silliman University); Thomas David Chavez (Philippine Normal University); Michelle Abigail Tiu Tan (Ateneo de Manila University); Christian Tablazon (University of the Philippines–Diliman); Timothy James Dimacali (University of the Philippines-Diliman); and Ma. Vida Frances Cruz (Ateneo de Manila University).

Under the creative non-fiction, Hazel Meghan Hamile (University of the Philippines–Mindanao) and Zendy Victoria Sue Valencia (University of Santo Tomas) were accepted.

For drama, only Karlo Antonio David of Ateneo De Davao University was accepted as fellows.

The panel of writers for this year includes Director-in-Residence Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas; Dumaguete-based writers Bobby Flores Villasis; Myrna Peña-Reyes; and César Ruìz Aquino.

Guest panelists include Susan Lara, DM Reyes, Anthony Tan, Alfred Yuson, and Gémino Abad, said Casocot.

The workshop, which traditionally lasts for three weeks, is the oldest creative writing workshop of its kind in Asia. It was founded in 1962 by Ediberto K. Tiempo and National Artist Edith L. Tiempo.

It celebrated its golden anniversary in 2011, a year which also marked the passing of Dr. Edith Tiempo.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Embassy of the United States of America in Manila. Guests from the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy include Regional English Language Officer Maria Carina Dungao, Public Affairs Officer Robin Diallo, Cultural Affairs Officer Alan Holst, and Cultural Affairs Specialist Tony Perez.

Diallo is expected to give a presentation on “Classroom Teaching” at the American Studies and Research Center of the Robert and Metta Silliman Library on May 3.

Dungao on the other hand will also give a presentation on “Classroom Dynamics” on the same date. While, Holst, will give a lecture on “Literature and Film” on May 16, also at the Silliman Library. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)