ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The life and work of Leoncio P. Deriada, known as the Father of Contemporary West Visayan Literature, were honored and celebrated in a recent 2nd Leoncio P. Deriada Conference at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Little Theater.
The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and Hubon Manunulat, a group of writers promoting and preserving West Visayan literature, led the event.
Deriada was a Palanca Hall of Famer and a Taboan Lifetime Awardee.
He was the first coordinator of the UPV Sentro ng Wikang Filipino who actively advocated to revive Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Aklanon or Akeanon dialects through writing.
A multi-awarded fictionist, poet, and playwright, his efforts paved the way for the immense growth of literature in these languages.
“We’re honoring key figures in literature not just to remember them, but because their life’s work has an enduring role to play in the future of our literature,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.
Scholars and educators focused on advancing the study and teaching of Philippine literature, particularly using regional languages and cultural identity.
Using Deriada’s works, the lecturers shared how they can equip themselves with the skills and tools to critique, design, and demonstrate lessons that reflect deeper engagement with West Visayan literature.
For Professor Dulce Maria Deriada, president of Hubon Manunulat and Deriada’s daughter, the conference is one way to introduce Deriada to people outside the region through his literary works and various worthwhile endeavors. (AAL/LMLE/PIA ILOILO/2nd Leoncio P. Deriada Conference Committee)
