Pagsurat Bicol VII held

The Pagsurat Bicol VII (PB VII), a creative writing workshop and study of Bicol literature funded by NCCA, in partnership with CatSU and Philseaboard as partly providing the counterpart funds, was successfully held for the first time in Catanduanes, the island facing the Pacific Ocean.

Twelve writing fellows were selected to participate in the workshop with the theme "Pagbaltas, Pag-iba, asin Pagsurat”(Traversed, Walked With, Write) representing marginalized sectors such as the indigenous peoples and fisherfolks coming from the different provinces in the region.

Catanduanes State University President Patrick Alain T.Azanza welcomed the fellows, panelists and guests to the island at a welcome dinner that also featured the launching of the works of the late poet Efren T. Sorra (Etasor)'s second book Daan na Duyan selected by Gerry S. Rubio (Paz Santos, 2024). The family of Etasor was also present during the event.

The 12 writing fellows of the workshop were Sheila Ann Abarra, Luz Angela Benjamin, Mary France Buban, Jan Carl Campit, Jose Carrascal, Kent Patrick R.De Lima, Mark Kevin delos Santos, LyndonJr. G Mohametano, Dann Philip A.Monsod, Danica F. Temen̈a, FrancisB. Tolero, and Regine Borjal Trapago.

The panelists were the writers Allan Popa, Emman Barrameda, Napoleon Arcilla, Gerry S. Rubio, Joey Gianan Vargas, and Paul John Padilla, all from Catanduanes; then Jaime Jesus Uy Borlagdan, of Tabaco Albay, Shauunah Ysabel Cledera of Naga City; and Workshop Director Reashiela Lucena Khan. Other resource speakers were Paz Verdades M. Santos, Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento, Arnold M. Valledor, and Niles Jordan D. Breis.

Other entities that supported the effort were the Local Gov't unit of Panganiban, Paraiso ni Honesto, ARDCI Foundation Inc. E-Crown Hotel and Restaurant, Aklat Ulagad, Kabulig Bicol Inc. Cafe de Au, and the Provincial Tourism Office of Catanduanes.

For more highlights of the workshop, see the Pagsurat Bicol VII Facebook page.