By Freddie Lazaro
LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat Nga Ilokano (GUMIL) – Filipinas held its 9th annual Ilokano literary writing workshop at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) College of Teacher Education in Laoag City.
(GUMIL Filipinas / MANILA BULLETIN)
Thirteen promising writers in the Ilokano language took part in the three-day writing workshop last week dubbed as Pasnaan 9 (anvil).
Neyo E. Valdez, GUMIL Filipinas secretary-general and workshop director, said, the workshop “provides a highly creative environment for budding writers in Ilokano language, where they have the chance to hone their writing skills, develop their creative sides and dialogue with established writers in Ilokano.”
Vilmer Viloria, GUMIL Filipinas president, said the workshop is considered as the pet project of the organization to realize its commitment in preserving the rich culture of the Ilokano language.
“The successful conduct of Pasnaan 9 would be our great contribution for the observance of the ‘International Year of Indigenous Languages’ this year,” Viloria said.
The International Year of Indigenous Languages is a United Nations observance that aims to raise awareness of the consequences of the endangerment of Indigenous languages across the world.
“The Pasnaan is very significant because this is a venue for learning the genuine Ilokano orthography; and a venue to preserve the rich culture of the language,” added Viloria.
This year’s hosts, GUMIL Ilocos Norte and MMSU, also conducted lectures for the Jeremias A. Calixto Literary Seminar-Workshop that coincided with the event. Lecturers were Bannawag Magazine editor Cles B. Rambaud (Ilokano Orthography), Pasnaan 8 Outstanding Fellow Riaflor Rebolledo (Poetry Writing Process), UP Baguio Professor Junley L. Lazaga (Literary Criticism), and GUMIL Ilocos Norte President Joel B. Manuel (Structure of Ilokano Language).
Rambaud, Rebolledo, Lazaga, and Manuel also served as workshop panelists, which also included Juan Al. Asuncion, Daniel L. Nesperos, Aileen R. Rambaud, Dr. Edna C. Nagtalon, Estela Bisquera-Guerrero, and Valdez. Ben Pacris and Reynaldo Andres served as guest panelists for Ilokano Poetry and Creative Fiction, respectively.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the traditional poetry reading for Pasnaan fellows and panelists, held on the night of the second day under the Rizal Park along the University Belt in Laoag City.
The workshop participants were: Roldan C. Antonio, Sta. Ana, Cagayan (Ilokano Poetry); Mikael Rabara Gallego, San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur (Ilokano Poetry); Mar Aganad Sevilleja, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur (Ilokano Poetry); Arnel D. Calipjo, Dumalneg, Ilocos Norte (Ilokano Poetry); Rene Boy E. Abiva, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya (Ilokano Poetry); Jennielou G. Pigao, Candon City (Ilokano Children’s Poems); Carlota A. Acacio, Vintar, Ilocos Norte (Ilokano Children’s Poems); Alma Jane C. Calaramo, Vintar, Ilocos Norte (Ilokano Children’s Poems); Tricia Luis Gundran, Candon City (Ilokano Short Story); Rovin Jay M. Alunday, Banna, Ilocos Norte (Ilokano Short Story); Godfrey T. Dancel, Quezon City (Ilokano Stories for Children); Jarrazielle Marquez, Santiago, Ilocos Sur (Ilokano Stories for Children); and Roda L. Tajon, Quezon City (Ilokano Creative Fiction).
They were selected from promising Ilokano writers who answered for the call of submission of literary works for the workshop.