19/07/2026
The Gentlest City Imagined: An Anthology of Literary Works About Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental was formally launched on 17 July, 2026 at the inaugural 6200 BookFest. The book, the book fest and the book launching celebrate the recognition of Dumaguete as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature.
The book editor, Ian Rosales Casocot of Silliman University, curated a selection of poems, stories, plays, historical accounts, and recollections about the Dumaguete and the province of Negros Oriental that evoke “a sense of place”.
The book launching gathered Dumaguete’s literary and academic circles, including government agencies on book and culture: the National Book Development Board and the UNESCO National Commission represented by its Secretary General, Ivan Henares. Historian Ambeth Ocampo was the guest of honor.
Vibal Foundation’s Publishing Manager Gelo Lopez and Casocot formally launched the book by giving the first copies to the anthology contributors and partners.
Congresswoman Maissa Sagarbarria and Councilor Chessa Sagarbarria who are supporters of the Dumaguete arts and culture scenes, likewise presented Casocot with their appreciation for his tireless promotion of the city’s literature.
The launch featured readings of select poems and excerpts of short stories and essays by contributors, with readings by Dr. Justin Jose Bulado, Dessa Quesada-Palm, Lyde Gerard Villanueva, Angela Gabrielle Fabunan, F. Jordan Carnice, Dara Tumaca-Ramos, and Rolin Migyuel Obina, as well as musical performances by local artists Lanz Gaborm and Hope Earnest Tinambacan.
The Arts and Design Collective Dumaguete, the Duma LitFest team, Filinvest and Vibal Foundation organized the launch. Copies of the book are available at Libraria.
Photos courtesy of the National Book Development Board and the Dumaguete City Tourism Office.
6200 BookFest
UNESCO-Philippine National Commission
National Book Development Board - Philippines
Dumaguete City Tourism Office
Dumaguete Literary Festival