Sarangani Writers League

16/07/2026

Catch the zines authored by the members of Sarangani Writers League at the 6200 Book Fest in Dumaguete City from 17 to 19 July 2026.

These will be available at the Aklat Alamid booth, which also hosts alternative publications by other writing organizations in SOCCSKSARGEN.

Named after the city's zip code, the inaugural book fest is part of a series of events to showcase Dumaguete as a UNESCO City of Literature.

The book fest will include book selling, launches, talks, workshops, literary tours, and other book-related activities.

02/07/2026

ALABEL, Sarangani — Regional literary groups launched a dual bibliotherapy and relief campaign in June for children affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake and ongoing aftershocks that struck Sarangani Province on June 8.

The initiative, named "Bulig Linog," was organized by Aklat Alamid and the Sarangani Writers League (SWL) to provide psychosocial support and aid in the heavily affected municipalities of Maasim and Glan.

“Because the Sarangani Writers League is based in southern Mindanao, we felt that we should assist our community after it was struck by the strong earthquake. So, we partnered with Aklat Alamid, which has experience offering bibliotherapy as a type of psychosocial support, to provide relief assistance,” said SWL co-founder MJ Cagumbay Tumamac.

“SWL members then offered to coordinate the recipient areas and connect with local publishers and organizations for the books and zines,” he added.

In Maasim, youth gathered at Datu Abdulbali Integrated School in Barangay Tinoto for storytelling and games. SWL member Xaña Angel Eve Apolinar read her children's book “Gusto Maglupad ni Bangsi,” while teacher Bersima Jane Gampal provided translations in Sinama.

SWL honorary member Eric Gerard Nebran led the activities. Participants received relief goods and books from Aklat Alamid, Adarna House, and ABC Educational Development Center.

In Glan, SWL member and filmmaker Henri Belimac led relief distribution in Barangay Poblacion.

Youth received packages containing books and literary zines from regional collectives, including Babaylan Zines, Timog Literary Circle, Dadiangas Writers Society, and Tridax Zines, intended to serve as reading materials and self-publishing guides.

The organizers credited individual donors and civil society partners for funding the disaster response operations.

02/07/2026

19/05/2026

COTABATO CITY — Five writers from the Soccsksargen region are among the 12 fellows selected for the inaugural Bangsamoro Writers Workshop (BWW).

The regional fellows are Guian Dayang of Malapatan, Sarangani; Ralph Jade Tampal of Kiamba, Sarangani; Sandrah Maas Saudagal of Kabacan, Cotabato; Al-Jhamier Mosib of Banisilan, Cotabato; and Razul Ariz of Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

Organized by the Bangsamoro Literary Review, the milestone literary event will run from June 4 to 7 in Cotabato City to foster emerging voices within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and its diaspora.

Completing the list of selected fellows are Nawirah Abdullah, Moirah Athena Abpi, Hasmeyya Lao Tiboron, Bryan Alexander Open, Jasser Magomnang Esmael, Jamil Mabandis, and Norsalim Haron.

Organizers said the cohort's selected manuscripts address themes of memory, displacement, faith, violence, and the contemporary realities of Moro life.

The workshop will feature intensive manuscript critiques alongside panel sessions covering the regional literary landscape, translation, orthography, and creative writing in the age of artificial intelligence.

BWW will also host a public open mic reading and performance night to connect fellows with the local literary community.

Filmmaker and writer Teng Mangansakan is the workshop director. The panel of mentors includes international author Kristine Ong Muslim, alongside Mindanao writers Sigrid Marianne Gayangos, Mubarak Tahir, and Diandra Ditma Macarambon.

"As the first initiative of its kind devoted to creative writing in the Bangsamoro and Mindanao, the Workshop stands as a monumental step toward building a sustained literary tradition rooted in the complexity, plurality, and brilliance of Bangsamoro experience," Mangansakan said.

18/05/2026

Congratulations Guian!

GUIAN DAYANG (Malapatan, Sarangani), who writes under the moniker Pilosopong Tasyo, believes that literature’s true purpose is to amplify unheard voices. His work centers on community, culture, and faith, giving a voice to day-laborers, street children, and traditions fading from collective memory. His narratives dwell on the mundane and the marginalized, the quiet fatigue of daily survival, small aspirations, and the grassroots stories shared in markets, transport terminals, and barrios.

As a fellow of the Bangsamoro Writers’ Workshop, the 22-year-old writer seeks to immerse himself in Bangsamoro history, investigating the intersections of myth, physical landmarks, and the historical struggles of the community. To him, writing is an act of reclamation, a way to preserve stories that must never be lost, especially those from people who have long been left out of the pages of history.

07/05/2026

We are proud of our member Catherine Discorson for being selected as a poetry fellow for the Davao Writers Workshop, which will take place on 27–31 May 2026 in the Island Garden City of Samal.

The Davao Writers Workshop, one of the leading writing workshops in Mindanao, is organised by the Davao Writers Guild, co-presented this year by the Initiatives for International Dialogue, and supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

17/04/2026

Sarangani Writers League co-founder M.J. Cagumbay Tumamac took oath as the East and Southern Mindanao Representative and the Assistant Secretary of the National Committee on Literary Arts (NCLA) on 15 April 2026 at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

The NCLA is one of the arts committees under the Subcommission on the Arts of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the government agency mandated to formulate policies, implement programs, and coordinate with affiliated cultural agencies to protect, preserve, develop, and promote Philippine arts and culture.

NCCA Chairman and Executive Director Eric B. Zerrudo presided over the oath-taking of all arts committees.

Serving until 2028, the NCLA is composed of Edgar C. Samar (Head & National Capital Region Representative), Junley L. Lazaga (Vice Head & Cordillera Administrative Region Representative), Noel Galon de Leon (Secretary & Western Visayas and Negros Island Region Representative), Genevieve L. Asenjo (National Capital Region Representative), Mark Joseph N. Rafal (National Capital Region Representative), Ariel S. Tabag (Northern Luzon Representative), Joey Tabula (Central Luzon Representative), Januar E. Yap (Central Visayas Representative), Jenilyn V. Garcia (Eastern Visayas Representative), Edbert Darwin A. Casten (South Luzon Representative), Marc Gabriel B. Olaya (North and Central Mindanao Representative), and Ahmad Shaid J. Sallim (Western Mindanao and Bangsamoro Representative).

After the oath-taking and an orientation on the policies and guidelines, the arts committees started drafting initial plans for the annual competitive grants offered by NCCA.

25/03/2026

Congratulations Xaña! 👏

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗠 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗟𝗬𝗗𝗢 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗠

The 7th Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Maitum warmly welcomes Ms. Xaña Angel Eve M. Apolinar as the newly appointed Local Youth Development Officer I of the Local Government Unit of Maitum. Her assumption to this vital role marks a strengthened commitment in advancing youth development programs and fostering meaningful engagement among the Kabataang Maitumians.

With her leadership and dedication, the Federation looks forward to a collaborative partnership in implementing impactful initiatives that empower the youth, promote active citizenship, and further enhance inclusive and sustainable development in our community.

Once again, welcome to the service of the youth, Ms. Apolinar. Together, let us continue building a progressive and empowered Maitum.

19/03/2026

Congratulations JD! 👏

SB Malungon Honors Filmmaker John Dave Pacheco for National Achievement

LOOK: The 16th Sangguniang Bayan ng Malungon, under the leadership of Vice Mayor Atty. Maria Theresa D. Constantino, proudly presented Resolution No. 2026-224-16 entitled, "A RESOLUTION COMMENDING JOHN DAVE PACHECO, YOUTH FROM MALUNGON, SARANGANI PROVINCE, FOR HIS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AS DIRECTOR OF “AMUSAY LAHAT: SA HULING BABAENG MANANAGAT” AND FOR BRINGING HONOR AND PRIDE TO MALUNGON AT THE NATIONAL STAGE THROUGH THE KNOW YOUR NORTH FILM FESTIVAL, Authored by Hon. Jerico A. Tanduyan.

The 16th Municipal Council personally congratulates and awarded a Plaque, Certificate of Recognition, and cash gift to Mr. John Dave Pacheco during the session last March 16, 2026, at the Sanggunian Session Hall, Malungon Sarangani Province.

Mr. Pacheco, a proud IP youth of Malungon, Sarangani Province served as director of “Amusay Lahat: Sa Huling Babaeng Mananagat”- a cinematic tribute to the Sama community, indigenous cultures, and the enduring power of art, love and collective struggle.

The work of Mr. Pacheco amplifies indigenous voices, strengthens cultural appreciation, and reinforces the truth that art chooses no face, age, culture, belief, or status, uniting communities through art and crafts. This success highlighted not only the talent and dedication of Mr. Pacheco, but also honor the Municipality of Malungon by placing its youth and its community in the national spotlight for creativity, storytelling, and cultural integrity.

Service with a happy heart continues!💚

19/03/2026

Sali na!