Sarangani Writers League

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!

12/03/2026

😁📚

MANDALUYONG CITY – The Sarangani Writers League (SWL) represents Sarangani Province at the Philippine Book Festival 2026.

SWL joins eight other Mindanao-based literary groups, academic presses, and independent publishers in the collective booth “Mindanao Publishers.” The festival runs from March 12-15, 2026 at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

Organized annually by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the Philippine Book Festival is the country’s premier gathering of publishers, writers, and readers, designed to promote and support the local publishing industry.

Alongside Sarangani Writers League, participating groups include Papel-Papel Publishing OPC (Cagayan de Oro), Aklat Alamid (General Santos), Bidadali Press (Maguindanao/General Santos), Aklat Mirasol (Zamboanga City), Nagkahiusang Magsusulat sa Cagayan de Oro (Northern Mindanao), Xavier University Press (Cagayan de Oro), Maita Rue (Davao City), and Southern Voices Printing Press (Metro Manila, with Mindanao titles).

The booth will feature works such as Gutierrez Mangansakan II’s “Closing Party and Other Stories,” Adeva Jane Esparrago-Kalidas’ “The Rain is Different Now,” Abigail C James’ “Password and Other Works,” Eric John B Villena’s “Sa Gabing Pumanaog sa Pusod ng Lungsod,” Carlou Espedillon’s “Amputations,” John Dave Pacheco’s “Mga Palayaw,” Xaña Angel Eve Apolinar’s “Gusto Maglupad ni Bangsi,” Ton Daposala’s “basâ-basa,” and Anthony L. Tan’s “Crossing the River.”

Highlighting the League’s role, M.J. Cagumbay Tumamac of Sarangani Writers League and Aklat Alamid will moderate a panel discussion on independent and alternative publishing in Mindanao on March 15.

The session, set for 3:00–4:00 PM at the Gubat ng Karunungan stage, features NH Legaspi (Papel-Papel Publishing OPC), Gerald Galindez (Tridax Zines, Tacurong City), and Sophia Perez (Aklat Mirasol).

06/03/2026

04/03/2026

See you at the Philippine Book Festival! 📚

We're so excited to be part of the Mindanao Publishers booth at this year's Philippine Book Festival, happening this March 12–15 at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall! 🦉

Together with our fellow micro presses from various provinces in Mindanao, we aim to become a hub for our books, zines, and paper products which would otherwise be hard to access in Metro Manila.

Admission to the PBF is free! Just register online at bit.ly/PBF2026Registration.

We hope to see you there! 🌞