The Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing is now accepting applications for the 66th UP National Writers Workshop (2027). This year’s call is for a face to face workshop. As with previous face-to-face iterations of the workshop, we will find the most conducive space to host our dear writers and their projects.

For the 66th iteration of the workshop, we are renewing our commitment to supporting the literary arts and engaging in productive conversations with writers. We understand that like the works we discuss, the workshop itself is subject to both appreciation and criticism, both which help us make the UPNWW better as we proceed with the next decade of the institution. We will continue with the hope that writers will be empowered to establish more literary spaces all over the Philippines. The UP National Writers Workshop is committed to ensuring a safe space of creative freedom and productive discourse for all participants for the entire duration of the workshop. Please note that the workshop aims to help advanced writers further hone their craft.  Writers from regions outside NCR are highly encouraged to apply.

IN TURN:

• All fellows are entitled to a modest stipend.
• Accommodation will be provided, as well as transportation to the venue from the pick-up point.
• In order to receive the stipend, accepted applicants MUST have a Tax Identification Number (TIN), PhilHealth Number, AND a Landbank account, or must be amenable to opening an account and applying for a TIN and PhilHealth Number in compliance with the UP Diliman Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration MEMORANDUM NO. AAP 2024-44 and MEMORANDUM NO. AAP 2024-13. We hope that these administrative requirements will not discourage potential applicants.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Authors with at least one published book/produced play or film are preferred, but graduates of creative writing, literary studies, and related programs (on all levels), or major award-giving body prize winners (eg. NCCA, Palanca, PBBY, MGBFBA), or Likhaan Journal authors are all welcome to apply.
• Applicants must be writers in English, Filipino or other Philippine languages (manuscripts must be accompanied by a translation in English or Filipino in the latter case).

REQUIREMENTS:

• A digital word file (.doc or .docx) of one original unpublished manuscript. The manuscripts could be a collection of short pieces (short story, poetry, creative nonfiction, one-act play, short film scripts), or excerpts from long-form work (a novel, a script for a documentary, or a full-length script for TV, film, or theater) accompanied by a synopsis to be discussed during the workshop. All submissions should not exceed 6,000 words. Please follow this format: 12 points, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 8.5 x 11 inches paper size;

• A digital word file (.doc or .docx) of an essay on “What I write, how, and why” (Ano ang aking sinusulat, paano, at bakit) in relation to the work-in-progress. The essay may include, not only the applicant’s literary, cultural, and academic influences, but also personal influences relating to family, class origin, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, among others. The essay must be no longer than 2,500 words and will be the basis for a 20-minute presentation that the fellow is expected to do during the workshop. Please follow this format: 12 points, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 8.5 x 11 inches paper size. For reference on how to write this essay, please read Here and Now: Selected Poetics from the UP National Writers Workshop. Download through this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/13zaW-3sA5zRnyeXLpy71ZUoy4j1UrQoe/view?usp=sharing;

•  Scanned copies of the applicant’s published work: this includes the cover and the copyright page for books, and for anthologies and journals, the cover, copyright page, and table of contents where the name of the author and their contribution is shown. For films and plays, a digital copy of the poster with its release date;
•  For graduates of literary programs, a scanned or digital copy of their certificate of graduation must be sent alongside the essay and manuscript;
• Short bio and a 2×2 pic;
• Copyright Certification. You may refer to this sample format; https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mLdpaPFXI8FbYGfL3aLGrAzwBYtY0ic9O_Ao9NFBB6Y/edit?usp=drivesdk
• Qualified applicants are requested to submit the above-mentioned materials on or before December 17, 2026, through this Google Form.
• Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
• Only writers who go through the complete application process will be considered. The selected fellows must be present for the full duration of the week-long workshop.

ABOUT THE UP NATIONAL WRITERS WORKSHOP

The UP National Writers Workshop (UPNWW) aims to help writers who have already published (or are on the verge of publishing) a book or have won major literary awards, in further honing their craft. It is complemented by the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Writers Workshop (ALBWW) for young and emergent writers.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP PANEL

The workshop panel is comprised of the Advisers, Fellows, and Associates of the UP ICW: National Artists for Literature Virgilio S. Almario and Gemino Abad, Likhaan Director Vladimeir B. Gonzales, Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr., Eugene Y. Evasco, Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., Ramon G. Guillermo, J. Neil Garcia, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera Jr., Charlson Ong, Will P. Ortiz, Jun Cruz Reyes, and Rolando B. Tolentino. The workshop director for the 2027 cycle is UP ICW Fellow and distinguished Filipino writer, Dr. Luna Sicat Cleto.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP DIRECTOR
Luna Sicat Cleto is a fictionist, essayist, poet, playwright, scriptwriter, and academic. She is the author of Bago Mo Ako Ipalaot, a poetry collection which was published as a bilingual edition in

German/Filipino in 2024 as Offenes Meer in the Edition TincaTinca in Winterthur, Switzerland. The collection received an award from Litprom in the same year. Her book Huni at Pakpak (2024) won as the best book of the year for Drama/Film in the 2024 National Book Awards. She has written two novels, Makinilyang Altar (2002), and Mga Prodigal (2010). She is also editor or co-editor of a number of fiction and nonfiction collections. She has also won numerous awards at the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for children’s stories, poetry and essays. She obtained her bachelor of arts in film and audiovisual communication at UP Diliman, where she also finished her degrees in Master of Arts in Filipino (Literature), and Doctor of Philosophy in Creative Writing in Filipino. She also teaches creative writing and literature at the said university and is a fellow at the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing.