ABOUT THE WORKSHOP DIRECTOR

Ramon Guillermo
Ramon Guillermo is a writer, activist, translator, and scholar of Southeast Asian Studies. He is a proponent of digital humanities and is interested in human-computer literary interfaces. He is the director of the UP Center for International Studies.

ABOUT THE PANELISTS
Charlson Ong
Charlson Ong has published four collections of short fiction Men of the East and other stories, Woman of Amkaw and other stories, Conversion and other fictions, and Of that Other Country We Now Speak, as well as four novels: An Embarrassment of Riches, Banyaga: A Song of War, Blue Angel/White Shadow and White Lady Black Christ. He has won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Short Story in English, the PH National Book Award for both short fiction and the novel. He has also won a Filipino Academy of Motion Picture Arts (FAMAS) Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for TANABATA’S WIFE that he wrote, co-produced, and co-directed. He is a board member of Philippine Chapter of the International PEN.

Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.
Dr. Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. (Butch Dalisay to readers of his “Penman” column in the Philippine STAR) was born in Romblon, Philippines in 1954. He has published over 40 books of his stories, plays, and essays, with seven of those books receiving the National Book Award from the Manila Critics Circle. More than 20 of his screenplays have also been produced. In 1998, he was named to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Centennial Honors List as one of the 100 most accomplished Filipino artists of the past century.

After being imprisoned during martial law for his activism, he graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1984 (AB English, cum laude), and then received an MFA from the University of Michigan (1988) and a PhD in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1991) on a Fulbright-Hays grant. He taught English and Creative Writing as a full professor at the University of the Philippines and served as chairman of the English Department and Director of the UP Institute of Creative Writing. He retired in 2019 and was named Professor Emeritus shortly after.

Among his literary distinctions, he has won 16 Carlos Palanca Awards in five genres (entering the Palanca Hall of Fame in 2000), five Cultural Center of the Philippines awards for playwriting, and Famas, Urian, Star and Catholic Film awards and citations for his screenplays. He was named one of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 1993 for his creative writing by the Philippine Jaycees. In 2005, he was given the Premio Cervara di Roma in Italy for his literary achievements. In 2007, his second novel, Soledad’s Sister, was shortlisted for the inaugural Man Asian Literary Prize in Hong Kong; his novels have been translated and published in Italian, Spanish, French, German, and US editions.

He has written the published biographies of the Lava brothers, Washington SyCip, Edgardo J. Angara, Rodolfo Cuenca, Enrique Garcia, Emmanuel Yap, Andrew and Mercedes Gotianun, Rafael Salas, and Leonides Virata, among others, and is completing work on the biographies of Amado Araneta, Jose Cuisia, Loren Legarda, and Conchita Carpio Morales. He has also written and edited coffee-table books for the GSIS, Pilipinas Shell, the Malampaya project, PICPA, PNOC-EDC, Meralco, and the La Salle Brothers, among others. He has been a Hawthornden Castle, British Council, David TK Wong, Rockefeller, and Civitella Ranieri fellow, and has held the Henry Lee Irwin Professorial Chair at the Ateneo and the Jose Joya, Jorge Bocobo, and Elpidio Quirino professorial chairs at UP. As a writer, he has represented the Philippines in literary festivals and conferences in the US, UK, France, Australia, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Seoul National University, University of East Anglia, University of Rome, the London School of Economics, and SciencesPo, among others.

He is currently at work on an oral history of the early years of martial law in the Philippines. He collects fountain pens, typewriters, Apple machines, antiquarian books and paintings, and plays poker.

Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo
CRISTINA PANTOJA HIDALGO is a writer of fiction and nonfiction, a critic and a literary scholar, with more than 40 published books, including three novels, five short story collections, and sixteen collections of nonfiction. She has received multiple literary awards, the latest being the S.E.A.Write Award for Literature in 2022, an international award granted by the Royal Family of Thailand. She has also received national awards for lifetime achievement: the Carlos Palanca Dangal ng Lahi Award, the Gawad Balagtas Award from the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL), and the Parangal Hagbong from the UST Varsitarian; and many Palancas (including the Carlos Palanca Grand Prize for the Novel), and National Book Awards for individual works.) Her latest published books are Encantada: The Essential Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, edited by Ruth Jordana Pison UP Press, 2024 and Complete Stories and Tales (UST Publishing House, 2024). A new book, The Lamplit Desk: a Writer’s Diary is forthcoming from UST. At present, Hidalgo is Director of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies. She has served as VP for Public Affairs of the UP System, Director of the UP Press, and Director of Likhaan: the UP Institute of Creative Writing, and Director of the UST Publishing House. She continues to teach creative writing and literature as Professor Emeritus of UP Diliman, and Professorial Lecturer in UST.

J. Neil Garcia
J. Neil C. Garcia teaches creative writing and comparative literature at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where he serves as a Fellow for Poetry in the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing. He is the author of numerous poetry collections and works in literary and cultural criticism. Between 1994 and 2014, he coedited the famous Ladlad series of Philippine gay writing. Other important anthologies that he edited are Aura: Te Gay Teme in Philippine Fiction in English (2012), Bright Sign, Bright Age: Critical Essays in Philippines Studies (2017), Busilak: New LGBTQ Poetry from the Philippines (2020) and Lamyos: New LGBTQ Fiction from the Philippines (2022). He was the lead academic investigator for the Philippines of Project GlobalGRACE: Global Gender and Cultures of Equality, a world-wide research and arts consortium sponsored by the Research Councils of the United Kingdom and Goldsmiths, University of London, which concluded its operations in December of 2021. For its fnal activity, he directed the first National Teacher Training Seminar on Philippine Queer Literature, which utilized the digital archives of literary and artistic works that had come out of the GlobalGRACE residencies and workshops. He recently directed an iteration/continuation of this Work Package, from which a new region-wide project is expected to emerge: The GlobalGRACE Forum/Workshop on Advancing LGBTQ Rights and Economic Opportunities Trough Creative Practice Across South East Asia, held at the UP Hotel in June of 2024. His Te Burden of the Oral & Other Reviews: Philippine Film & Teater, 2011-2019 and Kumustahan: Creative Writing in the Philippines are recent titles of the Philippine Writers Series of the Likhaan. He is currently at work on other manuscripts, including “Translational Mythologies and Other Essays” and “Our Literate Orality: Publishing, Readership, and Writing in the Philippines.”

Romulo Baquiran
Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr. teaches literature and creative writing at the College of Arts and Letters of the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He has published three poetry collections —Mga Tula ng Paglusong (Poems of Experience, 1992), Onyx (2003), and Kung Nanaisin (If One Desires, 2012)—and two book of personal essays—Sagad sa Buto (Felt To The Bones, 2010) and Aishite imasu (2021)–and criticism Hiwatig (Meanings, 2014). He worked as a managing editor at Chrysans Publication (1989-1991) for industry magazines, UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino (1992-1998) for textbook and dictionary projects, and the UP Institute of Creative Writing where he serves as series editor of Philippine Writers Series published by the UP Press.

Jun Cruz Reyes
Pedro “Jun” Cruz Reyes Jr. is a fictionist, poet, essayist, and visual artist. Among his earlier works are Utos ng Hari at Iba Pang Kuwento (1981), Tutubi-Tutubi, ’Wag Kang Magpahuli sa Mamang Salbahe (1987), and Etsa-Puwera (2000).

His writing is often characterized as reflective of the language of ordinary and poor folk, and takes the viewpoint and interests of the marginalized people. His other publications include Negros (1988), Ilang Taon Na ang Problema Mo? (1995), Ilang Talang Luma buhat sa Talaarawan ng Isang May Nunal sa Talampakan (1998), Ang Huling Dalagang Bukid at ang Authobiography na Mali: Isang Imbestigasyon (2011), Hu U Rizal (o Kung Bakit Lagi’t lagi Kang Kailangang Barilin) and Panaghoy at Pagtutol (2020).

Reyes is also known for his biographies of progressive and historical figures. Among them are Mga Daluyong, mga Unos sa Panahon ni Rolando Olalia (1989), Armando (2006), and Ka Amado (2012).

Reyes received National Book Awards for his books Utos ng Hari, Tutubi-Tutubi, and Etsa-Puwera. He won numerous times at the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. He was also recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa for his creative work. He won the grand prize for the novel in Filipino at the Centennial Literary Prize in 1998. He received the Dangal ng Lipi ng Bulacan in 1994, the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas from Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas in 2002, the Gawad Amado Hernandez from the local government of Hagonoy, Bulacan, the South East Asian Writers or SEA Write Award in 2014, among others.

He was born in Tondo, Manila on 27 July 1947. He obtained his bachelor of arts in political science and bachelor of science in foreign service at the Lyceum of the Philippines in 1969. He finished his master’s and doctor’s degrees in creative writing at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in 1999 and 2008, respectively. He is a fellow of the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing and teaches literature and creative writing courses at UP Diliman and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Vim Nadera
Si Vim Nadera ay propesor sa University of the Philippines at fellow ng Likhaan: U.P. Institute of Creative Writing na pinaglingkuran niya bilang Director habang Tagapangulo ng Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas at kasapi ng National Committee on Literary Arts. Kolumnista sa Manila Bulletin (2008), Rappler (2014), Diyaryo Filipino (2016), Hataw (2019), at Pilipino Mirror (2023) — siya ay naging editor-in-chief ng The Varsitarian na nagbalik sa University of Santo Tomas sa College Editors Guild of the Philippines noong 1986. Ginawaran siya ng Parangal Hagbong noong (2020), UP Diliman Centennial Professorial Chair (2021), One UP Professorial Chair (2022), Rotary Club of Tayabas Central Award for Excellence (2022), Tayabas West Central Elementary School Most Distinguished Alumnus Award (2023), Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo Gawad Jacinto (2023), at Golden Leaf Presidential Award para sa Performance Art (2024). Artist II siya sa ilalim ng UP Arts Productivity System (APS) Batch 2022-2024.

Luna Sicat Cleto
Si Luna Sicat Cleto ay awtor ng mga nobelang Makinilyang Altar (UP Press,2002) at Mga Prodigal (Anvil Publishing, 2010). Siya rin ay may koleksyon ng dula at sanaysay, Huni at Pakpak (UP Press, 2022) at koleksyon ng mga tula, Bago Mo Ako Ipalaot (High Chair 2017). Noong 2019, kinilala ng UMPIL ang kanyang mga nasulat na katha sa Filipino, at ginawaran ng Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas para dito. Noong 2024, kinilala ang Huni sa kategoryang Drama/Film sa National Book Awards. Sa taon ding iyon, linalatha ang bilingual edition ng Bago Mo Ako Ipalaot sa Aleman/Filipino bilang Offenes Meer ng Edition TincaTinca sa Winterthur, Switzerland. Kinilala ang naturang koleksiyon bilang isa sa mahusay na akdang panitikan sa Litprom 2024. Bukod sa panulat, si Luna ay guro ng Malikhaing Pagsulat at Panitikan sa UP Diliman, at siya rin ay faculty adviser ng UP Repertory Company.

Eugene Y. Evasco
Propesor ng malikhaing pagsulat at panitikan si Eugene Y. Evasco sa Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas Diliman. Naging Research Fellow siya sa International Youth Library sa Munich, Germany. Nagwagi siya bilang 2000 Makata ng Taon at 2020 Mananaysay ng Taon mula sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. Ang kanyang Ang Aklatang Pusa (The Cat Library) ay napabilang sa White Ravens List noong 2019. Nagantimpalaan siya ng dalawang Catholic Mass Media Award at dalawang Cardinal Sin Book Award para sa kaniyang mga maikling kuwento at aklat pambata. Siya ay kabilang sa Hall of Fame ng Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature at ginawaran ng Dangal ng Panitikan 2021, isang lifetime achievementaward mula sa Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. Kasalukuyan siyang resident fellow sa Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing. Inilathala ng Scholastic noong 2023 ang kanyang picture book na Pahiyas: Planting Rainbow Seeds. Sa taong 2024, naparangalan siya ng Certificate of Honour for Writing mula sa International Board on Books for Young People; Gintong Aklat Award for Poetry in Filipino para sa kanyang Lata ng Salaginto: Mga Tulang Pambata; at ng dalawang Severino Reyes Honor Medal para sa picture book at storybook. Siya ang nominado ng Pilipinas para sa kategoryang manunulat sa 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Medal.

Rolando B. Tolentino
Si Rolando B. Tolentino ay fakulti ng UP Film Institute, dating dekano ng University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication, at fellow at dating direktor ng Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing. Siya ay nakapagturo na rin sa Osaka University, National University of Singapore at University of California, Berkeley. Nagsusulat siya ng katha at sanaysay, editor ng mga antolohiya ng panitikan at kritikal na sanaysay.

Cris R. Lanzaderas
Si Cris R. Lanzaderas ay isang guro sa UP Los Baños at nagtuturo ng wika at panitikan sa Junior High at research at creative writing naman sa Senior High. Kasalukuyang mag-aaral ng PhD Araling Filipino sa De La Salle University – Manila. Mababasa ang kaniyang malilikhaing akda sa ilang publikasyong pampanitikan at nakapaglathala na rin siya ng mga papel-pananaliksik sa iba’t ibang dyornal. Nagwagi na rin siya sa ilang patimpalak sa pagsulat.

Kasalukuyan siyang ingat-yaman ng All UP Academic Employees Union – Balangay ng Los Baños atfull time tito sa kaniyang makulit na pamangkin na si Celestine.

Emmanuel Villajuan Dumlao
Emmanuel Villajuan Dumlao. Nagtapos ng masterado at doktorado sa Filipino: Malikhaing Pagsulat sa UP Diliman. Quitter sa pagpapari at kursong Pilosopiya pero hindi isinuko ang espirituwalidad at pamimilosopo. Humahabi ng tula at kuwento. Paminsan-minsang nagpipinta, umiihip ng plawta, at kumakalabit ng gitara at bandurria. Mangingibig ng talinghaga at inlab sa panitikan, wika, at pilosopiya. Mahilig makiumpok sa mga kuwentuhan tungkol sa mga alien at kababalaghan. May asawa at dalawang anak. Unyonista. Zoomer-Boomer.

Vlad Gonzales
Si Vlad Gonzales ay Propesor sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, kung saan siya nagtuturo ng malikhaing pagsulat, panitikan at kulturang popular. Nakapaglimbag siya ng dalawang libro sa Milflores Publishing House—Isang Napakalaking Kaastigan at A-side/B-side: ang mga Piso sa Jukebox ng Buhay Mo. Inilimbag naman ng University of the Philippines Press ang kanyang mga librong Lab: mga Adaptasyon at iba pang Laro para sa mga Klaseng Panlaboratoryo (2018), Mga Tala ng Isang Superfan: Fan Poetry at Fan Fiction (2019), at Sa Kanto ng Makabud at Mangga, May Eskuwela (2020), at Ang Paglalakbay ni Prinsipe Bahaghari (kasamang isinulat ni Aina Ysabel Ramolete, 2023). Ang interes, malikhaing produksyon, at mga pag-aaral niya’y nakatutok sa pagsasalin, fan studies, videogames, at dula. Makikita ang kanyang mga sulatin at larawan sa kanyang Website na vladgonzales.net.

Will P. Ortiz
Si Will P. Ortiz ay nagtuturo sa Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas, UP, Diliman sa larangan ng Malikhaing Pagsulat. Nanalo na siya sa Palanca awards sa kategoryang maikling kuwentong pambata, tulang pambata, at sanaysay. Nanaloang Bugtong ng Buwan at Iba pang Kuwento (UP Press, 2011) ng Madrigal-Gonzalez First Book Award, mga maiikling kuwento ukol sa batang manggagawa. Nakatutok sa tinatawag niyang "kagila-gilalas na realismong bayan" ang kanyang mga panulat tulad ng Ang Pagbabalik ni Maria Makiling Unang Aklat (UP Press 2015). Tetralohiya ito ng mga YA (young adult) na nobela. Si Maria Makiling at ang Alamat ng Animas Anya (UP Press, 2018), ang ikalawang aklat. Ikatlong aklat ang nobelang Ang Lihim ng Lagusang Dalem (UP Press) at panghuling aklat ang Si Maria Makiling sa Sinapupunan ng Hukluban. Nalathala na rin ang kanyang mga artikulo ukol sa panitikang pambata dito at sa labas ng bansa. Nakatuon ang kanyang mga panulat at pananaliiksik sa usapin ng bata, babae, bayan at ang kagila-gilalas.