By Carla Adeline Via
To strengthen its literary and academic ties, the Silliman University (SU) Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center (CWC) entered the first Philippine Creative Writing Forum held at the University of the Philippines last Nov. 19 to 21.
Organized by “The Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing,” the event gathered representatives from 12 university-based creative writing programs and workshops in the country.
Participating institutions included Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices, Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center, The Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Institute, and Pamiyabe: Creative Writing Workshop & Fellowship, among others.
Representing SU were College of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Alana Leilani Narciso, CWC Coordinator Kaycee Melon, and faculty member Asst. Prof. Angela Fabunan Flores.
Narciso presented her paper titled, “The Good Things First: The SU National Writers Workshop (SUNWW) and the Quiet Labor of Nation” during the forum.
She discussed the history, practices, and contributions of the SUNWW, which is the first and longest-running creative writing workshop in Asia.
She emphasized “there is no single center in the country’s literary arts landscape” as well as the importance of collaboration.
“It was a good avenue to talk about creative writing and to share best practices. This is also a chance to build partnerships among different institutions,” Narciso said.
Meanwhile, Melon noted that the exchange of dialogue has “helped to see and understand where each institution stands in terms of operating creative writing programs.”
“For [SU], the forum was a confirmation of the important space our institution occupies in the country’s literary arts scene,” she added.
Flores also shared that the event created an avenue for them to discuss how Dumaguete City fares in the Philippine literary landscape.
“It was an opportunity to share our renowned programs in the English and Literature Department, as well as our literary community here as a UNESCO City of Literature in Dumaguete City,” she stated.
Last November, Dumaguete inked history after bagging the distinction and will be joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) which aims to foster sustainable urban development through creativity.
It is the first in the Philippines and second in Southeast Asia alongside Jakarta, Indonesia.
