Room to read and the celebration of unheard voices in Philippine children’s literature

Sugilanon: Palihan sa Pagsulat ng Aklat Pambata, Celebrating the Voices of the Unheard will be held from 29 September to 3 October 2025 at Andana Resort Guimaras.

The workshop is part of the global initiative of Room to Read, an international organization founded in 2000 by John Wood, Erin Ganju, and Dinesh Shrestha, which advances literacy and gender equality in education.

Room to Read works to strengthen reading and writing skills among primary school children and to support adolescent girls so they may finish secondary education and acquire life and work skills. In the Philippines, the program is led by Al Santos, award-winning writer, educator, and Senior Advisor of Room to Read. Santos, who has gained recognition across Asia and Europe for his literary and theatrical works, will serve as the lead mentor of the workshop, bringing his experience as teacher, creative director, and advocate of children’s literature.

Accompanying him is illustrator and art director Liza Flores, recognized for her picture books The Secret is in the Soil and Ang Maliit na Kalabaw. Her works have earned national awards and international distinction, including recognition on the White Ravens list.

The workshop will also be guided by mentors from across the country. Noel Galon de Leon, poet, teacher at the University of the Philippines Visayas, and founder of Kasingkasing Press, will serve as coordinator. Beverly Siy, writer and copyright advocate, continues her longstanding work in Philippine publishing. Xi Zuq, educator and head of Aklat Alamid, contributes his expertise as a book worker and cultural organizer from Mindanao. Their presence underscores the collaborative nature of the workshop and its commitment to nurturing children’s book creators from diverse backgrounds.

This year thirteen writers have been selected as fellows, representing a wide range of languages, cultures, and communities. Each brings unique experiences and perspectives that will contribute to the enrichment of children’s literature in the Philippines.

• Glaiza Mae H. Come of Sorsogon and Cavite is a teacher and illustrator who seeks to inspire children through both images and stories.
• Faye Q. Flores-Melegrito of Ilocos and Marikina is a writer, editor, and translator whose Ilokano translation of Le Petit Prince was honored at the National Book Awards.
• Jorelie Dae A. Azores, a public school teacher from Quezon, received first prize in the National Storybook Writing Competition for Bakit Malungkot si Simong Salungo and continues to draw inspiration from island life and its natural environment.
• Heather Ann F. Pulido, a Kankanaey-Ibaloi writer from Baguio, has been published in several journals and won recognition at the Palanca Awards. She co-founded ili press as part of her advocacy for Cordillera literature.
• Yna Reyes, publishing consultant and former director of OMF Literature, authored Imbisibol, a Room to Read picture book that has since been translated into multiple languages and formats, including Braille.
• Cheryl Toting-Villarino of Cebu authored Alpabetong Bisaya, the first Cebuano alphabet book.
• Jose Edison C. Tondares of Antique, a poet in Kinaray-a and teacher, integrates local literacy advocacy into children’s literature.
• Michael Caesar C. Tubal of Iloilo, professor at West Visayas State University, writes and translates in Hiligaynon.
• Bryan Mari Argos of Capiz, poet and fictionist, authored Ang Hangaway kag ang Higante, the first Hiligaynon novella for children and young adults. He also serves as City Tourism Officer of Roxas City.
• Xaña Angel Eve Musa Apolinar of Sarangani is author of Gusto Maglupad ni Bangsi and active in youth and literacy advocacy.
• Hezel Ann Todi Sulan of South Cotabato writes about Tboli life and traditions, grounding her work in cultural preservation.
• Sophia Perez, teacher and publisher, has worked with Lumad children and continues her advocacy for education despite the closure of indigenous schools.
• Assad Baunto of Lanao del Sur, author of My Ranaw Kitchen Lab, draws on his experiences along Lake Lanao as he develops children’s books rooted in local culture and food traditions.

The theme of this year’s workshop is Celebrating the Voices of the Unheard. Sugilanon is more than a training program. It is a cultural and social mission. Through literature, children are given the chance to see themselves in the pages of books, to recognize their own languages, cultures, and aspirations.

One mentor has described children’s books as “a light on a dark path.” The fellows of Sugilanon will be the ones to carry such light into the diverse communities of the country. By the end of the five days in Guimaras, their voices will no longer remain unheard. They will become voices of hope, understanding, and transformation.