The heart of writing from home

By Noel Galon de Leon

When the world shut down in 2020, life as we knew it changed overnight. Plans were put on hold, routines disrupted, and for many, the quietness of isolation was overwhelming. But for a small group of Filipino writers, the pandemic sparked something unexpected, a burst of creativity and connection that would turn loneliness into a thriving online community. It all started with a simple Facebook post. Ella Leenail M. Deduro shared a nostalgic memory of her first semester at the University of San Agustin, recalling her Literary Theory professor, Dr. Isidoro M. Cruz. That post caught the attention of former students, including Jose Anthony Gerard V. Muyco, affectionately called Jag who expressed how much he missed Dr. Cruz’s classes. Their lighthearted back-and-forth reopened a door that Dr. Cruz had quietly been considering for some time, the idea of creating an online space for writers to learn and grow together.

With the pandemic forcing everyone indoors, Dr. Cruz teamed up with his former student Elsed S. Togonon to launch Workshop from Home (WFH) in August 2022. What began with just a handful of participants quickly grew into a diverse group of writers, graduates from University of San Agustin and the University of the Philippines Visayas, doctors, artists, philosophers, and longtime friends, all united by a love for storytelling and a commitment to their craft.

What makes WFH special is how it balances structure with freedom. Each month, members receive a “workshop kit” via Messenger containing anonymous submissions to read and critique. Sessions start with short talks about poetry or fiction, followed by lively discussions where every voice matters. Writers get prompts to inspire their next pieces but are always free to follow their own muse. This balance has created a true “writing family,” a supportive, encouraging space where creativity flourishes.

By the end of 2024, the group had held 28 workshops and published their first anthology, Writing from Home: Endless Black Ink on Rice Paper (Sirena Books, 2025). The title, drawn from a heartfelt line by member Dr. Alice M. Sun-Cua, perfectly captures the spirit of their journey: limitless creativity even in the face of life’s challenges. The collection explores themes of absence, memory, social issues, and the power of language to heal and connect.

More than just a collection of poems and stories, WFH is an embodiment of resilience. It’s a place where writers of different generations and backgrounds come together to inspire one another, share laughter and milestones, and remind each other why they write, to live fully and meaningfully.

As the pandemic reshaped how we connect, Workshop from Home shows us that creativity isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving. Their story reminds us that even when separated by distance, shared passions and heartfelt words can bring us closer than ever.

Looking forward, the group is already working on a prose anthology, eager to add new voices to the rich heritage of Philippine literature. From quiet isolation, they have created a vibrant chorus, a beautiful example of how storytelling can illuminate even the darkest times.

In a world forever changed, Workshop from Home proves that sometimes the greatest works don’t just rise above adversity, they rise because of it.

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Noel Galon de Leon is a writer and educator at University of the Philippines Visayas, where he teaches in both the Division of Professional Education and U.P. High School in Iloilo. He serves as an Executive Council Member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts-National Committee on Literary Arts.