The Iloilo Book Forum 2025

By Earl Scarlet G. Chavez

The first Iloilo Book Forum made its successful debut on November 29, 2025 at The Shops at Atria, marking a significant milestone in the region’s literary landscape. Organized as part of ZineZoned Iloilo Zine Fest 2025 in celebration of National Philippine Book Development Month, the event gathered Ilonggo writers, cultural workers, and the Athenaeum Keepers from the College of Information and Communications Technology of West Visayas State University. The forum served as an important venue for literary dialogue, community building, and the growing visibility of local authors and independent creators who continue to shape the cultural identity of Western Visayas.

This inaugural gathering was made possible through the support of numerous agencies and writers’ groups that share a common commitment to nurturing the local publishing ecosystem. Among the partners were the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry Iloilo, Kahublagan Kontra Korapsyon, the Iloilo Mega Book Fair, Kasingkasing Press, Thrive Art Gallery, Shops at Atria, Ayala Malls, Sumakwelan Iloilo, and Tinta’t Papel. Their collective participation ensured that the forum would not only run smoothly but also deliver an event that left a meaningful impact on both emerging and established writers.

One of the forum’s guest speakers was Marianne Tajanlangit Bebit, Cluster Head for Visayas at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. She underscored the importance of copyright protection for beginning writers and artists in the region, stressing that intellectual property is a foundational element of every creative career. Her discussion emphasized how local creators often enter the publishing world without sufficient knowledge or protection, leaving their work vulnerable in an industry that is still developing stronger ethical and professional standards.

Another speaker was Noel Galon de Leon, a member of the Executive Committee of the National Committee on Literary Arts of the NCCA. De Leon challenged the community of writers and cultural workers to remain vigilant and critical in their negotiations with mainstream publishers and university presses. He noted that creators must recognize their value and protect their rights so that they do not get sidelined in systems that have historically favored institutions over individual creatives.

Atty. PJ Iquina of E. C. Antiquiera Law Offices echoed these concerns by emphasizing the need for artists to protect their community through the professionalization of their negotiations. He stressed the importance of formal contracts and consulting legal experts before entering any publication agreement. According to him, writers should no longer rely on verbal assurances or informal arrangements because these practices often lead to exploitation or loss of rights.

Iloilo based poet and cultural worker Jaku Mata shared insights into his creative process along with his personal journey from self publishing to submitting manuscripts to a university press. Mata encouraged beginning writers to explore all available avenues for publication and to take risks in bringing their work into the world. Alongside him was Jaylord Losabia, a teacher illustrator and creator of children’s books, whose perspective highlighted the importance of storytelling for young readers.

Ilonggo writer and Pasyon Komiks publisher Hermz Gacho emphasized the vital role of supporting independent literary initiatives. He reminded the audience that the strength of a regional literary scene depends heavily on the survival of small collectives, community zines, and grassroots publications. Meanwhile, Adrian Fisga Luague, writer and active member of Sumakwelan Iloilo, the oldest literary organization in the Philippines, emphasized the importance of using one’s native language as a way of preserving cultural memory and strengthening local identity.

Children’s writer and DepEd teacher JL Losabia encouraged educators and young writers to participate in writing competitions as a way to improve their craft and to gain entry points into publication opportunities. He explained that competitions often open doors to mentorships, grants, and exposure that many regional writers struggle to access.

At the heart of the forum was a central question that guided the day’s discussions. The organizers expressed that the purpose of the event was simple yet deeply necessary. They sought to create a space where the issues surrounding publishing in the Philippines could be discussed openly and critically. Many writers, especially those submitting work to mainstream and university presses, have raised concerns over the years. Large and well established publishers often overlook regional authors who face additional layers of bias, invisibility, and unequal opportunities. Some writers shared troubling stories about dismissive treatment when applying for publication grants. Certain institutions that claim to support emerging writers have been accused of prioritizing profit, prestige, and institutional advantage over genuine mentorship and artistic development. These concerns extend beyond individual books and affect the creation of anthologies and collaborative publications where questions of compensation, credit, and ownership become even more complicated.

The organizers stressed the need to examine who truly benefits from the publishing process. Does the publisher gain power and profit while the writer provides the creativity, labor, and emotional investment that makes the work possible? This question, according to the forum’s speakers, is central to understanding the deeper structural problems within the regional and national literary ecosystem. They hoped that the presence of respected writers and cultural workers would allow the community to explore these realities with honesty and depth.

As the forum concluded, the organizers from the Iloilo Mega Book Fair and Iloilo Zine Fest expressed hope that this gathering would not be the last. They envision the Iloilo Book Forum as the beginning of many more conversations that can strengthen and professionalize the literary and publishing landscape of Iloilo. They acknowledged that the road ahead is long and filled with challenges but emphasized that meaningful change often begins with dialogue, collaboration, and collective awareness. The success of this first forum stands as a promising sign that the region’s writers are ready to build a more inclusive, ethical, and responsible space for literary creation.