UP Visayas names Noel Galon Language Program lead

ILOILO CITY — Noel Galon, an assistant professor in the University of the Philippines Visayas’ Division of Professional Education, has been appointed faculty-in-charge of the UPV Language Program effective Sept. 1, 2026.

Galon, who publishes literary works as Noel Galon de Leon, is a writer, educator, publisher and cultural worker focused on literature, language, literacy and regional cultural development.

He teaches Panitikang Asyano, Komunikasyon at Pananaliksik sa Wika at Kulturang Filipino, and graduate courses in Translation and Mga Natatanging Suliranin ng Wikang Filipino.

Galon earned his Master of Education in Filipino from UP Visayas and has published academic studies and literary works on language, culture and Philippine literature.

His poetry has been recognized by the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, including third prize in the 2018 Filipino poetry category for “Ang Bata sa Panahon ng Ligalig: Mga Tula sa loob at labas ng Bayan ng San Diego.”

Galon also writes a regular Daily Guardian column on Ilonggo language, culture, literature and contemporary social issues.

A children’s literature advocate and book worker, he has helped organize the Iloilo Mega Book Fair, Iloilo Children’s Book Fair, Magsugilanonay Kita: West Visayan Mother Tongue Children’s Book Summit and Sari-sari Bookstore sa Barangay.

UP Visayas has identified Galon as project director of the Iloilo Mega Book Fair, which brings together writers, publishers, cultural groups and literacy advocates in the region.

He received the CAMELEON Children’s Heroes Award for his advocacy for children’s rights and children’s literature in Western Visayas.

His professional and academic interests include West Visayan and regional literature, Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a, creative writing and poetry, translation, multilingual literature, Philippine literature and literary criticism, independent and alternative publishing, zines, reading and literacy advocacy, book fairs, literary communities, and cultural and heritage advocacy.

Through these efforts, Galon has promoted reading communities and wider access to books and literature.

He currently serves as secretary of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ National Committee on Literary Arts, representing Western Visayas and the Negros Island Region for the committee’s 2026-2028 term.

Galon also assists universities and other academic institutions in Western Visayas in strengthening creative writing programs and establishing literary journals to support sustainable spaces for literary production, criticism and publication.

UP Visayas said his experience in language, literature, education, publishing and cultural advocacy will support the Language Program’s academic and student-centered work. (Marian Janice Mediana/UPV-LP)