February is always astonishing to me because it arrives with such promise and leaves almost without warning, and this year it felt even more short-lived as it carried with it an overwhelming surge of artistic energy across Iloilo City and beyond, filling galleries, theaters and community spaces with performances, conversations
March 2, 2026
The meeting had just ended, yet the words spoken during that consultation with Room to Read continued to reverberate in my mind long after we logged off. We had been reviewing children’s books written by authors from Iloilo, Antique, Roxas, and Cebu — crafted in Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Cebuano with
February 23, 2026
The responsibility of books does not end with the receipt of an award because recognition marks only the beginning of a wider cultural obligation. Authors and publishers who receive honors carry the task of expanding literary conversations beyond ceremonies and publicity. Awards must be understood as platforms that encourage continuous
February 16, 2026
Valentine’s Day is here again, and across the world, people are preparing to celebrate love with their partners, friends, or family. Restaurants book up months in advance, gift shops stock heart-shaped items, and social media fills with curated images of romantic bliss. The day is celebrated as a festival of
February 14, 2026
I find myself once again in the familiar, almost ritualistic act of reading manuscripts for the San Agustin Writers Workshop, this time for its 22nd iteration to be held in January 2025 at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City. This is already my third year as Workshop Director,
February 13, 2026
The question of where our National Artists are is not merely rhetorical; it is a pointed political, cultural and ethical inquiry. It challenges the frameworks through which the nation measures value, excellence and belonging, revealing the implicit hierarchies that shape recognition. To ask this question seriously is to confront the
February 12, 2026
We should be envious of Lake S’bu, not in some petty, cheap way, but in the deep, urgent envy that comes from witnessing a culture that refuses to be a museum piece and instead lives, breathes, and insists on being present. After nearly a week immersed at Lake S’bu in
February 7, 2026
Supporting artists begins with how we speak about them. Many people casually use the label “local artists,” but this term can unintentionally shrink the way we see their value. Artists are artists, regardless of geography. A more respectful approach is to recognize them as Ilonggo artists, Kinaray-a artists, or more
February 6, 2026
On July 28, 2026, I was honored to be invited by the Federated Student Council of West Visayas State University to serve as a judge for their Binalaybay and Sugilanon Hiligaynon competitions during University Week. Having not been to WVSU in many years, I approached the campus with both excitement
February 5, 2026
This year’s theme for National Arts Month, Ani ng Sining: Katotohanan at Giting, immediately invites reflection, as it speaks not only to artistic practice but also to how we live, think, and engage with society. The theme feels urgent, intimate, and challenging, reminding us that art is never detached from
February 4, 2026
This essay is my personal response, shaped by both conviction and caution, and by a dream that I believe we can responsibly pursue in the coming years when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence. As we celebrate National Arts Month in the Philippines, I am aware that some
February 3, 2026
