Likhaan: The UP Creative Writing Center awarded 20 fellowships to the 38th UP National Writers' Workshop which was held at the Paraiso sa Quezon Hotel and Restaurant in Baguio City, last 25 March to 7 April. Chosen from around 200 applicants, the 20 Writing Fellows are Katherine Rose A. Calingasan, Ma. Celese D. Flores, Gerardo T. Los Banos, and Socorro Mignon A. Villanueva (Fiction in English); Mark Anthony R. Cayanan, Vicente Coscolluela, Patricia Ann V. Pangasinan, and Yavanna S. Valdellon (Poetry in English); Jose Ma. Bayani, Brian James S. Camaya, Cyril Maano, and Lorela Mae P. Montes (Fiction in Filipino); Jayson P. Jacobo, Elizabeth V. Mapula, Jenny B. Orillos and Edgar Samar (poetry in Filipino); and Allan B. Lopez (one-act play in Filipino, Gil Palma (screenplay in English); Johmar R. Alvarez and Clarito G. da Francia (poetry in Iluko). The theme of this year's workshop was "Ang Bayan at ang Manunulat." The Workshop was directed by CWC Director Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo. She was joined by a teaching panel of distinguished writers, all Associates, Advisers and Resident Fellows of the CWC: Gemino H. Abad, Amelia Lapena Bonifacio, Jose Y. Dalisay, J. Neil C. Garcia, Anton Juan Jr., Domingo Landicho, Bienvenido Lumbera, Vim D. Nadera, Charlson L. Ong, Ma. Carla M. Pacis, Jun Cruz Reyes, Lilia Quindoza Santiago, Roland B. Tolentino, Ricardo M. de Ungria, and Rene O. Villanueva. This year's National Fellow for Fiction, Erwin castillo, and National fellow for Drama, Gina Marie Tagasa, delivered their fellowship lectures during the Workshop. This summer's National Writers' Workshop was sponsored by U.P. Diliman Chancellor Emerlinda R. Roman, and held with the cooperation of the U.P. College Baguio, whose Dean, Priscilla Supnet Macasantos, is herself a former Local Fellow for Poetry. The Welcome Dinner for the Fellows, traditionally held at Mario's Restaurant, was graced by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who has been a strong supporter of the Workshop. Another National Writers' Workshop
is held every October in either the U.P. Visayas or U.P. Mindanao. Since
2000, this second workshop is open only to writers based in either the
Visayas or Mindanao. It includes works in Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, and
other Visayan languages, as well as English and Filipino.
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