USeP Handurawan

[𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒] 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐍, a Bisaya term for remembrance, legacy, or keepsake. As the curtain for the academic year finally closes, we depart with a lasting mark in our organization.

Honoring students and remembering their achievements, 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐍 concluded the school year through 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧: 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 with a theme, “𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬,” via Google Meet, recognizing their active members who have actively participated throughout all the University and off-campus events.

Handumanan highlighted the collective effort, perseverance, and commitment that strengthened this year's overall organizational success, solidifying HANDURAWAN's legacy in the University.

We end this year with a celebration, then we tell the story of today to the future—𝒌𝒊𝒕𝒂’𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒎𝒅𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏.

[𝗦𝗣𝗝𝗥𝗗 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗟𝗘]

In celebration of National Heritage Month, centered on the theme "Roots and Horizons: Our Shared Heritage, Our Collective Future," the Southeastern Philippines Journal of Research and Development is proud to feature six selected articles from Volumes 27 to 31. These works honor our cultural roots through preservation while illuminating new horizons for our collective identity.

The fifth featured article, “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀” authored by Angelo Lenard E. Yu, Ezzedin M. Manidoc, and Takashi Tsuji explores this vital oral tradition. Long before the dawn of textbooks and media, communities across Mindanao passed down knowledge through storytelling. Among the Kagan people, folktales carry the distinct traces of daily life: the tensions of 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘰 (clan feuds), the rhythm of gongs and 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘰, the rituals of marriage and dowry, and traditions like wearing the 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 or weaving native baskets.

These tales don’t just revolve around entertainment; rather, they reveal the complex systems that shape a community. From farming, fishing, and barter trading to the traditional authority of 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 and sultans alongside deeply rooted spiritual beliefs, Kagan folktales reflect a complete way of life.

Yet today, as modernization accelerates, the role of these oral narratives risks fading into the background. To understand their enduring significance, Yu, Manidoc, and Tsuji examine how these traditions preserve and sustain indigenous culture. Through an ethnographic lens, their study highlights how folktales in Kagan communities continue to carry beliefs, customs, and traditions across time, proving that storytelling remains a powerful tool for cultural survival.

This National Heritage Month, let’s look beyond the surface of stories. Preserving them means ensuring that the voices of the past continue to guide the future.

Take a moment to explore the full study here: https://doi.org/10.53899/spjrd.v27i2.213

[𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦]

In celebration of 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 with the theme, “𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙤𝙣𝙨. 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚. 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.” The Master of Arts in Literature (MALIT) program of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), proudly presents 𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝘽𝘿𝘼𝙉: 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙤 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙤𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨.

Members of the faculty and students enrolled in the MALIT program will take part in the event, presenting various global and local artistic expressions that celebrate cultural heritage and encourage thoughtful interaction with literature and society. The conference aims to enhance the ongoing growth of Philippine Literature by highlighting inclusivity, identity, and cultural representation.

𝙎𝙚𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝟎𝟖:𝟎𝟎𝘼𝙈 𝙩𝙤 𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎𝙉𝙉 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙕𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙏𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝘽𝘿𝘼𝙉 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 seeks to emphasize the diversity of Mindanao Indigenous Literature and Cultural Poetics through dialogues and presentations that promote critical interaction with literature, identity, heritage, and representation.

As participants converge in this virtual space, the occasion becomes an opportunity to reflect on and envision literature as a powerful means of memory, defiance, innovation, and transformation. By connecting scholarly exploration with cultural creativity, 𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝘽𝘿𝘼𝙉 emphasizes that literature is not merely produced – it is experienced, passed down, performed, and perpetually revitalized through communities and generations.

Through this initiative, 𝙐𝙎𝙚𝙋 𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏 continues to champion a vibrant intellectual tradition that recognizes Mindanao not merely as a geographic space but as a profound source of knowledge, creativity, and cultural possibility.

Join us as we celebrate the enduring power of literature to preserve heritage, amplify voices, and reimagine our collective future.

[ANNOUNCEMENT]

𝙸𝚗 𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚘𝚏 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚖𝚎, “𝗥𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲” 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 (𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏) 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚖 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 (𝘾𝘼𝙎), 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯 𝘗𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 (𝙐𝙎𝙚𝙋), 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚍𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐁𝐃𝐀𝐍: 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬.

𝙼𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚊𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚞𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚘𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚖 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚟𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝚐𝚕𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚌𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚘𝚌𝚒𝚎𝚝𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚊𝚒𝚖𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚗𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚗𝚐𝚘𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚝𝚑 𝚘𝚏 𝙿𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚒𝚙𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚋𝚢 𝚑𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚕𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗.

𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐀𝐌 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐍𝐍 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐙𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐁𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚔𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚣𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚘𝚏 𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚊𝚘 𝙸𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚘𝚞𝚜 𝙻𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙲𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝙿𝚘𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚎 𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎, 𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚐𝚎, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚜𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗.

𝙰𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚒𝚙𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚜 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚐𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚟𝚒𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕 𝚜𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚎, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚘𝚌𝚌𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚙𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚕𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚎𝚗𝚟𝚒𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚙𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚞𝚕 𝚖𝚎𝚊𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚢, 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎, 𝚒𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚟𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙱𝚢 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚜𝚌𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚢 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐁𝐃𝐀𝐍 𝚎𝚖𝚙𝚑𝚊𝚜𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚍𝚞𝚌𝚎𝚍—𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚡𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚍, 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚖𝚎𝚍, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚙𝚎𝚝𝚞𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜.

𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝙐𝙎𝙚𝙋 𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘴 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦, 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺. 𝘑𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.

𝘑𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘶𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦, 𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦.

[𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧]

In celebration of 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 with the theme, “𝙍𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙃𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙯𝙤𝙣𝙨. 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚. 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚.” The Master of Arts in Literature (MALIT) program of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), proudly presents 𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝘽𝘿𝘼𝙉: 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙤 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙤𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨.

Members of the faculty and students enrolled in the MALIT program will take part in the event, presenting various global and local artistic expressions that celebrate cultural heritage and encourage thoughtful interaction with literature and society. The conference aims to enhance the ongoing growth of Philippine Literature by highlighting inclusivity, identity, and cultural representation.

𝙎𝙚𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙖𝙮 𝟑𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝟎𝟖:𝟎𝟎𝘼𝙈 𝙩𝙤 𝟏𝟐:𝟎𝟎𝙉𝙉 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙕𝙤𝙤𝙢 𝙏𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝘽𝘿𝘼𝙉 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 seeks to emphasize the diversity of Mindanao Indigenous Literature and Cultural Poetics through dialogues and presentations that promote critical interaction with literature, identity, heritage, and representation.

As participants converge in this virtual space, the occasion becomes an opportunity to reflect on and envision literature as a powerful means of memory, defiance, innovation, and transformation. By connecting scholarly exploration with cultural creativity, 𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝘽𝘿𝘼𝙉 emphasizes that literature is not merely produced – it is experienced, passed down, performed, and perpetually revitalized through communities and generations.

Through this initiative, 𝙐𝙎𝙚𝙋 𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏 continues to champion a vibrant intellectual tradition that recognizes Mindanao not merely as a geographic space but as a profound source of knowledge, creativity, and cultural possibility.

Join us as we celebrate the enduring power of literature to preserve heritage, amplify voices, and reimagine our collective future.

𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘 2: 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰, 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 🔥

Magpugay kay humana ang 𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘 2! Held last May 8, 2026, this student-led virtual writing workshop turned the online space into a hub of productive dialogue.

𝐌𝐬. 𝐉𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐚 opened with remarks celebrating the event's theme—transforming "Dagayday" from a gentle stream into a persistent fire. She praised the students' determination despite setbacks. Guest speaker 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢ñ𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬, two-time Palanca awardee and President of the Davao Writers Guild, delivered a sharp discussion on imagery—calling it simple yet often misunderstood.

𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐒 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐛 then presented featured works: poems "𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭" (Jessa Mae Oranza), "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬" (Ella Rose Ampilan) and "𝐓𝐬𝐨𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐥" (Danielle Abonero), and flash fictions "𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞" (Collin Macaraeg), "𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐧" (Danielle Abonero) and "𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐡𝐢" (Garvin Balicuat).

Mr. Capiñanes led a constructive critiquing session, reminding everyone to "charge meaning into the written subject." BALCS students and other participants joined the discussion, enriching the dialogue. The workshop then closed with an open floor where Mr. Capiñanes enthusiastically answered queries and shared writing tips.

This was Dagayday in its truest form—not a calm stream, but a Dilaab sa Dakong Tinguha. The heat in every question asked, the fire in every word critiqued, the molten courage to pursue a great desire. As the virtual room faded, what remained was not just a workshop completed, but an inferno lit in each participant—burning fiercely, carving new paths, and illuminating every story yet to be written.

𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐢'𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐢 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐊𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚, 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚!

𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐒 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐱 2026

The pioneering 𝐋𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐱 2026, held last May 8, gathered 34 case studies presented by the BALCS 2 students as one of their final requirements for the course 𝐋𝐂𝐒 229: 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. The round table discussion, organized by the instructor, 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐭. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟. 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀. 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐨, enabled the students to draw meaningful connections and reaffirm the importance of literature across different professional fields.

The BALCS 2 students selected various literary texts to analyze and connect with specific professions. Five (5) students were recognized as 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, namely:

𝐑𝐡𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐥– Mom's Favorite Toy to Play: A Case Study on Jennette McCurdy's Artistry in I'm Glad My Mom Died

𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐧 – All Animals under Authority: A Case Study of Dehumanization in Smaller and Smaller Circles by F.H. Batacan

𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐭 – The I in AI: A Techno-Existential Investigation on Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun

𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐭𝐳𝐢 𝐇𝐨𝐜𝐬𝐨𝐧 – Recipes as Women’s Voice: The Significance of Food in Literature in Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐲 – Justice Amid Social Inequality: A Case Study of My Father Goes to Court by Carlos Bulosan

Meanwhile, the students comprising 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 5 under the 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 were awarded as the Best Panel of the event namely:

𝐂𝐲𝐫𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐨
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐆𝐞𝐦 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐓𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐳𝐚
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐲
𝐀𝐳𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐲𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚
𝐊𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐮𝐱 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐲

𝐋𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐱 2026 has truly emphasized how analyzing and evaluating literary texts enable professionals to become more effective, creative, and socially aware.

With this, the BALCS students proved that literature remain essential in shaping well-rounded individuals who can think critically, communicate effectively, and respond thoughtfully to real-world challenges.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬— 𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 🔥

Join us this May 8, 2026 and unleash the power of your words at 𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘 2: 𝐃𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐚𝐛 𝐒𝐚 𝐃𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚. A creative writing workshop crafted for LCS 126 BALCS students, designed to nurture their literary craft and deepens engagement with Mindanaoan writing and literature.

To set 𝐃𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘 2 ablaze, we are honored to be joined by 𝐌𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢ñ𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬, the President of Davao Writers Guild, a two-time Palanca awardee and the author of the novel “not in the mood for love” (2026), and the flash fiction collection “How to Grieve” (2022).

From Davao City to the country’s top writers workshops, and now pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at De La Salle University, Sir Jade brings a wealth of experience, insight, and passion for the written word.

Prepare to set your pages on fire with words shaped in every form the mind can imagine!

See you there!

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐱 2026!✨

The course 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 (𝐋𝐂𝐒 229) proudly brings you LitPrax, a roundtable discussion on literary praxis.

LitPrax serves as a platform for BALCS students enrolled in the course to present their research findings, exchange ideas, and bring literature to life.

Be part of the discussion! Join us on 𝐌𝐚𝐲 8, 2026, from 8:00 𝐀𝐌 to 11:00 𝐍𝐍.

𝐊𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐊𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐍-𝐎𝐍: 𝐀 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 ✒️

In celebration of National Literature Month, 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐍 presented 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧-𝐨𝐧, an evening dedicated to the many forms of literary and artistic expression last April 28, 2026. Held with the intent to foster a deeper appreciation for local storytelling, the activity brought together poets, performers, and filmmakers.

The program was structured as an interchange between film screenings and live performances—a deliberate pacing that allowed audiences to move between visual and spoken narratives. Four multi- awarded films from both on and off campus were presented throughout the evening: 𝐊𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬, 𝐏𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐚, and 𝐢𝐆𝐀𝐍𝐆. Between the films, the audience witnessed spoken poetries, song performances, storytelling, and poetry readings from the students which further enriched the lineup.

A dedicated segment for critiquing followed the final film screening, wherein film directors and audience members engaged in a constructive dialogue— analyzing themes, techniques, and narratives. This was followed by a special performance from the BALCS Faculty, which brought even more festivity to the event.

Closing the gathering, Ella May Segui, President of 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐍, emphasized the vital role of both literature students and students who love literature—reminding them that within their words lies the power to seek justice and cradle nature with care. With a heart full of gratitude, she honored each member whose swift and steadfast efforts brought the gathering to life, turning urgency into unity and purpose into story.

The 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐬 𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐧-𝐨𝐧 served not only as a celebration of literature but as a working model of student-led cultural programming—proof that storytelling, whether through verse or film, remains a vital act of community building.

Lagi't Lagi Para sa Sining, Literatura, at Kultura! 🤎

[𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓’𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐓 🔥]

“Little people— how peculiar they must be.”
What if the smallest things we lose carry the biggest mysteries?

Our featured writer, Maria Christina Rosales, a 4th year Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Cultural Studies student, weaves curiosity and quiet wonder in her piece Little People—where missing trinkets, childhood imagination, and unseen worlds blur into one enchanting thought: perhaps we are not alone in the spaces we call ours.

This piece was published in SunStar Davao, further bringing its quiet magic to a wider audience.