Ti Ilokano Writing Workshop, Cabie PINILI ken Premio Reynaldo A. Duque
The Association of Ilokano Writers of Metro Manila (Gunglo dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano-Metro Manila, GUMIL-Metro) conducted a writing workshop led by the multi-awarded Ilokano writer, Mr. Juan SP Hildalgo Jr. That was on October 11, 2009. It was held at Mng Johnny’s residence at Area 1 in UP Diliman. Amidst the cool breeze in their spacious backyard, he shared his thoughts on the writing process and why Ilokano literature is the poorer because writing short story for children has not been given enough attention in the past. At least now, with the advent of the Cabie Premio iti Naisurat iti Literatura Ilokana (PINILI), which is a contest for short story written for children sponsored by Mng Honor Blanco-Cabie, this genre of short stories will certainly make a comeback. Hopefully, Ilokano writers could have our own version of Lola Basyang pretty soon.
The writing workshop of GUMIL Metro Manila, then, is a good preparation for the this upcoming contest. I really hope that this kind of Ilokano writing workshop would continue as we, young Ilokano writers, badly need it!
Speaking of contests, I recently won the first place of the Premio Reynaldo A. Duque! It was a big surprise for me! Yahoo!! It is my first ever writing award! I’m happy. Ecstatic. Exhilarated. And humbled, too! I know that I still have much to learn. But definitely, this award gives me a much-needed momentum and inspiration to write more short stories and poetry in Ilokano.
For those who are unfamiliar with the Premio Reynaldo A. Duque, it is sponsored by the Duque family in honor of Mr. Reynaldo A. Duque, one of the most awarded Ilokano and Tagalog writers still living. He is a 2003 Palanca Hall of Fame Awardee. He has served as the editor of Bannawag, the Ilokano magazine, and Liwayway, the Tagalog magazine in the 1990s. He is one of the stalwarts of Ilokano Literature.
Thanks to Premio Reynaldo A. Duque for giving a chance to beginners like me to pursue my visions and write in Ilokano. More power!