‘Regional is national’: Writers push for local language literature at Dumaguete Literary Festival

DUMAGUETE, Philippines – Award-winning veteran writer Merlie Alunan and other literary figures pushed for stronger support for regional writing during the third edition of the Dumaguete Literary Festival from April 17 to 19.

During one of the panel discussions, Alunan challenged the long-standing notion that works produced outside Manila are merely “regional,” calling the label “reductive.”

“Regional is national. Cebuano writing is not regional writing. It’s national writing because Cebuano is a culture by itself and part of Filipino culture,” she said.

Alunan, who began writing poetry in the 1980s, recalled how difficult it was for provincial writers from the Visayas and Mindanao to break into the publishing scene, which then largely centered in Manila.

“In our time, it was so difficult because you had to get noticed by editors who were difficult to reach, especially for us here na taga-probinsiya (who lived in the province). When you get published, murag nisaka ka sa langit (it was like you had ascended to heaven),” Alunan explained in a mix of Bisaya and English.

The 82-year-old poet is known for her collections of literary pieces which earned her six Palanca Awards for Poetry in English and one for Cebuano short story “Pamato” in 2007.

Some of her award-winning works include Running with Ghosts and Other Poems, Tinalunay: Hinugpong nga Panurat nga Winaray, Susumaton: Oral Narratives of Leyte, and Sa Atong Dila: Introduction to Visayan Literature.

Writing local

Alunan urged young writers to anchor their work in their own linguistic and cultural contexts to continue producing and promoting literature in local languages.

“You must be producing your own poetry in your own home ground. Let’s push for writing in our own language and push for kids, young people, to read literature produced in our own language,” she said.

Rica Bolipata-Santos, director of the Ateneo de Manila University Press, also emphasized the need to strengthen the local literary ecosystem such as in Dumaguete.

“It is important to study the ecosystem of writing in Dumaguete so that reading, writing, publishing, profiting, thriving, and the whole ecosystem work,” Santos said.

A panel of media and academic professional from various parts of Negros Oriental and Siquijor also shared their insights on literature in the region.

According to Rolin Migyuel Obina, administrative officer of Bais City, the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) will help connect the literary communities within Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.

“This newly-formed NIR will help us navigate a complex system to see each other through literary lenses, and not see each other as competitors but as allies and colleagues,” Obina said.

The three-day literary festival featured book readings, workshops, art and music performances, and a bazaar featuring independent bookshops, zine makers, and other creative works.

In a message of support, National Book Development Board (NBDB) communications and promotions head Ma. Divine Reyes Caraecle said the annual event would strengthen and expand access to books and boost readership in the region.

Duma LitFest started in 2024 through the commitment of Buglas Writers Guild, Libraria Books, and the Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center of Silliman University in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, NBDB, the local government, and the City Tourism Office.

History made

Dubbed “Becoming,” the third edition of the festival also marked the historic declaration of Dumaguete as UNESCO Creative City of Literature following a successful bid in 2025. (READ: A personal journey to the City of Literature)

UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines Secretary-General Ivan Henares turned over the commemorative plaque to City Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria and Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria.

Henares said that the honor was built from many “told and untold” stories decades ago, referring to the Silliman University National Writing Workshop, which is widely recognized as the first and oldest creative writing workshop in Asia.

Meanwhile, DumaLitFest 2026 director Ian Rosales Casocot, one of the main authors of the bid, said the application was written by many hands from technical groups creatives, students, teachers, and bookstore owners since December 2024.

“What makes this achievement extraordinary is how intimate it feels. It’s not a distant honor bestowed from above. It’s a story that began with a simple “cup of coffee” in Adorno. From there, a city dared to dream on paper, and that dream became real,” Casocot said.

The Negros Oriental capital is the second city in Southeast Asia to receive such recognition by UNESCO after Jakarta, Indonesia. – Rappler.com

Kean Bagaipo is a Rappler Mover and student journalist based in Dumaguete City.