2010 Philippine pen congress

CEBU, Philippines - “Solidarity in Literature Without Borders” was the theme of the annual conference of Poets, Playwrights, Essayists & Novelists (PEN) last December 4 & 5 at Montebello Villa Hotel. For two solid days, creative writers and journalists from all over converged and shared views on the state of the written word in today’s world.

Keynote speaker at the opening was respected Cebuano poet/essayist Judge Simeon Dumdum Jr. who elicited smiles, giggles and some laughs with his irrepressible wit and humor. 

Sessions were divided according to regions, with Visayan Writers starting the tenor of the two-day conference by delving into the writer’s angst as caused by various realities. Panelists were Erma Cuizon, Isidoro Cruz and John Barrios, with Vicente Groyon as facilitator.

Mindanao Writers found their voices through Anthony Tan, Steven “Tibo” Fernandez, Servando “Ben” Halili Jr. and Telesforo Sungkit Jr. Chaired by Jaime An Lim.

 On the second day, the Writers from Luzon started the sessions with panelists Santiago Villafania, Priscilla Supnit-Macansantos, Carlos Arejola and Sherma Benosa. Discussion moderator was Herminio Beltran.

Asian Writers held their own in a panel participated by Nori Nakagami (Japan), Nguyen Bao Chan (Vietnam), Alvin Pang (Singapore) and Robin Lim (Indonesia). Ronald Baytan acted as facilitator.

Writers in the Americas had Alice Sun-Cua, Ma. Carmen Sarmiento, Lina Zeron (Mexico), Ruth Elynia Mabanglo (Hawaii, USA) and Marianne Villanueva (USA) as panelists, chaired by Marjorie Evasco.

Writers in Europe and Africa featured Edgardo Maranan, Ignacio Martinez de Pison (Spain) and Joseph Ushie (Nigeria) as panelists, with Jose Victor Torres.

At noon, the highlight of the annual conference – the Jose Rizal Lecture – was undertaken by internationally acclaimed historian and lecturer, who is also a multi-awarded author: Dr. Resil B. Mojares, Cebu’s pride. He delivered a scholarly yet engaging paper showing Rizal as a writer without borders. Surmounting daunting difficulties at a time when global travel was yet to be widely experienced and appreciated, Rizal remains to this day as an extraordinary intellectual who used his pen to deploy his views.

This year’s event had PEN Chair Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera and PEN Secretary Lito Zulueta as overall convenors. Cebu coordinator was Lilia Tio of UPCC. – (FREEMAN)