Communitas 2010 Issue for PDF File.pmd - University of San Agustin

June 2010 CULTURE AND ARTS Communitas 32
TRUE to its commitment to
continue harnessing the writing
skills of young and promising
writers of the region, the USA
Coordinating Center for Research
and Publications (UCRP)
conducted the 8 th San Agustin
Writers Workshop on 3-8 May
2010 at the Casa Santo Agostino,
Villa de Arevalo, Iloilo City.
The workshop was
participated in by ten students and
professionals coming from the
provinces of Iloilo and Capiz. The
fellows included: Johnny Artates, Jr.
(Roxas City), Rommel John
Belonio (Roxas City), Norman
Darap (Tigbauan, Iloilo), Lucell
Larawan (Iloilo City), Jamar
Montehermoso (Miag-ao, Iloilo),
Gil Montinola (Mina, Iloilo),
Jerome Norico (Roxas City), Pietros
Val Patricio (Iloilo City), Julie
Prescott (Btac. Nuevo, Iloilo) and
Michelle Serrano (Oton, Iloilo).
The fellowship started with
short talks on “The Art of Creative
Writing” by Dr. Isidoro M. Cruz,
Dr. Alice Tan Gozales and Dr.
Leoncio P. Deriada— all awardwinning
members of the workshop
panel. Dr. Deriada also gave lectures
on “Language is the Medium,”
“Writing a Poem,” and “Levels of
Usage.”
The activities of the four-day
workshop likewise included
critiquing sessions involving the
poems and short stories previously
submitted by the fellows. These
were facilitated by the awardwinning
writer-panelists. To cap the
four-day event, a poetry writing
contest – in English, Filipino,
Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a – was
held. The winners were given books
and medals as prizes during the
UCRP holds 8 th San Agustin writing fellowship
closing ceremonies. Of the short
stories submitted, the top three
best stories were also chosen, and
their authors given prizes.
During the closing ceremonies,
UCRP also launched two Libro
Agostino titles: “I Asked a Cicada”
by Atty. Julius P. Elvas, and
“Pungsod: Damming the Nation”
by Dr. Isidoro M. Cruz. The
ceremony was graced by Rev. Fr.
Edgardo L. Lazo, O.S.A., prior of
the USA community, and Rev. Fr.
Mamerto A. Alfeche, former
president of the university, among
others. (UCRP)
Atty. Elvas (extreme R) presenting a copy of his
book to Fr. Lazo, O.S.A. (C), with UCRP
Director Latoza (extreme L)
Dr. Cruz (extreme R) presenting a copy of his book to Fr. Lazo, O.S.A. (extreme L),
with Director Latoza (C)
Fellows of the workshop with panelists, UCRP staff and volunteers, and guests