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PALANCA CEBUANO SHORT STORY WINNERS AND

THE DEFINITION AND THE PRODUCTION OF CEBUANO LITERATURE

Rolando S. Salvana
Lit730P

Introduction
Two factors spurred the writing of this paper. First, there was Dr. J. Neill C. Garcia’s
comment on the lament of regional writers as to how “their own contemporaries and ‘peers,’ as it
were – seem less and less inclined to read their works” (1). And, second, there was the fifteen-
year old history of regional writing in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.
Dr. Garcia’s remark struck this researcher as, indeed, lamentably true. This researcher
considers himself a Cebuano writer and yet, except for the Cebuano Bible and prayer books, has
not read a Cebuano short story in the past seven years. He, moreover, realizes that while he
regards himself as a Cebuano writer, he knows only a few Cebuano writers outside of Cebu City.
Thus, when presented with the challenge of writing a paper that shall contribute to the subject of
literary history, this researcher thought of looking into Cebuano Literature, in particular,
Cebuano writers of fiction.
The Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, on the other hand, struck this
researcher as a rich source of possibilities as regards Cebuano Literature, in particular, Cebuano
Fiction. In 1997, the Palanca Awards introduced a division on regional languages, namely:
Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Iluko with a Short Story Category. And, to this researcher’s attention,
no study on Cebuano fiction nor on Cebuano writers of fiction in the Palanca Awards in its
fifteen-year old regional languages division has been done. Hence, this researcher thought that
to know other Cebuano writers of fiction and to eventually read their literary works studying the
list of winners in the Cebuano Short Story Category of the Palanca Awards, from 1997 to 2011,
would be a good place to start.
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At this point, this researcher wishes to disclose that he is one of the winners in this
Cebuano Short Story Category of the Palanca Awards. In 2002, he won First Prize for his story
entitled “Libat” in Cebuano Fiction and in other years won in the Dulang Pangtelebisyon and
Dulang Ganap ang Haba categories. His intention in writing this paper, however, is not to call
attention to his awards but to his ignorance on his own literary heritage as articulated above. He
also wishes to disclose that he comes from Mindanao, though he has Cebu links because of his
past association with the University of Cebu. His later critique on the disconnect between the
definition and the production of Cebuano Literature, however, is the result of his study of the
materials he came across in writing this paper and not because of his place of origin.
This paper has three intentions: first, to introduce Cebuano writers of fiction to each
other as well as to the greater reading public; second, to look into the word “Cebuano” in
Cebuano Literature; and, third, to respond to the “Cebuano” problematics in Cebuano Literature.
Given these three intentions, this paper shall have three parts: first, Cebuano Writers and the
Palanca Awards; second, “Cebuano” in Cebuano Literature; and, third, Cebuano Writers and
Response to the Cebuano Problematics.

Cebuano Writers and the Palanca Awards (1997-2011)

Established in 1950, the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature intended
“to help develop Philippine Literature by providing incentives for writers to craft their most
outstanding literary works” and “to be a treasury of the Philippine’s (sic) literary gems from our
gifted writers and to assist in its eventual dissemination to our people, particularly the students”
(Palanca). Though the Palanca Awards started only with the Short Story Category in both
English and Filipino, other categories were later added like the One-Act Play, Poetry, Full-
Length Play, Essay, Novel, Short Story for Children, Teleplay and Screenplay. Then, “in 1997,
three categories were opened . . . the Iluko, Cebuano and Hiligaynon Short Story in the Regional
Languages Division” (Palanca).
Fifteen years have passed, then, since the Cebuano Short Story Category has been
introduced. The table below shows, per year, the names of winners and the titles of their short
stories.
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Table 1
Cebuano Short Story Winners (1997-2011)
And Respective Literary Works
Year Writer Title of Literary Work
Lariosa, Ernesto D. Bugti
Patalinjug, Ricardo I. Hangtod Matapos ang Gabii
1997 Tanudtanud, Genaro Enad Sa Sabakan sa Bukid
Patalinjug, Ricardo I. Aron Usbon ang Kalibutan
Batausa, Mario Ang Nagharag nga Balite
1998 Lariosa, Ernesto Ang Baybayon ni Simon
Patalingjug, Ricardo I. Ting-ani
Estimo, Leonilo E. Sambunot
1999 Pineda, Oscar C. Ang Hari sa Tulay
Penaserada, Arturo Saloma sa Dagat
Yap, Januar Ang Suhito
2000 Wenceslao, Candido O. Ang Mga Langgam-Langgam
Tiu, Macario Ang Bata Nga Dili Matulog
Penaserada, Arturo Tuli
2001 Patalinjug, Ricardo Takna sa Kagabhion
Salvana, Rolando Libat
Alojamiento, Shielfa B. Ang Mga Babaye sa Among Baryo
2002 Lariosa, Ernesto D. Sakdapanay
Batausa, Mario Pagbugto sa Katapusang Higot
Ceballos, Lamberto Tinggutom sa Nayawak
2003 Mardoquio, Arnel Tikbalangkapre
Ang Katapusang Sonata sa Clarinet ni
Mardoquio, Arnel Nikolet
Pagusara, Agustin Jr. Talia Migrante
2004 Rafanan, Gumer Gutom
Tiu, Macario D. Balyan
Pagusara, Agustin Jr. Bangka sa Kinabuhi
2005 Cabrera, Josua S. Sesyon
Ceballos, Lamberto Ang Ungo sa San Pilar
Dorotan, Richel Dayaspora
2006 Acampado, Eleazar Mata sa Bagyo
Alunan, Merlie Pamato
Balino, Ferdinand Absent, Ma’am
2007 Tuazon, Noel P. Kundat sa Unang Gugma
Tiu, Macario Tsuru
Godin, Edgar S. Bingo
2008 Tio, Lilia T. Sapatos
Almerino, Corazon M. Sugmat
Dorotan, Richel G. Biyahe
2009 Balino, Ferdinand Mga Mananap sa Kagabhion
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Dorotan, Richel G. Si Tarzan

Saguban, Jonecito R. Tinuboang Sapatos
2010 Tuazon, Noel P. Patas
Dorotan, Richel Bayuso
Merquita, Errol A. Isla Verde
2011 Tiu, Macario Black Pearl

From the above table, it can be gleaned that in the fifteen-year-old history of the Cebuano
Short Story Category of the Regional Languages Division in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial
Awards for Literature, 45 awards have been given, with three winners per year. A closer look at
the list, however, would reveal that although 45 awards have been handed out, again, with three
winners annually, only 27 writers have actually received them. This is because some writers
have received not only one nor two awards but even three or four Palancas in the Cebuano Short
Story Category.
To provide order as to who these writers are and how many Palanca awards they have
won these past fifteen years, an alphabetical listing of the writers is necessary.

Table 2
Alphabetical Listing of Winners (1997-2011)
And Respective Literary Works
Winner Title of Literary Work and Year of Award
Acampado, Eleazar Mata sa Bagyo (2006)
Almerino, Corazon M. Sugmat (2009)
Alojamiento, Shielfa Ang Mga Babaye sa Among Baryo (2002)
Alunan, Merlie Pamato (2007)
Absent, Ma’am (2007)
Balino, Ferdinand L. Mga Mananap sa Kagabhion (2009)
Ang Nagharag nga Balite (1998)
Batausa, Mario Pagbugto sa Katapusang Higot (2003)
Cabrera, Josua S. Sesyon (2005)
Tinggutom sa Nayawak (2003)
Ceballos, Lamberto Ang Ungo sa San Pilar (2006)
Dayaspora (2006)
Biyahe (2009)
Si Tarzan (2010)
Dorotan, Richel Bayuso (2011)
Estimo, Leo Sambunot (1999)
Godin, Edgar S. Bingo (2008)
Bugti (1997)
Ang Baybayon ni Simon (1998)
Lariosa, Ernesto D. Sakdapanay (2002)
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Tikbalangkapre (2003)
Mardoquio, Arnel Ang Katapusang Sonata sa Clarinet ni Nikolet (2004)
Merquita, Errol A. Isla Verde (2011)
Talia Migrante (2004)
Pagusara, Antonio Jr. Bangka sa Kinabuhi (2005)
Hangtud Matapus ang Gabii (1997)
Aron Usbon ang Kalibutan (1998)
Ting-ani (1999)
Patalinjug, Ricardo I. Takna sa Kagabhion (2001)
Saloma sa Dagat (2000)
Penaserada, Arturo Tuli (2001)
Pineda, Oscar C. Ang Hari sa Tulay (1999)
Rafanan, Gumer Gutom (2004)
Saguban, Jonecito R. Tinuboang Sapatos (2010)
Salvana, Rolando S. Libat (2002)
Tanudtanud, Genaro Enad Sa Sabakan sa Bukid 91997)
Tio, Lilia Sapatos (2008)
Ang Bata Nga Dili Matulog (2001)
Balyan (2005)
Tsuru (2008)
Tiu, Macario Black Pearl (2011)
Kundat sa Unang Gugma (2007)
Tuazon, Noel P. Patas (2010)
Wenceslao, Candido Ang Mga Langgam-Langgam (2000)
Yap, Januar Ang Suhito (2000)

In the fifteen-year old history of the Cebuano Short Story Category in the Regional
Languages Division of the Palanca Awards, then, it can be seen from Table 2 that 27 writers of
45 literary works emerged as winners. Of the 27 winners, eleven writers received more than one
award. Among these eleven writers are Richel Dorotan, Ricardo I. Patalinjug and Macario Tiu
who received four Palanca awards each, with two of these awards being First Prizes. Ernesto
Lariosa, on the other hand, received three Palanca awards, with one First Prize Award. The rest
of the sixteen writers received only one award each.
Now, the question is: Who are these writers?
This researcher, whenever he wishes to update himself of literary events and information
in the Philippines, turns only to two online sources, namely: www.panitikan.com.ph and
www.ncca.gov.ph. For him, these two online sources, because they are professionally web-
administered, are trustworthy and are up-to-date.
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To his disappointment, however, his visits to these sites did not yield much data on the
subject area of this study. Of the 27 Cebuano writers in the Palanca Awards, only Merlie M.
Alunan, Errol A. Merquita, Ernesto D. Lariosa, and Gumer Rafanan have a short biographical
information in www.panitikan.com.ph. Multi-awarded Macario Tiu is in the list of writers in its
alphabetical listing but there is no biographical information on him. What appears under Tiu’s
name, however, are titles of two of his short stories. The other 22 Cebuano writers, meanwhile,
are not in the list.
In the www.ncca.gov.ph site, on the other hand, not one of the 27 writers are in the artist
registry of the NCCA. In fact, of the sixteen names registered under the heading “Literary” only
two names: Elmer A. Ordonez and Isagani R. Cruz were familiar to this researcher; the other
fourteen were not known to him.
This researcher, then, had to comb through pages of other online sources produced by
www.google.com. Surprisingly, less trusted and much maligned www.wikipedia.org emerged as
one of the more helpful sites. In Wikipedia, for example, this researcher stumbled on two
important items: first, a list of winners in the Cebuano Short Story Category from 1997 to 2011
all in one page (http://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganting_Palanca) ; and, second, a seemingly
comprehensive list of Cebuano writers
(http://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talaan_sa_mga_magsusulat_sa_Binisayang_Sinugboanon). At
the start of this study, he had to google the list of winners per year. This was because the online
listing of winners in the Palanca Awards page (www.palancaawards.com.ph) contained only the
winners beginning 2006. This researcher, therefore, was left with no choice but to search for the
names of winners year by year from 1997 to 2005. As regards the seemingly comprehensive list
of Cebuano writers, this researcher found the long list of names a good and broad horizon to
situate the 27 award-winning writers vis-à-vis Cebuano Literature, in particular, Cebuano
Fiction.
Below, then, are the short biographical information of the 27 Cebuano writers who have
emerged as winners in the Cebuano Short Story Category of the Regional Languages Division in
the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature from 1997 to 2011 based on the
researcher’s online and printed text search. (These short biographical information of the authors,
this researcher admits, are uneven. Most of them were culled from online sources which cannot
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yet be verified from other reliable sources. He hopes, however, to improve on them in his future
studies on Cebuano Literature and on Cebuano Writers.)

Acampado, Eleazar. A 41-year old Cebuano writer (born on February 26,

1971), Acampado is a staff of Bisaya Magazine, the Cebuano language
counterpart of Liwayway of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Incorporation.
Married with two daughters, Ecampado finished his Bachelor of Arts in English
Degree from the CAP College Foundation, Inc. He is Secretary of Dagang
Foundation, Inc., a group of Cebuano language writers, Luzon Chapter.

Almerico, Corazon. Almerino is one of Cebu’s young poets. In 1999, she

published her collection of poetry in Sinug-ang, together with “elder” poets in
Cebu like Ester Tapia and Erlinda Alburo. She helps in (wo)mentoring young
writers through her participation in the Cornelio Faigao Writers Workshop, Iligan
Writers Workshop, among others.

Alojamiento, Shielfa. Alojamiento, according to

http://sumpaymindanao.net/activities.html, is “an expert in the field of research
having done numerous research works, as well as writing and editing, over the
years. She is also a writer, a teacher and recently a playwright. In recent years,
her research works are more in line with gender and agriculture in different
cultural settings. During the training, to provide foundation and background
about the relevance of research, she gave interesting insights about the situation of
women in the 21st century.”

Alunan, Merlie. According to www.panitikan.com.ph, Alunan is an “associate

of the U.P. Institute of Creative Writing, is a professor at the U.P. College in
Tacloban City, where she currently resides. She obtained her M.A. in Creative
Writing from the Silliman University in Dumaguete City in 1975. She has
received numerous awards for her writing, including the Lillian Jerome Thornton
Award for Nonfiction, Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Free Press,
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Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Creative Work, and Likhaan Workshop

Award . . . In addition to teaching literature, she also serves as a panelist in
prominent writing workshops like the Iligan National Writers Workshop.”

Balino, Ferdinand L. From Davao City, Balino, studied at the Ateneo de Davao.
He is 41 years old.

Batausa, Mario. Batausa is a writer from Bliss, Calape, Bohol.

Cabrera, Josua S. Cabrera is an editorial cartoonist of the SunStar Daily

Newspaper of Cebu City. He is President of Bathalan-ong Halad sa Dagang
(BATHALAD), group of Cebuano writers. 

Ceballos, Lamberto. Ceballos, according to,

http://beta.usc.edu.ph/www2/index.php/news/517-two-cebuano-authored-books-
to-be-launched, “is a contemporary Cebuano writer who started his writing career
from a humble poem, ‘Phantom of the Times,’ which was published in 1967.
After decades of diligent work, Ceballos has established himself as one of Cebu’s
most prolific and original fiction writers. He has penned poetry and fiction and
has won numerous literary awards such as the Gawad Komisyon ng Wikang
Filipino prize, the Bathalan-ong Halad sa Dagang prize and the prestigious Don
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for the Cebuano short story.”

Dorotan, Richel. Definitely, one of the most prolific and most awarded writer,
Dorotan comes from Tabango, Leyte and finished his Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education from Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges in Bogo City,
Cebu. He is a staff of Bisaya and now President of Dagang Foundation, Inc., a
group of Cebuano language writers, Luzon Chapter. Aside from his four Palanca
Awards in the Cebuano Short Story Category, his many awards include a Gawad
Surian sa Tula-Gantimpalang Collantes in 2007 and in 2008 and many
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BATHALAD prizes. Married with two daughters, Dorotan is also known under
the pen-name Omar Khalid.

Estimo, Leo. (There is no online reference on Leo Estimo but this researcher
remembers him as having taught at Southwestern University in Cebu City).

Godin, Edgar S. Godin is the Associate Editor of Bisaya Magazine. He was

born in Bogo, Cebu but grew up in Loon, Bohol. Married with three children,
Godin is the Vice President of Dagang Foundation, Inc., a group of Cebuano
language writes, Luzon Chapter. Aside from his Palanca Cebuano Short Story
Award, he has also received many awards from BATHALAD.

Lariosa, Ernesto D. According to www.panitikan.com.ph, Lariosa “finished

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) major in English, Bachelor of Arts (AB),
1967 and Bachelor of Laws (LLB), 1985 in Southwestern University. He has
published more than 200 poems and numerous short stories, essays, and articles
in Bisaya, Alimyon, Bag-ong Suga, Philippines Free Press, Graphic, Women's
Journal, Sands & Corrals, Sun Star Weekend , andFocus Philippines . His
awards include among others, Lubas sa Dagang Bisaya Award for Poetry; Cebu
Arts Foundation Award for Poetry; Bathalad Award for essay and fiction; Sun
Star Daily Contest for Literature; Cultural Center of the Philippines Grants; and
Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. He co-edited Mga Alisngaw
ug Aligato (1975); and edited Kaliring (1997) another anthology of Cebuano
poems and short stories. He is at present Editorial Consultant on Cebuano
language and literary Editor of Sun Star Superbalita  which is now the number
one Cebuano newspaper in the south with a daily circulation of 50,000 copies. He
wrote a Cebuano style book for editors, columnists and reporters.” He is 68 years
old.

Mardoquio, Arnel. Aside from his two Palanca Awards in the Cebuano Short
Story Category, Mardoquio, a Davaoeno, is a screenwriter, a film director as well
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as a film producer. In 2011, his film Sheika won the Best Screenplay at the 34th
Gawad Urian Awards. He is, moreover, a playwright. His latest production was a
musical play on an Ayala matriarch, Crescencia Rey, entitled “Ay, Quile!”

Merquita, Errol A. Merquita comes from Tagum City, Davao del Norte and
works for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). He finished at the
University of the Philippines-Mindanao with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
Degree. He was a fellow at the 44th UP National Writers Workshop, the 7th Iligan
Writers Workshop and the 3rd Panagsugat-All Visayas Writers Workshop.

Pagusara, Antonio Jr. Pagusara was born Tangub, Misamis Occidental but
presently lives in Davao City. He is an Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas
(UMPIL) Awardee for Cebuana Drama and Poetry in 2004. He has published
several volumes of poetry: Mga Tunok ug Kasingkasing sa Hunahuna;
Kasingkasing sa Panahon, Panahon sa Kasingkasing; and Qontrapuntal. Among
the plays that he wrote are: Sinalimba; Yutang Saad; Bungkatol Ha Bulawan;
Hamiling Kabilin; Trahedya sa Balay ni Kadil; Mindasilang; Tanaman sa mga
Bantogan; May Hadlang ang Umaga; and, Uyayi sa Digmaan. He has also
penned Magindala, Mutya sa Daranawan, an epic-length poem on his experience
as a political prisoner under the Marcos regime.

Patalinjug, Ricardo I. A Vice-President of the Associated Labor Union (ALU),

Patalinjug is a poet as well as a fiction writer in both English and Cebuano. From
Lapulapu City, he finished his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of
San Carlos. He is 67 years old.

Penaserada, Arturo. Penaserada is a member of the Board of Directors of the

Kauswagan Water District, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

Pineda, Oscar C. Pineda is a writer from SunStar Daily Newspaper of Cebu

City.
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Rafanan, Gumer. Now based in Iligan City, Rafanan received his Bachelor of
Science in Education Degree from the University of the Visayas and his Bachelor
of Science in Business Administration Degree from St. Peter’s College in Iligan
City. According to www.panitikan.com.ph., Rafanan has written and published
more than 800 short stories, poems, articles, essays, and plays; and at least 24
novels in Cebuano. Among his most noted stories were "Hagip-ot Nga kalibotan,
Madulom Nga Kalibotan," "Usa Ka Kumkom Nga Bugas," "Kadtong Itom nga
Bathala," "Ulbo sa Kadalanan," and "Bulak sa Kinatumyan sa Dakit." His
serialized novels include Maratabat; Landong sa Katahap; Pantaw Ragat;
Banagbanag sa Habagatan; Mutya sa Apo; Magindanaw; Ang Gikalisangan sa
Pantao-Ragat . He received 72 writing awards, including Ludabi Hall of Fame
Award for Visayan Writing (1993); Bathalad-Mindanao Hall of Fame Award for
Literature (2001); Outstanding Citizen of Iligan City for Literature (1993); and a
CCP Literature Grant for translating Sulpicio Osorio's Mga Bungsod Nga
Gipangguba  (1994). He wrote columns for Parish Bulletin, Lanao Mail, Gold
Star Daily, Banat News, and Iligan Review .”

Saguban, Jonecito R. Saguban is from Jugno, Amlan, Negros Oriental and was
born on August 18, 2971. He is a contributor to the Bisaya Magazine.

Salvana, Rolando S. Salvana comes from Binuangan, Misamis Oriental and is a

priest working at the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay, Palawan. Aside from his
Palanca Awards, he has also received an award from the Cultural Center of the
Philippines for Playwriting and from the Arts Council of Cebu, also for
Playwriting. He was a fellow of the Dumaguete Writers Workshop, the UP-
Visayas Panagsugat Workshop, the UP National Writers Workshop, the Cornelio
Faigao Workshop, and the Hollywood-Pitchmart Screenwriting Workshop.

Tanudtanud, Genaro Enad. Tanudtanud is a writer from Davao City and

finished his collegiate studies at the University of Mindanao in Davao City.
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Tio, Lilia. Tio is an Association Professor 2 at the University of the Philippines-

Visayas. In 2011, she was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Women in Literary
Arts (WILA).

Tiu, Macario. According to

http://taboan2011.kom.ph/index.php/Delegates/MacarioTiu, “Tiu is a professor at
Ateneo de Davao. His fiction and poems, both in Cebuano and English, have
appeared in Philippines Free Press, Philippine Graphic, and Bisaya. He was won
the Palanca and the Philippine Graphic awards. His book Davao: Reconstructing
History from Text and Memory was a finalist in the National Book Awards in
2008.”

Tuason, Noel P. Tuason is a teacher of the Bohol-based Holy Name University.

Wenceslao, Candido. Wenceslao is an opinion-editor as well as columnist of

SunStar Cebu Daily of Cebu City.

Yap, Januar. Yap, according to Sugilanong Sugbuanon, “was born in Cebu City,
13 January 1972. He writes an opinion column for SunStar Daily Cebu and
teaches at the Cebu Normal University. He was fellow to the National Writers’
Workshop in Dumaguete and Iligan City, and the Cornelio Faigao Memorial
Writers’ Workshop.” He is currently a teacher at UP-Visayas.

Cebuano Writers and Production of Cebuano Literature

Indeed, fifteen years have passed since the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for
Literature introduced the Cebuano Short Story Category in the Regional Languages Division, in
addition to the English Division and the Filipino Division and, also later, the Kabataan Division.
And, in this fifteen-year old history of the category, 27 writers emerged as having written 45
good Cebuano short stories. Beyond getting to know the names of these 27 writers, their
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respective biographical information and, in the future, getting to read their award-winning short
stories, one question, however, needs to be pressed: What really is “Cebuano Literature?”
In an article posted in the NCCA website, the esteemed Dr. Erlinda Kintanao-Alburo,
former Director of the Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos in Cebu City,
defined “Cebuano Literature” as “the body of oral and written literature of speakers of Cebuano,
the mother tongue of a quarter of the country’s population who live in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor,
Negros Oriental, and parts of Leyte and Mindanao. As such, it is an important part of Philippine
literature.” Immediately after this broad definition of what Cebuano Literature is, however,
Alburo clipped this wide reaching definition of “Cebuano” to mean only “people living in Cebu”
or “people who have affinity with Cebu.” After defining “Cebuano Literature” Alburo said:
“Cebuanos have a rich oral tradition, including legends associated with specific locales, like the
Maria Cacao legends of southern Cebu and those of Lapulapu and his father Datu Manggal of
Mactan; and folktales like the fable "Haring Gangis ug Haring Leon", which warn of abusive
behavior by the dominant group.” Furthermore, when she mentioned names of writers in
Cebuano, her choice of writers revealed only Cebu-linked writers. Towards the end of this
online article of hers, Alburo wrote:
Some of the most-anthologized members of BATHALAD are Gremer Chan
Reyes, Ernesto Lariosa, Temistokles Adlawan, Pantaleon Auman and Rene
Amper. Amper, who used to write in English, is joined by Simeon Dumdum Jr.,
Vicente Bandillo, Melito Baclay, Ester Tapia and others who now write also in
Cebuano. Like this second set of bilingual writers, many other Cebuanos started
out in the campus papers, like the poets Robert Pableo Lim, Don Pagusara, Leo
Bob Flores and Rex Fernandez in the 70s and 80s; as well as the recent crop
consisting of Mike Obenieta, Adonis Durado and Januar Yap who are members of
the Tarantula group. A noteworthy addition is the Women in Literary Arts
(WILA), founded in 1991 by seven women writers. Perhaps the only organized
women writers’ group in the Philippines today, WILA has twenty-five writers,
half of whom write mainly in Cebuano, like Ester Tapia, Ruby Enario, Leticia
Suarez, Linda Alburo, Jocelyn Pinzon, Cora Almerino, Delora Sales and Marvi
Gil.
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In other words, while Alburo’s definition of Cebuano Literature encompasses literary

works “in Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and parts of Leyte and Mindanao,” her examples do
not reflect the inclusive character of her definition. On the contrary, they restrict Cebuano
Literature only to works of Cebu-linked writers, that is, those linked by birth, by place of work or
by affinity.
A perusal of the biographical information on the writers who won in the Cebuano Short
Story Category of the Palanca Awards reveals that writers like Alojamiento, Balino, Mardoquio,
Merquita, Pagusara, Penaserada as well as this researcher come from Mindanao and, therefore,
cannot be “Cebuano” to mean the island or the province of Cebu.
Recent publications of books edited by Alburo and colleagues like Resil B. Mojares and
Hope S. Yu, moreover, reveal this limited and, therefore, flawed definition of “Cebuano
Literature.” In Sugilanong Sugboanon: Cebuano Fiction Until 1940, published in 1999 by the
Ateneo de Manila University Press, only works of Cebu-linked writers were featured as the
tables below would show.

Table 3
Writer According to Place of Origin
Name of Writer Name of Place
Ubeda de la Santisima Trinidad, Antonio Originally from Valencia, Spain but later
worked in Bohol
Sotto, Vicente Cebu City
Morre, Escolastico Compostela, Cebu
Villagonzalo, Juan I. Ronda, Cebu
Osorio, Amando N. Dalaguete, Cebu
Garces, Vicente H. Talisay, Cebu
Rama, Vicente Cebu City
Kardenas, Pantaleon V. Barili Cebu
Boquecosa, Flaviano P. Dumanjug, Cebu
Navarra, Marcel M. Carcar, Cebu
Alfon, Estrella D. San Nicolas, Cebu
Tecson, Florentino D. Naga, Cebu
Abad, Antonio M. “Studied at Colegio de San Carlos”

Then, in Sugilanong Sugbuanon: Cebuano Fiction 1941-2005, also published in 1999 by the
Ateneo de Manila University Press, most of the writers included were Cebu-linked.
 Page 15 of 21

Table 4
Writer According to Place of Origin
Name of Writer Name of Place
Dugenio, Fausto “Palompon, Leyte but attended schools in
Cebu and Misamis”
Kabigon, Maria A. Carcar, Cebu
Viacrucis, Eugenio A. Palompon, Leyte; taught “at Southwestern
University in Cebu City”
Roperos, Godofredo M. Balamban, Cebu
Enemecio, Fornarina Baybay, Leyte; studied at Cebu Normal
University and University of San Carlos
Canizares, Potenciano Jr. Talisay, Cebu
Pujida, Agustino M. Agusan but worked in Cebu
Adlawan, Temistokles Naga, Cebu
Espina, Austregelina Cebu City
Gabriel, Dionisio R. Cebu City
Navarra, Marcel Carcar, Cebu
Chan Reyes, Gremer Bogo, Cebu
Patalinjug, Ricardo I. Lapulapu City, Cebu
Yap, Januar Cebu City
Beltran, Maria Victoria Studied at UP Cebu

Moreover, Yu’s Kapulungan: Conversations with Cebuano Writers, published by the

Cebuano Studies Center of the University of San Carlos in 2008 as well as her Kulukabildo:
Dialogues with Cebuano Writers, also published by the Cebuano Studies Center of the
University of San Carlos, this time in 2009, follow the same trend Alburo has started, that is,
feature only Cebu-linked writers. Of the 21 writers in the Kapulungan, only one, Maria Victoria
Beltran, comes from Mindanao though she is also Cebu-linked by being “Chair of the Women in
Literary Arts-Cebu.” And of the 24 writers in the Kulukabildo, only one, Anthony L. Kintanar,
comes from Mindanao though he is also Cebu-linked with his University of San Carlos
education. This is understandable, though, because both Kapulungan started as a “project of
the Poetry and Fiction class 2008-2009 at the University of San Carlos” and Kulukabildo a
sequel to Kapulungan (3). The students, this researcher understands, need to find and interview
writers who were in Cebu and within their convenient reach.
 Page 16 of 21

Even the 2012 publications of the Cebuano Studies Center, Lamberto Ceballos’ Hunger
in Nayawak and Other Stories and Temistokles Adlawan’s Because Love is Not Blind and
Women in Literary Arts’ Babayeng Sugid include only works of Cebu-linked writers.
In his book published in 1975, Cebuano Literature: A Survey and Bio-Bibliography with
Finding List,” the revered Dr. Resil B. Mojares, wrote these lines: “Cebuano is the second most-
widelty used language in the country . . . It is the dominant means of communication in many
provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao. It is extremely ironic that its rich literature has not been
accorded the number and quality of studies befitting its importance” (1). Lamentably, 37 years
after he articulated his “ironic” comment, Mojares, like Alburo as evidenced by their Sugilanon
publications, has limited his concern for Cebuano Literature to mean only works of writers with
Cebu links.
May Temple in “Mapping the Rugged Terrain (electronic resource): Cebuano Literature
in the Zamboanga Peninsula,” has the appropriate words for this situation:
The works of Cebuano writers from the Zamboanga Peninsula are rarely included
in anthologies on Cebuano writing, which seem to bear leaning towards creative
writing from the Visayas . . . Today, there is no writers’ group in Cebuano in the
region . . . The lack of outlets for writing, the absence if (sic) a writers’ group in
the region, the ignorance of many Cebuanos in the region especially the youth and
the intelligentsia, the disinterest and apathy of the academe in vernacular writing,
the absence of seminars and workshops . . . All these tell us that something needs
to be done about Cebuano writing in the Zamboanga region.
In other words, in terms of definition as to what “Cebuano Literature” is, there is general
agreement that such refers to literary works written in Cebuano Language, whether in the
Visayas or in Mindanao, or in other parts of the Philippines or in countries aside from the
Philippines. In terms of “producing” Cebuano Literature, however, the issue of “Cebuano
Literature” becomes problematic. Alburo, Mojares, Yu and the Cebuano Studies Center, and
understandably so, have operationally defined “Cebuano Literature” as literary works of Cebu-
linked writers and have thus produced only anthologies of such Cebu-linked writers. Cebuano
writers, therefore, in Mindanao may have to publish themselves or link with Mindanao-based
institutions to have their literary works produced and disseminated.
 Page 17 of 21

Unless, of course, writers in Cebuano Language, whether in Cebu or in Mindanao,

demand that, instead of the term “Cebuano Literature” that may restrictedly mean only literary
works of Cebu-linked writers and may only confuse and disappoint Cebuano writers without
Cebu links, the use of a more generic term like “Cebuano Language Literature” or “Literature in
Cebuano Language” may be more appropriate.

Cebuano Writers and Response to the Cebuano Problematics

There is a disconnect, then, between the definition of what “Cebuano Literature” is and
the production of “Cebuano Literature” as spearheaded by the Cebuano Studies Center of the
University of San Carlos in Cebu City. That while Cebuano Literature refers to literary works in
the Cebuano Language irrespective of the places of origin of their authors, produced Cebuano
Literature works facilitated by persons inextricably linked with Cebuano Literature like Alburo,
Mojares, Yu and the Cebuano Studies Center reflect only those of writers with Cebu links.
In other words, there is a need to remedy this disconnect between definition and
production in order to spur the growth and the reach of Cebuano Literature.
At present, realizing perhaps that they cannot expect anything from the leadership of
Alburo, Mojares, Yu and the Cebuano Studies Center in the publication and dissemination of
their works, the Cebuano Writers of Mindanao, in particular, those of Northern Mindanao, have
banded themselves together and, in 2011, have organized the First Mindanao Writers Summit in
Cagayan de Oro City. “The brainchild of convener, Christine Godinez Ortega, vice head and
coordinator for Central and Northern Mindanao of the National Commission for Culture and the
Arts (ncca)-Committee on Literary Arts, the Mindanao Writers Summit was organized with the
help of Bathalad Mindanao, represented by Raul Moldez and Amelia Catarata Bojo; the Cagayan
de Oro Writers Bloc represented by Zola Gonzalez Macarambon, and the summit host, Capitol
University,” a news item in www.panitikan.com.ph reported. 41 writers and 15 literature
teachers, representing “Bathalad Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro Writers Bloc, the Bukidnon Writers
Group, the Bangsamoro Women’s Group, the Mindanao Women’s Group, CDO Bloggers
Group, the Mindanao Creative Writers Group, representatives from local governments, local
media outfits, and academic institutions from Iligan, Marawi, Agusan, Malaybalay, Cagayan de
Oro, Zamboanga, as well as writers from Cebu and Tacloban cities” attended the said summit.
Then, as an expression of interest in the literary works of Mindanao Writers, Atty. Casimiro
 Page 18 of 21

Juarez, President of Capitol University (CU) of Cagayan de Oro City, offered CU as “a

repository and future headquarters of this large group of Mindanao writers.”
From this initiative, two ways of responding to this disconnect between and production of
Cebuano Literature can be discerned. First, for Cebuano writers in Mindanao to collaborate with
one another in order to produce a substantial body of literary works, whether individually or
corporately, that shall articulate their voice and express what Merlie Alunan says as
Mindanaoans’ “Southern consciousness.” And, second, for Cebuano writers in Mindanao to link
with universities like the Capitol University in the publication and dissemination of their works,
not only in Mindanao but in the whole country. Alburo, Mojares, Yu and the Cebuano Studies
Center of the University of San Carlos have already done their part in promoting Cebuano
Literature, it is now time for educational institutions in Mindanao to do theirs.
Collaboration among writers has already been done as the First Mindanao Writers
Summit in Cagayan de Oro City has shown. Beyond meetings and writing workshops, however,
they need to push for the publication of their works, again, whether individually or corporately.
The Second Mindanao Writers Summit has been calendared in 2013 and, until then, the results of
the efforts of this past First Summit cannot yet be known.
The link with Capitol University is a good start. The offer of CU’s President Juarez is
too good an offer to refuse. With Capitol University as repository and future headquarters for
Cebuano writers in Mindanao, something like a Cebuano Studies Center of the University of san
Carlos or a Bienvenido N. Santos Center for Creative Writing of De La Salle University may be
established. Starting with Capitol University, linkages with universities in urban centers in
Mindanao like University of Mindanao in Davao City, St. Columban College in Pagadian City
and the Universidad de Zamboanga in Zamboanga City may be further developed.
Linkage with universities need not even be confined to Mindanao-based universities.
Recognizing that the University of San Carlos, through its Cebuano Studies Center, publishes
only Cebu-linked writers, Mindanaoan Cebuano writers may link with the University of Cebu
(UC) of Cebu City. UC carries the name of Cebu and, by extension, the task to promote the
Cebuano language. In 2014, the University of Cebu shall be celebrating its Golden Anniversary
and, this researcher, having been the Research Director of the University of Cebu from 1996 to
2005, thinks of pitching the publication of the award-winning Cebuano short stories in the
Palanca Awards. Certainly, the possible association with the Don Carlos Palanca Foundation
 Page 19 of 21

may further enhance the name of the University of Cebu. UC has a student population of over
40,000 students coming from both Visayas and Mindanao and, therefore, would make a good
conduit in the marketing and dissemination of Cebuano literary works of Mindanao-based
writers.

Conclusion

The Cebuano Short Story Category in the Regional Languages Division of the Don
Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature has certainly contributed to the growth of
Cebuano Literature and has challenged Cebuano writers from all over the country to submit their
best literary work to the contest year after year. And for fifteen years, beginning 1997 and up to
2011, 27 writers of 45 short stories have received the prestigious Palanca Award.
The word “Cebuano” in Cebuano Literature, however, can be confusing. In terms of
definition, the “Cebuano” in Cebuano Literature refers to literary works written in the Cebuano
language. In terms of examples and literary production of leading figures in Cebu Literature,
however, the “Cebuano” in Cebuano Literature refers only to Cebu-linked writers and not to
Cebuano writers with no territorial Cebu connections. Given this disconnect between definition
and literary production, Cebuano writers in Mindanao need to collaborate with one another in
order to have their stories heard and their Southern consciousness known and to link with
universities in urban centers of Mindanao and even of the Visayas which are congenial to their
interests.
Lamentably, the award-winning Cebuano short stories in Palanca Awards these past
fifteen years still need to be published. Its eventual publication, given the places of origin of
their authors, will certainly bridge the divide between definition and production of Cebuano
Literature and spur its further growth and development.
 Page 20 of 21

Works Cited

Adlawan, Temistokles. Because Love is Not Blind. Cebu City: National Commission on
Culture and the Arts, 2012. Print.

Alburo, Erlinda. “Cebuano Literature in the Philippines.” National Commission on Culture and
the Arts, no date given: n. pag. Web. Accessed June – August 2012.
http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-culture-and-arts/articles-on-c-n-a/article.php?
igm=1&i=134

Alburo, Erlinda K, et al, eds.  Sugilanong Sugbuanon: Cebuano Fiction until 1940.  Quezon
City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2009. Print.

---. Sugilanong Sugbuanon: Cebuano Fiction 1941-2005. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila
University Press, 2009. Print.

Ceballos, Lamberto. Hunger in Nayawak and Other Stories. Cebu City: University of San
Carlos, Cebuano Studies Center, 2012. Print.

Cuizon, Erma and Erlinda K. Alburo, eds. Babayeng Sugid. Manila: Anvil Publishing, 2012.
Print.

Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Home Page. Web. Accessed June –
August 2012 http://www.palancaawards.com.ph/history.php

Garcia, J. Neil G. “Translating the Nation: Rizal, the Novel and Philippine Literatures in the
Region.” Asiatic 5.2 (2011). Print.

Mojares, Resil B. Cebuano Literature: A Survey and Bio-Bibliography with Finding List. Cebu
City: University of San Carlos, 1975. Print.

Panitikan. Home page. Web. Accessed June – August 2012

http://www.panitikan.com.ph/newsarchive/monthly/april2011.html

Sumpay Mindanao. Home page. Accessed June – August 2012

http://sumpaymindanao.net/activities.html,

Taboan. Home page. Web. Accessed June – August 2012

http://taboan2011.kom.ph/index.php/Delegates/MacarioTiu,

Temple, May Lilian B. Mapping the Rugged Terrain: Cebuano Literature in the Zamboanga
Peninsula. CD Rom. Manila: DLSU Library, 2004.
 Page 21 of 21

University of San Carlos. Home page. Web. Accessed June – August 2012
www.usc.edu.ph

Yu, Hope S, ed. Kapulungan: Conversations with Cebuano Writers: Cebu City: University of
San Carlos, Cebuano Studies Center, 2008. Print.

---. Kulokabildo: Dialogues with Cebuano Writers. Cebu City: University of San Carlos, 2009.
Print.

Wikipedia. Home Page. Web. Accessed June – August 2012

http://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganting_Palanca
http://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talaan_sa_mga_magsusulat_sa_Binisayang_Sinugboanon

http://ceb.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talaan_sa_mga_mananaog_sa_tigiay_sa_Dagang_Foundati
on