As seen here
Some people seemingly draw a distinction between local and national writers and their works of art. Hence, provincial writers apparently feel ''left out'' and find it hard to reach a wider audience and gain a greater sense of appreciation. Consequently, an extensive issue on the significance of our nationhood comes into the picture.
The Cebu-based historian, critic, and fictionist Resil Mojares pointed out the problems of 'local' writers and academicians in his keynote address, ''The Nation in the Visayan Imagination,'' in the recently concluded fifth Taboan Writers' Festival held in Dumaguete City.
According to him, the literary situation today is that writers and works have to be recognized in Manila for them to acquire the status of 'national'.
Cebuano writers (or any local poets for that matter) who have published vernacular materials in thousands are considered 'local' while authors from Manila with lesser materials are deemed 'national' writers.
The discussion continued on the plenary session (''Your Place at the Writer's Table'') on the importance of having an inclusive 'national' literature-where no one must be consigned to oblivion- amidst the perceived snobbery of established writers on 'local' and younger generation of talents. In addition to this situation, the Philippine writers-creative thinkers, poets, essayists, novelists, scholars, academicians-are constantly fazed with problems rooting from the changing times: the country's diverse language spoken, 'writers' cliques', proliferation of social media, and the youth's inclination toward non-reading habits.
Despite all these, Taboan 2013 finds the reason to recognize and celebrate the icons, focusing on the Visayan laureates, for their contributions to Philippine letters amidst the challenges posted above.
Dumaguete City, dubbed as the country's ''University Town'', seemed to be the most apt location for the festivity. It houses Silliman University, which holds the pioneer and longest-running writing workshop in the country. The National Artist Edith Tiempo and husband Edilberto founded the writing seminar that produced and nourished great literary personalities of today.
The Writers' Festival, furthermore, delved into the works of other Visayas-based writers such as the multi-awarded Ilongga poet, Merlie Alunan (who launched her book ''Pagdakop sa Bulalakaw'' at the event), poet Artemio Tadena, award-winning playwright and short story writer Elsa Victoria Martinez Coscolluela, and Carlos Palanca awardee Bobby Flores Villasis.
The latest Taboan: Philippine Writers' Festival brought together renowned and national artists, budding writers, teachers, students and enthusiasts across the country to discuss important points, trade ideas and stories on issues relevant to literature, culture, and arts. The parallel discussions tackled pertinent issues such as ''Writing Chinoy, Chinoy Writing,'' ''Gender Factor,'' ''Writing for the E-book Market,'' and ''Experimenting with Genres'' where the panelists and the audience-writers, students, and teachers from all over the archipelago-exchange insights and opinions. Taboan, means ''marketplace'' in English.
On ''diseases''
Going back to the issue of our nationhood, National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) Chair Felipe de Leon Jr. highlighted ''three national diseases'' that hinder our literature (including our culture and tradition) into coming full circle:
• ''The Donya Victorina syndrome,'' a character in Jose Rizal's ''Noli Me Tangere,'' who epitomizes the distorted view of one's own identity;
• ''the cult of smallness,'' that always refer to our own literature, culture, arts, and tradition minute and subordinate of the West;
• and ''national mentality as defeated persons'' or the celebration of our inferiority complex.
Aside from these, de Leon said that: ''Filipinos are very oral. Kuwentuhan mo na lang ako kaysa magbasa pa.''
Thus, the importance and objective of this annual Taboan event serves as a souk of ideas-no matter how clashing they may be-to inspire any one to continue writing and sharing his or her creative juices.
In celebration of our National Arts Month, simultaneous workshops, forums, and performances are held in various parts of the country.
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