The first-year Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Cultural Studies (BALCS) in their LCS-104 conducted the first part of Siete Pentakasi, headed by Prof. Rossel A. Mangaron, in collaboration with the College English Club, Maratabat: MSU-GSC Writers Guild, and Sarangani Writers League (SWL) last April 17 at the Regional Science and Research Center (RSRC).
“Aside from honing the writing skills of students in different genres, the goal of Pentakasi is to really let the students meet the writers we have from SOX. Thus, we do not need to invite resource speakers outside the region just to talk about literature because we have writers here in Region 12. We need to let, not just writers and readers but all students join us in fostering SOX languages and literature because this is 'us'. They must be exposed to it because we are rich with it, and this is something we can call ours,” Jomarie Sevilla, the first year representative of BALCS, Maratabat President and head of the said program, expressed in an interview.
The event was themed "Amplifying free voices in promoting SOX language and literature," aiming to advocate diverse languages in SOCCSKSARGEN and literature in the region.
On the other hand, Prof. Mangaron revealed that Pentakasi came from cockfighting, or the act of mediating and negotiating on one’s behalf, which served to mediate between the writers and the students studying literature and is now in its seventh year.
Eric Gerald H. Nebran, who works as a freelance editor and illustrator for publishing companies and produces content for various organizations, including academic, corporate, and media outlets, and is a is a PhD candidate in the Comparative Literature Program at the University of the Philippines, discussed Writing in the Regions: The Plurality of People and Productions in another Mindanao, the SOX as a melting pot, fruit salad, woven tapestry, and the reviews of the inattention to local literature.
Nebran also emphasized that free voices are amplified by not allowing labels on aspiring writers for whatever genre they write or the language being used, there is room for them. As well as supporting band groups like Alamat, a Pinoy pop young group that fosters diversity and multiculturalism, multilingualism in the country through songs and music videos.
Meanwhile, MJ Cagumbay Tumamac shared about the children's books, literature, and Aklat Alamid in the afternoon session, while Kurt Joshua Commendador, a freelance copywriter in General Santos who studies and writes creative nonfiction (CNF) which appeared in Cotabato Literary Journal, Dagmay, and Chicago-based Entropy Online Magazine, was the last speaker on the first day, leaving the participants with stories of each one through sharing experiences and writing CNFs and how they are written.
“Syempre, hindi maiiwasan, may mga problems talaga na nag-arise such as processing the letters kay 2 weeks walang class. But still, it went well and was definitely successful. I was so glad na naging successful. That feeling na 7 years na ang Pentakasi feels different. I am so proud of everyone, especially my BALCS-1,” Sevilla said in an interview.
Moreover, Sittie Misel, BALCS-1 participant, shared that what makes it special is the introduction about the opportunities for the writers in Soccsksargen people need to know and be aware of, that truly, there is a gem at Sox and when talking about literature.
She further cited that they are in awe that they can use their creativity through writing to represent, give lessons, promote, and inspire others.
Siete Pentakasi will be continued on April 24 at RSRC with further discussions on writing fiction, poetry, zine making, and poetry jams.
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