Magsugilalonay Kita, Revitalizing the Western Visayan Literature

Books written in the mother tongue and published by Kasingkasing Press.

Western Visayas has a thriving literary community, thanks to the active endeavors of Hiligaynon writers who advocated the resurgence of mother tongue-based literature. Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a and Akeanon were the three languages in Western Visayas.  While Hiligaynon is the region’s lingua franca, Kinaray-a remains the predominant language,  spoken in the central and southern towns of Iloilo, the entire province of Antique and most of Capiz. Hiligaynon, meanwhile, is spoken in Iloilo City, the coastal communities of Northern Panay (extending from Carles in Iloilo until Ivisan in Capiz), Guimaras island, and majority of Negros Occidental. Hiligaynon was spread in Mindanao when migrants from Panay settled in Southern Mindanao from 1950s until 1970s. 

Hiligaynon literature became popular at the turn of the 19th century when Imprenta La Panayana was established in Iloilo City. The coming of the Americans saw the emergence of the Golden Age of Hiligaynon literature despite the presence of Spanish influences. Literary luminaries in the native tongue, like Angel Magahum, Magdalena Jalandoni, and Miguela Montelibano thrived with their prolific outputs during this time. Hiligaynon magazine, like Liwayway Publications in Manila and of the Makinaugalingon Press by Rosendo Mejica in Iloilo City were printed and sold by the thousands, which further strengthened Hiligaynon literature. 

The Hiligaynon literature saw a steady decline after World War II and thereafter. It could have remained in oblivion if not for the efforts of a new breed of Hiligaynon writers who created a new wave for interest for the present generation. But more needs to be done to promote the appreciation and use of mother tongue not only in literature but more importantly in transmitting knowledge.

 “It is important for us to raise such awareness to the public now that the use of the native language as a medium of instruction is being fully implemented in classrooms nationwide,” Noel G. de Leon, founder and publisher of Kasingkasing Press, said. Kasingkasing Press it the only publishing house dedicated to publish and support mother tongue-based literature.

“Not only does this enable us to strengthen the great linguistic and literary heritage we have as West Visayans but it also helps us address the great language divide we have previously faced in our educational system. We welcome this move as a gift to future generations,” he continues.
Every two years, Kasingkasing Press, together with Hubon Manunulat, an organization of West Visayan writers whose aim is to promote, propagate, and preserve West Visayan literature, organized Magsugilanonay Kita, the West Visayan Mother Tongue Children's Books Summit. This bi-annual event started in  2015 and gathers teachers, writers, and artists within and outside the region to interact, share and exhibit their best practices in the field of children’s literature. It is also a way to heighten the awareness of parents, teachers and educational policy makers in fostering the language skills of young readers in their native tongue.

This 2019, Magsugilalonay Kita Summit has three components: the Writers Talk Series, the Children’s Rights Talk Series and the Art Workshop Series.

For the Writers Talk Series, Jose Edison C. Tondares of St. Anthony’s College and editor of Taramdan sa Lantipulong Kinaray-a will discuss the Kinarya-a Orthography in Children’s Books, while Mr. Resurreccion Hidalgo of SUMAKWELAN Iloilo Inc. will talk about the Making of an English-Hiligaynon Visayan Dictionary and Pulong Hiligaynon Para sa Tanan. This year’s Keynote Speaker is Mr. Alain Russ Dimzon, the newly elected commissioner for Hiligaynon by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino. Commissioner Dimzon will share why there is a need to strengthen children’s literature in the mother tongue.

Advocates of mother tongue-based literature.

For the Children’s Rights Talk Series, the invited speaker, Ms. Felinor Villa, Executive Director of Iloilo Children’s Welfare Foundation and Ms. Heide Foulc, Executive Director of CAMELEON Association Inc., will talk about the current situation of children’s rights and welfare in Western Visayas and its importance to include in local literature.

For the Art Workshop Series, particularly the Storytelling Workshop, Ms. Lj Bonsai of Iloilo Storytellers will discuss The Radical Act of Community Storytelling, while Mr. Hermie Cartagena of UP Visayas will talk about Making Spaces Meaningful Through Strategic Storytelling. For the Children's Book Illustration Workshop, Mr. Gil S. Montinola will share his insights on the Art and Aesthetics in Selected West Visayan Children’s Books. Mr. Nicole Caminian, a digital illustrator will share his knowledge on The Basics of Digital Illustrations. In the  Zine Making Workshop, Mr. Jag Muyco will give the participants insights the art of zine making as an alternative tool to publish classroom educational materials. Throughout the day, there will be an on-going zine exhibit and book fair of West Visayan literature books.

The 3rd Magsugilalonay Kita West Visayan Mother Tongue Children's Books Summit happens this August 6-7, 2019 at UP Visayas Auditorium. For registration, click this link. For more details, visit Magsugilalunay Kita Facebook page.

Images from Hubon Manunulat and Kasingkasing Press.