While the majority of farmers in South Cotabato struggle to transition to organic agriculture, a group of practitioners in the Municipality of Santo Niño have managed to thrive. This success comes despite the lukewarm support they initially received when they embarked on their organic farming journey in 1998. The Peoples Action for Liberation Agricultural Industry Inc. (PALAI Inc.) has emerged as a champion of organic agriculture not only in Santo Niño but throughout the SOCCSKSARGEN region. However, serving as an advocacy group presents its own unique set of challenges. “Identify ..read more

  At the age of 27, Jezza Mae Nuñez-Fuentes, better known as Jea Nuñez, has learned the importance of valuing oneself as a female visual artist. This understanding came despite the challenges posed by those who fail to appreciate the significance of art in our society. Born into a family of artists, Nuñez's exposure to visual art began in her childhood. Her father, a visual artist himself, involved her in various art projects, ranging from murals to streamers, fostering an early appreciation for the artist's life. Nuñez pursued a Bachelor of Arts in English at Mindanao State Universit ..read more

The Sarangani Writers League is delighted to announce that we are currently accepting submissions for our inaugural anthology. We are looking for unpublished, original literary works from writers who have ties to Sarangani Province. The Work • The work may be authored by one or more individuals, provided all authors were born, are residing, working or studying, or have resided, worked or studied in any of the municipalities of Sarangani. • It may be in any literary form (nonfiction, poetry, play, fiction, hybrid/experimental, etc.). • It may be written in English, Filipino, or any lo ..read more

  When the opportunity arose to engage with the veteran writer, Estrella Taño Golingay, my request for an interview was not met with an immediate affirmation. Compelled to understand the reason behind her initial reluctance, I posed the question. Her response was a candid admission of feeling somewhat adrift in the sea of SOCCSKSARGEN's writing community. Despite her veteran status, she confessed to a sense of alienation, a feeling of not quite fitting into the vibrant tapestry of writers that make up the region's literary scene. Driven by a pressing need to record the wisdom of our se ..read more

  Alvin Q. Larida, captivated by the allure of the Hiligaynon language, is driven to delve into the realm of writing. His academic background in physics during his college years did not prevent him from this literary pursuit, even in the absence of formal training in writing or connections within the writing community. Undeterred, he continues to weave narratives rooted in the province of South Cotabato. "I found beauty in the Hiligaynon language. Given the scarcity of SOX Hiligaynon pieces, particularly in our region, it feels like the perfect time to contribute to this body of work ..read more

  Seven out of nine cultural masters from Mindanao have been honored as Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasures), according to Presidential Proclamation No. 427, Series of 2023. This esteemed group includes Bundos Bansil Fara for Tboli brass casting; Barbara Kibed Ofong for Tboli textile weaving; and Rosie Godwino Sula for Tboli chanting. The three cultural masters are from Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. Other Mindanao cultural masters are Abina Tawide Coguit for Agusan Manobo embroidery from La Paz, Agusan Del Sur; Marife Ravidas Ganahon for Higaonon mat weaving from Malaybalay, B ..read more

  The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) have announced the winners of the prestigious 41st National Book Awards. Among the awardees is Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, a writer of Blaan-Ibaloy heritage from Matanao, Davao del Sur. Her riveting work, "Dili Pwede Mogawas ug Ubang Mga Sugilanon" (Can't Go Out and Other Stories), has earned her the accolade of Best Book of Short Fiction in Binisaya. This recognition underscores her exceptional contribution to the Philippine literary landscape. “For me, my victory feels like a triumph for the Blaan peo ..read more

  Reflecting on my journey, my career as a writer began over a decade ago, following my college graduation. It was born from a desire to challenge the preconceived notions that my undergraduate degree could only lead to a career in teaching. While being a teacher is absolutely nothing wrong, I always felt a deeper calling. This, combined with my love for storytelling, guided me toward a different path. Upon graduating from college, I established my blog, capitalizing on the growing popularity of this platform at the time. While I may not have achieved the status of a social media milli ..read more

  The Philippines has witnessed a coffee boom in recent years, with numerous coffee shops popping up across the nation. However, not all of these establishments promote quality coffee and support the local coffee farmers, who are vital to the industry. A local coffee shop in Maitum, a coastal town in Sarangani Province, has a vision to showcase the municipality's coffee production. Thirsty Tongue Café, owned and run by barista Mervin John Keith Reganit Sabarre, aims to help the coffee farmers in their community and educate his customers about quality coffee. Sabarre teamed up wit ..read more

  Kenneth Clint Bajade's innate curiosity led him to explore the world of coffee. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire for new experiences, he became an advocate for the welfare of local farmers and the importance of quality coffee to consumers. Before Bajade became truly engaged in the local coffee industry, he simply loved coffee. He did not bother to serve quality coffee or educate his customers about it. “I loved drinking coffee before. I was just a coffee lover, but not an enthusiast,” he said. The initial concept for Coffee Brothers Co. was to create a traditional kapih ..read more