The Liberal Arts and Education Department of the Naga College Foundation, in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the City Government of Naga and the KABULIG-Bicol is organizing a teachers-writer's conference entitled "Pagtukdo, Pagsurat Bikolnon 2008", from 2-4 July 2008, at the NCF ST Annex Auditorium.

The project was inspired by the first region-wide assembly of Bicol literary workers organized in 2000 and which was replicated in 2004. Eight years since the activity was first conceived, notable developments have been observed as its direct and or indirect impact to Bicol literature. Among these is the steady increase in the number of published Bicol literary works, increase in the number of workshops and region-wide literary competitions held, increase in the number of research studies and lecture-fora conducted, and other activities which promote the regional's literature.

Thus, a similar activity dubbed as Pagtukdo, Pagsurat Bikolnon 2008: A Teachers-Writer's Conference ( program.pdf ) is being organized to consolidate current gains, identify new needs and challenges, and formulate concrete measures to bring Bicol literature to another level. This desire is also in congruence with current policies, programs and advocacies of government agencies, i.e., the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education, with regard the development of regional literature. Moreover, there is now a growing national recognition that diversity in literature in the form of the vernacular further enriches, unifies, and defines the Filipino soul.

Thru the conference, it is hoped that the mainstreaming of Bicol literature will be brought to a step further by devising practical means of integrating Bicol literature in academic instructions; by formulating a comprehensive plan for Bicol literary workers and advocates; and by setting-up mechanisms that shall provide guidance and coordination and foster linkages and collaboration, to this regard.

Invited resource speakers for the conference are Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera (National Artist for Literature), Prof. Jazmin Llana, Dr. Paz Verdadez, Chancellor Ricky de Ungria, Mr. Frank Peñones, and Ms. Marifa Borja Prado.

150 participants are expected to attend the conference, mostly teachers and writers, students, and other literary advocates coming from the media and the local government. It is deemed that thru the activity, the propagation of the region's literature will be more pronounced. More will be made to understand of the importance of their own literature and will be drawn to support it.

For more information, please feel free to contact Ms. Joanna Ramores at 8117525 loc. 101 or Dr. William Espejo at 8117525 loc.125.