I spent the weekend at Hillwood Resort in Baao, Camarines Sur, attending the 12th Saringsing National Writers Workshop organized by Parasurat Bikolnon (PB Writers Inc.) This year’s workshop was directed by Elbert Baeta, with Mia Tijam serving as the lecturer. I had the honor of being one of the panelists, alongside Frank Peñones, Jr. (FPJ), Edwin Breva Jr., Antonio Moran, and Irvin Sto. Tomas, the president of PB Writers Inc.
Originally scheduled to take place in Balatan, Camarines Sur, the workshop was postponed and relocated due to a recent typhoon. Despite this disruption, the workshop proceeded with six fellows, one of whom participated remotely via Google Meet because of academic commitments. The fellows were Efren Manacob Jr. from Nabua, Camarines Sur; Zairel Medina from Mandaon, Masbate; Lyndon Jr. Mohametano from Bulan, Sorsogon; Jay-R Nabor from Donsol, Sorsogon; Ian Kenneth Orasa from Bato, Camarines Sur; and Janelle Tanguin from Ligao City, Albay.
During the workshop, we read and critiqued six manuscripts, each showcasing distinctive voices and styles. While there were still areas for improvement in craft, the fellows successfully produced three poetry suites: one with a reportage-like tone, one tells narratives of an island, and the other exploring poetic forms. Additionally, two collections of fiction were presented, showing promise for expansion beyond flash fiction into more fully developed stories: one rooted in the author’s birthplace, while the other delved into darker themes. There was also a novel-in-progress set in Rinconada, a promising piece of speculative fiction grounded in indigenous themes, potentially making it the first of its kind in the region.
Here are my takeaways regarding writing after attending Saringsing. For fiction, simply changing the POV can significantly enhance the story. A fiction writer should be open to stepping outside of their comfort zone, trying different genres, forms, and lengths of writing. In poetry, it’s not sufficient to merely capture a moment; the poet should strive to create layers of meaning within their work.
Now in its 12th year, Saringsing has evolved significantly since its inception in 2010 as an internal workshop for PB Writers members. It has grown into the longest-running and most mobile writers’ workshop in Bikol, aimed at nurturing both emerging and mid-career writers. Since 2023, the workshop has limited its annual intake to six fellows to facilitate more intensive mentorship and sustained engagement. The selection criteria have also been broadened to include published writers.
Over the years, Saringsing has been hosted in various locations across the region: in Naga City (Saringsing 1, 2, 3, and 6), Pili (Saringsing 4 and 5), Pasacao (Saringsing 7), Buhi (Saringsing 8 ), Virac (Saringsing 9), Canaman (Saringsing 11), and now Baao (Saringsing 12). Saringsing 10, which was held online, was a necessary adaptation during the pandemic. Despite the challenges and transitions, Saringsing continues to thrive as a vital platform for regional literary development and cultural expression.
Parasurat Bikolnon plans to hold Saringsing 13 in Sorsogon in 2027.
Meet the fellow of the 12th Parasurat
EFREN B. MANACOB JR.
Nabua, Camarines Sur – Halipot na Usipon
Studied at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Calabanga Campus; Secondary Teacher at DepEd Division of Camarines Sur
ZAIREL S. MEDINA
Mandaon, Masbate – Rawitdawit
Studies at Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology; Editor-in-Chief, D’Post, Official Student Publication of the Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology; President, DEBESMSCAT Guild of English Mavens
LYNDON G. MOHAMETANO, JR.
Bulan, Sorsogon – Halipot na Usipon
Jan Jan Mohametano, a native of Bulan, Sorsogon, is a playwright. His first stage production in his hometown was his musical play Dayaw: Sa Bilog na Bulan in 2024. This was followed by Spe Salvi, staged in Legazpi City by Sining Banwa, and Gate of Heaven by Tabsing Kolektib PH during the Pista nin Teatrong Bikolnon in Albay.
JAY-R M. NABOR
Donsol, Sorsogon – Rawitdawit
Studies Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (Pre-law) at Bicol University; former Editor-in-Chief at The Vision Publication; writer for Cineladawan, Veracity PH, Informed Philippines, Sining Banwa PH, The Bicol Universitarian, JourKnows, MusMedia, AdAstra – Bicol University Film Society
IAN KENNETH L. ORASA
Bato, Camarines Sur – Nobela
Studies MS-Architecture at Bicol University; former Junior Architect at Elecol Engineering Equipment Supply & Service; Instructor at Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology
JANELLE D. TANGUIN
Ligao City, Albay – Rawitdawit
She was among the translation fellows of the 1st Hablon-Usipon Children’s Book Translation Workshop in Naga City last June 11-12, 2025 organized by Parasurat Bikolnon, Phil Wiki Community, and the San Miguel Bay Writers Workshop of CBSUA. She studies MFA in Creative writing at De La Salle University.
About the author
A prominent Bikolano poet and educator from Calabanga, Camarines Sur, JEROME HIPOLITO is a writer, educator, visual artist, and one of the founders of Parasurat Bikolnon (PB Writers Inc.) In 2008, he bagged second place in the poetry category of the Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon. In 2019, he was the co-winner of the first Premyo Valledor, a novel prize for Bicolano writers with original novels written in Bikol.