Umpil held its 51st National Writers’ Congress

The Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) or the Writers’ Union of the Philippines, the largest group of creative writers in the country, held its 51st National Writers’ Congress on Saturday, 26 April 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at the Gimenez Gallery, University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. A significant part of the National Literature Month celebration, this year’s theme of the Congress is “Paggigiit ng katutubong wika at panitikan sa mga karunungang pandaigdig” (Asserting indigenous languages and literature in global knowledges.)

Celebrated anthropologist and literary researcher Dr. Alicia P. Magos of the University of the Philippines Visayas will deliver the keynote lecture at the Congress. She will discuss the theme based on her lifelong work promoting and empowering the Panay Bukidnon culture. The first part of the Congress will feature the two UMPILAN Writers’ Fora. Forum 1 will discuss “Decolonial Practices” with Dr. Antonette Talaue-Arogo of De la Salle University and Dr. Roselle Pineda of the University of the Philippines Diliman as panelists. Forum 2 will feature Dr. Alvin Yapan of Ateneo de Manila University and Dr. Steven Patrick Fernandez of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology discussing “Performing Cultural Resources.”

The highlight of the Congress is the awarding ceremonies of the 2025 Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, a lifetime achievement award for Filipino writers; the 2025 Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez, a lifetime achievement award for teachers of Philippine literature; and the 2025 Gawad Pedro Bucaneg, an award given to a literary-cultural group with significant contribution in promoting Philippine literature and culture. 

W   WThe 2025 Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas awardees are Christine S. Bellen-Ang (Children’s Literature in Filipino), Isidoro M. Cruz (Literary Criticism in English), Maria L.M. Fres-Felix (Fiction in English), Jun Robles Lana (Screenplay in Filipino), Joel B. Manuel (Fiction in Ilocano), Marian Pastor Roces (Essay in English), Al Santos (Play in Filipino), Joel M. Toledo (Poetry in English). The 2025 Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez awardee is Shirley O. Lua of De la Salle University. The 2025 Gawad Pedro Bucaneg will be given to Ing Akademyang Kapampangan Inc.  

The 51st National Writers’ Congress is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the College of Arts and Letters of the University of the Philippines Diliman, the Ignacio B. Gimenez Foundation, the University of the Philippines Press, the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), and the Philippine Soong Ching Ling Foundation (PSCLF). Renowned visual artist Manuel D. Baldemor designed and donated the trophies.

The 51st  National Writers’ Congress welcomes all UMPIL members, potential members, literature teachers, students, and enthusiasts. For inquiries, early registration, and membership applications, email UMPIL Secretary-General John Enrico C. Torralba at johntorralba28@gmail.com.