GenSan to host SOX Summer Writing Camp

   Pangandungan and Valoræx Book Readers Club in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Board on Books for Young People, and SOX Writers will hold the first-ever SOX Summer Writing Camp this coming April 29 to May 2, 2019 in General Santos City. 

   The event aims to contribute to the growing literary scene in southern Mindanao. It also aspires to develop and promote aspiring writers in the region and encourage them to produce literary works that represent and highlight the diversity of the cultures in SOCCSKSARGEN (SOX). 

   “The camp will provide an opportunity for young writers in our region to hone and improve their craft,” says Camp Director Kurt Comendador. “It will also acquaint them with more experienced writers that would serve as their mentors and speakers in this five-day activity. They will experience a community that shares the same passion as them. It is a rare event for us who live in the region, most especially in GenSan.”

   During the writing camp, the participants will listen to a series of panel and plenary talks on different aspects of writing and specialized lectures on poetry, drama, essay, and fiction. They are also expected to write poems, short stories, short essays, and short plays, compile these in a zine, and present these in a culminating activity.

   Since the past few years, there have been literary events conducted in the region. Still, it is undeniable that many writing opportunities remain outside the region. Therefore, this event also hopes to encourage support from concerned agencies and writing communities.

   “We hope that the inaugural event would be successful and opens numerous opportunities for writers in SOX region. We hope that this would garner the support of our local institutions towards literary efforts in the region, and eventually become a yearly event,” Kurt says.