Literature as Resistance: Panitikan Sophomores Spotlight Societal Issues in Sukit-Sukit 2025

By Pia Natalie Daymiel


Sixteen literary research papers were featured in Sukit-Sukit 2025, a colloquium where second-year BA Panitikan students defended their studies on diverse Philippine literary texts, exploring themes of resistance and social commentary.


Held on Wednesday, May 7 at the Institute Mini-Theater, the event highlighted multifaceted approaches to literature as a lens for exploring pressing societal issues under the theme: “Dalumat sa mga Rehiyonal na Panitikan: Mga Boses ng Paglaban, Pagpapahayag, at Pag-usbong ng Kultura at Kamalayan sa Pampanitikang Pananaliksik.”

Bringing fresh perspectives to the colloquium, five graduating students led the panel critiques—highlighting the next generation of Filipino literary scholars. Providing guidance and critical insights during the scholarly discussions were BA Panitikan fourth-years, Clariza Jane Ovillo, Kayrel Bloom Acero, Michelle Maglinte, Anniefaye Noreen Catarig, and Sarah Piamonte.

During the opening remarks, Asst. Prof. Loi Vincent Deriada, PAN116’s course instructor, expressed his heartfelt gratitude, notably mentioning that this marked their fourth iteration of Sukit-Sukit which has persistently endured since the COVID-19 pandemic. He also emphasized the colloquium’s purpose of fostering deeper understanding of both social and academic issues relevant to literary studies.


In an interview, Grachele Diangco Gamuzaran, a second-year BA Panitikan student whose research was awarded Best Paper during the colloquium expressed, “Malaki ang ambag ng mga kolokyum tulad ng Sukit-Sukit sa larangan ng pananaliksik. Nagsisilbi itong espasyo kung saan maaaring ilahad at ibahagi ng mga mananaliksik ang kanilang mga pag-aaral, mapakinggan ang puna at mungkahi ng kapwa iskolar, at makabuo ng dayalogo na tumutulay sa iba't ibang disiplina, wika, at perspektiba. Bukod dito, pinatitibay rin nito ang pagkilala sa mga lokal na panitikan at pananaw na madalas na naisantabi sa mas dominanteng diskurso.”


The colloquium presented 16 compelling research papers that demonstrated the students’ rigorous engagement with contemporary literature as both an artistic and a sociopolitical medium.


Among the standout presentations were: “Isip na Wasak, Tinig na Boses: Isang Masuring Pagsusuri sa Krisis sa Kalusugang Pangkaisipan Partikular sa Isyung Depresyon sa Akdang ‘Siya si Ril’ ni Hannah A. Leceña” by Angel Johanna Jalaman, April Kris Puasa, and Leonisa Ramos, which examined mental health crises.


Intriguingly, there was also “Metapora ng Lipunang Pilipino: Ang Pananamantala, Panlilinlang, at Pang-aabuso sa Alamat ng Gubat ni Bob Ong Bilang Repleksyon ng Tunay na Kalagayan ng Pilipinas” by Viremi Antivo, Cathlene Orida, Cristen Jane Progella, and Edrian Larano, which was a critical analysis of Bob Ong’s allegory about the dire political state of the national scene.


Exploring the timeless lesson of “‘Sandaang Damit’ ni Fanny A. Garcia: Materyalismo Bilang Panlipunang Pagtanggap”, Grant Adian Castillo, Jeanwin Quidlat, and Joshua Catamco pioneered the paper.


Collectively, these works—along with those unmentioned—underscored the vitality of regional voices in confronting contemporary issues, ranging from cultural preservation to identity politics, all while pushing the boundaries of literary research and methodology. Despite all that, however, only three papers were honored as Best Papers in the colloquium.


The paper, “Hinahalo, Pinakukuluan, Nilalasahan: Ang ‘Binignit’ Bilang Alegorya ng Lipunang Bisaya at ng mga Bakla” by Grachele Gamuzaran, Mary Grace Zamora, and Zamantha Leigh Ong claimed first place.


Second place was awarded to “Ang Dilemma ng Tagumpay: Pagsusuri sa Kalagayan ng Kababaihan sa Trabaho sa Pelikulang ‘The Devil Wears Prada’” by Russell Kyle Ancajas, Vengie Feniza, Cyrese Jane Gesulga, and Nada Salic.


Meanwhile, third place went to the paper Paglalarawan ng Pagkatao at Pagtanggap: Epekto ng Diskriminasyon Laban sa Identidad ng LGBTQ+ sa Gitna ng Panlipunang Pamantayan by AJ Lou Campecino, Govanne Alexa Echavez, and Mary Luz Generalao


In displaying their exceptional dynamics to work as a group, Zamantha Leigh Ong and Mary Grace Zamora, AJ Lou Campeciño and Mary Luz Generalao, and Pauline Rose Dalogdog and Jasfer Estrada were respectively hailed as the Top 3 ‘Pinakamahusay na Presenter’ group category.


For their steward performance in showcasing their dedication to their specific papers and their mastery in presenting them, these presenters bagged the Top 3 ‘Pinakamahusay na Presenter’ individual category award: Pauline Rose Dalogdog and Mary Grace Zamora, Canna Deligh Sabosido, and Zamantha Leigh Ong and Derek Jazztein Flores.


“My biggest takeaway from participating in Sukit-Sukit 2025 was the value of dialogue in academic work. Presenting my research and listening to others helped me see how diverse perspectives can strengthen and refine our interpretations. The experience also boosted my confidence and reminded me that research is not a solitary endeavor, it is a collaborative, evolving conversation,” Mary Grace Zamora, second-year BA Panitikan, shared her sentiments at the end of the event.


Concluding the colloquium, Asst. Prof. Deriada revealed his hopes to uplift the thoughts and ideas of young intellectuals towards preserving culture and identity, while at the same time addressing the issues surrounding them through literature as a medium. He once again thanked the participants for their efforts and the audience for witnessing the occasion.


Amidst its cultural significance, Philippine literary research remains undervalued in national development affairs, receiving far less government attention—in terms of support and funding, compared to STEM fields. As such, colloquiums are a vital ecosystem for literary research—not only because they provide a safe environment for a healthy exchange of ideas but they also spearhead cross-disciplinary engagement, which helps in fostering understanding, knowledge, and perspective-taking when it comes to political, academic, social, and cultural issues.