From Pedagogy to Public Thought: MSU-IIT hosts talk on Creative Writing Workshops as Cultural Infrastructure

The Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), through its Center for Culture and Arts (CCA), Center for Language Studies (CLaS), and Department of English, held a public talk titled “Creative Writing Workshops as Cultural Infrastructure” on Wednesday, September 17 at the PRISM Lecture Hall.

The forum featured keynote speaker Prof. Jose Wendell Capili, PhD, from the University of the Philippines–Diliman’s Department of English and Comparative Literature, who shared insights on sustaining regional literary traditions, resisting universalized aesthetics, and asserting Asian voices in contemporary writing.

Prior to the start of the talk, Asst. Prof. Amado Guinto introduced Prof. Capili, highlighting his longstanding contributions to literature and cultural studies, noting his authorship of eight books and over 300 articles, as well as his leadership roles at UP Diliman and international recognitions. He described the keynote speaker as a trailblazer whose work has inspired countless scholars and writers.

CLaS Director Assoc. Prof. Honeylet Dumoran, PhD underscored the event’s commitments to the study of language “and all that it empowers” framing it within the larger mandate of the Center for Language Studies: to ensure that Mindanao’s languages and literatures are studied, documented, and honored.

She pointed out the scarcity of lexicographic works: dictionaries, word lists, orthographies, as well as the lack of grammars that would allow communities to record their stories in their own writing systems. “At the forefront of any memory writing is grammar work,” she explained, stressing that archiving stories and indigenous knowledge cannot fully take place without proper systems that respect the sounds and vocabularies of the people who speak these languages.

Prof. Capili, meanwhile, reflected on the personal and professional ties that make Iligan City meaningful to him, from his father’s early government service in the city, to the mentorship of Dr. Christine Godinez-Ortega, and to the many students he has guided from MSU-IIT, like Dr. Dumoran and Asst. Prof. Guinto.

Speaking on creative writing workshops as cultural infrastructure, he traced their history from early pioneers like Paz Marquez Benitez, who introduced creative writing pedagogy in the 1920s, to the Silliman Writers’ Workshop established by Edilberto and Edith Tiempo in 1962, and to the rise of regional initiatives such as the Iligan National Writers Workshop.

Prof. Capili also emphasized that workshops were not merely venues for craft refinement but strategic interventions that helped decentralized Manila-centric literary production, foster regional voices, and train writers who have contributed not only to literature but also to diplomacy, civic life, and public thought.

After his discussion, an open forum commenced, allowing students to ask questions directly to him.

One of the questions came from Blessly Jay Bejega, a second-year Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Cultural Studies (BALCS) student, who asked “How do creative writing workshops influence a writer’s style, voice, and perspective, and especially for a Mindanaoan writer?,” which Prof. Capili responded by first noting that workshops may not necessarily make someone a “greater” writer in the strictest sense, but they do play an important role in building a supportive community of writers.

He explained that such spaces allow participants to be exposed to diverse writing styles, perspectives, and regional sensibilities often overlooked by more privileged literary circles, and emphasized that creative writing workshops provide benchmarks for growth, helping young writers move beyond self-focused expression and develop a more critical eye toward their craft.

While awards and recognition can be meaningful, Prof. Capili stressed that what truly matters is the body of work a writer produces and their ability to remain authentic to their own voice, especially their cultural identity, such as retaining a sense of “Cebuano-ness” or Mindanaoan sensibility in their writing.

He consistently reminded listeners of the importance of writing with authenticity and confidence, urging them to “stick to your core” and not lose sight of meaning and purpose in the process of publication.

This public talk on creative workshops by Prof. Capili reminded students to stay committed to their passion for writing, to see rejections as opportunities, and to keep nurturing their voice throughout their journey.



Written by Raneshka Angela Gudes
Proofread by Andrea Ross Sedero
Photo by Charlize Carvajal