The University of the Philippines Visayas (UP Visayas), through the Information and Publications Office (IPO) and the Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA), held the relaunch of the 13 titles of the Sugidanon (epics) of Panay together with seven books by UP Visayas and Western Visayas authors at the UP Performing Arts Hall of the Museum of Arts and Cultural Heritage on June 30, 2026.
The gathering celebrated the richness of Panay’s Indigenous oral tradition and the continuing vitality of contemporary literature in Western Visayas bringing together writers, scholars, cultural workers, students, members of the Panay Bukidnon community, and advocates of regional literature.
Prof. Martin Genodepa, OICA Director, delivered the opening remarks, welcoming guests and emphasizing the University’s continuing role in safeguarding, promoting, and sharing the region’s cultural heritage.
The centerpiece of the program was the ceremonial presentation of the Sugidanon volumes as well as the seven literary books back to the community from which the epics and the writers originated. Dr. Galileo S. Zafra, Director of UP Press, formally handed over the books to representatives of the community, symbolizing the return of knowledge to its rightful cultural bearers. In his message, he emphasized the importance of publishing regional literature noting that making these works widely available helps preserve cultural heritage, promotes local voices, and ensures that the literary traditions and histories of the regions become part of the broader national discourse.
Representing the Panay Bukidnon were members of the Caballero family led by Romulo Caballero, Teresita Caballero, Rolando Caballero and Rodolfo Caballero. Their family has preserved the centuries-old chanting tradition of the Sugidanon, which became the subject of the pioneering documentation and research initiated by Professor Emeritus Dr. Alicia P. Magos in 1993.
Anna Razel L. Ramirez, longtime research associate of Dr. Magos, presented the Sugidanon volumes and acknowledged the decades of collaborative work between the University and the Panay Bukidnon community that made the publication of the epics possible. These books were chanted by Federico Caballero, the Gawad Manililikha ng Bayan for Epic Chanting and with contribution from m his siblings: Tikum Kadlum, Amburukay, Derikaryong Pada, Pahagunong, Kalampay, Sinagnayan, Balanakon, Humadapnon: Tarangban, Humadapnon: Pagbalukat ka Biday, Humadapnon: Hungaw, Humadapnon: Ginalawan, Alayaw, and Nagbuhis.
The program also featured the presentation of seven books published by UP Press. Professor Noel C. Galon, publisher of Kasingkasing Press and member of Hubon Manunulat who introduced each of the seven UP Press titles authored by Panay authors.
Professor Galon underscored the importance of cultural repatriation through books, expressing hope that the return of the Sugidanon and these seven books to its source community would inspire similar efforts for other important cultural works and Indigenous knowledge collections. The books were the following:
Ang Kalye nga Wala sing Kamatayon: The Palanca Award Winning Short Stories of Leoncio P. Deriada edited by Dulce Maria V. Deriada; In the Womb of the Earth and Other Stories: Self Translation from Hiligaynon into English by Dr. Alice Tan Gonzales; Benjamin by Angel Magahum, translated into Filipino by John E. Barrios and Fennie Mae T. Tanangonan; Lugar Lang: Mga Tula by Jaku Mata; The Warrior and the Giant by Bryan Mari Argos; Ang Itim na Orkidyas ng Isla Boracay: Mga Kuwento by Genevieve L. Asenjo; and Indi Natun Kinahanglan kang Duro nga Tinaga sa Atun Tunga (Hindi Natin Kailangan ng Maraming Salita sa Ating Pagitan): Mga Tula sa Kinaray a & Filipino also by Genevieve L. Asenjo.
Representing the University, Dr. Alice G. Ferrer, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of UP Visayas, delivered a message highlighting the University’s commitment to preserving Indigenous knowledge systems and promoting regional scholarship. She also paid tribute to the life and work of Professor Emeritus Dr. Alicia P. Magos, whose decades of research with the Panay Bukidnon community have ensured that one of the country’s greatest oral epics will continue to inspire future generations.
Senator Loren Legarda, in her message sent for the event, said, “I take note and commend the launch of Suguidanon and seven UP Press books by Panay authors, which reflects the vibrancy of regional scholarship and the richness of Philippine literature. By bringing these voices to a wider audience, UP Press and UP Visayas fulfill the vital role of our universities as centers of learning, culture, memory, and critical thought,” Legarda said.
Also featured during the event was an audio recording sample of the Suguidanon chanted by Preciosa “Anggoran” Caballero prepared by David Guadalupe of the UP Center for Ethnomusicology in UP Diliman.
Among those present were Commissioner Alex Santina of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP); Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Reynold Tan, OCEP Director Hanny Jan Mediodia, Dr. John Barrios; Mr. Renato Casinao, Panay Cluster Head of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA); and Pearl Joy Asenjo representing Genevieve L. Asenjo.
The event also recognized the dedicated team behind the preparation of the Sugidanon manuscripts for publication. Present during the relaunch were Professor Eliodora Dimzon, Teresita Quezon, Analina Caballero, Jemelie Limoso, Gemma Lim, Prof. Ma. Joji Tan, Agnes Dimzon, Adonis Rebong, Lilibeth Letrero, Michelle Villavert, among others; and the artistic collaborators whose work helped bring the volumes to life: Liby Limoso, Caiden Ramirez, Alan Cabalfin, Jhunne Manay, Gian Genoveza, Alven Polido and Ramon Ramirez who did the photography. Mr. Carlson Alelis hosted the event.
The relaunch served not only as a celebration of books but also as a reaffirmation of the University’s commitment to ethical collaboration with Indigenous communities. By returning the published Sugidanon to the Panay Bukidnon, UP Visayas and the UP Press honored the community’s enduring stewardship of one of the country’s most significant oral literary traditions while celebrating the flourishing literary voices of Western Visayas. (IPO)
Photo credits: IPO, Alven Polido, Daily Guardian, and Nischel Garvilles
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