The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and Hubon Manunulat, a group of writers promoting and preserving West Visayan literature, honored and celebrated the life and work of Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada by coorganizing the 2nd Leoncio P. Deriada Conference, held on April 4 to April 5 at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) Little Theater in Iloilo City.
Dr. Deriada, known as the Father of Contemporary West Visayan Literature, was a Palanca Hall of Famer and a Taboan Lifetime Awardee. He was the first coordinator of the UPV Sentro ng Wikang Filipino who actively advocated to revive Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Aklanon or Akeanon through writing. A multiawarded fictionist, poet, and playwright, his efforts paved the way for the immense growth of literature in these languages.
“We’re honoring key figures in literature not just to remember them, but because their life’s work has an enduring role to play in the future of our literature,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.
At the event, scholars and educators focused on advancing the study and teaching of Philippine literature, particularly using regional languages and cultural identity.
Using Dr. Deriada’s works, the lecturers shared how they can equip themselves with the skills and tools to critique, design, and demonstrate lessons that reflect deeper engagement with West Visayan literature.
“This conference is a way to introduce Dr. Deriada to people outside the region and to let [them] know what he did for the region,” said Prof. Dulce Maria Deriada, the scholar’s daughter and president of Hubon Manunulat who also served as the conference’s director.
