The National Book Development Board and Hubon Manunulat, a group of writers promoting West Visayan literature, honored the life and legacy of Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada during the 2nd Leoncio P. Deriada Conference held April 4-5 at the University of the Philippines Visayas Little Theater in Iloilo City.
Deriada, known as the Father of Contemporary West Visayan Literature, was a Palanca Hall of Famer and a Taboan Lifetime Achievement Awardee.
He was the first coordinator of the UP Visayas Sentro ng Wikang Filipino and actively advocated for the revival of Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Aklanon through writing.
A multi-awarded fictionist, poet and playwright, his efforts led to the growth of literature in these regional 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.
Scholars and educators at the event focused on advancing the study and teaching of Philippine literature using regional languages and cultural identity.
Lecturers used Deriada’s works to explore how they could develop 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, president of Hubon Manunulat and conference director. (2nd Leoncio P. Deriada Conference Committee)
