SDO San Juan Conducts Virtual Creative Writing Workshop on Literary Pieces
In support to the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan or BELCP that aims to deliver quality distance education amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic, SDO San Juan conducted the Creative Workshop on Literary Pieces (Malikhaing Pagsulat ng mga Akdang Pampanitikan) held last October 27, November 3, and November 10, 2021, 8, 2012 ,8:00 AM -5:00 PM, via Google Meet. The three-day activity was participated in by the School Heads, Elementary and Secondary teachers teaching English and Filipino subjects. The program was spearheaded by Ms. Eulafel C. Pascual, EPS for Filipino/MTB and Ms. Marnelli B. Tolentino, EPS for English.
The project aims to provide training-workshop on the discipline of writing children’s literature and other forms of literary arts, subject participants to critiquing sessions that highlight practical writing tips and, create a portfolio of literary pieces as supplementary learning resources.
Day 1 started with an Opening Program and it was followed by session proper. Ms. Eulafel C. Pascual introduced Dr. Raymund “Rhandee” M. Garlitos as the resource speaker for the day. Among his professional experience are the following; 2 nd Prize, Short Story for Children Category, English Division, 2012 Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. He was a finalist, Outstanding Published Feature Article on Youth and Education in a Nationally Circulated Publication, “A New High with Muay Thai, Manila Bullettin, 2019 Lasallian Scholarum Awards. Presently, he is the editor-at-large and columnist, Liwayway Magazine, Contributing Writer, Environment, Lifestyle and Panorama, (Manila Bulletin). He is a freelance resource speaker and trainer for seminars and workshops for Campus Journalism and Story writing. Mr. Garlitos tackled Pampanitikang Pambata ( Children’s Literature) which included the following topics; Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (Short Stories for Children), Mga Uri ng Kuwentong Pambata (Kinds of Short Stories for Children), Pagsulat ng Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (Short Story Writing for Children).
Dr. Patrocinio Villafuerte served as the next resource speaker for the day. He is a poet, creative/curriculum/textbook writer, editor, columnist, journalist and theater actor. He is a retired Professor 3 and once chaired the Bureau of Filipino in Philippine Normal University. As an educator, he was able to teach in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels. Mr. Villafuerte also worked as a curriculum consultant/writer of DepEd in EDPITAF, SEDP, BEC, SEC and K-12 of KWF in Ortograpiyang Filipino (2009) and also a member of Technical Panel of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in language and poetry.
The respected speaker talked on Pampanitikang Pambata, Mga Akdang Tuluyan (Prose and Poetry) which included the following topics; Maikling Kuwento (Short Story), Mga Uri ng Maikling Kuwento (Kinds of Short Stories), and Pagsulat ng Maikling Kuwento (Short Story Writing).
Session 3 resumed in the afternoon with Dr. Victor Emmanuel Carmelo D. Nadera Jr. as the next guest speaker. He finished his Ph.D. at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. He is currently working as Professor 3 in U.P. Diliman since 2015. Some of his remarkable accomplishments in research/creative work/publication are the following; Southeast Asian Review of English (SARE), University of Malaya, Volume 56, Issue 1, 2019, The S.E.A. Write Anthology of ASEAN Short Stories & Poems: The 30th Anniversary, Silkroad Agency, Bangkok, 2009, Gadaling-Noo, Philippine Writers Series, University of the Philippines Press, 2021, Musings During a Time of Pandemic: A World Anthology of Poems on COVID-19, 2021.
Dr. Nadera Jr., a prominent writer known locally and internationally, shared his expertise in writing when he discussed Panulaang Pangkabataan (Poetry Writing) which included the topic, Mga Uri ng Tula (Kinds of Poetry Writing).
After a short break, the session on the discussion on Kinds of Poetry Writing continued in the afternoon with Dr. Nadera Jr. as the discussant.
Day 2 of the virtual training for teachers started with the Management of Learning (MOL). It was followed by the session proper where teacher participants were grouped in different writing activities; Group A- Panitikang Pambata (Panulaang Pambata) or Children’s Poetry which includes Mga Uri ng Tulang Pambata, Pagsulat ng Panulaang Pambata, Dr. Rhandee Garlitos was in-charge of this cluster. Group B-Panitikang Pangkabataan (Tuluyan) or Prose, completionVillafuerte managed this team. Group C- Pagsulat ng Tulang Pangkabataan (Workshop on Poetry Writing), Dr. Vim Nadera Jr. handled this group.
The teacher participants were given ample time to write their original literary piece under the supervision of their respective coaches. The brilliant resource speakers shared some practical and substantial tips on how they can develop their creative writing skills.
The outputs of the participants were presented on Day 3. Group A (Short Stories for Children) under the supervision of Dr. Rhandee Garlitos, Group B (Drama/Kinds of Drama) with Dr. Pat Villafuerte as their coach, Group C- (Poetry) under the helm of Dr. Vim Nadera.
The literary writing workshop was continued in the afternoon. Some of the written works of the teacher participants was read by the resource speaker and subjected them for criticism during the presentation of outputs.
Before the program ended, Ms. Eulafel C. Pascual explained that the participants would receive a Certificate of Completion once they submitted their output and those who were not able to complete the requirements would receive a Certificate of Attendance only.
For the presentation of outputs, the resource speaker read some of the literary works of the teachers. He reiterated that they should have an open mind to accept constructive criticisms to further improve their writing prowess.
The three-day Creative Writing Workshop on Literary Pieces can help champion the cause of children’s literature and reading in general which supports the reading initiatives of the Department stipulated in the ECARP or Every Child a Reader Program.
