LUNA, Apayao – Apayao once more will showcase its ability to hold prestigious gathering as it hosts the 48th Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano (GUMIL) Filipinas Annual National Convention and Literary Seminar of acclaimed Ilokano writers worldwide on April 26-28, 2019 at the Apayao Eco-Tourism and Sports Complex, Payanan, San Gregorio, here.
Vice Governor Remy Albano, the GUMIL Apayao President confirmed the participation of around 250 GUMIL Filipinas officers and members coming from different provincial chapters in the country including those who are based abroad as to strengthen the bond between and among the ilokano writers and also to commend their efforts in the preservation and promotion of Ilokano language in this era.
Albano said this will be the second hosting of Apayao for the GUMIL Annual Convention dubbed as “Dap-ayan 2019” in which the guest of honor will be Senator Cynthia Villar. He narrated the successful hosting of Apayao in 2016 which left good memories and remarkable experiences to all participants due to the hospitality and exquisite sceneries of the province.
“Adu dagiti napnek idi immuna nga nag-host tayo ket dagiditay haan nakaumay idi ket umapal da isu nga kayat da met nga maimatangan no kasano tayo nga pasangbayen isuda ken tapno makita da met ti kinapintas iti lugar tayo (Many who came were satisfied with how we hosted before and those who failed to come wanted to experience firsthand the same and visit the wonders of our place),” Albano explained.
This three-day convention includes lectures, writing workshops, writing contests, commendation of accomplishments and honoring the outstanding Gumilianos and other accomplished writers for their contribution to the association and the Ilokano language in general.
According to Albano, the conduct of annual gathering of Ilokano writers strengthens and solidifies the campaign towards regaining and reintroducing the importance of Ilokano language and its literature to the Ilokano society most especially to the younger ones.
“One of the commitments of GUMIL Filipinas is to provide an avenue where Ilokano writers can improve their craft and further enrich Ilokano literature and cultural heritage as phases of national identity,” Albano stressed.
Cles B. Ramba and Joel Manuel will be discussing about Basic Ilokano Orthography while Bannawag Editor Cles Rambaud will be lecturing on Basic Ilokano Grammar. There will also be poet writing by Daniel Nesperos and “Panagsurat iti Sarita” (speech writing) to be taught by Bannawag literary editor Juan Asuncion and Linda Lingbaon-Bulong, a 2018 Leona Florentina Awardee.
On the second day, participants will be given time to visit Eco-tourism sites in the province. It will also be the general assembly of the group in which all are to raise issues and concerns as to improve further the organization. There will also be a search for GUMIL Mutya 2019.
In the last day, Luvimina Aquino and Eliseo Contillo will be discussing about radio script writing and broadcast media. Also, lecture on Ilokano journalism would be given by Freddie Lazaro and Eddy Almodovar. In here, election of new officers will be made.
Albano expressed his appreciation to the Provincial Government of Apayao steered by Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr. for the unrelenting support in this activity. He also thanked Congresswoman Eleanor Bulut-Begtang for the assurance of empowering the Ilokano writers. Albano, an unopposed Vice Governor of Apayao and who will be serving his second term, also commended the officers of GUMIL Filipinas as they exhibited their trust to Apayao in handling this big event for the second time around.
BY GERRIAHZON S. SEBASTIAN
