By JM AgredaThe Cordillera region probably has one of the richest kinds of languages in the country.But soon, with the proliferation of foreign languages as well as languages from the lowlands, acclaimed writers like National Artists for Literature Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera and Dr. Virgilio Almario in last summer's Forum on New Trends in Philippine Literature at UP Baguio predicted that indigenous languages and literatures of the region may face the possibility of disappearance as many of its inhabitants prefer to speak and write in the more popular and widely spoken languages.
During the forum, Lumbera and Almario together with UP Institute for Creative Writing Director Vim Nadera called for a renewed interest of writing from the regions not only in common mediums like English and Filipino but also in the local languages of the Cordillera like Iluko, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalanguya, Ifugao and Kalinga.
As one of the fellows in last year's UP Baguio-National Commission for Culture and the Arts Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop, I was alarmed with their forecast as it may soon spell out the end of writing in the local languages.
In an effort to continue the main aim of last year's workshop of preserving Cordillera literature, the Ubbog: Cordillera Young Writers was formed last April 2007.
In existence for a year now, Ubbog, which means spring in Iluko, aims to involve the youth as forerunners in the cause of continuing to write short stories, poetry, creative non-fiction and other literary genres in the local languages and in Filipino and English mediums that will help showcase the unique culture of the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera.
As a founding member of the group, I believe ideas from young bloods would be of great help in quenching the thirst for more literature coming from the region. This endeavor will also help preserve practices and traditions through written and published literature that are uniquely Cordilleran.
Together with 13 young writers who were my fellow delegates in the workshop coming from UP Baguio, University of the Cordilleras and Benguet State University, we conducted monthly Creative Writing workshops and occasionally performed vernacular poetry in open mike sessions and events in the city.
Ubbog members include young professionals and students who are engaged in a plethora of fields like Education, Creative writing, Journalism, Information Technology, Law and yes, even in the field of Nursing.
Expect the columns in the following weeks to tackle different views of the youth covering a myriad of topics such as languages, information technology, pop culture and other issues that concerns the youth.
In behalf of Ubbog, I take the opportunity to thank Sun.Star Baguio for their support of our goals. As the first writer tasked on writing the first column of the group, I consider this pioneering effort as just the starting point of an exciting journey of young minds to share and voice out their views on issues that matter to us.
Just a side note, UP Baguio and NCCA are calling for entries written in Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Bontoc, Ifugao, and Kalinga to the Timpalak Panitik sa mga Wikang Kordilyera. Prizes will be given away for winners in Poetry and Short Story categories. For more inquiries contact Junley Lazaga at UP Baguio College of Arts and Communication (074) 444 83 93 or e-mail him at junleylazaga@yahoo.com.ph. Forms are also available at the UP Baguio website.
During the forum, Lumbera and Almario together with UP Institute for Creative Writing Director Vim Nadera called for a renewed interest of writing from the regions not only in common mediums like English and Filipino but also in the local languages of the Cordillera like Iluko, Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Kalanguya, Ifugao and Kalinga.
As one of the fellows in last year's UP Baguio-National Commission for Culture and the Arts Cordillera Creative Writing Workshop, I was alarmed with their forecast as it may soon spell out the end of writing in the local languages.
In an effort to continue the main aim of last year's workshop of preserving Cordillera literature, the Ubbog: Cordillera Young Writers was formed last April 2007.
In existence for a year now, Ubbog, which means spring in Iluko, aims to involve the youth as forerunners in the cause of continuing to write short stories, poetry, creative non-fiction and other literary genres in the local languages and in Filipino and English mediums that will help showcase the unique culture of the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera.
As a founding member of the group, I believe ideas from young bloods would be of great help in quenching the thirst for more literature coming from the region. This endeavor will also help preserve practices and traditions through written and published literature that are uniquely Cordilleran.
Together with 13 young writers who were my fellow delegates in the workshop coming from UP Baguio, University of the Cordilleras and Benguet State University, we conducted monthly Creative Writing workshops and occasionally performed vernacular poetry in open mike sessions and events in the city.
Ubbog members include young professionals and students who are engaged in a plethora of fields like Education, Creative writing, Journalism, Information Technology, Law and yes, even in the field of Nursing.
Expect the columns in the following weeks to tackle different views of the youth covering a myriad of topics such as languages, information technology, pop culture and other issues that concerns the youth.
In behalf of Ubbog, I take the opportunity to thank Sun.Star Baguio for their support of our goals. As the first writer tasked on writing the first column of the group, I consider this pioneering effort as just the starting point of an exciting journey of young minds to share and voice out their views on issues that matter to us.
Just a side note, UP Baguio and NCCA are calling for entries written in Ibaloi, Kankanaey, Bontoc, Ifugao, and Kalinga to the Timpalak Panitik sa mga Wikang Kordilyera. Prizes will be given away for winners in Poetry and Short Story categories. For more inquiries contact Junley Lazaga at UP Baguio College of Arts and Communication (074) 444 83 93 or e-mail him at junleylazaga@yahoo.com.ph. Forms are also available at the UP Baguio website.
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