The National Book Development Board (NBDB) intensifies support to honor and celebrate the life and work of Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada through co-organizing the Second Leoncio P. Deriada Conference, held from 4 to 5 April at the University of the Philippines Visayas’s (UPV) Little Theater in Iloilo City, Iloilo.

Dr. Deriada, known as the “Father of Contemporary West Visayan Literature,” is the first coordinator of the UPV Sentro ng Wikang Filipino who actively advocated writing in Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Akeanon. A multi-awarded 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. It’s the NBDB’s responsibility to amplify platforms such as this conference through partnerships with the writers and cultural advocates who best understand the contributions of writers such as Dr. Deriada,” said NBDB executive director Charisse Aquino-Tugade, who continues to push for closer collaborations with book industry organizations.

In the two-day event, scholars and educators focused on advancing the study and teaching of Philippine literature, particularly using regional languages and cultural identity. The event is co-organized by Hubon Manunulat, a group of writers promoting and preserving West Visayan literature.

“We partnered with Hubon Manunulat to hold the Leoncio P. Deriada Conference as it is a vital platform for much-needed discourse on the writing and reading of regional literature,” added Carol Tapia, NBDB’s Chief for Policy and Industry Research.

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 Dulce Maria Deriada, the scholar’s daughter and president of Hubon Manunulat who also served as the conference’s director.

She added: “He was a cultural worker for so many years and published works in Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, and Akeanon. Through his help, many other works were published in Western Visayan languages.”

Multi-awarded author and scholar Dr. John Iremil E. Teodoro delivered the keynote speech, while some of the lecturers include UPV professors Dr. John E. Barrios, Eliodora L. Dimzon, Noel Galon de Leon, Dr. Ferdinand P. Jarin, Maria Angelica C. Wong, Alfredo B. Diaz, Dr. Aurora Fe Bautista, Angel Marie Peña, and Aren R. Hallegado.

Other educators who shared their expertise include Dr. Isidro M. Cruz and Dr. Ma. Cecilia D. Alimen from the University of San Agustin, Kharla Mae D. Brillo from the Ateneo de Manila University, Jan Marvin A. Goh from the University of Santo Tomas, Rowell D. Salulog from the Leonora S. Salapantan National High School, Jose Anthony Gerard V. Muyco from the West Visayan State University, and Jay M. Maravilla from the Ubaldo L. Conde High School.

Dr. Deriada has devoted his life in shaping young minds through the resurgence of contemporary Hiligaynon writing and inspired the birth of written literature in Kinaray-a and Akeanon languages.

The scholar’s famous works include The Day of the Locusts (1975), The Dog Eaters and Other Plays (1986), Night Mares (1988); The Week of the Whales (1994); and the novel People on Guerrero Street (2004), which won the National Book Award for fiction.

The Ilonggo writer was inducted into the Palanca Hall of Fame in 2001 after winning 18 prizes and has produced works in Filipino, English, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a and Cebuano. He also received the Taboan Lifetime Award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2013 and the Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines Para sa Sining in 2015.