Noel Galon - in process

CURRICULUM VITAE

 

                                    NOEL GALON

                                    Brgy. Rizal, Jordan, Guimaras

                                    Mobile: 0905-627-7315

                                    Email: ngdleon@yahoo.com

                                    TIN: 443-581-882

                                    PhilHealth No.: 11-000137059-6

                                    Employee No.: 1389120111

SUMMARY

Author, creative writer, and teacher in both Filipino and Hiligaynon. Has earned fellowships to national writing workshops and publications in anthologies and journals. Has extensive creative writing experience. Worked as researcher and has a strong background in Philippine/Regional Literature, Filipino, and creative writing. Has a lifelong interest in Filipino, literature, Hiligaynon and history.

EDUCATION

University of the Philippines Visayas

MEd Major in Filipino

University of San Agustin

AB Major in Communication Arts

(Broadcast Journalism)

St. Joseph School – Hijas de Jesus Inc.

San Miguel, Jordan, Guimaras

LITERARY FELLOWSHIPS

4th National Conference for Children's Literature 2013

National Research Society for Children's Literature

Pilandokan Inc., and UP Diliman

TABOAN: Philippine Writers Festival 2012

Convention Hall, Fontana Leisure Parks

Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga

Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) 2010

College of Arts and Letters

University of the Philippines Diliman

PASADULA: Playwriting Workshop 2010

Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas

and National Council for Culture and Arts

University of the Philippines Diliman

San Ag Literary Writers Workshop 2009-2010

University Center for Research and Publications

University of San Agustin

Gerry Roxas Creative Writing Workshop 2009

Gerry Roxas Foundation - Capiz

GRF Roxas City Capiz

Klinik Batman: Klinika ng mga Batang Manunulat 2008

Sentro ng Wikang Filipino

University of the Philippines Visayas

PUBLISHED WORKS

2014    “Isang Botelyang Alaala at iba pang mga tula”

            Seguiban Printing and Publishing Enterprises, Inc., 40 poems

2013    “Babala sa Nilalaman: Mga Piling Tula ng Buhay at Pag-ibig”

            Kasingkasing Press, 30 poems, 2013. (Chapbook)

2013    Kalatas: Philippine Literature, Culture, & Ideas, The Official Publication of the Unyon ng mga                             Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL).

2010    Pilipino Star Ngayon: Diyaryong Disente ng Masang Intelihente, published by the Pilipino Star                            Ngayon Inc., (a national newspaper written in Filipino).

2010                The Augustinian Mirror (The Official Student Magazine of the University of San Agustin).

2010    The Artian (The Official Student Publication of the College of Arts and Sciences, USA).

2009                Philippines Graphic, a national magazine written in English and published by the Philippine                         Graphic Publications, Inc.

2009    Liwayway: Nangungunang Lingguhang Magasing Pantahan sa Bansa, distributed throughout                                 Metro Manila and key cities, provinces and towns all over the country through the extensive                       Manila Bulletin distribution network, the largest in the country.

2009    iTravel Philippines: Your Easy Guide to Travel and Leisure, i-Works Advertising Co Ltd. 30                               pages, (a magazine that provides the most entertaining reading experience for travel writing in the                            country).

2009    Communitas: The Official Bulletin of the University of San Agustin

2009    The Daily Tribune (national newspaper)

2009    Hublas nga Kamatuoran (regional newspaper)

2008    The Guardian (regional newspaper).

2008    Panay News (regional newspapaer)

ACADEMIC PAPER, LITERARY CRITICISM, & INTERVIEWS

2013                “Ang Papel ng Wikang Rehiyonal sa Panitikang Pambata: Karanasan ng Hiligaynon”

            4th National Conference for Children's Literature sponsored by the National Research Society for            Children's Literature, Pilandokan Inc., and UP Diliman

2013    “Babala sa Nilalaman: Mga Piling Tula ng Buhay at Pag-ibig”

            Kasingkasing Press, 30 poems, 2013. (Chapbook)

2013    *Ang Bata sa Panitikang Pambata Mula sa Sampung Piling Malip-ot na Sugilanon Pambata sa                                 Hiligaynon,” research paper

2013    “Ang Pag-inagi sa Uma: Porma at Estilo ng Ilang Malip-ot na Sugilanon ni John Iremil E.                        Teodoro” research paper

2012    “Kontemporaneong Panitikan ng Kontemporaneong Manunulat ng Kanlurang Visayas”

            Regional Literary Conference on Western Visayan Gems sponsored by West Visayas State                        University and National Commission for Culture and the Arts

2012    “Offline, Online: Ang Industriya ng E-book at Iba Pang Alternatibong Paglilimbag”

            TABOAN: Philippine Writers Festival, Convention Hall, Fontana Leisure Parks, Clark Freeport                          Zone, Pampanga

AS EDITOR

2009    Irong-irong: The Official Student Literary Journal of the University of San Agustin,

WORK EXPERIENCE

University of San Agustin

Lecturer, (S.Y. 2014 – 2015)

University of San Agustin

Department of Languages and Humanities

Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City, Filipinas

Filipino sa Akademikong Komunikasyon

High School Teacher

Adviser Grade 8  (S.Y. 2013-2014)

University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo

Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City, Filipinas

Adviser, Kapisanan ng Panitikan at Wika (KAPWA)

Lecturer

Language Department (S.Y. 2013-2014)

Pagbasa at Pagsulat Tungo sa Pananaliksik

Lingguwistika

University of Iloilo PHINMA

Lecturer (2014-2015)

Department of Languages and Humanities

Filipino sa Akademikong Komunikasyon

Pagbasa at Pagsulat Tungo sa Pananaliksik

University of San Agustin

Early Sol Gadong

Early Sol Gadong

By

Melchor F. Cichon
January 18, 2015

I was intrigued with her name: Early Sol.

So I asked her "what’s behind your name?"

She said:

“Regarding my name. Weird names run in our family. My father's name was Ermity, my mother is Leconvic, my aunt is Solcar. Taking the first syllables of their names, my name was supposed to be Erlesol. Haha! My mother modified it to be Early Sol, which is still pretty weird.”

Sol was born on June 17, 1983.

Her parents are Ermity G.Gadong, Jr., from Tapaz, Capiz, while her mother is Leconvic A. Gadong from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental.  She is the eldest among four children (1 brother, 2 sisters). None of her parents are writers.

Her scholastic records show that Sol is indeed a bright student. She was Ist Honorable Mention and Character awardee when she graduated at Sta. MariaCatholic School (now Ateneo de Iloilo) in 1995. In 1999, she graduated as Salutatorian and a Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardee at UP High School in Iloilo.  In2003, she graduated at the UP Visayas with the degree of BS Applied Mathematics,and in 2013, she graduated at the same institution with a degree of Master of Education (Mathematics).

She thought she could not be a writer because she had never been the best in her classes,although she always got good scores in writing classes.

But because she was encouraged by her language teachers, particularly Ms. Aida Rabotazo (primary school), Prof. Ma, Lourdes Ladrido (secondary school), and Prof. Mila Legislador (tertiary level), to improve her writing skills, her desire to become a writer was eventually developed.

And so she writes short stories.

She started writing short stories in 2012, when she became a fellow in Fiction at the Ateneo National Writers Workshop in Metro Manila. She also attended the Iyas Creative Writing Workshop in Bacolod City that same year. After those workshops,  she was challenged to write  short stories in Hiligaynon. 

Before attending the national creative writing workshops, Sol attended the San Agustin Writers Workshop in 2009 and the Lamiraw Workshop the following year,

With her background in mathematics, it is but logical that her knowledge in mathematics will be integrated in her literary works.


This integration of mathematics in her short stories can be found in her short story entitled “Kon Indi Man Matulugan” published in 2013 in the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) Aklat ng Bayan. This story is part of an anthology “Pagbalik sang Babaylan”.

 
This concept of mathematics in literature is not new. She said that integrating mathematical concepts in short stories is as old as literature itself.

But I think this concept of integrating mathematical concept in literature is new in Western Visayas Literature. 

While writing short stories for adults, Sol also tried her hands in writing stories for children. And so far she has been successful. And she has been winning prizes in Kiniray-a short story writing contests. The latest was her winning entry in the Kiniray-a writing contest sponsored by Dungug Kiniray-a in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. 

To date she has these accomplishments as a writer both in Kinaray-a and in Hiligaynon:

A short story in Kinaray-a turned into a picture book published by Gen Asenjo's Balay Sugidanun. Peter Nery published her stories for children and flash fiction in Hiligaynon in two of his anthologies. Dungug Kinaray-a also included another of her short story for children in their collection. John Iremil Teodoro included one of her Hiligaynon stories as a part of an anthology published by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, and another Hiligaynon short story was part of a collection edited by Dr.  Leoncio P. Deriada.

Since Sol is still young, she hopes to improve her craft and write better and more.

If she is not indulged in creative writing, she said that she sees a movie whenever she has time. And she likes dreaming up of new places to travel to and explore. But she has not used her adventure experiences in any of her stories.

Not yet.

Jesus Catigan Insilada: A Writing Teacher

 

Dr. Jesus Catigan Insilada: A Writing Teacher

By
Melchor F. Cichon
January 3, 2015

Among the contemporary literary people from Western Visayas,  Dr. Jesus Insilada is known as a Hiligaynon poet, a short story writer and a novelist.

And through hard work, he has won two Palanca awards for his Hiligaynon short stories in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, he was an honoree of the Many Faces of the Teacher (Bato Balane Foundation),  and in 2014 he was chosen as one of the 2014 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teachers awardees for the Secondary level.  At present he teaches English at  Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School in Calinog, Iloilo.

In addition, Dr. Insilada has published more than 60 short stories, 10 poems in Hiligaynon and Liwayway. Three of his Hiligaynon novels have been serialized in Hiligaynon magazine. These are Panubok, Ang Gugma ni Valentina, and Mga Alibangbang sa Handurawan.

Dr. Insilada has a Master of Arts in English and Literature, and a Doctor of Education, major in Educational Management degrees.

But who is Dr. Jesus Insilada? Let us open some of his windows.

Dr. Insilada, or Jes, among his peers, was born on March 24, 1978 in Calinog, Iloilo. His parents are Vicente Insilada and Aurelia Catigan, both farmers. He said that not one of his parents has tried writing literary pieces,although his late grandfather from Escalante, Negros Occidental really had talent in writing but none of his works was published.

As a young boy, Jes had already showed his scholastic superiority. He was a valedictorian when he graduated at Alibunan Elementary School, Alibunan, Calinog. He graduated with honors at Calinog Agricultural and Industrial College-High School Department, and graduated as cum laude at Calinog Agricultural and Industrial College.

From high school to college, he was a staff member of their school organs, the Farmer’s Choice, and the Goldern Harvest,respectively.

Then in 2008, he attended his first creative writing workshop at the University of San Agustin. After that he started sending his works to Hiligaynon magazine where his first published work, a short story, Salamat Sa Sugilanon, was published.  After that workshop, he kept on sending entries to almost all workshops in the country. However, there are still creative writing workshops which he hopes to attend.
When I asked him on what topic/s he is writing about, he said “Be it poetry or story, I usually write about the life, triumphs, culture of the people in my place.  I’m into culture-based writing. When I write about my place and my people, I feel I do my share of promoting our culture. By the way, I am a Panay Bukidnon, a Jalaudnon to be specific.”

Of the many poems, short stories and novels that he has written, he considers his Palanca award winning works as his masterpieces for they have passed the standards of the judges and he is confident of their quality.

Since he already has won several awards that only few people have won, I asked him what else he wants to achieve. His answer is simple:

“I want to be remembered as a teacher who also writes. I wish to continue what I have started. It has been my advocacy to write about the beauty and the uniqueness of my culture. I wish to continue highlighting my culture in the lessons and in my writings.”

And when I asked him what he thinks of the contemporary Western Visayas literature in terms of their strengths and weaknesses, he said,thus: “Western Visayas  literature is flourishing. Writers, both seniors and beginners, are active in propagating their crafts. Young writers are fortunate to have senior writers in their side ready to assist and give them direction.  The initiative to have venues for old and young writers to work together serves its purpose.  It is giving good results in terms of publications and new books.”

Jes must have been thinking of the various literary groups in Western Visayas. In Aklan, we have the Akeanon Literary Circle. In Antique,we have the Dungug Kinaray-a and Balay Sugidanon; while in Iloilo, we have the Hubon Manunulat and the Sumakwelan. And The Peter Solis Nery Foundation.


All these literary groups have been doing their best to help develop their respective literature. The Kinaray-a group has been conducting short story and poetry contests and have published several books. The Akeanon group has also published anthologies of their literary outputs. The Hiligaynon writers have also conducted poetry and short story contests and have published their works too.These efforts will surely fortify Western Visayas literature to the national literary scene.

Jes hopes that Western Visayas writers will continue this good relationship. He further hopes that the connection between our writers from and outside the academe be strengthened. They need to come to terms, to sit down and have discussion on how to standardize like for example our
orthography. We still don’t have spelling standards in Hiligaynon, he emphasized.

And that’s also true for Kinaray-a and Akeanon languages.

Dana Ba Nana: The Young Achiever

Dana Ba Nana: The Young Achiever

January 1, 2015
draft

It was in December 2014 when I first saw her together with a faculty member, a photographer, a male model, and a librarian. Except for the photographer, all the rest are from Aklan Catholic College, Kalibo, Aklan.

They were having a photo shoot inside the Aklan Catholic College Library (ACC).

I am referring to Mel Constantino, a faculty member; Darlene Braza, a Librarian;  a photographer, and a college student. And the model I am referring to is known as Dana Ba Nana. I knew it was just her Facebook name.  

While they were doing their photo shooting, I could hear Mr. Constantino  saying "Ah" before taking every picture. I could also see that the model looks like a professional model.

After their photo shooting, the model and her male companion sat inside the librarian’s  office.

It was only then that I came near them and requested if I could also take them some pictures. They agreed.

In our short conversation, I learned that her real name is Dana So Bartolome.  She is a native of Kalibo and presently studying in Aklan Catholic College. She said that her grandfather was a pure Chinese, while her grandmother was a pure Filipino.
Because I have observed that Filipino-Chinese children are very good in mathematics., I asked if her favorite subject is mathematics. But she said NO. I like science subjects.
But her elder brother is very good in math.

Dana was born on November 12, 1991 in Kalibo, Aklan.  She took her primary education at Aklan Learning Center. She continued her studies at Aklan Valley High School.  Before she came to Aklan Catholic College, she took an Associate in Information Technology degree at Aklan State University, College of Information Technology (ASU-CIT), Banga, Aklan.  At ACC, she is taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education. She is now in her fourth year.

While in high school, she was awarded as Best in English.
When I inquired if is engaged in literary works, she said she tried. One of her feature articles was published in Raven, an official student publication in Navas, Aklan. Her other literary works were lost when Typhoon Frank hit Kalibo.

That was the start of her numerous achievements.

In 2007, she was elected as SK Chairperson until 2010. And while she was an SK Chairperson, she was chosen as Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2009. She however was not happy with her public service experience.
She said: “I wasn't that productive po Sir when I was in the position. There were too much hindrances. And I  was still young. But the projects I had were basketball, boxing, the arc sa pagwelcome sa among barangay, and a few meters of cementing the road po. I wish I were as smart and brave enough at that time para magpursue sa other things na gusto ko matabo. Pero I’m thankful naman po na naexperienced ko doon dahil I learned a lot. Every experience is an opportunity to learn well, Sir.”

Her latest achievement is the 2014 ACC Quest for Ms Personality.

When I asked her if she plans to enter any beauty contests, she said no.

What she wants is to be a teacher. And more.  She wants to establish a foundation that will someday help in establishing a school of her own. Here is what she told me:

“Aside from being a teacher po Sir, I  would really like to have my own school, and expand it into a college. Gusto ko may foundation po ako para makabulig ako kapin pa sa mga inunga. Gusto ko maging inspirasyon kanda ag mabuksan ro anda nga potential po. I will attain these through educating myself, getting the credentials I would need, exposing myself to the kinds of problems na naeencounter it mga mabuligan ko, finding the right people na makabulig man kakon with the same or almost the same passion as I have, being open minded; ag dapat yumaman ako Sir. Gapati abi ako Sir nga dapat mabuligan ko anay ang sarili para mas makabulig ako sa iba.”

In that case, I told her that she must have enough knowledge on educational management. And she must have enough money to establish a school.

So I asked her if her parents are engaged in business.

“Not at present Sir. Noon po, very small lang.We lived in a small sari-sari store in our home where the table flips into a bed during night time po. Then nagkaroon man kami it 3 tricycles po yata. Unfortunately, nalugi kasi laging nasisira.  Si Mama lang dayun du gawork as a teacher;  si Papa bilin kamon sa baeay magbantay. We again opened a sari-sari store. For almost 2 years we had a good income from that store because many  students passed by our store.. Unfortunately, the pathway where the students used to pass was closed by the owner of the school. So  once again our sari-sari business was discontinued."

These little experiences on their sari-sari store and her background on public service must have triggered her to establish a school of her own to help the children in their community reach their dreams.

I hope that her dream will come through.