EDITORS

DM Gasparillo Adil II is from Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, and served as editor in chief of the official student publication of the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, Cotabato Province. He was the winner of the 2nd Lagulad Prize (2019), a finalist for the 3rd Lagulad Prize (2020), and the winner of an essay writing contest organized by Sultan Kudarat Writers Association. He is also the chief creative officer of a startup digital publishing team called Project Thorns.

Hannah Adtoon Leceña is from Kiamba, Sarangani Province, and a senior high school teacher at J. B. T. Caing Sr. Memorial Integrated School in the same town. She was the first prize winner of the 4th Satur P. Apoyon Tigi sa Mubong Sugilanong Binisaya (2020) and a finalist for the 3rd Lagulad Prize (2020). As a spoken word artist, she has performed in several events in the region and has been accepted as a fellow to the 5th Amelia Lapeña–Bonifacio Writers Workshop. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education (major in Filipino) cum laude at Mindanao State University in General Santos City.

Jude Ortega is from Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat, and the author of Seekers of Spirits, winner of the Cirilo F. Bautista Prize for Best Book of Short Fiction in English at the 38th National Book Awards (2019). He earned his political science degree at Notre Dame of Marbel University in Koronadal City, South Cotabato.

Rexcel Samulde is from Surallah, South Cotabato, and a senior high school teacher at Lamian National High School in the same town. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education (major in English) at Sultan Kudarat State University. He won the 3rd Lagulad Prize (2020), a writing contest of Cotabato Literary Journal; two writing contests of the Facebook page Sulat SOX; and an essay writing contest of South Cotabato Writers Association.

CONTRIBUTORS

Luis B. Bahay Jr. is a licensed teacher and a graduate of Mindanao State University in General Santos City. He is serving as a kagawad of the Sangguniang Kabataan in Tampakan, South Cotabato, his hometown. His Cebuano love poem “Ikaw, Labing Gamhanan” received honorable mention in a writing contest of the Facebook page Sulat SOX.

Rezeile Eigo Brahim holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics from Mindanao State University and is currently the co-proprietor of RSB Engineering Design and Services in General Santos City. Her essay “Hijabs, Earthquakes, and Some Notes on Personal Choices” was a finalist in the 3rd Lagulad Prize, a writing contest of Cotabato Literary Journal. Her essay “Change of Plans, Change of Hearts” won the first prize in a writing contest by the Facebook page Sulat SOX and the SOCSKSARGEN chapter of the Philippine College of Physicians.

Erwin Cabucos teaches English and writes short stories from Brisbane, Australia. He was born in Carmen, Cotabato Province, and graduated cum laude in psychology from Notre Dame University in Cotabato City. His published works are available at http://www.erwincabucos.com.

Daniel E. Costas is from Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, and took up Bachelor in Secondary Education (major in English) at Sultan Kudarat State University. He was a campus journalist and now writes for the city government of Tacurong.

Stalingrad Samulde Dollosa is from Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, and a senior high school student at Mindanao State University in General Santos City. In 2020, his Hiligaynon short story “Priso” won a writing contest of Sultan Kudarat Writers Association, and this 2021, his Hiligaynon love poem “Paghulat sa Imo” won a writing contest of the Facebook page Sulat SOX.

Mary Divine C. Escleto is from Alabel, Sarangani Province, and a BS in Management Accounting student at Gensantos Foundation College in General Santos City. She was a fellow for poetry at the 2019 Davao Writers Workshop and attended the 1st SOX Summer Writing Camp. She is also a member of Sigaw Heneral, a local group of spoken word artists.

Marvin Ric Mendoza Esteban is a senior high school teacher at Lebak Legislated National High School in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat. He earned his Bachelor of Secondary Education (major in Filipino) cum laude at Notre Dame of Salaman College in the same town and his Master of Arts in Education (major in Filipino) at Notre Dame of Marbel University in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. For “Sanlibo,” he won the 2020 flash fiction writing contest of the Facebook page Sulat SOX. A half Teduray, he is also a blogger, lyricist, and local historian.

Philip Jay Leaño is from Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and a spoken word artist who has won several local competitions. As a student of Koronadal National Comprehensive High School, he was part of the team that won in a national competition for balagtasan. He’s been accepted as a fellow to the 5th Amelia Lapeña–Bonifacio Writers Workshop, and his work has appeared in publications by Lampara Books, 7 Eyes Productions, and Kasingkasing Press.

Ghermaine Marie M. Micaroz is a senior high school student and the student publication editor in chief at Colon National High School in Maasim, Sarangani. Her love poem “Keeper of the Unkept” received honorable mention in a writing contest of the Facebook page Sulat SOX.

Jerusalem D. Nalig is from Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, and taking up Bachelor of Secondary Education (major in English and Literature) at Sultan Kudarat State University, where he also writes for the official student publication.

Dalziel Chaz B. Oyao is from General Santos City and an economics student at Ateneo de Davao University. His essay “Pandemic Drives and the Kindling of a New Fascination” won the second prize in a writing contest by the Facebook page Sulat SOX and the SOCSKSARGEN chapter of the Philippine College of Physicians.

John Dave B. Pacheco is a senior high school student and supreme student government president at Lagao National High School in General Santos City. He was the champion of the spoken word competition in the 2020 GenSan Summer Youth Fest. A Tagakaulo, his roots are in Malungon, Sarangani Province.

John Mark G. Parlingayan is from Polomolok, South Cotabato, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology student at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos City.

Julius Marc Taborete is from General Santos City and works as a literature teacher in South Cotabato. He earned his AB English degree at Mindanao State University in General Santos and is pursuing his master’s degree in literature and language at Ateneo de Davao University. Some of his poems have appeared in Cotabato Literary Journal.

Romeo E. Tejada Jr. is from Santo Niño, South Cotabato, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies student at Mindanao State University in General Santos City.

Angelo Lenard Yu is from Cotabato City and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature student at the University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City.