April 3, 2025 — This year, the festival centers around the theme "Towards a City of Literature," a reference to Dumaguete's ongoing bid to become a UNESCO Creative City of Literature. The event will be officially opened by co-directors Ian Rosales Casocot and Gayle Acar, followed by a panel discussion featuring key partners from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Negros Oriental and the Dumaguete City Tourism Office.

The panel discussion, "On the Road to the City of Literature," will kick off the festival by exploring Dumaguete's growing commitment to nurturing literary excellence and expanding access to the arts. National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares will also deliver a keynote address titled "What Makes a Creative City of Literature," focusing on the essential factors and steps necessary to achieve such a title.

Several local and national writers will lead their panel discussions, covering a wide array of topics, including storytelling beyond books, food writing, the role of artificial intelligence in literature, LGBTQ literature, and much more.

Additionally, the Romance Class, led by founder Mina Esguerra, will host workshops and an "April Feels" reading. The panel discussion "Literature Outside of the Institutions" will delve into storytelling that extends beyond the academe, touching on themes like community, street narratives, and everyday life. This session will be led by Enriquita Alcaide, Anthony Maginsay, and Richel Dorotan.

The festival will also feature a zine fest, a literary bazaar, spoken word performances, an open mic night, an erotic reading, and multiple book launches.

Parallel programs will be held at various venues, including 58 EJ Blanco, CHADA-A, UNWND Boutique Hotel, and Buglas Isla Cafe. One such parallel event includes a special day for children, featuring a writing workshop, storytelling sessions, and a special talk with songs.

The Duma LitFest is a collaboration between the Buglas Writers Club, LibrAria Books, and the Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center. The festival is supported by DTI – Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City Tourism Office, Cebu Pacific, and UNWND Boutique Hotel, with additional support from platinum sponsors such as Pinspired, Backpack Solutions, Florentina Homes, Inspiro, Leon Gallery, Adamo, Summit Drinking Water, and Talecraft.

The complete schedule of events can be found below.

Schedule of Events

April 3 | Thursday

4:30 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Festival Welcome

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

5:45 p.m.–6:15 p.m. Introduction to the Dumaguete Sound with Enchi

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

6:15 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Panel 1—"On the Road to the City of Literature"

Panelists: Ian Rosales Casocot, Anton Gabila, Gayle Acar, Katherine Aguilar

Moderator: Lea Sicat-Reyes

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

April 4 | Friday

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Panel 2—"Balak, Balitaw, ug Uban Pa: The Literature Outside of the Institutions"

Panelists: Enriquita Alcaide, Nicky Dumapit, Anthony Maginsay, Richel Dorotan

Moderator: Sharon Dadang-Rafols

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

2:00 p.m.–2:45 p.m. Keynote Talk: "What Makes a Creative City of Literature?"

Speaker: National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares

Venue: Buglas Isla Cafe (LIMITED SLOTS)

3:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m. Panel 3—"The City of Stories: Storytelling Beyond Books"

Panelists: Earnest Hope Tinambacan, Andrew Alvarez, Keith Nemenzo, Junsly Kitay

Moderator: Moses Joshua Atega

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

4:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m. Panel 4—"The Writing Workshop and Its Issues"

Panelists: Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., Raymundo Pandan Jr., Alfonso Manalastas, CD Borden, Lady Flor Partosa-Koenig

Moderator: Kaycee Melon

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

6:00 p.m.–6:45 p.m. Book Launch of "Here and Now" by Geraldine Solon

Venue: The Sala of 58 EJ Blanco

April 5 | Saturday

11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Book Launch of "A Practical Guide to Sigbin Keeping" by Mitos Suson and Darwin Price

Venue: The Sala of 58 EJ Blanco

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Panel 6—"Modaog Ba og Nobel Prize si ChatGPT?"

Panelists: Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., Danton Remoto, Timothy Montes, Jam Pascual, Simon Anton Diego Baena

Moderator: Jonathan Davila

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. "Feel Mo 'To:" An Erotic Reading with Romance Class

Venue: The Garden of 58 EJ Blanco

April 6 | Sunday

1:00 p.m.–1:45 p.m. Panel 10—"Kaon-Kaon: Writing About Food"

Panelists: Ige Ramos, Mohammed Malik, Renz Torres

Moderator: Matthew Yasi

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

5:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Panel 14—"Poetry Beyond the Page: A Discussion on Ekphrasis, Hybrid Media, and Unconventional Forms"

Panelists: Jam Pascual, Alfonso Manalastas, Wanggo Gallaga, Vince Agcaoili, Angela Gabrielle Fabunan, F. Jordan Carnice

Moderator: Jecho Adrian Ponce

Venue: CHADA-A

7:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Spoken Word and Poetry Open Mic

Organized by: Silliman Writers Bloc

Venue: The Courtyard of 58 EJ Blanco

April 7 | Monday

9:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Book Signing and Meet and Greet with Ambeth Ocampo

Venue: LibrAria Books at 58 EJ Blanco

Image: Leciram Pajares/Facebook