More than 150 young poets have submitted their ekphrais poem in the first young Bikolnon poetry prize named after poet, lyricist, visual artist and lawyer Gualberto Manlagñit. Organzied by the Ateneo de Naga University Press, in cooperation with the artist’s family, the Savage Mind Bookshop and the Department of Education, Region V, the poetry prize aims to honor the memory and the works of Atty. Manlagñit who is acknowledged as one of the foremost Bikol writers and is credited for adapting the famous song, Come Back to Sorrrento to Bikol which has become Sa Baybayon nin Sisiran, popularized by kundiman diva, Carmen Camacho of Catanduanes.

For the inaugural prize, the young poets were asked to write a poem based on a visual art by Atty. Manlagñit entitled, Sa Baybay Sisiran which graced as cover art for the book that gathered selected poems, stories, and artworks by Atty. Manlagñit. Entitled Gualberto Cea Manlagñit: Mga Piling Obra, published in 2017, the book was a finalist for Best Anthology Filipino Category in the 2018 National Book Awards. Here are the names of the qualified poets who have come from the various parts of the region. Interestingly, the organizing committee members of the Premyo Manlagñit has agreed to accept all languages in the Bikol region including Minasbate, Buhinon, Rinconada, among others. Here are the names of the qualified poets for this writer’s prize in Bikol poetry:

1. David Leosala
2. Rezzamin B. Labitag
3. Dyserie Retona
4. John Ace F. Viola
5. Gadez Jeanpel A. Gonzales
6. Shiela Llaguno
7. Jamie Alaine Monserate
8. Alyza M. Amor
9. Christian J. Oliver
10. Jobert N. Salundaguit
11. Kristel Mae Jalmasco
12. Jessa Mae B. Villar
13. Shiela Mae Espeña
14. Danilo N. Erandio Jr.
15. Ralf M. Capacio
16. Judilyn Aguila
17. Ian Moralde Falcon
18. Angelo Wallace Saba
19. Shara Mae Sta. Ana
20. Marifi A. Pusing
21. Angel Rose P. Gutierrez
22. Rose Ann Sese
23. Tristan S. Amaro
24. Ella Mae Fermin
25. Karyl Gianan Tugay
26. Sheralyn Bajamundi
27. Paul Anjelo Milagrosa
28. Loriean Banico
29. Maria Kristina B. Favorito
30. Catherine Tumblod
31. Angelica G. Tatoy
32. Francis Enrico Dela Torre
33. Shana Marie Albaña
34. Anne Cheurleen Arandia Añana
35. Ethan Nigel Portes
36. Mc Luis Glen Aserdano
37. Kaye M. Boral
38. Ismael Madelar Mercado
39. Kimberly Lacerna
40. Rhea Lasala
41. John G. Miranda
42. April Arra C. Damgo
43. Rhona Riza Dela Cruz
44. Jhonel Reola
45. Darwin Barce
46. Jester Carl SJ. Sumpay
47. Maricar A. Ona
48. Natalie Lleva Marantal
49. Aiza Maquiñana
50. Michaela G. Botin
51. Christian L. Ludangco
52. Aila Marie Loñosa
53. Mika Mae A. Abache
54. Amy Eser
55. Whiene Anne P. Luceña
56. Hannah Mae Cos
57. Hazel Acuña
58. Angeline Olaso
59. Kyla Marie De Jaime
60. Shan Rose L. Sacil
61. Kyla Mae M. Tiansay
62. Lady Kryzelle Dela Cruz
63. Princess Lourince J. Luz
64. Gea Clare Layda Desoyo
65. Erica Angela Inciso Naje
66. Riza Mae Morado
67. Brenda B. Cuachin
68. Angelyn Mapa
69. Geraldine Mae Amparo
70. John Marvin Gumapac Marfil
71. Christine Vergara
72. Trissha Mae Dacara
73. Jasmine Osila
74. Renecel Clyde Abad
75. Marlaurence Marco
76. Jesadel Jane V. Lomeda
77. Samantha Olaire A. Claveria
78. Eduardo Galon Jr.
79. Zenia T. Guimary
80. Ria Lindsay Maternum
81. Monique Faye Bering
82. Bernardo C. Aragona
83. Delfine Luceña
84. Niña Tagum
85. Betty Agustine
86. Azalea Navarro Pereña
87. Princess Kyle Gonzales
88. Camille M. Caganda
89. Nini Narra
90. Jessa Catangui
91. Jerico Dosal
92. Mary Grace Garcia
93. Gwyne Tormes
94. Jan William Maraño
95. Ailah Marie Tabilog
96. May Catindig Conda
97. Mark Cynric B. Beriña
98. Hannah L. Fajardo
99. Francis Nicolai P. Calibara
100. Lady M. Propogo
101. Charles B. Flores
102. James Edward Tambobong
103. Luna El Periodista
104. Jaden Rayne Ortile
105. Jersey Kaye Ortile
106. Helena Francine Ebio
107. Ivy B. Frial
108. Nelson F. Flora Jr.
109. Mary Joy O. Rito
110. Hazel Joy Blacer
111. Iasaiah Godwin Kaibigan
112. Juan Antonio Noceda
113. Mary Grace P. Lucila
114. Cristine Jay B. Balin
115. Ken Cobilla
116. Jasmine Olleta
117. Monina Claire V. Luzon
118. Lenette Ellah P. Pico
119. Honeyleth Parra
120. Joshua Zed Pangilinan
121. Jean Recaña
122. Bryan Joseph Araojo
123. Jasmine Caleza
124. Lorenzo De Hitta Andes
125. Rizha Jean Ferrer
126. Julius Villareal
127. Riza Mae Lorica
128. Rona Rayne Orzales
129. Vicente C. Bercasio II
130. Jorja A. Raymundo
131. Mila Malana
132. Abby Camille Lastrella
133. Hyzel M. Amaranto
134. Ailyn S. Lorilla
135. Maria Francesca Dominguez
136. Jureen Dominique Sese
137. Sandra Anne G. Antiqueño
138. Odessa A. Bordeos
139. Ian Moralde Falcon
140. Aira Bermundo
141. Misly J. Bocaya
142. Kurt Desmond Rosana
143. Ashley Nichole Elaurza
144. Selwyn John G. Guiruela
145. John Angel Muico
146. Carla Isabel B. Ariola
147. Hanna Grace A. Clavillas
148. Harold Villanueva
149. Sydne Felecia Gonzales
150. Randy Rabi
151. Vincent Madrona
152. Sherilyn R. Manican
153. Chrislyn T. Benito
154. Maria Joma Sophia de Dios
155. Melbert Lucido
156. Shiela V. Lara
157. Ma. Isabel C. Balbin
158. Erika E. Del Castillo
159. John Vincent Toledo
160. Joey C. Brecia
161. Jackilyn Faith B. Buella
162. Adrian Baril
163. Jenny Babe Salazar
164. Philip Joshua Rapsing
165. Diana Rose Lecciones
166. Nicole A. Fetalcorin
167. Allyza Mae Nierva Paz
168. Apreal Ciara V. Morada
169. Luke Oco
170. Ma. Denilyn Gerogalem Gualvez
171. Sophia Namoro
172. John Clarence Espedido
173. Kenneth Duron Balanlayos
174. Jhonel Bravante
175. Alliah A. Padilla
176. Charmaine Cadag
177. Mary Rose D. Verdadero
178. Cristal Aura Villamora
179. Mary Myka Camasis
180. James Divina
181. Fretch Francisco
182. Frannie Ruth Borras
183. Rico Siazon
184. Anna Rose Alcantara
185. Jaymee Divina
186. Regine Llanto
187. Aubrey B. Jeremias
188. Chris John De Alday
189. Dhan Carl Biag
190. Mikaela Buenaventura Rebusi
191. Rhozana Nacario
192. Sherilyn Mae A. Hadap
193. Dianne Pearl Tañalas
194. Katrina Mae Nierva Paz

The members of the jury are Bikol writer and theologian Fr. Philip Bersabe, award-winning poet and TV screen writer Enrique Villasis, UP Professor Tuting Hernandez of the Department of Lingustics, poet and filmmaker and Savage Mind creative director, Kristian Sendon Cordero, Bicol Mail columnist and film critic and public anthropologist, Tito Genova Valiente and the California-based poet and migrant rights worker, Cynthia T. Buiza. The winning poet(s) will receive a special medalion designed by Rustom Pujado, cash prizes, and book packages courtesy of ADNU Press, Savage Mind Bookshop and the family of Atty. Manlagñit. The shortlisted entries will be announced on August 15, 2021 and the awarding ceremony will happen virtually on August 30, 2021.