Category: Authors

Abdul Majiid K. Abdul Azis is a College Instructor specializing in History, recognized for his insightful writings under the pen name “Abdul Abdul”. With a Master’s degree in History, Abdul has contributed significantly to the literary world, showcasing his talent through various publications. Some of his works can be found in  “The Aftermath: A Struggle for Survival” (2022), “Nowhere Near Home” (Stripes Literary Magazine: Issue 1 Vol. 2, 2022), “Freedom” (TalesFromTheOtherLand Group, 2021), “Coast to Coast” (2020), and “Tales and Twists” (2019).

In 2024, Abdul continues to expand his literary footprint with notable contributions. He is featured in “Echoes in the Wind” (Written Tales Chapbook XIII, June 8, 2024), selected for “All Your Poems Magazine” (June Issue, The Writers Publishing Company, June 1, 2024), and is a contributor to “The Mountain was Abuzz: Poems of Himalaya: an Anthology” (Sabre & Quill Publishers, May 19, 2024). His other works as a contributor can be read in “Whispers of the Heart” (June 2024), “Otherwise Engaged Literature and Arts Journal 13th Edition” (June 2024), “Highland Park Poetry” (July 2024), and “Lacuna Magazine” (October 2024), and The Literary Magazine (December 2024).

Abdul’s writing deeply engages with themes of identity, displacement, and the human condition, resonating with readers across diverse literary platforms.

Sheilfa B. Alojamiento began writing for Moro Kurier and National Midweek in the wake of the post-February movement. She took up AB Political Science in Mindanao State University in Marawi and finished AB English in Silliman University in Dumaguete.

Hanin A. Ayaown is a student of the Mindanao State University-Main Campus in Marawi City.

Joross Michael D. Bongcarawan is a fourth year Secondary Education student at Mindanao State University-Marawi, majoring in English. He is passionate about teaching as it has been his dream since he was a kid. He wants to be an effective educator both in Western and Islamic education, imparting beneficial knowledge to learners that will help them better navigate the complexity of today’s world. He aims to make a great contribution to the community through teaching. His interests include writing poems, short stories, and journals.

Norhasnie Curo is a fourth-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies at the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, MSU-Marawi. A writer and a language researcher with a particular focus on Meranaw and English in court discourse, she is currently conducting a sociolinguistic analysis of legal English. She aspires to become a full-time writer and a professional linguist that will contribute to the preservation and promotion of Meranaw through research and community-based language initiatives.

Nelson Dino is engaged in writing poetry, short stories, narratives, novels, and song lyrics in different languages. In addition to serving as a history and language faculty member at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, he is tasked with being the director of the Cultural Affairs Office (CAO), supervising the Tambuli Cultural Dance Troupe, Gusi Lumba Music Guild, Dolphin Ambassadors, and University Marching Band.

Neshrin M. Macabago, 22, hails from Pindolonan, Saguiaran, Lanao Del Sur. She is currently a 3rd year English major at Mindanao State University – Marawi.

Mohammad Ammar G. Mangondato is a Meranaw youth and a Magna Cum Laude BS Psychology graduate from Mindanao State University-Marawi, where he was honored with the College Writer of the Year award in 2024. He actively engaged in extracurricular activities as a youth volunteer, student leader, campus journalist, student peer counselor, and youth parliamentarian during his college years. Writing, whether technical or creative, serves as his ultimate form of self-expression and a powerful medium for empowering the voices of the unheard. He aspires to influence the future and teach the values of kindness and hope to the younger generation through his simple yet meaningful works. In addition to writing, he finds solace in community work, particularly within underprivileged sectors, and has been a volunteer at the Al-Barizeen Foundation since 2022.

Nathara M. Mugong is a Sama from Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. She is a graduate of Ateneo de Zamboanga University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies.

Sittiehaya Lininding Omar is an Islamic Banking and Finance student of the Mindanao State University-Main Campus in Marawi City.

Almayrah A. Tiburon is a native Meranaw writer from Mindanao State University, Marawi City. She composed the official school hymn of Philippine Integrated School Foundation (PISF). Two of her books on fiction Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have e-book versions aside from printed ones. Her works have been published in respected periodicals and anthologies such as Umaalma, Kumikibo, In Certain Seasons: Mother Write in the Time of Covid, Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature, Aruga: Mga Sanaysay ng Pagtanggap at Paglingap, Ani 40: Katutubo where she served as the editor of the Meranaw section of this book, BioLente: Mga Bagong Katha sa Danas ng Dahas at Banwa, Laoanen:  Kababaihan/ Digmaan/ Kapayapaan, CNN Philippines’ Best Books of 2018 Lawanen 2: Mga Alaala ng Pagkubkob which she also served as editor of this book, Mga Haraya ng Pag-igpaw, Bangsamoro Literary Review, Liwayway, Danas: Mga Pag-aakda ng Babae Ngayon which was named among The Best Filipino Books of the 2010s by CNN Philippines, Likhaan’s Dx Machina: Philippine Literature in the Time of COVID-19, Sulatan sa Panahon ng Pandemya, Mindanao Harvest 4: A 21st Century Literary Anthology, and Asymptote Journal. She is the author of Thotholan: Mga Alamat at Pabulang Meranaw, and Salamin At Iba Pang Panglaw which was among the Top 5 finalists for the Best Books of Short Fiction (Filipino) in National Book Awards 2019. Her literary interests also cover the folk literature of the Meranaw people. She wants to encourage Meranaws and other Mindanaoans, whose voices are seldom heard in the literary scene, to write about their sentiments and be published.

Mohannad Daguit Ules is a Maguindanaon journalist and storyteller from Bugawas, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. His work spans writing, multimedia, and policy advocacy, with a deep engagement in narratives that inform, challenge, and inspire. A former Editor-in-Chief of The Torch, he has earned national recognition in news, science writing, and copyreading. Beyond print, he explores filmmaking and visual storytelling, including editing the short film Battle of Tampakan in 2018.

 

 

Sheilfa B. Alojamiento began writing for Moro Kurier and National Midweek in the wake of the post-February movement. She took up AB Political Science in Mindanao State University in Marawi and finished AB English in Silliman University in Dumaguete.

Meizan Badrudin is a creative nonfiction writer from Cotabato City. She is the author of the 5 Polymath Project Book Series: Gift of Merci, Academic Asylum, Unchained Narratives, Twilight’s Veil, and Lady in the Countryside, which addresses her advocacy on education, mental health, healthcare, and poverty. She is also a contributor to the Philippine Inquirer Young Blood, with one of her notable articles titled “Being Muslim in a Catholic School.” She has contributed various essays nationwide, including Law of Reversed Effort, Living Inside the Box, Letters Buried Six Feet Underground, Gifted Kid Burnout, Where You At?, The Price of Being an Overachiever, The Sandwich Class, One Percent of the Class, and Apoptosis: We Die Every Day. Some of her research works have been accepted at national conferences, such as her study on Cyberchondriasis. Currently a third-year MedTech student at San Pedro College in Davao City, she passionately advocates for social awareness, embodying the belief that a love for medicine goes hand in hand with a love for humanity.

Joross Michael D. Bongcarawan is a fourth year Secondary Education student at Mindanao State University-Marawi, majoring in English. He is passionate about teaching as it has been his dream since he was a kid. He wants to be an effective educator both in Western and Islamic education, imparting beneficial knowledge to learners that will help them better navigate the complexity of today’s world. He aims to make a great contribution to the community through teaching. His interests include writing poems, short stories, and journals.

Lourd Greggory D. Crisol is a researcher, teacher, and emerging writer from the city of majestic waterfalls, Iligan City. Currently, he is affiliated with the English Department of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology. His works have appeared in Bisaya Magazine, as well as in the Beyond the Binary literary magazine. He was also a fellow to the 8^th Amelia Lapena Bonifacio Writer’s Workshop organized by the Likhaan UP Institute of Creative Writing, and the TranSCRIPT playwriting workshop organized by Japan Foundation and the Center for Culture and Arts of MSU-IIT. He is passionate about works related to culture and folklore.

Nelson Dino is engaged in writing poetry, short stories, narratives, novels, and song lyrics in different languages. In addition to serving as a history and language faculty member at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, he is tasked with being the director of the Cultural Affairs Office (CAO), supervising the Tambuli Cultural Dance Troupe, Gusi Lumba Music Guild, Dolphin Ambassadors, and University Marching Band.

Ahmed ibn Djaliv T. ‘Amin’ Hataman is a provincial board member of the first district of Basilan. He graduated with a degree in Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University in 2023. He currently takes part in many pursuits aimed at youth development for a united and stronger Bangsamoro.

Omarjan Ibrahim Jahuran is an independent scholar and writer from Tabawan island, South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi. Two of his bilingual children’s stories (Sinama and Tagalog) were included in Ani, the 40th edition publication of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2018 and he was a contributing writer for the CCP Online Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts (CCP-EPA) in 2019 and 2021 for the architectural designs of the traditional Sama houses and the Langgal Wooden Mosque of Tabawan Island.

He is also a Mother-Tongue Translator (MTT) and language consultant for the Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL) Philippines Salinan Project in the development and publication of Central Sinama-English Dictionary, which is now available initially as an online version. He is also a co-administrator for the online cultural website www. kaumanSama.org. and Sinamalibrary.org as part of his advocacy in documenting the stories, oral traditions and practices of the Sama people.

From 2018-2019 He had a weekly radio program in Tawi-Tawi at DXGD AM Radio for Peace “Pusaka’ Kamatto’ahan” (legacy of our ancestors) to raise awareness about the Sama Cultural Heritage. He was one of the cultural consultants for the GMA Teleserye “Sahaya” and research assistant for 2 Gawad Urian-nominated Best Documentaries: The “Lepa and Other Watercrafts Boat Building Traditions of the Sama of Tawi-Tawi”; and “7 Dances of Life; A salient socio-religious practices of two Sama communities in Tawi-Tawi” He has training background on Language Translations, Lexicography and Ethnomusicology. Currently he is the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) and Co-Chairman of the Local Council for Tourism, Culture and Arts of South Ubian Municipality, Province of Tawi-Tawi.

Aisha L. Kunting graduated senior high school at Philippine International School in Riyadh, where she was the assistant editor in chief for the Campus Voice paper. She worked for DQ Living Magazine Riyadh as a Content Contributor, creating reels and posts for DQ’s social media accounts. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in Business Administration at Mapua Malayan Digital College. Her hobbies include creative writing such as poems and short stories, and food photography for her Instagram blog, Averenza.

Hussien C. Malawi, born on January 29, 2000, in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies at Mindanao State University – Main Campus. Prior to this, he completed his senior high school education at Al Khwarizmi International College Foundation, where he studied under the ABM strand. His passion for stories and language has driven him to explore various forms of writing, and he has always been fascinated by the way words can evoke emotions and build entire worlds. 

Outside of his academic and writing endeavors, he enjoys reading manhwa and manga, sketching, and immersing himself in anime and movies. He also finds joy in listening to music and playing video games, both of which fuel his imagination. Guided by the belief that “Life begins at the end of our comfort zone,” he continuously seeks new experiences and challenges, pushing creative boundaries as he grows in his writing journey. 

Rayyan Paglangan is a half Maguindanaon and half Blaan undergraduate student at Mindanao State University-General Santos City, taking up a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies. She was raised in a Maguindanaon-dominated community in South Cotabato; hence, she grew up culturally inculcated and primed. Currently, she is an active youth leader, a community project implementor, and is affiliated with various organizations. She takes pleasure and finds purpose in partaking in civic and cultural organizations, especially in the amplification of marginalized groups’ voices. Apart from her background in journalism, she is also a creative writer aspiring to gain literary values for her works under Maratabat:MSU-GenSan Writers Guild. Beside writing fiction and essays, she also enjoys publishing brief literary criticisms on Facebook. 

Jahara A. Solaiman is an instructor at the English Department of Mindanao State University-Marawi City, where she teaches English, literature, and art appreciation. Her earlier works have appeared in other literary anthologies, the most recent being Lawanen II (Gantala Press) and Ani 40: Katutubo (Cultural Center of the Philippines). In addition to creative writing, she loves imparting her love of art (she works with colored pencils, watercolors, and acrylic) to her students.

Almayrah A. Tiburon is a native Meranaw writer from Mindanao State University, Marawi City. She composed the official school hymn of Philippine Integrated School Foundation (PISF). Two of her books on fiction Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have e-book versions aside from printed ones. Her works have been published in respected periodicals and anthologies such as Umaalma, Kumikibo, In Certain Seasons: Mother Write in the Time of Covid, Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature, Aruga: Mga Sanaysay ng Pagtanggap at Paglingap, Ani 40: Katutubo where she served as the editor of the Meranaw section of this book, BioLente: Mga Bagong Katha sa Danas ng Dahas at Banwa, Laoanen:  Kababaihan/ Digmaan/ Kapayapaan, CNN Philippines’ Best Books of 2018 Lawanen 2: Mga Alaala ng Pagkubkob which she also served as editor of this book, Mga Haraya ng Pag-igpaw, Bangsamoro Literary Review, Liwayway, Danas: Mga Pag-aakda ng Babae Ngayon which was named among The Best Filipino Books of the 2010s by CNN Philippines, Likhaan’s Dx Machina: Philippine Literature in the Time of COVID-19, Sulatan sa Panahon ng Pandemya, Mindanao Harvest 4: A 21st Century Literary Anthology, and Asymptote Journal. She is the author of Thotholan: Mga Alamat at Pabulang Meranaw, and Salamin At Iba Pang Panglaw which was among the Top 5 finalists for the Best Books of Short Fiction (Filipino) in National Book Awards 2019. Her literary interests also cover the folk literature of the Meranaw people. She wants to encourage Meranaws and other Mindanaoans, whose voices are seldom heard in the literary scene, to write about their sentiments and be published.

 

Abdulhamid Alawi Jr. currently heads the policy division of the BARMM ministry in charge of housing and human settlements. He is also an archivist and was a member of the project team for the Bangsamoro Museum in Cotabato City.

39-year-old Sitti Maryam Misah-Amirul is an architect from Jolo, Sulu. She is currently working at the Ministry of Public Works Sulu 1st District Engineering Office. She is a mother of three, a faithful wife, and a dedicated public servant.

Razul A. Ariz is a promising Maguindanaon writer and lexicographer dedicated to promoting the Maguindanaon language through various mediums. He showcases his linguistic prowess through translated poems, short stories, and other language-related content, often identified by his social media hashtag #mëgindëknown. Razul graduated Cum Laude in 2022, earning a bachelor’s degree in English Language Studies from Mindanao State University General Santos City. Currently, he serves as the Editor-In-Chief of the Kampilan Palimbang Writerhood, a pioneering writers’ group in his hometown, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat.

Nelson Dino is engaged in writing poetry, short stories, narratives, novels, and song lyrics in different languages. In addition to serving as a history and language faculty member at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, he is tasked with being the director of the Cultural Affairs Office (CAO), supervising the Tambuli Cultural Dance Troupe, Gusi Lumba Music Guild, Dolphin Ambassadors, and University Marching Band.

Mirra-Edora Esmael is a faculty member of the Language Department of Mindanao State University—Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO) who is passionate about books, sunset, and coffee. She has been teaching for eight years, advocating for the creation of a culture of reading among her students and in her community. As a writer, her recent interests are in poetry and personal essays.

Aminah Fernando Kunting is an instructor of Language Development Resource Center, of Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City. She obtained her Master of Arts in English Langu Studies in Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology. She has always been interested in literature, most especially in indigenous people’s works and culture. She hopes to further her knowledge on these.

Daniel Luna is a third-year college student currently taking Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies at Mindanao State University, Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography.

An-Nurhaiyden Mangelen is currently studying law at the Ateneo de Davao University College of Law. He graduated Cum Laude and finished his Bachelor of Arts in English, majoring in Creative Writing at the University of the Philippines-Mindanao Campus. He tries to write on his spare time, and is blessed to have access to writing as an outlet for stress.

Sharmida M. Mawan is a 21-year-old Tausug born in Jolo, Sulu. She is the second daughter of Pakhar J. Mawan and Sherma E. Mansari. She was raised in a Muslim-Tausug environment hence her deep connection with her culture and ethnicity.  She is also campus journalist since junior high school, a leader, a volunteer and a peace mediator. She is currently a third-year college student of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Western Mindanao State University. She believes that nothing comes from nothing that is why taking risk is always the safest choice.

Lawyer Zeny-Linda Saipudin Nandu, SCL is from Jolo, Sulu, where she is a graduate of AB Political Science from Mindanao State University-Sulu as University Scholar, Cum Laude and Most Outstanding Graduate Awardee. After law school in Ateneo de Davao University, she earned MA in Islamic Studies from the University of the Philippines Diliman as Scholar and Dean’s Lister, while serving as Chief of Staff of Anak Mindanao Party-list Representative in Congress. Before the 2023 Bar Exams, she also passed the 2018 Special Shari’ah Bar Exams and 2019 Career Executive Service Exam, and since then, she has been in a limited (Shari’ah) law practice while at the same time working as Political Affairs Officer VI of Member of Parliament at the Bangsamoro Transition Authority in Cotabato City.

Si Ayessah Nesreen Banocag Pasagi, nakatira sa Balindong, Lanao del Sur, ay kasalukuyang nag-aaral ng BA English Language Studies sa Mindanao State University – Main Campus, Marawi City. Siya ay nagsusulat upang ibahagi ang kanyang mga pananaw at mga karanasan bilang isang Meranaw na nagsisimula pa lamang mag-explore sa buhay. Ang isa sa kanyang mga akda na may pamagat na “Every College Student” ay malayang nailathala ng Indiependent Collective noong 2023. Sa parehong taon, naging fellow siya ng ikaanim na Luntiang Palihan ng De La Salle University, Manila.

Anna Rahma Usman Sarip is currently a third-year college student at Mindanao State University – Main Campus Marawi City taking up Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies. She is a Meranaw, born and raised in MSU, Marawi City. Anna or preferably called Apple, continues to thrive in life as she climbs upon the mountain to success. She also takes a lot of interest in trying different forms and genres of writing as she considers it a crucial point in advancing her knowledge and experience. Aside from that, some of her research works have been accepted on multiple paper presentations and conferences around the nation. Anna also spends her idle hours by taking care of her cats and kittens at home.

Jahara A. Solaiman is an instructor at the English Department of Mindanao State University-Marawi City, where she teaches English, literature, and art appreciation. Her earlier works have appeared in other literary anthologies, the most recent being Lawanen II (Gantala Press) and Ani 40: Katutubo (Cultural Center of the Philippines). In addition to creative writing, she loves imparting her love of art (she works with colored pencils, watercolors, and acrylic) to her students.

Hasmeyya Tiboron, 25, is a creative nonfiction writer from Cotabato City. She has a degree in Philosophy from Mindanao State University – Main Campus but she’s not an atheist. She loves coffee.

Almayrah A. Tiburon is a native Meranaw writer from Mindanao State University, Marawi City. She composed the official school hymn of Philippine Integrated School Foundation (PISF). Two of her books on fiction Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have e-book versions aside from printed ones. Her works have been published in respected periodicals and anthologies such as Umaalma, Kumikibo, In Certain Seasons: Mother Write in the Time of Covid, Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature, Aruga: Mga Sanaysay ng Pagtanggap at Paglingap, Ani 40: Katutubo where she served as the editor of the Meranaw section of this book, BioLente: Mga Bagong Katha sa Danas ng Dahas at Banwa, Laoanen:  Kababaihan/ Digmaan/ Kapayapaan, CNN Philippines’ Best Books of 2018 Lawanen 2: Mga Alaala ng Pagkubkob which she also served as editor of this book, Mga Haraya ng Pag-igpaw, Bangsamoro Literary Review, Liwayway, Danas: Mga Pag-aakda ng Babae Ngayon which was named among The Best Filipino Books of the 2010s by CNN Philippines, Likhaan’s Dx Machina: Philippine Literature in the Time of COVID-19, Sulatan sa Panahon ng Pandemya, Mindanao Harvest 4: A 21st Century Literary Anthology, and Asymptote Journal. She is the author of Thotholan: Mga Alamat at Pabulang Meranaw, and Salamin At Iba Pang Panglaw which was among the Top 5 finalists for the Best Books of Short Fiction (Filipino) in National Book Awards 2019. Her literary interests also cover the folk literature of the Meranaw people. She wants to encourage Meranaws and other Mindanaoans, whose voices are seldom heard in the literary scene, to write about their sentiments and be published.