Anifa Gamor Alonto is an associate professor at the English Department of Mindanao State University-Main Campus. She completed her baccalaureate degree in Speech Communication from the University of the Philippines-Diliman, and her master’s degree in English Language Teaching at MSU-Main Campus. She has taught as a pioneering Filipino university instructor in Libya before returning home to continue her teaching career. She is currently teaching English at the School of Foreign Languages in Kastamonu University, Turkey under a two-year faculty exchange program with the institution.
Sheilfa B. Alojamiento began writing for Moro Kurier and National Midweek. She took up AB Political Science in Mindanao State University in Marawi, finished AB English in Silliman University in Dumaguete. She taught at Mindanao State University in Patikul, Sulu, and Notre Dame of Jolo College.
Najhanne Buat Asum, 21, is from Balindong, Lanao del Sur. She is a fourth-year student in the Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies program at Mindanao State University – Main Campus. Najhanne writes from the heart, inspired by what she observes in the world, and hopes her words can make a small difference.
Aleah Sulaiman Bantas is a queer Maguindanaon writer, who hails from from the floodplains of Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur. A fellow of the SOX Writers Workshop (2025), her works have appeared in the Bangsamoro Literary Review, Dagmay, and SunStar Davao. She is currently studying at the University of Southern Mindanao.
Nelson Dino is an assistant professor in the Department of Literary and Cultural Studies at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at MSU-TCTO. He also serves as the Director of the Office of Creative Works (OCREWORKS) at the same university, where he helps manage the Maas Kamlon Writers Workshop and remains involved in creative writing. Committed to supporting literature in the region, he regularly submits his works to BLR for consideration. He hopes his stories are deeply rooted in the landscapes of islands, the sea, and coastal communities, capturing the rhythm of the tides, the voices of children, and the resilience of local traditions. Through his creative writing engagement, he seeks to explore themes of identity, memory, and how people connect with their surroundings. He tries to weave elements of nature, daily life, and cultural heritage into narratives that feel vivid and immersive, highlighting the subtle beauty of the environment while keeping his stories both personal and expansive. As a proponent of Sululogy—a storytelling method grounded in self-narrative—he hopes to encourage readers and young writers to view the world through the lens of local experiences and imagination.
Norsalim Haron is from Pikit, Cotabato, and teaches at Bagoinged Elementary School Cluster II of the Special Geographical Area-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (SGA-BARMM) in the same town. He is a graduate of Bachelor in Secondary Education (major in Filipino) at the University of Southern Mindanao in Kabacan, Cotabato. His work has appeared in Lagda Journal, Carayan Journal, Cotabato Literary Journal, SunStar Davao, Dagmay: Literary Journal of the Davao Writers Guild, Hentulon Nawa, Liwayway Magazine, Ani 41: Lakbay, VERBO: Kapangyarihan ng tula and Takos Tomo III. He is the author of the zine Mamuket Ta, a collection of Maguindanaon poems.
Raihana K. Lamalan is currently studying at Mindanao State University – General Santos City. Born in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, she grew up with little access to books and literature, but managed to find a way through Wattpad. She was fellow of the SOX Writers Workshop in 2023.
Hameeda L. Linog is presently an Assistant Professor IV at MSU Institute of Science Education – Science High School. She is taking up PhD in Language Studies at Mindanao State University, Marawi City. She finished her Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Arts in English Language Teaching in the same university. She is a published author of researches and articles and a paper presenter in both national and international conferences, winning an award in one of her paper presentations. She is also a writer and was a feature editor in the official publication of Ranao Council, Inc. She was also a former writer in the MSU CSSH college student publication and a former member of the MIPO Assessment Team of TIC, MSU OVCRED. She initiated and created a review center in MSU that was active in the year 2019, which she and her co-founders named An-Nur Review Center. She was a former instructor at MSU Marawi Senior High School and a secretary at National Irrigation Administration, Lanao del Sur. Presently, she is a poet, an aspiring novelist, and a researcher interested in Critical Discourse Analysis and Legal Research or Forensic Studies.
Jamil E. Mabandis is an aspiring Bangsamoro writer, currently pursuing a BA in English (Creative Writing) at the University of the Philippines Mindanao. He loves experimenting with poetry and creative nonfiction, especially about Bangsamoro.
Sittie Raihanah Macaager is a graduate of the Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English at Mindanao State University – Marawi. A native of Taraka, Lanao del Sur, her passion lies in writing poems, essays, and reflections that speak honestly about life, struggle, and particularly, the human experience. Through writing, she finds clarity, connection, and a deeper sense of purpose in life.
Aaqilah S. Mangarun is currently a BS Biology senior at Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology. Her works have been featured in online literary journals and local publications, such as the Manila Bulletin. She was a fellow at the Paradox Philippine Speculative Fiction Writing Workshop in 2025.
Nathara Mugong is an emerging Sama poet and translator from Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. She currently works as a Museum Engagement Assistant and a law student.
Sandrah Maas Saudagal is a 23-year-old poet and artist from Kabacan, Cotabato. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Language, graduating with honors from the University of Southern Mindanao—Main Campus in 2024. She is a member of the Cotabato Literary Circle and the author of the zine Depth TOTS.com, published during the SOX Zine Fest 2024. In her undergraduate thesis, Tudtulan: Tales of Heroes, Virtues, and Cultural Perspectives, she sought to explore Maguindanaon literature by examining its portrayals of heroism, virtue, and cultural identity. Much of her creative work delves into themes of humor, depth, and self-discovery. Beyond writing, she enjoys creating and sharing videos on her personal Facebook page.
Si Zarina Tamboboy Sarapuddin ay nakapagtapos ng BS Biology sa UP Los Baños. Naging kalahok siya ng Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship Program 2021 at UST National Writer’s Workshop 2022. Siya ay nagkamit ng unang gantimpala sa F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Awards 2024 at ikalawang gantimpala sa Gawad Ilaya 2025. Sa kasalukuyan, si Zarina ay kumukuha ng MA Malikhaing Pagsulat sa UP Diliman.
Jo T. is a Church worker now with the Legion of Mary-Magpet Chapter where she is president of the all-women devotees. Her family is solid Catholic and was with the GKK (Gagmayng Kristiyanong Katilingban). Her community involvement as a Church volunteer and as an NGO worker brought her to depressed areas in Maguindanao and Cotabato, and later to other parts of Mindanao among the Moro and Lumad people. She is a Karay-a and is a retired peace advocate.
Fatimah Rafeeda Tajeer is a Grade 11 student of Ummat National High School in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi.
Masasalamin sa mga akda ni Dr. Almayrah A. Tiburon ang pagpapaunlad at pagsusulong ng wika at kulturang Meranaw. Siya ay propesor sa Departamento ng Filipino At Iba Pang Wika sa Mindanao State University (MSU) – Main Campus, Lungsod Marawi. Bilang isang manunulat, nakilala siya sa kanyang mga librong tulad ng “Salamin At Iba Pang Panglaw”, “Thotholan: Mga Alamat at Pabulang Meranaw”, at iba pang libro. Marami na rin siyang naisulat na mga tula, mga sanaysay, at mga maikling kwento. Ang obra maestra niyang kwento ay ang “Katao” gayundin ang kwentong “Langilaw” na naisalin sa iba’t ibang wika. Ginawaran siya ng prestihiyosong “Gawad Kampeon ng Wika 2024” ng Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino bilang pagkilala sa kanyang natatanging kontribusyon sa pagpapayabong ng wika at kulturang Meranaw.