Almera Alimoden is a college student at Mindanao State University- Main Campus Marawi City, taking up Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies.
Nail Tugasan Arumpac is a third year college student at Mindanao State University – Sultan Naga Dimaporo, pursuing a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Filipino.
Johara D. Alangca-Azis is a Meranaw writer from Mindanao State University-Main Campus, Marawi City. Her passion and enthusiasm for studying, documenting, promoting and preserving her own language and culture, including her keen interest in composing poetry in Meranaw were sparked by her active involvement with the Meranaw Cultural Mapping Team of the MSU-Main Campus, where she serves as the Head of the Meranaw Language Program. Additionally, she leads the Meranaw Orthography Committee, which has produced a guidebook titled ‘SINANADAN KO KAZORAT SA BASA MERANAW (Learning Guide in the Writing of the Meranaw Language, Volume1). She has also authored several instructional materials on Meranaw language and culture, including a book titled “MONTIYA: Book of Meranaw Poems, Dialogues and Peace Sayings, Volume 1.”
Lady Johainee Dimaampao Banocag is a 24-year-old student at Mindanao State University – Main Campus, Marawi City, pursuing a degree in English Language Studies. With interest in writing about real-life experiences recounted to her, she looks forward to making her works an eye-opener for her readers. In 2024, she created a Facebook page called Write, Lady to share her reflections on various aspects of life. Aside from writing, she is also passionate about video creation and editing.
Aleah Sulaiman Bantas, dalawampung taong gulang at kasalukuyang kumukuha ng Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Social Studies, sa University of Southern Mindanao. Isang Maguindanaon mula sa Datu Paglas, Maguindanao del Sur, ginugugol niya ang kaniyang oras sa pagbabasa at pagsusulat— lalo na ng tula, panitikan, at mga akdang hinango mula sa kaniyang personal na karanasan ng paggunita, pakikipamuhay sa masa, at mga salitang kayang punan ang puwang ng katahimikan. Hilig niya rin ang pagguhit, paglikha, panonood ng pelikula, at pakikinig sa musika.
Laurehl Onyx B. Cabiles was born in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat. He grew up in Carmen, Cotabato Province. He has been a fellow of the Sox Writer’s Workshop (2023), NAGMAC-YWS (2024), and Ateneo de Davao Summer Writers Workshop (2024), and Davao Writers Workshop (2025). This young writer, who is also a licensed professional teacher and a member of Tridax Zines, loves to spend his free time attending local literary and music events to support his fellow artists in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region.
Adawia J. Jamasali is a researcher, educator, and cultural champion from Sulu. She teaches English and Communication at Sulu State College and is actively involved in community-based projects, particularly those that utilize storytelling and digital literacy to empower indigenous groups, such as the Sama. Her research interests are languages, education, linguistics, literature, and human resource development. Adawia is also an avid writer who uses her experience and local stories to raise awareness and resilience. She is also a public speaker and host.
Norhan B. Kudarat is a writer, teacher, and PhD student in Language Studies at Mindanao State University – Marawi. His literary works are deeply rooted in the cultural identity and lived realities of the Moro people. He is the author of “Dipatuan and Bai Laga“, a folk-inspired story published by Tanjungpura University in Indonesia. Currently, he is completing his dissertation on the stylistics of Kalimantan and Mindanao folk stories, exploring how linguistic and literary elements reflect the worldview and cultural values of Southeast Asian communities. His writing often centers on themes of faith, womanhood, identity, and resilience in Southern Philippines.
Sohaylah B. Manabilang is a second-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Literary and Cultural Studies at Mindanao State University – Main Campus, Marawi City. In 2022–2023, I was selected as a fully‑funded Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program scholar. I lived and studied in the United States for one academic year. I have also represented the university as a delegate at the Asia Youth International Model United Nations in Bangkok, Thailand. Passionate about cultural heritage, I currently serve as a Cultural Advocate and Brand Ambassadress of The Meranaw Hijab, promoting traditional attire and identity.
Si Al-jhamier Unos Mosib o kilala rin sa kaniyang pen name na Multilingual_Snake ay dalawampung taong gulang at naninirahan sa Banisilan, Cotabato. Kasalukuyan siyang kumukuha ng kursong AB English Language Studies sa Pamantasan ng Katimugang Mindanao (USM). Siya ay may malalim na pagmamahal sa mga katutubong wika at sa katunayan, siya ay nakapagsasalita ng walo sa kabuuan, kabilang ang wikang Maguindanaon, Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Maranao, Iranun, Kinaray-a, atbp. Naniniwala siyang ang wika ay susi sa pag-unawa ng kultura ng bawat isa.
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.
Noor Mohammad D. Saada is an introvert, outlier and quinquagenarian Moro of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, born in Sulu, grew up in Tawi-Tawi, studied in Zamboanga City, and worked in Davao City, Cotabato City, Makati City, and Basilan. He brings with him more than two decades of professional work in school health and nutrition, human resources management, management information systems, education management, education in minority and equity contexts, education in fragility, cultural sensitivity, peace education, and donor-funded project development. He is a widower, father of two children, and now works in a local government unit, and part-time as a lecturer in a graduate school.
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.
Ronaliza Manangat-Wagas is a faculty member of Mindanao Statee University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO).