Dumaguete City prepares to host an extensive four-day literary celebration from April 17-20, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the city’s recognition as a UNESCO City of Literature. The Dumaguete Literary Festival (Duma LitFest) 2026 edition promises an enriched program featuring diverse literary activities, performances, and educational workshops spread across various venues throughout the city.
Festival organizers have crafted this year’s program around the central theme “Becoming Dumaguete City,” creating a platform that amplifies voices from Dumaguete and neighboring regions while fostering creative dialogue and literary exchange. The celebration aims to honor the transformative power of storytelling through an array of panels, book launches, workshops, and theatrical presentations.
The detailed festival program became available on April 15, 2026, with organizers emphasizing that while many activities welcome public participation without charge, certain specialized workshops and events require advance registration or operate on an invitation-only basis.
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Day One: Regional Literature and UNESCO Launch
Festival activities commence on April 17 with a welcoming ceremony at 1:00 PM at The Courtyard on EJ Blanco Street, accompanied by musical presentations from the Belltower Project. The day’s centerpiece features a significant panel titled “Writing in a Transforming, Emerging Region: The Case for NIR Literature,” bringing together literary voices from throughout Negros Island Region.
The distinguished panel includes Ann Verbosidad representing Bayawan, Jonathan Davila from Bacolod, Rolin Migyuel Obina from Bais, Andre Aniñon from Dumaguete, and Shane Jay Fabugais from Siquijor. Matthew Yasi serves as moderator for this 45-minute discussion scheduled from 3:00 PM to 3:45 PM.
The inaugural day culminates with the formal celebration of Dumaguete’s UNESCO City of Literature designation at The Presidencia Dumaguete, presented jointly by the Philippine Commission for UNESCO (UNACOM) and the Dumaguete City Local Government Unit. D’Salag Collective presents a compelling theatrical interpretation of “Sisa: Panaghoy ng Pinakamiserableng Babaeng Katha ni Rizal” beginning at 6:30 PM.
Specialized Workshops and Youth Programming
The festival’s second day, April 18, introduces targeted educational programming, highlighted by the “#KiligKraft: Learning to Write a Contemporary Filipino Romance Novel” workshop. This comprehensive three-hour session takes place at Marina Clubhouse Filinvest Dumaguete from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN, featuring expertise from Mina Esguerra alongside RomanceClass authors. While registration is mandatory, participation remains complimentary.
Parallel programming for younger audiences unfolds at The Sala on EJ Blanco, with Gayle Acar providing curation and Katinka Visitacion serving as host. The children’s activities encompass a Philippine birds coloring workshop led by Vince Pascua, engaging storytelling sessions with Silliman Creative Writing students, and an educational presentation about children’s book illustration featuring Adrian Panadero and Fran Ong.
Additional programming for April 18 incorporates panel discussions examining creative nonfiction, horror elements in Philippine literature, and Virgin Labfest insights. The day’s programming concludes with the book launch ceremony for “The Last Days of Magic: Stories” by Ian Rosales Casocot, published through Anvil Publishing.
Literary Tourism and Industry Perspectives
April 19 opens with an exclusive Dumaguete Literary Tour designed for invited participants, showcasing the city’s significant literary landmarks. Ian Rosales Casocot curates this three-hour exploration on behalf of the City Tourism Office, running from 9:00 AM through noon.
The day’s schedule incorporates comprehensive panel discussions addressing contemporary fiction techniques, screenwriting approaches, translation methodologies, and current Philippine publishing trends. A particularly valuable session, “Everything You Need to Know about Publishing in the Philippines Today,” assembles eight industry experts including publishers, editors, and established authors to examine the contemporary publishing environment.
Broadcast journalist Atom Araullo presents the festival’s keynote presentation titled “Writing in Dangerous Times” at 6:00 PM, followed by opportunities for personal interaction and book signing.
Extended Activities Through April 22
The primary festival programming concludes on April 20 with “Women who Write,” a celebration and book signing event at LibrAria Books showcasing six distinguished female authors: Geraldine Solon, Mitos Suson, Claire Betita de Guzman, Merlie Alunan, Angela Gabrielle Fabunan, and Yvette Tan.
Programming extends beyond the main festival dates through April 22 with specialized UNACOM workshops at Buglas Isla Cafe. These exclusive invitation-only sessions include “Writing for Children” facilitated by Bea Alegre, “Writing the Hometown” conducted by Ian Rosales Casocot, and “Find Your Story” led by Dante Nico Garcia.
Final programming on April 22 features two distinctive events: a commemorative marathon reading of Edith Lopez Tiempo’s “The Charmer’s Box and Other Poems” honoring her 107th birth anniversary, and the official launch of “Migratory Notes” by Angela Fabunan Flores.
Diverse Venues Throughout the City
Festival activities utilize numerous locations across Dumaguete City, with central programming at The Courtyard and The Sala at 58 EJ Blanco Street, The Presidencia Dumaguete, Marina Clubhouse Filinvest Dumaguete, and LibrAria Books. The Arts + Design Collective Dumaguete serves as headquarters for the Zine Fest and Literary Bazaar from April 17-19.
A continuous Zine Fest and Literary Bazaar operates daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Arts + Design Collective Dumaguete, offering ongoing opportunities for literary exploration and book acquisition throughout the festival duration.
Organizers advise participants to review the complete schedule thoroughly, as programming occurs across multiple venues with varying time requirements. Workshop capacity limitations and specific registration protocols apply to certain events.
Complete scheduling details and registration information are accessible through the official website at cityofstories6200.org/festival-schedule/. The majority of programming remains accessible without cost to all literature enthusiasts, writers, and storytellers interested in celebrating Dumaguete’s literary legacy.
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