The Davao Writers Guild cordially invites you to the launching of “The Best of Dagmay 2” on December 4, 2016, Sunday, 4 PM, at The Big House: A Heritage Home, Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City.
“The Best of Dagmay 2” is an anthology of the best poems, short stories, plays, and essays in Dagmay from 2010 to 2012. The anthology is edited by Don Pagusara, Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz, John B. Bengan, and Dominique Gerald Cimafranca.
This book compiles pieces from the following Mindanawon writers: Paul Randy Gumanao, Raul Moldez, Al Ponciano Datu, Jayson Parba, Romel Villaflor, Arifah Jamil, Freeda Ko, Alpha Khristine Fortun, Khareen Culajara, Rolly Jude Ortega, Rogelio Garcia, Hazel Meghan Hamile, Melona Mascariñas, Darylle Rubino, Jeffrey B. Javier, Maureen Ronquillo, Riza Racho, Erika Navaja, Vangie Dimla-Algabre, RedRose Serrano, Iryne Kaamino, Ric Bastasa, Gratian Paul Tidor, JM Cortes Acut, Gino Dolorzo, Telesforo Sungkit, Jr., Tala Alexander, Lyda May Sual, Edgar Bacong, Mark Daposala, Zola Macarambon, Glyd Jun Arañes, Karla Stefan Singson, Maiq Bonghanoy, Djamyla Millona, Reymond Pepito, Margaux Denice Garcia, Jetro Eco Anta, Christian Cabagnot, Karlo David, Arian Tejano, Ruel Soriano, Aimee Rosal, Seneca Pellano, Vida Valverde, Fritz Gerald M. Melodi, and Sergei Reyes.
Copies of “The Best of Dagmay 2” will be available during the launch at a special discounted price of P250.

UP Mindanao Professor John B. Bengan (Dept. of Humanities) was awarded 1st Prize in the English Short Story Category of the 63rd Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Prof. Bengan won for his short story, “Armor”, which was first published in Likhaan 6: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature, edited by Gemino H. Abad. “Armor” is set in Mintal, Davao City, and tells the story of Ronnie, a small time drug pusher and beautician/choreographer who joins a gay beauty pageant, and a stranger who arrives at the pageant night to alter the course of Ronnie’s fate. Prof. Bengan teaches literature and creative writing and is the third Palanca-winner in the present faculty roster of the Dept. of Humanities, after Prof. Ricardo M. de Ungria and Prof. Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz-Daliling. He earned his BA English degree in UP Mindanao and his Master of Fine Arts degree in The New School (New York).