Ilokano Literature - The GUMIL - Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat Nga Ilokano

Gunglo Dagiti Mannurat Nga Ilokano

Main article: GUMIL Filipinas

On October 19, 1968, GUMIL Filipinas (Ilokano Writers Association of the Philippines) was organized in Baguio City. Arturo M. Padua, then mayor of Sison, Pangasinan, was elected president. The officers took their oath of office before President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

GUMIL Filipinas or Gunglo dagiti Mannurat nga Ilokano iti Filipinas, Inc., was incorporated and registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission on January 8, 1977.

GUMIL Filipinas' main objectives are:

• • To provide a forum in which Ilokano writers can undertake common and cooperative efforts to improve their craft of writing literary, historical, research and other works;
  • To enrich Ilokano literature and cultural heritage as phases of the national identity by encouraging the members to concentrate on writing extensively and intensively about the social, economic, cultural and other aspects of growth and development among the Ilokanos through literature, history, research, or the like;
  • To publish books of poetry, short stories, essays, novels, historical accounts, research and critical studies, and other writings; and
  • To assist each member in pursuing his/her writing career and in fulfilling his life as a member of Philippines society.

(Excerpted from an essay by Jose A. Bragado)