Imagine a bustling gathering, not just of people, but of stories – stories whispered, shouted, and carefully preserved. That’s the essence of the 3rd Mindanao Book Festival, a vibrant event held at Ateneo de Davao University that was so much more than just a place to buy books. It was a soulful conversation, a passionate reclaiming of Mindanao’s voice, a stand against the distortions that have shrouded its true identity for far too long. Think of it as a family reunion where everyone is finally given the mic to share their truth after years of being misunderstood or even silenced.
From the very first day, May 21st, the Miguel Pro Learning Commons buzzed with energy. Students, writers, journalists, archivists, and everyday readers mingled among shelves overflowing with regional histories, literary journals, and independent publications. The air was alive with the rustle of turning pages and the murmur of earnest discussions. Scattered throughout the space were poignant archival photographs, each a window into Mindanao’s past, gently tracing its narrative through the decades. It felt like a living museum, where history wasn’t just displayed but actively discussed and debated. The festival’s theme, “Writing Mindanao, Righting Mindanao,” wasn’t just a catchy phrase; it was a deeply felt mission, a call to arms for those determined to tell Mindanao’s story from its own perspective, a perspective often lost in the noise and misconceptions generated elsewhere.
Carolyn Arguillas, a seasoned journalist from MindaNews and a driving force behind the festival, underscored the crucial need for this space. She spoke with a quiet intensity about how Mindanao has been a “victim” of historical distortion, long before the modern era of fake news. She shared how MindaNews itself was born from the frustration of local journalists whose stories from Mindanao, particularly during times of conflict, were often distorted or simplified by news desks in Manila. Her words painted a picture of a region constantly battling stereotypes, a place where “Mindanao equals violence” has become a pervasive and unfair national narrative. This festival, then, was about much more than literature; it was about correcting the record, about showing the world the complex, beautiful, and often resilient reality of Mindanao.
One of the festival’s most impactful sessions, “You Are Being Lied To,” directly confronted the insidious world of disinformation and AI-generated content. Speakers like Yas Ocampo of MindaNews Fact Check, Carlos “Naz” Nazareno from Democracy.Net.PH, and Janina “Jan” Santos from Doublethink Lab pulled back the curtain on how misinformation spreads, especially in the digital age. They talked about the tools and techniques used to verify information and exposed how power imbalances often fuel disinformation. Santos’s poignant observation, “the voice of Mindanao is being drowned out by people who are not even from Mindanao,” resonated deeply. She stressed that these weren’t just technical issues, but deeply human ones – “all these information integrity issues are human rights issues as well.” It was a powerful reminder that controlling the narrative isn’t just about truth, but about dignity and self-determination.
Beyond the formal discussions, the festival showcased a vibrant ecosystem of independent publishers. Booths brimming with unique books and zines from Pawikan Press, Aletheia Publishing, Tridax Zines, and many others, highlighted a crucial counter-narrative to mainstream publishing. Former UP Mindanao chancellor Ricardo M. de Ungria and author Dr. Mansoor Limba emphasized how independent publishing in Mindanao isn’t just a creative outlet; it’s a defiant act against the “gatekeeping by padrinos” prevalent in Manila-centric literary circles. They spoke of a more collaborative, experimental, and community-driven approach, fostering voices and languages often ignored by larger institutions. Yasmin Arquiza of Pawikan Press echoed this, explaining that these publishers are driven not by profit, but by a profound desire to preserve and share the untold stories of Mindanao and Palawan. It was inspiring to see how these passionate individuals are building literary communities, ensuring that the rich tapestry of Mindanao’s culture and history finds its way into print.
The festival also presented a radical rethinking of Mindanao’s historical significance. Historian Dr. Patricio N. Abinales, in his lecture “Mindanao as Historical Center,” challenged the pervasive Manila-centric view of Philippine history. He argued persuasively that Mindanao was, in fact, a historical and economic powerhouse in its own right, deeply integrated into the “Nusantara” world of maritime Southeast Asia. He dismantled the common misconception of Moro areas as eternally “beleaguered,” highlighting the powerful sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao that thrived with extensive international trade long before and even during colonial times. Dr. Abinales urged everyone to “rethink how Mindanao is taught and remembered,” emphasizing that recovering these rich histories is essential for reclaiming not just regional identity, but a sense of historical agency. This festival, then, wasn’t just about writing current stories, but actively re-writing and correcting the historical record for future generations. It was a testament to the fact that Mindanao isn’t just a setting in someone else’s story, but a complex, thriving, and self-determining “home” with its own profound memory, struggles, pain, beauty, grief, and courage.