On August 20, 2024, the Book Writers Club (BWC) successfully
organized the Young Writers Conference (YWC) at the newly opened Davao City
Library, a modern hub in the heart of the durian capital of the Philippines.
Under the tagline "Stories for Children, by the Children," the BWC
aimed to bring young minds together in a creative space where they could enjoy
each other’s company while learning writing techniques from renowned authors
and peers alike. Book Writer’s Club is a writing club for children facilitated by
Ms. Rhoda Osalvo.
The final workshop of the afternoon was led by Teacher
Maita, who captivated the audience with a discussion on using Philippine
mythology as a source of inspiration. She introduced the children to various
mythological deities and creatures. Then she guided them through a quick
exercise: selecting a classic fairy tale and swapping out a character or
element with one from Philippine mythology. Of the thirty participants, eleven
submitted their creative reimagined stories, which will soon be showcased on Teacher
Maita’s website.
The event was widely regarded as a success. Teacher Maita,
familiar with some of the parents, took the opportunity to give them a tour of
the city, introducing them to the local cuisine.
The Young Writers Conference was a
much-talked-about event, with participants and parents alike expressing
excitement for a potential return to Davao next year. There is already buzz
about expanding the conference to include a larger audience and perhaps
introducing inter-school story competitions.
Winners of the workshop with Teacher Maita
Buying books!