Stories and poetry about conflict and peace in the Philippines teach us that people can both cause and solve problems. Our second speaker will use literature to understand the Kagan people’s culture and the challenges they face in Mindanao. Through evocative poetry, the speaker will illustrate the historical injustices and the pathways to reconciliation and understanding, shedding light on the origin and enduring spirit of the Kagan community.

One notable young writer from the Davao Region is 𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐡 𝐑. 𝐌𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐚. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing in 2014 from the University of the Philippines Mindanao, he redirected his focus to Islamic studies, completing his secondary-level and pre-tertiary education with exceptional academic performance. He then acquired a Master’s degree in English from Ateneo de Davao University. His thesis involved an analysis of the Kagan Toganowan, an undocumented oral tradition of his IP community.

Nassefh’s profound connection to his identity as a Kagan and a Bangsamoro is evident in his published works. His poems have appeared in various print and online publications including an international literary journal, local online platforms, and several anthologies. These anthologies include “𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐨𝐧” (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟑), “𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨” (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟒), “𝐑𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭” (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟓), “𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝟑” (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖), 𝐚 𝐊-𝟏𝟐 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟖), “𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐝: 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝟒” (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗), 𝐚𝐧𝐝 “𝐔𝐛𝐨𝐝” (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎). Just this year, his work was included in “𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚” and “𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧: 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.” Integrating Kagan-Bangsamoro themes into his concise poetry, he actively promotes awareness of Bangsamoro historical injustices through forum engagements, workshops, and his literary contributions.

While pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Administration at Ateneo de Davao University, Nassefh is also spearheading the establishment of an Islamic College offering secular programs in the Davao Region. Additionally, he serves as the Chief of Staff for the Office of the Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative of Davao del Norte.

Join us as we open our online forum titled TIGKANAYAN: ILCA Speaks, where we will explore the 𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘯 (origin) of the diverse Mindanao’s indigenous cultural communities.

Register here: https://forms.gle/BUQ4gWpJoDryNcds6

E-Cert will be given at the end of the event. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear and learn from the speakers as they discuss their languages and cultures. Mark your calendars on September 25-26, 2024!