in case you haven't heard:

Arkaye got in. 

And Mo, of course, and Keith and Petra. Not to take anything away from the rest of the people who got in, but I'm telling you: Arkaye's genius should've been recognized ages ago. 

National Artist for Literature and National Writers Workshop Director Emeritus Edith Lopez Tiempo, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Silliman University are pleased to announce that the following young writers have been accepted as fellows for the 48th National Writers Workshop scheduled on 4-15 May 2009:

For Poetry

• Mariane Amor Romina T. Abuan (University of Santo Tomas)

• Jonathan S. Gonzales (Ateneo de Manila University)

• Arkaye V. Keirulf (Ateneo de Manila University)

• Patricia Angela F. Magno (Ateneo de Manila University)

• Niño S. Manaog (Ateneo de Manila University)

For Fiction

• Keith Bryan T. Cortez (University of Santo Tomas)

• Ana Margarita Stuart del Rosario (De La Salle University)

• Monique S. Francisco (University of the Philippines - Diliman)

• Russell Stanley Geronimo (De La Salale University)

• Aleck E. Maramag (De La Salle University)

• Gabriel Millado (University of the Philippines – Mindanao)

• Gabrielle L. Nakpil (Ateneo de Manila University)

• Joy C. Rodriguez (University of the Philippines – Mindanao)

For Creative Non-Fiction

• Philip Y. Kimpo Jr. (University of the Philippines - Diliman)

• Marck Ronald Rimorin (University of the Philippines - Baguio)

This year’s panel of critics is composed of Dumaguete-based writers Ernesto Superal Yee, Myrna Peña Reyes, and Cesar Ruiz Aquino, as well as guest panelists Gemino H. Abad, Juaniyo Arcellana, J. Neil C. Garcia, Susan Lara, Rosario Cruz Lucero, DM Reyes, and Alfred Yuson.

The workshop, which is the longest running Writers Workshop in Asia, is coordinated by the Silliman University Department of English and Literature.