Cagayan de Oro City – Mindanao’s first ever university has opened its Diwang Mindanao Book Fair 2026, featuring four days of events and a two-week book exhibit featuring literary and other creative works from around the island with the theme “Sulat sa Lupa: Stories, Scholarship and Solidarity.”
The fair opened with a short program and ribbon cutting led by Fr Mars P Tan SJ, Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan President; Dr Heide R Rabanes, Dean of Research; Dr Arlene Yandug, XU Press Director; Mr Rule Redondo, Director of XU Libraries, and Fr. Tony Moreno SJ.
“We gather here today for a celebration that is both timely and essential,” said Dr Rabanes in her opening remarks held April 20 at the Divisoria Campus.
“The Diwang Mindanao is more than just a marketplace for paper and ink; it is a manifestation of its name. Diwa—meaning spirit or core—represents the very pulse of our region. In a literal and philosophical sense, diwa refers to the spirit, soul, or consciousness (kamalayan). Essentially it refers to the Soul of Mindanao, Rabanes stressed.
She further implied that the books and creative works aren’t just objects, but the living breath and spirit of the people.
“This book fair captures the very essence of what Mindanao is—its struggles, its triumphs, and its identity,” she added.
According to XU Press Manager Dawny Balangiao, the book fair and exhibit features 90 titles (books and zines) from 24 Mindanao Authors and 19 writers groups, publishers, and publishing industry sectors from ten cities and provinces, (excluding XU Press titles) which will be exhibited until the end of the month.
A ceremonial walk-through of the book fair’s exhibits including booths of various publishers, writers groups, publishing industry sectors and partners, and official launch of the DevCom Department’s Kalamdaag Publication, and the XU Aggie Tech Demo and food innovation showcase of the XU College of Agriculture.
BINTANA: Culture, Arts, Humanities, and Faith Installation Exhibit was next unveiled by Dr Roderic Z Ocangas, Assistant Chair, GEIDS Department; then the ribbon cutting and ribbon cutting to the Creative Space and Reading Nook at the old Library building led by Mr Redondo. The morning’s opening rites concluded with the chat and book signing by author Ellena Manawari.
Rabanes stressed how hosting a book fair specifically dedicated to Mindanao is vital for several reasons:
• Amplifying Local Voices: For too long, the narrative of Mindanao has been told by those outside of it. This fair serves as a stage for our own writers, poets, and historians to reclaim that narrative.
• Fostering a Creative Ecosystem: By bringing together readers, publishers, and creators, we are not just selling books; we are fueling a vibrant culture of literature. We are showing our young people that their stories are worth writing and their voices are worth hearing.
• Preserving Heritage: Our culture is a tapestry of diverse indigenous and local traditions. Through these creative works, we ensure that the spirit of our ancestors lives on in the minds of the next generation. It celebrates the intellectual and creative ideas blooming in the region.
The afternoon events kicked off with a Research Ethic Colloquium at AVR-1 with the Research Ethics Office, being one of the salient events of the month long celebration of Research Month; immediately followed by a Chat and Book Signing with Plot Twist Authors; and next by Teaching Early Readers: Building Strong Foundations in Reading by Chalkboard Inc., both held at the same venue.
“Today, we are opening a portal into the heart of Mindanao through its stories, its history, and its boundless imagination. It is a vital gathering of the region’s collective mind and spirit. In a world that is increasingly digital and fast-paced, we must carve out physical and mental spaces to honor the written word,” Rabanes said.
She further noted how the cutting of the ribbon to open the book fair symbolizes more than just the opening of an event, but rather the opening of minds and the breaking of barriers.
“When we open a book, we open a world. When we open a book fair in Mindanao, we celebrate our soul. May the shelves you browse today inspire you, challenge you, and make you proud of the creative powerhouse that is our region.”
