Two writers from Bohol’s town of literary artists were invited as plenary panel speakers during the 2nd International Social Sciences and Humanities Conference that was held on August 14-16, 2025 at Metrocentre Hotel in Tagbilaran City.
Fred Jordan Mikhail T. Carnice and Reigh “Sir Dikko” Monreal joined two other Boholano writers (Ulysses Aparece and Rose Rara) in the plenary session on “Boholano Writers as Public Intellectuals”. Dr. Marjorie Evasco, a University Fellow and Professor Emeritus (Literature) of De La Salle University, personally chose and recommended them to the conference organizers.
Carnice, a back-to-back (2023 & 2024) Poet of the Year winner of the annual Nick Joaquin Literary Awards, is the son of Engr. Wilfredo Ladeza Carnice from Badbad Oriental. A Creative Writing graduate of Silliman University, this internationally published and prolific poet is currently connected with the National Museum of the Philippines in Dumaguete City.
Monreal needs no introduction as he has been Loon’s leading cultural bearer since he joined the LGU in 2001 until his current position as Municipal Administrator.
Convened by the Bohol Island State University and the College of Liberal Arts of De La Salle University, the conference was participated in by about 50 paper presenters, plenary speakers, and experts on the social sciences and humanities from Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines.
Congratulations, Jordan and Sir Dikko … and thanks for making Loon Madanihon rise and shine from local to global!