Keeping Indigenous Literature Alive: Benguet’s award-winning Igorot author honored on Ibaloy Day

Benguet, Philippines – An international award-winning Igorot author from Benguet was honored during the 17th Ibaloy Day celebration, as his work was formally recognized by an international publishing organization on February 24, 2026, at Hotel Supreme along Magsaysay Avenue in Baguio City—highlighting the growing presence of Cordilleran voices on the global literary stage.

Lester Laoagan of Kabayan is the author of Kalanay: A Tale of the Mountains, a novel that narrates ancient Igorot traditions and contemporary realities through a compelling story rooted in the Cordillera highlands.

The Igorot writer shared during a Tertulia that he discovered his passion for writing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have been reading many stories in my lifetime. However, I discovered writing when the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. When I am not writing, I do online work on the side. I also help care for my autistic brother together with my mother, as he depends on us for his daily living activities,” he said.

The Book and the Recognition

The book was published in October 2025 and distributed globally by First Nations Writers Festival International Ltd. (FNWF), an Australia-based charitable publishing organization that supports Indigenous writers worldwide.

Spanning over 300 pages, the book is written in English and blends elements of history and fantasy.

In 2025, Laoagan was the sole Filipino honored as an Award-Winning Author by FNWF. With the organization’s support, he formally launched his book during the Ibaloy Day festivities and was presented with an award from the panel of judges.

About the FNWF

FNWF is an Australian-based charity founded in 2021 that has published around 20 books, including Laoagan’s Igorot-rooted novel.

In an interview with GURU Press Cordillera, FNWF Director Anna Borzi AM, a Member of the Order of Australia, said the organization is run entirely by volunteers, returns most royalties to authors, and distributes titles globally in both digital and print formats through major international networks.

“It is a charity, and all the workers are volunteers [unpaid], and I am the major financial contributor. Most royalties return to the authors. We are based in Australia; however, we publish all over the world. We comply with all government regulations for a charity,” she said.

Borzi noted that this was her first visit to the Philippines, with the primary purpose of personally congratulating Laoagan on his milestone achievement.

“Yes, this is my first time in the Philippines, and to spend today at the Ibaloy Day celebration was a magnificent gift of Indigenous knowledge to me. I am overwhelmed by how wonderful it was… Wow, what a culture—so many cultures. Our main goal is to personally congratulate Lester on a magnificent book that received awards from the judges. It is a difficult and arduous task to research and publish such a story, so he truly deserves recognition,” she said.

Borzi also encouraged aspiring Cordilleran writers to share their culturally rich stories, emphasizing that FNWF welcomes submissions from all.

“Our criteria for story acceptance are available on the website under ‘criteria.’ We accept short stories as well as full-length books, so everyone can have a go. Stories are records of ancient knowledge; they reflect the present and will inform future generations. Most Indigenous stories are oral—and we need to write them down so that past, present, and future stories are recorded forever,” Borzi concluded.