Carayan Journal

About Us


 Carayan is an online journal of literary criticism and poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. Our highest priorities are informed literary study that fosters critical conversations on literature; and creative writing that shows a keen sense of place and awareness of Mindanao’s past and present, its landscapes, and rich cultural and ethnic diversity.  The journal aims to connect writers in the southern part of the Philippine archipelago to one another and to the larger literary world.

 The word carayan is a Proto-Austronesian word for river, a topographical feature that shaped ancient human civilization.  In the Philippines, the river played a crucial role in the riparian history of the south.  It served as water path allowing colonizers and missionaries to penetrate its secret sanctuary which is its people.  But more important, it linked its many ethnic groups and facilitated commercial, aesthetic, and cultural connections between the south and its neighboring islands and regions in Asia.

ma-elena-paulmaElena Paulma, PhD, CNF and Fiction Editor A Palanca winner, she finished her PhD in Creative Writing at the University of the Philippines-Diliman where she also earned her MA in Comparative Literature and AB in Creative Writing. Presently, she teaches literature and creative writing; works as Executive Assistant to the University President; and writes for national and local publications. The book she coauthored, The Night That Changed The River, and her other books on the craft of writing are coming out very soon.
Contact: mpaulma@xu.edu.ph

ferdinand-cantularFerdinand Cantular, PhD, Poetry Editor With ten years seminary formation, he finished his BA in Philosophy and English at the Inahan Sa Kinabuhi Diocesan Seminary; MA in Pastoral Ministry and Theology at the Jesuit-run St. John Vianney Theological Seminary; MA in English at Xavier University; and PhD in Language Studies at MSU-IIT. He was a writing fellow at the 7th Iligan National Writers Workshop. His first collection of poems was published by Thomas Wendl of Munich, Germany.
Contact: fcantular@xu.edu.ph

Maria Luisa Saministrado, PhD, Literary Criticism Editor She holds a doctorate degree in English from the University of Newcastle, Australia, a doctorate degree in Educational Management from XU, and a Master’s degree in English from the same university. She is a former chair of the XU English Department, and director of English Communication Development Institute (ECDI).  Recently, she has authored a book detailing her journey as a graduate student overseas. She has also produced textbooks in English for tertiary students and published papers in peer-reviewed journals.  Contact: msaministrado@xu.edu.ph

ann-catherineAnn Catherine Ticao-Acenas, Managing Editor She has an extensive work experience in leading national broadcasting and multimedia companies in Manila as News and Information Supervisor, television Production Coordinator, and as writer and quality controller of national papers and newscasts. She earned her BA in Broadcast Communications at the University of the Philippines, Diliman and Master in English Language Studies at MSU-IIT. Presently, she teaches Speech, Journalism and Mass Media; and also serves as editor and moderator of Xavier University’s publications.
Contact:  aacenas@xu.edu.ph

arlene-yandugArlene Yandug, PhD, Editor-in-Chief An Assistant Professor in English, she has previously worked in the publication office at Xavier University and later served as editor of Kinaadman, a journal of the southern Philippines instituted by Fr. Miguel A. Bernad SJ. A fellow in national writing workshops, she’s working on her PhD in Creative Writing with poetry as a field of concentration at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Her poems and stories have appeared in national and international anthologies, online journals and publications.
Contact:  ayandug@xu.edu.ph

© 2016 English Department, Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan
ISSN 2467-5679
All poems, stories and other contributions copyright to their respective authors