Prof. Jhoanna Lynn Cruz, incumbent dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and outgoing president of the Davao Writers Guild (DWG), reported the convergence of BA English (BAE) and BA Communication/Media Arts (BACA/BACMA) alumni at the book launch of Best of Dagmay 3 anthology on February 28, 2026. Best of Dagmay 3 is published by DWG in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The anthology gathers works originally published in Dagmay, the literary supplement page of Sun Star Davao newspaper. Several alumni were contributors to the anthology, among whom is the BAE program’s first summa cum laude, Kyle Yunting. The occasion served as a reunion for alumni who are among the contributors to Dagmay, who made an effort to be present at the event.
“Always a pleasure to see our UP Mindanao alumni around,” she said. “The launch of The Best of Dagmay 3 allowed us to have a mini reunion with some BA English and BACMA alumni who were published in it!”
Prof. Cruz is the general editor of the anthology, and the section editors are Jade Mark Capiñanes, John Bengan, Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, Errol Merquita, Naro Alonzo, and Rene Estremera. Alumnus Ivan Acero designed the cover. Also present at the ceremony were Luzviminda Ilagan and Amalia Cabusao, chairperson and treasurer of the Davao Historical Society, respectively. The society is the official sponsor of the Tigi. GH Max Corporation, represented by former guild member Nathan Go, provided the venue as an official partner of the event. Cristina Alivio, editor of SunStar Davao, also attended the event.
(Photos/reportage courtesy of Prof. Cruz)
With alumni (left-right) Wenna Barcebal and Belle Sunga
