31/05/2026
Bikol WikiConference 2026 Gathers Educators, Writers, Translators, and Digital Volunteers
The Bikol WikiConference 2026 was held from May 29 to 31 at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture โPili and Raul S. Roco Library in Naga City. Carrying the theme โAdvancing Language and Culture in the Digital Age,โ the conference brought together advocates of open knowledge, language preservation, and community-based digital work.
Co-organized by the PhilWiki Community, CBSUA, the City Government of Naga, and the Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement, the three-day event became a space for conversations on translation, education, cultural documentation, participatory governance, and the growing role of regional languages in online platforms.
On the first day of the conference, Dr. Allan Del Rosario, Pili Campus Administrator emphasized the value of open-access platforms such as Wikipedia in the dissemination of knowledge, particularly for researchers seeking relevant studies and reliable information.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jeremy Doloso, Calabanga Campus Administrator, discussed the importance of developing a new generation of writers, editors, and translators to ensure the continued growth of the region's languages and literatures, and the need for the university to be involved to ensure quality in content creation in Wikimedia.
Representing Dr. Dariel Palmiano, Vice President for Research and Innovation, Director Abegail Guinoo expressed her gratitude to the Board and members of the PhilWiki Community. She also reaffirmed CBSUA's commitment to sustaining and strengthening its partnership with the PhilWiki Community in advancing open knowledge and language preservation initiatives.
Participants attended plenary sessions, workshops, panel discussions, and translation activities focused on contributing to free and accessible knowledge through Wikimedia projects such as Wikipedia, Wikisource, Wikimedia Commons, and Wiktionary.
Among the highlights of the conference were the sessions of Hon. David Casper Nathan A. Sergio, City Councilor and Chair of the Committee on Education of the Sangguniang Panlungsod; Bernadette F. Roco, heritage advocate, former Naga City Councilor, and Board Secretary of the PhilWiki Community, and Hon. Maria Leonor โLeniโ G. Robredo, Mayor, City of Naga.
Their presentations showed the shared values of Wikipedia and the City of Naga in promoting access to knowledge, participatory governance, and a deep appreciation for local language, literature, and culture. These common principles, they noted, have helped position Naga as the Heart of Free Knowledge Movement in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Esting Jacob presented a history of Bikol literature, tracing the publications, contests, seminars, workshops, and cultural organizations that have shaped and continue to shape the region's literary tradition.
Cararayan National High School Wiki Club was given a Special Recognition for its impactful contributions to the promotion of free and accessible knowledge, digital literacy, community engagement, and youth participation in Wikimedia initiatives, particularly in Wiki Edu Philippines program.
Other topics discussed were the continuing development of Bikol Wikipedia, the role of translation in preserving local languages, ethical concerns in documenting community knowledge, and the use of Wikimedia projects in education and cultural work. Other sessions explored oral traditions, multilingual storytelling, childrenโs literature publishing, and digital tools that support local language communities.
The conference also included hands-on workshops on the Wikipedia Translation Tool, Wikimedia Commons, Wikisource, and the โWiki Pages Wanting Photosโ campaign. Participants were encouraged to contribute photographs, texts, and translations related to Bikol history, literature, heritage, and culture.
One of the major highlights of the gathering was the CBSUA Wiki Education, which reflected the growing partnership between academic institutions and Wikimedia communities in promoting digital literacy, open educational resources, and regional language revitalization. Late last year, CBSUA and the PhilWiki Community strengthened their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding integrating Wikimedia programs into academic and co-curricular initiatives.
Among the deliverables of CBSUA Wiki Education for the next 5 years according to Jerome Hipolito, coordinator for CBSUA Wiki Education, are the formation of a committee for curricular development of Wiki Field School 1 and 2 and establishment of the Wiki Youth Camp.
Two of the students from CBSUA delivered their lightning Talks. Eric Mendez presented his Project KURAHAW: Kahobenan for Understanding and Recording Active Heritage through Art and Wikimedia which is a community-centered initiative that engages college students in documenting and preserving the cultural heritage of Calabanga through photowalks, storytelling, and Wikimedia platforms. While Daisy Joye Samulde discussed Quality over Quantity? Ensuring Reliable and Well-Sourced Bikol Content in Wikimedia projects.
The third day of the conference featured the launch of Epiko kan Bikol sa Presenteng Panahon by Herman Elgo Bobis, in partnership with the DepEd Naga City Division, and of the book, Kuto: Libro nin mga Rawitdawit by Aida Brosas Cirujales, the Tigsik Queen. Also among the highlights were sessions on children's book publishing by Christopher C. Asa, independent publishing by Irvin P. Sto. Tomas, the WikiWomen Filipinas initiative by Sheena Aloner, and community-building through Wikimedia projects in the session Beyond Edits: Building Community Through Wikimedia Engagement, presented by Chammy17 and Mryjysgrr24.
Fellows of the the 2nd Hablon-Usipon Children's Book Translation Workshop include a mix of published authors, public school teachers, and university students: Joseph M. Tarala, Speed Brian F. De Villa, Allen Brigg C. Ramos, Jonaly C. Molina, Pearl Angelique S. Benavente, May Cel P. Sediรฑo, Magnolia Rose D. Fortuna, Andrea Kim Bual, Keziah Faye Andal, Eric F. Mendez, Daisy Joy B. Samulde, Julie D. Bueson, Seanne Marie Paragua, Chellvin May Robles, Mary Jean Sibulo, Rose Ann May Navales, Ian Kenneth Orasa, Esting Jacob, and Niรฑo Manaog who each translated at least 4 short stories for children. This yearโs translation workshop featured four Philippine languages: Central Bikol, Filipino, Rinconada Bikol, and Ilokano.
The work of building and improving platforms such as Wikipedia is not only about technology. It is about participation. It is about ensuring that communities can tell their own stories in their own languages. It is about making sure that young people can learn about their heritage and see their culture reflected online.
The Bikol language is not merely a means of communication. It carries our memories, our identity, and our way of understanding the world. Every article written, every photograph uploaded, every text translated, and every story documented becomes part of a larger effort to preserve and strengthen that identity.
Held across two important educational and cultural spaces in Bicol: the Sentro ng Wika, Kultura at Sining Building at CBSUA-Pili and the Raul S. Roco Library, the conference shows the role of universities, libraries, and local communities in preserving cultural memory while making knowledge more accessible online.
More than a conference, the event became a meeting ground for people working to ensure that Bikol languages, stories, and histories remain visible and accessible for future generations.
As discussions on artificial intelligence, digital archives, and online information continue to shape public life, the Bikol WikiConference 2026 carried a clear message: local knowledge matters, and communities must take part in preserving and sharing it.
The event was co-organized by Irvin Sto. Tomas, founder of Philippine Wikimedia Community, Maffeth Sto. Tomas, President, Philippine Wikimedia Community; Leah B. Sumalinog, Board Chair; Bernadette Roco, Secretary, BOD; Marife Altabano, Treasurer, BOD; Sheena Aiza Bagacina, Board Member, Roderick Suรฑaz Sumalinog, member of PhilWiki Community, Dr. Dariel Palmiano, VP Research and Innovation, Abegail Guinoo, Director Extension Services, Marvin Molin, Elbert Baeta, Jerome Hipolito, John Laurence Guinto, and Michael Duran.
Words by Jerome Hipolito
Photos by Roderick Suรฑaz Sumalinog
