Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Gonaranao B. Musor (fifth from right), together with Embassy and UNJ officials, pose for a picture with the featured Filipino and Indonesian authors and members of the diplomatic corps.

(24 April 2025, Jakarta) – The Philippine Embassy in Jakarta successfully hosted a literary forum entitled Bridging Cultures through Books: A Discussion on Contemporary Filipino and Indonesian Literature on 24 April 2025 at the Universitas Negeri Jakarta (UNJ) in celebration of National Literature Month 2025, with the theme “Sikad Panitikan: Culture and Literature for Development.”

Organized in collaboration with UNJ and Penguin Random House SEA, with the support of Periplus, Cerita Asma Nadia, and PT Universal Robina Corporation (URC), the event brought together Filipino and Indonesian authors for a dynamic exchange of ideas.

UNJ Rector Prof. Dr. Komarudin opened the event by expressing his support for deeper cultural and academic collaboration between Indonesia and the Philippines: “This contemporary literature discussion is an initial step to strengthen cultural cooperation between UNJ and the Philippines. We hope that this cooperation can bring benefits to both countries and increase cultural awareness among the people.”

In her remarks, Mrs. Endah T.D. Retnoasuti, Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion and Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture noted that “the voices we hear today—Filipino and Indonesian—are echoes of a shared soul. In an era marked by division, disinformation, and disconnection, literature becomes a quiet yet mighty force. A book is not a weapon, but it can dismantle prejudice. A poem may not end a war, but it can inspire peace. This is the soft power of culture. This is cultural diplomacy.”

Chargé d'affaires, a.i. Gonaranao B. Musor highlighted the significance of National Literature Month and showcased the upcoming Guest of Honor status of the Philippines at the 77th Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2025. “This milestone gives us momentum to deepen our cultural exchanges, starting with our neighbors here in Southeast Asia,” CDA Musor added.

The forum’s main highlight was the panel discussion moderated by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Maricar S. Yambao, which featured the following authors:

• Mica De Leon - Palanca award-winning Filipino author of young adult fantasy series Seed Mage Cycle and the romantic comedy Love on the Second Read, which was also translated to Bahasa Indonesia.
• Mignon Bravo Dutt - Singapore-based Filipino writer of The Rosales House and Room 216, and contributor to various international literary anthologies.
• Asma Nadia - One of Indonesia’s most prominent writers, founder of Lingkar Pena Forum and Asma Nadia Publishing House. Some of her books that have been adapted into films are Emak Ingin Naik Haji , Rumah Tanpa Jendela and Assalamualaikum Beijing.
• Helvy Tiana Rosa - Indonesian writer and co-founder of Lingkar Pena Forum, known for her poetry, short stories and essays. She is also the sister of Ms. Asma.

The panel discussion delved into themes of cultural identity, diaspora narratives, translation and cultural resonance and role of literature in bridging cultures. Each author offered personal insights, emphasizing the shared values, struggles, and hopes that unite Filipino and Indonesian storytelling traditions. The discussion showcased how literature remains a vital tool for empathy, representation, and intercultural dialogue.

Following the panel discussion, an open forum encouraged lively interaction between the authors and the audience, primarily university students, educators, members of the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community in Jakarta. Over 200 participants attended onsite, with 80 more joining virtually from Northwestern Visayan Colleges in Aklan.

All the panelists agreed on the need (1) to explore more collaborations between Filipino and Indonesian writers, such as an anthology to jointly feature their works; (2) to promote a so-called ASEAN literature, including holding an ASEAN literature festival and establishing an association of ASEAN writers; (3) to increase more translations of books in the region to other languages; and (4) for bookstores to strengthen promotion and marketing of local over Western publications.

After the forum, the authors had the opportunity to interact with the audience and sign books available at the Periplus and Cerita Asma Nadia booth. As part of the event’s community engagement, students were treated with gift tokens from PT Universal Robina Corporation, distributor of Filipino snacks Jack’n Jill, Piattos and Cloud 9.

This event is part of the Embassy’s ongoing thrust to promote Filipino literature abroad and strengthen cultural diplomacy efforts in Indonesia. END

(left) Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Gonaranao B. Musor delivers his welcome remarks during the literary event  “Bridging Cultures through Books: A Discussion on Contemporary Filipino and Indonesian Literature”. /  (right) Mrs. Endah T.D. Retnoasuti, Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion and Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, delivers her remarks.

UNJ Rector Prof. Dr. Komarudin delivers his remarks expressing his support for deeper cultural and academic collaboration between Indonesia and the Philippines.

(left)Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Gonaranao B. Musor presents a certificate of appreciation to UNJ Vice Rector for Collaboration and Business Affairs, Dr. Andy Hadiyanto / (right) Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Gonaranao B. Musor presents a certificate of appreciation to Mrs. Endah T.D. Retnoasuti, Director General for Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion and Cooperation of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture.

From left to right - Indonesian authors, Ms. Helvy Tiana Rosa and Ms. Asma Nadia, together with Filipino Authors, Ms. Mignon Bravo Dutt and Ms. Mica De Leon, pose with their books.

From left to right - Indonesian authors, Ms. Helvy Tiana Rosa and Ms. Asma Nadia, together with Filipino Authors, Ms. Mignon Bravo Dutt and Ms. Mica De Leon, during the panel discussion moderated by Vice Consul Maricar S. Yambao.

UNJ students performed a traditional Indonesian dance during the literary event.

Students from UNJ and members of the diplomatic corps and the Filipino community in Jakarta attend the literary event.

A UNJ student poses a thoughtful question to the panelist during the discussion session.

(left) Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Gonaranao B. Musor presents a certificate of appreciation to Indonesian author Asma Nadia during the literary event / (right) Chargé d’affaires, a.i. Gonaranao B. Musor presents a certificate of appreciation to Indonesian author Helvy Tiana Rosa during the literary event.

(right) Dr. Sarkadi, Dean of Faculty of Language and Art, presents a certificate of appreciation to Filipino author Mica De Leon during the literary event / (left) Dr. Sarkadi, Dean of Faculty of Language and Art, presents a certificate of appreciation to Filipino author Mignon Bravo Dutt during the literary event.

From left to right - Ms. Asma Nadia, Ms. Mica De Leon, Ms. Helvy Tiana Rosa and Ms. Mignon Bravo Dutt at their book signing

Ms. Mignon Bravo Dutt  and Ms. Mica De Leon interact with their Indonesian fans during the book signing.

Periplus booth at the literary event “Bridging Cultures through Books: A Discussion on Contemporary Filipino and Indonesian Literature.

PT URC provided snacks for the audience at the literary event “Bridging Cultures through Books: A Discussion on Contemporary Filipino and Indonesian Literature”