Finding Bisaya: the state of the field for Visayan literature.

This article explores the marginalized status of Visayan literature in the Philippines, comprising of literary texts written in languages like Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Akeanon, Cebuano, and Waray. Despite their rich heritage, these languages are sidelined by English and Filipino in academia and official contexts, a result of the national language policy favouring English as the official language and Tagalog as the basis for the national language. This policy persists through constitutional revisions, making English and Filipino the primary mediums of instruction. The author, born in Iloilo and a language and literature teacher proficient in multiple languages from the Visayas, provides a personal perspective on rediscovering Visayan literature, emphasizing shared oral traditions and localized aspects of Visayan regional literary output. Despite challenges, Visayan language writing is resurging, supported by educational institutions and creative writing workshops, aiming to elevate Visayan literature and regional languages to the national stage, asserting their place in Filipino culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]