Jose Jason Llagas Chancoco is a contemporary Bicolano writer from the Philippines who writes in Bikol, Iriganon, Filipino, and English. He is a multi-awarded poet, fiction writer, literary critic, editor, translator, and academic.
Personal Background
Chancoco was born in Pasay City, Philippines, but grew up and came of age in the Bicol Region. He resides in Naga City, Camarines Sur. He has taught language and literature at Ateneo de Naga University, where he also served as a director of the university press. He is also a member of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), a Filipino poetry organization.
Literary Career
Chancoco's first book, Pagsasatubuanan: Poetikang Bikolnon (2008), was launched in 2009. The work won the Premio Bibiano Sabino para sa Librong Bikolnon in 2009. His short story "Tatsian" was included in the anthology Hagong: Mga Osipon (2013), edited by Paz Verdades Santos and Francisco Peñones, Jr.
He has served as a panelist at several literary workshops, including the Juliana Arejola-Fajardo Workshop sa Pagsurat-Bikol (2006, 2009) and the Saringsing Writers Workshop (2011, 2014, 2015).
Awards and Recognition
Chancoco has received numerous literary awards, including:
- Transition Literary Contest (Philippine Star) – First Prize (1999)
- Maningning Miclat Award for Poetry – Shortlisted (2003)
- Talaang Ginto Gawad Surian sa Tula / Gantimpalang Collantes – Second Prize (2004), Honorable Mention (2007)
- Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon – Finalist (2004), Double First Prize (2005), Finalist (2006)
- Gawad Soc Rodrigo (2007)
- Homelife Poetry Contest – First Prize (2007)
- Achievement Award for Literature – Ateneo de Naga University (2008)
- Premio Bibiano Sabino para sa Librong Bikolnon – for Pagsasatubuanan: Poetikang Bikolnon (2009)
- Juliana Arejola-Fajardo Workshop for Bikol Writing Fellow's Achievement Award (2005)
Languages and Themes
Chancoco writes in English, Filipino/Tagalog, Bikol-Naga, and Iriganon. His works include poetry and short fiction, and his critical work Pagsasatubuanan: Poetikang Bikolnon is a study of Bikol poetics. His poetry often explores themes of Bicolano identity, folklore, social issues, and the natural environment.
