On Volume 3 of “Travels, Travails & Triumphs of Igorot Cordillerans in Europe” – Update, Concept & Call for Submission

INTRODUCTION

For Volume 3 of "Travels, Travails and Triumphs of Igorot Cordillerans in Europe” (3Ts Volume 3), the following volunteered in 2025 as Book Committee members: Ric Cuyob (Belgium), Lydia Soliba (Germany), Yvonne Belen, Myra Colis, Christina Moncado (The Netherlands), and Claire Bucher & Airah Cadiogan (Switzerland). 

After a lull in their conversations in 2025, the Book Committee decided to have their online Kick-off meeting on 24 April 2026. In this paper, they are sharing part of the meeting’s minutes as an Update on the book project.

This paper will include not only the Concept of the book project and the Call for Submission, but also an Update. 

I.UPDATE: Book Committee meeting

During the online Kick-off Book Committee meeting, Yvonne presided, and Myra recorded the minutes. Below are some of the meeting’s minutes in toto: 

A.Key insights taken from the two previous 3Ts editions

1. Expand representation by 

encouraging more Igorot Cordillerans from more countries across Europe to write and submit.

2. Strengthen diversity of voices, especially from different generations and different regional origins in the Cordillera (Mountain Province, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao).

3. Focus on Igorot Cordillerans in Europe, but also welcome entries from those who have travelled to Europe. 
   
   

B. Ideas on what to write about:

1. Develop a set of common questions that all countries in Europe can relate to;  to be refined and shared across communities:

2. How did you realize you are an Igorot?

3. How do language and identity shape your experience?

4. How do organizations shape your sense of belonging? (focus on impact on the person rather than narration of organizational history/descriptions).

5. What does integration, participation, and emancipation mean to you?

6. Highlight themes of identity, roots, and belonging, especially among second-generation members.
   
   

C. Content Guidelines

1. One to three stories   per author,

2. Maximum 2,000 words per article/essay (in English.

3. Stories in the native language/author are welcome. The author provides the English translation. 

4. No photos except the author’s profile.

5. As much as possible, avoid AI-generated content.
   
   

N.B. There are additional items on the “Content Guidelines” in the “Concept…”

D. How to encourage more writers and diverse entries 

1. Conduct a survey of interest (online) with topic suggestions,

2. Book writing workshops,

3. Writing sessions and peer support,

4. Writing competitions (optional) and 

5. Presentations during events (e.g., ICBE in Paris - request one hour slot). 
   
   

E. Timeline

1. Conduct a survey of interest (online) with topic suggestions: ASAP,

2. Mobilize community leaders across Europe (via online meetings), 

3. Organize book writing group sessions (starting May 2026, Sundays),

4. Submission deadline (strict deadline): April 2027, 

5. 13th ICBE Paris  (May 2027): Pre-order launch and 

6. IIC-16 in London in 2028: Official book release. 
   
   

N.B. Averil “Wendy” Pooten-Watan, IIC-16 Secretariat will provide the month when the event will be held.

II. CONCEPT of the book project

A.Background 

As part of 12 million Filipinos and 250,000 Igorot Cordillerans in the diaspora, some Igorot Cordillerans in Europe embarked on a book project in February 2020. The objectives then were to educate, encourage, inform, inspire, and entertain. 

For Volume 1, there were 35 writers, who submitted essays, poems, songs and anecdotes. Since the book was self-published, the  marketing strategy was through pre-orders. The authors were mostly from Europe; two were from the Philippines – one studied in the UK and another attended an ICBE conference. There were 250 books published in November 2022 and all were sold out. Since there were some who wanted to have a copy of the book, a second printing was planned.

For Volume 2, there were 47 authors who turned in essays, poems, haiku, lyrics of songs and anecdotes. Most authors were from Europe; others were Igorot Cordillerans in the Philippines, who have stayed in Europe or came over for a vacation; one author was from the USA, and finally, a New Zealand Igorot Cordilleran, who was so interested in Volume 1 such that he requested to send his poems for Volume 2. A significant aspect of Volume 2 was the articles submitted by third-generation Igorot Cordillerans in Europe. As in Volume 1, the book was self-published through pre-orders. There were 250 books published in April 2025. Some were sold during the May 2025 ICBE Conference in Brussels, Belgium. 

For Volumes 1 and 2, the publishers were Igorot Cordillera BIMAAK-Europe (ICBE) and MABIKAs Foundation-The Netherlands. 

For Volumes 1 and 2, there were online book launches; for Volume 2, there was an online and physical book launch. The latter book launch was held during the 12th ICBE Conference in  Brussels, Belgium. Some in the audience were asking if there would be a Volume 3. And if there will be, they would like to submit an article. It is for this reason that we are coming up with a concept for Volume 3, which essentially has  similar objectives and content as the first and second.  

  

In the spirit of ipeyas tako nan gawis (share your blessings), many of the authors and those who bought volumes 1 and 2, donated a book(s) to their alma mater, city or town library in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and some universities in Metro Manila.  

Share Your Experience

So, are you an Igorot Cordilleran who migrated to Europe and has a story to tell about how your Igorotness has helped you in navigating your way as a migrant in Europe? Or are you a first-generation Igorot Cordilleran who would like to narrate your journey from the Philippines to Europe, taking into account your dream and the realities you faced along the way, and how you have empowered yourself? Or perhaps you are one of the second- and third-generation who has much to share about your family’s oral history as well as success stories? Do you have any travel narratives from your tours or holidays that you would like to share?

Without doubt, you have a YES answer to one or several of the questions above, so write them down,  submit them to us and together let us continue to educate, encourage, inform, inspire, and entertain others by sharing all these experiences and stories in Volume 3 of Travels, Travels, Travails & Triumphs of Igorot Cordillerans in Europe.

More about Volume 3 and what to write about

Travels 

When we are in the host country, we take the opportunity to visit other countries we have only read about in books when we were young. We become tourists. We experience the sights and sounds of other countries. Tell your journey in getting settled and/or integrated into our European adoptive countries. How does your Igorotness and/or indigenousness play a role in overcoming the challenges you are facing? Share a story, essay or anecdote that has something to do with travel. 

Travails 

Apparently, our travel to another country to seek greener pastures led many (if not all) to travails – obstacles and challenges. Others experience travails as they adjust to the life and culture of our host country. So for many, their travel ends up becoming a travail. 

For this part, you can share your interesting stories about immigration issues, family issues, mental health, finding a sense of community and belonging, and coping strategies, amongst others, as part of your travails and, further on, your triumphs.

Triumphs

The second- and third-generations are products of the travels and travails. In most cases, their paths have been paved by the first generation, and hence, the value of empowering oneself to thrive and improve the quality of life has become paramount. Whether you are a first-, second-, or third-generation, everyone must have a  story to share. This open platform welcomes you to do so!

Interested?

We recognize oral history is something our ancestors relied heavily on, which our forefathers in particular are able to connect through rituals. But all these could be lost if the next generations aren’t able to preserve them in writing or audiovisual recordings. So wait no more! Start putting your own family’s oral history and your story into writing!

If interested, please submit any literary piece you have (e.g., essays, poems, lyrics of songs, anecdotes) with the following target readers and guidelines in mind.

Target Readers

Public. More specifically, migrants (their spouses, siblings, etc) and children of migrants from the Philippine Cordillera.

Content Guidelines (Additional)

1. The written piece will be sent via email as a Word document or shared as Google Docs.

2. A biodata or brief profile of the author in 100 words to include: the country where you are residing, the part of the Philippine Cordillera you come from, and what you are presently doing. 

4. A passport-sized photo to be sent as an attachment. In the book, it will be placed beside the biodata.

Specifications 

1. The book will be A5 and will be text only. 

2. The only photo will be the passport-sized photo to accompany the author’s Bio. 

3. The text in the inside pages will be black and white; the book covers will be colored.

Marketing

Since the book will be self-published, there will be a request for pre-orders, not only from the authors but also from others interested in having a copy of the book.   

Inquiries 

For more information, please contact members of the Book Committee.

3. CALL for SUBMISSION

Articles and a passport-sized photo will be submitted to:  1. Yvonne Belen 

(Email: yvonnekbelen(@)gmail.com) and 2. mabikasfoundation(@)gmail.com. 

The deadline for submission is April 2027. However, if the writers could submit their article(s) before April 2027, it would be much appreciated. This will give time for the Book Committee members to edit the article(s), as needed. 

By 3Ts Volume 3 Book Committee 

5 May 2026