NEWS: The Courier former EIC Sabala earns 2nd Prize in the 2026 Peter’s Prize for Hiligaynon Literature

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By Rigel Kent D. Delfin

FROM THE COURIER TO HILIGAYNON LITERATURE. The Courier former Editor-in-Chief Kin F. Sabala celebrates his 2nd Prize win in the 2026 Peter’s Prize for Hiligaynon Literature for his literary work, “Magkal,” adding another milestone to his journey as a campus journalist and writer.

Kin F. Sabala, a former Editor-in-Chief of The Courier, clinched the 2nd Prize in the 2026 Peter’s Prize for Hiligaynon Literature for his literary piece, “Magkal,” marking one of the defining moments of his writing career. The award was announced today, September 1, through the official Facebook account of Peter Solis Nery.
Sabala is one of the three authors who won awards in the competition held in the year by the Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, Inc. The First Prize went to John Michael G. Londres for “Origami,” whereas the Third Prize was awarded to Lowell John V. Madrazo for “Tasa sang Kape & Other Poems.”
The current year’s contest saw a focus on poetry with the First and Third Prizes being awarded to poems, and Sabala claiming the Second Prize for his fiction work. Three out of the seven shortlisted entries were poetry, whereas the other four were fiction.
Sabala’s award is an addition to the list of accolades earned by the student journalist of Capiz State University-Mambusao Satellite College. In his years at The Courier, he had held the position of Editor-in-Chief, contributing to the publications’ efforts to give voice to students as well as make stories that are relevant to the school community.
Now, he has brought to light through Hiligaynon literature what students can do in the literary world outside of student journalism.
This year’s jurors of the competition included Dr. Jonell S. Gregorio of Aklan, Mr. Al Jeffrey Gonzales of Iloilo, and Dr. Bryan Mari Argos of Capiz.
The Peter Solis Nery Foundation for Hiligaynon Literature and the Arts, Inc., founded by Filipino author and member of the Palanca Hall of Fame Peter Solis Nery in 2012 of September, aims to advance, conserve, and propagate Hiligaynon literature and Filipino arts and culture through literary contests, publications, workshops, studies, talks, and other cultural projects.
From The Courier Publication newsroom to Hiligaynon literature, Sabala proves that he can create through the printed word.