RETREAT – Twenty-nine years old John Ray Albidas Pucay, a Kankanaey-Ibaloi literary artist residing in Lucnab, Baguio City joined the prestigious Iceland Writers Retreat this April 23-27, 2025.Among 1,200 applicants worldwide, John was selected as one among six writers to become a participant in the exclusive event.
John is the executive producer of the viral Kankanaey song “Sidung” by El Sarlipan. He said he originally produced the song for his short film “Game Boy Advance” which premiered at the 2024 San Diego Filipino Film Festival in California, USA.
Another Kankanaey song he produced is “Kinataraki” by Tarakis band. Both of these songs are available on Spotify and YouTube musical platforms.
John also wrote a novel titled, “Karinderya Love Songs” which was named as a favorite read by Fully Booked bookstore.
In 2023, the National commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and MSU-IIT awarded John the Jimmy Balacuit Literary Award for his writings published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rappler, Vice, and the UP Diliman Likhaan Journal.
As a UNESCO designated Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts, the city government of Baguio through the officialdom of Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong commends John for bringing pride and honor for Baguio in the international literary circle. – JMPS
