Sands and Coral, 1975 (Vol. 27)

Sands and Coral is the long-running student literary annual of Silliman University, based in Dumaguete City, Philippines. The 1975 edition (Volume 27) documents a culturally dynamic period of growth and academic diversification during the mid-1970s Martial Law era. Edited by notable writer and later university first lady Pearl Gamboa Doromal, and advised by Rowena L. Tiempo, this volume showcases the institutional resilience of the university's famous writing community. A distinct feature of this volume is its multi-disciplinary expansion: it balances rigorous Western academic criticism—such as University Pastor Rev. Harry Y. Pak’s analysis of the religious significance of Tennessee Williams and Albert Faurot’s artistic commentaries—with local creative voices like Leoncio Deriada, Artemio Tadena, and Ma. Paloma Alburo. Crucially, this issue captures an important ethnographic turn by dedicating an entire section to local folklore preservation, containing transcribed narratives from southern cultural groups gathered by scholars like Theresa D. Balayon. The text serves as an invaluable archival witness to post-war Philippine creative writing in English, reflecting how regional camp publications continued to broaden national and cosmopolitan intellectual boundaries.

The book is considered valuable. It is advised that researchers use digital copy rather than physical books for preservation purposes. Author/Creator: Pearl Gamboa Doromal (Editor); Hortensia M. Balisalisa (Associate Editor / Business Manager); Alan Selda (Circulation Manager); Rowena L. Tiempo (Adviser). Produced under the sponsorship of the Department of Literature and Creative Writing with contributions from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and workshop fellows of Silliman University.