Hiligaynon Language
Join this interactive language learning immersion and meet a community of folks connecting through Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) language, arts, and culture.
About the Immersion
Hiligaynon is the dominant language of Western Visayas, spoken by at least 9 million people worldwide.
Known for its sing-songy tone, it is the second-most widely spoken language in the Visayas.
Sometimes referred to as “Ilonggo,” it is spoken by the Ilonggo peoples of Iloilo, Panay, western Buglas (Negros Occidental) and Soccskargen, Mindanao.
Join our 5-month immersion as we explore cultural themes through language, practice pronunciation, review material, learn new vocabulary, ground in grammar, and engage with media (film, art, music, literature) from Visayan artists.
This is a live and recorded course of about 2 hours per week with 18 sessions, which will be accessible for one full year. The immersion runs from October 20, 2025 through March 3, 2026.
If you are Philippines-based & salaried in the Philippines, email us at [email protected] to confirm your location & receive the 70% off discount code.
If you are looking to apply for a partial or full scholarship, please email us at [email protected].
Course Calendar
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1 - LA: Elements & Environments
Live Classes: Week of October 20 || Practice Classes: Week of October 27
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2 - BA: Circle of Life (Relations, Linkers, & Pronouns)
Live Classes: Week of November 3 || Practice Classes: Week of November 10
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3 - GA: Values of Space, Time, Money
Live Classes: Week of November 17 || Practice Classes: Week of November 24
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4 - NA: Verbs (Completed and Incomplete)
Live Classes: Week of December 1 || Practice Classes: Week of December 8
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5 - RA: Verbs (Contemplative and Imperative)
Live Classes: Week of January 5 || Practice Classes: Week of January 12
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6 - YA: Expressions of Care
Live Classes: Week of January 19 || Practice Classes: Week of January 26
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7 - HA: Cosmic Uncertainty (Common Expressions)
Live Classes: Week of February 2 || Practice Classes: Week of February 9
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8 - KA: Spiritual Ecologies (Visayan Folklore and Mythologies)
Live Classes: Week of February 16 || Practice Classes: Week of February 23
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9 - OO: Affirmations
March 3, 2026 (Full Moon Eclipse)
Meet Your Instructor
Geli Arceño
Geli Arceño is an educator, art writer, and cultural worker in Bacolod City, where she is currently the program supervisor of Cinematheque Centre Negros in the Film Development Council of the Philippines.
Previously an educator who taught Creative Writing and 21st Century Literature to Senior High School students, she helps edit and develop poetry and screenplays, and does freelance art writing and creative writing. She is likewise involved in local theater and film productions as production manager, screenwriter, and talent.
Last year, Geli was the first recipient of the Leoncio P. Deriada Literary Prize in Creative Non-Fiction. As a visual artist, her works have been exhibited in group shows and in local collective mass mobilizations as an activist for National Democracy.