There will always be a place in this world for dreamers at heart who choose to be more than the struggles they face every day. This Filipina storyteller found hers in a legacy-driven celebration of local literature.
Photo: Ariane Urayenza
Ariane Urayenza has spent almost her entire life building her name through writing. A daunting yet hopeful start in the media industry propelled her stories forward, and a contributing role at WhenInManila.com (WIM) gave her words a home she can always return to. Now, after overcoming countless hardships that seemed endless, Ariane is celebrating one of her most remarkable milestones yet—becoming a Graphic Salute Awardee at this year’s prestigious Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA).
Ariane is among over 40 awardees in poetry and fiction whose awe-inspiring pieces make up this month’s issue of the Philippines Graphic. She joins these emerging literary voices in upholding the NJLA’s longstanding impact, which honors the late author, national artist, and advocate for social change.
The NJLA and the Philippines Graphic helped Ariane rekindle her writerly fire. Now, she’s set on helping the next generation of Filipino storytellers find their voice, too. Our chat with her highlights her aspirations for the country’s literary scene as she navigates the complexities of growth and magic in the mundane, one story at a time.
A Compelling Piece on Perseverance and Systemic Grievances
Years of weathering storms with her loved ones became the backbone of Coming Home, the short story that earned Ariane a spot at the NJLA. She wrote the bittersweet yet relentlessly hopeful piece as an ode to her loved ones, with whom she endured a long-standing series of heartbreaks.
“It’s the classic tale of every [Filipino] breadwinner. I loosely based it on my life with our panganay, Ate Arlene,” Ariane shared.
The piece’s soul-bearing tone takes Ariane back to 2013, when she was first diagnosed with clinical depression. Since then, her elder sister, a registered nurse, has been by her side through every checkup, test, and daunting step towards recovery. Even when life threw more obstacles their way, especially financially, Arlene remained steadfast in advocating for Ariane’s healing and well-being.
Ariane continued, “In January, I had developed IgA vasculitis, an autoimmune disease that’s currently in remission. My rheumatologist once said, ‘Hindi ko kaya ‘yung mga ginagawa ng ate mo for you.’ [Coming Home] ultimately became a tribute—not just to my ate, but also all the breadwinners out there striving to keep their families afloat through their selflessness and sacrifices.”
Beyond the recognition and praise from the industry that nurtures her dreams, Ariane aspires to bring her personal goals to fruition across every publication opportunity at her disposal. The NJLA is just one of the many milestones that the world of writing has in store for her, and we’re as stoked as she is to find out what lies ahead.
Ariane’s Core Memories With WIM
No matter which creative industry Ariane explores next, she’ll always keep her experiences with WIM close to her heart. Though she didn’t have the smoothest start in the workforce after college, the platform became her training ground—a space where she could freely hone her craft despite the issues surrounding her health.
“My hearing became a perennial issue during job interviews. And in August 2013, I was so burnt out that I was sent to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) under close care. But a few freelance gigs got me back on my feet, and before I knew it, I was part of WIM!” Ariane recalled. “The WIM team was very supportive of my growth as a writer. I’ll always look back on my time there with gratitude.”
From sharpening her writing flair through features and personal essays, she went on to submit her work to critically acclaimed literary publications, including several issues of the Ani Journal by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Several more bylines and a full-blown novella later, Ariane now basks in the thrill of newfound breakthroughs as a Graphic Salute Awardee. She couldn’t be more grateful for her mentors who refused to let her spark dwindle and believed in her when it seemed as if the rest of the world didn’t.
A Little Help From Her Lifelong Inspirations
No accomplished writer is without role models in the industry who changed their lives and words for the better. Many names come to mind for Ariane, but she owes most of her writing feats to Nick Joaquin and his monumental contributions to Filipino literature. Talk about a full-circle moment, with her now part of his legacy.
“I first read [his works] in high school while I joined interschool essay writing competitions,” Ariane shared. May Day Eve and The House on Zapote Street were her stepping stones to establishing a distinct creative voice, which she further explored with the help of Jessica Zafra, Yvette Tan, the late Lualhati Bautista, and National Artist Ricky Lee, among others.
Today, Ariane continues to broaden her creative palate through online reviews and collaborations with community-developed firmwares. With another forthcoming piece for Ani under her belt, it’s safe to say that, just like her literary heroes, she’ll reach remarkable acclaim and inspiration of the same caliber in no time.
The NJLA and Its Undeniable Impact
The NJLA has spent decades championing Filipino literature and helping artistic communities gain prominence alongside today’s promising leaders, advocates, and change-makers. As one of the country’s longest-running magazines, the Philippines Graphic has been home to the awardees and their outstanding stories. This year’s awarding ceremony will take place on August 27, 2026, at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The Philippines Graphic has also gone global in recent years with its launch of the NJLA-Asia Pacific, the literary competition’s international leg, in partnership with BusinessMirror.
For prolific writers and creatives like Ariane, who’ve constantly taken leaps of faith with their craft in hopes of becoming awardees themselves, she has these wise words to impart: “Just put it out there. Build your portfolio until you discover your niche. And most importantly, don’t let rejection dishearten you. You’ll regret the chances you didn’t take.”
ALSO READ: I Rediscovered My Love for Writing Through WhenInManila.com
We’re so proud of you, Ariane! Who are your favorite Filipino writers and creatives? Sound off and show them some love in the comments below!
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