Agay Llanera (b. 1976) is a Filipino author whose work spans children's literature, young adult fiction, and romance. Her storytelling is marked by emotional clarity, warmth, and an enduring sensitivity to the inner worlds of her readers. She is the recipient of the 2024 Severino Reyes Medal for Best Storybook for I Like Wearing Rainbows, which also won the CANVAS Romeo Forbes Children's Story Writing Competition in 2020.

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Her published works include The Gathering, Sol, Awit ng Ifugao, A Bridge for Silay, Choco Chip Hips, Another Word for Happy, Once Upon a Player, Vintage Love, This Side of Sunny, and Mango Summer. She also co-authored BABAE! 18 Fierce and Fearless Filipinas, a volume celebrating remarkable Filipino women.

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A graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Communication, Llanera began her career writing for children's television, magazines, and youth publications. She has long been active in Philippine literary circles, including Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING) and #romanceclass.

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Her body of work reflects a sustained commitment to storytelling that is accessible, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in contemporary Filipino life.

Benjamin Fleming (b. 1967) is a scholar and author whose work focuses on the religious history, manuscript traditions, and material culture of South Asia. His research explores the intersections of pilgrimage, sacred geography, Buddhism, Hinduism, and the transmission of religious knowledge across centuries.

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He holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences from McMaster University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in South Asian Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also catalogued Sanskrit manuscripts for seven years. For nearly two decades, he has taught courses on Asian religions and religious studies in Philadelphia and New York.

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Fleming is the author and editor of numerous academic publications, including Material Culture in Asian Religions: Text, Image, Object (Routledge, 2014). His scholarship has appeared in leading journals and has contributed significantly to the study of medieval Bengal, sacred landscapes, and manuscript cultures.

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His work has been supported by institutions including the British Library's Endangered Archives Program and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Current research projects include studies on the Śiva Purāṇa manuscript tradition, the twelve Jyotirliṅgas of India, and pilgrimage practices across India and Bangladesh.

Domingo Madulid (b. 1946) is one of the Philippines' foremost botanists, recognized for his lifelong contributions to plant taxonomy, conservation, and the study of Philippine flora. Over a career spanning more than five decades, his work has shaped botanical scholarship in the country and advanced international understanding of Southeast Asian plant diversity.

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He earned his doctorate in Botany from the University of Reading in England and served as Scientist IV under the Department of Science and Technology and the Civil Service Commission. He was formerly Chief of the Botany Division and curator of the Philippine National Herbarium at the National Museum of the Philippines.

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Madulid has authored and edited numerous landmark publications on Philippine plants, medicinal species, and botanical history, alongside more than 200 scientific papers. His research has led to the identification of new plant species, several of which have been named in his honor.

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A recipient of multiple national and international awards, including Book of the Year recognitions from the Manila Critics Circle, he continues his work on the multi-volume Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants of the Philippines. His scholarship remains foundational to the study and preservation of Philippine botanical heritage.

Gerardo Los Baños (b. 1973) is a Filipino writer, editor, and educator whose work spans fiction, essays, and literary journalism. Known for his thoughtful explorations of youth, nature, and Philippine biodiversity, his writing combines literary sensitivity with a deep awareness of the natural world.

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His published works include Playing it Safe, Extra Time, and UP Diliman: Home and Campus, which he co-edited with Narita Gonzales. His essays on wildlife and environmental issues have appeared in Animal Scene magazine, where he has written extensively on endemic species, ecosystems, and the illegal wildlife trade in the Philippines.

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A graduate of the University of the Philippines, Los Baños has taught fiction and creative nonfiction at the Department of English and Comparative Literature since 1996. He also served for over a decade as deputy director of UP Press, overseeing its editorial division.

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His work reflects an enduring interest in storytelling that is observant, humane, and rooted in place, balancing literary craft with cultural and environmental reflection.

Glenda Oris is a Filipino author and educator whose body of work explores childhood, identity, and social awareness through literature for young readers. Her stories are known for their clarity, compassion, and ability to engage difficult subjects with honesty and care.

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She is the recipient of the National Children's Book Award for Ako ay May Kiki / I Have a Vagina, a groundbreaking bilingual storybook promoting bodily awareness, safety, and dignity among children. The book's trilingual edition was later distributed to Filipino communities in Northern Italy through a cultural initiative of the Philippine Consulate General in Milan.

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Her earlier work, Ang Madyik ni Paolo, received Second Prize in the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. Other published titles include Whuush!, A Reader's Story, and the Ayun, o! series.

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Beyond writing, Oris has worked extensively in education, reading advocacy, museum programming, and teacher training. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Philippine Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman and serves as Assistant Professor at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Govinda Tandon (b. 1955) is a Nepalese scholar, cultural historian, and author whose work explores the spiritual, historical, and cultural traditions of Nepal and the wider South Asian region. Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, he has authored over twenty-five books devoted to heritage, philosophy, and sacred history.

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Central to his scholarship is the study of Pāśupatināth and the cultural landscape of Pāśupatikṣetra, subjects he has examined through extensive research and publication. His notable works include Culture: The Difficult Journey of Heritage Conservation, Shaswat Jivan Darshan, and Guthi System in Nepal.

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Tandon earned his Ph.D. from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, where his research focused on the cultural study of Pāśupatikṣetra. He has served in several prominent cultural and academic roles, including as Member Secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust and member of the Royal Nepal Academy Senate.

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Widely respected for his contributions to Nepalese cultural preservation, he has received numerous national honors for his work in religion and heritage conservation. His writing combines rigorous scholarship with a deeply personal engagement with spirituality, memory, and the enduring significance of sacred spaces.

Ina de Vera (b. 1975) is a Filipino storyteller, illustrator, and educator whose work centers on childhood, resilience, and the cultural landscapes of the Philippines. Her stories are distinguished by their warmth, visual sensitivity, and strong sense of place.

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She received Second Place in the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for her children's story Tatay, Through Wind and Rain, a recognition that marked a defining moment in her literary career. Her published works include Alpabetong Pinoy, Little Api and the Strong Wind, and Goldy and the Bears. She also illustrated The Tree on a Hill by Antoinette Begre Lacson.

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With more than two decades of experience in international education, de Vera has worked extensively in literacy, creative writing, and arts-based learning for children. She later transitioned into freelance educational work, developing programs and workshops focused on storytelling and visual expression.

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Her practice as both writer and illustrator reflects a sustained commitment to narratives that nurture imagination, empathy, and environmental awareness.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez (b. 1971) is a Filipino zoologist, educator, and author whose work bridges biodiversity research, conservation, and cultural storytelling. A professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, he is widely regarded for his contributions to ornithology, wildlife biology, and environmental education.

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He earned his doctorate at the University of Oxford through the Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program, following graduate studies in Zoology at UPLB. Over the course of his career, he has authored and co-authored nearly one hundred scientific papers, technical publications, and books on Philippine biodiversity and endemic wildlife.

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Among his notable works are Birds of Mount Makiling, Biodiversity in the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, and the Philippine Red List of Threatened Wild Fauna. His research extends beyond science into ethno-ornithology, examining the relationship between wildlife, folklore, and cultural memory.

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Gonzalez previously served as Director of the UPLB Museum of Natural History, where he led major conservation and biodiversity initiatives. His contributions to science and environmental education have earned him numerous distinctions, including the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology.

Kristine Lopez (b. 1976) is a Filipino writer whose work explores history, memory, and the supernatural through emotionally resonant young adult fiction. Her stories often examine fleeting moments and intimate encounters that reveal deeper truths about identity, longing, and time.

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Her debut novel, OHA: a story told in one eternal second (2024), received a Publication Grant from the National Book Development Board, establishing her as an emerging voice in contemporary Philippine literature. The novel combines historical atmosphere with paranormal elements, creating a layered narrative grounded in emotional depth and introspection.

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She is currently working on DOS: two sides of an eternal story, a companion novel that continues her exploration of interconnected lives and enduring moments.

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Lopez began her literary journey through studies in creative nonfiction and later pursued further work in literature and creative writing. Her fiction is marked by careful research, lyrical prose, and an enduring fascination with memory, place, and the unseen dimensions of human experience.

Pratoom Angurarohita (b. 1950) is a Thai scholar, philosopher, and educator whose work has significantly shaped the study of Japanese thought, Buddhist philosophy, and critical reasoning in Thailand. Her academic career spans more than five decades and reflects a sustained engagement with both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions.

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She earned her Ph.D. in Japanese Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in Japanese Buddhism, following studies in philosophy and Japanese studies at Chulalongkorn University and Nanzan University. Her scholarship focuses on Japanese religious thought, pragmatism, reasoning, and the intellectual traditions of Buddhism and Shintoism.

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Among her major works is Pragmatism, a landmark philosophical text published by Chulalongkorn University Press, now in its sixth edition. She is also the author of Logic for Critical Thinking and numerous scholarly articles in Thai and English.

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Pratoom served for decades at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Arts, later holding leadership roles including Director of the Centre for Buddhist Studies and Chair of the Department of Philosophy. Her research and teaching have been supported by institutions such as the Harvard-Yenching Institute, the Japan Foundation, and Nanzan University.

Ramiyar Karanjia (b. 1965) is a scholar, educator, and author specializing in Zoroastrian religion, history, and Iranian languages. He currently serves as Principal of the Dadar Athornan Institute in Mumbai, the world's only Parsi gurukul dedicated to the education of Zoroastrian priests.

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He earned his Ph.D. in Avesta-Pahlavi from Bombay University and has undertaken postdoctoral research at institutions including Uppsala University, Heidelberg University, and the University of Zurich. His work reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving and interpreting the literary and spiritual heritage of Zoroastrianism.

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Karanjia has authored numerous books ranging from introductory guides to scholarly studies. His publications include Teach Yourself Avesta Language, A Treasury of Zoroastrian Quotations, The Bāj-dharnā (Drōn Yasht), and Days of Transition: Parsi Death Rituals, co-authored with Dr. Dorothea Lueddeckens.

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Through his teaching, research, and writing, he has played a significant role in making Zoroastrian history and theology accessible to both specialist and general audiences. His scholarship continues to contribute to the preservation of one of the world's oldest religious traditions.

Roopinder Singh (b. 1960) is an Indian journalist, author, and historian whose work focuses on Sikh history, heritage, and religion. Over a distinguished career spanning several decades, he has become one of the most respected voices documenting Sikh cultural and spiritual traditions.

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A graduate of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, he worked in journalism for more than thirty-six years, serving as reporter, editor, and Senior Associate Editor of The Tribune in Chandigarh. In 1998, he launched the newspaper's Internet edition, among the earliest digital initiatives in Indian journalism.

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His published works include Sikhs: The Story of a People, Their Faith and Culture, Guru Nanak: His Life and Teachings, Delhi '84, and Sikh Heritage: Ethos and Relics, produced in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution. His writing combines historical rigor with a deeply personal engagement with Sikh identity and memory.

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Through books, essays, and editorial work, Singh has played a vital role in preserving and presenting Sikh history to contemporary audiences across the world.

Russell Molina (b. 1970) is a Filipino author whose work in children's literature and graphic novels has helped shape contemporary storytelling in the Philippines. His writing is known for its emotional intelligence, wit, and ability to engage readers across generations.

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A recipient of numerous literary honors, including the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, National Children's Book Awards, National Book Award, and the Gawad Alagad ni Balagtas Lifetime Achievement Award, Molina is regarded as one of the country's most influential literary voices.

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His celebrated works include Madyik Silya ni Titoy, Ako si Kaliwa, Ako si Kanan, Tuwing Sabado, and Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon? In graphic fiction, titles such as Sixty Six, 12:01, Josefina, and Lunatics demonstrate his range and narrative ambition.

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Molina's storytelling often explores themes of identity, resilience, family, and everyday humanity. Across genres and audiences, his work continues to expand the possibilities of Philippine literature and visual storytelling.