A New Book With an Ozamiz Home
OZAMIZ CITY - Br. Rey E. Mejias FSC, president of La Salle University–Ozamiz, entered a new chapter as an author in 2026 with the release of his debut book, The Critical Learning Moments of Transformative Leaders. La Salle University–Ozamiz reported that the eBook became available internationally across 13 countries, with a paperback edition scheduled for release in the United States. The book focuses on ideas connected to leadership and transformative learning, extending a body of academic work associated with Mejias beyond the university campus. Its release also carries a distinctly local connection because the royalties are intended for the La Salle University–Ozamiz Scholarship Endowment Fund.
From Ozamiz to a Wider Mindanao Conversation
Another name adding depth to the city's literary and scholarly connection is Dr. Patricio “Jojo” Abinales, a Mindanawon from Ozamiz and professor emeritus of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. During the 3rd Mindanao Book Festival in May 2026, Abinales delivered a keynote presentation titled “Mindanao as Historical Center,” examining the region’s place in Philippine history and its connections across maritime Southeast Asia. MindaNews reported that the festival brought together books, writers, publishers, journalists, researchers, artists, and readers around the theme “Writing Mindanao, Righting Mindanao.” Abinales’ participation placed an Ozamiz-born scholar directly within that wider conversation about how Mindanao is written and remembered.
Different Books, Shared Love for Ideas
The stories of Mejias and Abinales represent different sides of what writing can accomplish. One uses a new leadership book to share lessons from transformative learning, while the other continues to examine Mindanao through historical research and public discussion. Their 2026 activities also show that an author’s connection to Ozamiz does not have to remain within the city, with ideas reaching classrooms, universities, festivals, and readers elsewhere. For Ozamiz, these writers offer an encouraging reminder that a city’s contribution to the world of books can come in many forms—from newly published works to thoughtful conversations that encourage people to look at familiar places and histories from a wider perspective.
