Ryan Caidic

Ryan Caidic is a Filipino poet and advertising creative. His work has received international recognition,^[1] including commendations from the Bridport Prize^[2] and the Munster Literature Centre.^[3] He won the first International Poetry Prize at London's Bermondsey and Beyond Literary Festival,^[4][5] and has received a Palanca Award, the highest literary honor in the Philippines.^[6][7][8]

He is the author of 50 Ways Home, forthcoming from Fernwood Press in the United States.

Caidic’s work has appeared in Poetry Wales,^[9] the Southeast Review (University of Florida),^[10] Southword: New and International Writing,^[11] and Breakwater Review (University of Massachusetts Boston MFA students),^[12] and other publications.^[13][14][15]

His poetry has been noted in literary festivals. Gwyneth Box of UK's South Warwickshire Literary Festival highlighted his ability to evoke home through language.^[16] Filipina-British poet and author Romalyn Ante described his writing as being "quietly powerful in the way it takes everyday acts and turning it into a meditation on care, patience and risk."^[17] Canadian poet and educator Mercedes Eng noted that his use of numbered footnotes “inventively mirrors dehumanizing practices” in a poem shortlisted for the Prism International Pacific Spirit Poetry Prize.^[18]

In an interview on Onyx Publications’ Story Discovery Podcast, Caidic discussed the diasporic themes in his work, calling it a eulogy to his past and to his country.^[19][20]

• First Prize, Bermondsey and Beyond Literary Festival (UK)
• Second Prize, Onyx Publications Spring Poetry Competition (US)^[21]
• Third Prize, Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Poetry in English (PH)
  • With commentary from judge and academic José Wendell Capili on his public Facebook page, noting the work’s engagement on themes of labor and diaspora as a “liturgy for the displaced.”^[22]

• Highly Commended, Bridport Prize (UK)
• Highly Commended, Fool For Poetry International Chapbook Competition by Munster Literature Centre (UK)
• Highly Commended, Chesham Literary Festival (UK)
• Shortlisted, Alpine Fellowship Poetry Prize (UK)^[23]
• Nominated, Best of the Net (US)^[24]

Alongside his literary career, Ryan Caidic has worked as an advertising copywriter and creative director.^[25] He describes poetry and his work in advertising as mutually sustaining and complementary disciplines.^[26]

He has been recognized as the Philippine 4As Next Gen Creative.^[27] He has won a number of advertising awards,^[28] and has served as a jury member for industry shows like New York Fest,^[29] Webby Awards,^[30] Act Responsible’s Act Care Awards,^[31] Kiev International Advertising Festival,^[32] and has been listed in creative rankings by Campaign Brief.^[33][34]

Ryan Caidic was born and raised in the Philippines. He wrote for school publications as the editor-in-chief throughout his early education, and later contributed to Ateneo de Manila’s student publication, Matanglawin.^[35] As of 2025, he is based in Europe with his family.