Rekindling the flames of Philippine literature

WHEN was the last time you opened a book? Do you remember when you’ve consumed prose and poetry like chocolates on a jar? What was the title of the last book you’ve read?

For most people, it has been a while since they have last touched a literary piece. This is a little disquieting because a strong disregard for reading, particularly literature, means proliferation of ignorance, discrimination, and disharmony in the society.

In general, literature is a study of human nature, giving a preview on human experiences and mirroring emotions from tragedy to romance, from joy to sorrow, from realities to idealism. Through the writings and works of authors, literature allows people to connect.

The written words take us to places we have never been before, relive the moments of heroism as well as moments of cowardice, and let us experiences sensation and sentiments. Narratives cultivate empathy and understanding by putting ourselves in the shoes of the characters that the authors bring to life.

Through reading literary pieces, we grasp the complexities of humanity, allowing us to raise questions and give insight on issues and situations. It opens a critical mind because literature is thought-provoking. It delves into the minds of human, into the mind of the authors, giving a different perspective and view on an otherwise ordinary life.

Because it gives us new learning about our world, literature transcends the boundaries of religion, social and economic status, and cultures; thus gaining respect for other people and understanding that there is more to a person that what he seems.

While it may seem like a busy world, take time to read a book – once chapter at a time, one prose at a time. Because reading one poem, one short story, one novel can go a long way. -o0oCELEBRATING THE WRITTEN WORDS. Summer days are here again. But before you hit the beach and go on vacation, why don’t you join the National Literature Month celebration?

By virtue of Proclamation no. 968, April has been declared as the National Literature Month. It recognizes that “Philippine literature, written in different Philippine languages, is associated with the history and cultural legacy of the State, and must be promoted among Filipinos,” and that “national literature plays an important role in preserving and inspiring the literature of today and in introducing to future generations the Filipino values that we have inherited from our ancestors.”

Leading this year’s celebration are the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), headed by its chairman Felipe M. de Leon Jr. and OIC-executive director Adelina M. Suemith, the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino headed by its chairman National Artist Virgilio Almario, and the National Book Development Board, headed by chairperson Flor Marie Sta. Romana Cruz.

With the theme “Alab ng Panitikan,” the Buwan ng Panitikan ng Filipinas will kick off with the Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar Day on April 2. On that day, there will be simultaneous wreath- laying ceremonies at the Balagtas monuments in Pandacan, Manila; Balagtas, Bulacan; and Orion, Bataan.

The KWF also organizes a youth camp from April 1 to 3, at the Orion Elementary School in Orion, Bataan, where the great Tagalog poet lived a significant part of his life. At the Kampo Balagtas, student-writers from all over the country will gather for a conference to hone their literary skills, strengthen their passion for the written word and highlight their roles in the enrichment of Philippine literature.

On April 5, the first of a series of Tertulyang Pampanitikan will be held at the De La Salle University; followed by other Tertulyang Pampanitikan sessions at the Ateneo de Manila University on April 12, at the University of Santo Tomas on April 19, and at the Far Eastern University on April 26.

“Dandaniw,” a poetry joust, will be held during the month in different locations in the country; while a Literatour will happen in Pandacan on April 11, and in Bacolor, Pampanga on April 18. A talk on “Literature in a Hurry: Literature Journalism for Non-Journalist” will be held on April 6. From April 6 to 8, the Uswag Dangal ng Filipino will be mounted in Camarines Sur;

The Pinoy Book Store Tour of the National Book Development Board (NBDB) will start rolling at La Solidaridad, Uno Morato and artbooks.ph on April 8. It will continue on to Pandayan in Bulacan and Orchids Bookshop in Pampanga the next day, and to Mt. Cloud in Baguio City on April 10.

To commemorate the death anniversary of Emilio Jacinto, a pilgrimage to Majayjay Laguna will happen on April 16. Meanwhile, Cebu City will hold a tribute to Monsignor Rodolfo Villanueva.

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines ( PUP) Center for Creative Writing will be conducting Literaturang Pang-Mass Media seminar from April 13 to 15. At the same time, the “Pagtuturo ng Panitikang Gender-based” will be held at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

The Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center (BNSCWC) of the De La Salle University will organize several events including the Young Writers Workshop for Children Ages 9 to 17 to be held on April 16 at the 13th floor of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall, De La Salle University, Manila. The facilitators will be prize- winning writers and book authors Genaro Gojo-Cruz, Timothy Montes and Susan Lara.

Another BNSCWC activity will be the Catalogue of Literary Museums in the Philippines, featuring existing literary museums in the country. A literary museum is a curatorial haven showcasing the writer- artist through his/ her manuscripts, books and other printed materials, and memorabilia that define the writer’s personality or depict a particular view of his/her creative process and output ( e. g., handwriting sample, photographs, typewriter, writing desk, literary trophies and certificates, letters, diaries).

The IWP Alumni Writers Workshop will take place on April 18 to 20, at the American Corner, 13th floor, Henry Sy Sr. Hall, DLSU, Manila. This inaugural workshop is named after Filipino writers who completed the prestigious International Writing Program at the University of Iowa; some of whom will serve as this year’s panelists and lecturers.

The Philippine Center of International PEN ( Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) will hold For Love of the Word: Workshops on Teaching Philippine Literature in High School and College on April 11 to 12 at the University of Cebu, Banilad Campus, Cebu City. The focus will be on 21st century Philippine literature from the regions. The resource speakers and facilitators include Marjorie Evasco, Macario Tiu, and Hope Sabanpan Yu. The Writers’ Forum will feature ResilMojares, Simeon Dumdum, Jr., Ulysses Aparece, and Januar Yap.

The 16th Iyas National Writers’ Workshop will be held from April 24 to 30 at Balay Kalinungan, University of St. La Salle (USLS), Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, with 15 fellows writing in different genres and in English, Cebuano, Hiligaynon/ Kinaray- a, and Tagalog/ Filipino. Meanwhile, the 13th Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop will be held from April 27 to 29 in Leyte, highlighting Eastern Visayas literature.

April 23 is National Book and Copyright Day, and National Book Development Board will spearhead the celebration.

From April 19 to 22, the Ikapitong Pambansang Kongreso sa Wikang Filipino will be held in Baguio City by the Kapisanan ng mga Superbisor at Guro sa Filipino (KASUGUFIL). On the other hand, from April 25 to 27, the Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Wika at Panitikang Sebwano will be held at the University of San Carlos, Cebu City. After these, the Philippine International Literary Festival will hap-