The
uses and roles of literature are multitudinous and multifarious. One
universally accepted attribute of literature is its ability to offer
elevating and edifying experiences which enlarge our horizons and
enhance us as people.
In
the Philippines, as in numerous countries in the world, literature
also has a vital role in turning the course of history and shaping
society. According to poet and officer in charge of the Sangay ng
Edukasyon at Networking of Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) John
Enrico Torralba: “Sa kasaysayan, naging kasangkapan ang
panitikan sa pagsulong at pagpapalaganap ng mga adhikain ng mga
dakilang tao at karaniwang masa, lalo na ang dalumat ng pagkabansa.
Mula noon hanggang kasalukuyan, ang panitikan ang isa sa mga
pangunahing sanggunian ng pagkatao ng mga Filipino, ng pagiging tao
ng mga Filipino. Sumasalamin at naglalatag ang panitikan ng kung ano
tayo at kung ang maaari nating kahantungan.” (In history,
literature has been instrumental in the flourishing and promulgation
of the goals of great persons as well as of the ordinary masses,
especially on the concept of nationhood. From the olden times until
now, literature is one of the primary guides in shaping Filipino
identity and humanity. Literature mirrors and illustrates what we are
and where we are going.)
“Malawak
at malayo na din ang naabot ng ating panitikan. May pagtanggap at
pagkilala na sa iba’t ibang antas ang lipunan—mula sa mga
internasyonal na larang hanggang sa mga karaniwang sulok ng mga
tahanan, mula sa maseselang panlasa hanggang sa simpleng
pagkalibang,” (Our literature has gone a long way. It has
garnered reception and recognition in different levels of
society—from the international field to the ordinary corners of the
home, from critics with the most discerning tastes to the ones who
just want diversion) he further explained. “Ang kapangyarihan at
kabuluhang ito ng panitikan ng mga Filipino ang siyang dahilan, sa
tingin ko, kung bakit may Buwan ng Panitikang Filipino. Dagdag pa,
may sakit na pagkalito at pagkalimot ang maraming Filipino kung
kaya’t kailangang ipaalam at ipaalala sa kanila ang kapangyarihan
at kabuluhang ito, na tayo ay may panitikan, na tayo ay Filipinong
may maipagmamalaking panitikan.” (The power and significance of
Philippine literature are reasons, in my opinion, why there is a
Philippine Literature Month. Additionally, many Filipinos are
afflicted with confusion and forgetfulness, and there is need to
remind them of literature’s power and significance, that we have a
literature we can be proud of.)
National
Artist for literature Virgilio Almario, who is currently chairman of
KWF, pushed for the institutionalization of a celebration that
highlights the nation’s literature. This year, that came into
fruition. President Aquino signed Proclamation No. 968 on February
10, 2015, which declares the month of April as Buwan ng Panitikang
Filipino or National Literature Month.
The
proclamation states 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.”
The
government agency on the national language and other Philippine
languages, with support from the National Commission for Culture and
the Arts (NCCA), the government’s overall agency on arts and
culture, is spearheading the first ever celebration of Philippine
Literature Month
April
was chosen because many literature-related events fall under this
month such as the birth and death anniversaries of literary icons
Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar, Emilio Jacinto, Paciano Rizal,
Nick Joaquin, Edith Tiempo and Bienvenido Lumbera, and international
literary celebrations including International Children’s Book Day,
International Day of the Book or World Book Day, and World
Intellectual Property Rights Day. The lineup of activities and events
this April consisted of established regular endeavors as well as new
ones.
For
the celebration, KWF has chosen the theme “Alab Panitikan,”
literally “fire of literature,” which is also a play on the
phrase “I love panitikan.” The theme also encapsulates the
goals of the celebration.
“Nag-aalab
ang panitikang Filipino,” (Philippine literature is burning)
Torralba said. “Isang layunin ng pagdiriwang ay ipaalala na may
mahabang kasaysayan, kung kaya’t may malalim at malawak na lawas ng
mga akda ang Filipinas; at ipakilala na patuloy na nabubuhay ang
ating panitikan.” (One objective of the celebration is to
remind people of the long history of Philippine literature—thus, it
has a deep and wide body of works— and that it continues to be
alive.)
“Pag-alabin
ang panitikang Filipino,” (To kindle Philippine literature
further) he continued. “Isa pang layunin ay hikayatin ang mga
Filipino, mga propesyonal , di-propesyonal, mag-aaral, guro, at iba
pa na makibahagi sa pagpapanatili, pagpapalaganap, at pagpapalawak ng
pagkamalikhain ng mga Filipino sa pamamagitan ng tuloy-tuloy na
produksiyon at promosyon.” (Another objective is to encourage
Filipinos, the professionals, the nonprofessionals, students,
teachers and others to take part in sustaining, popularizing and
disseminating Filipino creativity through continuous production and
promotion.)
He
concluded: “Ay lab panitikan. Sa kabuuan, ang nais na maabot ng
selebrasyon ay mas malalim na pagpapahalaga sa ating panitikan, at
higit sa lahat, ipakita na mahal natin ang ating panitikan.” (I
love literature. Overall, the celebration hopes to foment a deeper
appreciation for our literature and to show that we love our
literature.)
The
Philippine Literature Month will kick off with a youth camp and the
unveiling of a new monument of the 19th century poet Francisco
“Balagtas” Baltazar, widely considered the greatest of poets in
Filipino, in the coastal barangay of Wawa in Orion, Bataan, on
March 30. Hardin ni Balagtas, or the Garden of Balagtas will
be opened to serve as a “cultural park” with native plants and
trees.
The
town of Orion, then called Udyong, is said to be close to Balagtas’s
heart. Here, he wrote some of his masterpieces and died on February
20, 1862. The new bronze monument depicts the poet seated and looking
at the sea. It is created by prominent sculptor Julie Lluch, who also
did the monuments of Apolinario Mabini for the 150th birth
anniversary celebration, which is now in Tanauan, Batangas; Carlos P.
Romulo along United Nations Avenue, Manila; Jose Abad-Santos and
Cayetano Arellano on Padre Faura Street, Manila; and President Manuel
L. Quezon in the province of Quezon.
Simultaneously,
Kampo Balagtas will be held from March 30 to 31 at the Orion
Elementary School. The youth camp is expected to gather around 500
Grade 8 students in the Central Luzon region and delegations from
different indigenous groups of the country. With the theme “Si
Balagtas at ang Kabataan” (Balagtas and the youth), the camp
will feature cultural presentations and discussions on the importance
of Balagtas’s life and legacy.
Also,
the winners of the Talaang Ginto: Makata ng Taon 2015 and the Gawad
Dangal ni Balagtas 2015 will be honored.
April
2 is the 227 birth anniversary of Balagtas. Simultaneous
wreath-laying ceremonies will be held at Balagtas monuments in
Pandacan, Manila; in Balagtas, Bulacan, where he was born in 1788;
and in Orion, Bataan.
On
April 6, the first session of Tertulya sa Tula: Isang Hapon ng mga
Makata ng Taon will be held at the KWF, where audience will have
the opportunity to interact with the Makata ng Taon winners.
Subsequent events will be held on April 13, 20 and 27.
From
April 9 to 11, Lingayen, Pangasinan, will host the first Baybayin
Summit to be in participated in by teachers, scholars, researchers
and students. They will tackle the issue of introducing the Old
Tagalog script into the school curriculum.
On
April 11, Ateneo de Manila University’s Ateneo Institute of
Literary Arts and Practices will be holding the High Fantasy and
Young Adult Writing Workshop. It will be held every Saturday of the
month (April 11, 18 and 25). From April 13 to 15, Uswag Filipino!, an
annual seminar-workshop on language and literature for teachers, will
be held at the Bulacan State University. This year, it will tackle
Ortograpiyang Pambansa, KWF Manwal sa Masinop na Pagsulat,
and Korespondensiya Opisyal.
The
Filipino poets’ group Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA)
will conduct the Lakbay-Panitik para kay Emilio Jacinto in Majayjay,
Laguna, on April 16, in celebration of the hero’s death
anniversary. On the other hand, Gumil Filipinas (Gunglo dagiti
Mannurat nga Ilokano iti Filipinas) or Ilokano Writers
Association of the Philippines will hold its 47th national conference
at the Cubao Expo in Quezon City from April 17 to 19 with the theme
“Ang Papel ng Gumiliano sa Lipunang Ilokano.” (The role of
a Gumil member in Ilocano society)
The
Bienvenido Santos Creative Writing Center of the De La Salle
University will hold the Young Writers Workshop for very young
children with literary inclinations. It will be on April 17. Also on
the same day, LIRA has a poetry reading program at the Conspiracy Bar
in Quezon City. Meanwhile in Davao City, the Davao Writers’ Guild
and Young Davao Writers will hold Kumbira! which will include a
poetry reading, an exhibit and a book sale.
On
April 20, the Manila Times College in Intramuros, Manila, will
conduct a literary journalism workshop with veterans that include
critic and playwright Dr. Isagani Cruz, while University of Santo
Tomas’s Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies will
conduct “Tradisyon at Modernidad: Isang Simposyum” on
April 21. From April 21 to 23, a translation seminar for teachers
will be held at the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga
City.
On
April 23, the National Book Development Board will spearhead the
celebration of the National Book and Copyright Day, and on April 24,
the Klasrum Adarna session for teachers will tackle “Pagtuturo
ng Noli at Fili/ Ibong Adarna” in Makati City.
A
Cebuano version of the play The Vagina Monologues by Eve
Ensler, called V-Latanay, will be mounted at the University of
the Philippines in Mindanao from April 23 to 24.
“Folk
on Badiw: Ibaloy Legacy to Poetry and Music” will be held at the
University of the Philippines in Baguio City from April 24 to 25 with
National Artist for music Ramon Santos as guest of honor.
On
April 26, FIT n Fun: Fun Run for Writers will be at the UP Academic
Oval, organized by the Filipinas Institute of Translation.
From
April 26 to 28, the Iyas National Writers Workshop of the University
of St. La Salle-Bacolod will be held in Bacolod City, Negros
Occidental, and from April 29 to 30, the Pambansang Kongreso sa
Wikang Filipino will be held in Baguio City by the Kapisanan ng
mga Superbisor at Guro sa Filipino (Kasugufil).
On
April 29, the Pambansang Araw ng Gawad sa KWF Timpalak Uswag
Darepdep will be held. Uswag Darepdep is a contest of the KWF for
12 to 17-year-old aspiring writers writing in different Philippine
languages. This year, language categories that are open for
competition are Ilocano, Cebuano, Bicol and Mëranaw.
On
April 30, a poetry reading by the Katig Writers Network will be held
at University of the Philippines Tacloban in Leyte and at the
Northwestern State University in Calbayog City, Samar.
This
summer, the Holy Week is not the only occasion that provides
spirituality, reflection and meaningfulness in a season popularly
known for excursions and beaches. With the newly declared Buwan ng
Panitikang Filipino or National Literature Month, April in the
Philippines will be a more enriching and soulful time.
“Mas
malalaki at bonggang uri ng mga gawain,” (Bigger and
spectacular activities) promised Torralba on future celebrations.
“Noong huling meeting sa NCCA, nakaiisip na ng ilang malalaking
gawain para sa susunod na taong pagdiriwang. Nariyan ang mga
pagkakaroon ng mga pambansang timpalak sa mga tradisyonal na anyo ng
panitikan ng bansa gaya ng timpalak sa balagtasan, tigsik, ambahan,
balitao, etc. Isa ding mungkahi ay ang pagkakaroon ng Gawad
Alab Panitikan. Siyempre, ninanais na buong bansa o karamihan ng mga
sektor, institusyon, o organisasyong may direkta o di-direktang may
kinalaman sa panitikan ay magiging bahagi ng mga susunod pang
pagdiriwang. Sa madaling salita, asahang paganda nang paganda at
palaki nang palaki ang mga pagdiriwang sa hinaharap. Ano pa ba ang
maaasahan natin sa mga taong puro paglikha ang nasa isip at puso?”
(In the last meeting at the NCCA, several big events were suggested
for the subsequent celebrations. One is a national contest on
traditional literary forms such as the balagtasan, tigsik,
ambahan, balitao, etc. Another suggestion is having an Alab
Panitikan Award. Of course, it is hoped that the whole country or
most of the sectors, institutions or organizations directly or
indirectly connected with literature will take part in the coming
celebrations. In other words, expect that the future celebrations
will be bigger and more beautiful. What can we expect from people
whose hearts and minds are into creating?”)
Visit
www.kwf.gov.ph, or e-mail komfil.gov@gmail.com. Call
telephone number 736-2519 for more information.
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| National Artist for literature and KWF chairman Virgilio Almario inspects the new statue of Balagtas |
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| The historical marker for Balagtas, which will be installed with a new monument in Orion, Bataan |
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| Simultaneous wreath-laying ceremonies will be held in three locations on Balagtas Day on April 2 |
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| The 19th-century Tagalog poet Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar is widely considered the greatest among Filipino writers, whose birth anniversary is being commemmorated in April |
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| The Balagtas’s metrical romance Florante at Laura is one of Philippine literature’s greatest works |
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