Buwan ng Panitikan

April is National Literary Month

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) announced the celebration of the National Literary Month (NLM) in the month of April. This year's Buwan ng Panitikan is anchored on the theme "Muling Pagtuklas ng Karunungang Bayan." This annual celebration is mandated by virtue of Proclamation No. 968 that was signed in 2015.

"National Artist for Literature Rolando S. Tinio wrote, in 1975, that literature is the collective memories of civilization. Thus, the very reason for celebrating #NLM2022 is to reminisce and recollect the memories of our race," intoned Dr. Michael Coroza, head of the technical working group, during a message he gave at a recent virtual press briefing.

"Our 'karunungang bayan' is comprised of epic tales, fables, folk stories, riddles, and the like. And all these will be made into monogram for pupils in the primary level with Filipino-centric and Asian-centric focus to better foster our identity as a race," enthused Dr. Arturo Casanova of the Komisyon sa Wikang Pilipino.

"We are connecting the face of the past and the present in the face of a global pandemic - crossing the bridge to rewrite our story amid the shifting directions of the times. The Book Festival runs from April through October, together with the other events of the KWF and NCCA," revealed National Book Development Board (NBDB) chairman Dante 'Klink' Ang II.

To drumbeat the crusade, Sentro Rizal Youth Ambassadors SB19 sang their patriotic ditty "What?".

"There will be competitions on the Laji, Balitaw, and Leleng for elementary and high school students. The Laji chronicles the life of the Ivatans in Batanes and is sung in rituals and celebrations. The competition will be called the Timpalak Florentino Hornedo.

"The Balitaw is a debate on love and is sung during harvest time and celebrations in Central Visayas. The competition will be named after Ma. Colina Gutierrez. The Leleng, or baleleng, on the other hand, are love songs from Samal in Sulu. These are songs of farewell to a loved one, but with a promise to return. This is the competition for the Mindanao region.

"We will also have a book launch in North Luzon for "Tuglung: Antolohiyang Kapampangan," a collection of writings from the past and present writers from Pampanga, as well as the Ligligan Poesyang Makuyad, a competition in short poetry," apprized National Committee on Literary Arts chairman Dr. Julieta Mallari.

For their part, the UMPIL (Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas), in celebration of their 47th year as an organization, will hold a writers' workshop in all Saturdays of April at 3 pm. Last April 2, the theme was Marangal (Honorable). For April 9, it's Malikhain (Creative). On April 16, it's Mapagbago (Transformative), while on the 23rd, it's Makabayan (Patriotic).

UMPIL spokesperson Dr. John Teodoro also said that there will be a National Writers Congress on April 30 and an awards ceremony where winners will each receive a trophy from Manuel Baldemor.

Moreover, Jomar Cañega of the KWF informed that there will be a Tertulyang Pampanitikan as well as ceremonies honoring Gat Francisco Balagtas. On April 2, there was simultaneous laying of wreaths in Balagtas, Bulacan, at the Liwasang Balagtas in Pandacan, and at the Hardin ni Balagtas in Orion, Bataan.

April will also see the 12th Philippine International Literary Festival that will highlight "Sibol: Charting a World Redrawn" and the London Book Fair, among many other events. "The Book Nook is a grant/subsidy given to 40 municipalities all over the country. There will also be My Book, My City events. Other calendared activities include Author on Author, a creative doctors' colloquium, Hayag - a forum on speaking truth to power, Show Your Shelf - bibliophile libraries, the Book Club featuring Filipino books each month, and the Chill Season," invited NBDB executive director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

For a complete calendar of events and activities, simply visit the Web site, ncca.gov.ph.