National Literature Month turns another chapter with exciting online events and workshops
A series of virtual events are lined-up to mark the National Literature Month in April organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and the National Book Development Board (NBDB).
This year's theme is Limandaang Taon ng Pagsulat sa Kalibutang Filipino (500 Years of Writing the Filipino World) and it coincides with the quincentenary of Christianity's arrival in the Philippines.
The celebration will put the spotlight on Christianity's role and influence in local art, culture, and literary arts.
The festivity will open with the “Araw ni Balagtas” on April 2 at 10 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony hosted at Orion in Bataan.
April 5 will see the opening online webinar with "Wikang Katutubo: Wika ng Dekolonisasyon" featuring anthropologist Dr. Alicia Magos of the University of the Philippines Visayas as speaker.
This will be followed by "Mulang Babaylan hanggang kay Darna at ang Di-Matapos-tapos na Pakikibaka ng mga Filipina" with speaker Dr. Raquel Buban of De La Salle University (April 12); “Kasaysayan: Batis ng Panitikan” with speaker Dr. Lhai Taylan of DLSU (April 19); and "Pagsasalin mulang Wikang Katutubo Tungong Filipino bilang Kultural na Dekolonisasyon at Pagsasa-Filipino ng Filipino” to be led by Ilokano language and culture expert, Dr. Leo Tejano (April 26).
An online competition dubbed as the “Timpalak Florentino H. Hornedo: Ang Paglikha at Pag-awit ng Laji (Bersiyong Onlayn)” will open on March 31 for elementary students for the singing category and high school for the singing and writing category. Its aim: to encourage writing and singing of the traditional Ivatan literary art form, laji.
Speaking of competitions, two have been added this year, namely, the “Timpalak Leleng” for high school students from Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula) and “Timpalak Balitaw” for secondary and college students of Region VI (Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor). Both competitions will launch in April and aims to highlight the balitaw in Visayas and leleng in Mindanao.
Other highlights include the 20th Iyas Creative Writing Workshop on April 14 to 15 at the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in partnership with the Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center and the NCCA.
Get to know the works of renowned Filipino wordsmiths Carlos P. Romulo and Jose Garcia Villa through the “Reading the National Artists for Literature Series.” The event - happening on April 16 and 23, respectively - aims to honor and highlight the work of esteemed National Artists for Literature.
The celebration will conclude on April 30 with the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Benitez at Bucaneg, which is a yearly awarding ceremony that recognizes the exemplary works of established and respected individuals, writers, and scholars in the Philippine literature scene.
The above-mentioned activities are just some of the many events happening for the entire month of April.
To see the full schedule and details, visit the NCCA's website and official Facebook page.
The NCCA throughout the years has tapped celebrities to be its ambassadors. Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray is one of them. Take a look at how the beauty queen embraces the role through her chic but very Pinoy outfits: