Words on parade for World Book and Copyright Day

The sunlight was fierce, and office workers stayed in the shade of buildings. The heat made everyone move slowly, and even those on cigarette breaks puffed in slow motion. There was a slight breeze, but it had little effect in the 34-degree Celsius weather.

 

Everything was as expected on a Tuesday afternoon in the Ortigas Business District, until an unusual sound broke the silence.

 

Four young men singing the Philippine national anthem, right on the sidewalk. Passersby glanced for a few seconds before continuing on their way. Some did not even look at all.

 

The men, members of Linangan ng Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), filled their hands with earth from a bayong, before performing Andres Bonifacio's "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa" for World Book and Copyright Day on April 23.

 

"Aling pag-ibig pa? Wala na nga, wala," they spoke at the top of their lungs as they approached strangers, inviting them to get some earth.

 

Some accepted, while others shook their heads and walked away. After a few minutes, the wail of sirens filled the air as one by one, colorful floats made their way down F. Ortigas Jr. Road.

 

"Ano 'yun?" a man asked, as he peered at the floats, which were on parade as part of "Reading Rocks, Copyright Rules," a celebration organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

 

This is the 17th year that the international celebration was administered by UNESCO Member States.

 

However, World Book and Copyright Day is a little-known occasion, as seen in the reactions of people around the Ortigas Business District.

 

The poetry reading and motorcade began the event, which celebrates authors, literature, and the importance of copyright. "We're so happy to celebrate authors and copyright and reading today. Let's all rock, read and rule!" National Book Development Board Chair Neni Sta. Romana Cruz said in a video posted on the NBDB Facebook page.

 

Cruz rode on the NBDB float, which was decked in blue and yellow balloons, and bore the "Reading Rocks, Copyright Rules!" banner.

 

"I would like to invite everyone to purchase books and read them, so that you will be able to enrich lives and be able to travel without filing for a leave in your office or in school," said Bb. Pilipinas 2008 Pat Fernandez, who rode on the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino's float. 

 

Meanwhile, writer Vim Nadera and poet-sculptor Raul Funilas were dressed as "White" and "Black." "Siyempre, World Book Day — I'm the paper, he's the print," Nadera said in another video posted by NBDB. 

 

Apart from celebrating the power of books to bring people together, World Book and Copyright Day is also a day of reflection on the changes in books, and how to allow everyone to access the written word.

 

"Digital books offer new opportunities for access to knowledge, at reduced costs and over wide geographical areas. Traditional books are still powerful technology: fail-safe, portable and standing the test of time," Irina Bokova, director general for World Book and Copyright Day 2013, said in a message posted on the UNESCO website. 

 

"Books are our allies in spreading education, science, culture and information worldwide," Bokova wrote.

 

Wearing bright orange rubber shoes, National Artist Virgilio Almario also took part in the celebration, although he said he would walk instead of riding one of the floats. "Ako'y maglalakad. Masa tayo. Masa para sa pagbabasa," Almario said in another NBDB video. 

 

Following the NBDB float were the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and the Korea Copyright Commission with a call to respect copyright. Precious Pages also had a float decked in pink and purple balloons, with a banner of their bestselling titles.

 

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines' float had papier mâché mascots shown reading, performing, and painting. People from UP Press and Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing smiled and waved, tossing lollipops to curious onlookers.

 

NBDB also distributed bookmarks and invited people to attend their variety show at the Events Center of SM Megamall Building A, where the motorcade ended. Performances included an acoustic set from all-girl band Flying Ipis, and a rendition of Pusong Bato by the IPO-Phil. Choir. 

 

For IPOPHL Director General Ricardo R. Blancaflor, "Copyright is everything that starts with beautiful. So let's protect it, let's develop it, and above all else, let's do it!" —KG, GMA News