Literature on fire

A summer tradition that the Philippine literary scene has been celebrating with much fanfare is April as Buwan ng Panitikan (BnP) or National Literature Month, as mandated by President Benigno Aquino III in Proclamation No. 968 on Feb. 10, 2015.

The need to devote a month to Philippine literature, both written and spoken, was long in coming and finally became a reality through the combined campaign efforts of Felipe M. de Leon Jr., former chair of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Artist Virgilio S. Almario, chair of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and the National Book Development Board (NDDB).

The month’s theme is a lyrical one— “Pingkian, Panitikan: Philippine Lit on Fire.” Almario, who now chairs the NCCA, explains that “pingkian” means “tagisan, tunggalian, away,” all of which mean conflict. Its old meaning is of the rock, which means “can create fire.” Trust poet Almario and company to dream that up.

Last year, it was “Banyuhay” or metamorphosis, referring to literature as a force that can change lives and society. A few years ago, the NBDB adopted “Lalang”—to create or craft—as its theme for the literary festival it held in Davao.

I totally support the idea of using words such as these to familiarize all of us with vocabulary we do not normally use in everyday speech.  It also leads us to a sense of wonder and appreciation of the beauty of our language.

“Pingkian” was also the pseudonym of the revolutionary hero and writer Emilio Jacinto, who died in his hometown, Magdalena in Laguna, from injuries in an encounter with Spanish troops.

On April 16, Jacinto’s death anniversary, there is a planned visit to his shrine where a new monument was unveiled last year. I was fortunate to have witnessed that ceremony and felt the special pride of the folks of Magdalena led by Rep. Benjamin C. Agarao Jr. and Mayor David D. Aventurado Jr. in Jacinto. I was also there when a more prominent location was being surveyed for this new statue that sculptor Priscillano Vicaldo Jr. had been commissioned to make. It is truly worth a visit to pay homage to the “Brains of the Katipunan.”

The public recognition of our writer-heroes through such monuments is another campaign that Almario advocates. He strongly feels that writers should be paid the same tribute as given to statesmen and generals.  Meriting long-awaited recognition are writer and labor activist Isabelo de los Reyes and Vicente Sotto, father of Cebuano literature and a senator who authored the law on freedom of the press.

In keeping with the Lenten season, the BnP properly begins on March 28 with a pabasa, the Lenten reading and chanting of the Passion of Christ, in Malolos, Bulacan.

Taking off from the April 2 birth anniversary of the poet laureate Francisco Baltazar aka Balagtas of the immortal “Florante at Laura,” April seemed the most logical month to devote to our literature. It is the poet’s 230th anniversary this year, and in the Hardin ni Balagtas facing the river is the Julie Lluch sculpture of Balagtas where the BnP formally begins.

As in previous years, a literary camp on April 2-4 for 104 student delegates from all over the country will be mentored by resource speakers on creative writing.

Pangasinan State University will host a national conference on local literature, language and culture on April 13-15. On April 18-20, Bukidnon State University will be the venue of a national reorientation on the production and teaching of literature.

It is most gratifying that in the calendar of activities for the 4th BnP, literary gatherings are scheduled in different parts of the country. I am initially calling attention only to events beyond Metro Manila as it can only truly be a National Literature Month if the rest of the country is similarly involved. Many more events will be mentioned in columns to come.

For more info, contact the BnP partners: NBDB—Beng Reyes/Debbie Nieto 929-3887 loc. 806/[email protected]; NCCA—5272192; and KWF—736-2519 John Enrico C. Torralba/ Roy Rene S. Cagalingan

Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (nenisrcruz@ gmail.com) is chair of the National Book Development Board and a member of the Eggie Apostol Foundation.