Poets and literary advocates from different regions of the Philippines will pay homage to Jose Corazon de Jesus, a.k.a. Huseng Batute, on November 22, 2022 —the 128th birth anniversary of the beloved first King of Balagtasan (poetic jousts) and writer behind the patriotic-poem-turned-song “Bayan Ko.” The tribute will be composed of a poetry marathon and the launch of the book, “Jose Corazon de Jesus: Mga Piling Tula” edited by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario. The event will be held at the patio of the Metropolitan Theater from 1 to 4 pm. The public is cordially invited to watch the program; admission is free.
Among the groups and organizations that are backing National Poetry Day 2022 include the 1. National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), 2. Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing (ICW), 3. San Anselmo Press, 4. The Manila Times TV, the Cultural Center of the Philippines Intertextual Division, and literary organizations such as 5. Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA) based in the National Capital Region; 6. Parola and 7. GUMIL Filipinas of North Luzon, 8. The Aklan Literati (AKLIT) of Panay; 9. Davao Writers Guild; 10. Sarangani Writers League of Davao Occidental; 11. Balangay Productions of Cavite; 12. Hubon Manunulat and 13. Kasingkasing Press of Western Visayas; and 14. Savage Mind of Camarines Sur.
Acclaimed writers Vim Nadera, Simeon Dumdum, Jr., Ma. Milagros Dumdum, Abdon Balde, Jr., Michael Coroza, Joey Baquiran, Cesar Ruiz Aquino, and National Artist for Literature Gemino Abad are also supporting National Poetry Day through their participation in the poetry marathon either through recorded videos or live poetry reading at the Metropolitan Theater.
Encouraged by the literary community’s enthusiastic response, proponent Virgilio Almario is hoping that the celebration National Poetry Day will revive the popularity of poetry to the level it enjoyed back in the 1930s.
In a message he posted on Facebook, Mr. Almario said, “Isang masaklap na katotohanan na nawalan ng madla ang tula nitong nakaraang siglo. Ang analisis ng akademya, nalipat kasi ang pagkagiliw ng madla sa brodkast at pelikula. … noong 1930s ay superstar ang mga makata sa mga pagdiriwang, pinapanood ang balagtasan, at binabasa ang mga kolum na patula sa peryodiko.” (“Sadly, poetry has disappeared from people’s lives in the past century. The analysis by academics is that the enjoyment for poetry was transferred to broadcast and films…. back in the 1930s, poets were superstars at events, people watched poetry jousts and poetry was featured in newspaper columns.”)
Mr. Almario thus encouraged Filipinos of all ages to join the celebration of National Poetry Day. “Kaya ang islogan nila: ‘Ibalik ang Tula sa Puso ng Madla’ Makinig tayo, manood! Baka hindi lang natin namamalayan ngayon ang pagtulang magbabalik ng ating puso sa aliw at katuturan ng nilikha ng ating mga makata.” (“That’s why their slogan is ‘Bring Poetry Back to People’s Hearts.’ Let’s listen, watch! Perhaps the delight brought by poetry to our hearts and the meaning to the works made by poets have always been with us.”)
The National Poetry Day 2022 program will be live streamed on the Facebook page of San Anselmo Publications, Inc.
