Events have been lined up to mark the celebration of National Poetry Day 2023 (Pambansang Araw ng Pagtula 2023) on November 22 — the birthday of eminent Filipino poet and “King of Balagtasan” Jose Corazon de Jesus, or more popularly known as Huseng Batute.
After the staging of the first National Poetry Day last year at the Metropolitan Museum, Huseng Batute’s legacy of patriotism through poetry continues with several activities organized by the Quezon City government, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), book publisher San Anselmo Publications, Inc., and the poets’ organization Linangan sa Imahen Retorika at Anyo (LIRA).
From November 12 to 22, San Anselmo Publications, Inc. and LIRA are conducting a daily online challenge wherein writers are encouraged to submit their original poems based on a different prompt each day. Three winning poems are chosen and their writers are given cash prizes.
On November 17, Friday, at 7 pm LIRA is holding “LIRAHAN: Tulaan at Damayan” poetry readings at the Sagul Malingap Foodpark on Malingap Street in Quezon City. This event is the poetry group’s response to the conflict happening around the world. LIRA’s statement reads, “Sa panahong napakadali tayong pagwatak-watakin ng problemang personal at politikal… bubunuin natin ang mga sagot na nakatago sa salita ng mga makata upang dumamay at makiramay sa mga kapatid natin sa Filipinas at sa kapuwang naiipit ngayon sa giyera sa Palestine.” (At a time when we are easily torn apart by personal and political problems, we will attempt to find answers in the words of poets to stand with and sympathize with those affected by strife in the Philippines and in Palestine.)
On November 19, Sunday, LIRA is presenting “Balagtasan at Tanghal Tula” from 11 am to 4 pm at the Sentro Artista Art Hub on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. Featured performers include educator and S.E.A. Write Award laureate Michael Coroza Ph.D. and language researcher and poet RR Cagalingan.
On November 22 at 2 pm, poet-lawyers Nick Pichay, Argee Guevarra, Marvin Aceron, Tin Lao, Jing Panganiban and Noel del Prado will be reading aloud their works on the radio program “Hello, Attorney!” of DWPM Radyo 630 on the AM band and on Facebook.
The Quezon City government is leading the National Poetry Day 2023 celebration on November 22 with two major events. First is the groundbreaking of the site where the Jose Corazon de Jesus statue will be located. The second is the Balagtasan and Timpalak Kundiman national finals that will be held at the Quezon City Hall Risen Garden from 2 to 6 pm. Vying for the best in Balagtasan are Polytechnic University of the Philippines from Manila, San Miguel High School from San Miguel, Bulacan, and Region XII Bagong Koronadal from Koronadal City, South Cotabato. Meanwhile Rommel Gojo Music Production, Team Romblon, Guang Ming Cuerdas and KALILAYAN of Gumaca Quezon are the finalists of the Timpalak Kundiman. The general public is encouraged to watch these competitions; admission is free.
National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario reiterated poetry’s significance when he said in a poem, “Ang pagtula, kahit paano, ay naghahandog ng liwanag. (Poetry, somehow, brings illumination.). For this reason, it is the hope of Mr. Almario and his fellow National Poetry Day advocates that Filipino poetry will be more ingrained in the hearts and minds of Filipinos.
For more details about National Poetry Day 2023, follow the Facebook pages of San Anselmo Publications, Inc. and Linangan sa Imahen Retorika at Anyo.
