April writes on: Celebrating National Literature Month

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THIS April, the Filipino pen wields its might as the country celebrates National Literature Month (NLM) with the theme, "Sikad Panitikan: Culture and Literature of Development."

With the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and the National Book Development Board at the helm, diverse activities will take place across the country, igniting a deeper appreciation for our language, literature, and heritage.

KWF will lead the opening of the NLM in celebration of Balagtas Day on April 2 with a flower-laying ceremony at the Balagtas Garden in Orion, Bataan, and at another literary monument in Pandacan, Manila.

In addition, the commission will hold an online forum via Zoom, which will be livestreamed on Facebook every Monday of the month. There will also be literary talks at various Language Centers nationwide.

NCCA, through its National Language and Translation Committee and National Literature Committee, is leading various workshops and activities, featuring the works of National Artists in Literature.

These include the National Artists Reads, a series of seminars that feature outstanding National Artists for Literature and their exemplary contributions to the field. The first leg will be held at the University of the Philippines Baguio on April 22, featuring the works of National Artists Cirilio Bautista and F. Sionil Jose.

Meanwhile, the second leg will feature National Artists Alejandro Roces and Rolando Tinio, and will be held at Xavier University on April 27. Continuing the National Artists Reads Series, a "Literatour" will be held in Manila, featuring the works of National Artist Nick Joaquin.

The works of National Artist Severino Montano will be brought to life in a performance titled "Classical" on April 23 at Bicol University.

Various literary competitions will also be held throughout the month. These include the Timpalak Florentino Hornedo to be held in Batanes on April 2, which will feature a competition in writing and singing Laji, a unique oral tradition of the Ivatans.

The 2nd Mindanaoan Creative Non-Fiction Writing Competition for writers from the southern regions of the Philippines will also be held.

Various literary workshops are likewise slated in different parts of the country. The Panitikolab SOX in General Santos City will be held on April 23, where there will be workshops and discussions on developing skills in the field of literature.

The Ateneo Foundational Lecture and Literary Fair will be held at the Ateneo de Manila University on April 24, where important issues in the study and appreciation of the literary traditions of the Philippines from 1946 to the present will be examined.

One of the main activities in partnership with the Union of Philippine Writers (UMPIL) is the UMPIL Congress to be held on April 26 at the Gimenez Hall of UP Diliman. The congress is an annual gathering of writers to discuss current literary issues in the country.

On the same day, the awarding of the Balagtas National Literary Award for outstanding literary achievements — the Paz Marquez Benitez Award for outstanding teachers in literature, and the Pedro Bucaneg Award for recognized literary groups — will be held.

Not only traditional forms of literature will be featured, as SPIT Manila will also present a modern form of storytelling in the show titled "Funnytikan," to be held at the Tanghalang Metropolitan on April 11.

Literary activities will overflow until May. "Timpalak Komposo: Sambuwa Sa Pagsulat Kag Pagkanta Sang Komposo" will also be held. It is a virtual workshop that aims to revive and revitalize komposo — a narrative song, a Hiligaynon ballad.

The celebration of NLM every month of April is in accordance with Proclamation Number 968, signed in 2015.