Pagpupugay: Homecoming tributes to National Artists

Living and breathing literature legends will be coming to their hometowns for the entire month of February. From Silliman to Cagayan de Oro and Batangas to Pampanga and Pangasinan, National Artists Edith Tiempo, Alejandro Roces, Bienvenido Lumbera, F. Sionil Jose and Virgilio Almario are set to be celebrated by the places which shaped their childhoods. Music, dances and tributes from other writers will be part of each program. Each National Artist will also deliver lectures on topics close to their hearts.

Part of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts’ National Arts Month, Pagpupugay sa Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Panitikan is coordinated by the Pambansang Samahan sa Wika Inc. and the UP Institute of Creative Writing.

National Artist Edith Tiempo will share her expertise in poetry in her talk entitled “Sharpening the Two Poetry Basic” at the Luce Auditorium, Silliman University, Dumaguete City on February 2.

A talk on “Short Stories” will be delivered by National Artist Alejandro Roces at the Capitol University, Cagayan de Oro City on February 3.

National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera will share his reminiscence of his hometown in “Ang Lipa sa Aking Paglikha.” It will be held at the Cultural Center of Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas on February 15.

Hometown influence is also the center of National Artist F. Sionil Jose’s talk entitled “A Hometown as Literature.” This will be held at the Rosales Presidencia in Rosales, Pangasinan on February 23.

National Artist Virgilio Almario will explain the functions of poetry as history in “Ang Tula Bilang Pagbuhay ng Pambansang Gunita” at the Holy Angel University, Angeles Pampanga on February 28.

by Arvin Abejo Mangohig

Charlson Ong launches new book

"It's not only the finest novel of the last ten years, or since Charlson Ong's own centennial Prize classic Embarrassment of Riches. It's the grandest, richest, most compelling and rewarding novel celebrating the Chinese-Filipino ever written in these isles of migrant marvels.... Banyaga: A Song of War gives with enormous generosity, and does it all extraordinarily well: a novel of formidable art and prose, heart and passion, power, illumination, beauty, jubilation. humanity."

This is what the Gregorio Brilliantes had to say about Charlson Ong’s new book. Anvil Publishing, Inc. in cooperation with UP Institute of Creative Writing will be launching Banyaga: A Song of War on January 23, 2007, 6-10 pm, at the Conspiracy Bar, 59 Visayas Ave., Quezon City

Ong is a multi-awarded writer. He teaches at the UP Diliman and is a fellow of the UP ICW. Among his other books are Men of the East and Other Stories (1990 and 1999), Woman of Am-Kaw and Other Stories (1993) and Conversion and Other Fictions (1996).

For more details, contact Lina Gutierrez 637-5141 or Joyce Bersales 747-1622

UP ICW welcomes 2007 with Panayam lecture series

The UP Institute of Creative Writing opens 2007 with the return of its Panayam lecture series. Scheduled for the first quarter of the year are lectures from multi-awarded writers Jun Cruz Reyes, Rene O.Villanueva and Charlson Ong.

Panayam Schedule

May Kuwento ang Tula
Jun Cruz Reyes
January 25, 2007, 2p.m.

Saan Nagpupunta ang Araw Kung Gabi
Rene O. Villanueva
February 9, 2007, 2p.m.

Writing the Other in Philippine Literature
Charlson Ong
March 9, 2007, 2p.m.

The lectures will be held at the Pulungang Claro M. Recto at the Faculty Center, Bulwagang Rizal, UP Diliman, Q.C.