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