The Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), an organization of poets writing in Filipino, and the Office of Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will spearhead the Francisco Balagtas Day celebration on April 2, 2012, 7:00 a.m., at the poet’s shrine in Beata Street, Pandacan.
Balagtas, who wrote poetry, corrido and comedies, was born on April 2, 1788. Florante at Laura and Orosman at Zafira are among his more popular literary pieces. For almost four decades, Balagtas lived in various places in the City of Manila, including Pandacan.
A new Balagtas marker will be unveiled in the April 2 event. LIRA founder and adviser, National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (Rio Alma), initiated the marker’s revision. Almario will likewise deliver a public lecture titled Ang Bayan ni Balagtas.
LIRA poets Dr. Michael M. Coroza, Dr. Vim Nadera, and LIRA officers Phillip Kimpo and Louie Jon Sanchez will read poems and excerpts from Balagtas’ works. Performing musical numbers are Joey Ayala and University of the Philippines College of Arts and Letters Dean Elena Mirano.
The Francisco Balagtas Day celebration has become an annual pilgrimage for LIRA. In 2009, at the height of the National Artists’ controversy, LIRA mounted a symbolic clean-up of the shrine as a call for renewed commitment to Philippine arts and culture. Last year, the organization began work with the City of Manila to prepare for the celebration of the poet’s contributions to Philippine literature.
The Francisco Balagtas Day celebration has become an annual pilgrimage for LIRA. In 2009, at the height of the National Artists’ controversy, LIRA mounted a symbolic clean-up of the shrine as a call for renewed commitment to Philippine arts and culture. Last year, the organization began work with the City of Manila to prepare for the celebration of the poet’s contributions to Philippine literature.
Apart from Florante at Laura and Orosman at Zafira, some of the other works of Balagtas include Mahomet at Constanza (1841), Almanzor y Rosalina (1841), Parangal sa Isang Binibining Ikakasal, Paalam sa Iyo, Rodolfo at Rosamunda, Pagpupuri kay Isabel II, Reyna sa España, Auredato y Astrone, Bayaseto at Dorlisca (1857), Nudo Gordiano, Abdol y Miserena (1859), Clara Belmori, El Ensayo de Gramatica Hispano-Tagala, and Claus.
For inquiries on the event, please contact James Tana at (0915) 976-5157 or RR Cagalingan at (0917) 561-5024.
Photos by: Elmer Grampon
