Monday, January 4, 2010

LET LOVE WIN (November 02, 2009)


Despite Storm Signal No.2, nothing like the Bulacan sun could be better as Virgilio Senadren Almario's guiding light to his birthplace in San Miguel last Friday during the third leg of Pagpupugay sa mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining 2009.
As early as 8 a.m. we had to be risen and shining at the San Miguel South District (SMSD) Hall for the Kumperensiyang Rio Alma with the faculty members and students of Bulacan Polytechnic College, John J. Russell Memorial High School, Partida High School, School of Mount St. Mary, San Miguel National High School (SMNHS), to name a few, who all wrote and read a stanza or two in showing their love and respect for their cultural hero!
One-third of the Modernist Poetry in Filipino's so-called Tungkung-kalan o Triumvirate -- Rogelio Mangahas of the C&E Publishing Company -- was the opening salvo with his biographical criticism Ang Alam Ko Kay Rio Alma.
Koyang Roger was followed by the ex-president of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) -- Prof. Mike Coroza of the Ateneo de Manila University – via his quasi-psychoanalytical approach entitled Ang Dalawang Mukha Mukha ni Virgilio S. Almario: Isang Pag-uusisa.
Like our Pistang Panitik 2 during the 28th Manila International Book Fair wherein we had an Araw ni Virgilio Almario on 1 September 2007, the last speaker was Palanca Hall of Famer Roberto Añonuevo through his Pagpapahalaga sa mga Tulat at Poetika ni Rio Alma.
Supposedly, there was an afternoon with the Bulacan Media Association and national print and broadcast media entities like NBN Channel 4, organized by one of the LIRA founders, Ariel Dim. Borlongan, and his partner, Mary Jane Olvina of DZRJ, through the Provincial Public Affairs Office.
Since it did not prosper, right after lunch we transferred to the SMSD Gymnasium for its Part 2 with special performances from St. Paul University at San Miguel, San Miguel Police, SMNHS Chorale and Rondalla, among others, before members of the family and friends of the Almarios.
Dr. Edna Zerrudo, the Division of Bulacan Superintendent and the Executive Director of Project JoSIE or Joint Systems Implementation in Education in the elementary level welcomed all of us before Hon. Roderick Tiongson, themunicipal mayor could shed light on the Sangguniang Bayan resolution.
After PESO Manager, Ian Tecson, serenaded his world-famous kababayan, Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation, staged its play Bagong Bayani ng Piedras Platas
(Dulang Buhay ni Virgilio S. Almario) directed by Armand Sta. Ana and written by Sonny Cristobal of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
We, with the result-oriented dreamers, Eva Garcia Cadiz and the rest of Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing team, can finally claim that we have fulfilled our mission and vision.
Within three years, with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as our inspirer, we have introduced or re-introduced all the five living National Artists for Literature to their townmates first.
In 2007, we brought Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera to Lipa, Batangas and Dr. Francisco Sionil Jose to Rosales, Pangasinan.
After a year, it was Dr. Alejandro Roces' turn in Makati City.
Dr. Edith Tiempo returned to Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya last August 10, after more than half a century.
And, now, Rio Alma is literally back to his hometown.
Balay Bulawan, his retirement home after serving the academe as the U.P. College of Arts and Letters dean, is where his heart is!
Talking about love of country and everything.
After almost five hours of travel and traffic jam, we reached Quezon City past midnight with a text from singer/songwriter Cynthia Alexander: “He was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. He is pals with the Dalai Lama. He has gone to Iraq, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, and Kashmir for conflict resolution. When he speaks, the United Nations listens. He has changed the hearts and minds of terrorists and prisoners. He has empowered women. He has been compared to Gandhi. And now he is coming to Manila. You have the opportunity to hear a living legend speak.”
We thought she was still referring to Rio Alma until she finished her message: “Don't miss Sri Ravi Shankar on November 3.”
So, to put our post-traumatic stress in order, we are extending her invitation to all of you.
Tomorrow, at 7 p.m. join in presenting Let Love Win at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
Yes, the 53-year old world-renowned humanitarian and spiritual leader will speak of inspiration and joy.
Saintly Shankar is the recipient of many awards, including the Dara Shikoh National Award for Harmony (India, 2005), the Global Humanitarian Award (USA, 2005), The Sant Shri Dnyaneshwara World Peace Prize (India, 2007) and most recently the Culture in Balance Award (Dresden, 2009).
What a way to celebrate our All Saints Day and All Souls Day late!
For inquiries, please visit The Art of Living Philippines' website
www.artofliving.org.ph or email at info@artofliving.org.ph or call +6322166139 / +639178484898.
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Bettter than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.

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