GOV.PH
The Nabua leg of the 2nd Bikol Book Festival and Bikol Children and Teachers Congress concluded on a high note, marking another successful gathering on May 17, 2023 at the CSPC Library that celebrated the richness of Bicolano literature.
The event garnered a significant turnout from a diverse assemblage, including DepEd teachers and students who attended alongside cultural affairs focal persons from the Local Government Units of Nabua, Bula, and Baao.
One of the festival’s highlights was the plenary forums on various literary and cultural topics. National Artist for Literature, Virgilio S. Almario, led an insightful discussion titled “Ang Halaga at Bisa ng Pananagisag sa Wika at Kulturang Filipino“. Ani Almario, representing the renowned Adarna Publishing House, took the stage to delve into the rich tapestry of “Ang Kultura ng Pagbabasa sa Filipinas“.
In a thought-provoking session on “Copyright, Social Media, Ethics, and Writers’ Union,” legal expert Atty. Nick B. Pichay and Jayson Dio highlighted the evolving landscape of intellectual property and its impact on literature. Danton R. Remoto and Virgilio Reyes collaborated to present “A Translator’s Notes“.
Captivating the audience with her prowess, Mia Tijam’s discourse on “Notes on Flowers for Thursday: Poetics and Politics” brought together the realms of poetry and sociopolitical issues. Finally, Roland B. Tolentino and William Matawaran occupied the podium to explore the intriguing intersection of arts and technology in “Literature and Artificial Intelligence.”
In addition to these forums, the event featured book-launching activities, cultural performances, and book fairs, providing a platform to honor influential Bikolnon writers and cultural workers by paying homage to their contributions to shaping the literary landscape in the region.
The 2nd Bikol Book Festival is a nine-day extravaganza that commenced on May 14 and will run until May 23, 2023. It is being held in several locations in the Bicol region, with the welcome reception taking place at the Isarog Highlands in Naga City and will conclude at Ticao Island in Masbate Province.
CSPC, through the Center for Rinconada Culture and the Arts, forged a fruitful partnership with the organizers, the National Book Development Board, Ateneo de Naga University Press, and Savage Mind Bookshop, to bring forth a landmark literary affair in the Rinconada district.
