Philippine literature has long reflected our country and people’s history and way of life. It has been used by our local wordsmiths to paint a picture of our daily life, our political and social struggles, our passions, dreams, and aspirations, among many others. We are a country of creative and artistic individuals who possess natural gifts to harness written words to express our emotions, sentiments, and opinions. Historical accounts have proven, time and again, the rich legacy of Philippine literature, with the likes of the duplo, bugtungan, uyayi, tagulaylay, kasabihan, and balagtasan earning their distinct places in modern-day life.
My High School Filipino Literature and Creative Writing Professor,
Mr. Michael Coroza, Ph.D. at the World Poetry Reading Day in Makati City.
“Appreciation of poetry is universal. It begins almost when we are toddlers.,” says Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL) director Maritoni Ortigas. “Today, we are celebrating the World Poetry Day in recognition of poetry’s distinct influence to expand people’s views, understanding, and appreciation of humanity and its experience. Everything in life—what is seen, felt, and imagined—belong to poetry. Our imaginations are stirred and our minds are enriched by the magic of words, captured thought, image or metaphor. We hope this celebration manifests this.”
The same thing applies to how art and culture have shaped the lifestyle of modern Filipinos. Makati, for example, has emerged from simply being known as the original location of the country’s first-ever airport to what has become the home of the Philippines’ most recognized dynamic urban district.
Makati City’s meteoric rise as the country’s center for business, culture, lifestyle, and entertainment can be described as poetry in motion. “The development of the city did not happen overnight,” notes Mel Ignacio, Assistant Vice President of Ayala Land. “What played a key role in this regard was the seamless integration of ideas and strategic partnership among the primary stakeholders of the city—the local government unit,, the Makati Commercial Estate Association, Inc. (MACEA) and Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI).” This is the reason why Makati City continues to grow and become relevant in the modern sphere of things.
In continuing this culture of unity to make things happen in Makati, the recently launched campaign, “Make It Happen, Make It Makati,” will be reinforcing Makati’s position not just as the country’s preferred business and lifestyle destination but also as a home for poetic and artistic minds as it celebrates the World Poetry Day with an event entitled, “A Walk Through Words at the Gardens,” spearheaded by Ayala Foundation through the Filipinas Heritage Library and the group of writers involved in the Metro Serye literary magazine.
This unique event that will showcase contemporary Filipino poetry punctuated by musical landscape in an informal urban setting, takes place at the heart of the Makati Central Business District—the Ayala Triangle Gardens. “The event aims to encourage Makati denizens and Filipinos in general to continue their passion for poetic excellence while also preserving and enriching our heritage,” shares Mel Ignacio. “This will be conducted to honor the mystical beauty of Philippine poetry by bringing together some of the country’s leading writers and literary personalities who are firm believers on the power of words,” shares Mel Ignacio.
Expected to grace the event are magazine editor and the 30th National Book Awards Leisure Category finalist RJ Ledesma, and Palanca awardees Ricci Guevarra and Vim Nadera. Also included are top-caliber literature personalities- essayist, novelist, and poet Krip Yuson; poet and literary critics Jimmy Abad, Anina Abola, Eliza Victoria, and Carlomar. Music, also a form of poetry has representatives in the person of Arya Herrera and Reb Atadero from Blue Rep, and rapper Gloc9. Also performing in the said event are students from the Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University.
Poetry enthusiast Tessa Sweezy Webb first initiated the celebration of the World Poetry Day in 1936 in Ohio, U.S.A. to honor poets. In 1999, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially declared March 21 as the World Poetry Day as a tribute to poets and other literary artists in recognition of their valuable contributions to society.
###
Ayala Land is committed to continue working with key stakeholders, led by the local government of Makati City, to ensure the growth and development of Makati as it evolves beyond its borders into the country’s unrivaled capital for business, lifestyle, entertainment, and culture. To learn more on how we make it happen in Makati, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @makeitmakati.