In line with the government’s celebration of April as National Literature, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF or the Filipino Language Commission) and the University of San Carlos’ (USC) Cebuano Studies Center are sponsoring an event called “Cebu Reads Lazaro Francisco” on April 11.
To be held at the Fr. Albert Van Gansewinkel Hall of the USC-Downtown Campus from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, the event celebrates the late National Artist for Literature Lazaro Francisco and his works. During his lifetime, Lazaro had written 12 novels in Filipino. These include Maganda pa ang Daigdig (The World is Still Beautiful, 1955), Daluyong (The Surge,1962-1963), Sugat sa Alaala (Memory’s Wound, 1950-1951) and Ilaw sa Hilaga (Northern Light, 1946-1947).
“Cebu Reads Lazaro Francisco” aims to introduce and showcase Francisco’s genius to today’s Filipinos; encourage young people to return and read the early, meaningful Filipino writers in the different languages; and foster understanding of the Filipino sense of identity that is based or centered on being Tagalog or Manileño.
The experience, depth and importance of a Tagalog as Filipino will be tackled in the keynote address of Dr. Soledad Reyes, professor emeritus of Ateneo de Manila University and primary critic of Francisco’s works.
There will also be critical discussions with invited scholars or critics who will discuss the oeuvre of Francisco. To present their papers are Haidee Emmie Palapar, Joanalyn Gabales, Francis Luis Torres, Niño Augustine Loyola and Clyde Inso Chan.
A dramatic reading of excerpts from Francisco’s work will be presented during the event, which will be graced by National Artist for Literature Resil B. Mojares, also professor emeritus of USC.
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