Attendees pose with the National Artists led by Virgilio Almario and speakers present at the book launching
No rain or traffic hindered the launching of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario’s 20th poetry book titled May Mga Damdaming Higit Kaysa Sa Atin on April 21 at the Civil Law Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas.
Professor Michael Coroza, poet and educator, and Marne Kilates, celebrated translator and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino’s Consultant for Communications and Media, joined Almario as speakers in “Tradition, Modernity and Rio Alma,” a mini-symposium held concurrently with the launching of the latter’s book.
One of the highlights of the launching is the musical performance “Mamasapano” by select students from UST Conservatory of Music. The lyrics were written by Almario himself, with notes and musical accompaniment written by National Artist for Music Ramon Santos.
The open forum following the symposium was facilitated by Ralph Semino Galan, Assistant Director of UST CCWLS.
Besides National Artists Almario and Santos, also in attendance and actively participating in the literary discussions were National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera (Literature) and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr.
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