Isang mapagpala at mapagpalayang Buwan ng Panitikan sa ating lahat!

In the Philippines, April is considered as the National Literature Month. This is in virtue of Proclamation No. 968 that was signed on February 10, 2015 by then President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III. We celebrate this momentous event for a very important reason: to recognize the importance of Philippine literature, written in Filipino, or in any regional languages, and how it is connected to the history and culture of the Filipino nation that should be promoted to every Filipino here in our country and in all corners of the world.

Literature, like what I always tell my students, can never be disassociated with the culture and tradition from the group of people where it came from. Through literature, we get to learn one’s identity. It also allows us to go farther to the places we cannot afford to visit. Through the pages of the books we read, we are able to study the ways of living of other nations. Like what Miss Kornellie L. Raquitico, one of our distinguished speakers said when we had our first-ever webinar on creative writing and literature last year, “Reading is a journey because it takes us to different worlds – world within ourselves, within our family, our community, and at the same time, beyond this country.”

But, what does literature really mean? We all know that we can trace the etymology of the word literature from the Latin word litera which means letters. That means, whatever you see with letters on it can be considered as literature. Literature is an enduring expression of significant human experiences written in words well-chosen and organized. From this definition of literature, let me share to you briefly six (6) important characteristics of literature:

Literature is timeless. It never dies. Literature goes beyond the era it first came into the world. Have you ever thought why the works of Jose Rizal are still famous up to this day? It is because these works – Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, and other notable works – are timeless in the sense that they will be remembered and are still remembered by everyone even though many centuries have already passed.

Literature is aesthetic. It is an art in itself. Literature is one good way to show how beautiful the world is. People use literature to express their admiration to the creations of God.

Literature is relevant. It is essential to the lives of every individual. Literature is and will always be related to every person from different walks of life.

Literature is authentic. It talks about the lives of the people. Literature reflects the reality.

Literature is symbolic. Literally, literature becomes symbolic because it is a product of the use of language. It uses various symbols like the letters of the alphabet. But in a deeper sense, literature is symbolic because it uses various symbolism that a reader may decode or may be able to identify what these symbols mean by looking at them in a deeper critical way of thinking.

Literature is systematic. There is an organized way of creating literature. It follows strict rules on how someone can make his own work of literature.

This year’s celebration of the National Literature Month takes the theme, “500 Years of Writing the Filipino World” or in our native language, “Limandaang Taon ng Pagsulat sa Kalibutang Filipino.” This year, we give reverence to the literature that helped in shaping our identity as a Filipino race. We can trace this back from the folklore and oral traditions that our ancestors contributed to the development of Philippine literature. From the kundiman of the Tagalogs; the laji of the Ivatans; the ambahan of the Hanunuu-Mangyans; to the different ethno-epics from the different regions like Biag ni Lam-ang of the Ilokanos; Kudaman of Palawan; Ibalon of the Bikolanos; Hinilawod of Panay Islands; Darangen of the Maranaos; Tuwaang of the Bagobos; and a lot more!

It only shows that the Philippines has a rich literature. It proves that even before Spaniards came to our archipelago, our Filipino ancestors already had their own cultures and traditions that made us unique from other nations.

In celebrating April as the National Literature Month, let us relive the spirit of being one as a nation and continue to recognize the importance of Philippine literature in our identity as a Filipino race!

Once again, a happy National Literature Month to all!