The literary and youth volunteer group Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), in partnership with the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), will hold the 26th edition of its nationwide seminar-workshop series, “Sining ng Tugma, Sukat, at Talinghaga” (STST; Art of Rhyme, Meter, and Metaphor) at the Naga College Foundation, Naga City, Camarines Sur on September 6-8, 2013.
STST Naga will be held in partnership with the local hosts, namely the Naga College Foundation and the Junior Trainers Circle, with support from the JP Anthony D. Cuñada Law Office.
Started in 2008, the STST is a nationwide education outreach program that has toured 25 towns and has served 1,725 people, mostly public school teachers and students. It aims to help advance literature, language, patriotism, and the beneficiaries’ communication skills through the teaching of native literary works and forms.
For 2013, the STST program is part of the larger project titled “Sulong: Dangal ng Filipino,” which includes day-long seminar-workshops on the “Sagisag Kultura” (cultural icons of the Philippines) and the National Orthography. Legazpi City (Albay), Roxas City (Capiz), and Tarlac City were the first beneficiaries for 2013. Naga will be followed by more towns in Visayas and Mindanao.
Founded in 1985, LIRA is a nationally recognized, volunteer-run, education NGO; the oldest organization of poets in Filipino; and one of the country’s premier literary groups. In pursuance of its mission of advancing literature, language, and patriotism, the organization holds a yearly five-month-long poetry clinic held for the most part in UP Diliman. The STST is an effort to bring part of this clinic outside of Metro Manila.
In 2011, LIRA was declared as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in Malacañang Palace by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, making LIRA the first literary group in the TAYO Awards’ nine-year history. In 2012, LIRA was named by the National Outstanding Volunteer Awards as the National Capital Region’s outstanding volunteer organization.
Heading the STST Naga team as its lecturers are the award-winning poets Dr. Michael M. Coroza and Prof. Louie Jon A. Sanchez of the Ateneo de Manila University. The program is directed by Phillip Kimpo Jr., LIRA president, with the help of Beverly W. Siy, immediate former president and creator of the STS.
Kimpo and Mr. Danilo Roquid Jr. are the coordinators for STST Naga. Parties interested in helping or participating in the program can contact the STST team at pykimpo@gmail.com.
Kalatas: Philippine Literature, Culture, and Ideas 