Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), the organization of poets who write in Filipino founded by National Artist Virgilio Almario, is marking its 40th anniversary on December 15, 2025, the date of the 150th birthday of Emilio Jacinto.
The celebration kicks off with a wreath-laying ceremony at Jacinto’s tomb in Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City at 8 am. Senator Loren Legarda will lead in the tribute to the revolutionary leader and writer also known as “Pingkian.”
Also to be recognized and awarded are the winners of recent literary contests spearheaded by LIRA, the Quezon City local government and book publisher San Anselmo Press.
First on the list of winners are the students and teachers of Quezon City who topped the Kara-Tula Contest, namely students Kim T. Alapa-ap of Novaliches High for “Lubog”; Josef Emmauel T. Anicet of Batasan Hills National High, “P.A.R.”; Julia Erika M. Palermo of Novaliches High, “Sinag”; Princess Angela P. Magtangob of Lagro High, “Lungsod na Iniibig”; Aaron Drix Abas of Lagro High, “Tahî”; and teachers Janine P. Solitario of Ernesto Rondon High, “Salugpungan”; Jeric Bautista of Judge Feliciano Belmonte Sr. High, “Sa Lungsod Quezon,” “Ligaya” and “Pait at Tamis”; Faustine Ian Fae Ruiz Molina of Maligaya High, “Andador.” According to Supervisor Ryan Atesora, contest organizer, each of them will receive a Php 5,000 cash prize courtesy of Quezon City’s Tourism Office.
En Villasis, Mikael de Lara Co, and Frank Cimatu lead 20 other poets who were adjudged the best in the National Poetry Challenge spearheaded by LIRA and San Anselmo Press. The ten-day competition had netizens writing poems based on the theme posted by the judges on the San Anselmo Publications, Inc. Facebook page. Five winners were shortlisted each day from among hundreds of entries. From all the shortlisted winners, the top five were picked to receive cash prizes.
LIRA will also bestow distinctions to outstanding members: Dr. Joti Tabula and the late Edelio de los Santos for their exemplary service, Mikka Cabangon and Ekis Vallez for their exemplary creative works, Fidel Rillo and Danny M. Reyes for being generous advisors, and San Anselmo Press for being a literary advocate.
Vic Robinson, the star of the musical, “Pingkian,” and the group of poets, the Makatas, will perform special numbers.
The public is invited to witness this free event, and commemorate the greatness of Emilio Jacinto. LIRA’s books will be sold on site. For updates and more details, visit the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo Facebook page.
