Sentro Rizal Toronto Holds Poetry Reading in Celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa
Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro welcomes the Philippine Consulate General Toronto officers and staff to the poetry reading event held on 19 August 2020, commemorating the 142nd Birth Anniversary of President Manuel L. Quezon, who was regarded as the Ama ng Wikang Pambansa, and continuing the celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. (Toronto PCG photo)
TORONTO 26 August 2020 – Continuing its celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, Sentro Rizal Toronto held a poetry reading activity for the Philippine Consulate General personnel on 19 August 2020.
Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro organized the activity to coincide with the commemoration of the 142nd birth anniversary of the second Philippine president Manuel Luis Quezon (1935-1944), after Emilio Aguinaldo (1899-1901). President Quezon was also regarded as the Ama ng Wikang Pambansa (Father of the National Language), hence the celebration of Buwan ng Wika in August, his birth month.
“Mas Matalino ang Tubig”, a poem by National Artist and former Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Virgilio S. Almario, was chosen as the literacy piece to be read during the poetry reading activity for the Consulate General personnel.
Mr. John Dan Elijah S. Fajardo, the Consulate General’s Protocol & Security Officer and Consular Assistant in-charge of Dual Citizenship, read the original Filipino version of the poem. On the other hand, the English version entitled, “Water is Wiser,” was read by Ms. Mildred Decena, Consular Assistant in-charge of Civil Registry.
This literary activity was one of the projects of the Philippine Consulate General, under Sentro Rizal, to promote appreciation for Philippine culture, heritage, and arts, and encourage self-development among Consulate personnel. END
The 2 poems by Rio Alma, National Artist Virgilio Almario’s poetry byline, which were the literary pieces read during the Poetry Reading
Mr. John Dan Elijah Fajardo reading the poem “Mas Matalino ang Tubig” by National Artist Virgilio Almario, otherwise known as Rio Alma. (Toronto PCG photo)
Ms. Mildred Decena reading the poem, “Water is Wiser”. (Toronto PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.