Despite the enhanced community quarantine, there are many ways to honor national literature month from the comfort of our homes. One of these is by reading works from National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, who has been composing new poetry since the quarantine began.
Under the pen name Rio Alma, the writer has published works that discussed issues about the government’s shortcomings and honored frontliner who have lost their lives to the pandemic—all of which can be accessed through his Facebook page.
“Naisip ko kasi na baka ito ang pagkakataon para ipakita sa mga tao na ang tula ay puwede nilang basahin kaugnay ng kanilang buhay at sa paraang madali nilang maintindihan,” the author explained in an interview with Inquirer Lifestyle.
So if you’re looking for a way to celebrate local literature, look no further. We’ve put together some of Almario’s newest works to help you get started:
Lockdown: Isang Resumé
LOCKDOWN: ISANG RESUMÉ Though nothing can bring back the hourOf splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower; We…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Retrato ng Isang Trapo
RETRATO NG ISANG TRAPO(Isang umaga ng ECQ)May tatak ang tisirt ng bayan o parti,Dahil may maskara’t bakâ di…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Wednesday, April 8, 2020
May Bagong Bayani ang Ating Panahon
MAY BAGONG BAYANI ANG ATING PANAHONBathala, ibig kong magtipon ng batongHinango sa dagat, talampas at…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Alamat ng Bayan ni San Roque
ALAMAT NG BAYAN NI SAN ROQUEDoon po sa amin, bayan ni San RoqueWala noong peste’t wala ring pulubi;Dáti naming…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Saturday, April 18, 2020
Pasakalye sa Pagmumuni
PASAKALYE SA PAGMUMUNI(Mag-isip ulit/Bago mag-isip.)At aanhin pa ang damoKung pinatay ang kabayo?Ama naming nása…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Thursday, April 16, 2020
May Paminsan-Minsang Ulan Sa Tag-Aráw
MAY PAMINSAN-MINSANG ULAN SA TAG-ARÁW(Duweto ukol sa mga Kagitingang Hindi Napapansin)May paminsan-minsang ulan sa…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Thursday, April 23, 2020
Kamatayan Ka Lámang
KAMATAYAN KA LÁMANG(Hinango mula sa alaala ni Pasyente 2828)Covid-19 need not be a death sentence.Mapait kang…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Monday, April 13, 2020
Ang Guro Ko
ANG GURO KO(Handog sa mga alagad ng edukasyon)Ang kabuhayang hindi ginugugol sa isang malakíat banal na kadahilanan…
Posted by Virgilio Senadren Almario on Wednesday, April 15, 2020
Header photo by Álvaro Serrano on Unsplash
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Writer: ANGELA PATRICIA SUACILLO
