Top Filipino Artists and Writers Stand By Her
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At left, Noel Ferrer and Cherrie Pie Picache emcee “Pusuin mo and kultura at Kasaysayan” at Miriam College (Photo by Virgilio Reyes, Jr.)
The well-attended Valentine’s Day event at Miriam College in Quezon City titled “Pusuan ang Sining at Kultura”(Favor the Arts and Culture), featured the book launch “100 Pink Poems Para Kay Leni”(San Anselmo Press, 2022).
The project, launched only in mid-December, was completed in a record four weeks “in time to have this collection of multi-lingual poetry printed and presented as a Valentine’s Day gift to Vice President Leni Robredo.” For this group, “she symbolizes and champions the hopes of most of our country’s creatives for a rosy future. The poetry should serve as a consort in her crusade, our pink revolution.”
Among National Artists who endorsed the Robredo-Pangilinan tandem were Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera, Ryan Cayabyab, Alice Reyes, Ramon Santos and Virgilio Almario. The anthology includes the best and the brightest of our poets and writers, such as Gemino Abad, Merlie Alunan, Juaniyo Arcellana, Marnie Kilates, Jose Dalisay, Marra P.L. Lanot, Floy Quintos, Ninotchka Rosca, Frank Cimatu, Kristian Sendon Cordero, Celina S. Cristobal and Luis Cabalquinto as well as numerous others both in the Philippines and abroad. Artists and entertainers present included Noel Ferrer, Cherie Pie Picache, and Edu Manzano.
VP Leni Robredo flanked by National Artists Ryan Cayabyab, Virgilio Almario and Alice Reyes (Photo by Virgilio Reyes, Jr.)
KKK President Virgilio “Rio Alma” Almario read out the ten-point “Kartilya” or Manifesto of the newly created cultural body, which echoed both the historic 1896 Katipunan of Andres Bonifacio and the Revolutionary cartilla of Emilio Jacinto. He explained that the association had sent out a copy of this tract to all the Presidential candidates and only VP Robredo had responded with the promise to support all of its principles.
The new KKK Kartilya announcement
In her acknowledgement of this Valentine’s Day gift to her, VP Robredo expressed her profound gratitude to Miriam College President Laura Q. del Rosario, the cultural community, and concerned citizens for hosting this singular event. She stated her appreciation for the fact that many who may not have previously been politically engaged had come “out of their comfort zone” in order to support her as well as her party’s candidacy. She pointed out how important this election was for the future of the country, in which awareness of our history and culture should be an important feature.
The roseate and optimistic event ended on a high note with readings of the poetry featured in “100 Pink Poems for Leni.”
Copy of “100 Pink Poems for Leni”held by V.A Reyes, Jr. with participating poet and KKK member Marra Lanot (Photo by Virgilio Reyes, Jr.)
A career diplomat of 35 years, Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. served as Philippine Ambassador to South Africa (2003-2009) and Italy (2011-2014), his last posting before he retired. He is now engaged in writing, traveling and is dedicated to cultural heritage projects.
More articles by Ambassador Virgilio Reyes, Jr.
[SIDEBAR}
“Jesse’s Poem”
by Jose Dalisay
If this was what I died for,
Let no one grieve.
When wife became widow
She could not believe
That hurtful accident could make
Of loss a boundless gain
And of my bones a pillow
To dream away the pain.
If this was what I died for
Then I live on.
My adjourned crusade
Shall now be won.
Between the two of us we knew
This was always she—
The one to crush a rock in hand
To set the jewel free.
If this was what I died for
Let us rejoice.
The mother of our children
Has found her voice
Singing neither lullabies
Nor dirges for the dead
But battle hymns of love and hope
For the armies to be led.
