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FEATURES
// THE LASALLIAN RHEIMS
WRITTEN WITH AFFECTION ZOELINE HONRADO
Have you ever experienced writing a letter for a loved one? Writing a secret message to
your crush? Well, if you did... I’m sure you inserted a lot of effort in doing it, applying your wholesome feelings onto the letter. This month of April, we celebrate National Literature month as a way of featuring the works, and giving importance to the love given to writing. Under the leadership of National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), Komisyon sa wikang Filipino (KWF), and National Book Development Board – Philippines, we annually celebrate Literature Month every April; according to Proclamation no. 968 that was signed in 2015. This year’s Buwan ng Panitikan is anchored on the theme “Muling Pagtuklas ng Karunungang Bayan”. It is to give importance and be reminded of the epic tales, parables, stories that marks the culture of Filipinos in Literature. Literature is considered as a form of art. I myself would like to give importance to literature, for it is my form of expressing how I feel. Through literature, I am able to learn and discover a lot of things. Literature is a collection of written works that are narrowed to genres like comedy, narrative, romance, fiction. It isn’t only through written works; it could also be in forms of arts, drama, and poetry. Literature doesn’t only provide amusement and help pass time, but it also provides us knowledge, and help us widen our capabilities. Philippines’ National Hero, Jose Rizal, was known for fighting for freedom in a silent but powerful way. Through his written works, he fought for his and the freedom of his country. Not through fighting with a sword or a gun, but fighting with a pen. Through literature, he was able to fight for his country’s freedom. Another contributor for literature is Francisco Balagtas, a prominent Filipino poet during the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is known for writing his poems in Tagalog instead of Spanish, to show resistance to Spanish rule. His most notable work is “Florante at Laura”, that is considered as a depiction of the sufferings of the Filipinos under the oppressive Spanish colonization. Literature made a very big impact to the Filipino history. It served as a way for fighting for freedom, and showing how one truly felt. From now, let us consider the importance of literature. Let’s start appreciating and promoting it. May we all recognize the value of literature not only in history, but also in present times. [R]
