LIRA Poetry Group Turns 20

After 20 years, the LIRA Poetry Group is still musing with the muses. Here's the message sent to me by Bebang Siy.

Two decades ago, eight young poets who just passed the rigorous workshop headed by now National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, banded together and founded the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA). The poetry group aimed to enrich Filipino poetry by studying traditional as well as modernist poetry, sponsor poetry workshops for young poets, and publish anthologies of young poets. After 20 years, the poetry group that was formed by Gerardo Banzon, Romulo P. Baquiran Jr., Ariel Dim. Borlongan, Ronaldo Carcamo, Danilo Gonzales, Rowena Gidal, V.E. Carmelo D. Nadera Jr., and Dennis Sto. Domingo and guided by Almario has grown and has remained an influence to reckon with in the Philippine literary scene.

As part of its 20th year celebration, LIRA has lined-up its upcoming activities. On December 5 at 3 pm, LIRA will inaugurate its 5-day exhibit at the Gallery 2 of the Bulwagang Rizal (formerly Faculty Center) of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. The exhibit will feature the group’s sample works, photographs of their workshops as well as works of members who are also involved in different artistic fields. The opening ceremonies will be led by Ms. Karina Bolasco of Anvil Publishing House and poet-editor Rogelio Mangahas. The exhibit will be curated by LIRA poet and sculptor Raul Funilas.

On December 7, LIRA will sponsor a forum entitled “Kailangan ba ang LIRA? Ano ang ginagawa ng mga makatang kabataan ngayon?”at the Pulungang Recto, Bulwagang Rizal at 2 pm. Among the resource persons are: Dr. Rebecca Añonuevo (Department of English, Miriam College); Prof. Paolo Manalo (Department of English and Comparative Literature, UP College of Arts and Letters); Prof. Allan Popa (Kagawaran ng Filipino, Ateneo de Manila University); Dr. Benilda Santos (Kagawaran ng Filipino, AdMU); Mr. Ernani Rafael (LIRA member); and Prof. Angelo Suarez (Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas). Director Vim Nadera, UP Institute of Creative Writing, will be the moderator.

December 13 will be the culmination of LIRA's celebration with its Fellows Night and Christmas Party starting at 6 pm at the Conspiracy Café in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City. Among the activities are the folio launching and performances from Batch 2004-2005 and get-together of LIRA fellows and members. Also expected to perform are award-winning poets Teo T. Antonio, Michael M. Coroza, and Vim Nadera.

All activities are open to the public. For more information, contact Bebang Siy at 09193175708 or Edgar Samar at 09154461495.

[ First posted on 12/03/2005 by Manuel Viloria ]