Team DailyPedia
Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), the organization of poets writing in Filipino founded by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, will commemorate its 40th anniversary on December 15, 2025—coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of revolutionary leader and writer Emilio Jacinto.
The milestone celebration will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony at Jacinto’s tomb at Himlayang Pilipino in Quezon City at 8:00 a.m. Senator Loren Legarda will lead the tribute to Jacinto, also known by his pen name “Pingkian,” in recognition of his enduring legacy in Philippine history and literature.
As part of the anniversary program, LIRA will also recognize winners of recent literary contests organized in partnership with the Quezon City local government and book publisher San Anselmo Press.
Among those to be awarded are the student and teacher winners of the Kara-Tula Contest for Quezon City schools. The student awardees are Kim T. Alapa-ap of Novaliches High School for “Lubog,” Josef Emmanuel T. Anicet of Batasan Hills National High School for “P.A.R.,” Julia Erika M. Palermo of Novaliches High School for “Sinag,” Princess Angela P. Magtangob of Lagro High School for “Lungsod na Iniibig,” and Aaron Drix Abas of Lagro High School for “Tahî.”
Teacher awardees include Janine P. Solitario of Ernesto Rondon High School for “Salugpungan,” Jeric Bautista of Judge Feliciano Belmonte Sr. High School for “Sa Lungsod Quezon,” “Ligaya,” and “Pait at Tamis,” and Faustine Ian Fae Ruiz Molina of Maligaya High School for “Andador.” According to contest organizer and supervisor Ryan Atesora, each winner will receive a ₱5,000 cash prize courtesy of the Quezon City Tourism Office.
LIRA will also honor the top poets in the National Poetry Challenge, spearheaded in collaboration with San Anselmo Press. Leading the list of winners are En Villasis, Mikael de Lara Co, and Frank Cimatu, along with 20 other poets adjudged best in the competition. The ten-day online challenge invited netizens to write poems based on daily themes posted by the judges on the San Anselmo Publications, Inc. Facebook page. Five entries were shortlisted each day, with the top five overall winners receiving cash prizes.
In addition, LIRA will confer distinctions on outstanding individuals and organizations within the literary community. Dr. Joti Tabula and the late Edelio de los Santos will be recognized for exemplary service; Mikka Cabangon and Ekis Vallez for outstanding creative works; Fidel Rillo and Danny M. Reyes for their role as generous advisors; and San Anselmo Press for its continued advocacy for literature.
Special performances will be presented by Vic Robinson, star of the musical “Pingkian,” and the poetry group Makatas.
The event is free and open to the public, inviting poetry enthusiasts and the general public to join in commemorating the life and legacy of Emilio Jacinto while celebrating four decades of LIRA’s contribution to Filipino literature. LIRA publications will also be available for purchase at the venue. For updates and further details, the public may visit the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo Facebook page.
