NPCG HOSTS POETRY READING ENTITLED BALAGTAS Y RIZAL: ILANG TULA SA TAGALOG AT KASTILA
The Consulate General of the Philippines in Nagoya, with the support of the Consulate General of Peru in Nagoya celebrated Philippine Literature Month in April with a poetry reading session entitled “Balagtas y Rizal: Ilang tula sa Tagalog at Kastila” on 30 April 2025 on consulate premises.
In his welcome remarks, DCG Jerome Castro highlighted the continued relevance and undiminished beauty of Filipino literature in classic Tagalog and Spanish, considered a Filipino language that has been lost over the years, while VC Jericson Arceo gave a brief introduction of Francisco Balagtas and Jose Rizal.
Excerpts from the Balagtas masterpiece awit “Florante and Laura” were recited by consulate personnel, Beverly Bio and William Yap, in Tagalog with translations both in English and Japanese flashed on a screen.
Filipino Community Central Japan President Nestor Puno joined consulate personnel Roberto Salumbides and Joselyn Lucas in a persuasive argument in poetic form known as “Balagtasan,” under the theme "Yaman" (wealth) versus "Talino” (intelligence).
Rizal’s “A la Juventud Filipina” (To the Filipino Youth) was recited in Spanish by Nagoya City Government official Daichi Yasuda, Japanese guest Hitomi Ogura, Nagoya-based Filipino painter Nimrod Matsuo, and consulate staff Justine Roda.
An emotional rendition of “Mi Ultimo Adios” ( My Last Farewell) was recited by Peruvian Deputy Consul Amador Pantoja, Nagoya City Government official Miyuki Satake, Cultural Officer Elizabeth Alberto and DCG Castro.
In connection with the recent demise of Peruvian Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, Peruvian Consul General Luis Espinoza Aguilar gave focus to the life of the late Peruvian novelist and statesman, and shared his appreciation of the literary ties and bond between Peru and the Philippines.
There was a vibrant exchange of comments during the Q&A portion which included Teru Kisuna of the Aichi International Association, Virgie Ishihara, Eloisa Palisada,
Susan de Ono-Laset, and Irish guest Cillian Flood, among others.
Susan de Ono-Laset, and Irish guest Cillian Flood, among others.
Filipino dishes of empanada and lumpia were served to culminate the event coinciding with the Buwan ng Kalutong Filipino (Filipino Food Month) in April to promote Filipino culinary heritage. END
