Teaching literature is impossible; that is why it is difficult.
鈥揘orthrop Frye
“Do you want to enhance your skills in reading and teaching literature? Do you want to learn how to uncover the hidden meanings and messages of literary texts?”
So reads the invitation to the Gemino H. Abad Seminar-Workshop (GASW) for Teaching Literature 2023, which was held from September 20 to 22 at the NISMED Auditorium in 抖阴探探 Diliman. The GASW is a project of the Likhaan 抖阴探探 Institute of Creative Writing, and aims to inspire and empower educators with the ultimate goal of fostering a love for literature among Filipino students. The 48 participants were junior and senior high school teachers of literature and creative writing in English from public and private schools nationwide, and the lecturers are some of the country’s most distinguished literary scholars and writers.
As a tribute to the joys and challenges of education, especially for teachers of literature and the humanities, we are sharing an article written by Dr. Vim Nadera, award-winning poet, fictionist, playwright, and essayist, at the conclusion of this year’s GASW. The article was
Reading Literature: Text and Context
Ni Dr. Vim Nadera
Isa lamang proyekto iyon, kung tutuusin, ng Likhaan: 抖阴探探 Institute of Creative Writing.
Pero binigyan ito ng bagong dimensiyon nang mag-post sa Facebook ang DLSU SHS Arts and Design Track Department ng pagbati: 鈥淲e would like to extend congratulations to Ms. Blulean Albao, our Creative Writing teacher, for taking part in the Gemino Abad Seminar-Workshop for Teachers, which was conducted on October 4-6, 2023, at the NISMED Auditorium, 抖阴探探, Diliman.鈥�
Tinapik kaming lahat ng ganitong balita sa balikat.
Kahit paano鈥檡 nabunutan ng tinik sa pagtanggap sa hamong maging Workshop Director.
At, napausal din kami ng dasal sa pagpili sa butihing guro ng De La Salle Integrated School SHS Manila sa Bi帽an, Laguna na marunong tumanaw ng utang na loob: 鈥淭his is testimony of how a Lasallian educator can showcase capabilities and empower co-educators to nurture and mold student in the future.鈥�
Kasama ni Bb. Albao sa loob ng tatlong araw sina Anglika Fe Amado, Alyzza Chelsea Avestruz, Michael Bera帽a, Jerald Belmas, Charine Bolalin, Michelle Collado, at Consuelo Celine Fuentes, Kristian Ross Pimentel, John Carlo Pineda, Ferdinand Marc Sandoval, Charma Rose Tadeja. Dahil nasa Creative Non-fiction siya, sumailalim siya sa kalinga ni Prof. Larissa Mae Suarez na sanaysayista鈥檛 kuwentista.
Para sa Fiction ang mga dumalo sina Alvin Aborde, Lou Stephie Cambe, Maria Christina Corpuz, Jericho de Leon, Reniel Justine Gandecila, Karen Laking, Jayson Paderon, Brandon Parrenas, Nicka Marcel Reyes, Rhoda Salen, Vincent Eduard Sta.Clara, at Christian Lloyd Valenzuela sa giya ni Siege Malvar na nobelista鈥檛 makata.
Para sa Drama, ang mga lumahok ay sina Ma. Jessi Carilla, Armin Concepcion, Rafaelle Jasmin Iba帽ez, Clarice Yvette Laroza, Lourrie Mey Libo-on, Aubrey Dorothy Macas, Roselle Grace Mendoza, Justine Montilla, Ernesto Pang Jr., Maria Fe Ricamonte, Melissa Sarmiento, at Frank Tamayo sa gabay ni Dr. Joachim Emilio Antonio na mandudula, kuwentista鈥檛 kuwentistang pambata.
At para sa Poetry, ang mga sumali ay sina Rogelio Alegrid Jr., April Arevalo, Ronald Cabingon, Melchor Cayabyab, Darlyn Lojero, Ymanuel Manaog, William James Obrero, Angelica Padilla, Manuel Radislao, Nenita Ramiro-Rondera, Rosseth Salvan, at Charles Dominic Sanchez sa patnubay ni Ramil Digal Gulle na makata鈥檛 mamamahayag.
Mas prestihiyoso ang palihang ito dahil sa panayam ng batikan sa kani-kanilang larang: Professor Emeritus Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo (Creative Non-fiction), Prof. Charlson Ong (Fiction), Prof. Luna Sicat Cleto (Drama), at Pambansang Alagad ng Sining na Dr. Gemino Abad (Poetry).
Binayayaan din kami ng pagdating sa una鈥檛 huling araw ni Lord Jim na paulit-ulit sa pagsasabing: 鈥淭his is so well-organized!鈥�
Kaya, kahit nakauwi na si Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan, amin pa ring pinasalamatan hindi lamang sina Dr. Romulo Baquiran at Prof. Vladimeir Gonzales kundi sina Howi Bakunawa at Toni Panagu at ang kanilang mga anghel na sina Arlene Andresio, Ronnie Amuyot, Denise Cayetano, Karlo Erfe, Manolet Ferrer, Kenneth Guda, Philip Jamilla, Phoebe Lina, Danielle Madrid, P.B. Mara帽a, Dominick Molina, Cyril Noro帽a, Karen Pablo, at Jasper Villasis.
At, siyempre, ang nakaisip ng paksa na si Dr. Jose Dalisay.
Subalit, ibang-iba talaga ang kahingian sa panitikang Filipino.
Kaya sana magkaroon ng Virgilio Almario Seminar-Workshop for Teachers.
For photos of the 2023 Gemino Abad Seminar Workshop for Teachers, please browse through the post below from the Likhaan: 抖阴探探 Institute of Creative Writing Facebook page.
