LIST: National Literature Month Kicks Off in April with “Sikad Panitikan” Celebrations Across the Philippines

National Literature Month (NLM) 2025 is now in full swing with the theme “Sikad Panitikan: Kultura at Panitikan ng Kaunlaran,” honoring the role of literature in shaping Filipino identity and national growth.

Held every April since Proclamation No. 968 was signed in 2015, the celebration is spearheaded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and National Book Development Board (NBDB) Philippines.

Discover how traditional and emerging literature united in last year’s festivities by reading this feature on CCP’s Pasinaya celebration and see how the story continues this National Literature Month.

Pre-April Launch Activities

These early events marked the beginning of this year’s celebration:

• Philippine Book Festival (March 13–16)
  Organized by NBDB, featuring book exhibits and literary showcases.

• Ligligan Poesiyang Makuyad in Pampanga (March 20–21)
  Included workshops on children’s stories, poetry writing, and literary competitions.

Celebrate Filipino creativity this April by exploring how Filipino Food Month showcases our rich culinary heritage alongside National Literature Month.

Highlights of April Activities

KWF-Led Opening Events

• Araw ni Balagtas Celebration (April 2)
  Floral offering ceremonies held at:

• • Hardin ni Balagtas in Orion, Bataan
  • Literary landmarks in Pandacan, Manila and Balagtas, Bulacan

• Opening Lecture of NLM (April 3)
  Conducted online and led by KWF

• Weekly Online Forums
  Every Monday in April via Zoom and Facebook Live

Check out the first KWF webinar scheduled on April 7:

• Tertulyang Pampanitikan
  Literary gatherings in various regional language centers

• KWF Araw ng Parangal (April 28)
  Honors outstanding Filipinos in the field of literature

NCCA Events Featuring National Artists

• National Artists Reads Seminar Series (April 22)

  • First leg at UP Baguio: Cirilio Bautista and F. Sionil Jose

• Second leg at USTP Cagayan de Oro: Alejandro Roces and Rolando Tinio

• “Klasikal” Theater Performances at Bicol University
  Based on the works of Severino Montano

  • April 24, 25, and 28

• Literatour in Manila (May 3)
  Highlights the works of Nick Joaquin

Literary Competitions

• Timpalak Florentino Hornedo in Batanes
  Writing and singing contest for Laji, an Ivatan oral tradition

• 2nd Mindanaoan Creative Non-Fiction Writing Competition

• • Submission deadline: April 8
  • Winners announced: April 28

Literary Workshops and Forums

• Panitikolab Workshops

• • April 22 in Aklan
  • April 23 in General Santos City

• Ateneo Foundational Lecture and Literary Fair (April 24)
  Held at Ateneo de Manila University to explore Philippine literary traditions from 1946 to today

UMPIL Congress and Awards (April 26)

• Annual gathering of Filipino writers at UP Diliman’s Gimenez Hall
• UMPILAN session to discuss current literary issues
• Awarding ceremonies for:
• • Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas
  • Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez for literary educators
  • Gawad Pedro Bucaneg for literary groups

Modern Storytelling

• Sikad FunnyTikan by SPIT Manila (April 11)
  A comedy storytelling show at the Metropolitan Theater

May Activities

• Timpalak Komposo: Sambuwa sa Pagsulat kag Pagkanta sang Komposo
  A virtual workshop to revive the komposo, a traditional Hiligaynon narrative song

Be part of this literary journey and celebrate the richness of Philippine culture. Read and share more stories of hope and heritage on GoodNewsPilipinas.com!

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