In celebration of the Quezon Literature Festival 2024, two renowned Quezonian authors, Mr. Paterno Baloloy Jr. and Dr. Victor Emmanuel Nadera, imparted their knowledge about the roles of literature during the pandemic at the Library Seminar Hall, May 20.
With the theme “Kanlungan sa Yapos ng Panitikan: Pagbibigay Kapayapaan sa Pangamba ng Kapanauhan,” the two speakers discussed how literature played a significant role in times of darkness.
“Sa panahong ako’y balot ng takot at pangamba, panitikan din ang naging kanlungan ko upang kahit papaano mahagip ko ang kapayapaan noong panahon ng pandemya. Sa kasalukuyan [ay] tinatapos ko ang thesis sa DLSU, Malikhaing Pagsulat. Imagine, 2020 lockdown ang lahat, walang galawan,” two-time Palanca Awardee Baloloy recalled.
Baloloy also reminded how powerful writers are because of their capabilities to express themselves through writing.
“Ang mga manunulat ay ang mga boses ng mga nahahapis. Boses ng mga boses ng mga hindi naririnig. Sa pagitan ng salita at taludtod, ang pinakamalakas na boses ay matatagpuan sa pagitan ng mga salita,” he said.
Meanwhile, the pioneer of poetry therapy, Dr. Nadera, discussed various literary works made by different professionals, such as doctors and even Palanca awardees, during the pandemic and other crises that happened in the Philippines.
“Hindi ko sinabi sa inyo [ito] para inggitin [kayo] kundi impluwensiyahan na gawin sa inyo, inyo mga lugar, para sa tesis o disertasyon. Yung mga manunulat o likha o manmade, pero may mga bagay na di kontrolado o likas,” he said.
He encouraged the audience to immerse themselves in reading and writing as his piece of advice during the open forum.
For the closing remarks, Dr. Maria Azela L Tamayo, department chair of the Department of Languages and Humanities, reminded that the Quezon Literature Festival is a celebration of how powerful words are capable of driving imagination, strengthening understanding, and giving peace in crisis.
