Press Release
PR No. MJD- 19 - 2021
JEDDAH PCG HOLDS WEBINAR ON PHILIPPINE ORAL TRADITION IN CELEBRATION OF PH LITERATURE MONTH
3 May 2021, Jeddah – The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah (Jeddah PCG), in post-celebration of Filipino Literature Month held on 2 May 2021 a webinar which centered on the theme “Limandaang Taon ng Pagsulat sa Kalibutang Filipino” (500 Years of Writing the Filipino World).
Dr. Michael M. Coroza, Professor and Chair of the Filipino Department of the Ateneo de Manila University in Manila served as resource speaker at the activity. His lecture was entitled “Isang Pagbabalik-Tanaw sa Tradisyong Pabigkas ng Filipinas (O Kung Bakit Dapat Alalahanin ang Bugtong at Salawikain”.
In his lecture, he discussed the early forms of Philippine literature as sung; thus, the country having a rich oral tradition. He also showed how the “bugtong” and “salawikain” can be interpreted in so many ways, making such literary genres full of meaning and practical lessons that could be used in everyday life.
Dr. Michael M. Coroza of the Ateneo de Manila University discusses the rich oral tradition of the Philippines as evident in its different literary forms
Jeddah PCG Acting Head of Post Consul Mary Jennifer D. Dingal said that the webinar series organized by the Consulate is a way to make Filipino literature seen from different lens, not only as a vehicle to express one’s emotions or thoughts, but also as a reflection of collective experiences, culture and ideologies of the Filipino people. I believe that literature “could transform and open realities and consciousness among Filipinos,” Consul Dingal added.
The first part of the webinar series, which was moderated by Vice-Consul Alfred Kristoffer A. Guiang, was attended by teachers and students of the International Philippine School in Jeddah, Al Dura International School Jeddah, and Durat Al Sharq International School Jeddah, as well as members of the Philippine International School Teachers’ Association (PISTA) Jeddah.
Another webinar is set on 4 May 2021, with resource speaker Prof. Ferdinand Lopez of the University of Toronto. -End-
