National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) Chairman National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario is set to launch his new book titled Bakit Kailangan Natin si Pedro Bucaneg? at the Vargas Museum in University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman on March 16, 2019.

Bakit Kailangan Natin si Pedro Bucaneg? is a compilation of compositions of National Artist Almario that tackles intangible cultural heritage. It also discusses the significance of proverbs, riddles, and epics that encourage and nurture patriotic memoirs.

During the book launch of the National Artist, UP Diliman’s chancellor Dr. Michael L. Tan, and Vargas Museum’s curator Dr. Patrick D. Flores will be present to share inspirational remarks. There will also be a performance from the UP Dance Company, The Makatas, and the distribution of book’s complimentary copies.

Apart from these, oath taking of the new members of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) will also take place.

LIRA is one of the country’s premier literary groups and the oldest organization of poets in Filipino. It is a volunteer-run, education Civil Society Organizations (CSO) that seeks to promote literature, language, and patriotism.

National Artist Virgilio S. Almario is a poet, literary historian, critic, translator, editor, teacher, and cultural manager known as Rio Alma, conferred as national artist for literature on 2003. Some of his influential works are Makinasyon, Peregrinasyon, and his famed trilogy Doktrinang Anakpawis, Mga Retrato at Rekwerdo and Muli, Sa Kandungan ng Lupa.

For more details, please contact Mr. Rene Napeñas, head of the Public Affairs and Information Office, at Tel. No. 527-2192 loc 628 or through email address ncca.paio@gmail.com.