Biñan City Mayor Walfredo ‘Arman’ Dimaguila Jr. bats for NJLA-LGU Advocacy for English and Literature project

ENGLISH & LITERATURE ADVOCACY. City of Biñan Mayor Walfredo ‘Arman’ Dimaguila Jr. and Philippines Graphic Executive Vice-President-General Manager Loida S. Virtudazo pose with copies of the Philippines Graphic Reader after signing the Memorandum of Agreement that will promote English Proficiency through Literature to Grade 9 and Grade 10 students in the city’s 14 public high schools

The province of Laguna has a history rich in prose and poetry. It’s roster of poets and literary geniuses include no less than novelist and poet Dr. Jose Rizal—born in Calamba and schooled during his early years in Biñan—and Fr. Modesto de Castro, a Biñanense considered as the father of Tagalog classical prose.

It is this historical tradition of literary excellence that Biñan City Mayor Walfredo ‘Arman’ Dimaguila Jr. said he “wants to revive by endorsing the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards-Local Government Unit (NJLA-LGU) Advocacy for English and Literature project to Biñan’s public high schools.”

The NJLA-LGU project is the brainchild of Philippines Graphic, initiator of the NJLA and the Philippines Graphic Reader, the only monthly magazine completely devoted to publishing the short stories and poems written in English by budding and veteran Filipino writers and poets.  

Dimaguila said that “stories and poems written in English by Filipino authors will help young students imbibe good English usage. Students will likewise find the literature more relatable since they reflect local culture, traditions, and experiences.”

He added: “Reading literature from Filipino fictionists and poets can foster a sense of pride and connection to their heritage among students. Seeing their own experiences in the stories and poems can be empowering and validating.”

Dimaguila said that on the whole, the advocacy effort between NJLA and the City of Biñan holds great promise in enriching the literary landscape of the community and empowering students to become discerning readers, thoughtful writers, and active participants in shaping their own narratives.”

There are 14 public Junior and Senior High Schools in the City of Biñan, for a total of 5,163 Grade 9 learners and 4,864 Grade 10 learners.

Loida S. Virtudazo, executive vice-president and general manager of Philippines Graphic bared that the NJLA-LGU Project “is the beginning of a long-range effort to engage LGUs and public high schools in the promotion of English proficiency and Literature Appreciation through the Philippines Graphic Reader.” 

She added that the NJLA will hold its annual awarding of the best short stories and the Poet of the Year on May 7 at the Samsung Hall, 6th floor, SM Aura Premier in Taguig City.

“We and our LGU partners will be announcing the schools where the featured short stories and poems in the Graphic Reader will be studied and appreciated,” Virtudazo said.