National Conference on Language and Literature: Language and Literature at the Crossroads; Teaching Terrains, Research Routes, Learning Landscapes

Wazzup Pilipinas!
          

I marked these dates, September 10, 11 and 12 as one of the most significant days of my life as an educator because I learned a lot from the different GURUS OF EDUCATION here in the Philippines. University of Philippines, College English Teachers Association, Council of Department Chairpersons for English and Primetrade Asia Inc joined forces to come up with this one of a kind conference nationwide. 

I felt so blessed because I’ve got the free slot from the newly awarded WazzupPilipinas.com as one of the Most Emerging Influential Blogs of 2013 to cover the entire event. 

In general, this event was a great success. I congratulate all the organizers of the said event for being so munificent in sharing your time, talent, skills and resources to all educators out there. 

Here are the highlights of the said event: 

 
Day 1,  I listened to the keynote address of our National Artist for Literature -Francisco Sionil Jose (F. Sionil Jose), who knows 28 languages. He mentioned that in order to succeed in writing, we must choose words which are within the level of our target readers. We also need to define our objectives in writing, identify our target readers and express clearly the lessons we want to impart to them.


In the same day, Plenary Lecture #1 was given by Prof. Marilu R. Madrunio, Ph.D. in honor of Prof. Carolina U. Garcia, Ph.D. Other great speakers who talked about their expertise are: Asst. Prof. Arvin Vivar, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. John Jack Wigley, Ph. D., Pro. Anton Juan, Ph.D., Prof. Portia Padilla, Ph.D., Prof Maria Lourdes Tayao, Ph.D. and DepEd Asst. Sec. Lorna Dino, Ph.D.

The second day of the conference marked the busiest day for me because I met and luckily had an exposure with Senator Sonny Angara, Sec. Enrique Tayag who happened to be a guest in the said conference and the launching of 34th Manila International Book Fair.

My heart filled with joy and satisfaction because I’ve got the chance to be with them even in a single minute of their lives. In the same day, I listened to the Teaching Demonstration of Prof. Ma. Milagros Laurel, Ph.D. from University of the Philippines, Diliman with this topic “Strategies and Materials for the Resource-Challenged Classroom”. I learned different styles in teaching affixes and teaching poems using our students. It was a very productive day. I will definitely use these strategies in teaching my students. 

Other speakers during this day were: Assoc. Prof. Grace Subido, Ms. Mary Anne Mallari, Ms. Jaymee Siao, Ms. Cindy Velasquez, Asst. Prof. Lucris Carina Agnir-Paraan, Mr. Rodrigo C. Rivera, Assoc. Prof. Concepcion Belza-Guilot, Assoc Pro. Juan Jose Sans del Alamo, Ph.D., Prof. Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Ph.D., Prf. Milagros Laurel, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Jose Nicdao, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof Ferdinand M. Lopez, Mr. Raphael Polinar, Assoc. Prof. Haidee Emee Palapar, Mr. Tarrayo, Assoc. Prof. Castro, Asst. Prof. Mark B. Ulla, Assoc. Prof. Maria Melvyn Alamis, Ph.D., Mr. Randy Roy Briones, Assoc. Prof. Edna R. Inigo, Assoc. Prof. Shirley Lua, Ph.D., Assoc. Porf. Teresita Capacete, Ed.D., Mr Juan Carlos Santos and Mr. Edward Jay Quinto. What a prolific day!

 

The third and last day of  the conference was started by a Parallel Sessions on Language Sensitivity for Literary Appreciation by Asst. Prof. Rowell de Guia of Bataan Peninsula State University. This was followed by Standard English vs. Varieties of English by Asst. Prof. Marikit Uychoco from University of the Philippines.

Other speakers of the day are: Prof. Pia Tenedero, Assoc. Prof. Oscar V. Campomanes, Ph.D., Mr. Sam Harold Kho Nervez, Mr. Noel Christian Moratilla, Asst. Prof. Joahna Estacio, PROF. Ken Spillman, Ph.D., Assoc Prof. Ralph Semino Galan, Assoc. Prof. Augusto Antonio A. Aguila, Ph.D., Mr. Rommel Chester Boquiren, Prof. Adelaida Lucero, Ph.D., Pro. J. Neil Garcia, Ph.D., Prof. Jose Wendell Capili, Ph.D., Mr. Alejandro Bernardo, Ph.D., Ms. Josephine Nolasco, Ms. Bejay Villaflores, and Prof. Hope Sabanpan-Yu. 

Ms Marissa Farahbod from University of Santo Tomas, talked about the Role of Divinities in “The Iliad”. She defined Polytheism or Henotheism as the society of God. Iliad is a heroic epic about Supreme being. She also described some of the Olympian gods and goddesses like Athena- goddess of wisdom, Ares- god of war, most hateful to everyone, Hera- wife of Zeus and one who loves the Greeks so much, and many more. Iliad is a form of entertainment and bloodshed is fun for gods who love battle for they want to be paid attention to.

I would like to congratulate all the organizers for coming up with this one of a kind conference that helps educators improve their crafts.

 

Realizations that I’ve got from the said conference that I would like to share: 

1. Secondary teachers/educators played important roles in the lives of teenagers for instilling ideas to the minds of young people.
2. Knowing a new language is always an asset.
3. Language is not static it is communication. It dies and changes. It does not unites but it divides. It is a living thing = all the essences. Things that unite people: History, Achievement of People, Culture and Literature. (F. Sionil Jose)
4. Credo for writing: know the language that we are writing, for whom are we writing, what should we write about and be capable to social commentary. (F. Sionil Jose)
5. Let us make literature interesting, subject of entertainment and self- definition.
6. Let us develop critical thinking among our students. 

 

Contributed by Wilma Q. Del Rosario