Global Economic Times

The Philippine Embassy in Singapore, in collaboration with Penguin Random House Southeast Asia (PRH SEA) and with the support of the National Library Board Singapore, successfully held the event "Voices from the Philippines: A Celebration of National: Eugenio Rodolfo Sanabria Reporter / Updated : 2025-04-11 18:18:17

In the Philippines, April is celebrated annually as 'National Literature Month (NLM)' under Presidential Proclamation No. 968. This initiative, led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), and the National Book Development Board (NBDB), 1 recognizes literature in all Philippine languages as a vital part of the nation's cultural heritage and identity.

This year's event focused on the voices of women in contemporary literature and Filipino narratives that transcend borders, highlighting the power of literature to reflect experiences, amplify marginalized voices, and foster meaningful cultural exchange. The event featured a distinguished lineup of writers from the Philippines and Singapore, including Claire Betita de Guzman, Jet Tagasa, Joyce Chua, Tracy Anne Ong, Victor Ocampo, Douglas Candano, Migs Bravo Dutt, Felix Cheong, and Eric Valles representing Eileen Tabios, engaging in rich discussions.

In line with this year's National Literature Month theme, "Leap of Literature: Culture and Literature of Progress (Sikad Panitikan: Kultura at Panitikan ng Kaunlaran)," the program showcased insightful discussions on how stories can inspire progress. During the event, the Philippine Ambassador to Singapore, Medardo G. Macaraig, introduced the embassy's latest publication, "Making a Mark in the Little Red Dot: Trailblazing Filipino Entrepreneurs in Singapore," which he described as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Filipino community in Singapore. He further noted that the book contributes to cultural progress by sharing real-life narratives of Filipino ingenuity and entrepreneurship abroad.

'Book Bar', an independent bookstore and cafe in Singapore, featured a display of books by the participating authors, drawing considerable attention. The evening concluded with attendees enjoying traditional Filipino cuisine in celebration of 'Filipino Food Month', also commemorated every April.

This event marked the second collaboration between the Philippine Embassy and PRH SEA, following their successful Rizal Day commemoration in 2022. Established in 2018, PRH SEA is committed to championing local storytelling and working closely with Filipino authors to bring powerful narratives to a wider audience.

The "Voices from the Philippines" event is considered a significant step in promoting the richness and diversity of Philippine literature to an international audience and in fostering cultural understanding and exchange between the Philippines and Singapore.