Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong, the president of Mabalacat City College, recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and Mr. Raymond John D. Vergara, Vice President for External Affairs who stood as witness to safeguard, protect, and promote the culture and tradition of the Aytas through writing.
The MOA sealed the “Writing Workshop for Young Aytas (18-35 years old)” Project between MCC and the NCCA. The Writing Workshop aims to promote the NCCA’s goals which include: to encourage and continue the balanced development of a pluralistic culture by the people; to conserve and promote the nation’s cultural heritage; to ensure the widest dissemination of artistic and cultural products; and to preserve and integrate traditional culture and its various creative expressions – all of which are dynamic part of the national cultural mainstream.
This year’s writing workshop for young Aytas was held online via Zoom. The Opening Ceremonies marked its first day (November 13). The second day (November 20) involved parallel lectures, one for short story writing and another for poetry writing. During the final day (November 27), the participants presented their short stories and poems to resource persons.
The workshop participants were provided with instruments (methods and tips) that they may use in order to safeguard, revitalize, and promote their Ayta culture and identity through the written word. They were encouraged to share what they learned with their own communities.
Prominent Kapampangan writers and luminaries Dr. Julieta C. Mallari, a retired UP Professor of Language and Literature, handled the sessions on Pagsulat ng Kuwentong Ayta; Palanca and a National Book Awardee, Prof. Rowena Festin Valerio, taught the sessions on Pagsulat ng Tula; and Prof. Cynthia Grace Suguitan-Sanguyu from the UP Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga stood as the overall coordinator of the project.
Mr. Kevin Peralta of Mabalacat City College who functioned as the assistant coordinator, and Mr. Kevin Constantine Fonseca, the chief of the NCIP Region 3 Community Service Center in Pampanga were also present during the said workshop.
MCC continues to champion the call for the preservation and promotion of Kapampangan culture, literature, and arts in different opportunities such as this project, thereby uplifting the younger Aytas' skill, creativity, and love for their culture.
