The Filipinas Institute of Translation, Inc. (FIT) launches "Katext Mo Sa Katotohanan" (Your Text Mate For Truth), a dalit poetry writing contest through the popular SMS texting using cellphone technology. FIT has sponsored similar contests in the past using other indigenous literary form like the tanaga and diona.

Dalit is a traditional poetic form consisting of four monorhyming lines of eight syllables each. It is highly metaphorical and conveys an insight on human life and experience. Here is an example:

Ang sugat ay kung tinanggap
Di daramdamin ang antak
Ang aayaw at di mayag
Galos lamang magnanaknak.

(When o ne submits himself to wounding,
The intensest pain is bearable;
When one is unwilling,
Even the merest scratch can fester)

Writers and poetry enthusiasts can join the contest which has a very contemporary theme, the value of telling the truth. Writing poems is an effective way of expressing communal feelings and at this time in our national life, communal action.

Ang tunay na Filipino
Nagsasabi ng totoo
Naglilingkod sa totoo
Ilalaban ang totoo.
- Rio Alma

Contestants can text their poems at 0915-7832810. Or email them at dalitext@yahoo.com. Poems must strictly follow the dalit rhyme and meter. Cut-off time is at 5pm every Friday. Weekly winners gets a prize of P2,000.00 Consolation prize winners will receive certificates. For details, call 9221830 or email at mentioned address.

KATEXT MO SA KATOTOHANAN WINNERS

First Week Winners
Second Week Winners
Third Week Winners

Before the end of the year 2007, the NCCA invited all artists and cultural workers to join the various national committees of the Commission, and to participate in the election of officers in December. The election of the members and officers of the National Committee on Language and Translation (NCLT) was set on 12 December but the date was moved 10 December. The NCLT had its announcements made through the NCCA-Project Management Division PMD.

The following is the series of events that lead to the present NCLT state of affairs and had put a stop to the election of the Chair of the Subcommission and Cultural Dissemination (SCD).

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Elmar Beltran Ingles dated 14 December 2007
Virgilio S. Almario dated 15 December 2007
Abdon M. Balde, Jr. dated 17 December 2007
Jovy M. Peregrino dated 17 December 2007
NCLT EXECON 2007-2010 dated 19 December 2007
Abdon M. Balde, Jr. dated 20 December 2007
Micheal M. Coroza dated 28 December 2007
Abdon M. Balde, Jr. dated 3 January 2008
Jovy M. Peregrino dated 4 January 2008
Corazon Lalu-Santos dated 7 January 2008

The basic question is: What election rule was violated by the National Committee for Language and Translation (NCLT)?

The answer is very clear: Note. NCLT, supervised by Project Development Division (PMD)-Comelec followed all the steps in the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) issued rules on the conduct of national committee elections.

So why did Usec. Vilma Labrador stopped the Subcommission for Culture Dissemination (SCD) the night before its schedule 14 December 2007 elections?

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“Miskol” ang salita ng taon. Nanguna ito sa labing-isang iba pang entri sa Sawikaan 2007: Mga Salita ng Taon, isang kumperensiyang ginanap sa UP Diliman nitong Agosto 2-3, 2007. Pinili ito ng mga iskolar sa wikang Filipino, delagadong guro, at mag-aaral kasama ng pumangalawa at pumangatlong “roro” at “friendster.”
Magpatuloy…