Arejola Foundation is '08 UMPIL awardee

MANILA - The Arejola Foundation for Social Responsibility, Inc. (AFSRI) will be conferred with the prestigious Gawad Pedro Bucaneg by the Unyon ng mga Manunulat ng Pilipinas (UMPIL) on August 30, 2008, when the writers' union hold its 34th National Covention. Gawad Bucaneg is given to any organization which has done significant projects for the advancement of Philippine literature.

Juliana Arejola-Fajardo Workshop sa Pagsurat-Bikol

Since its foundation, the Arejola Foundation has been giving special attention to the development and promotion of Bikol literature and culture. The foundation runs the Juliana Arejola-Fajardo Workshop sa Pagsurat-Bikol and the Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon. It is also engaged in literary and literacy campaigns by distributing books and reading materials to public elementary schools in remote villages of Camarines Sur.

Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon

In the citation for the Arejola Foundation, UMPIL recognizes the Foundation's efforts as "from its own heart and coffers" and thus an essential "part in the current resurgence in Bikol writing, and in the end enriching Filipino literature."

The awarding ceremony will be held during the UMPIL National Convention on August 30, at the GSIS Museum, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, Pasay City. Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas for outstanding Filipino writers and Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez for outstanding educator in the field of literature will also be awarded. Receiving this years Gawad Balagtas are: Ruperta VR. Asuncion (Iluko Poetry), Armando Y. Lao (Filipino Screenplay), Edgardo B. Maranan (Essay and Poetry), James Teng Choon Na (Chinese Poetry), and Delfin L. Tolentino (Essay); while Ligaya T. Rubin will receive the Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez.