EMILIO Jacinto, the young revolutionary in the war of independence against Spain and often Brains of Katipunan, was commemorated by Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) with a literary tour last April 16 in Majayjay, Laguna, as part of the celebration of the National Literature Month.
KWF said the last leg of its Literatour was in memory of Jacinto because of his revolutionary writing during the colonization of the Spaniards. The first two of the series of tours were in Orion, Bataan, and Pandacan, Bulacan.
“We celebrate the life and importance of Emilio Jacinto’s literary works. He is one of the reasons why we celebrate the National Literature Month this April,” KWF said.
The Literatour also coincided with the hero’s 117th death anniversary.
Jacinto, despite his youth, was considered one of the most intellectual members of the Katipunan. He studied in San Juan de Letran College and took up law at University of Santo Tomas.
The young general wrote under the name Dimas Ilaw for Kalayaan, the publication of Katipunan. He also penned the Kartilya ng Katipunan that listed the commandments of the revolutionary group.
Jacinto died from malaria in Majayjay, Laguna.
KWF invited teachers, cultural workers and the local government unit of Majayjay to participate in “Literatour.”
Filipino poet Michael Coroza, who grew up in Majayjay, delivered a poem, “Sa Pook na Ito, Jacinto.” Makata ng Taon 2015 Christian Ray Pilares recited his winning piece about the hero, “Pingkian.”
Pilares said Jacinto was an admirable character in Philippine history so he decided to write a poem about him when KWF asked poets to write about the youth for Makata ng Taon 2015.
He said young writers could learn so much about Jacinto, especially his attitude of putting the interest of the nation first.
“Although Jacinto’s time was different from our time, I think there is still a big need for writers to write for the needs of the nation first,” Pilares said.
Sculptor Priscillano Vicado Jr. was also introduced to the public. He will be create a life-size bronze sculpture of Jacinto, titled “Si Jacinto at Inang Kalayaan.” It will be installed in Majayjay.
The participants toured Majayjay and Liliw. They visited Magdalena Church in Magdalena, Laguna, where Jacinto took shelter after being wounded in an encounter. The drops of the hero’s blood inside the church had been preserved for the public to see.
Spearheading the celebration of National Literature Month were KWF, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and National Book Development Board.