The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) hosts The Philippine Center of International PEN (Poets and Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists) as it holds its first hybrid congress at the CCP Main Theater Lobby on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. PEN members may also attend the event online. The congress aims to provide a venue for the literary community to promote truth and freedom of expression through discussion and performance. The event will begin with a keynote presentation from National Artist for Literature Gémino Abad, followed by an open forum.

Free the Word!, a minifestival for global audiences, will feature readings and performances from esteemed local and international artists such as Nanding Josef, screenwriter Veera Tyhtilä, director Adjani Arumpac and playwright Guelan Luarca, among others.

A book sale will also be held by independent and academic publishers, among them Ateneo de Manila University Press, University of Santo Tomas Publishing House and several others. Free the Word! also coincides with the launch of Luna, a semiannual literary journal featuring new Filipino writing.

The event is open and free for all. Certificates of attendance will be given to PEN members who attend the keynote presentation and open forum, whether in person or online. Tel. 0919-3175708; follow @CCPIntertextualDivision on Facebook; email ccpintertextualdivision @gmail.com