Bicol

Song
Uswag Nin Buhay By Jesus Garchitorena
Bicolano writers recently gathered for the awards rites of the 2012 Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon
(PTALB) entitled "agrokyaw sa Pinakamaray-rahay na Panurat kan Taon (A Toast for the Best Literary Works of the
Year)" at the Holy Rosary Minor Seminary in Naga City.
The regional competition for literary writing in Bicol dialect is sponsored this year by the Naga City government and the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in the region.
Named as the "Parasurat kan Taon (Writer of the Year)" is Niles Jordan Breis of Tabaco City.
Bries also won in the essay category for his entry, "Binareta kan Anghel: Minahubag an Ngabil." His entries, "Nasa Bitis
kun Minsan an Kaogmahan" and "An Pigkukurahaw kan Saparupor na Kurakpaw" for poetry and fiction categories
respectively were chosen as second prize winners.
The plays written by Richard Madrilejos, also from Tabaco, entitled "An Hikot ni Pay Ben" and "Nata Maaskad an Dagat"
were respectively chosen as winners for the one-act play for children and one-act play for children categories.
Eden Elizan-Velarde of Naga City, writer of "Kan Magkulog an Buot ni Balete," won for the childrens story category
while Jay Salvador III P. Salvosa of Naga City won for fiction category for his "Cinarding."
"Pagpangaran" by Eduardo E. Uy of Gubat, Sorsogon was chosen for poetry category. Third prize winner for this
category is Jeffrey P. Regullano of Pili Camarines Sur for his "Mga Rawitdawit atang sa Itom."
Essayist Jose Fernado Obias was awarded "Masirang na Bituon kan Literaturang Bikolnon (Shining Beacon of Bikol
Literature)," the Premio Arejolas highest distinction, for his contributions on the Bikol language, arts, culture, and
history.
Awarded with the Premio Bibiano Sabino sa Libro Bikol, the regions only book prize, were "Doros asin mga Anghel," a
Bikol translation of John Donnes sonnets, elegies, and poetry by Victor Dennis T. Nierva and "Minatubod Ako sa
Diklom" Bikol translation of Rainer Maria Rilkes selected poems by Kristain Sendon Cordero.
Also honored for their contribution in Bicol literature were Maria Lilia F. Realubit, Abdon Balde, Gode Calleja, Luis
Cabalquinto, Liberato Aureus, Leonor Dy-Liaco.
Posthumously awarded were James OBrein, S.J. and Luis Dato. (MAL/SAA-PIA5, Albay)