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De La Salle University recently lauched the Cirilo F. Bautista Program for Literary Arts, named in honor of the 2014 National Artist for Literature and DLSU Professor Emeritus.

The announcement was made last March 19 at the DLSU Henry Sy, Sr. Hall, during a special tribute for him that also coincided with the launching of his new book, Things Happen Poems 2012, published by the University of Santo Tomas.

Announcing the establishment of the literary program, Vice Chancellor for Academics Dr. Myrna Austria said that a seed fund of one million pesos has been allocated by the University to support both professional and budding writers of poetry, essay, and fiction.  Literary grantees will be chosen annually.

Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Carmelita Quebengco delivered the opening remarks, and Br. Bernard Oca FSC, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School president, the remarks of circumstance.  Fellow National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and National Artist for Music Ramon Santos graced the occasion.

Described as a Renaissance man, Bautista is a poet, fictionist, painter, literary critic, and educator.  At DLSU, he was honored as a member of the elite group of University Fellows.  He spent 33 years of teaching in the University, retiring in 2006.

The tribute for Bautista featured a poetry reading by eminent writers Gemino Abad, Alice Sun Cua, Carlomar Arcangel Daoana, Marjorie Evasco, Dinah Roma, and Alfred Yuson. An open forum  with the writer, hosted by journalist Lito Zulueta, culminated the event.

The event was organized by the Department of Literature, the Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center, and the College of Liberal Arts.