Poetry in Motion
Have you ever taken the Manila LRT (Light Rail Transit)? Well – you should. It’s one of the quickest and cheapest ways to commute in the Philippine capital. Now, a cultural project is even allowing passengers to wax poetic during the ride.
The Instituto Cervantes de Manila, led by Director Jose Rodriguez, and the Light Rail Transit Authority have collaborated to install posters inside the carriages of LRT – all of which contain Spanish-language poems by such celebrated writers as national hero Jose Rizal, Jesús Balmori, Claro M. Recto, José Palma, and Fernando Maria Guerrero; Spanish poets Calderón de la Barca, Lope de Vega, García Lorca, Antonio Machado, Luis Cernuda, Luis Rosales, Miguel Hernández and Gil de Biedma; and Latin American writers Pablo Neruda and César Vallejo. The poems, of course, have Filipino translations (so we can stop ogling at strangers and start memorizing some fine verse).
This new promotional campaign, entitled “Verse in the Metro”, was launched recently to encourage reading among Filipino commuters, as well as to strengthen the ties between Spain and the Philippines, two countries that share a common past that spanned more than 300 years.
“With almost one million commuters riding the train every day, it provides a great opportunity for the reading campaign to reach as many people as possible,” Rodriguez said.
Instituto Cervantes is the cultural arm of the Spanish government that promotes and teaches the Spanish language and culture. It is the largest Spanish teaching organisation worldwide, with more than seventy (70) centers in four (4) continents. With its collection of classic and contemporary Spanish literature, movies and music, the Instituto library has become an important agent in promoting the Spanish language in the Philippines and is an indispensable source for those who are interested in Spanish and Latin American cultures.
I may be wrong, but don’t they do this in New York City as well? I do hope that authorities of the Metro Rail Transit line adapt the project, instead of frantically bombarding stations and carriages with advertisements. Because if we’re going to improve literacy, we might as well learn from the masters.
What a great idea! I would much rather read poetry in any language than those noxious advertisements! It would be challenging, since I don’t understand Tagalog, but I might actually learn some by trying. In fact, I have learned some already just by reading signs on the roadside. I can say, “Bawal Umihi Dito.” Pretty good start, eh? Maybe they will begin doing the same with those giant billboards one of these days…
And we love the MRT/LRT for getting around Manila!
Hi AmericanLola - Ha ha… I also know what that Tagalog means, so you are right, that particular sign has been particularly helpful in teaching Tagalog to the foreign community. I even follow what it says! Do you?
Hi Migs, that’s really a great idea. As you know since our personal meeting: my Tagalog is also not as perfect as Visaya, but I would try… . Thanks for sharing with us…Lope de Vega’s biography is with me, unfortunately in Spanish…
Cheers and have a good day too!!!
Hi American Lola: Don’t worry about the language. The verses are in Spanish, with translations in English! It really is very ingenious, and I hope the MRT follows suit soon. About the roadside sign, who knows what the city would smell like without them?
Hi Bob: It’s good that you follow the sign. Otherwise you’ll get an obnoxiously expensive “multa”. Translation upon request.
Hi Klaus: Your Visaya is perfect! But as I told American Lola, you need not learn Spanish or Tagalog, because the verses are translated in English. Anyway, hope to see you again soon - be it in Manila or Davao!
Cheers!
Hi Migs, maraming salamat po. See you then… Cheers!!!
Wow, that’s great news! Something very positive from one of the government-run agency, LRT (it’s not privitized yet, is it?)…..Out of curiosity, Migs, is Spanish still a mandatory course in college or universities? I remembered we also took it in our senior year in high school.
BTW, I enjoy your articles and your style of writing. Your good command of the English language makes me really proud to be a kababayan! Keep up the good work!
Hi Veechee: Thanks very much for your encouraging words.
Yes, it is very reassuring to receive positive news from a government-run agency. Even better is that they’re working with a private-sector organisation.
Hmm, I think Spanish is no longer mandatory in universities and colleges. But there are normally three-unit electives for students to take up any foreign language. And what else did I take but Spanish!
Again, thanks very much for dropping by!