Wanted: LIRA poets
The Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA) is searching anew for this year's batch of fellows who will join its elite circle of poets.

Organized in 1985 by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, known in the literary circle as Rio Alma, LIRA takes pride in its stringent and rigorous poetry clinic that has produced award-winning poets and writers.

Among those who are part of LIRA's 20-year tradition of literary excellence are: Oragon poets and prolific authors and editors Roberto T. Añonuevo and Romulo P. Baquiran,Jr.; award-winning poet and Miriam College professor Rebecca T. Añonuevo; performance artist and UP Institute of Creative Writing director Vim Nadera;
Centennial Literary Prize winner and lawyer Nicolas Pichay; journalist and back-to-back Makata ng Taon awardee Ariel Dim. Borlongan; Ateneo professor and publisher Michael Coroza; and LIRA's current president Ateneo professor and children's story writer Edgar Samar.

This year's poetry clinic, as has been done in LIRA's 20-year history, will consist of lectures on Filipino literary tradition as well as those in other countries by
respected poets and and writers, critiquing of the fellows' literary outputs, and poetry readings. This year's clinic will be held from June to July 2005, every Saturdays and Sundays.

Budding poets, young and old, who are willing to hone their craft in Filipino poetry may submit five samples of their works and a resumé with 2x2 picture to LIRA c/o UP Institute of Creative Writing, 2/F College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman,
Quezon City. Deadline for submission of applications is on April 29, 2005. For inquiries, text Bebang at 0919-3175708.