Writers Night 2006 at the Hardin ng mga Diwata

Writers Night 2006
by Arvin Abejo Mangohig

Aside from the Lantern parade and Christmas day itself, one of the biggest events of December is Writers Night. Sponsored by the UP Institute of Creative Writing (ICW) and co-organized by the UP College of Arts and Letters and the UP Writers Club, Writers Night brings together writers, artists and musicians in a night of literary revelry, reuniting and re-bonding.

December 8 will once again be a red letter day and night for literature lovers. The Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award will be holding its sixth annual ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Claro M. Recto Hall. A book forum featuring all the nominated authors will be held before the announcement of the winner. The Best First Book Award is sponsored by the family of Gonzalo Gonzalez. This year’s board of judges are Rene Villanueva, Malou Jacob and Luna Sicat-Cleto.

After the awarding, Writers Night will start at the Hardin ng mga Diwata, Bulwagang Rizal grounds at 6 p.m. The venue may quite novel to those who were not present last year and to those who are used to going to the Balay Tsanselor. But the open air atmosphere and the nervous anticipation of getting rained out made for quite different dynamics. One had to shout over the musical numbers and sit on either grass or cement.

Last year’s Writers Night benefited the family of the late National Artist N.V.M. Gonzalez. This year, the UP Institute of Creative Writing will also be charging a minimal entrance fee for its projects.

For more details, call 922-1830.