Today marks the nth summers of Epitacio Tongohan, the so-called Father of Visual Poetry, and also known in the literary circle as Doc PenPen (he's a medical doctor as well suggested by his moniker).
As a special tribute to literary artists on his birthday, Doc PenPen gathers at Lanai Restaurant Anabel's in Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal, all poet laureates at his disposal and recognizes their immense literary and artistic contributions to arts and letters.
One of his well-wishers is Joe Lad Santos, a renowned Filipino fiction and non-fiction writer.
Tongohan spoke highly of Santos, being former president of the institution award-giving body Famas, erstwhile editor of the defunct Pilipino Reporter, and ex-chairman of Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF), among other significant cultural organizations he headed.
Aside from managerial acumen, Joe Lad is also a poet, a scriptwriter, a short story writer etc.
"Tulaan mo, kapatid na Joe Lad Santos si Doc Pen Pen ng tula ng pag-ibig (Brother, recite a love poem for Doc PenPen)," the poet requested.
And the rest of the Poet Laureates from all over the world on this day.
According to Tongohan, each poem of the guest is the "Eternal Gift" to him.
Some of the world's poet laureates to crack verses or have written poetry to be declaimed on Doc Pe Pen are Kevin Catambay de la Cruz aka G-Clown, a fliptop reciter; Nutan Sarawagi of India; Dr. Lanka Siva Rama Prasad cardiovascular pulmonary surgeon from India; Dr. Alejandro Caina; Erik Ocampo Gomez; Melody Cortez: Nilda G. Siervo, also known as Siervo.Aries; Sir Monfil Beroual of the Royal Kingdom of Morocco; Marco Diolata: Ed Cordevilla; Manny Calpito; Manuel Ambrocio; Maha Sri Babaji; and Jimmy Bautista Vista, among others.
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