In line with the National Arts Month, the Benguet State University Government Employees Association and the College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) organized the program titled Kalkali 2025: Arts Month Poetry Writing and Reading for Employees. The participating employees read their pieces at the Centennial Park on February 28, 2025.
The poetry competition had three categories: English, Filipino, and Cordillera language. The submitted pieces were along the themes of personal growth, emotional expression and work-life balance.
CAH Dean Ronda B. Tullay outlined the six objectives of the activity. First is to provide a platform for emotional expression, allowing individual to share emotions, frustrations, and joys. Second, to create a culture of encouragement and support by sharing uplifting and motivational poems. Third, to facilitate personal reflection and personal growth through creative process. Fourth, to foster collaboration and camaraderie through artistic expression. Fifth, to honor the arts and its role in well-being and productivity and lastly, to promote mental wellness by offering an outlet for stress and emotional balance.
In his opening remarks, VP for Administration and Finance Richard H. Kinnud introduced the term “tukab,” which refers to a ritual that signifies the beginning of a celebration. This ritual starts with an opening prayer in the local language and involves the unsealing of a jar of wine. He connected this concept to the opening of the activity, which also began with a prayer in the local language.
Kinnud also discussed the theme of the National Arts Month, “Ani ng Sining, Diwa at Damdamin,” reflecting on its relevance to current issues. He then encouraged participants to share their thoughts, connect with one another, and find joy in the beauty of words.
Following his remarks, the participants read their work. The winning entries are:
English Language Category
1st Place – Sarah G. Fulwani, CAH
2nd Place – Raffy T. Daus, College of Social Sciences
3rd Place – Anna Cris L. Langaoan, CTE
Filipino Language Category
1st Place – Eden D. Daguasi, Office of the VP for Administration and Finance
2nd Place – Kenken B. Pascua, College of Natural Sciences
3rd Place – Anna Cris L. Langaoan, CTE
Cordillera Language Category
1st Place – Penelope F. Tica-a, CAH
2nd Place – Anna Cris L. Langaoan, CTE
3rd Place – Maricel V. Dacnes, OES
Maria Luz D. Fang-asan, a BSU retiree was an invited guest at the event for being one of the supporters of such activities when she was still an employee. She also shared her poem she described as an obese Haiku and later explained the meaning of “kalkali” derived from the root word “kali,” meaning “word.” She added that the duplication to “kalkali” signifies communication.
Here is the winning poem of Eden D. Daguasi.
Maaga Pa…
Maaga pa para mag-asawa
Maaga pa para magseryoso sa buhay may pamilya
Mga katagang maririnig sa mga taong hindi pa handa
Datapwat hindi ito ang ating paksa mga kapwa makata
Pilit na pilit imulat ang mga mata, kumot ay dapat alisin na
Ngunit sadya, kanyang katawa’y mahirap utusang gumising na
Lima pang minuto, bulong ni utak sa kanyang tenga, sige ipikit mo pa
Lima, sampo, hanggang sa labing-limang minuto ay lipas na
Ngunit nagsisimula palang ang kanyang kabanata sa ibang planeta
Hanggang bente minuto ay tumakbo na, buti at ‘alarm-clock’ ay nagsalita
Ganyan, magmadali, takbo sa banyo at ika’y maliligo pa
Dimo ba alam sampong minuto na lang ay alas-otso na?
Naku! Huli ka na naman para watawat ay saksihang ibandera
At umawit nang buong puso para sa Bayang sinisinta
Kilan mo babaguhin ang nakasanayang hindi nararapat
Kilan mo ipapakita na ikaw ay dapat tularan ng kabataang sa teknolohiya’y mulat
Na walang saysay ang galing kung ang pagpapahalaga sa oras ay hindi natatalima
Pagpasok ng maaga ay sobrang mahalaga
Nagpapahiwatig na ikaw ay handa para maging huwaran ng madla
Ito’y pagpapakita ng respeto sa namamahala at kapwa mangagawa
Oh siya, Ako rin naman ay naranasang maging pabaya
Ngunit, datapwat, subalit ay pwede paring itama
Nakasanayang hindi dapat ay dapat gawing tama
Huwag ng mamili kung ngayon o bukas pa, Ka-BSU, ngayon na!
Baka nakalimutan mo ikaw ay trenta na?
Pwede ng mag-asawa kaya gumising ka na ng maaga
EBawang