By Gian Paula Cecilia, BA ELS-4, The Centralian Link Intern

College of Education’s English Elites hosts Poetry Day 2026 under the theme “Echoes of Freedom.”

The College of Education’s English Elites organization held its Poetry Day 2026 on March 19, 2026, at the American Corner Iloilo which brought together students for an afternoon centered on literature and expression. The event ran from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and carried the theme “Echoes of Freedom.”

The event was organized and facilitated by the English Elites officers, which featured Asst. Prof. Bryan Paul L. Espinosa, the organization’s program adviser, as the speaker. Asst. Prof. Espinosa spoke about the importance of poetry beyond personal expression; he encouraged students to use their words with purpose to advocate for peace and justice. Through his words, the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 were reflected throughout the event. The session brought attention to how poetry can inspire positive change.

The afternoon featured a series of activities that allowed students to explore poetry in multiple forms. Participants took part in spoken word performances, blackout poetry, and calligram-making where they share their personal insights while also collaborating with others. A centerpiece of the event was the “Tree of Poems,” which was a collaborative display wherein the participants shared their works. Through the “Tree of Poems,” they were able to showcase how this event symbolizes hope and how collaboration makes people want to share their aspirations for the future.

The celebration concluded with a rendition of “Imagine” by John Lennon, leaving participants inspired to reflect on the role of words in developing a more harmonious and compassionate world.

The Poetry Day ended with students taking their creations and experiences back to campus, ready to continue the conversations sparked by the event.