PROFESSOR Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera Jr., fellow and former Likhaan: University of the Philippines (UP) Institute of Creative Writing director, has began his Panayam series on July 9, at the Faculty Center’s Pulungang Claro M. Recto at the UP Diliman campus.

His paper, Kung Paano Itinanim ang Palay, Binayo ang Bigas, at Isinaing ang Kanin, will not only discuss the role of world’s most important staple food in Philippine arts and culture but also deal with the creative process of paying tribute to rice. He came with a collection of poetry set into music by singer/songwriter Joey Ayala who, as the chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Committee on Music chair, sowed the lyrical seeds with folk singers, jazz singers, spoken word artists, rappers, rock stars and other musicians. Ayala and Nadera collaborated with Dong Abay, Cynthia Alexander, Onie Badiang, Noel Cabangon, Mary Katherine Trangco-Cabral, Lourd de Veyra and the Radioactive Sago Project, Frank Englis, Junn Esteban, Maricris Joaquin, Popong Landero, Jun Latonio, Sheilbert O Manuel, Errol Marabiles, Mlou Matute, Pio Pataganao, Ira Penalosa, Traicy Christi Tarongoy, Irma Tengasantos and Rene Tengasantos.