The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) on Thursday launched eight new books, among them an anthology of Mindanao plays, an essay collection on Cebuano and Waray literature, and a Filipino translation of French stories.

According to a report on GMA News Online, KWF Chair Arthur P. Casanova, who edited and contributed to the anthology Kalipunan ng mga Akdang Dulang Mindanawon, led the book signing event in San Miguel, Manila.

"With this fresh batch of books under the institution's Aklat ng Bayan series, KWF complies with its mandate in producing works of literature and linguistics from every region in the country," Casanova said.

However, Kalipunan is special to him because he was a theater actor in Mindanao when he was younger.

Aside from Casanova's work, the said anthology showcases different plays performed in different styles, onstage and elsewhere, in Mindanao. It also includes those written by Felimon B. Blanco, Rene V. Carbayas, Angelito G. Flores, Arnel M. Mordoquio, Sunnie C. Noel, and Pepito P. Sumayan.

Prominent fictionist and filmmaker Alvin B. Yapan also signed copies of new book Maka-Pilipinong Pananaw: Mga Lapit sa Pagtuturo ng Panitikan, a collection of lectures on the history and comtemporary production of Ilocano, Cordilleran, Waray, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, and Mindanao literature.

Yapan served as the editor of the said collection, which was designed as a sourcebook for Filipino teachers in elementary and high school.

Aileen V. Sicat's Ang Berdugo at mga Piling Kuwento is a Filipino translation of the French fictionist Honoré de Balzac's short stories. It follows the long tradition of Aklat ng Bayan's publication of Filipino translations of classic literary works by foreign authors.

The other books that were launched include Efren R. Abueg's Tandang Bato: Ang mga Manunulat sa aking Panahon, Eugene Y. Evasco's Pagdiriwang sa Haraya: Ang Panulaan at mga Aklat ng Impormasyon para sa mga Bata, Emmanuel C. de Leon's Filipino translation Mga Meditasyon hinggil sa Unang Pilosopiya, originally written by René Descartes, and Agnes Dimzon's Filipino translation of Hiligaynon novel Margosatubig, written by National Artist for Literature Ramon L. Muzones.

Dimzon's Bokabularyong Traylingguwal: English-Hiligaynon-Filipino, edited by Alain Dimzon, completes the latest series.

The launch was attended by lexicographers, translators, educators, and students.