The birth anniversary of iconic Tagalog poet Jose Corazon de Jesus on 22 November was chosen to be date for the first celebration of the National Poetry Day in the Philippines.

A National Poetry Day has been celebrated in the United Kingdom every first Thursday of October since 1994, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or Unesco has led the celebration of World Poetry Day every 21 March since 1999, putting a spotlight on one of the oldest, most treasured and highly regarded artistic forms of creativity and expression of humanity.

National Poetry Day or Pambansang Araw ng Pagtula in the Philippines also shares a similar goal — to promote and appreciate poetry. It is spearheaded by National Artist for literature Virgilio S. Almario, who in 2015 institutionalized the celebration of National Literature Month every April, together with other writers and poetry lovers and independent publisher San Anselmo Publications. Also supporting the celebration are the National Commission for Culture and the Arts; the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo, a group of Filipino poets; and Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing.

"Napakahalaga ng tula sa ating kasaysayan. Bakâ táyo lang ang may kasaysayan ng panahon ng pagpapalayà na pinangunahan ng mga bayaning makata. Mula kay Balagtas, ang landas ng ating paglayà ay hinawan ng pagtula nina Plaridel, Rizal, Bonifacio, at Jacinto (Poetry is very important in our history. Perhaps, only us have a history of freedom movement led by poet-heroes. From Balagtas, the path to freedom was forged by the poetry of Plaridel, Rizal, Bonifacio, and Jacinto)," said Almario in his short essay, "Isang Tanging Araw Para sa Pagtula," posted on the Filipino Ngayon Facebook page on 10 November.

The essay provides a quick survey of Filipino poetic forms and the role of poetry in Philippine history and society.

For Marvin Aceron, executive publisher of San Anselmo Publications, the main three points for organizing the National Poetry Day are "to promote the art of poetry, to raise the level of appreciation for Filipino poetry, and to honor Jose Corazon de Jesus and all patriotic Filipino poets."

De Jesus will be headlining National Poetry Day as organizers pay tribute to the poet known as "Hari ng Balagtasan" on his 128th birth anniversary. Popularly called Huseng Batute, he is known for his poem, "Bayan Ko."

San Anselmo, known for publishing poetry books such as such as Agua by Enrique Villasis, Mga Poon, Mga Piyon, Mga Pusong, Isang Pusong by Almario, Ang Lunes na Mahirap Bunuin by Nicolas B. Pichay and 100 Pink Poems Para Kay Leni, will be launching Mga Piling Tula ni Jose Corazon de Jesus, edited by Almario. It will be making the e-book free to download for a limited time.

The highlight of the celebration, which banners the theme "Ibalik ang tula sa puso ng madla (Bring poetry back into the people's hearts)," is the live poetry marathon at the historic Manila Metropolitan Theater, participated in by about 50 Filipino poets and performers. There will also a poetry book fair at the same venue.

According to LIRA president Joti Tabula, they are encouraging organizations and institutions all over the country to hold events in their places for National Poetry Day.