Hagbayon

A stormy day kept me stranded in our flat in Imus, Cavite. I was supposed to meet with people in Manila, but because of the rains I had to cancel. Thankfully, on May 12, I met up with 2006 UST National Writers Workshop fellow for poetry Ainne Frances F. dela Cruz in Robinson’s Imus. We first met in a poetry reading at The Fudge in España back in 2004. We were there together with some Dalityapi, LIRA and PinoyPoets. I remember, there was this performer who wore Starbucks cups, buckets and carton. He was attacking Starbucks for being such a pain in the ass for some coffee farmers. Astig.

Now back to Robinson’s, it was there where Aienne ‘ambushed’ me for a poetry reading at Frontera Grill and Restaurant in 324 P. Burgos Ave., Caridad, Cavite City. Dubbed as ‘SiningDikato’, the event was a combination of spoken word, painting exhibit, poetry reading, performance art and experimental music.  It was a stormy night. And I remember when we were in Aquinas University-Legaspi, during the Supay poetry reading in 2004, Roberto Añonuevo caused a storm to escalate because of his powerful poetry. Now, I was reading my narrative poem ‘Hagbayon’, at its climax at that, when the wind started roaring. It was so fierce that our power was cut and I had to recite the remaining parts from memory. It was a good thing that the electric supply resumed shortly. Now I have a story to tell.

We also bought a copy of the Lakbay-Lahi CD. Their ethnic/industrial sound could very well be used as background for poetry performances. In fact, Ainne’s Cavite Young Writer’s Group started doing performance art while the band was playing. Also present were experimental musical groups like Elemento, Ugong, Liquid Ginger and Inconnu Ictu.

We also got invited to the Timog Poetry Group. Here’s more info about it:

"Timog is a poetry collective that seeks to unite Southern Tagalog poets to encourage the growth/resurgence of Southern Tagalog poetry and art. It will also give a venue for Southern Tagalog poets to display their works. Most importantly, the group hopes to be able to contribute to the Philippine literary heritage, and to help promote regional literature as part of the curriculum in Southern Tagalog schools.

"Timog aims to provide a link to all the 5 provinces of Southern Tagalog and reach a wider audience, and a wider reception for the works of Southern Tagalog poets."

To join the group, send 3 poems (plus writer’s bio+contact info) to timog_poetrycollective@yahoogroups.com

Such was their passion for poetry that on our way to Aguinaldo Highway while on board a mini-bus, they started doing poetry again, reciting them the way some religious do when reading excerpts fromthe Bible while sharing the ‘Mabuting Balita and asking for ‘love offering’ in public transport. It also reminded me of PUV groups on strike. But then again when it was my turn, I obliged. Reciting Michael Coroza’s "Alak" oblivious of curious glances from other commuters We were drunk indeed, drunk with love and poetics.

The idea was to make poetry part and parcel once again of pragmatic experience. Astig.

It is only now we learned that Bicolano poet and scholar Danton Remoto is a nephew of the ‘grandma’ of Bikol literature, Prof. Lilia Realubit PhD. He was in town for his Ladlad Party List, and such a serendipity it was, he also learned that beauty queen Miriam Quiambao is also his cousin. Pang-beauty contest mananggad si Manoy Danton.

"I am a writer and I come from Bicol", he says with much enthusiasm. We discussed the current state of affairs in education, arts and culture, and the things we can do in order to help. We noted how budget channeling by the government and the lack of qualified people to execute culture and arts projects continue to add to the many difficulties in Philippine literary arts. With this, we deduced that it is time to have artists do the job themselves.

Cirilo Bautista once said that there seems to be a conspiracy to keep the people ignorant. A nation of non-readers makes a nation of bad voters and some people would like to keep it that way. But legislative power can help a great deal in confronting cultural identity crisis. When will congress focus on language issues in the academe and update the so-called bilingual policy? Laws must be passed considering cultural and linguistic diversity. It is not Filipino alone that needs government pampering, along with it, bills must be passed giving aid to studies of various Philippine languages and dialects.

With this in mind, we went to Mom’s Radio FM for an interview and poetry reading. Those present were Jo Bisuña, Rizaldy Manrique, Carlo Arejola, Estelito Jacob, Jose Jason Chancoco and Danton Remoto.

Pili, Camarines Sur–The pen is never dry here in Bicol. This was reasserted when teacher-participants, writing fellows and panelists went on a literary holiday at the Training Center of Camarines Sur State Agricultural College last May 18-20 for the 3rd Juliana Arejola-Fajardo Workshop for Bikol Writing.

Sponsored by the Arejola Foundation for Social Responsibility along with the Rotary Club of Isarog and Pili: Banwaan Ko, Padangat ko; the workshop had Jose Jason L. Chancoco as director with Jocelyn A. Bisuña and Jaime Jesus Borlagdan as lead panelists. Bikol writers Estelito Jacob and Kristian Cordero also sat as guest panelists . The workshop was convened by Carlo Arejola.

This year’s fellows were Joy B. Bagasala and Maricris F. Bongalos of Pili, Helga Andrea R. Casillan, Nona Mikhaila R. Casillan, Ma. Rizza Icaranom and Victor Dennis T. Nierva of Naga City, Noel B. Dorente of Tabaco, and Nestor Alagbate of Daet. 

Designed to familiarize teachers of literature with the creative writing process and the workshop scenario, a new feature for this year’s workshop was the presence of teacher-participants. Coming from various highschools and colleges in the Bicol region, they were Salvacion C. Aballa, Emerlina S. Arnante, Ma. Shiela Fortuno, Janet B. Fabay, Ma. Janina B. Catimbang, Alice Abercos, Rita N. Talay, Mylene P. Ababa, Amelia T. Ambion, Dr. Marietta A. Tataro, Fritz T. Nuyles, Nelly C. Aguilar and Rene Eugenia B. Mercado. They were all participative during the workshop and lecture sessions with some even planning to come back next year as writing fellows.

Allan Popa and Francisco Peñones, Jr. lectured on poetics and performance poetry respectively. Unable to attend during the opening ceremonies due to a medical condition, keynote speaker Prof. Ma. Lilia F. Realubit, PhD had her speech read by her niece Eunice Alanis a DJ at Mom’s Radio 95.5 F.M in Naga City.

To cap the event, a Pili tree-planting activity within the CSSAC campus ensued. The seedlings were in the name and honor of Rudy Alano, Janetlyn Go-Alano, Christine Bellen, Frank Peñones, Hon. Gabby Bordado, Carlos Briones, Fr. James O’ Brien, S.J., Fr. Carlos Abesamis, S.J., Jazmin Llana, Gode Calleja, Luis Cabalquinto, Prof. Evelyn Soriano, Prof. Ma. Lilia F. Realubit, PhD., Tito Valiente, Jun Balde, PP Danilo DM. Savilla, PP Leonardo D. Sureta, IPP Jose Pardalis, PE Pedro B. Francia, PP Manuel V. Avilla, Jr., PP Henry A. Mabesa, PP Alberto M. Cabrera, PP Cecilio L. Obias, Sec. Damian F. Bresnan, and Rotary of Isarog President Armin B. Guinto.

-JJC

We received from the mail six copies of Guniguni: The Absent Muse’s first-ever literary folio. They launched it last Saturday in Likha Diwa. According to Marie Bismonte, it was quite a blast. Almost everybody was there.

Copies of ‘Blank Paper Will Always be at the Ready’ are still available at PhP 100. Using 120 pages of high quality paper, it is designed by the Youth & Beauty Brigade, same entity that worked on the Literary Apprentice last year.

We perused through it and found out that the group’s officers include Marie Bismonte (President), Allan Lopez (Vice President, Internals), Katherine Cabigao (Vice President, Externals and Treasurer), Christopher Pangilinan, Enrique Villalis, Jeffrey Copiaco and Sarah Crespo (Core Group).

Reading the back cover, we have "The Absent Muse dwells in the retrievable space of our memory and in the gaps of the ordinary."

We should all buy this book.

The Feminine Force Group (FFG) presents
another rare gig as its post-Mother’s Day offering by
combining fiery bands and independent short films.
Entitled, "Feminine Force: CineMa-Musika (Rocking
Mamas & Short Films)", it brings together mother-
led bands and young female directors in the
forefront at Kolumn bar in Timog on May 20.

Agaw Agimat and Reggae Mistress will lead the
pack of underground acts Velvet, Aunt Audrey, and
Analog. The women filmmakers are Anna Isabelle
Matutina ("Ika-Siyam na Palapag"), Ginalyn Dulla
("Lababo"), Grace Orbon ("Dead Letter"), and Sigrid
Andrea Bernardo ("Babae"). The program starts at
9 pm, alternating the showing of short films (10-26
mins.) with the live band music, a first in the Pinoy
bar scene.

FFG is a non-profit, six-year organization that
produces small events highlighting the talents of
women. The "Feminine Force" rock series was
conceptualized with today’s young women in mind
– free-spirited, goal-oriented, and responsible. It’s
not about hardcore feminism really, it’s just a show
presented by women and dedicated to women,
for-the-women-by-the-women kind of thing. Part of
the proceeds of the Saturday gig will go to
women’s ward of the National Center for Mental
Health.

For ticket inquiries, please text 0918-9048815.

Our summer is not only filled with readings but with music. We listened to a VCD, a recording of Raul Rafael Ingles’ poems in English, French, Filipino and Spanish. It is produced by the UP College of Mass Communications as part of the university’s centennial celebration in 2008. The readers are Loren Legarda, Antonio Mabesa, Gerry Se, Jun Banaag, Lourdes Brillantes,Victor Avecilla and Cecilia Lazaro with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as background.

One favorite is track number 11, “Felice’s Lament” perfectly read by Cecilia Lazaro.

Although Mozart makes the collection sound more magical, it would have been better if it has a more “original” soundtrack—compositions by guitarists, violinists and pianists from the UP College of Music perhaps.

Nevertheless, “Poems by Rafael” is a must have.

Dr. Doods Santos’ lecture at the Ateneo de Naga University

Dr. Doods Santos’ lecture at University of Northeastern Philippines

Kristian Cordero’s birthday treat after the lecture in UNEP. His age? It’s classified. But sure he’s young.

Rinconada poets and 2006 JAFWPB lead panelists Jo Bisuña.

We did stop over to eat. It was very festive. The ladies took charge. We have here museum curator Ms. Fabiana Arejola and writers Jo Bisuña and Issa Casillan.

Poets Kristian Cordero, Jo Bisuña, Carlo Arejola, Jason Chancoco, and actress/Med student Aira Bisuña and fictionist Jason Tabinas.

Hagbayon the Boatman

We did drop by the Barangay Hall to get more folk stories about Kulakog and his wife.

This is soprano Catherine  "Kaye" Buena, performing during the Soledad in Baao, Camarines Sur.

As Dr. Lilia Realubit earlier asserted, these rituals may very well be extensions of the Bikol Dramatic Tradition. As in "some parishes of the Bikol region as Joroan, Tiwi and Malinao, the children join the group of chanters for the purpose of fulfilling a promise made by their parents to God. The pious customs of spreading mats, tapestries, and veils on the ground where the priest will have to tread still prevails. In urban parishes, however, these customs seem too old fashioned, and the scattering of the flowers is titally done away with. Only the procession remains." (Competente, 1966)

We might as well continue writing the article about some Bikol Lenten traditions and examine it as an articulation of culture and ideology not just religious belief.

    Here we have Kaye (in the middle) together with her friend (sorry i didnt get her name) and this blogger.

There is good news from Guniguni: The Absent Muse. The group’s first literary anthology entitled Blank Paper Will Always Be At The Ready is out. It is edited by Marie Bismonte, Alexander Agena, Allan Lopez and Jose Jason L. Chancoco.

The folio features works in English and Tagalog/Filipino by fresh voices in Philippine literature. Contributors are Ada Victoria Angeles, Alexander Barrios Agena, Jr., Allan Lopez, Angelica Heruela, Arving Hawang, Bendix Fernandez,
Brian Ong, Charmaine Bondoc, Damon Steine, Duxe Xander, Dwane Arboleda, Edwin Padillo, Enrique Villasis, Gerry Rubio, Gretchen Singson-Que, Iona Jalijali, Jeffrey Copiaco, Jennifer Macapagal, Jojo Ballo, Jomar Cuartero, Jonar Sabilano, Jose Jason Chancoco, Jovienne Dove, Kathrine Cabigao, Kristina Aquino, Lhot Jiz de Ortega, Mark Angeles, Marie Bismonte, Marz Pempena, May Tobias-Papa,
Medel Mercado, Raymond John de Borja, Romain Stephen Nacion, Ronald Escanlar and Sarah Crespo.

Guniguni: The Absent Muse is an on-line community of literary artists led by Marie Bismonte with local and international membership. Interaction is mainly via the e-group guniguni@yahoogroups.com where members post their works for critiquing. It is also where they share poems by favorite poets and exchange insights with regard to the ends and means of literary practice. They also meet regularly in various places in Metro Manila.

The launch is set for May 20, Saturday, 7PM at Likha Diwa in Krus na Ligas, UP-Diliman. Copies wil be available at PhP100.

For more information e-mail tristanskye@yahoo.com.