SENTIMENTAL

The New Anthology of Poetry in the Bikol Languages

2008-07-24T21:28:00.001+08:00

CONTRIBUTIONS are now accepted for The New Anthology of Poetry in the Bikol Languages. Contributions shall be unpublished poems exploring the theme "Bikolnón na agimadmád (Bikol consciousness)"—memories, experiences, realities, images, and other aspects of being a Bikolano.

Contributions shall be in any of the Bikol languages, with corresponding translations in English. Editors however, shall have the discretion to edit translations. Each contributor may submit one to three entries; and a short bionote.

The anthology will be edited by Kristian S. Cordero, Marne L. Kilates, and Victor Dennis T. Nierva.

It's Alive!

2007-11-16T23:26:00.001+08:00

Mga fellowmates, pasensya na kung sooooobrang tagal kong hindi ito na-post. (Migoy Lizada, Nanoy Rafael, Joanna Laddaran, Joy Icayan, Kaye Alpay, Evie Macapugay, Gae Yamar, Drew Robles, En Villasis, Claire Umali, Camsy Ocumen) Sa inyo, sa mga bumubuo ng AILAP, sa mga panelists, Diyos Mabalos po!

LOVE CANCERT!

2007-02-05T14:18:00.000+08:00

Dear Friends:

Greetings from the CANCER WARRIORS! We hope this email finds you in the best of health and good spirits.

Since the year 2000, our group - the Cancer Warriors Foundation, supports no less than one hundred indigent kids who are stricken with cancer. We assist them by providing the necessary medicines for their treatments especially for their chemo requirements.

The significant increase in the number of patients knocking on our doors and the increasing cost of medicines, is now forcing us to think of major ways to raise funds to be able to sustain all our programs. To date, almost Php 200,000 (two hundred thousand pesos) worth of medicines alone are bought and distributed every month. At this rate, our funds will be depleted even before the first quarter ends, not until we do something about it now.

Recently, we had the idea of having a concert that will coincide with the celebration of the WORLD CANCER DAY celebrated every February 4th and the INTERNATIONAL CHILDHOOD CANCER CONSCIOUSNESS DAY, celebrated every February 15th. This is to commemorate the patients, our loved ones, the warriors that we lost and to celebrate the lives that were spared by this disease.

In the past, we were able to successfully organize two concerts or "CANCERTS" which raised our funds and sustained our organization' s projects. This year, in coordination with the Cerrudo group, we will have our 3rd CANCERT (a post-Valentine concert for kids with cancer) aptly entitled "THE LOVE CANCERT" this coming February 16, at the Philam Life Theater at 8:00 pm. This will mainly feature Mr. Bimbo Cerrudo and The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and other performing artists. Bimbo Cerrudo will render classical songs from his "Classico….Classic Ko" series.

In line with this, we would like to invite you to watch and ask your generous hearts to support this project for the sake of the kids.

Tickets are priced at: 1,000 pesos for the ORCHESTRA section (500 seats available) and 500 pesos for the Patron section (240 seats available).

Proceeds will go directly to the CANCER WARRIORS FUND - which will be used to buy the much needed medicines for the kids under our care.

For more details, please call the Cancer Warriors office at 832-9703 or 551-4588 or volunteers Ms. Claire Madarang at 0917-3643374, Ms. Anne Alvaira at 0917-8322663 or Mr. Dennis Gutierrez at 0918-9261676. T o know more about CWFI, please visit www.c-warriors. org.

Donations are also accepted through our MetroBank Account under account name: Cancer Warriors Foundation. Account no: 007168509240.

Thank you in advance and more power!

Sincerely,
CANCER WARRIORS FOUNDATION

COAGULATION

2007-01-07T22:48:00.000+08:00

THE GAP BETWEEN THE VISUAL AND THE LITERARY ARTS IS A GAPING WOUND, AND AS SUCH NEEDS TO BE HEALED.

As a step toward complete recuperation and Wagner's dream of the Gesamtkunstwerk or total art, young visual and literary artists on the uprise from the University of Santo Tomas come together in the landmark collaborative show

L A N G I B

as an attempt to form an artistic scab to patch up the damage. Some of the artists paired to collaborate on verbo-visual works are

Mark Magistrado + Nerisa Guevara
Buen Calubayan + Angelo Suarez
Mark Salvatus + Glenn Atanacio
Jay Pacena + Natasha Gamalinda
Lawrence Borsoto + Rosmon Tuazon
Costantino Zicarelli + Czeriza Valencia
Ivan Roxas + Karen Capco
Rainier Cruz + Pocholo Goitia
Oliver Ramos + Alessandra Miguel
Sam Ramos + Sonny Sendon
Dandela Mari + Ned Parfan
Mark Barretto + Camille Banzon
Dondi Fernandez + Keith Cortez

LANGIB: a literary + visual arts exhibit

opened with performances on

January 5, 6:00 p.m., at the Beato Angelico Gallery (College of Fine Arts and Design building) of UST, and will run until January 20.

TABANG PARA SA BIKOL

2006-12-11T02:25:00.000+08:00

Bikol Needs Your Help!

Bikolano writers and cultural enthusiasts are organizing a fundraising campaign for the victims of Typhoon Reming which pounded the Bikol Region last November 30, 2006.

For donations of cash, used clothes, goods and any other forms of aid, please drop them at the Likhaan: The UP Institute of Creative Writing, 2/F Bulwagang Rizal, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.

These donations will then be forwarded to Ateneo de Naga's Relief Operations for Typhoon Reming's victims.

For inquiries, pickups, pledges, and other information, please contact Vic Nierva through Likhaan's telephone number: 9221830, or you may send text massages at 09185022889.

Your donations, big or small, will surely be of great help. Thank you.

(From Vic Nierva's blog.)

DONATE BLOOD NOW!

2006-11-27T20:22:00.000+08:00

Top 10 Reasons to Give Blood

10. You will get free juice and cookies.

9. You will weigh less — one pint less when you leave than when you came in.

8. It's easy and convenient — it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center, or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives.

7. It's something you can spare — most people have blood to spare... yet, there is still not enough to go around.

6. Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It's your badge of honor.

5. You will walk a little taller afterwards — you will feel good about yourself.

4. You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.

3. It's something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous — blood is something money can't buy. Only something one person can give to another.

2. You will be someone's hero — you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.

1. It's the right thing to do.

Top 10 Reasons Why People Don't Give Blood

1. I don't like needles / I am scared of needles / I am afraid to give blood
Nearly everyone feels that way at first. However, most donors will tell you that you feel only a slight initial pinch, and 7-10 minutes later, you are finished and headed for the canteen (hehe). If you take the time (and courage) to make one donation, you'll wonder why you ever hesitated.

2. I am too busy
The entire process takes about an hour, and the actual blood donation time is only 7-10 minutes. If you stop to think that an hour of your time could mean a lifetime for a premature baby, someone with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, or someone who's had an accident, you might decide that you can make the time to give the gift of life.

3. No-one ever asked me… I didn't realize my blood was needed
Consider yourself asked! There is simply no other way to supply the blood needs of hospital patients but for the generous donations of people like you.

4. I already gave this year
You can give every 60 days. Many donors give 5 times a year!

5. I am afraid I'll get AIDS
It is not possible to get AIDS by donating blood. A new sterile needle is used for each donor and discarded afterwards.

6. My blood isn't the right type
Every type of blood is needed daily to meet patient needs. If you have a common blood type, there are many patients who need it, so it is in high demand. If you have a less common blood type, there are fewer donors available to give it, so it is in short supply.

7. I don't have any blood to spare
The average adult body has 10-12 pints of blood. Doctors say that healthy adults may give regularly because the body quickly replaces the blood you donate.

8. I don't want to feel weak afterward
Donating blood should not affect adversely a healthy adult because your body has plenty of blood. You will donate less than one pint, and your body, which constantly makes new blood, will replace the donated volume within 24 hours. Most people continue their usual activities after donating.

9. They won't want my blood (I am too old / I've had an illness)
If you have doubts, check with your physician. The qualified staff on duty at a blood drive or donor center will also review your medical history with you. There is no upper age limit to donate blood, and a great many medical conditions do not prevent you from donating blood, or may have done so only temporarily in the past.

10. I have a rare blood type, so I'll wait until there is a special need
Blood that is rare or special is almost always in short supply. There is a constant need for these blood types in order to avoid having to recruit specific blood types in a crisis.

Sarong Bangging Mabitoon

2006-11-27T20:00:00.000+08:00

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

2006-11-27T19:42:00.001+08:00

The Flame, the official student publication of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, University of Santo Tomas, is now calling for submissions for its annual literary folio, DAPITAN*.

We are accepting short stories, essays, poems, plays and experimental pieces until December 2, 2006.

Manuscripts must be typewritten and sent with a short author's bionote to The Flame office, G/F, St. Raymund’s Building, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila or at dapitanfolio2007@yahoo.com.ph
.

We trust that you will submit only your original works.

For inquiries, please contact Ronald Benusa (0927 593 6731) or Camille Banzon (0906 281 2098).
.

*Winner, Best Student Folio, Catholic Mass Media Awards 2004.

Ito muna sa ngayon...

2006-11-06T10:39:00.000+08:00

Disorder	Your Score
Major Depression:	High
Dysthymia:	Slight-Moderate
Bipolar Disorder:	Extremely High
Cyclothymia:	High
Seasonal Affective Disorder:	Slight
Postpartum Depression:	N/A
Take the Depression Test

Malapit na. Konting-konti na lang.

Ito ang mga mangyayari sa mga susunod na buwan:

Magpapaka-ermitanyo. Hindi ako masyadong magpapakita sa mga susunod na buwan hanggang March.
Bihira na o wala muna talagang wasakan.
Nag-aaral na ako para sa MT Boards. Seryoso na 'to.

Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award 2006 names finalists

2006-10-19T18:30:00.000+08:00

by Vic Nierva

TWO fiction books and three poetry collections were named finalists of the annual Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award (MGBFBA), the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW) and the Madrigal-Gonzalez family announced on Thursday, October 19.

Included in the shortlist are fiction books “Iskrapuk” (University of the Philippines Press) by Allan Derain and “Pangangaluluwa at Iba Pang Kuwento” (UP Press) by Jimmuel C. Naval; and poetry collections “Mga Tulang Tulala: Mga Piling Tula sa Filipino, Bikol at Rinconada” (Goldprint Publishing House) by Kristian Sendon Cordero; “Order of the Poets: Poems in English and Filipino” (Akdang Bayan) by Jaime Dasca Doble; “Ibang Daan Pauwi: Mga Tula” (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House) by Manolito Sulit.

The MGBFBA winner will be announced on December 8, 2006, after a Book Forum with the finalists at 2pm of the said date. The book forum as well as the awarding ceremony will be held at the Pulungang Recto, Bulwagang Rizal, UP-Diliman, Quezon City.

The winner will receive a cash prize of P50,000.

The MGBFBA, established in February 2001 and administered since then by the UP-ICW, is the only award-winning body in the Philippines recognizing first books by new authors published within the last two years. It is granted by the Madrigal and Gonzalez families, through Atty. Gizela Gonzalez Montinola, writer and granddaughter of Bienvenido Gonzalez, former UP President, and daughter of Gonzalo Gonzalez, former member of the UP Board of Regents.

According to UP-ICW director Vim Nadera, the MGBFBA encourages beginning writers to persevere in writing and publishing, and it also encourages publishers to take risk with new authors.

The award covers all genres of creative writing and nominations may come from publishing houses, university presses, creative writing centers, writers’ organizations, and other literary enthusiasts. It is given on alternate years to writers in English and writers in Filipino.

Previous winners of the MGBFBA were “Life After X” a story collection in English by Angelo R. Lacuesta (2001), “Paghuhunos” novel in Filipino by Ellen L. Sicat (2002), “Smaller and Smaller Circles” a novel in English by Felisa H. Batacan (2003), “Makinilyang Altar” a novel in Filipino by Luna Sicat-Cleto (2004), and “The Sky Over Dimas” a novel in English by Vicente Groyon (2005).

This year, the members of the board of judges were Malou Jacob, Luna Sicat-Cleto and Rene O. Villanueva.

2006-10-15T23:41:00.003+08:00

PANGALAN

Tatawagin kong malayong lunan ang aking pangalan.

Sabihin nating Malayong Lunan lamang
at wala talagang pinagmulan.

Doon, bughaw ang kalangitan at ang unos
ay isang pangitaing inililihim ng tubig.

Maaaring makita mong napipilas ang mga dahon sa sanga,
ngunit ito lamang ay pag-alala sa kanilang pinagmulan—

gaya ng makikita mo rin ako, halimbawa, sa mga puno o bato
at hindi iyon pagkamalikmata.

Sinasabi ko, malayong lunan ang aking pangalan
ngunit, hindi, wala kang dapat na ipag-alala.

Wala doong mga bakas ng pangil o paa ng anumang mabangis
na hayop na dapat mong ikatakot.

Maglibot ka lamang at iwaglit ang lahat ng alinlangan.

Sa isang puno, baka matagpuan mo ang isang pangalan,
palatandaan, na iniukit matapos na may sumumpa
ng wagas na pag-ibig.

Maaaring lumingon ka sa batis para matagpuan ang puso
ng isang mangingibig—maaari mo itong kimkimin,

anuman ang iyong ibig gawin: maaari mong itabi
habang dumuduyan sa swing, o habang pinanonood
ang pamumukadkad ng sampaga sa magdamag.

Sa dapit-hapon, maaari mong pagmasdan ang pagtubo
ng iyong anino sa aking mga palad, at doon ka humimlay.

Maaari mo akong iwan at magtatagpo pa rin tayo
sa lunduan ng iyong panaginip:

nakahimpil ako sa bato habang binibilang ang mga sandali
nang walang pananabik, walang pag-aatubili.

Hinihintay kitang dumating.

2006-10-03T21:49:00.000+08:00

Benefit concert for cancer patients moved to November 14

2006-10-03T20:38:00.000+08:00

Hi, guys!

Relay For Life, the benefit concert/event for cancer patients, is now moved to next month, November 14.

I am still selling tickets. For those interested, please just inform me. Again, I would like to mention that 100% of ticket sales will go to cancer patients through Philippine Cancer Society.

Thanks,
Claire

2006-09-29T11:24:00.000+08:00

TUNGKOL SA MATANDA

"Sinasabi ko," wari’y may itinatatag
sa pagkakalatag ng kaniyang tinig.

Ibinaba ko ang aklat na binabasa
at ibinaling ang buong pansin
sa kaniyang sasabihin.

(Wari’y buong mundo ang lumingon
sa kaniya upang makinig.

Hindi ito ang una naming pagkikita.
Matagal ko na siyang nakilala
sa di matapos-tapos na aklat na binabasa.)

"Sinasabi ko."

At hindi na niya ipinagpatuloy.

.
.
TUNGKOL SA MATANDA
.
Naramdaman niya ang pagtawag sa kaniya ng lupa. Nagpasiya siyang sa isang burol na lamang manatili—kipkip ang mga nalalabi sa sarili: takot, kalungkutan, kawalang-katiyakan.
.
Sa paglapit niya sa tuktok, mas lumalakas ang tinig, mas bumibigat ang kaniyang paghakbang; kaya isa-isa niyang binitiwan ang mga bitbit na alinlangan.
.
Naghintay siya nang saglit sa inaatubili. Sa halip, tanging hangin lamang ang naroroon, kipkip ang mga alikabok na nalikom. Ganap ang katahimikan: nakaramdam siya ng saglit na kamatayan.
.

RELAY FOR LIFE: Benefit Concert For Cancer Patients This Friday

2006-09-27T19:41:00.000+08:00

Hi, guys!

You are invited to RELAY FOR LIFE, a benefit concert for cancer patients this coming Friday evening (September 29) at the grounds beside UP Lagoon (near UP Faculty Center). Performers are Stonefree, Cynthia Alexander, 6cyclemind, Giniling Festival, Kiko Machine, Romancing Venus and more. Program will start as early as 5 pm with a motorcade, but the concert will be in the evening. The program will last until 6 am the next day.

Tickets are P100 each. 100% of the proceeds will go to cancer patients through Philippine Cancer Society.

The event is presented by UP Delta Pi Omicron and Philippine Cancer Society.

For those who are interested to come, I am selling tickets. Kindly reserve with me (my number is 09173643374) or if you are near Ortigas or in the Ortigas area, I can meet you beforehand. If you can only get your tickets by Friday, I can meet you outside the venue. I will be at the event by early afternoon since our org (Cancer Warriors - http://www.c-warriors.org/ ) has a booth. Hope you can visit our booth as well during the event!

For those who cannot come, you may still buy tickets as a form of donation, as 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to cancer patients.

Thanks in advance!

Claire

(Or contact this blogger)

Alkohol, alkohol, utak mo'y buhol-buhol

2006-09-22T02:02:00.000+08:00

-Alkohol, Eraserheads

May nakita ka bang babae kanina na maputlang-maputla, nanghihina? Kung hindi man ay nakahandusay na lang basta sa loob ng palikuran o kaya sa daan. Medyo maliit siya. Medyo kayumanggi. Medyo hindi siya makakalayo sa UP Diliman kung sakali. Oo, baka nandun lang siya o kaya malapit dun. O kaya nakasakay na siya sa dyip at bigla na lang nanghina bago maiabot sa tsuper ang bayad niya. Nakauwi kaya siya sa bahay niya? Makakapasok kaya siya sa trabaho niya? Kanina kasi, bago siya umalis, 80 over none ang BP niya. Baka may nakipagkuwentuhan sa 'yong babae na hindi mo kakilala. Dahil napansin mong maputla siya, naisip mong kailangan niya ng kausap, kailangan niya ng mababalingan para maalis ang pamumutla. Madaldal din kasi siya eh. Andami naming napagkuwentuhan tungkol sa mga nangyari sa kalusugan niya tulad ng over-sized wisdom tooth niya na sa simula pa lang ng pagtubo ay kailangang hiwain ang kaniyang gilagid, paling ang tubo. Tapos, kailangang bunutin. Baka napansin mong may bulak siya sa kanang braso habang nagkukuwento. Inalalayan mo ba siya? Donor namin siya kanina eh.

Baka naikuwento niyang may lalaking nagbantay sa kaniya. Ako 'yung lalaking ikinukuwento niya. Kanina kasi, hindi ko tiningnan 'yung donor form. Pagkaabot na pagkaabot sa 'kin ng donor form ay pinahiga ko na siya agad, dumampot ng 450 cc blood bag. Sa simula, okey naman siya. Medyo hindi niya mapiga 'yung squeeze ball. Namamanhid daw ‘yung mga daliri niya. Sabi ko, close-open na lang siya. Ginawa nga niya. Medyo nanginginig. Noon siya nagsimulang magkuwento at parang ginulat na pakwan yung kulay ng labi niya. Nalaman kong taga-Cebu siya at may trabaho na. Kahit nabasa ko sa donor form kung ano trabaho niya, tinanong ko pa rin siya. Tinanong ko rin kung ilang taong gulang na siya at kung anong kurso ang kinukuha niya. Tinanong ko rin ko saan siya sa kamaynilaan nakatira. Inulit ko kung anong pangalan niya tapos tumango-tango ako, tumango-tango rin siya. Sinabi niyang takot talaga siya sa dugo kaya ayaw niyang tingnan 'yung blood bag. Kaya nagkuwento na lang siya nung karanasan niya nang bunutan siya ng wisdom tooth. Yung nana at lahat sa gilagid niya. Kung paano siya umiyak sa sobrang sakit. Marami pa siyang ikinuwento at hindi ko na nasundan 'yung mga sinasabi niya. Ganoon pa rin 'yung kulay ng labi niya. Nang tumigil siya nang saglit—napansin niya yata na hindi na ako nakikinig—tinanong ko siya kung anong nararamdaman niya. Sinabi niyang nasusuka siya kaya hinugot ko na agad 'yung karayom. Itinaas namin 'yung paa niya at pinainom ng juice. Sinasabi ko, sa pagkakataong ito, walang tigil siya sa pagkuwento. Sinasabayan na rin niya ng tawa 'yung pagkuwento niya at pumipilit ako ng tawa para lang makalma siya.

350 cc lang naman ‘yung kinuha sa 'kin 'di ba? Pagkasabing-pagkasabi niya nun, tiningnan ko yung donor's form para makatiyak. Maling bag ang nadampot ko. Tumango na lang ako at sa pagkakataong iyon ay parang dinagsa ‘yung tuak ko ng maraming kuwento. Ikinuwento ko rin sa kaniya na may wisdom tooth din akong paling at kapag namamaga ay hindi ako makakain. Ikinuwento ko sa kaniya na lagi akong constipated. Ikinuwento ko sa kaniya na ‘yung girlfriend ng kuya ko ay sa Cebu nag-aral ng Medicine. Kahit mga SMS jokes ay gusto kong ikuwento sa kaniya. Pero hindi ko na nagawa ‘yun dahil kakaiba na ‘yung tingin sa akin ni Ma’m, staff ko. Kaya umupo na lang ako at ikinuwento sa kasama naming doktor na mali ‘yung kinuha kong blood bag. Saka ko rin nalaman na may iba pa pala akong ginawa. Hindi alcohol ‘yung ibinuhos ko sa mga bulak kundi kloroks. Muntik na iyong maipahid sa donor. Yung staff pa namin ang nakapansin. Dahil doon, parang gusto kong matunaw at mag-evaporate sa kinauupuan ko. Parang gusto kong ihampas ang ulo ko sa pader at ulit-ulitin sa sarili ko na lagi akong tatanga-tanga, tulala at nakatunganga. Nakaplano na na sisigaw na lang ako sa apartment gaya ng ginagawa ko dati kapag may palpak akong ginawa. Inisip ko rin na hindi ko dapat sirain ang araw na iyon at iiinom ko na lamang pagka-uwi ko ng Sampaloc. Pero baka alkohol din ang dahilan kung bakit ako madalas matulala. Alkohol siguro ang dahilan, paulit-ulit kong sinabi sa sarili ko. Isinapuso ko ‘yung pagsabi nun sa sarili ko. Alkohol ang dahilan. Alkohol ang dahilan. Parang litanya.

Okey na ‘yung lagay nung babae bago siya nagpaalam. Mapula na ulit ang labi niya at mukhang kaya na niyang tumalon-talon at tumakbo pagkatapos. Maya-maya lang, bigla na naman siyang namutla. Sa pagkakataong ito, puti na lang talaga ‘yung kulay ng labi niya. Sinabi niyang nasusuka raw siya at nagri-ring ang tainga niya. Dagli akong kumuha ng juice at ipinainom sa kaniya. Pinahiga naman siya ni Ma’m at itinaas ‘yung paa. Sabi sa ‘kin ni Dok, kunin ko raw ‘yung BP niya. Tatlong ulit kong sinigurado ‘yung pag-BP. Tumunog ‘yung pulso niya sa 80 (systolic) pagkatapos, wala na ulit akong marinig. Parang zero na ata diastolic nito. 80 over none, sabi ko sa sarili ko. Sinisi ko ulit ‘yung alkohol kung bakit hindi ako makapag-BP nang maayos. Alkohol ang dahilan.

Matagal-tagal din namin siyang pinagpahinga bago siya pinayagang umalis. Nagpaalam siya sa lahat maliban sa ‘kin. Matapos niyang ikuwento sa ‘kin ang mga nangyari sa buhay niya. Matapos banggitin ko sa kaniya na lagi akong constipated. Hindi ko na nasundan kung saan siya papunta. Ni hindi ko siya napansing nakalabas na sa Palma Hall. Kaya nananawagan ako, baka may babaeng nagkuwento ng ilan sa mga nangyari sa mga ikinuwento ko. Siya ‘yung babaeng ikinukuwento ko dito. Sabihin mo sa ‘kin, nakauwi ba siya? Nahimatay ba siya sa sinasakyan niyo? Dinala mo ba siya sa ospital?

Sa kaiisip kung ano nang nangyari sa kaniya, pagkauwing-pagkauwi ko sa Sampaloc, umupo akong tulala, nakatunganga at saka tumungga.

Hinihintay kitang dumating.

2006-09-15T13:46:00.000+08:00

Ayon na rin kay Dr. Concepcion, pathologist ng Philippine Blood Center:

The Philippines, just like any country, is in continuous need of blood donations, dengue season or not, and, yearly should comprise at least 1% of the population. That's roughly 800,000 blood bags per year nationwide! (Whew!) Last 2005, DOH reported that, with the combined efforts of the Philippine Blood Center, Philippine National Red Cross AND the commercial blood banks (nung di pa sila na-phase out), we were only able to get 425,000 blood bags. Ergo, it's a challenge all Filipinos must take.

Kaya, please, donate ka naman ng dugo. Konting sakripisyo lang. Konting pahinga bago mag-donate at huwag ka munang iinom ng kahit anong klaseng alcohol at *gamot*. Sige na. Kung napilit kita, punta ka sa:

Philippine Blood Center

Philippine Children's Medical Center,

Agham Road Cor. Quezon Avenue,

Quezon City

Sabihin mo lang sa manong guard na magdo-donate ka ng dugo. Pagkarating mo sa Blood Center sabihin mo lang ang pangalan ko, password 'yan: Sonny Sendon, o kaya: Dra. Farrah. Kaming bahala sa inyo. Pramis!

Comment ka lang o kaya tag ka sa Cbox kung kelan mo balak pumunta ha? Sige. Teynks.

Ang Lungsod Namin

2006-09-13T13:38:00.000+08:00

Joselito D. delos Reyes

Progress is a comfortable disease…
______________________- e.e. cummings

______Sumisinghap kami ng dahilang susulingan
Kung bakit kinokolonya ng putik at tubig ang aming lungsod.
Kaya sinimulan naming sisihin ang init ng panahon;
Natutunaw na ang yelo sa magkabilang polo ng mundo.
Sinamantala ng mga mapagkalinga ang dahilang ito
Kaya binaha kami ng ahente—
Ahente ng lupang bukod sa masagana at matayog,
Malayo pa sa gulugod ng lindol;
Ahente ng segurong nananakam ng ganansiya
Kung matitibo’t magpapantay ang paa.

______Totoong peligroso ang huminga-hinga
Sa ganitong lugar, wika ng ilang ayaw nang datnan
Ang tuluyang pangangamkam ng dagat sa aming siyudad.
Pami-pamilya silang lumikas, o tumakas
Palabas ng banlik at lansa.
Katwiran ni Kabayang Bestre,
Hindi na baleng ilado ang biya at tilapya
Basta hindi mamad sa alipunga ang paa.
At ayaw na rin daw niyang makitang
Tuluyang maging Lemuria ang kaniyang lote.

______Nadaig ng lungsod namin ang baratilyo sa palengke.
Sumayad hanggang sa sahig ng prinsa ang halaga
Ng lupang sa kalahatian ng taon ay sapa.
May lote kana, may palaisdaan pa
Ito ang islogan ng nangongomisyon naming alkalde
Sa mga dayong mamimili.

______Isa-isang nabakante ang mga pabrika, bahay, pondahan,
Eskuwelahan, establisimyento, sementeryo, at oo,
Pati luhuran, upuan, kumpisalan ng simbahan.
Pinagmunihan tuloy ng parokyng irelyebo ang patron.
Palitan ng maka-mamamalakaya, maka-dagat,
Maka-isda, maka-kabibeng larawan ng kabanalan.
At kagyat itong isinangguni sa basilika at Tayuman.

______Naiwan kaming walang ipanghuhurnal
Sa bagong bahay at buhay.
Kaya ang kaminero’y naging bihasa sa bintol at patukba,
Ang barbero sa panghahayuma,
Ang mananahi sa panggugulaman.
Ang kantero sa pagpanday ng lawayan.
Ang mamamabrika sa pagtutuyo.
Bawat isa’y puwedeng maging engkargado, mamamakyaw,
Degaton, mamamanti, depende sa kàti ng kati.

______Dumalang ang aming kapitbahay
At suminsin ang kapitbaklad.
gayunma’y dumalas ang pagpupulong ng taong bayan
Hinggil sa papalapit na laot.
Walang dapat ikatakot,
Sabi ng taga-Greenhills naming Neptuno’t punong lungsod
(ang haka-haka’y hindi na siya lalangoy
sa susunod na eleksiyon, sa halip ay mag-eendoso
na lamang ng may salapang na sirena o siyokoy).
Dapat pa nga daw itong ikalugod dahil:

Kami ang bagong Venice o Shanghai,
Ang umaapaw sa yamang Mississippi,
Danube, Thames, Orinoco, at Yangtze.
Saan ba ipinagbuntis ang kabihasnan?
Hindi ba’t sa Ganges, Tigris, Euphrates, Nile?
Bawat pagpupulong ay sinelyuhan ng palakpak
Pero isip nami’y may kung anong ngumangatngat.
Dahil kahit anong puna o panukala o imik,
Bumubuka na lamang ang aming hasang at bibig,
Nangangalirang ang kaliskis at palikpik
Dito sa lungsod naming kalmante’t pagkatahi-tahimik.

Pagkatapos ng Baha

2006-09-13T13:06:00.000+08:00

Pagkatapos na umulan nang malakas noong sabado at nalubog sa tubig-baha ang Kamaynilaan.

Pagkatapos na lumusong sa baha at masuka at ipunin sa bibig ang dapat-sanang-isusuka at lulunin ulit.

Pagkatapos na palalain ang sitwasyon ng mga pangamba na baka ay bigla na lamang mahulog sa manhole, ng mga kuwentong may nakalaylay na kawad ng kuryente sa baha.

Pagkatapos na maistranded sa loob ng ospital ng UST (na binabaha rin pala sa loob) at maghintay ng isang oras sa pagdating ng bus na maghahatid sa amin sa Main Building (na isang daang metro lang ang layo sa kinaroroonan namin).

Pagkatapos na kumain ng pansit at makasama sa kuwarto ang mga buddhang may dalang gong na kinabukasan noon ay nag-uwi ng ginto.

Pagkatapos maramdaman ang pangangati sa katawan lalo na sa binti at paa na pakiramdam nami'y hindi lamang kulugo o kurikong ang tutubo kundi isang pumpon ng gamit na diaper o kaya'y pedicab driver o kaya'y mga batang kalyeng hindi ko alam kung nasaan sila noong mga panahong iyon (na kahit akong malaki na ay nangangaligkig sa labis na lamig at pinatutulala ng labis na pangamba).

Pagkatapos ng araw na iyon na kasing itim ng tubig-baha ang mga bagay na matagal-tagal ko nang kinikimkim.

Pagkatapos ng araw na iyon na wari'y kasamang humupa ng tubig-baha ang lahat ng aking mga pangamba.

Pagkatapos.

Pagkatapos, heto.

Thoughts of death drives young writer to pen winning pieces

2006-09-01T17:09:00.000+08:00

By Juan Escandor Jr.

IRIGA CITY — This young Bicolano writer is preoccupied with death but he said that this unusual thought that lingers in his mind drives him to write literary pieces, which eventually earned awards and recognitions. Kristian Sendon Cordero, 23, poet and fictionist, confessed he feels he’ll die at the age of 40, and assuming he has some 17 years more to live, he wanted to be more productive by creating works that would contribute to Bicol literature.

Awards

Cordero’s short story entitled “Langaw” won second prize in the category of short fiction in Filipino in this year’s Palanca Award. It is a dark tale of a poor, abused girl whose sufferings ended tragically by the railroad where she died after being raped by several men.

He said he wanted to make a statement on violence against women to make people aware of the creeping problem that victimized many helpless girls and women.

“I cannot forget my aunt who died a violent death in the hands of her husband,” Cordero said. .

He said he originally planned the piece he submitted to Palanca as a poem. But he said he realized it would be better in short story form.

Cordero said his first draft was in the Rinconada dialect which he did three years ago. Then he revised it three times and translated the short story to Filipino and submitted the piece in the most prestigious literary competition.

In the past years, the young writer has also won prizes for the poems he submitted to Homelife Magazine’s annual competition. He hit the grand prize in 2004 and placed second prize in 1999 and 2005, respectively.

“The recognition I received from the Homelife Magazine gave me the affirmation that I can write so I decided to tread the literary path,” Cordero recalled.

Born to humble parents who have worked abroad to provide them their needs, he and two other younger siblings were left under the care of his maternal grandmother Natividad Sendon. He is the eldest, his sister Filipinas, 21, the second eldest and his brother Bhasier, 20, the youngest.

At present his mother Ofelia Sendon, a native of this city, has now stayed home for good, while his father Alejandro Cordero from Candaba, Pampanga, continues to work abroad.

Influence

“My grandmother Natividad Sendon is a folk healer or parasantigwar. She performs santigwar on people believed under the spell of supernatural beings like engkanto, tawong lipod or maligno,” Cordero revealed. Santigwar, he said, is a folk healing practice and ritual reminiscent of pagan and animistic culture.

He said that his grandmother, being a parasantigwar, has mercury in her body that the latter believes protects her from bad spirits and forces of darkness.

Cordero said his grandmother has the greatest influence in his work. She admires her as a woman with a strong character who overcame her own adversities, being the wife of a womanizer husband.

He said that his grandmother’s character and rituals somehow find their way in his works as he gives importance on her folk rituals that defines the ancient Bicolano natives.

In his younger years, he said he enjoyed accompanying his grandmother in many of her visits to pilgrimage sites in Tiwi, Albay or Hinulid, Calabanga where she was supposed to recharge her healing power.

When he was still a kid, he said, he had a fantastic perception that priests and movie stars live forever. So he said, his ambition then was to become one of them, until he grew up and found out that they also die.

Cordero is outwardly pleasant with his boyish smile despite his preoccupation with death that won’t leave his thoughts and influences his literary pieces he had written.

He has two books to his name, “Mga Tulang Tulala: Piling Tulang Filipino, Bikol at Rinconada (the spoken dialect in the third district of Camarines Sur) published in 2004 and “Santigwar” (2006). The two books of poems were all published by the Goldprint Publishing House in Naga City.

(www.bicolmail.com)

Finalist of 2006 Premio Tomas Arejola named

2006-09-01T17:00:00.000+08:00

By Cora A. Arejola

Thirteen literary pieces and seven collections of poetry have been shortlisted for the 3rd Premio Tomas Arejola para sa Literaturang Bikolnon. This was announced by Carlo Arejola, managing director of the Arejola Foundation for Social Responsibility, the pioneering spirit behind Bicol’s premier literary prize.

Novel

Carlos A. Ojeda, “Introibo Ad Altare Dei” (Naga City)
Otello L. Santiano, “Badas ni Satanas” (Naga City)

Poetry

Fr. Philip Francis R. Bersabe, “Mga Rawit-dawit ni Padre Cabalquinto” (Naga City)
Jaime Jesus U. Borlagdan, “Karangahan” (Tabaco City, Albay)
Victor Dennis T. Nierva, “Folio” (San Fernando, Camarines Sur)
Honesto M. Pesimo, Jr., “Dios Marhay na Aldaw” (Naga City)
Edgar A. Ramores, “An Pirang Aram Ko Manonongod sa Saimong Ngirit” (Naga City)
Jericho H. Rabadeo, “Sa Gapo kan Nakaagi” (Calabanga, Camarines Sur)
Otello L. Santiano, “Aripompon nin Kapapadayawan"

Short Story

Estelito B. Jacob, “Ibalong 2080” (Camaligan, Camarines Sur)
Austin John M. Ortinero, “Anghel sa Dalipay” (Goa, Camarines Sur)
Edgar A. Ramores, “Kolor Takla an Agaw-Diklom”
Otello L. Santiano, “Nagpalta an Dios”

Essay

Fr. Philip Francis R. Bersabe, “Bingkay”
Jose Jason Chancoco, “Pagkahalo-halo saka Hegemonikong Direksyon kana mga Rimang Pang-igin sa PNR Site, Siyudad nin Iriga” (Iriga City)
Honesto M. Pesimo, Jr., “An Bikolano”
Adrian V. Remodo, "Paghuba sa Magayon” (Lagonoy, Camarines Sur. )

Stories for Children

Nestor R. Alagbate, “Sabi ni ‘Pay” (Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte)
Jericho H. Rabadeo, “An Rosas sa Disyerto”

Authors of the said cited entries will each receive a framed Diploma of Merit in a gala awards night on September 12, this year, 7 p.m. at the Naga City Youth Center. The best entries, to be named in said occasion, will be awarded P2,500 and gold medallion. A grand prize winner shall then be chosen from among the said category winners, who shall then receive 10,000.00 and the Premio Tomas Arejola statuette.

To make the said contemporary Bikol writings available to the reading public, the cited entries will be posted at http://oragonrepublic.com. starting Sept. 1, as part of the Premio para sa Parabasa, a readership prize aimed at meaningfully involving the public by making available for their critical appraisal the best entries submitted to the Premio. Three literary criticisms will be chosen to receive a writing fellowship to 4th Juliana Arejola-Fajardo Workshop sa Pagsurat-Bikol and other prizes. Please email info@oragonrepublic.com for more information.

Apart from the Premio Tomas and the Juliana Arejola-Fajardo Workshop sa Pagsurat Bikol, the Arejola Foundation for Social Responsibility also spearheads the Aldaw ni Ludovico outreach program in Minalabac, which commemorates the 1900 ascension of Gen. Loduvico Arejola as over-all commander of Ambos Camarines and Catanduanes during the Filipino-American War. The literary prize is named in honor of a patriot, writer and leading member of the Propaganda Movement, and is co-sponored by the Naga City Government and the Raul S. Roco Library this year.

Winner!

2006-09-01T16:56:00.000+08:00

Congrats kay Kristian Cordero sa pagkakapanalo niya sa Palanca. (2nd Place, Maikling kuwento)

Congrats din kay Carlo Arejola na nanalo rin sa kategoryang Screenplay.

Congrats din kay Sir Eros Atalia na siyang nag-1st place sa Maikling kuwento.

Congrats din sa mga finalist ng Premio Tomas.

Habeerday Blog!

2006-08-18T12:42:00.000+08:00

Hindi ngayon ang eksaktong araw ng pagkakagawa niya. August 28.

Isang taon na rin pala nang gawin kita.

Hayaan mo, mamaya, iinom ako.

Philippine PEN Fiction Anthology Call for Submissions

2006-08-17T15:18:00.000+08:00

The Philippine PEN is now accepting submissions for an anthology of short fiction in English to be published in 2007.

Filipino writers under 45 years of age are invited to submit one recent, unpublished short story of no more than 8,000 words to the

Philippine Center of International PEN
531 Padre Faura Street, Ermita
Manila
e-mail address: philippinepen@yahoo.com
CC to penfictionantho@gmail.com

Deadline of submissions is December 31, 2006.

Address all inquiries to the above addresses as well. Submissions must be typeset in double-spaced 12-pt Times New Roman. The title page must contain the author's name and complete contact information. The last page must be author's bio of no more than 150 words.

Hardcopy submissions must be printed on letter-size bond paper and be accompanied by softcopy in Rich Text Format (*.rtf) on floppy disk or CD. E-mail submissions must be sent as Rich Text Format attachments.

We look forward to hearing from you.

(via Eric's blog)

Balik sa itim

2006-08-16T23:05:00.000+08:00

Itim: Tiim

Mas trip ko ngayon ang itim. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero ito ang trip kong kulay ngayon. Pero siguradong walang kinalaman sa babasahin ko ngayon na libro ni Robert Bly, yung A Little Book on the Human Shadow.

Sensya wala pa akong masabi eh.

Heto na lang:

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Basa muna ako. Next time, kukwentuhan kita.