SENTIMENTAL

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 Contributions shall be unpublished poems exploring the theme "Bikolnón na agimadmád (Bikol consciousness)"—memories, experiences, realities, images, and other aspects of being a Bikolano.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.

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!

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 CA...

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 Angeli...

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 .)

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. Y...

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.

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. .

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, Bulwag...

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

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. .

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/ ) ...

-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 napan...

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 sabihi...

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 paleng...

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 panahon...

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,” ...

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) Au...