lamentations of terrible beauty

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2008-05-25T05:17:00.000-07:00

Portal West
Silliman University
May 12, 2008
3:55AM

I miss Dumaguete.

Comic Poetry

2008-04-17T23:50:00.000-07:00

Green Mountains Review: Comedy in Contemporary American Poetry

Well, I got this for P50 in a book sale. I hope this will bring me good laughs this summer and insights about comic poetry. So far, it's not disappointing me. This can be a good company in the afternoon with a cool drink beside me. By the way, i got two other award-winning books of the same price: House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday and Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier.

Space

2008-04-16T00:49:00.000-07:00

I was left with images to piece together and find out its heightened meaning. It was only made clear after bravely facing the ghost tasked to give me the images and to carry on the perceived meaning. It was a pained ordeal of choosing what to let go and what to hold on. Often times in choosing it needed desperate measures like tossing a coin. It was necessarily to somehow rely on this archaic and democratic deal. And as the coin flips in the air, I was left with a few seconds to wish which side of the coin I want to appear in my palm. After almost everything, when I’m ready to hang the framed image of this longing, I gaze at my empty reflection—this necessary space left inside praying for better tomorrows.

Short Poetic Dramas

2008-04-16T00:23:00.000-07:00

In my almost busy schedule this summer, I’ve engaged my self in some literary dramas.

I

Instant Messages

i guess we never reach the point of defining
what surfaced from the exchange of text messages,
comments on each others blogs,
or even our abrupt and dated conversations.
from where i’m standing,
it seemed clear to me
where this may lead—
a place
where goodbye is the silence between us
like ellipsis we use in our dense messages.
yes, i almost believed you when you said
that memory does not record the fleeting touch of our palms
because it is swift and instant.
but it seemed to me that you forgot
how we have become shortfall of our attention—
what is hasty stays in my memory
like your coming and urgent leaving.

This poem will be included in this year's dark blue southern seas, the literary folio of the weekly sillimanian edited by John Boaz Lee and Fred Jordan Carnice.

II

Gonzalo: Kabalo na si Adrian kung asa. Parte na god na siya sa atong pamilya. Adunay limpyo nga towalya sa may CR.

Nita: Unsay plano nimong buhaton?

Gonzalo: Unsay imong pasabot?

Nita: Ang tasa, Gonzalo, ang tasa. Ilabay to, ilabay to.

Gonzalo: Paghilum!

Nita: Ayaw, Gonzalo, ayaw!

Gonzalo: Walay ni anhi karong hapon. Apan ni ingun si Adrian nga nianhi siya.

Nita: Dili!

Gonzalo: Apan na sayop pa jud si Adrian. Matod niya iya daw gi ingnan and katabang nga ni anhi siya pero gipalayas na man nimo ang katabang ganihang buntag.

Nita: Dili, dili!

Gonzalo: Mao nang imong gi palayas si Cora. Kabalo si Cora nga nahadlok ka nga mo sulti siya nako. Tig-anhi na si Adrian diri matag-hapon sa ni labay nga duha ka semana. Aduna na koy namatikdan mao nang ni adto ko og Baguio. Makabalik na man unta ko diri dayon—apan nagdugay-dugay pa ko haron mapadayon pa ninyo ni Adrian ang inyong makasasala nga relasyon.

Nita: Gonzalo-Gonzalo!

Gonzalo: Kamong duha, namakak ug nagparun-ingnon mo sa akong likod.

Nita: Tinuod, tinuod! Ug naulaw na kaayo ko.

Gonzalo: Naulaw? Kabalo ka unsay pasabot ana?

Nita: Wala ko kabalo kung ngano tong nabuhat nako, wala jud.

Gonzalo: Karon kabalo naka, apan ulahi na ang tanan.

Nita: Unsay imong buhaton?

Gonzalo: Patyon nako siya.

Translated to Cebuano, this is an excerpt of Wilfredo Ma. Guerero's Three Rats. This play will soon be staged in Silliman University and will be directed by Claudio Montebon Ramos II. Forgive me for my inchoate knowledge of the Cebuano language. Shame on me.

III

The phone rings, breaking the cold silence in his bedroom. With his fidgeting hands, he picks up the phone. “Hello, Peter. We’re have you been?” inquires the voice on the other line. He locked himself in his room. Didn’t go to work; to the gym or even bother eat. Nobody could contact or talk to him, even his best friend Ann.
“Oh… Hi. Who’s this?”
“It’s me—Ann.”
“Oh. How are you?”
“How are you?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Peter.”
Peter puts down the phone and runs to the bathroom. He stands in front of the sink and unknowingly turns the handle of the faucet. “It was never made easy,” he said to his reflection distorted by the flowing water from the tap like his eternal longing.

This is an excerpt of a longer work.

Across the Universe

2008-03-24T08:40:00.000-07:00

I've been a beach bum these past few days and will still be in the coming days. I just love the sand, sea, sky and sun. This is my therapy. I can escape from the hazards of city life and think of other possibilities.
Here are some shots I took while bumming around. I named this collection Across the Universe, of course, inspired by The Beatles. I'm crazy over this song lately, especially this part:

"Pools of sorrow,
waves of joy are drifting through my open mind,
Possessing and caressing me
Jai guru de va om"

Dauin, Oriental Negros
Silliman Beach, Dumaguete City
Dauin, Oriental Negros

Letting Go

2008-03-24T07:54:00.000-07:00

'Get out of Dumaguete and find work somewhere.' This is the ready answer I would reply to those asking me about my career path. For most graduates, this is a common answer. For a city as small as Dumaguete, it's almost impossible to find a good and high-paying job. It's been a week since I got up that stage to receive my diploma, but I'm thinking otherwise. The city's quaint charm has captured me indeed despite the pain I'm running from.

I remember telling my a friend that the acacia trees in Silliman University represent my biggest heartaches. And yes, they still do. But every time I think of leaving this place, I always find a reason to stay and it's getting hard to deal with everyday. Maybe running away from them isn't really the best way to heal? Maybe the only way to heal is to bravely face them?

I really don't where to go. Would staying here in Dumaguete still be a right decision? But maybe there are no right decisions. I should only be brave to take the further step to eventually move one. For now, I'll stare at the horizon and find out what to hold on and what to let go.

I'll be with the poet...

2008-02-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

This Valentines Day I'll dine with my poems and the poems I love. Let me share an excerpt of Pablo Neruda's If you forget me and this is perhaps one of my favorites.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.

Listen to the poem here.

Happy Valentines Day! Share love and peace!

Turning Red and Green

2008-02-07T07:09:00.001-08:00

Cool. Wala lang.

Apologies

2008-01-29T06:53:00.000-08:00

PAHABOL: Everytime I find a reason to go on, gravity pulls me back into the reality of empty possibilities. I know this is suppose to be just about me, but I guess the heavier threads are pulling me again into pieces. Again, I'm sorry. I hope I can find other ways to heal.

It's a load off my chest. This is a very selfish act but I know this is the best thing I can do for myself. I've been serving the "institution" for more than two years and I've done enough. It wasn't perfect but I made it sure that I did something new or at least made it cool.

I'm very sorry for giving you false hope in the beginning but I promise to help you make it it through in the end. I hope you do understand me. This time I should be thinking of myself and what is waiting ahead of me. After all, I deserve it. It's time to take life seriously.

Returning Back

2008-01-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

I thought I was perfectly over it. There was enough time to ponder on the possibilities of giving it a shot or a final blow. But today, I found myself in the same stream of trying to put back the pieces of torn photographs I took along the way.

I stayed for quite some time in the 'cage' and now I need an urgent release. This could be one of the reasons why I'm rethinking my earlier decision. Another reason is the fact that I still have something to settle from the past before I can actually move on and decide for the future.

After my class, I went to a friend's pad to reinforce positive vibes. I always turn to this person every time I need a good dose of positive energy. He has the right moon to give that energy.

With good music, coffee and poetry, we had our attempts to figure out why it has to be this way and how can we make it better. There's bliss we feel despite life's inconsistencies.

Like the photographs, conversations like this will surely last because we had the courage to find something beautiful in life's cycle of coming and leaving.

*Thanks for the book and the Cd's. I'm still thinking about the ten days.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T04:09:00.000-08:00

If there is one certain thing in 2008, it's the infinite possiblity...

Available soon. Happy new year, everyone!

Buglas

2007-12-27T04:01:00.000-08:00

It is probably unique here in the province of Oriental Negros that the change of political leaders would also mean the change of festivals. For a couple years, we celebrate Buglasan Festival every October. However, after the recent elections, the newly elected governor decided to move it to December and construct a permanent trade center and exhibit for LGUs and called it Sidlakang Negros (similar to Panaad of Negros Occidental). The Buglasan festival then, now became Buglas Festival. I don't know what happened to the last two letters. But the activities last year and the previous years are practically the same.

Just this afternoon, we had the Buglas Festval of Festivals. It used to be a festival olympics of almost 20 LGUs, but this year, only four participated. Namely the Jambabalud Festival of Jimalalud, the Tawo-Tawo Festival of Bayawan City, the Pakol Festival of Sta. Catalina and the Langub Festival of Mabinay. I thought only the colleges in Silliman are apathetic in joining university activities like Miss Silliman and the All University Cheering Competition. There's seems to a parallelism here. What happened to the other local government units? What happened to the internationally-acclaimed Yag-Yag Festival of Sibulan? Or even our local Sandurot Festival?

The Buglasan Festival or Buglas Festival (which ever way you call it) is certainly one of the best traditions here in the province. It's a festive gathering of local treasures that negrenses can be proud of. And here are the faces of this tradition:

Isn't it worth preserving? Although we may have a mediocre Buglas Festival this year, we can always do better next year? Whatchathink?

Planes and the beach...

2007-12-26T07:08:00.000-08:00

I was suppose to go to Malatapay this morning but the weather did not cooperate, so instead, I thought of a quick stop at Silliman beach.(Yeah, right.) But I ended up promenading along the shoreline and the airport area for almost three hours. Here's what I got...

Well, not that bad...
By the way, the plane was worth the wait.
I should learn from that, i guess.

ekphrasis

2007-12-26T02:21:00.000-08:00

In the midst of trying to be a decent photographer, I stumbled to this which is a great idea.

Here's my ekphrasis. It is poem being based on, derived from, or inspired by the picture. An ekphrastic poem can also be about a piece of music, so you will have to find a visual for the music (maybe be a photo of part of the score, the picture of the composer, or the like.)

Walking Away

Someday, in the midst of dividing planes
there will be stones waiting to be crushed
and after the painful ordeal of dividing and crushing,
you will be sleeping in caves
with the moon patiently guiding you.
I will only be watching you shiver and
there might be crows that will visit you.
Hold on! Nostalgic night will come and in your
memory I will be a deja vu—
eternal battle you will fight with bare hands.

(for him who hides in the tin box)

'if with images, if with words'

2007-12-23T04:35:00.000-08:00

My attempt to become a serious photographer happened after intimately embracing solitude. Nothing tragic really occurred that day; it's just that I felt left alone. So I decided to wander around take some pictures. I packed my stuff, borrowed a camera from a friend and then I found my self in the Parish Church of Bacong and its beach front. After a more than a hundred shots, I was not contented with what I got. Believe me, I took almost 400 shots that day.The next best place I can think of is Dauin (the next town). In just a few minute of commuting from Bacong, I visited a familiar place and there I got better shots.

I'm not really sure if these are good or bad photographs but I enjoyed taking them and I believe in the stories they want to tell.

More photos here. The title of this post is from a poem by Marjorie Evasco.

December 22, 2007

2007-12-22T05:28:00.000-08:00

This is me trying to get the right shots in life.

Under me...

2007-12-17T05:38:00.000-08:00

This song is still haunting me until today.

Its thought and image coincides with one of my favorite poems by angelo suarez...

"sadness is not rain, it's the umbrella that won't open when you need it."

*You can stand under my umbrella... Will you?

Poetry

2007-12-10T05:57:00.001-08:00

If it's poetry,
I'll be silent
in my
restful interlude
yet
I know
I said
everything.

I miss writting poems.

Songs

2007-12-10T05:04:00.000-08:00

I'm not really a musical genius or at least musically talented, but I always had this penchant to sing. I probably have all the qualities to become the next American Idol(except that I'm not an American or I don't live in the US)... REGECT! But at least I want to sing!

Here are some songs in my playlist lately...

One.
Saan na nga ba ang barkada ngayaon?
Sponge Cola

Two.
Headlines (Freinds Forever)
Spice Girls

Three.
Umbrella
Rihanna

My favorites

Four.
Your Guardian Angel
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

When I see your smile
tears run down my face
I can't replace
and now that I'm strong
I have figured out
how this world turns cold
and it breaks through my soul
and I know I'll find deep inside me
I can be the one

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
even if saving you sends me to Heaven

It's ok..(x3)

Seasons are changing
and waves are crashing
and stars are falling
all for us
the days grow longer
and nights grow shorter

I can show you I'll be the one

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
even if saving you sends me to Heaven
cause you're my...you're my...my...
my true love
my whole heart
please don't throw that away
cause I'm here for you
please don't walk away!
please tell me you'll stay!

Use me as you will
pull my strings just for a thrill
and I know I'll be ok
though my skies are turning gray

I will never let you fall
I'll stand up with you forever
I'll be there for you through it all
Even if saving you sends me to Heaven (x2)

Five
Taking Chances
Celine Dion

Lyrics

Don't know much about your life.
Don't know much about your world, but
Don't want to be alone tonight,
On this planet they call earth.

You don't know about my past, and
I don't have a future figured out.
And maybe this is going too fast.
And maybe it's not meant to last,

But what do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

I just want to start again,
And maybe you could show me how to try,
And maybe you could take me in,
Somewhere underneath your skin?

What do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?

Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

And I had my heart beaten down,
But I always come back for more, yeah.
There’s nothing like love to pull you up,
When you’re laying down on the floor there.
So talk to me, talk to me,
Like lovers do.
Yeah walk with me, walk with me,
Like lovers do,
Like lovers do.

What do you say to taking chances,
What do you say to jumping off the edge?
Never knowing if there's solid ground below
Or hand to hold, or hell to pay,
What do you say,
What do you say?

Don’t know much about your life
And I don’t know much about your world.

Via Veritas Vita

2007-12-06T05:11:00.000-08:00

Copied from the loquacious lady... You're right night's nostalgia are coming...

1. Student number?
04-1-00609

2. College?
College of Mass Communication.

3. Ano ang course mo?
MassCom

4. Nag-shift ka ba o na-kickout?
Wala pod... But thought of shifting...

5. Saan ka kumuha ng SUAPE?
Sa Silliman ra...

6. Favorite subject?
LITT 21

7.Favorite PE?
Social Dance

8. Saan ka nag-aabang ng hot babe/mensa SU?
a. Kiosk gawas sa lib...

c. Scoobys Silliman

f. Amphi

g. Luce Lobby

9. Favorite prof?
a. Sir Ian
b. Ma'am Celia
c. Sir Nikko

1 0. Pinaka-ayaw na subject.
HIST 41 (Rizal's Life)

11. Nakapag-field trip ka ba?
In Silliman, who hasn't?

12. Ano ang Org/Frat/Soro mo?
KMC, LitCritters and many others...

13. Saan ka tumatambay palagi?
tWS and cso office, Cafe, Maszcom Sala, Library

14. Dorm, Boarding house, o Bahay?
Bahay

15. Sino ang pinaka-una mong nakilala sa SU?
Rodrigo Bolivar.

16. First play na napanood mo sa SU?
Nalimot na ko...

17. saan ka madalas mag-lunch?
a. Balay
b. cafe
c. Food Net
d. La Cavitena
e. Coop

18. Masaya ba sa SU?
So much... I will miss Silliman...

19. Ilang beses ka bumoto sa SG elections?
3 times...

Flickering thoughts lately...

2007-11-02T06:06:00.000-07:00

tonight, i succumb to the whips of life
like badminton swings
fluttering me to the other side
of the court

***

for a poet
scrambling for poetic diction,
the most difficult part in writing a poem
is choosing the words to end it.
it requires a certain finality
like a fruit falling
to the painful embrace
of solid grounds

***

like the t'boli weaver
who capture designs from dreams,
we live taking risks in conjuring
our desires to something tangible--
something creeping between our fingers
yet we refuse to feel

***

late night walks in this city
reminds me of security and stability
despite the orange, gloomy light
from the lamp posts,
painting the city with tinge of sepia
that approximates its rudeness

***

i know my comfort is beyond that door,
where the room is darkened
and lies infest like snakes
beneath greening fields
and only your skin
illuminates a solitary flicker
and i begin to feel the drifting warmth
of your breath between my palms

***

we reluctantly swim
into our neighbor's pond,
with white lotuses
guiding us when to breathe
and raise our heads up high
to welcome the afternoon sun

***

i can never be poetry
to a poet writing about midsummer's pain,
the moon's phases
and the asphalt craters in his streets.
for in between the phases of the moon,
i can be midsummer's pain
filling the asphalt craters
in the poet's streets

Glimpses of the first semester...

2007-10-19T02:25:00.000-07:00

Time has swiftly flown away. This is fast becoming a cliché for us who only have five months (at least) to cram in college. The second semester is knocking at our doorsteps...

But here are some still shots that would remind us of how far we have been for the past few months...

June

Paghoylunhoylun 2007
the KMC/CMC acquaintance party

RYLF Leadership Training
June 24

July

My day!

CSO IPR/Leadership Training

August

International Youth Day 2007 (Manila)

Founders Week 2007

Hibalag 2007

MIss Silliman 2007

All University Cheerdance Competition

SolarGeneration Orientation at the Booth Area

Inuman sessions after Hibalag...

September

SolarGeneration visits Negros Oriental State University

in St. Paul University-Dumaguete

Spectrum National Journalism Fellowship (Bacolod City)

And now, I welcome the Second semester with fear and trembling...

[some photos via jordan, claire and galee]

When sem break isn't a break after all...

2007-10-02T23:37:00.000-07:00

Finally, the Pinoy Media Congress 2007 will be in Silliman University. This only means three Ws: work, work and work! Good luck KMC...

Stand up!

2007-10-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

The United Nations Youth Association of the Philippines (UNYAP) will be hosting the National Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Summit for Young Filipinos on October 23-26, 2007 in Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental with the theme “B.I.L.I.B. Young Leaders: Stand Up, Move, Lead!” B.I.L.I.B refers to Believe, Innovate, Lead, Inspire and Build. The summit will be inviting different schools and universities from the Visayas.

If there are queries and clarifications to be made relative to this Summit, please contact the Secretariat at the following numbers: UNYAP S.U. Secretary Ms. Gwen Leslie Robins Uy (09228171701), SUCNA President Ana Katrina Remoto (09178801962). For more concerns relative about this national MDG conference please visit www.unyouthvisayas.ning.com and e-mail: unyouthphilippines@yahoo.com

Solar Generation in Bayawan

2007-09-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend, when everyone had somewhere to go, I hitched (with Jordan and Fiona) to Razcel's art workshop in Bayawan. He was invited to conduct a workshop on art and its social relevance by the Character First sector of the local goivernment unit of Bayawan.

The suppose art workshop and exposure trip of Solar Generation became the first cycle of SG's pictorial craze. I can't believe the four of us took almost 400 shots in just a day and a half. We were camera whores. (Sorry for the term.) In every nook that we visited, we never fail to burst in saying, "Picture! Picture!".

Random pictures...

Thank you Kuya Oliver, Kuya Toto, Ate Ging, Bethel and the Bayawanons for the warm hospitality... See you soon...

*More pictures will be posted on this site soon.

LitCelebration!

2007-08-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

This one's for the person who patiently listened to our stories and taught us the craft of writing. Thank you very much, Sir Ian! Happy birthday and congratulations on you third Palanca. (Libre! Libre!)

Bilib sa Kabataan!

2007-08-08T07:36:00.001-07:00

I'm bound for Manila tomorrow for the International Youth Day Celebration. We will be attending lectures on youth empowerment for sustainable development (nose bleed). But the university is paying for all my expenses so I'm compelled to go (wink). I will be leaving loads of task to my colleagues in the Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators and the Council of Student Organizations. I know they can pull it off.

PAHABOL: We will also have our own IYD celebration here in Dumaguete City. The Renaissance Youth Leaders Forum, Kapunungan sa mga Mass Communicators, Medical Technology Society, and College of Education Student Organization will have a parallel celebration at Hayahay this Saturday. Be seen, Be heard: Youth participation for development! Be there!

Redefining Beauty and Strength

2007-08-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

This is no longer a joke. Eight years of almost being there is boring and your about to break that spell. This isn't much of a pressure. Break a leg, Grace.

2007-07-23T06:06:00.000-07:00

Skin

I will whisper your name
to the gecko for it will remember
you with exactness
as it utters
its call for fixity of memory.

At twilight, you will find the gecko
in your ceiling, looking at you
with its peculiar eyes.

You will try to move away,
but it will still find you.

With your trembling hands, you mapped
the dots in the gecko's skin,
finding familiar specs
in your greening pores.

* This is the latest poem I wrote in one of my boring classes this semester after a poetic hibernation for four months. I miss writing poems. And again I'm scrambling for poetic language. It's obvious in my latest short story. The language sucks--I admit. I'm groping for the right track to master this craft again, hoping for future recognitions.

This one's for the one who said that I should write. I'm glad that I don't know.

Ma'am Marj at Hayahay

2007-05-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Why we sould love or at least care for our sawsawan?

2007-05-18T02:53:00.000-07:00

We should love or at least care for our sawsawan for one simple reason: it adds or enhances the taste of what could be a very simple dish. It could be the tomato sauce we mix with the noodles to make a delightful pasta or the vinegar to which we dip our favorite bulad. Without it, our meal would not be compete.

We have different preferences for our sawsawan. And we could have our own reasons why we choose to stick to it. It could lead us to crave for more or our meal is satisfying despite its meagerness and simplicity because of the sauce we choose. And I have both reasons.

I won't make this long because I promised not to even care about it, but at least now they know. Forgive me for ranting...

PAHABOL: Here's a site offering a recipe to make the best sauce in the world. Click here.

Enjoy! *wink

Heron-Woman

2007-05-16T07:15:00.000-07:00

Weeks ago, I was tasked by Sir Ian to introduce Ma'am Marj Evasco in her lecture on Cebuano poetry during the 2007 Literatura Festival. Marjorie Evasco is one of my favorite poets and she knows that I'm here number one fan in Silliman.(Sir Ian told her and my friends can attest to that.) Who would say no to this seasonal offer? As far as I can remember, this is probably my first time to introduce a speaker--and of all the speakers in the world, it was Marjorie Evasco, whose poems I memorize heartily.

At the beginning, I thought it was an easy job. Dili man diay, especially when she told me that we still have to wait for Krip Yuson, Gemino Abad and Butch Dalisay because they will also be attending the lecture. Oh my, I don't know if I should be glad or not. I'm finally meeting them, but this also means that they will be listening to my introduction. Then, the trembling began. After Ma'am Padernal's opening remarks, it was mt turn at the podium. From my vantage point, it was both scary and delightful seeing Krip Yuson, Gemino Abad, Butch Dalisay and Ma'am Marj herself listening to me. Haha!

Here's an excerpt of my introduction:

In 1999, she came out with her second collection Ochre Tones: Poems in english and Cebuano, which was launched at the residence of Dr. Edith Lopez Tiempo in Montemar. It took her 12 years to complete this books and calls it "the book of changes anchored upon the primary elements of earth, water, fire and air." It is in this book where she started to reclaim her mother tongue through giving the Cebuano-Visayan translation of her English poems. For her, the shift to becoming a bilingual writer-Cebuano and English-is a political and artistic choice in the context of postcolonial acts of language.

To Ma'am Marj: Thanks for the Heron poetics...

Realization!

2007-05-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

Wwwhhhaaapppaaakkk!!!

"Lyde, you can't please everybody!"

Wwwhhhaaapppaaakkk!!!

I know this as a fact, but lately, its affirmation is creeping in my bones.

Add to My Cart

2007-05-12T02:56:00.000-07:00

After the camp, I bought three books at the Lee Plaza's book sale, thinking that I can indulge in reading this summer.
These books are:

Minions of the Moon
by Richard Bowes

Excerpt:

"Hi. My name is Kevin. I'm fifty-four and I've been stalked by my own Shadow for as long as I can remember." So says Kevin Grierson at the beginning of Richard Bowes' Minions of the Moon. Kevin's Shadow appears to be the product of a family curse; his alcoholic mother also had a Shadow, and Kevin learned early to fear her appearance. His Irish family referred to the Shadows as "Faileas" -- when they referred to them at all.

Tula Station by DAVID TOSCANA
Translated by PATRICIA J. DUNCAN.

Excerpt:

Juan Capistrán asked to be bathed early in the morning and perfumed with some lotion, perhaps to conceal the rancid odor of his flesh. They did not offer him much to choose from, and he made do with a bottle of toilet water. As he awkwardly poured it on his chest, Sister Guadalupe asked:

"Do you want me to comb your hair?"

"I can do it myself."

She opened the window, and the gentle hum of the street became a roar of cars and trucks, steps of people hurrying by, voices selling newspapers and fried pork rind. Along with the noise came a burning wind that, little by little, broke up the humidity in the room and that asphixiating sensation of being next to a chamber pot.

Homestead
by Rosini Lippi

Set firmly in a small village in the Austrian Alps, these 12 interlinking stories are almost ethnographic in their rich detail of small town life. The stories range from the turn-of-the-century to the present, accurately charting change in the remote region of Andelsbuch, Egg and Grossdorf. The author spent four years among the villages of the Bregenz forest collecting information on the local dialect. Winner of the Pen/Hemingway Award.

PAHABOL!

I was able to salvage three books (soaked in rain water) at the campsite.

The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea
by Yukio Mishima

Plot

As Ryuji begins to draw close to Fusako, a woman of the shore, he is eventually torn away from the dreams he's pursued his entire life. Fusako's son, Noboru, who shares an especially close bond with his mother through a voyeuristic ritual, hates the idea of losing his mother to a man who has let his hope and freedom die. This anger and fear of loneliness translates into terrible, savage acts performed by Noboru and the gang in which he is a part. The novel makes a powerful statement of what it means to discard the beliefs that drive you, the result of copying another's passions and customs, and the lengths some will go to in order to maintain what they believe to be true.

The Queen of Second Place
by Laura Peyton Roberts

Cassie Howard believes everyone has a talent. Unfortunately, hers is taking second place. No matter how hard she tries, she’s always second best . . . in school, in life, and especially in love. When Cassie discovers new-boy-in-town Kevin Matthews she wants him on sight. But so does conniving Sterling Carter, a ridiculously beautiful preppy princess and Cassie’s enemy since freshman year. Can the Queen of Second Place ever truly win?

Unfortunately, I have not started reading one of these... Forgive me :C
I should find time soon...

Literatura Festival

2007-05-08T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Silliman University Literatura Festival is a month-long event held every summer to honor Philippine writers. It is also meant as a venue to tap the talents and expertise of resident writers and literature scholars of Silliman University and Dumaguete City, as well as visiting writers and scholars in literature, culture, and the arts who are in Dumaguete around May. (Last year, Dean Francis Alfar spoke on speculative fiction in the Philippines. This summer, writers Timothy Montes, Susan Lara, Marjorie Evasco, and others will speak on varied subjects.) The Literatura Festival mainly serves as the Related Literary Events arm of the National Writers Workshop.(from spy in the sandwich)

SACEDA Youth Lead 2007

2007-04-28T08:41:00.000-07:00

After two weeks in the camp, I'm back to my old lifestyle.

It is one of the most memorable and demanding experience in my life.

I was pushed to my limits and grilled to almost being a perfect servant leader.

This is all for now. There's more to come. (I still need a good rest)

There's more this coming May...

2007-04-25T01:58:00.000-07:00

When I knew that I was not accepted as fellow for the Dumaguete National Writer's Workshop, I thought I will have more free time this May to linger around--but I was wrong!

I just came from a meeting for the 2007 Literatura Festival and Sir Ian said that this year it's going to be a month long celebration (that's really good news) and i will be coordinating the event (Ngek!). I'm really pressured! This is no time for mediocrity and I don't want to disappoint Sir Ian and the writers who will be coming to give lectures on poetry (cebuano and english), fiction and creative non-fiction.

This will be so much fun! Marianne, Rodrigo, and Jordan, you might want to help us?

By the way, the camp isn't over yet! We still have three more days.

Hoping for the Best!

2007-04-12T06:57:00.000-07:00

This will be a very busy summer!

I'm simultaneously doing my internship to two offices. At day time, I'm working for the Philippine Information Agency, which starts at 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I have to translate national news items in English to Cebuano and write localized national stories. These I have to submit before Thursdays for PIA's weekly dispatches.

From 12 midnight to 4 a.m., I'm at YESFM taking charge of YES ALL YOU CAN. I play love songs for those hopeless romantic listeners, who are still awake at this very unholy hour.

I'm doing these from Mondays to Fridays.

But starting on Saturday, I will be in a two-week camp at Avila Kiosk in Balugo, Dumaguete City for the 3rd International Youth Camp, sponsored by SACEDA Youth Lead, which I will be facilitating with 9 other student leaders from all over the country. Fortunately, this is also part of my internship. I can enjoy the camp as well as comply my college requirements.

With these, i cannot complain. I shoul only take care of my health, so as not to abuse my body, and hope for great endings!

Pagkabanhaw

2007-04-07T23:58:00.000-07:00

Lenten Season for me is a time for healing and learning. These would include finally moving on from the horror of the past and learning to appreciate the blessings of life.

Healing in itself very painful ordeal. It is a long and tedious process. Sometimes, you have to literally clean your closet and take out unnecessary objects that will just compel you to be glued to the past.

Last Saturday, I literally cleaned my closet. To my surprise, I found some interesting old stuff that reminded me of my beautiful past, particularly, my high school days at Negros Oriental High School, the most populated secondary school in Negros Oriental.

For many, high school is the most unforgettable stage of life. This is the time when we first venture into dangerous fields that would only leave us with scars. However, this is the best time to enjoy and learn.

And I found these in my closet:

Item no.1: Photocopies of tagalog short stories and plays we discussed in our Filipino class. These include the works of Amado V. Hernandez and Genoveva Edrosa Matute's Kwento ni Mabuti, which is one of the first winners of the Palanca in 1951. Back then, I never knew these people. And I never had an idea of the Don Carlos Palanca Award, the most prestegious literary award in the country today. Any serious Filipino writer is craving for Palanca. (I might even join the competition this year. hehe) It's a shame for an aspiring writer to breeze through these stories just for the heck of it. But at least today I know my culture.

Item no. 2: An essay for my Values Education class entitled: Ang Umiibig. My god, kaulaw! Not because of my awkward tagalog grammar, but because of my puppy thoughts of love, yet most of them are just misconceptions. The love I knew back then is so different from the love I know now. That is all I can say.

Item no. 3: Certificates I received for doing well in class. Yay! This reminds me that there was also a time during my high school days that I actually did well in class and I made my parents proud! That’s what matters most to me.

Item no. 4: Wallet with all the names of my grade school friends written on it. I remembered writing those names myself. That was sort of my ritual to show them my eternal gratitude of our friendship before i left St. Paul University--Dumaguete City. When I opened it, I was expecting to see old pictures but it wasn't there. Too bad I might have lost those memorabilia.

Finally...

Item no. 5: My freshman identification card. Whaaaaaa! Cute! This item sums up everything. It only shows how much I have grown both physically, mentally and emotionally.

Whaaaaa! For the most part, the Lyde Gerard S. Villanueva in this identification card is no longer the Lyde Gerard S. Villanueva blogging today. A lot has changed. I no longer think the way I did before. I no longer act the way is used to. I no longer feel the same way like before. What I have been through in the past made me what I am today. The bruises that healed from my constant falling made me strong. The people I met and became part of my life's production molded me into what I am today. My family taught me the lessons I still keep today.

Life, as a whole, taught me so many things. My gender made it hard for me to live an ordinary life. But with the talents and skills God gave me, life became more colorful than just a breathless monochrome. I was not an exceptional kid when I was growing up. I didn't bring home medals constantly. But today, I know where I stand and I know where I can perform best.

Days from now will be starting my internship to different media institutions in Dumaguete. This is another test I have to endure. What matters in the end is not how much I have learned in class, but how I can put those into actualities. This is another chapter in life that I'm hoping for a graceful exit!

There is so much to learn in life and the process of actually learning is enduring. It intimately embraces falling and rising--like death and resurrection.

Pas de Deux

2007-03-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

Here's the cover of our magazine for CFund class...

In ballet, Pas de Deux is dance for two, especially a dance in ballet consisting of an entrée and adagio, a variation for each dancer, and a coda. It could also mean a close relationship between two people or things, as during an activity.

VPOETRY

2007-02-26T23:52:00.000-08:00

The Silliman University Student Government Gender Studies Commissions, VDAY International Movement in cooperation with Pan Hellenic Society, Sillimn University Future Electrical Engineers, Hermanas Sorority and LitCritters Dumaguete

present

Poetry like you've never seen it before

28 february 2007
six o'clock wednesday evening
Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium Grounds
Silliman University

Poems for Protest

2007-02-21T22:51:00.000-08:00

In the midst of political chaos, that includes my disqualification to run for Vice-president for the Silliman University Student Government, Raczel Salvarita (current SUSG President) and I have decided to have a break or a challenge perhaps. We agreed to come up with our own poetry in five minutes. This is our on-the-spot-poetry-writing-as-protest.

Five minutes later, I had this...

Coffee

You handed over me
a cup of cappuccino.
Blended with sugar
and cream to suit
my taste buds.
Its bitterness is all
there is for me
to savor.
To the last drop,
all I have,
once more,
is you.

For Razcel, he had this…

Against the Wind

I never thought I’d
whisper my disappointments
to the wind.
It carries it along
in peace to the golden shores
of memories
dropped for its harmful
substance to the human soul.
Let me take a walk.
Let me feel the blade of grasses.
Let me see the constellations.
Let me shed in tears so I
can water the land
and be one with it
until you walk to me without knowing
that you’ve done it twice
to keep me still and just look
at you as a passing memory
one crazy Sunday afternoon.

It was a total relief from the uncertainty that we were facing that day and so, we took the challenge to a higher level. This time, we only have 3 minutes to write poetry.

Here’s Razcel’s second shot…

Standing

I’m stranded in the depths
of craziness.
To live in total nakedness
surrounded with disillusionment
and orgasmic mysteries.
Breathe the eternal
lies—the eternal sorrow.

And here’s mine…

Colors

What if the leaves were
pink?
What if the sea was
green?
Twist everything!
For breathing is a gamble
of colors
and infinity
is the brightest.

This is fun!

Sexy Tequilla!

2007-02-03T07:35:00.000-08:00

You Are Tequilla

When you drink, you're serious about getting drunk!
You'll take any shot that's offered up to you...
Even if it tastes like sock sweat!
And you're never afraid of eating the worm.

What Alcoholic Drink Are You?

Conquering Challenges!

2007-02-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

After a whirlwind of events, my first short story was born.
(This is all for now. I'm running out of words)

I should write...

2007-01-28T01:11:00.000-08:00

I should write a children's story based on this painting for the Romeo Forbes Children's Storywriting Competition before friday...

This is a reminder! I hope this will work!

Yes, Lyde, there is Superman...

2007-01-24T18:12:00.000-08:00

From jordan's blog...

You are Superman

Superman		85%
Spider-Man		80%
Supergirl		80%
The Flash		80%
Green Lantern		80%
Iron Man		80%
Hulk		65%
Robin		62%
Wonder Woman		60%
Catwoman		50%
Batman		40%

You are mild-mannered, good,
strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

I'm Superman! Freaky!

Traveling with Time

2007-01-17T17:49:00.000-08:00

Time Traveling

If the only way to get to you
is through traveling with time,
then there would only
be one way to get to me.

going, with me, you are

If the only way to travel
is through time, then there would
only be one way to get to you.

you are, with me, gone

Leaving Things

2007-01-13T23:54:00.000-08:00

Hua Mu Lan Greeting
Her Spirit-Husband
by Marjorie Evasco

Part V

Harmony at Parting

When you leave, as you must
To let me battle free,

The words of ever-wandering
Upon my soles
Of ever-giving upon my palms,

Will remind me of old dreams,
White hands touching

Will compel again and again
The kiss of poetry
On my forehead

Scarring me forever
With love's birthmark.

Written more than 20 years ago, this poem is immortalized by literature teachers, who require their students to read it for academic reasons and by literary aficionados, whose affinity for poetry is infinite. This time, I share the same sentiments with this poem.

Any form of parting--physical, geographical, or emotional--is painful. It will leave you with scars.

For the most part, I always believe that parting is life's most desperate measure to become better and grow. Whether we desire it or not, we have to grow. It is only in the pace of our growth that we have a choice. For the rest, we have to live with it. What we are now is because of a series of occurrence in the past that we have absolutely no control of.

But somehow, the pain of parting is the best that we could get to compensate what we have sacrificed. Pain can be our fuel in flying alone. In flying alone, we are alive unlike deadstars colliding and getting lost in space.

Ma'am Marj Evasco wrote to me once that I will learn to grow in beauty and wisdom because of my affinity to poetry. Poetry is all I have. No one can take it away from me. She is right. I will grow and become better.

In parting from you now, all I can leave is an excerpt of "Scaling Jade Mountain" by Ma'am Marj:

I will stand the summit air
And breathe to you
A wistful song of waiting.

Solace

2007-01-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

Solace
(for popinjay, whom i met at dawn)

As the
distressed
winter wind
cloak my flickering
body,

all that
warms me
is the desire
to grope
for your sheer
tenderness--

suspended
in your skin-sheath
with merest
warmth.

(A friend told me that this is a very phallic poem, but i don't believe him.)

Maayong Pasko!

2006-12-23T03:39:00.000-08:00

Maayong Pasko ka ninyong tanan! Nanghinaot ko na magmalipayon mong tanan sa inyong pagsa-ulog sa pasko og bagong tuig!
Merry Christmas to everyone! Wishing all of you a joyful celebration of Christmas and New Year!

Presents from Green Santa

2006-12-21T03:55:00.000-08:00

"enjoy the holidays and let's keep the green snowball going, rolling..."

green santa

High Priestess

2006-12-20T03:42:00.000-08:00

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Leaving on Advent

2006-12-12T02:12:00.000-08:00

Walking Away

Someday, in the midst of dividing planes
there will be stones waiting to be crushed
and after the painful ordeal of dividing and crushing,
you will be sleeping in caves
with the moon patiently guiding you.
I will only be watching you shiver and
there might be crows that will visit you.
Hold on! Nostalgic night will come and in your
memory I will be a deja vu—
eternal battle you will fight with bare hands.

(for him who hides in the tin box)

The Reader

2006-11-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

Few months ago, I borrowed 'The Reader' by Bernhard Schlink from the University Library but I was not able to finish reading it for some very personal reasons...yesterday, i stumbled into the book again...and I can't resist reading it...it's hunting me with its eternal thoughts like:

"Sometimes the memory of happiness cannot stay true because it ended unhappily. Because happiness is only real when it lasts forever? Because things always end painfully if they contained pain, conscious or unconscious, all along?"

and there's more...

"From behind, she wrapped me in the towel from head to foot and rubbed me dry. Then she let the towel fall to the floor. I didn't dare move. I could feel her breast against my back and her stomach against my behind. She was naked too. She put her hands around me, one hand on my chest and other on my erection."

C-list Blogger!

2006-11-19T16:52:00.000-08:00

With 11 links for the past 6 months, i'm now a C-list blogger.

The Middle Authority Group (10-99 blogs linking in the last 6 months)
This contrasts somewhat with the second group, which enjoys an average age not much older than the first at 260 days and which posts 50% more frequently than the first. There is a clear correlation between posting volume and Technorati authority ranking.

Find out what kind of blogger are you...

'stoke the embers of your passion'

2006-11-19T16:25:00.000-08:00

The person who introduced Philippine poetry to me now blogs on the mission of his passion--poetry.

Painting Words

2006-11-14T02:01:00.000-08:00

Moon Painted on Glass

Windows of filigree, framed
with intricately shaped galvanized
iron; ornamented with fleur de lis,
symbol for power and loyalty,
and curtains embroidered with
roses, of birthing and womanhood,
all loping in motions of fidelity.

The tempest moved on all directions
making waves that sent ripples
to the dwellers and spreading
the windows that emancipated
the phantom of the old dresser.

Pinned on a thick black blanket,
the docile moon posed for the
invisible painter to complete
the image stained on glass window.
And after his final stroke,
you closed the window
caressing the clear, cold glass.

On Being Queer...

2006-11-02T19:52:00.000-08:00

The most pathetic question a person asked me: Are you gay? Nothing could be worst. I'm not gay; I'm just efeminate! Who in Silliman would think that I'm not gay?

If there is one person in the university who is sooo proud to be gay (aside from claudio), I think that would be me...

In Sir Ian's latest post, he mentioned something about ULAP, which I personally think is the main reason why I organized that event. And here it goes...

"That being gay and lesbian in our country has since then been dragged through the mud of prejudice in the ensuing years -- through the Spanish colonial period and the American colonial period -- is unforgivable, and poetry readings such as what we had and the like are instruments one can use to fight a tyranny of prejudice that do not belong to any person who thinks himself educated and enlightened...

According to Garcia, one should give these men a reprieve from the silence. Thus we celebrate "difference" now by holding poetry readings such as the one my students had in Silliman.

More...

We should have more.Haha!

REVIEW ON GERRY ALANGUILAN'S WASTED

2006-10-30T22:50:00.000-08:00

To be honest, I don’t really read komiks or comics!
Wasted is probably the first komik book that I read up to that last page (it was required, anyway). I remember my classmates before in elementary exchanging issues of Archie, X-MEN and a lot more, but I didn’t care much about it. It was probably because of the way komiks are structured (the conversations printed in boxes or balloons, accompanying a scene); I just did not like it. Or maybe I just did not find superheroes that interesting. They were not my type. For the most part, I was just scanning through the pages and admiring the drawings, which I wished I could also do the same.

Wasted is the typical love story of a girl leaving the guy because of another guy. Then, the guy breaks down and does everything to win back the heart of the girl. But, it’s not the typical komiks. No journalist transforming into a superhero. No man being captured by apes and lived in a secluded area in the forest. No masculine figures helping people in the midst or trouble or distress. What is evident are images of man lying on the floor bathed with blood. Bodies exploding from glass windows and bullets coming out from the head accompanied with blood.
Eric, the main character, was a member of a band and was dumped by his girlfriend Jenny, who went with another guy. His life was devastated when jenny left him. Eric expressed his anger in the most extremes way—killing, murder and death. Anger management was not part of his vocabulary.
In the first chapter, he get annoyed with a born again preacher who went knocking on his door, telling him that it was the day that he’ll be saved from all his sins. He also strangled a man to death, who was smoking inside the jeepney. Other casualties include three gays, who verbally harassed him and a corrupt politician, who tried to negotiate with him.
These are not typical scenes in the komiks, which is said to be one of the cheapest means to get a good laugh. The term ‘komiks’ came from the English word comics, which is a 20th century form of art that emerged in the United States. Komiks can be distinguished from other forms of literature because of its: illustrated frames depicting a set of characters, actions read from left to right and balloons accompanying the actions of the characters.

Wasted was illustrated and written by Gerry Alanguilan, who is a licensed architect and graduated form the University of Santo Tomas. This Laguna-based artist ahs come along way after making the decision to pursue komiks over architecture, despite the admonitions of friend and family members. He became a komik book artist after being inspired by Whilce Portacio, who was at that time drawing the “X-MEN’ for Marvel Comics.
He has since them inked various komiks of many artists including Whilce Portacio, Leinil Francis Yu, Gilbert Monsanto and Roy Allan Martines. Among his credits are ‘Stones,’ ‘Wetworks,’ ‘Grifter,’ ‘Wolverine,’ ‘X-Force,’ ‘Fantastic Four,’ and many others. He has also written and drawn ‘Timawa’ for Alamat Comics, ‘Johnny Balbona’ and ‘Lastikman’ for Mango Comics short stories for ‘Siglo: Freedom’ and ‘Siglo: Passion’ and his latest creation ‘Elmer.’
Gerry Alanguilan wrote Wasted during the most turbulent days of his life. During that time, his girlfriend did not fully understood what he was doing and she preferred the architecture stuff than komiks. Eventually, the two of them opt to choose different paths to take and he was left devastated. Also at that time, the late Nail Pozner, an editor, gave him a tests script of Green Lantern to draw. But he mess it up and his work was rejected.

Based on Soledad Reyes’ essay on komiks, I think Gerry Alanguilan did a pretty good job in Wasted, confronting with the aesthetics and functions of the Filipino komiks.
Having read it countless times, still experiencing the feeling of reading it for the first time, it is undeniably entertaining and definitely provides a temporary relief of the unbearable monotony of oppressiveness of life. With the rough and violent images of killing politicians, preachers, deviant citizens and gays due to a mere expression of anger (nothing extra-judicial or potitical), it is definitely a deviance in the monotony of life and finally something was doen to the oppressor.
What Eric did the preacher, the politician, the gays, the man smoking in the jeepney and even to his own body were only manifestations that our emotions have limits. There will come a time when we have to release our deeply suppressed emotions—such as anger, hostility and hatred—without inflicting something to the society. But this time Eric did affect the society.
I think the question of whether it provides a site where the battle of good and evil are played systematically with the forces of light eventually gaining victory over the dark forces is irrelevant in this certain story. What is significant in this story is not what is evil or what is good, but Eric has become and what has made him become that way. If he is the evil persona, what is no significant is him going to jail for killing to jail for killing those people, but what is he willing to risk in order to win back the heart of the one he loves.
Does it foster national language? Practically, it does not because of the use of a foreign language, which is English. However, there is something very Filipino to the story. It could be in the plot or the tone of the writer. It could also be in the images that Gerry Alanguilan has created or the characters like the preacher, the gays, the politician or any of them.

Until now there is still an unending debate on how to interpret literature. Whether to look at it at a piece of art and interpret it for art’s sake alone, or to put it into context and look at the social implications and relevance. But, do we have to make a choice between the two?
For this part, I will start with the latter. In reading the story, I noticed something very ‘feminist’ in the plot. This time it is the girl who leaves the guy and went with another guy. It is justified enough to say that what happened to the male persona was caused entirely by the female persona. In this story, it is no longer the female that is subordinate to the male specie. Although, I can’t see indications that in that particular society there is an established equality between both genders.
Eric was devastated when Jenny left him. He resorted to different forms of violence just to express his anger, fury and rage. All that he was asking for was Jenny to come back to his life.
In interpreting the story as art in itself, it is irrelevant to ask the question on whether Eric’s persona is good or evil. Gerry Alanguilan made Eric that way because that was how he wanted Eric to be. Eric does not represent any oppressive figure in the society or any person that Alanguilan wants to popularize.
As a whole, everything in the story including the graphics has to be there not because have special roles, but because they are part of the story that is a sheer creation of the artist’s mind. Wasted does not advocate any theory or perspective. It is a form of art based on the taste of it creator.

What I like most about wasted is the “humanness” of the story. Anger is defined as a strong feeling of displeasure of antagonism. Anger is something that is very human and an inevitable condition of the human life. People experience anger in the most complicated or most mundane situations in life.
Ever experienced encoding your ten-page term paper that is due the next day and before you finished the last page there’s a sudden power interruption, and the saddest part is that you forgot to save what you have encoded? In just a second, everything is gone. Then, you suddenly felt an upsurge of emotion and you would want to immediately crush the monitor in front of you. Now, that is anger!
Anger confronts us everyday in our lives and we have different way to cope up with it. In Eric’s case, he has a very extreme way in dealing with anger, which I actually like. If you happen to come across Eric’s way and unfortunately you annoyed him and he finds you very irritating, he just points a gun on you and in just a second—you’re gone.
The urge to kill is basically part of the human instincts. (Although, there is a moral or ethical question attached to it.) There are just certain situations in life that we want some people to just vanish instantly from this planet. I think humans resort to killing because it is probably the fastest way to get rid of the problem. That person might be the direct cause of your miseries or otherwise: He or she could be one of your political adversaries. Or she could be your nagging landlady. Or that person who sits right next to you in a restaurant and annoys you every time he or she tries to eavesdrop at you conversation with your date.
There are just certain situations in the story that you would find yourself in the character of Eric and eventually thanking him for responding in such a way that you would want to, but just could not do. There is a certain Eric in each one of us, and that I find very interesting.
Another very interesting theme in the story is what Eric has become because of love. Love is aid to be the most complicated emotion (if it such) humans could experience and it is beyond human comprehension. In Eric and every person’s case, love could either bring out the best or worst in them.
Eric loved Jenny so much. He was happy and contented with her. Jenny loved him too, but she found another guy who could make her happy aside from Eric. Eventually, Jenny broke up with him. Eric’s life was a mess when Jenny left him.
This is a painful fact of life. We fall in love so desperately to persons who will love us, but eventually fall out of love for us. We have no choice but move on, but moving on takes so much time and courage. It takes so much courage to finally say to yourself that you are no longer meant for that person.
For Eric, love made him appreciate the simple details of life. Love made him experience the best and worst things in life. Love made him do things that he never thought he could do. Love made his smile despite of the unpleasant things that are happening around him love made him want to share every beautiful thing in this planet with Jenny. Love made him human.

Wasted is the type of graphic novel that is best to read at 1 o’clock in the morning, when you have tons of things to do and sleeping is never an option. The images in this book—blood spilling out from bodies, perfectly detailed gunshots, bodies falling from buildings, bodies lying in the floor bathed with blood, bodies exploding form glass windows—will definitely awaken your senses. At the end of the story, the reader would not hate Eric despite of it.

Violence, in this case, is very entertaining. But remember—for mature readers only.

It's corny, but who cares?

2006-09-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

And look what I've got for all hopeless romantic people and those in their 'short-term nirvana'...

Am I one of them?

I'd Rather

2006-08-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

(why am i into this agian
but i'd rather be here
than anywhere else)

This sorrow is killing me

When i see the pages
of my book yellowing in your shelf

Read to me the words
we used to utter while
waiting for heat to reach
our skin

Rage

if you must

Fury

if you must

Passion

when our bodies compel
to collide

( i know this won't last

but i don't care)

Poetry in Twilight

2006-07-29T02:39:00.000-07:00

Join us in celebrating the diversity of life through poetry...

The search is on...

2006-07-29T02:31:00.000-07:00

PINK IS IN!

2006-07-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

GEN XY is here to make life more colorful!

World Environment Day 2006

2006-07-09T00:59:00.000-07:00

On 5 June, a number of concerned Sillimanian students and environmental youth advocates celebrated, with citizens from around the world, the World Environment Day 2006 with the theme: Don't Desert Drylands!

View full article.

World Population Day

2006-07-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

Join us in the observance of the World Pupolation Day with the theme "Counting the Youth Towards a Positive Change." There will be a program at 5 p.m. on July 11, 2006 at the Amphitheater, Silliman University. See you there!

This project is also made possible by the Austrian Foundation for World Population and International Cooperation.

Check this out!

2006-06-01T05:14:00.000-07:00

Another "Brokeback"?

Hicks Wins AI!

2006-05-25T02:08:00.000-07:00

It's the cloned Clooney and Leno over "Ms. USA". "Thank you America! I'm living the American Dream," screamed Hicks at the end of the show.

[photos via Yahoo! ]

Lakeside Wandering

2006-05-24T03:53:00.000-07:00

Lake Balanan in Siaton, Oriental Negros

A freshwater lake in the forested mountains of southern Negros, with a shape resembling a figure of eight, the narrowest point between the two main portions of the lake being only 90 metres wide. The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges, and is fed by three streams, two of which rise on Lamaraw Mountain and the third on Anupugan Mountain.

Mcpheever!

2006-05-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

Katharine is destined to become a great singer and she's simply stunning. However, I'm kinda worried with her last song (but it's not her fault) and Simon's shameless declaration of Taylor's victory. Nevertheless, Kat has proven her worth in this vocal olympics. She's an American Idol, no need to argue about that! Let's wait for the results tomorrow...

Seatrip part 2

2006-05-02T02:02:00.000-07:00

At the PG Diver's Resort in Lilo-an, Santander, Cebu...

Seatrip part 1

2006-05-02T01:30:00.000-07:00

From the Silliman Beach in Dumaguete City, I took a 1 and a half boat ride to Sandbar in Bais. The sandbar emerges from the earth's surface during low tide.It was high tide, so there was no show of the white sand...but it was all worth it. The prestine waters was more then a treat.

Right or Respect?

2006-04-28T01:07:00.000-07:00

"Ang paninindigan ay walang kinikilalang okasyon o pagdiriwang"
-MariaTtheresa Pangilinan, Cavite State University

After all these hullabaloos about Teresa Pangilinan’s face-to-face protest to the President during their commencement exercise at the Cavite State University and this "lunatic injustice secretary" ordering an investigation, I think it’s my turn to share my thoughts about this issue. I personally admire Teresa for her courage to speak out what she believes which I think every single youth should have.
More than the controversies and the arguments raised by Teresa and her group’s act of courage, I think we should look at this as a catalyst that will stir the youth’s interest to get involved in issues confronting our public officials.
And this is her effect to me—my first post about something with a political root, which is not a usual occurrence. This is Teresa’s effect to me—and we need others like her and me.

Para kay h...

2006-04-28T00:52:00.000-07:00

pepe at stewart

ang kaibigan kong si pepe
na lumalabas lamang tuwing gabi

dala ni pepe ang kanyang guitara
ngunit hindi niya alam kung
magagwa pa niyang tumugtog

pilit niyang inaalala ang mga awiting
nagbigay usok sa mga gabing mapusok

ang kaibigan kong si pepe
na may kaibigang si stewart
na lumalabas lamang tuwing gabi

si stewart na maliit
si stewart na maitim
si stewart na malihim

palagi nalang si stewart

palagi nalng lumalabas si stewart
tuwing gabi

nasaan na si pepe

bakit palagi nalang si stewart
ang lumalabas tuwing gabi

nasaan na si pepe

si pepe na ang kasama
ay ang kanyang guitara

si pepe na mahilg maghithit
ng sigarilyo kahit mainit

si pepe na naglalakad
pabalik sa dekada 70

palagi nalang si pepe

palagi nalang si pepe
na hindi na lumalbas tuwing gabi

After 6 months in the closet...it's out!

2006-04-25T03:50:00.000-07:00

[At the Museo Vaticani mosaic art section, in front of St. Peter's Basilica]

‘Believe in the Supreme Being that is higher than all of us.’

INTERVIEW WITH MYRISH CADAPAN-ANTONIO, City Councilor(By Lyde Gerard S. Villanueva)

Q: Did you ever dream of entering politics?
A: No, it never came to my mind. It just came at a point when I was just too bored of (law) practice in Manila. I wanted to come home, and Ipe Remollo was then mayor and invited me to join his administration and his ticket for 2001. It was a way for me to find out whether this was the direction God wanted me to take.

Q: You topped the list of councilors during that election. How would you explain this?
A: I don’t know, honestly…I remember the mechanism of the campaign was patterned after my experience (as president) of the SU Student Government. I organized a group of friends who wanted to help me campaign. From that organization we invited others to join, so we had a small core group. I cannot explain, maybe you can ask some of my friends why that is so. When people interviewed me after the counting was done, they would say that maybe it was because I was a young person, a woman and a lawyer. Maybe somehow it was not ordinary in Dumaguete to have, modesty aside, someone with those qualifications. There was probably some mass appeal, they would say.

Q: Maybe you have charisma?
A: Maybe. Or maybe because of the long years I spent in broadcasting, 12 years with what used to be the only FM station in Dumaguete—DYEM FM (Love Radio). When I started I was only a high school student. It was the only FM station here, so it was the only station listened to. I also remember that I would be invited by the barangays to emcee, like Ms. Piapi or Ms. whatever, with no fee. So maybe these little things that you do in the past will probably help you sometime in the future.

Q: As a young politician, what challenges did you encounter?
A: The first term was indeed much of a challenge. I was part of the opposition. I was the only lady councilor. Most of my proposed ordinances were killed on first reading. Some were killed on second reading. Some on third reading. Among the 15, I think, ordinances that I proposed, only four passed during my first term. And then, of course, you have the discrimination issue…you feel that if you’re the only woman councilor. Men will always say that gender is not an issue. They always ask why do I always sponsor an ordinance on women? Why don’t I include the men in the ordinance? Why should women be treated special? So, it’s still difficult.

Q: How did you overcome those challenges?
A: It took a long time to overcome. But I had several people who served as my anchor, who lifted my spirit: Primarily my husband, who always tells me that even if it is not a popular decision, if it is the decision you think is right, then you can stand by it. I learned to accept that my role in the Council might not probably be to pass ordinances but simply to be the voice of the people, to be a concerned and vigilant opposition who would speak against certain decisions that do not favor the people and who will stand up for people’s rights and welfare.

Q: What is your priority as a legislator?
A: My priority is women, legislation on women and children. Good governance and probably raising the level of the Council to a more intelligent body.

Q: What has been your greatest contribution in the City Council so far?
A: My greatest contribution would be opening the eyes of the mayor and my fellow councilors to certain issues, to certain angles of certain issues they may not see but that I see because I’m in the opposition. Secondly, my being a city councilor has raised the regard of men for women, meaning to say, it has leveled the playing field for women in politics, although I’m a minority. And thirdly, it also shows that it is possible to win in an election now without having to buy votes.

Q: Currently you are proposing an ordinance entitled eServices Ordinance of Dumaguete. Can you explain what it is about?
A: The ordinance creates the eServices Council which seeks to promote the growing demand for information technology and services in Dumaguete. I’m sure you are aware of the coming in of several call centers that would like to venture in Dumaguete City. The ordinance would provide a venue for the City to look into the acceptability of which ventures, how they would benefit Dumaguete, as well as creating a council to review the activities in the call centers so that we can expand employment opportunities at the same time that the universities can tailor their programs parallel to these opportunities. (Note: the ordinance was passed by a unanimous vote of the City Council in October 2005.)

Q: Do you plan to run for higher office?
A: Not in the near future. I’m leaving for my Masters in Law.

Q: How did you meet your husband and what was your first impression of him?
A: We met in the Student Government. He was Graduate School representative and I was the representative of the College of Business Administration. He was somebody who appeared to be know-it-all, who insisted on his convictions and always stood by what he believed was right. I hated him. (Laughs)

Q: Why?
A: He always had different views from mine and he seemed to purposely do it. You know, to challenge me, and I could not understand him.

Q: Describe your first date.
A: (Laughs) Our first date? I couldn’t remember because I think we were together in the SURE party for like eight years. Throughout my college and law school years we were elders of the SURE party and I was his campaign manager when he ran for president. So it simply metamorphosed, I should say, into a more serious relationship.

Q: Being a mother of two kids, how has it changed your life?
A: A lot. The decision I now make have to consider my kids and my husband. Certain opportunities I let pass because I don’t want to be away from home too much. There are times when I shorten my working hours or I choose my clients so I can spend more time with the babies. Challenges…most of the family finances go to expenditure for medicine. My kids are hemophiliacs, so we learn to balance whatever resources we have for the kids. When I was single, I would go shopping for my own, now I’d go shopping for them first.

Q: Are you a hands-on mother, or do you have yayas to take care of your children?
A: I have yayas because I work, but I try my best to be there when I have the time. I’m both: I’m a hands-on mother because I leave for several hours only; I have yayas because my babies are very sensitive and they need extra care.

Q: How do you manage your time?
A: As they say, if you want something taken care of, you go to a busy person. It is simply time management and knowing which aspect of your life you value most.

Q: What is the best part of being a mother?
A: When you are able to transfer God’s power to procreate, to see what kind of children you can then procreate, to participate in the molding of future citizens of the world and to hear your children call you mom.

Q: What do you do during free time?
A: I have so much free time. My free time I spend with my kids and when they are asleep, I spend it with my husband. I love reading more than watching television. I also love surfing the net for new information. I love watching movies. My husband and I love to go around to while and time away and to talk. It is important for us to have time together.

Q: What was the highest point in your student life?
A: Probably when I became TOSP (Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines 1995). Admittedly, it is the highest award that can be given to any Filipino student. So for me, it was the apex of everything that I did as a student to be recognized as such.

Q: How did you balance being president of the SG and your studies?
A: I enjoyed my SG days as if it were not a burden. I made it a point, you know, I just told myself I wanted to enjoy. I’m an ordinary person. I do not see myself as very intelligent or very gifted. I think I just know how to use the talents God has given me. I made it a point to develop myself holistically, the way the Silliman education provides us. I took a course where I could enjoy myself (Political Science) and excel. And the SG was somewhat a home for me. It wasn’t difficult as I recall because when you are young, you know, you’re vibrant and you have all the energy. You don’t get tired just like now. We would go home at 2 o’clock in the morning and we would go to class in the morning. It was fun! I remember it as one of the best periods of my life.

Q: Favorite word?
A: Beautiful

Q: Latest movie that made you cry?
A: I remember just one, Summer Spring. But it was a long time ago. I can’t remember crying in any other movie now.

Q: Most unforgettable journey?
A: Oh! Paris!

Q: If love had a name, what would it be?
A: If love had a name what would it be? JOJO!

Q: Greatest gift from God?
A: Free will

Q: If God gave you the power to solve the problems in our country today, what would you solve first?
A: Poverty!

Q: If God would give you one more talent, what would you want to have?
A: Singing! (Laughs) I know how to dance, so singing!

Q: If I opened your heart right now, what would I see inside?
A: My twins!

Q: Favorite book?
A: The Greatest Salesman in the World

Q: Rank the following (1-highest, 3-lowest): sex, love, money
A: 1. love, 2. money, 3. sex (laughs)

Q: If sex is food, what would it be?
A: Oh! Blueberry cheese cake (laughs)

Q: How would you want to be remembered?
A: I’d like to be remembered as a committed public servant, a wonderful mother and a fulfilling partner in life.

Q: As a young achiever, what is your message to the youth?
A: I think that young people should enjoy as much as they can. Do well in their studies so that whatever opportunities come their way will be met with success. As much as they believe in what they can do, they should believe in the Supreme Being that is higher than all of us. And they should be role models of the future.

[Published in the digital sillimanian]

Summer destination!

2006-04-09T04:12:00.000-07:00

Bais is an hour drive from the Dumaguete City and a 30 minute boat ride to the pristine sandbar. The sandbar emerges from the earth's surface during low tide. The powdery white sand and turquoise blue water of this small island will surely take your breath away.

Sandbar! Here I come!

[photo by Butch Jimenez]

I love myself...(with my sister)

2006-04-03T21:07:00.001-07:00

Cholo ikaw ba yan?

2006-03-20T23:36:00.000-08:00

Kwong Sang Woo is one of Korea's hottest male celebrities. One of his TV series that was shown here in the Philippines is Stairway to Heaven.

ponder on pablo!

2006-03-20T22:56:00.000-08:00

"Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
and these the last verses that I write for her."

----Pablo Neruda

*title of painting is Passion's Pain

new shades...

2006-03-16T02:37:00.001-08:00

I broke my shades yesterday... Here's the replacement...
with David Beckham... Sexy shades...

wet men...

2006-03-16T02:02:00.000-08:00

Hayden
George
Tom
Orlando

Not a bad idea...

2006-03-14T02:02:00.000-08:00

I just received an e-mail from Sir Ian asking me and some of his students before to join in this year's Dumaguete National Writers Workhop.
Still thinking about it...

2006-03-10T01:06:00.000-08:00

for S,

How I wish I knew how to quit you...

Pain is my middle name...

2006-03-09T00:22:00.000-08:00

Reaping Pain in Winter

Remember Cafe Amber, and our first order
of brewed coffee and chocolate cake.
We savored every drop of coffee

like it was the sweat of our desire.
I felt the chocolate crawling inside
my mouth as your lips touch my nape.

Recall the lines from your favorite poems
and how we made love through words.
The rhythm from my tongue caresses your

innocence that lay in the whiteness of my pillow.
Your moan resonates in the room
like rhymes from your intensity to my gravity.

"But the leaves
have abandoned the trees."

Lines from the last poem you read
to me three years have passed.
Both of us adored Danton's poems.
You said, "It is not everyday that
we encounter such fine poems
and visions of love."

We found reality in his poetry.
And you left, as the leaves fall
from the boughs of my tree.

The tree survived winter, alone.

I found you in this room, white as snow.
Memories of how innocent you were
when we first met linger on my mind
and of how my coffee stained you.
Why do I always fall for young boys?

Cancer brought you here.

The cruelty of destiny flows from
your four chambers to my blood streams.
I can't stop the deluge with my
clammy hands. Only tears are groping
for hope, that one day you will read
to me again the passage of our
forbidden affair.

The most irresistible love
is the love you can't have.

Felicitations for Felicity!

2006-03-04T02:42:00.000-08:00

The movie one should not miss! This movie will move the viewers into a higher level of understanding the diversity of human sexuality. Felicity's acting is sincere, superb and subtle. Hope she'll take home an Oscar.

He didn't...

2006-03-04T02:27:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, David sang his last song on Idol last night, but I still believe in his talent.
Simon is definitely wrong when he said that David has no charm! Look at his smile!

My Top 5 This Season

2006-03-03T01:42:00.000-08:00

Elliot Yamin
Ace Young
David Radford
Paris Bennet
Catherine McPhee

no reply...

2006-03-02T02:49:00.000-08:00

i have decided to...

Summer's thunder
lighting up the sky
oh heat thick
as desire

Then suddenly the rain:
finally falling,
falling everywhere:
to let go, then,
to let go and to move on,
is the way it seems
to be. Bang the brum, baby.

--Danton Remoto

but...

Two thumbs up!

2006-02-10T02:22:00.000-08:00

She knows what to wear!

Another highlight...

2006-02-10T02:18:00.000-08:00

She's got one on the way...

This Year's Highlight...

2006-02-10T02:07:00.000-08:00

The winners are...

2006-02-10T01:36:00.001-08:00

Record of the Year
--Bouolevard Of Broken Dreams
Green Day

Album of the Year
--How To Dismantle An Atomic
U2

Song of the Year
--Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
U2
(U2 alos won 3 more awards)

New Artist of the Year
John Legend

Mariah Carey
--Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
--Best R&B Song (We Belong Together)
--Best Contemporary Album (The Emancipation of Mimi)

John Legend
3 awards

Kelly Clarkson
--Best Female Pop Vocal
--Best Pop Vocal Album

Brokeback manic...

2006-02-09T01:26:00.000-08:00

I just can't wait to see Brokeback Mountain...

"Love is a force of nature."

2006-02-09T01:09:00.000-08:00

from him...

Never lament on lost love,
my ally of the pen.
We no longer live in shame
on expression and
expression is our submission.
There's never a wasted ink
on poetry,
(my ally of the pen).
Your fantasy to taste the urgency
drove the sanity for
illusions. What you wrote
is also alive, breathing of
truth from fiction
It is a manic madness
to be seen as a fool.
The way you call it a talent
of sucking dry the
juices of glorified passion.

2006-02-07T01:37:00.000-08:00

Am I?

I am yesterday's dust in the window
that tonight's rain washed away.

I am the gecko in the street lamp
chanting and hoping to cling on one's arm.

I am the tasteless bubble gum in your shoe
that went with you through the rough roads.

I am the deformed coin you dropped
in the wishing well while uttering your desire.

I am the last line of the song you heard
when you went out of the taxi.

I was the one who bruised
your chest but had the scar.

2006-01-31T01:51:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, a high school student approached me and said, "After reading your poem, I told my mom that I want to make this world a better place to live in, especially for those who are being persecuted and ostracized." I didn't know what to tell him. It took a while before I replied and said, "I also felt that way after reading Ladlad."

Allow me to thank everyone who made my little success possible...

First of all, to the Almighty Father for giving me strength, knowledge and wisdom. To mama and papa, thank you for understanding and loving your prodigal son. To Vincent, Nicole, Justin and the rest of the family, thank you for the support (however begrudgingly). To my three beautiful "sisters," Lorraine, Marianne, and Carla, thank you for making my college life exciting and fun! To Durgy, thank you for the trust and the encouragement. To my Masscom friends: Galee, Claire, Ken, Das, Donna, Candace, Ray and the rest of the gang, thank you for laughing at my jokes. To my Agape family, thank you for guiding me when I go astray. To my pals whom I haven't seen for along time: Christine, Honey, Brenda, Joy, June, Yangan and Neil, thank you for believing in what I can do (and I did). To Rose Jean, thank you for listening to my stories (I'm sorry I wasn't there when I know you needed me).

For GEN XY, we can get through this...

I would also like to thank my literary influences: Nick Joaquin, Krip Yuson, Sawi Aquino, Gemino Abad, Danton Remoto, J. Neil Garcia, Bobby Flores-Villasis, Ernesto Superal Yee, Angelo Saurez, Ian Casocot and Niccolo Vitug. Without your works I would not know how to write a poem.

Finally, for S, they said, "What we have lost may never be returned to us." I don't believe them...

About that high school student, that didn't really happen...

My winning piece...

2006-01-31T01:32:00.000-08:00

3rd Place
STRAW Month Poetry Writing Contest
January 24, 2006

Trilogy of the Lost Lamb

i
Her lisome body floats in the midnight
sky. Raiding every borough they might
have been. She found him in the tabernacle,
lying in bed; reckoning the fury
of their idle talks. He should have spoken.

The night they spent at the newest pub
in town could have been the night
when the lost lamb was found.

ii
Two unknown paths swerving in the woods.
One should only take one. Only a fool
can do both. Serpents and pests await
the brave one. The true test of valor
is faith--not the absence of fear.

One road leads to the lost lamb
while the other could
make one the lost lamb.

iii
In this theater of war he will inhume
the remnants if his life--his bawdy
rituals and unheathly games. Memory
will remember this ceremony.
He's new, no swords only words.

He utters words that can save
her and her lisomeness
and the lamb in the wilderness.

FREE TO BE ME

2006-01-25T00:18:00.000-08:00

Quotes a gay can live by...

"The Bible contains six admonishments to homosexuals and 362 admonishments to heterosexuals. That doesn't mean that God doesn't love heterosexual. It's just that they need more supervision."

----Lynn Lavner

"Homosexuality is God's way of insuring that the truly gifted aren't burdened with children."

----Anonymous

"I don't think homosexuality is a choice. Society forces you to think that it's a choice, but in fact, it's in one's nature. The choice is whether one expresses one's nature truthfuly or spends the rest of one's life lying about it."

----Marlo Thomas

"Homosexuality in Russia is a crime and the punishment is seven years in prison, locked up with other men. There is a three year waiting list."

---Yakov Smirnoff

"A government that would deny a gay man the right to bridal registry is a fascist state."

----Margaret Cho

"There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it."

----Oscar Wilde

2006-01-04T00:26:00.000-08:00

Nobody saw him coming.

(Nights
when all I have
were just memories
of past love
that bruised my innocent
pleasure)

Nobody saw me grieving.

(Nights
when all I did
was crying
over a young love
that gave life
to my future)

Nobody saw him leaving.

(Nights
when you quenched
my insatiable
thirst for your
skin, sweat
and sin)

Nobody saw him eavesdropping.
He just left teardrops.

(for N)

2005-12-26T02:55:00.000-08:00

Spellbinding Siquijor

What comes into your mind when you hear the name “Siquijor”? If someone is asked this question he would likely answer: charms, magic formulas, voodoo dolls, love potions, sorcery and others. Unusual and paranormal, these things made Siquijor as one of the most popular tourists destinations in our country. Local and foreign tourists flock to the island in order to witness the supernatural events that are happening especially during the Lenten Season.
Isla del fuego. Siquijor is known to many as the Land of Fire. Before at night, when the sky has darkened and the bay waters have subsided, fireflies illuminate the environs. Afar, the island seems to be like a burning bush.
In order to get to the island a traveler can ride a fast craft or a pump boat. I decided to ride the pump boat because it’s cheaper and I will have a closer view of the sea. It is best to travel at dawn to avoid the huge, turbulent waves and to see the sun slowly creeping over the horizon. Peeping at the window in my seat, I paid attention on how our boat bravely sliced every single wave that comes along our way, creating white bubbles all over the area. Flock of birds catching their first meal for the day will surely entertain bored and sleepy travelers along the way. At a distance, I constantly take a glimpse of the silhouette of earth’s protrusion covered partly by clouds.
Finally, the hour and a half journey is over and she’s here. Right in front of me. The pristine emerald-green water, the powdery white sand and the swaying palms clinging to the ocean’s edge welcomed me to Isla del fuego.
Our boat docked at Siquijor the capital of the province of the same name. With the usual Filipino kindness and hospitality, the locals asked me where I’m heading and if I need a ride.
Timid yet amiable. Calm yet touching. Bucolic yet not silent. These were my first impressions of the island. Looking at her from where I’m standing, she is slowly deceiving me. She is opening my eyes to see the wonders that laze behind her. How I wish the city life were this tranquil.
As my eyes roamed around the island, I saw something familiar. A bell tower. It reminded me of the place I came from and indeed this island is one of those greatly influenced by the Spaniards.
Just a few meters away from the pier is where the bell tower is standing and beside it is a church. I decided to visit the church and I found out that it was constructed in the 1783 and the patron saint is St. Francis of Assisi. When I was staring at the walls of the church, I noticed something different, its walls are not grandiosely ornamented. Nevertheless, the church is worth a visit.
To start my day right, I went to Larena -- a 15-minute ride to the northern part of Siquijor by a multicab -- to have breakfast at a friend’s house. After savoring the meal and a bit of freshening up I rented a motorcycle and hired a driver to tour me around the island.
My next stop for the day is the municipality of Maria on the eastern part of the province. The journey to Maria was simply astounding. The sun was up, covered partly by clouds and without harsh heat. It was a clear day with stiff winds blowing; I must have spent all my efforts to capture the picturesque view of Siquijor Island from our vantagepoint. The vista of the mountainside was so enthralling that it held me to awe.
The rolling terrain that stretched toward the horizon was covered with lush floral area that brings to mind the images of an old movie. One of the most visited spots in Maria is the Salagdoong Beach Resort. There a traveler will find himself literally at land’s end where the eternal battle of the land and the sea is constantly being fought. The view of the waves splashing the rock formation at the edge of the island is a priceless vision.
After the scenic view in Salagdoong, I jaunt into the historical municipality of Lazi. There one can find the Lazi Convent that was constructed in 1884. It is the largest and on of the oldest, convent in Asia. The beautiful carvings in the staircase and the century old wood plates on the floor will surely capture the eyes of the travelers. Just in front of the Lazi Convent is the church of St. Isidore Labradore. Unfortunately, the convent is not being maintained and it is slowly dilapidating.
The next stop in trip is the town of San Juan. The town is home to stunning white sand beaches and friendly people. At a small restaurant beside the town’s plaza, I decided to drink coffee and take some snacks. Fortunately, the owner of the place, Aling Nene, is very friendly and very hospitable. She told me that the main attraction of the island is its people. She said that the people in Siquijor are friendly and loving. Aling Nene also added that there is a unique kind of hospitality the “Siquijorians” can offer. Before we ended the conversation she offered us her homemade torta- a local delicacy. Honestly, I enjoyed eating the cake-like dessert she offered.
Just in front of Aling Nene’s eatery, is a picturesque view of the white sand beach and the graceful waves kissing the edge of the sea. Afar, I can see a silhouette of the mountain ranges of Mindanao resting in the ocean and cloaked in the clouds.
With this magnificent vista just in front of me, I can’t stop from contemplating on the beautiful things that I have seen in this island. For me, Isla del fuego is a young lady dressed in a black ball gown. She wearing an ugly mask similar to the face of a wicked woman. She is seated in the corner of the room waiting for someone to offer her a dance and to remove her mask and reveal her true identity.
It is when you take off the mask that you can see the totality of one’s beauty.