3rd Place in the McHappy Day fun run 2011

Didn't expect to win really. My brother just decided to sign me up for this race since he wanted to join as well. We both signed up for 5K. I convinced him to start running a few months back since he'd gained weight from eating a lot of hotel food and whatnot while he was still employed at Resorts World Manila.

I think all that bone-breaking, breath-stealing muay thai training paid off. To say that the McKinley Hill race course is rolling would be an understatement. It was a killer. Just a few more degrees and we'd be climbing a perpendicular wall. Okay maybe I'm exaggerating, but yeah it was pretty tough. But I think I handled it pretty well. I didn't see those stars you see when you're almost out of oxygen. Usually happens to me in a race, but this time it didn't. I loved the weather, cool not cold. The air felt a crisp and slightly dewy. I warmed up alone along Campus Drive, where it was quiet. I studied Enderun College and its castle like structure. I was in a dreamy state (slightly because of the fact that my excited brother woke me up at 3:30am when I'd set my alarm for 5am pa) O_O

Anyway fast-forward to the race. It was organized really well. Route was blocked properly for the safety of the runners. Clear signages. Ample drinking stations (not that you need many of those for the distance I joined). Luckily, both my brother and I made it through. He was boasting about how he didn't even get tired and didn't need to walk throughout the race. Looks like those daily runs worked.

Oh, and I even went home with a 3rd place medal. Not bad, eh?

My Medal...a big shoe, hmmm

Lots of freebies. Gotta love em!

I wish they'd post the photos already so I can post them here as well. :)

Next Up: Grasslimb Journal

Received an acceptance letter from the EIC of Grasslimb Journal on Saturday, for my poem "The Train Comes." Out of a suite of 5 poems only one made it through the editorial fire. Thank God this one made it. Here's how the letter went:

Dear Anne,

It's my great pleasure to accept

The Train Comes

for Grasslimb volume 10 number 1, due out in January, 2012.

We can offer $10 for this work; a check will be sent shortly, your
payment on acceptance.  We can also offer payment via PayPal if this is
preferred -- please let me know as soon as possible if so.  Your two
contributor's copies will be forwarded after the printing.

We purchase first serial print publication rights; you retain all other
copyright.

Thank you for submitting to Grasslimb!  Your work will enhance our
publication.

Warmly,

Valerie Polichar
Editor, Grasslimb
editor@grasslimb.com

Can't wait to get my contrib copies!

3rd Issue | 2011–2012: TAYO literary magazine

This'll be a very quick post since I got lots to do. Four of my poems are featured in TAYO literary magazine, and you might like to have a peek.These poems are: Along Edsa, Tin-ag, this is how light hits circumstance and Pilgrimage.

Thanks. :)

Got my ALR Contributors copies

They arrived during the weekends and I'm able to blog about them just now. Cover is excellent. The copies came in a brown envelope with cute airmail stamps. Had I a cork board I'd have tacked the envelope there. :)

Good thing they sent 2 copies so I can give one to my close friend and fellow writer/poet, Denver Torres.

Autumn 2011 issue of the Asia Literary Review.

I still get a dreamy feeling when I look at this... Still somewhat unreal.

Ouch

Sore all over ever since I started muay thai training. I have several bruises too on my knees and shins. But for some reason, my mom is supportive of me! Interesting, considering she didn't like it when I was in the track team in college. Said I was getting too dark from the sun, plus I developed muscles in my legs, too, a no-no for girls.
Maybe it's because I don't get much sun in muay thai training, that's why she doesn't mind. She also likes the idea that I'm learning self defense.

As for me, I'm hoping to become good at this. I'm growing to really like this sport. I want to see if I can become good enough to compete one day. :)

Group Buying is the Sh**

I gotta admit, I was really hesitant about these group buying sites cropping up over the last few years. There's Ensogo, Groupon, Metrodeals and a host of startups that are getting into the field as well. The reasons why I was suspicious include the fact that they ask for your email add, and well, will include you in their e-blasts which tend to flood my inbox. I end up deleting the deals before even opening the emails or just unsubscribing. Another reason to be careful is that they ask for your credit card details.

But these days, I guess you could say I'm a convert. I bought a deal once for this resto called Spicy Tongue, and I got my coupon, and yes it was honored at the resto, which served superb Bicol Express, Laing, Dinuguan and Kinalas. With this good experience, I'm now excited to receive the e-blasts. There have been several interesting deals ranging from restaurant discounts, laser treatments, spa treatments, and waddya know?! A deal on learning mixed martial arts at the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines. It was kind of weird but hey, 60% off for 16 sessions? I just had to buy it. The gym is in Makati, and though it's far from where I live, it IS near where I work. So I plan to have a weekend session and one for weekdays, I'll just leave the office earlier. Can't wait to start classes since I only have 4 sessions left at my current gym.

Muay Thai-ing

I took up Muay Thai as my PE for a semester while I was in college. Back then I found it intriguing. I really wanted to learn more, but I didn't know where and how. Back then, I had just quit the track team due to financial constraints and didn't want to try out another sport until I was more stable. I mean, what was the use of starting something I couldn't pursue? Luckily, now that I have a relatively stable job and my own income, I now have to opportunity to enroll and learn Muay Thai.

I did some research and found out that it's an ancient martial art, the "Art of Eight Limbs". It was meant to train soldiers to use their feet, knees, elbows and fists (and head) as weapons in the event that they were caught unarmed during a battle or encounter. I'm really excited.

It's just been 4 sessions at this place called Balboa Gym, but I'm thinking this is something I can and should pursue. Being a runner, I guess I've built up a good base of stamina and leg strength. I still remember the basics I learned back then during PE class and have been able to apply them so far. What's giving me trouble are the combinations though hehe. But I do believe this will do wonders for my, erm, semi-existent hand-eye coordination. I'm still surprised at how I was able to play badminton for so many years given that I get confused easily with movements involving rhythm. Will see how it goes, got myself a pair of boxing gloves today as I didn't want to borrow those random gym gloves anymore (they kinda smelled funny). :D

Two Poems Now Viewable at the Asia Literary Review

And they're out! Three Meals and Etiquette, two of my free verse poems, are now up at Volume 21, Autumn 2011: of the Asia Literary Review.

I can't wait to receive my compli copies of the magazine. I'll post a photo of them once I receive them via post. I was told the mag is available in "bookshops" but I bet I won't find them in the Philippines so I have to rely on the compli copies. The editor also mentioned I can have an audio stream of the pieces, not sure if I'll do one since I'm not that much of a performer.

Nick Joaquin Graphic Fiction Awards @ The Manila Hotel

Last time I was at the Manila Hotel, I was, I think 5, so no I don't really remember much. I arrived last night and was greeted by the cheesy sound of violins (I was hungry already). I was looking for my Iligan co-fellow, Michelle Tan, and since I couldn't find her in the lobby, I signed up first at the reception area of the Maynila Function Room, which looked like a mystic mix of arabian and bahay kubo design (whuuut?!)

But the place was really nice. The overhead dome made me feel like I was in a... harem? (whuut again?!)

Dome-chandelier with magical lights O_O

I gotta be honest, I was excited to eat hehe. :D Especially when I saw the dessert buffet, which I forgot to take pictures of. I tried all the appetizers (Tuna nicoise, vinegary corn and carrots, roast beef slices, salmon sashimi, etc) and skipped over to dessert. Who needs a main course when you've got lots of cake and chocolate?

Anywho the point of the event is to award the best of the best. This year's winners are *drum roll* (Oh and hooray for my IYAS co-fellow Shane!) Congrats to everyone:

L-R (Photo c/o Sir Krip Yuson): EIC Joel Pablo Salud; 1st Prize winner Thomas David Chavez, 3rd Prize winner Alex Almario, and 2nd Prize Winner Shane Carreon (of the Dumaguete National Writers Workshop 2011)

Aside from the winners, Ms. Gilda Cordero Fernando also received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Simply Amazing!

Sayang I couldn't stay to chat with the other writers, I had lots of stuff to do pa kasi hu hu hu.  

Under the Storm Book Launch @ the Ayala Museum

I got there quite late. It was supposed to start at 6PM. Cocktails would be served, we were told. But I didn't get there on time LOL. I had to finish lots of tasks at work and almost didn't manage to escape. I guess that's what I don't like about working in McKinley Hill. There's a limited choice of public transpo. Since I needed to get to Makati, I had to endure the long lines at the taxi stand.

Anyhow when I got there, the bands were already performing, and I think that people were just taking their leave, or out to get dinner. Good thing I still got to catch a couple of writer friends, like Alyza and Jordan:

Jordan Carnice and Alyza Taguilaso

A close friend I met at the Iligan workshop, Denver, visited Manila for this event and I'm glad we got to hang out, along with Miro (co-fellow at the 49th Silliman workshop). However, we decided to leave the scene soon after and eat at Mary Grace since we were starving. I do wish I got to socialize with the other writers more, however, the seating arrangement at the Museum didn't really allow for it much.

It's a pleasant yet inexplicable feeling to finally get a hold of the real book where so many poets have been pooled together in the name of art.

Almond Cakes woohoo!

Everyone who knows me well enough know I'm crazy about cookies. Keebler Soft Batch cookies holds first place in my cookie monster heart, and will probably not be dethroned any time soon. After all, I attach lots of childhood memories to it, serving it as the pizza beside platefuls of grass spaghetti when I had make-believe tea parties (with, take note, my all-boy group of friends).

Other notable cookies are Oreos. I won't forget those dunkin' days, even if they don't taste as good anymore. Mrs. Fields also bakes great munchies. Love the ones with whole M&Ms sticking out from the cookies (can't remember what they're called). Other faves are Fibisco Choco Mallows and Hi-Ro cookies.

But I guess I'm still an Asian at heart because I'm totally crazy over those almond cookies / cakes from Macau. They're crumby and absorbs all the moisture from your mouth, but I love them. When we went to Macau, we bought the ones from Pastileria de Koi Kei, which also sells superb egg rolls and almond pastries (though kinda pricey). This time, some relatives returned and brought me pasalubong. They got me the ones from Choi Heong Yuen Bakery. Time to munch away! :)

Rain check

I wanted to do so much today, like run, go look for a new phone, shop for a dress or a new pair of shoes...but the rain ruined everything. Well, anyway, this gives me reason to stay in and play Sims Social! I'm so addicted to this game. I keep collecting random items like cheese, fruits, rulers, etc. so I can build a better home. Can't stop obsessing over how I can design my house so that it'll look great. Is this bad? Who knows, I just tell myself I'm  simulating my dream home via cyberspace. :)

RUNRIO Trilogy Leg 2: RUN UNITED 2

This was really an unplanned race. Lately, I'd been sleeping late and missing lots of training days to catch up on sleep. But I signed up for the 10K distance anyway. I was thinking I could walk if I couldn't take it anymore. I could take it easy. Didn't have to be in competitive mode. Although knowing how I am, I kind of foresaw that I would still go all out.

And I did (kinda) go all out this morning. Or at least I tried. I didn't feel like I was in tip top form, but the energy of the 4,000 other 10K races gathered at the starting line seeped into me. I got psyched up by default. The gun start for 10K had to be cut up in three waves due to the overwhelming number of runners who joined. Start was slow. We just marched along until we reached the big Start arc. Had to do a lot of weaving left and right to avoid bumping into someone. I was so thirsty just five minutes after crossing the starting line due to the heat of being in the crowd earlier.

My watch acted weird so I have no idea what my finish time is. I think I pressed some wrong buttons, sheesh. I may have crossed the finish line at around 57 mins. (Asa!!!). Bonifacio High Street really has a way of making you hate its numerous uphill climbs. I bonked 1K away from the finish line, but I didn't walk. I was too near the end to stop.

After the race, I didn't stay behind anymore to check out all the sponsor booths because I knew there'd be really long lines, given that a total of 16,000 runners joined. I just got the basic Unilab goody bag and a copy of Women's Health mag. Official results aren't out yet. Let's see how RunRio's new reusable time chip fares.

Look at all those goodies! I got 1 Unilab water bottle, 1 Women's Health mag, 1 The Bull Runner mag, 1 box Athena milk, 1 Viva water, 1 Powerade (not there drank it up already), 1 Tuna Meatloaf, 1 Allerta tablet, 1 Allerta syrup, 1 Medicol, 1 Alaxan FR, 1 pH Care, 1 box CarbTrim, 1 box, Enervon Prime, Equal samples, 1 Kaspersky visor, Chubby the Bear isn't a freebie I just thought it'll look cute in the pic :)

Pervasive Connectivity? Or Pervasive Separation?

I'm writing this while playing The Sims Social on Facebook, because I remembered a very interesting and, I believe, very relevant topic covered during the 5th IMMAP Summit. Barney Loehnis, Chairman, MMA, APAC, and Digital Lead of Ogilvy gave the conference's second keynote address: The Dilemma of Pervasive Connectivity. He described this situation as "exhausting." We are always on--through our phones, laptops, and other gadgets. And yet, we still find ourselves wanting and restless. I've heard many friends complain about how they feel so alone; I myself get this feeling at times when I think I shouldn't be feeling that way (like when I'm chatting my heart out, hanging out with friends or when I'm in a family reunion). All this loneliness for reasons we can't quite pinpoint. Or can we?

I was thinking, the dilemma may not be so much about the ubiquitous technologies that supposedly keep us connected (sometimes to the point of violating our sense of personal space) but how this situation makes our separation more glaring than ever. Not to discount the value of social networks in helping us keep in touch with our friends, just that there are times when I wonder how these platforms have affected the way we communicate with each other. The Sims Social, a perfect example of how I am connected, yet alone. A number of my virtual neighbors are acquaintances and former classmates I haven't talked to for years. Now we're interacting again, or at least our sims are. But will this improve our rapport in the real world? I honestly don't know, what I do know is we probably still won't be seeing much of each other any time soon (so I can start a cat fight if I want and not worry about getting in trouble hehe). Furthermore, these days, I noticed how many people would rather chat than make actual calls, thereby limiting vocal cues, not to mention nonverbal ones. The same is true with texting. It's so much easier to chat and text because we can take our sweet time responding and crafting what we want to say. Or, we can just not respond at all, and maybe just make an excuse about never receiving the other's message.

And then the opportunity for face-to-face interaction arrives. It has happened often enough that I find myself unable to say much, maybe I'll just fidget, or mumble an awkward word or two. The other person is often just as awkward. We end up wanting to end the interaction as soon as possible. The "hey I gotta go" becomes the best part of that brief contact. Makes me wonder if the person I had been having such lively chats with is actually the same person in front of me. Do we develop some sort of cyber-schizophrenia, that our online personalities develop separately from our real-world selves? Is the "unconnected" self unable to catch up with the social growth of the online self?

I've read an article from Psychology Today that persons who create good-looking avatars tend to carry over their "online confidence" in the real world. Given that, then there shouldn't be much disparity in online-offline personalities. However, this study was done around three years back. The game might have changed, who knows. I think I will be reading up on this a bit more in the next few days. It's something I feel is worth looking into (maybe I can even do a study on it for when I take my masters next year).

Oh wow is that me and Joselle and Des? I bet they'll kill me when they see this :p

Getting used to things

New job. New place. New people.
Have proven to be good for me (of course the question is, will I be good for them? :D)

It's been late-nighters for the last two weeks. I might be a newbie, but that doesn't spare me from the rigors of the ad industry. When they said it's tough, they weren't kidding. By they, I mean my former office mates at Resorts World Manila, who've had experience working in an ad agency.

Funny thing is, I'm busy. Yet I'm productive in that other side of life that isn't work related. I feel like chasing my dreams again. I want to write. Everyday.

And I do. I've got lots of stuff coming up in the next few weeks. I just need to polish them. The next challenge I want to take is to apply form to my poems. A friend challenged me today to try the Villanelle, but well I ended up with a pile of mumbo jumbo. I'll go try the haiku first, then common measure, then maybe the sonnet. Just to get the hang of working with (or around) constraints.
 

Upcoming Appearance: The Asia Literary Review

This is a dream. This is dream...

As a writer, I get rejected a lot. I submit my work, and dread getting that return email. In my inbox, the message's first few words would be previewed. When the message starts with something like "Thank you for your submission," I already know that the next line (once I do click open the message), would be "We regret to inform you that we will not be publishing your work blah blah". That's the rejection form letter.

That was how I felt when I saw the Asia Literary Review's email. I read the previewed "Thank you..." and my  mind was automatically resigned to the fate of the poems I submitted on December 2010 (yeah, it was that long ago). But I was wrong. It was an acceptance letter for two poems, "Three Meals" and "Etiquette."

Poetry editor Martin Alexander mentioned "I very much enjoyed reading your work..." and I was extremely thankful and humbled that the pieces would be that much appreciated. I was like, so dreams do come true. Because when I was writing more fiction, I kind of didn't expect anymore, with the heaps of rejection letters I kept getting.

I have many many people to thank for these recent successes. The fellows and panelists of the 18th Iligan National Writers Workshop, 49th Silliman University National Writers Workshop, 10th Iyas Creative Writing Workshop, 9th Ateneo National Writers Workshop. I had little access to poetry because I was all sci-fi and fantasy, but through these workshops, I learned about stuff like line cuts and objective correlatives.

I still can't believe it.

List of accepted poems and official book cover: Under The Storm

Reposting this more complete list for Under The Storm: An Anthology of Contemporary Philippine Poetry (Book cover below).

Edited by Khavn De La Cruz and Joel M. Toledo:

Book Design: Piya Constantino

Cover Art: W Don Flores
"Reported Incidents, 9/27/09 to 9/29/09 2"
Acrylic on canvas
24 in. x 32 in.
2009

1. Anne Carly Abad: December 18, 2008
   
2. Diego José Abad: The Unfaithful Men
   
3. Gémino H. Abad: THAT SPACE OF WRITING
   
4. Anina G. Abola: In Place Of Emotion
   
5. Jose Marte Abueg: I, Pontius
   
6. Ericson Acosta: Ika-anim na Sundang: GABUD [Sixth Knife: WHETSTONE]
   
7. Arbeen Acuña: eraserase002
   
8. Jim Pascual Agustin: Sea Fireflies Of Mindoro
   
9. Arnold O. Aldaba: Fruit Of Knowledge
   
10. Kislap Alitaptap: Wala Na Sa Quiapo Ang Nazareno [The Nazarene is not in Quiapo]
    
11. Rio Alma: Seaman
    
12. Jovsky Almero: Train Dodge
    
13. Tofi Alonte: SHOES
    
14. Donato Mejia Alvarez: Apat Na Larawan Mula Sa Tagaytay Ridge [A Short Quartet From Tagaytay Ridge]
    
15. Panch Alvarez: Pointing According To Heraldina
    
16. Angelo B. Ancheta: BIR-IT, JAN-NY!
    
17. Mark Angeles: F/LIGHT
    
18. Rebecca T. Añonuevo: Anumang Leksiyon [Whatever Abides]
    
19. Roberto T. Añonuevo: Dalawampung Minuto [Twenty Minutes]
    
20. Teo T. Antonio: Sa Dulo Ng Malay [At the Edge of Waking]
    
21. Lystra Aranal: Hands Down
    
22. Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles: EROS
    
23. Cesar Ruiz Aquino: THREE VARIATIONS
    
24. A.M. Azada: The Lion
    
25. Mads Bajarias: Entropy & The Shrike
    
26. Desiree L. Balota: manoy
    
27. Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr.: LABERINTO [LABYRINTHE]
    
28. Joi Barrios: Mga Tala Sa Isang Pagpatay [Notes On A Political Execution]
    
29. Melissa Villa-Real Basmayor: Futura
    
30. Ariel Dim. Borlongan: EKSENA SA SUSUNOD NA SIGLO [SCENARIO FOR THE NEXT CENTURY]
    
31. Dave Buenviaje: Because Pandesal is never the same in another country
    
32. Regine Cabato: Touch Me Not
    
33. Jose Wendell P. Capili: Carnivalesque
    
34. Ronan B. Capinding: Pagdidilig
    
35. Ronaldo Carcamo: Ha-ha-ha
    
36. F. Jordan Carnice: Stones
    
37. Lito Casaje: Tsunami Blues
    
38. Ian Rosales Casocot: The Smallness Of The Everyday
    
39. Marella Castro: Hinatak Sa Kahulugan [A Catch Of The Infinite Pull]
    
40. Jose Jason L. Chancoco: Barber Shop Brainstorming
    
41. Ayrie Ching: Learning Curve
    
42. Frank Cimatu: THE YOYO ROUTINE
    
43. Mikael de Lara Co: Kundiman
    
44. Kristian Sendon Cordero: Stabat Mater
    
45. Michael M. Coroza: MAGNANAKAW [THIEF]
    
46. Keith Cortez: The Current
    
47. Lope Cui, Jr.: Multiple Choice
    
48. Dakila Cutab: P'wera Contra
    
49. Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.: Bound For Saudi
    
50. Ramon Damasing: On the Feminine
    
51. Carlomar Daoana: Brutalism
    
52. Mes De Guzman: Ang Katiwala [The Caretaker]
    
53. Ainne Frances dela Cruz: Speed
    
54. Christa I. De La Cruz: After Impeng Negro
    
55. Khavn De La Cruz: ang dalawa ang puso [the twice-hearted]
    
56. Noelle Leslie dela Cruz: Absence Muse
    
57. Nikki De Los Santos: aporia
    
58. Karl R. De Mesa: Preparations For History
    
59. Iñigo de Paula: Paramdam
    
60. Ricardo M. de Ungria: The Ambivalence Of Staying A Tree
    
61. Lourd Ernest H. De Veyra: SUPREMACY OF THE TEXT
    
62. Noel del Prado: Rebolusyon [Revolution]
    
63. A Despi: Social Blowtorching Transcends Scab Worship
    
64. Glenn Diaz: Definition Of respite
    
65. Lav Diaz: IN MEMORIAM
    
66. Alain Russ Dimzon: Tinkling
    
67. Jan Brandon Dollente: The What
    
68. Jacob Walse-Dominguez: folding boxes
    
69. Simeon Dumdum Jr.: The Last Rain of Summer
    
70. Marjorie Evasco: In Baclayon, Reading Levertov's For those whom the Gods love less
    
71. Israfel Fagela: Siberia
    
72. Bendix M. Fernandez: english lyrics to a japanese seduction
    
73. Boni Fojas-Almirante: Erotica
    
74. Luis H. Francia: SMOOCH KING
    
75. Marc Escalona Gaba: Blinds
    
76. Eric Gamalinda: Hydrazine
    
77. J. Neil Garcia: Coda
    
78. German Villanueva Gervacio: Procorpio's Night
    
79. Lolito Go: What Else
    
80. Eva B. Gubat: Blind Date
    
81. Ramil Digal Gulle: bullet.X.press
    
82. Asterio Enrico Gutierrez: Death Poem Exercise 64
    
83. Luisa A. Igloria: What I Don't Tell My Children about My Hometown
    
84. Neal Imperial: Tandang Sora
    
85. Marne L. Kilates: Morion
    
86. Phillip Yerro Kimpo: How The Americans Liberated Northern Luzon, 1945
    
87. Jeanilyn Kwan: The Revolution Will Be Printed, Not Televised
    
88. Jose F. Lacaba: Tagubilin At Habilin [Will and Testament]
    
89. Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta: Tampuhan
    
90. Marra PL. Lanot: Ina [Mother]
    
91. Christine V. Lao: What Ol' Injun told the carnies
    
92. Gian Lao: Here, at your grave
    
93. Elaine Lazaro: O
    
94. John Francis C. Losaria: NPA mula sa Tatlong Daang Salita at Dalawang Pulgadang Pagitan [from Three Hundred Words and Two Inches in Between]
    
95. Bienvenido Lumbera: Kartolinang Ibon [Craft-Paper Bird]
    
96. Soleil Erika Manzano: Ganoon dumating ang balita— [How the news broke—]
    
97. Carlo Angelo V. Marcelo: A Better Good Morning
    
98. Edgar B. Maranan: The life and times of a seditious poet
    
99. Luchie Maranan: Estranged
    
100. Pia Montalban: Saleslady
     
101. V.E. Carmelo D. Nadera Jr.: BALIMBING
     
102. Joanna Nicolas-Na: On The Way To Market
     
103. Homer B. Novicio: Dark Birds In Winged Chapel
     
104. Emil Os: hyperlink
     
105. Voltaire Q. Oyzon: Mag-aabroad inin akon mga buhok [My hairs will travel abroad]
     
106. Doms Pagliawan: Philippine Eagle
     
107. Don Pagusara: Alibangbang Sa Ulan [Butterflies In The Rain]
     
108. R. Torres Pandan: Ars Poetica, As Actually Practiced
     
109. Ned Parfan: Disturbances
     
110. Allan Justo Pastrana: The Soul Of The Town
     
111. Carlos M. Piocos III: Prehistoria
     
112. Axel Pinpin: Nang Salakayin Mo Ang Aking Pananahimik [The Night You Assaulted My Deep Silence]
     
113. Zosimo Quibilan, Jr.: Vers.
     
114. Jun Cruz Reyes: Bunso [Lastborn]
     
115. Fidel Rillo: Sa Ganang Akin Po Naman Ay Ito Lamang Ang Ipinamamanhik [Thus Do I Humbly Express Myself]
     
116. Virgilio A. Rivas: Eternal Juju Recurrence
     
117. Deedle Rodriguez-Tomlinson: Euston Road on an Autumn Afternoon
     
118. Patrick Rosal: Despedida Ardiente
     
119. Darylle Rubino: Today After Time Immemorial
     
120. Roger B. Rueda: Carabaohood
     
121. Jose Leonardo A. Sabilano: SpaMusic
     
122. Joseph de Luna Saguid: CORRESPONDENT
     
123. Joel Pablo Salud: Meandering
     
124. Edgar Calabia Samar: Vocabulario
     
125. Rafael Antonio C. San Diego: Poem About Nothing
     
126. Benilda Santos: Púgot [Beheaded]
     
127. Oscar Tantoco Serquiña, Jr.: Massacre
     
128. Tanya Sevilla-Simon: Balikbayan Box
     
129. Danny Castillones Sillada: Yang Pagtagád Kang Alyana [Waiting For Alyana]
     
130. Bebang W. Siy: Ang Bisita [The Visitor]
     
131. Bert Sulat Jr.: I Love Poetry
     
132. amón C Sunico: HOW TO ENJOY A CONCERT: Mula sa Concert Notes ng Francisco Santiago Hall ng PCI Bank [From the concert notes of Francisco Santiago Hall of PCI Bank (now defunct)]
     
133. Christian Tablazon: BLUEPRINT
     
134. Alyza Taguilaso: Leviathan
     
135. J.I.E. Teodoro: Banal na Buntis [Pregnant, Holy]
     
136. Andrea B. Teran: Weight without gravity
     
137. Enrico C. Torralba: PARA SA FOUNTAIN SA HARAP NG POST-OFFICE BUILDING
     [FOR THE FOUNTAIN IN FRONT OF THE POST OFFICE]
     
138. Ricky Torre: An Appointment, And Variation On Federico Alcuaz (or Monologue as Portraiture)
     
139. Denver Ejem Torres: where my Barbie was safe, lest, if it came out in the open
     
140. Charles Bonoan Tuvilla: Sa Panahon [On Seasons]
     
141. Roberto Ofanda Umil: Ang Tiwalag [The Defected]
     
142. RM Urquico: The Blues
     
143. Czeriza Shennille Valencia: Every dawn you dig your own grave
     
144. Eric Tinsay Valles: Independence Day In Hong Lim Park
     
145. Joel Vega: NIMBUS
     
146. Eliza Victoria: Crime Scenes
     
147. Santiago Villafania: Rekindled
     
148. Michael Carlo C. Villas: Vestibular
     
149. Arlene J Yandug: I think therefore I Ant
     
150. Alfred A. Yuson: The Ten Most Memorable Moments with D. Thus Far, & Why I Can't Let Her Go

Upcoming Appearance: The Quarterly Literary Review Singapore

Great news upon opening my Gmail this morning. I received an acceptance letter from QLRS (the Quarterly Literary Review Singapore).

This is for my poem, "Daughter and I". I was merely told it will come out in their 'next' issue, and next one is this coming October 2011. So aside from a yet unspecified poem of mine coming out in the MOV anthology that is expected to be printed by September 2011, there is this. Maybe I should pinch myself, make sure this isn't a dream...

Thanks to God indeed for this blessing, and on a Monday morning, too! No reason to be blue! :D

Give me a break with the 6's!

The other day I just posted that there's something eerie with the all the number 6's appearing these last few weeks. It started with my number of Facebook friends hitting 666. Then I checked my blog stats and got just as many 6's:

Oh but it doesn't end there. I checked my Yahoo inbox and guess what, more 6's:

I have decided to look into this, because I feel as if this sign doesn't want me to ignore it.

I searched possible meanings and got:
IN NUMEROLOGY 

666, 6666 - Your thoughts are out of balance right now, focused too much on the material world or due to mental or emotional imbalance. This sign indicates your thoughts are not clear and you should not continue with this train of thought. Let it pass.

IN DREAMS

666 - To see the digits 666 in your dream, represents the devil and all things evil. Its appearance in your dream may point to some illicit activity or some wrong doing.

I think the numerology interpretation is the more fitting one, if ever, because yes, there is a lot of instability going on right now, given that I just moved to a new workplace. Perhaps I need to settle in, that's all. Who knows?

This must be a sinister time

I decided to check on how my blog has been doing...and the results, oh the results. How very, let's just say, sinister. I believe everything happens for a reason. Simple events in our lives aren't mere coincidences. However, I'd rather not apply this belief to the vast amount of 6's my blog revealed today. It kinda looks like a scene in a horror movie, when something bad is about to happen. I got six pieces of 6's today so we can express that as 666 and 666. Of course I don't know anything about numerology, so this post is really just nonsense.

Nick Joaquin Literary Awards 2011 Invite!

What does this mean?! 

That was the first thing that popped up in my head when I saw the subject line of the email. My goodness they sure can get a girl worked up. I read the email to find that it's an invite to the Awards night on September 22. I don't want to expect, but seeing the invite made me hope that I might have a chance. Argh! *pulls at hair*

 Whatever happens, I know I shouldn't let this affect my attitude toward writing. But it sure is hard to ignore...

2011 Philippines Free Press Literary Awards

Now that I have some time in my hands, gonna post the results of this year's FP Literary Awards. Cool co-fellow in Dumaguete, Netty, made it big, with her 2 stories making it to the finalist list. But that's not all, because she also bagged 2nd Prize! Here's the finalist and winners list from FP literary editor Joel Toledo. Congratulations, everyone:

Winners for Fiction

Caroline Hau (First Prize, "Recuerdos De Patay")
Jenette Vizcocho (Second Prize, "When You See A Dog")
Michelangelo Samson (Third Prize, "Erscheinung")

Winners for Poetry

Luisa Igloria (First Prize, "Zeno's Paradox")
Timi Siytangco (Second Prize, "How to Kill a Whale Shark")
Drea Teran (Third Prize, "Weight Without Gravity")

Finalist list naman....
Fiction

Erscheinung, Michelangelo Samson
After The Body Displaces Water, Daryll Jane Delgado
When You See A Dog, Jenette Vizcocho
Numb, Jenette Vizcocho
Recuerdos de Patay, Caroline Hau
Sweet, Marguerite de Leon
Spawn, Popi Laudico
Desert Winds, Jean Gerald Anuddin
A Study of Insects, Irene Carolina Sarmiento
Works Cited, U. Eliserio
Fade to Red, Twink Macaraig

Poetry

Variations on the Expulsion from Eden, Eliza Victoria
The Painted Prince, Frank Penones Jr.
Duwende, Myrna Peña-Reyes
Love is How We Come Undone, Amado Bajarias
How to Kill a Whale Shark, Timi Siytangco
Warrior’s Wife (After Li Po), Ino Habana
Weight Without Gravity, Andrea Teran
The Widow, Upon Learning That Her Old Lover Had
Returned to the Island of San Antonio, Merlie Alunan
Zeno’s Paradox, Luisa A. Igloria
Weight of the World, Michellan Sarile-Alagao

Under The Storm: An Anthology of Contemporary Philippine Poetry

I couldn't post this immediately because when they posted the "Final" list of accepted contributors for the Wazak poetry anthology, they deleted the post on their Fan Page, "they" being MOV, the International Film, Music, & Literature Festival. From their website,

MOV was established in January 2002 by filmmaker Khavn De La Cruz. It is the Philippines’ first digital film festival, as well as the world’s only creative initiative that celebrates film, music, and literature exclusively.

Below is the real final list, I think, which I got from Alyza. The list is alphabetized, and I just happened to have lots of 'A's in my name O_o....I am truly humbled seeing the names here, almost like I don't belong, or I have a lot of shaping up to do. I'm certainly honored to be in this antho:

1. Anne Carly Abad
2. Diego Jose Abad
3. Gemino Abad
4. Anina Abola
5. Jose Marte Abueg
6. Ericson Acosta
7. Arbeen Acuña
8. Jim Pascual Agustin
9. Arnold O. Aldaba
10. Kislap Alitaptap
11. Jovsky Almero
12. Tofi Alonte
13. Donato Mejia Alvarez
14. Panch Alvarez
15. Angelo B. Ancheta
16. Mark Angeles
17. Rebecca Anonuevo
18. Roberto Anonuevo
19. Teo Antonio
20. Lystra Aranal
21. Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles
22. Cesar Ruiz Aquino
23. A.M. Azada
24. Amado Bajarias
25. Desiree L. Balota
26. Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr.
27. Joi Barrios
28. Ariel Dim. Borlongan
29. Dave Buenviaje
30. Regine Cabato
31. Jose Wendell P. Capili
32. Ronan B. Capinding
33. Ronaldo Carcamo
34. F. Jordan Carnice
35. Lito Casaje
36. Ian Rosales Casocot
37. Marella Castro
38. Jose Jason L. Chancoco
39. Ayrie Ching
40. Frank Cimatu
41. Mikael de Lara Co
42. Kristian Sendon Cordero
43. Michael M. Coroza
44. Keith Cortez
45. Moises Anthony Cruz
46. Dakila Cutab
47. Lope Cui, Jr.
48. Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.
49. Carlomar Daoana
50. Ramon Damasing
51. Mes De Guzman
52. Ainne Frances dela Cruz
53. Christa I. De La Cruz
54. Khavn De La Cruz
55. Noelle Leslie dela Cruz
56. Nikki De Los Santos
57. Karl R. De Mesa
58. Iñigo de Paula
59. Ricardo De Ungria
60. Lourd Ernest H. De Veyra
61. Noel del Prado
62. A Despi
63. Glenn Diaz
64. Lav Diaz
65. Alain Russ Dimzon
66. Jan Brandon Dollente
67. Jacob Walse-Dominguez
68. Simeon Dumdum, Jr.
69. Marjorie Evasco
70. Israfel Fagela
71. Bendix M. Fernandez
72. Boni Fojas-Almirante
73. Luis H. Francia
74. Marc Escalona Gaba
75. Eric Gamalinda
76. J. Neil Garcia
77. German Gervacio
78. Lolito Go
79. Eva B. Gubat
80. Ramil Digal Gulle
81. Asterio Enrico Gutierrez
82. Luisa A. Igloria
83. Neal Imperial
84. Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta
85. Marne Kilates
86. Philip Yerro Kimpo, Jr.
87. Jeanilyn Kwan
88. Jose F. Lacaba
89. Marra PL. Lanot
90. Christine V. Lao
91. Gian Lao
92. Sandra Laureano
93. Elaine Lazaro
94. John Francis C. Losaria
95. Bienvenido Lumbera
96. Carlo Angelo V. Marcelo
97. Edgar B. Maranan
98. Luchie Maranan
99. Pia Montalban
100. V.E. Carmelo D. Nadera Jr.
101. Joanna Nicolas-Na
102. Homer B. Novicio
103. Emil Os
104. Voltaire Q. Oyzon
105. Doms Pagliawan
106. Agustin Pagusara
107. R. Torres Pandan
108. Ned Parfan
109. Allan Justo Pastrana
110. Carlos Piocos
111. Axel Pinpin
112. Zosimo Quibilan, Jr.
113. Jun Cruz Reyes
114. Fidel Rillo
115. Virgilio A. Rivas
116. Deedle Rodriguez-Tomlinson
117. Patrick Rosal
118. Darylle Rubino
119. Roger B Rueda
120. Jose Leonardo A. Sabilano
121. Joseph de Luna Saguid
122. Joel Pablo Salud
123. Edgar Calabia Samar
124. Rafael San Diego
125. Benilda Santos
126. Oscar Tantoco Serquina, Jr.
127. Tanya Sevilla-Simon
128. Danny Castillones Sillada
129. Beverly W. Siy
130. Bert Sulat, Jr.
131. Ramon C. Sunico
132. Christian Tablazon
133. Alyza Taguilaso
134. John Iremil E. Teodoro
135. Andrea B. Teran
136. Enrico C. Torralba
137. Ricky Torre
138. Denver Ejem Torres
139. Charles Bonoan Tuvilla
140. Roberto Ofanda Umil
141. RM Urquico
142. Czeriza Shennille Valencia
143. Eric Tinsay Valles
144. Joel Vega
145. Eliza Victoria
146. Santiago Villafania
147. Melissa Villa-Real Basmayor
148. Michael Carlo C. Villas
149. Alfred A. Yuson
150. Arlene J Yandug

Darned Superglue...

I think I will never attempt installation art or sculptures or any similar sort of art form that involves cutting, gluing, hammering, nailing, etc. I may be a bit too clumsy for these sorts of things. I remember when I was in high school, part of art class involved cutting paper. I ended up with lots of nicks and cuts. So one of my kind classmates just offered to cut my projects for me, and I was hailed one of the "Best Cutters" because, well, I wasn't the one who worked on the plates.

Then we had basic sculpture. We were asked to buy Perla soap because it had just the right amount of malleability (is that the right word?). I couldn't make anything even after ten bars of soap. Just ended up punching a hole on my skin when the chisel slipped from my hands.

Today I wanted to give it another try. Well I was just planning to build my own canvas frame. Since I considered holding a hammer and nails a bit too dangerous for my klutzy self, I decided to use superglue. While sticking two pieces of plywood together, I ended up gluing my fingers together instead. Some of my friends have suggested using acetone to remove the glue. That got my fingers detached, but the cement is still on my skin, and has turned into an ugly white mass that looks like crusted skin.

I guess I'll just be loofa-ing it off for the rest of the week, as my close friend, Bianca, has suggested. Winner.

Takbo.ph Runfest 2011 on July 24

Planning to join this race after a month-long lay off. Prices for fun runs sure have spiked in the last 5 years. Php 550 for 5K? If I didn't love this sport so much I'd just forget about it (from takbo.ph):

Reg Fee	Inclusion
5K = Php 550	Finishers' Medal, Singlet, RFID timing tag, personalized race bib (for early registrants)
10K = Php 550	Finishers' Medal, Singlet, RFID timing tag, personalized race bib (for early registrants)
16K = Php 650	Finishers' Medal, Singlet, RFID timing tag, personalized race bib (for early registrants)

Early reg is over. Still waiting for regular registration to start. I contacted the email add they provided and received this reply:

Hi Anne,

Thank you for your interest to join the Takbo.ph Runfest.
The regular registration will resume next week. We are targeting to start wednesday [July 13, 2011] next week once the materials arrive to us.
We are still waiting for the singlets to be complete before we start the regular registration.
About 500 slots will be open. If necessary, we will increase to another 500 slots.

See you at Runfest.

- Jinoe

Hopefully they update soon. :)

Me and Animals / Animals and I

Sometimes, I just don't get it. When I was in high school, there were puppies where I used to live in Xavierville. They were white, cute and fluffy. Though they were street dogs (aka. Askals). When I jumped rope, they would bark at me and try to join in on the game. Until there came a time when one of them decided to lick my toe while I was watering the plants, and my toe had a small wound, and I had to get rabies shots all the way from San Lazaro. >.< Gross.

And that's when I started to avoid animals.

As it turns out, that's quite hard to do in the Philippines, given the profusion of cats, dogs and yeah...well, rats that roam the streets. Very much part of the contemporary Filipino experience.

In any case I just wanted to talk about this morning. The neighbor's cute brown mini poodle, for some reason, decided to chase me while I was on my way out of the house. It got so excited that it jumped on me. Its nails weren't properly trimmed, so it ended up giving me a few scratches and even a bruise when it collided with my leg. Mind you my brother was standing right beside me as he'd just stepped out of his car. But no, the poodle didn't notice him. Mr. Poodle kinda looked like this when I first saw it about two months ago:

But now it's bigger and wilder. LOL.

Now I posted this incident on Facebook as well, and it sparked an interesting thread about how Facebook might not be targeting ads that well. See, when I typed "Poodle" all these Poodle and pet ads popped up, along with "Related to Your Post" previews to the right of the page. (By the way, friends, I was kind enough to put a line across your names and faces to protect your privacy *snickers*).

Olla SEM eCertificate from IMMAP

I wish they hadn't unenrolled me from the e-classroom, though, because I wasn't able to note down all the recommended readings.

I guess this is the disadvantage of having an online class. Lots of content won't be in hard copy, so you gotta make sure to get e-copies of everything you can.

LOL!!!

I can't help it. This vid of Katy Perry's Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) had me and my office buds laughing our heads off. Gonna share hahaha!!!

Pepper Lunch pig out and more with my Silliman co-fellows

It's been almost a year, I think, since I last saw these great people, or as Gino would put it, fabulous fabulous people.

We met Friday (yesterday) at Pepper Lunch in Greenbelt. I found Miro lined up outside the resto for some reason, despite the fact that we already had a table inside. Knowing how good and considerate a person she is, I decided to line up with her without protest, until the waitress told us we should have just gone inside. The baby of the 49th batch hasn't changed much, save for her more lady-like demeanor and the downplaying of her classic jejemon ways. Oscar, Gino, and Netty were done eating already so we hurriedly ordered Pepper Rice No. 1. It looks boring in the menu, and boring in real life. Just rice topped with corn and pepper, encircled by thin strips of beef on a sizzzzzzling plate. But the first bite will remind you of the age old saying: looks can be deceiving.

http://pepperlunch.com.ph/menu.html

The "You got thin!" or "You got fat" part of the meet-up let's me know how really long it's been since we've all seen each other like this. Oscar's green jokes, as usual, made lots of heads turn; so we we had to finish our meal fast before the surrounding families became too scandalized. I had to check with them if our batch mascot, Nom Nom, was really still okay. I wasn't able to join them in the 50th Silliman reunion since I was in the 18th Iligan Workshop. Good thing that he, apparently, is alive and well!!! I was told that that cute little doggy might have died in Dumaguete while we were away. But he has gotten quite big now:

That's our Nom Nom awright!!!

I wrote about him in a previous post about our batch.

And so we finished with our dinner and moved to Gelatissimo. There, we carried with us our loudness, ruining the quiet and calm of the others who must have hoped to enjoy their dessert in peace.

Oscar told me I've become quite noisy now. Apparently I wasn't like that last year. It seemed I was shy and reserved in Dumaguete...two adjectives that would make my high school and office friends roll on the floor laughing their asses off. Well, that must be the other side of me that comes out when I'm uncomfortable. I take it as a good sign that distance and time may have brought me closer to my Silliman batchmates, or I may have simply changed and don't give a damn anymore what people say. Because hey, we've got one chance in life, why not spend it being ourselves? Why not spend it being my loud self? I think the world should be a noisier place. Noisy with LAUGHTER I mean. hihi. >.<

Busy Bee Me

Can I just say, I've been extra busy these days at work...I haven't written a poem or story in a while.  But I find I don't mind, because this is the good kind of busy, the one that actually goes somewhere, not the other kind of busy where you're just running around doing a hodgepodge of things you've been asked to do.

Been coordinating with the company's digital agency to get our newest Facebook App working. I was haggard-ized yesterday because a certain government agency can't seem to decide on their own rules for getting permits. My goodness, what's the use of having a contact center when they're just gonna tell you, "Di ko nga rin alam eh." Ah ganun? Ganun lang? Get outta your seat then and find someone who knows! >.<

In any case, we were able to launch the promo on time through the help of our Legal Dept. Whew. Because I'd hate it if we were delayed.

Cute Puppies....NOT!

I was doing my usual morning run, when from afar I saw a pair of cute puppies. They were so chubby and fluffy! Until they both started barking and growling at me. Before I knew it, my relaxed run became a scared sprint as the terrible two started chasing me across the street. I am never going to pass by that street again. Darned pups.

The Fellers I Met in Iligan

*Disclaimer: The content of this post is based purely on my opinion and does not reflect the true personalities of the writers featured herewith. For complete details, try to get to know them in person, they don't bite, I think...hehe

In no particular order (Thanks, Glenn for the photos):

Glenn dyed his hair blond, so I guess that means he's cool

Vijae looks kind of angry here, but he actually smiles a lot in real life

Don't get on Mich's bad side, because as Denver put it, she will do as she pleases

Roger's gonna critique you real good

Don't look into Kei's eyes, being a psyche grad, she's gonna read you and psychologize you

Grace is yet to set a world record of getting the most number of dates in one day

Ms. Maimona gave us real nice shawls/scarves!

Erik looks like your average quiet guy, but he's not that average

Gil took lots of pics while we were there and I think he forgot to lend me some for this blog

Mark has a thing for Marlboros and engines

Bonifacio likes to play

Deo will argue with you no matter who you are

who's this?

Jacob's a real adventure seeker...or stranger seeker heehee

Father might have gotten annoyed at our rogue behaviors

Denver likes writing about bamboo poles and belts

Allen is surprisingly...talkative

Day I 18th Iligan Workshop

Day I of the workshop was my Day II in Iligan City. I'd been cooped up in the Maria Cristina Hotel (due to my kuripot-ness, been waiting for our allowance to be released). Though I wasn't alone in my kuripot-ness as everyone else, I discovered, was running low on moolah.

In the morning of May 23, we had the opening session. We rode the service van to MSU and headed for the MSU Board Room (or was it Theater?), where we listened to our most lively keynote speaker: Pearlsha B. Abubakar, a prize-winning fictionist, performer, composer, scorer and journalist (whew!). I can't forget this part of her speech, that we as writers, "must make a career out of feeling," despite the obvious difficulty of attaining financial success by going the less traveled path.

We, the fellows, were also privileged enough to watch the Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) dance what I was later told was the Pangalay. Pangalay is apparently their word for "dancing". IPAG created their unique version, where they combined dance sequences used for courtship and battle scenes. Most prominent in this type of dance are the movements of the hands. Clad in their silken garb, The dancers maintained grace and precision whether it be for scenes of courtship or the display of martial arts. I was enthralled by the dancer who, with brass clawed hands, balanced herself on two bamboo shafts. This is the part of the dance called apatong.

The Presentation of Fellows at the Theater (From left, Deo was late by the way :b): Denver Torres, Mich Tan, Jacob Dominguez, Anne Abad, Grace Abogado, Kei Valmoria-Bughaw, Glenn Munez, Maimona Magayoong, Gil Montinola, Erik Tuban, Vijae Alquisola, Bonifacio Javier III, Mark Daposala, Allen Samsuya, Roger Garcia, Jonecito R. Saguban

Fear thy Panelists (From left): Erlinda Kintanar Alburo, Merlie M. Alunan, Steven Patrick C. Fernandez, Pearlsha B. Abubakar, German V. Gervacio, Godinez-Ortega and Prof. John Iremil Teodoro

 After the opening session, we had lunch then moved on to the workshop proper.

And who's first? Me! And where was I? Somewhere out there, getting a glass of water or having a CR break. Returned to the Board Room wondering why everyone was looking at me. And well yeah, because they decided that my poem "At the Breakfast Table" should go first as it starts with an "A."