Thursday, September 26, 2013

Fave Poem of the Week: Girl Hours by Sofia Samatar (Stone Telling, 2011)

Excellent excellent speculative poetry this is. What I so love is how "Girl Hours" shifts from a magical realm into reality, with an almost dream-like quality. The creation, amalgamation, and destruction of "body" moves on the page like dancing fire.

I was also very happy to learn about a certain Henrietta Swan Leavitt, who discovered a way to measure the distance of stars:
In the 1870s, the Harvard College Observatory began to employ young women as human computers to record and analyze data. One of them, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, discovered a way to measure stellar distances using the pulsing of variable stars.
Happy to have read this piece. Now my day is made.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Third Place Win! Diogen Summer Contest for Haiku, Senryu, Tanka & Haiga (2013)

The contest closed on July 31, 2013, so it's been a few months since I sent my tanka entries to the Diogen Pro Culture Magazine, a Switzerland-based magazine. I was wondering what happened since the organizers haven't gotten in touch. I was pleasantly surprised to find in their site that my tanka won third prize! Pasting the e-copy of my certificate here:

Granted by the Diogen Pro Culture Magazine

Theme: SUMMER IN THE TOWN

Write about a town, its neighborhood, bridges, rivers, towers, churches, mosques, cathedrals, parks and the sky above.  How do you see yourself among glass skyscrapers?  Has the urban way of life become a natural way of life in the 21st century?  Statistics say, six thousand years after the foundation of the first town, for the first time more people live in more urban areas than rural ones.  Think of Bashō – if he just could wander around today's Tokyo, Jerusalem, Sarajevo, Zagreb or London; think of Thoreau (Walden) and his return to nature by the middle of the nineteenth century, for he was burdened with the too quick changes in the way of living brought on by the industrial revolution.

We want you to write haiku, senryu, haiga and tanka and send them from all the continents, so that way we exchange and share, put onto paper (internet) our experiences and a portrait of our planet in the second decade of the twenty first century.  And please do not forget, haiku is a way of living and connecting with our (urban) environment.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Removing God from Secular Institutions

For a long time, I've been hearing this kind of talk from both Church leaders and laymen, that the removal of God from institutions is causing our society to collapse. I am a theist. And I already sensed something wrong with that statement the first time I heard it. Given over a year to think about this, I've returned with a grasp of what may be wrong with this kind of mindset.

First, its logic is flawed. "The removal of God is behind society's collapse." The causal relationship can never be established because this is not a testable statement. We cannot come and observe a world with God and another without, and compare and verify results.

So I hold now the stand that such a statement is fallacy.

Relevant to this, I will mention the Sandy Hook Shooting. This kind of thinking has arisen, in an effort to explain the repeated incidence of mass shootings in the States.
"Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said violent incidents like Friday's deadly shooting in Newtown, Conn., have increased not due to gun laws, but because of the "systematic removal of God" from schools – echoing the view of some Christian groups." From ChristianPost.
In the Philippines, the CBCP has blamed God's removal from institutions (e.g. The RH Law) as the event that has been provoking calamities like the Habagat of 2012.

More recently, again in the States, there is an uproar regarding the refusal of many Americans to recite the Pledge of Allegiance due to the line "under God." Again, the talk about removing God as a-breakdown-in-society appears. Some of the comments:






Such non-sequitur thinking is dangerous, as it benefits only one group, Christians (or believers in general), in that only they will be able to forward their beliefs and interests. Scaring the world with death, damnation and destruction is at best, extortion and at worst, deception.




On a more positive light, I see the movement to remove God from institutions as society maturing. Society is growing up at last.

Why do I say this?

Because a relationship with God or deity cannot be forced on anyone. It is personal, not institutional. Being baptized into the Catholic fold, or any such fold, never assures that a person will know God, let alone believe.

There are no proxies that can connect you to deity. It's your choice. It's your experience.

If you don't believe there is a God, there is nothing wrong with that. No one can tell you that your godlessness is the cause of anything, because godlessness is just a fact. How you treat people, how you use your time and money, are your decisions and yours alone.

As for me, a theist, I believe in God because I've experience things that led me to unshakeable belief that there is someone to thank, someone to pray to and praise. If someone with a Bible or some other holy book in hand tells me, that the only God there is is the one written in their book, please back down. I don't need you to preach to me your own experience of deity. Your experience is yours and mine is mine. They are mutually exclusive and should not affect one another.

It's time to just grow up. Don't depend on your community to build and protect your relationships for you.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Publisher/Contest Accidentally Published My Private Details

The issue that I've encountered with FinalDraft Editing & Publishing has been resolved, and I see no more need to keep my original post here.

I am thanking AbsoluteWrite and it's members for all their help. I am also thanking Kaberi Chatterjee (Owner of FinalDraft Editing & Publishing) for working with me to help fix the problem.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Chrysanthemum and The Transnational (formerly PostPoetry Magazine)

I've been blessed with two acceptances this month. Yes, you win some you lose some, indeed. I'm currently working on my fiction and getting them "out there". But I've been getting rejected a lot. :( I'll keep writing while I'm at it. It's good that my poetry is meeting more success. So all's well that ends well. Thank you for believing in my work, Chrysanthemum and The Transnational.

From Chrysanthemum:

Dear Anne Carly Abad,

All texts were well received.  We are pleased to publish "arid" and "the sound of a key" along with the translation into German in the upcoming Chrysanthemum 14, October 2013. 

Thank you again for your submission and your patience.  It is highly appreciated.


Best wishes,
Beate Conrad

Beate Conrad, managing editor
About Chrysanthemum:  It "is an international internet magazine that will appear twice a year, and will showcase previously unpublished Haiku/Senryû, Tanka, Haibun, Essays and Interviews in German and English."

And from The Transnational (formerly, PostPoetry Magazine):

Dear Anne,

Thank you very much for your submission to the PP Mag. I enjoyed reading your poems and decided to publish the following of those on the website of The Transnational:
…………………………
Remains and
Jellyfish

Sarah
Sarah Katharina Kayß,
ed. The Transnational, A Literary Magazine
ed. PostPoetry, A Literary Magazine
www.PostPoetry-Magazine.com

The Transnational's manifesto: "Texts which are published in the Transnational can dissolve existing boundaries or suggest new ones. They can make us question our beliefs, champion social justice and human rights, war and psychological violence, giving rise to provocative or soothing thoughts. We believe that all great literature is revolutionary and necessary. Great writers are honest. They call upon us as readers to experience the intangible."

Monday, September 2, 2013

WINNERS: The 63rd Palanca Awards

From Rappler (congratulations to the winners!):

CONGRATULATIONS, WINNERS! The Palanca Awards is regarded as the most prestigious literary competition in the Philippines. Photo by Franz Lopez/Rappler CONGRATULATIONS, WINNERS! The Palanca Awards is regarded as the most prestigious literary competition in the Philippines. Photo by Franz Lopez/Rappler
MANILA, Philippines - The 63rd Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards is ongoing at the Rigodon Ballroom of the Peninsula Manila Hotel today, September 1. The program began at 7pm.
Rappler's MovePH columnist Shakira Sison is one of this year's awardees.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Regional Division
Short Story - Cebuano
  • 1st: TUBOD, Jona Branzuela Bering
  • 2nd: ANG BATANG TAMSI, Richel G Dorotan
  • 3rd: PADRE BOTOX, Noel P Tuazon
Short Story - Hiligaynon
  • 1st: SI PADRE OLAN KAG ANG DIOS, Peter Solis Nery
  • 2nd: ULUBRAHON, Norman Tagudinay Darap
  • 3rd: TORBIK, Alice Tan Gonzales
Short Story - Iluko
  • 1st: NO WINNER
  • 2nd: BAGNOS PAYEGPEG, BETERANO, Danilo B Antalan
  • 3rd: TI PALIMED NI KATUGANGAK, Gorgonia B Serrano
Essay
  • 1st: THE KRAKAUER TABLE, Shakira Andrea C Sison
  • 2nd: UNDER MY INVISIBLE UMBRELLA, Laurel Anne Fantauzzo
  • 3rd: VOICES FROM THE VILLAGE, Maria Neobie G Gonzalez
Kabataan Essay
  • 1st: HYMNS OF THE MOUNTAINS, DREAMS OF THE STARS, Marc Christian M Lopez
  • 2nd: PANACEA, Vicah Adrienne P Villanueva
  • 3rd: MANIFESTO OF LITERATURE, Pauline Samantha B Sagayo
Tula
  • 1st: MANANSALA, Enrique S Villasis
  • 2nd: ASAL-HAYOP, Mark Anthony Angeles
  • 3rd: LOBO SA LOOB, Kristian Sendon Cordero
Tulang Pambata
  • 1st: HARANA NG KULIGLIG, Eugene Y Evasco
  • 2nd: FAMILY TREE NG TUMUBO SA ANIT, April Jade I. Biglaen
  • 3rd: SISID, Alvin Capili Ursua
Maikling Kuwento
  • 1st: BAYANGGUDAW, Lilia Quindoza Santiago
  • 2nd: PAMAMANHIKAN, Bernadette Villanueva Neri
  • 3rd: AD ASTRA PER ASPERA, Kristian Sendon Cordero
Maikling Kuwentong Pambata
  • 1st: ANG PAGLALAKBAY NI PIPOY PISO, Maryrose Jairene C Cruz
  • 2nd: ANG SINGSING-PARI SA PISARA, Eugene Y Evasco and Chris Martinez
  • 3rd: SALUSALO PARA KAY KUYA, Lucky Virgo Joyce Tinio
Filipino Division
Nobela
  • Grand prize: TATLONG GABI, TATLONG ARAW, Eros Sanchez Atalia
Dulang Pampelikula
  • 1st: NO WINNER
  • 2nd: KUNG PAANO MAGHIWALAY, George A de Jesus III
  • 3rd: THE REVENGE OF THE COMFORT WOMAN, Patrick John R Valencia
Dulang Ganap ang Haba
  • 1st: NO WINNER
  • 2nd: NO WINNER
  • 3rd: DHAHRAN QUEENS MANILA, Luciano Sonny O Valencia
Dulang May Isang Yugto
  • 1st: MGA KUNEHO, Miguel Antonio Alfredo V Luarca
  • 2nd: KAPIT, George A de Jesus III
  • 3rd: PAMAMANHIKAN, Bernadette Villanueva Neri
Sanaysay
  • 1st: OUR LADY OF IMELDA, Kristian Sendon Cordero
  • 2nd: GABAY SA GURONG-LIKOD, Salvador T Biglaen
  • 3rd: MGA BIRTWAL NA KARAHASAN, Laurence Marvin S Castillo
Kabataan Sanaysay
  • 1st: ANG ALAMAT NG BATANG MANUNULAT, Rowin C de Leon
  • 2nd: PAGKATOK NG DUMAGUNDONG NA MANOK SA UMAGA, Annette Irina C Tanlimco
  • 3rd: DEUS EX MACHINA: SAPAGKAT TAYO AY BULAG PA, Rajee S Florido
Poetry for Children
  • 1st: ATTACK OF THE PERSISTENT COLD VIRUS AND OTHER POEMS, Mia A Buenaventura
  • 2nd: MR BULLY AND OTHER POEMS FOR CHILDREN, Francis C Macansantos
  • 3rd: MONSTERS UNDER MY BED, Kathleen Aton-Osias
Short Story
  • 1st: ARMOR, John Bengan
  • 2nd: KRYSTAL HUT, Erlinda V Kravetz
  • 3rd: REN, Lystra Aranal
Short Story for Children
  • 1st: MARVINO'S LEAGUE OF SUPERHEROES, Nadeth Rae E Rival
  • 2nd: THE MAGIC BAHAG, Cheeno Marlo Sayuno
  • 3rd: A THOUSAND OF PAPER CRANES, Patricia Marie Grace S Gomez
Full-Length Play
  • 1st: END OF THE GALLOWS, Jay M Crisostomo IV
  • 2nd: THE SON OF ASHES, Mario L Mendez Jr
  • 3rd: COLLECTION, Floy C Quintos
One-Act Play
  • 1st: BLUE EYES, Allan B Lopez
  • 2nd: DEBRIEF, Lystra Aranal
  • 3rd: CALL OF DUTY, Danilo Nino Calalang
Poetry
  • 1st: PASTORAL AND OTHER POEMS, Mikael de Lara Co
  • 2nd: CROWN FOR MARIA, Carlomar Arcangel Daoana
  • 3rd: ANIMAL EXPERIMENTS, Joy Anne Icayan