the sword that speaks

New Hobby

2012-01-26T00:38:00.000-08:00

I really look forward to Groupon emails. It's not just because I look forward to their deals, but because the copies are amusing. Not sure if they meant those emails to have a comic touch, but they do give me a good laugh. Some of the best intro lines I've collected (when I decided to start collecting some time back):

For a bag promo: Bags date back to early human history when traveling troglodytes desired a more stylish way to haul their sacks of rocks to the wishing well.
For a Mexican resto promo: Every prince knows that the most effective way to wake a sleeping beauty up is not with a boring kiss, but with a single potent drop of fiery red hot chili.
For a Japanese resto promo: Great inventions can be exceedingly simple yet fulfilling. Sliced bread, shorts with drawstrings, lipsticks with attached night lights; and although the nationality of the ramen inventor is still being debated, its international appeal ...
For an Italian Resto promo: Pioneering Italians were not only the first to put tomatoes in cuisine; they were also the first people to take photographs of them pretending to hold up the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
For a Jap-Filipino fusion resto promo: The Japanese invented chopsticks when they realized that although killing a man with your bare hands may be very cool, eating with your bare hands isn’t.
For a gym promo: Bees communicate through both the medium of dance and the emission of pheromones, so heated arguments can lead to sensory overload.
For a mobile bar promo: Alcohol is the first non-solid type tool; as since its inception, it has served to clean cuts and wounds, increase the burn rate of fires, and give unattractive people a higher homerun percentage during nights out.
For a cupcake promo: Some things, such as cakes and dentist hands, are better small.
For a massage parlor promo: Giving yourself a massage, like throwing yourself a surprise birthday party or asking for your own hand in marriage, is a surefire disappointment.
For a laser treatment promo: An aesthetic laser’s beam of light has the power to disband nuisances, just like a distressed cop.
For an electronic product promo: Prior to modern day gadgetry, communication was limited to messages passed along tin cans connected by long pieces of string and mp3 players that were connected to traffic cones to amplify sound.
For a LASIK surgery promo: Although vision is just one of five senses, it’s the one that tells us whether an approaching object is a friend carrying cupcakes or a puma who’s just ravaged a bakery.
For a shopping promo: Shopping for clothing can be like finding a needle in a haystack: even when you think you've found what you're looking for, you've actually only found a really shiny piece of hay.
For a chocolatier promo: According to a recent survey, people have listed chocolate as their preferred cause of death, followed closely by "money avalanche" and "dangerously high exposure to nudity."

I'll be posting more of these when I feel like it again haha.

RIP Mega Upload

2012-01-20T02:34:00.000-08:00

This is so sad, sad indeed. Mega Upload's gone for good. I'm in denial. What about the shows I watch? I can't watch em anymore coz everything's been taken down. NoooOO. What about the Vampire Diaries? What will happen to Damon, Stefan and Elena? :(

As the story goes:

In a joint statement, the Justice Department and FBI called the action "among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States."

Ira Rothken, an attorney for MegaUpload, said in an interview that he only learned of the actions in a press release this morning and had not yet read the entire indictment. "Our initial impression is that the allegations are without merit and MegaUpload is going to vigorously contest them," he said. "We have deep concerns over due process and assets being taken without the opportunity for a hearing."

According to the indictment, the operators of MegaUpload earned more than $175 million in illegal profits and caused an estimated $500 million in harm to copyright holders.

Read the rest of this tragedy here.

Censoring the Web

2012-01-17T20:18:00.000-08:00

Say what? internet censorship? Apparently there's this bill that's about to be passed as law in the US. The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), also known as House Bill 3261, gives law enforcers expanded ability to incriminate sites that stream copyrighted content. According to www.razorianfly.com:

Depending on who makes the request, the court order could include barring online advertising networks and payment facilitators such as PayPal from doing business with the allegedly infringing website, barring search engines from linking to such sites, and requiring Internet service providers to block access to such sites. The bill would make unauthorized streaming of copyrighted content a crime, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison for 10 such infringements within six months.

Oh no, this means sites like YouTube could be shut down/blocked! Actually, practically any website could be shut down coz sharing copyrighted content has become commonplace in practically all social media. And how about blogs? People will have to clear everything with the content owners now? I'm not from the US but lots of the sites I visit are US based. I'd be really sad if I couldn't access YouTube or Facebook anymore. For sure the net wouldn't be as fun anymore.

If it's worth anything, I think I'll be signing up for the petition against this bill. And if you happen to read this, Reader, why don't you join, too? Whether or not you're in the US, you can join the strike. Add #STOPSOPA to your tweets and sign up at:

BB Cream Again:D

2012-01-13T23:52:00.000-08:00

Yep, despite doing such a rough sport as muay thai, I'm still a makeup addict at heart. Some things just don't change :)) I've always been excited by the sight of new BB creams in the market, though I've stopped going on shopping binges for the stuff coz I ended up having to give them away (else they'll expire in my closet).

Today, I wandered into this mall somewhere at Timog ave. I was with my mom and brother. I think the mall's name is Victoria Mall (Sounds like Victoria Court) and it's got the Robinsons logo, so yeah it's Gokongwei-owned. There was this tiny stall near the entrance. I thought it was one of those Avon stalls, but when I checked it out, all the goods were Korean brands--Missha, TFS and Skin 79. *GASP!*...SKIN 79!
Skin 79 is one of the higher-end cosmetic brands in South Korea. This was my brand when I was still studying there coz they made such high quality BB creams, and if you surf around Gmarket you can get them for up to 50% off. The Korean woman at the stall showed me the "Oriental Gold Plus BB Cream" and I didn't think twice I just said, "Ok, that one" because the packaging was so pretty. @_@ It was gold and shiny....Really, for someone who works in advertising, I'm such a sucker for good copy and nice packaging. In this case, it's just the packaging coz I couldn't understand much of the English copy written on the box hehe. For example, I don't get much out of this:

Patent ingredients of Oriental Tea Newplex and Peptatox Complex care skin to be sleek and firming by activating the original function of skin with Gold and Caviar Extracts and Oriental Sue Formula maintaining ideal condition of skin by keeping optimal skin balance and comfortably soothing skin internally and externally damaged.

But it's just so darned pretty. (Let's hope it makes me prettier, too LOL)

I know I'm supposed to do the product review research BEFORE buying, but I got too excited. I did the research after the damage to my wallet. In any case, this 40g bottle would most likely last me a year so I don't regret giving in to my impulse. It also has good reviews when I looked around. Already tried it out. Since I have an Oriental skin tone, the color fits me perfectly. It's also lightweight. I don't think I have to worry about clogged pores. Even the pink lip and cheek tint that comes with the cap is good, it glides on smoothly and is very sheer. Looks so natural on me it's like I'm wearing no make up. Ironic how I'm always on the look out for makeup that won't make me look like I'm wearing makeup.

This find made me so happy today....I almost forgot about that lump on my foot which I got from kicking someone's elbow during MT sparring the other day.

Ah yeah, ye ol issue on marriage

2012-01-11T21:43:00.000-08:00

I recently saw a post shared on Facebook regarding the Catholic Church's stance on marriage between infertile people. The title of the article pretty much says it all: "Infertile people can't marry says Catholic Church"

I had to click the link of course; I mean it's such a juicy title. I expected to read some religious bull**** that I'd hate enough for me to blog about it today. And yes I did blog about it today but had to do further research coz the writer of the article above didn't mention that the bishop was talking about same-sex marriage.
Still, I see a point in that writer's stand. By cutting down on details like whether or not the relationship is heterosexual or homosexual, we are able to look at the issue in a deeper level--

Whatever happened to plain old, no-frills love? So what if the relationship will not produce children? Can't they just adopt?

Anywhoo, adoption aside, let me just make clear the inaccuracies in the article before I continue to blab:

The Catholic Church has never said infertile people can't marry.
The Catholic Church does not teach that sex within the context of marriage is ONLY for procreation. Several circulars have been issued that make it clear the church recognizes the importance of the sexual act in unifying the partners, strengthening the bond of love. This is the reason why the church subscribes to the natural method of birth control.

But yeah well even if the church never said infertile people can't marry, they did say homosexual couples can't marry for that exact same reason. I'm amazed at how Archbishop Oscar Cruz declares this type of relationship a mortal sin.@_@

There are several discrepancies in the logic behind this stance on infertility. If the church won't allow homosexuals to marry (coz they're infertile and it's an "abomination"), might as well forbid the natural method as well. After all, during those days when the female is "safe", she is also officially infertile. Given that, sex between couples using the natural method should also be declared a mortal sin. Right?

And truth is, this stance makes me see humans in a lesser light. It pretty much delegates love between couples to an inferior position in the relationship: Inferior to one's sex and inferior to procreation. Oh, and this line:

“What is there that comes from marrying them? Nothing! They are two, they remain two, they die two.” ~Archbishop Cruz, CBCP

...Lots of things come from binding two loving people together = LOVE. When they die, no one can deny that there was LOVE. Having a child do not make two people one, they remain two unique individuals struggling to make sense of this harsh, hypercritical world. (Sorry for the cheesy sounding lines, just can't think of less cheesy synonyms)

Really, from what I see, looks like we're fucked.

Call for submission of manuscripts to the Silliman University National Writers Workshop

2012-01-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

Reposted from Panitikan.com.ph

The Silliman University National Writers Workshop is now accepting applications for the 51st National Writers Workshop to be held April 30 to May 18, 2012 in the Silliman University Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village. This Writers Workshop is offering fifteen fellowships to promising writers who want to have a chance to hone their craft and refine their style. Fellows will be provided housing, a modest stipend, and a subsidy to partially defray costs of their transportation.

To be considered, applicants should submit manuscripts in English on or before 10 February 2012. All manuscripts should comply with the instructions stated below. (Failure to do so will automatically eliminate their entries):
Manuscripts should be submitted in hard copy on short-size bond paper, using Times New Roman or Calibri in 12 pt. font type.
Applicants for Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction fellowships should submit three to five entries. Applicants for Poetry fellowships should submit seven to ten poems.
Applicants for Drama fellowship should submit at least a One-Act Play. For plays beyond the one-act length, a scene accompanied by a synopsis of the entire work should be included.
Each fiction, non-fiction, or drama manuscript should not be more than 50 pages, double spaced. We encourage you to stay well below the 50 pages, since a submission half that length is more than sufficient as a critical gauge.
Manuscripts should be accompanied by at least one letter of recommendation from a literature professor or an established writer.
Along with the manuscripts and the recommendation letter, the following requirements should also be included: resume, a notarized certification that the works are original, and two 2X2 ID pictures.

Send all applications or requests for information to Department of English and Literature, attention Dr. Evelyn F. Mascuñana, Chair, Silliman University, 6200 Dumaguete City. For inquiries, email us at nwworkshop_su@yahoo.com or call us at 035-422-6002 loc. 350.

3rd Place in the McHappy Day fun run 2011

2011-11-30T22:58:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-28T21:41:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-08T19:46:00.000-08:00

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

2011-10-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

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**

2011-10-02T01:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-27T22:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-23T02:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-04T03:20:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-30T01:27:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-28T02:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-08-20T01:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-11T07:20:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-29T22:22:00.000-07:00

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

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

2011-07-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-23T18:53:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-22T17:21:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-07-20T20:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

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:

Anne Carly Abad
Diego Jose Abad
Gemino Abad
Anina Abola
Jose Marte Abueg
Ericson Acosta
Arbeen Acuña
Jim Pascual Agustin
Arnold O. Aldaba
Kislap Alitaptap
Jovsky Almero
Tofi Alonte
Donato Mejia Alvarez
Panch Alvarez
Angelo B. Ancheta
Mark Angeles
Rebecca Anonuevo
Roberto Anonuevo
Teo Antonio
Lystra Aranal
Mesandel Virtusio Arguelles
Cesar Ruiz Aquino
A.M. Azada
Amado Bajarias
Desiree L. Balota
Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr.
Joi Barrios
Ariel Dim. Borlongan
Dave Buenviaje
Regine Cabato
Jose Wendell P. Capili
Ronan B. Capinding
Ronaldo Carcamo
F. Jordan Carnice
Lito Casaje
Ian Rosales Casocot
Marella Castro
Jose Jason L. Chancoco
Ayrie Ching
Frank Cimatu
Mikael de Lara Co
Kristian Sendon Cordero
Michael M. Coroza
Keith Cortez
Moises Anthony Cruz
Dakila Cutab
Lope Cui, Jr.
Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr.
Carlomar Daoana
Ramon Damasing
Mes De Guzman
Ainne Frances dela Cruz
Christa I. De La Cruz
Khavn De La Cruz
Noelle Leslie dela Cruz
Nikki De Los Santos
Karl R. De Mesa
Iñigo de Paula
Ricardo De Ungria
Lourd Ernest H. De Veyra
Noel del Prado
A Despi
Glenn Diaz
Lav Diaz
Alain Russ Dimzon
Jan Brandon Dollente
Jacob Walse-Dominguez
Simeon Dumdum, Jr.
Marjorie Evasco
Israfel Fagela
Bendix M. Fernandez
Boni Fojas-Almirante
Luis H. Francia
Marc Escalona Gaba
Eric Gamalinda
J. Neil Garcia
German Gervacio
Lolito Go
Eva B. Gubat
Ramil Digal Gulle
Asterio Enrico Gutierrez
Luisa A. Igloria
Neal Imperial
Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta
Marne Kilates
Philip Yerro Kimpo, Jr.
Jeanilyn Kwan
Jose F. Lacaba
Marra PL. Lanot
Christine V. Lao
Gian Lao
Sandra Laureano
Elaine Lazaro
John Francis C. Losaria
Bienvenido Lumbera
Carlo Angelo V. Marcelo
Edgar B. Maranan
Luchie Maranan
Pia Montalban
V.E. Carmelo D. Nadera Jr.
Joanna Nicolas-Na
Homer B. Novicio
Emil Os
Voltaire Q. Oyzon
Doms Pagliawan
Agustin Pagusara
R. Torres Pandan
Ned Parfan
Allan Justo Pastrana
Carlos Piocos
Axel Pinpin
Zosimo Quibilan, Jr.
Jun Cruz Reyes
Fidel Rillo
Virgilio A. Rivas
Deedle Rodriguez-Tomlinson
Patrick Rosal
Darylle Rubino
Roger B Rueda
Jose Leonardo A. Sabilano
Joseph de Luna Saguid
Joel Pablo Salud
Edgar Calabia Samar
Rafael San Diego
Benilda Santos
Oscar Tantoco Serquina, Jr.
Tanya Sevilla-Simon
Danny Castillones Sillada
Beverly W. Siy
Bert Sulat, Jr.
Ramon C. Sunico
Christian Tablazon
Alyza Taguilaso
John Iremil E. Teodoro
Andrea B. Teran
Enrico C. Torralba
Ricky Torre
Denver Ejem Torres
Charles Bonoan Tuvilla
Roberto Ofanda Umil
RM Urquico
Czeriza Shennille Valencia
Eric Tinsay Valles
Joel Vega
Eliza Victoria
Santiago Villafania
Melissa Villa-Real Basmayor
Michael Carlo C. Villas
Alfred A. Yuson
Arlene J Yandug

Darned Superglue...

2011-07-10T05:46:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2011-06-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-08T20:53:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-06-03T18:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

*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

2011-05-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

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."

"Miss, Chinese ka?"

2011-05-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

Day I in Iligan City (May 22, Sunday)

I arrived in CDO airport at 7:30AM. It was a very basic airport, with a small waiting area (about eight seats). I was looking for someone from the Iligan Workshop, because I'd been told someone would meet me at the airport. In any case, by 9AM, no one was there. Silly me, I didn't even get any contact person's number. Good thing Dr. Christine texted me just when I was about to panic. She asked if I was still at the airport. Apparently, the van was coming in the afternoon not in the morning...I sighed. That meant I had to take a taxi to the bus terminal so I could commute to Iligan City.

I came out of the airport. And several taxi drivers waved to me, like old friends. But I heard them whispering among themselves, "Uy, Chinese!"

Now hearing that, I wouldn't have ridden a taxi, however, I had no other choice! Couldn't ride a habal-habal with my luggage around. So I hired one of them and asked how much to the bus station. "P350," the driver said. And I was like "I was informed it's only P300!" (this was all in Tagalog of course). Then he went on about how gas prices have been going up. Etcetera Etcetera.

Arriving at the bus station, these men, probably porters, grabbed my luggage despite my protests. I said I didn't need their help (as my bag is only 7 kilos for goodness sake), but it was all to no avail. Had to pay the guy for carrying my stuff. For the bus fare, I paid P145, plus porter, P170.

Now I take another taxi to bring me to the Maria Cristina Hotel. Again, this driver comments about my being Chinese, "Miss Chinese ka no?"

And well guess what, I got ripped off again. For such a short distance from the Iligan bus station, he charged me P100.

Total Damage = P620 within 3 hours

Amazing. I dare say I do love adventures. Just not the kind that empties my pocket within a few hours. Then again this is the Philippines. Why am I surprised? What is it about being or ehem, looking, a bit chinky-eyed? It's racism, I tell you.

It's been quite an experience, though. And I'm expecting more. :)

"Fern" published in the Sunday Inquirer Magazine?

2011-05-14T17:38:00.000-07:00

I was surfing around looking for my book, if it's doing well in search engines, and instead found my poem "Fern"!

I wonder how it got there? I don't remember submitting it to SIM. I don't even know if it's also in print. But I think I might have an idea who sent it in. Will have to check it out first cuz I'll have that person to thank. :)

Index of Published Works

2011-05-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

Here's a list of my published works as of May 2011. Hopefully I can add more to this list before 2011 ends:

Fiction
ΕΞΙΣ gods, ghosts and battered cellphones (eBook, 2011) - eTreasures Publishing
Laws of Stone (Soon, 2011) - Library of Science Fiction, print and eBook
The Privilege (Apr 2011) - The Philippines Free Press; also available in print
Topheth No More (Oct 4 2010) - Printed in The Philippines Graphic Magazine
Songs of Urban Phantoms (Feb 2010) - Expanded Horizons
It Takes Seven (June 2010) - Three Crow Press

Poetry
Fern (May 15, 2011) - The Sunday Inquirer Magazine
Law of Motion (2011) - Damazine

17 fellows to the 18th Iligan Workshop

2011-05-03T23:16:00.000-07:00

Reposted from the MSU website:

Seventeen writing fellows out of 78 applicants from all over the country are attending the 18th Iligan National Writers Workshop (INWW) on May 23-27, 2011 to be held at the MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). They are:

Luzon: Play (Filipino): Bonifacio Alfonso M. Javier III, Bacoor, Cavite/ UP Diliman; Poetry (Filipino): Vijae O. Alquisola,Lucena City/ De La Salle University; (English): Anne Carly S. Abad, Quezon City/Ateneo de Manila University; and, Jacob Walse Dominguez, Marikina City/University of Sto. Tomas; Fiction (English): Michelle Abigail Tiu Tan, Quezon City/Ateneo de Manila University.
Visayas: Poetry (Waray): Mary Grace H. Abogado (Boy Abunda Writing Fellow), Borongan, Eastern Samar/ Leyte Normal University; (Hiligaynon) Gil Salanio Montinola, Mina, Iloilo/West Visayas State University (Main); (Sebuano) Glenn T. Munez, Cebu City/Cebu Normal University; Erik E. Tuban, Mandaue City/Center for Industrial Technology Enterprise; and, Denver Ejem Torres, Cebu City/Xavier University (Ateneo de Cagayan).

Mindanao: Play (Filipino): Rogelio F. Garcia, Cagayan de Oro City/Xavier University; Poetry (English): Allen Faw B. Samsuya, Cotabato City/UP Mindanao; and, Maimona W. Magayoong, Marawi City/UP Diliman; and, (Sebuano): Mark Anthony L. Daposala (Manuel E. Buenafe Writing Fellow), Cagayan de Oro City/Xavier University. Fiction (English): Deo Charis I. Mostrales, Iligan City/ Ateneo de Manila University; Fiction (Sebuano): Jonecito R. Saguban, TOR, Iligan City/St. Joseph Seminary College; and, Kei S. Valmoria-Bughaw (Ricardo Jorge S. Caluen Writing Fellow), Surigao City/University of San Carlos.

The Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) performs during the opening program on May 23 at the MSU-IIT Mini-theatre while the closing program and launching of the 17th INWW proceedings titled, The Poetry of Place, edited by Christine Godinez-Ortega will be held on May 27.

Panelists this year are: Leoncio P. Deriada, Merlie M. Alunan, Erlinda Kintanar Alburo, Ralph Semino Galan, Steven Patrick C. Fernandez, German V. Gervacio, Godinez-Ortega and this year’s Keynote Speaker, Pearlsha B. Abubakar (INWW, 2002).

The 18th INWW is hosted by the Mindanao Creative Writers Group (MCWG) and the MSU-IIT Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Extension. The workshop is funded by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) and the MSU-IIT.

"The Privilege" published by Philippines Free Press

2011-04-29T21:53:00.001-07:00

Hi there,

If you have time (and money), please get a copy of the April 30, 2011 issue of The Philippines Free Press. My story, "The Privilege" is in there somewhere (if I can only get my hands on a copy!). In any case the story's also available online. Please visit http://philippinesfreepress.com.ph/2011/04/30/the-privilege/ if you wanna have a look. :)

Fellows for the 50th Silliman National Writers Workshop

2011-04-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

Lifted from Alyza's blog hehe:
Silliman University National Writers Workshop Director-in-Residence Rowena Tiempo-Torrevillas, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Silliman University are pleased to announce that the following young writers have been accepted as fellows for the 50th Silliman University National Writers Workshop scheduled on 2-20 May 2011:

For Poetry
Charmaine Carreon (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Evangeline Gubat (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Jeffrey Javier (University of the Philippines-Mindanao)
Allen Samsuya (University of the Philippines-Mindanao)
Alyza Taguilaso (University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc.)

For Fiction
Glenn Diaz (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Christine Lao (University of the Philippines, College of Law)
Emmanuel Lava (Ateneo de Manila University)
Andrea Macalino (Ateneo de Manila University)
Marius Monsanto (University of the Philippines-Mindanao)

For Creative Non-Fiction
Philline Donggay (De La Salle University)
Rogelio Garcia, Jr. (Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan)
Miguel Sulangi (Ateneo de Manila University)
Elaine Tobias (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Maria Villaruel (De La Salle University)

This year’s panel of critics is composed of Dumaguete-based writers Myrna Peña Reyes, Bobby Villasis and Cesar Ruiz Aquino, as well as guest panelists Susan Lara, DM Reyes, Dave Genotiva, Ricky de Ungria, Gemino Abad, and Alfred Yuson. For this summer, internationally-acclaimed Singaporean writer from Singapore Management University, Kirpal Singh, will be sitting in with the panel.
The workshop, which is the longest running Writers Workshop in Asia, is coordinated by the Silliman University Department of English and Literature.

Next Appearance: Philippines Free Press

2011-04-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

Plug of the day: Howdy! I've just been notified that my short story "The Privilege" will come out in the April 30 issue of the Philippines Free Press! The PFP copies will be out in news stands and book stores by April 26/27. (Hope you can get a copy *wink*wink* And well send me over some feedback if you can) :))

New Training Cycle for 2011 :)

2011-04-11T17:58:00.000-07:00

The Natgeo Earth Day Run last Sunday was...how do I say this, really fun. I believe this must be one of the the biggest races I ever joined, with over 10,000 participants. I was awed by the sheer number of people. I didn't know how great the running community's been doing these past few days. Looks like the trend has really taken off! And well, lots of companies are able to make money out of this by charging us a hell lot more than they did five years ago, when I could register for a race and get a singlet for as low as Php200.

In any case, the run was for our planet, and I guess the Php900++ I paid for the 10K distance is nothing compared to what we've done to harm nature. I've never raced in Bonifacio High Street before, and it was the first time I experienced the "high" part of the street. The route had about four uphill climbs, with the last one being the longest. It was good I came prepared, as I'd integrated hill work in my just-finished training program. I didn't get my goal time of 57 mins. I clocked in at about 59+, which is still okay given that I was still had a cough. It was sort of embarrassing coughing while running, almost as if I might have an asthma attack at any moment. At about kilometer 8, I DID feel like I might have an attack (which hasn't happened to me in years), but I still finished strong. Too bad there were too many people heading for the finish line so I wasn't able to sprint my all. At the end of the race, I felt like I still had something to give.

I was so hungry after finishing! And there weren't many freebies save for the 1,000 pizza slices from Greenwich. I was bumped out of the line so I wasn't able to get a piece. Darn, I wish they'd gotten some food brands for sponsors! :S

Met my officemate, Des, at the race. She ran the 5K. And we took some pics while at the activity area:

Aww, how round naman my cheeks haha :b

Des and I (too bad I changed my shirt already, the singlet was pretty cool)

I'll be taking a break for the rest of April. I think I might have developed an overuse injury on my left foot. There's been this throbbing pain on my forefoot that comes back every time I run. I hope by May it's gone as I'll be starting a new program by then. I hope I can make 24 mins for my next 5K race, and 56 for the 10K!

Natgeo Run

2011-04-08T23:52:00.001-07:00

This will be my last race for this training cycle. I joined the 10K distance for the NATGEO Earth Day Run on April 10, 2011. I've had colds and cough since last week, so I'm having doubts about how I'll do tomorrow. In any case, I'm excited. I've heard there will be lots of international participants. I bet I'll see lots of runners who'll further inspire me in the sport.

I've been musing these days about being "sporty." "Sporty" and "girly" doesn't seem to be a very usual combination in the Philippines. When I see these types of girls in magazines, they're featured as one-of-a-kind creatures, and maybe they are since for the longest time, girls and muscles don't really mix well, unless the muscles belong to a guy. I don't appreciate constantly being called "macho" because for me it's sexist. Can't a girl love her sport and have the body for it, without being called boyish? I don't even have half the muscles of a female Olympic athlete, and the people around me already find it unusual that I have such an athletic bod. It's getting really annoying, this preoccupation with BODY. I just try to block it out of my system, but in times when I'm in a rotten mood, I really won't let it pass. Some might say I should be proud of how I am. But who said I wasn't proud in the first place? I'm not the one who had a problem with being sporty, I don't get surprised I have a body like this. It's no joke what we go through to train almost everyday just to do well in our goal competition, so I'd appreciate it to stop with the "you're a guy" jokes already, because no, I AM A GIRL, accept it.

I so want to curse right now.

Women's Health Athena All Women's Run

2011-03-22T02:17:00.000-07:00

My goodness, and I was so scared (and cranky) about never finding out what my results were. The organizers went through some database problems so I wasn't able to get the results from my Time Chip after the race. But they seem to have fixed it. Overall, I finished 11th. (aww, didn't make it in the top 10) but I'm happy with my time at 27 mins and 6 secs.

Those seconds per kilometer really do matter. In the end they add up, so I need to do more interval work. Love the finisher's bracelet by the way, plus the free manicure and Myra E products. :D

Buffet, wine, ratatouille and poetry

2011-03-21T01:09:00.000-07:00

Cooped up in my cubicle, I have to say I've kind of lost touch with a part of me that just wants to sit back and enjoy everything that's beautiful. Yes, I still write. But it's not the same as before, when I was around people to whom I could easily discuss literary works with. In school, I had my professors, plus friends who love to read. I could just show them what I'd made and didn't have to fear the word "criticism." Sometimes they'd nod, more often they'd scratch their heads as though saying "What the hell is this?" But all that was fine with me. I'd still write, and like a child to her mom, tell them to have a look.

And then, well, I joined these writing workshops, which were the start of my fear. I became worried about every single thing: technique, voice, point of view, etc. etc. It was especially true with poetry. I stopped showing them around since I feared some people might read and, well, laugh at them. I know criticism is a large part of a writer's life, but recently I've begun to wonder where the line between criticism and ridicule lies. I believe one is supposed to look at a piece of work separately from it's author. That's the only way to be really objective. However, I've seen too many instances of criticism becoming an avenue for personal attack to believe in its legitimacy. At those moments, I felt like I was watching a real-life version of Mean Girls, only it wasn't just the girls who were nasty.

On March 17, 2011, the 13th Printemps des Poetes was held at the Alliance française de Manille. I was fortunate enough to attend and have the chance to read, thanks to Sir Krip Yuson, Ms. Deanna Ongpin-Recto (President) and Mickaël Balcon (Deputy Director). I was scared, because I was going to read my own poem. MY OWN. I've never done that before! Poems, for me, are just too personal. I think about all the emotions I put into them and just can't bear the thought of strangers looking into them, dissecting every word like a rotting cadaver. You could say it's as though I've just posted a piece of my journal for all the world to see.

But that's not how I felt that evening. Everyone was just doing their thing. It didn't matter if they were Palanca Hall of Famers, or civil engineers, or fitness buffs, or computer science students, or teachers, or copywriters (like me). Everyone had something to show. And everyone wanted to listen, or at least that was how I felt.

I was in the company of friends. I could show them what I made, and leave the stage without feeling like fleeing.

And this was everyone:

Part 1

Abdon Balde - Dream of Skycrapers
Yanna Verbo Acosta - Dreamscaping
Francisco Llaguno - Ang kalikasan at ang mga tao
Mikael de Lara Co - Permanence
Joel Salud - Faith
Christine Joy O. Castillo - Les paysages en moi
Beatrix Syjuco - Domino Nation (Bravo to her performance!)
Asha Macam - Clouds
Jacques Chessex by Markus Ruckstuhl - Je regarde la chaîne des Alpes
Ed Maranan - Sailing on the Fourth of July
Vim Nadera - Epiko ko (another astounding performance, accompanied by Tapati (vocalist of Davao's Bagong Lumad)
Alfred A. Yuson - The beach, plus Pablo
Maxine Syjuco - Weeds and Rags
Ariana Pozzuoli - The joke is on you!

Buffet Break! That's the first time I had ratatouille. Also had those ham things I can't name. The wine was great, by the way. :b

Part 2

Jacques Brel by Tata Poblador accompanied by Pr. Lester Demetillo- Ne me quitte pas
Mookie Katigbak - As far as Cho-Fu-Sa
Cesare A.X. Syjuco - The world turns
Noel del Prado - Hardin sa Ibawaw ng Davao
Gémino H. Abad - Casaroro Falls (This is the piece that touched me the most that night, not only because I can relate to Sir Jimmy's sublime imagery, but also because of the spiritual topic it grazes upon through an encounter with nature's precarious beauty)
Marne L. Kilates - Bangaan
Victor Peñaranda - At the Buddhist Garden
Alma anonas Carpio - Mountain song
Virgilio S. Almario by Marivic Rufino & Marne L. Kilates - Halimuyak ng Pulo
Johanna Fernandez - Currents
Ramon C. Sunico - Mindoro
Andrea Levinge - The deepening sea
Anne Abad - Fern
Gian Paolo Lao - In my country

Got permission from Sir Krip to repost his shots from that evening. Photos below in the order my computer decided to put them:

Andrea Levinge

Asha Macam

Beatrix Syjuco

Sir Jimmy Abad

Joel Salud

Maxine Syjuco

>.< Me and my math notebook blouse haha

Mookie Katigbak Lacuesta

Victor Penaranda

Vim Nadera

Yanna Verbo Acosta

eBook Released!

2011-03-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

Hey, there, if you happen to drop by this humble blog, I'd like you to know that my book, which I seem to have been talking about for some time now, has finally been released. This is an all-new experience for me. I didn't know releasing one would be so rigorous in terms of editing and of course, cover art. Having it in e-format isn't any simpler I think.

Exis

It's now available from eTreasures Publishing!

But you know, having this released is just the beginning. I know the long haul is yet to come, promoting it and stuff.

You might be interested in having a read of this eBook. I can give copies away, but there's a catch ;) I just need you to mention me and Exis in your blog, better yet, Tweet it around and share it in Facebook. That would be much much, mucho appreciated!

I've another post coming up about the 13th Printemps des Poetes I attended last night. Stay tuned. :)

61st Palanca Awards currently accepts entries

2011-03-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Reposting from Writer's Block: Early submission of entries to The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards), the country’s most prestigious and longest-running literary contest, has been noted. With the deadline for submission of entries on midnight of April 30, 2011 in sight, early bird contestants are avoiding the last minute queue and making sure that their entries are already submitted before the deadline.

This year, the Palanca Awards is accepting entries for the Novel category. The Novel category is open every three years, in both English and Filipino divisions.

The following are the regular categories: English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry for Children, One-act Play, and Full-length Play; Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata,Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Pambata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula;Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon and Short Story-Iluko. Each contestant may submit only one entry per category.
To encourage the youth to hone their literary genius, the Palanca Awards also welcomes essays under the Kabataan Division – its special division for young writers below 18 years old. This year’s Kabataan Essay theme for the English category is “What is the most valuable lesson I learned from the Internet?” and “Ano ang pinakamahalagang aral ang aking natutunan mula sa Internet?” for the Filipino category.
The literary contest is open to all Filipino (or former Filipino) citizens, except current officers and employees of its organizing body, the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Contest rules and official entry forms are available at Palanca Awards’ official website, www.palancaawards.com.ph.
Entries with complete requirements may be submitted to the Foundation’s office at the 6^th Floor, One World Square Bldg., 10 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City or may also be entered online through the Palanca Awards website or sent through email at cpawards@palancaawards.com.ph.

Contestants are reminded to submit their entries ahead of the deadline for submission, which is midnight of April 30, 2011.Winners will be announced on September 1, 2011.

Established in 1950 in honor of Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the Awards aims to help develop Philippine literature by providing incentives for writers to craft their most outstanding literary works that reflect the Filipino culture and values, and to serve as a treasury of Philippine literary gems.

To date, the Palanca Awards has awarded a total of 1,994 works to 1,963 writers, which include 514 short stories, 360 poetry collections, 202 essays, 340 one-act plays, 176 full-length plays, 60 teleplays, 51 screenplays, 142 stories for children, 34 futuristic fiction stories, 71 Kabataan essays, 34 novels, and 10 collections of poetry for children.

For further information, you may email cpawards@palancaawards.com.ph or call telephone number 856-0808.

Get writing, people! :)

The coolest thing I've discovered today

2011-03-09T01:01:00.000-08:00

I was just browsing through the net, and I found this cool site that lets you measure the distance you ran wherever you are. Oh, the wonders of Google Maps. I always run around my village, and one round of my usual route amounts to 4.35 KM:

Pretty neat, huh?

Used www.mapmyrun.com for this. ^^

Yippee! With this I won't have to rely on my watch all the time, cuz now I've got an idea of the distances of each street. Hahahaha I feel like I'm advertising. Oh well Hahaha

Long Runs: Love and Hate

2011-03-07T23:02:00.000-08:00

I am always excited about my Sunday long runs. I love the thought of going outdoors, looking at the ancient acacia's at UP, running with other runners, watching the skaters and bikers practicing at the University Oval, the sun on my face, the rays filtering through the leaves....I can just go on and on about my little infatuation.

But I can also go on and on about why I hate it. The smog. The blisters. Throbbing feet and aching legs after the work out. Runner's high wears off just like any drug.

The onset of the soreness from last Sunday's run crept up on me Monday afternoon. Suddenly my feet felt stiff. Having to wear heels in the office only made it worse. Why has climbing stairs become such a chore? Given that this is the second time I'm going through a cycle of training that's meant to build up endurance for a half or full marathon, I don't understand why I'm still this badly affected by long runs. O_o

Maybe I'm not doing something right. Or I'm just too maarte. This morning during my recovery "easy" run, I was telling myself that: to just run through the fatigue. I'll get my runner's high, yeah, just run a bit farther...I waited, but ended up more tired.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to do a tempo run, but I'm still tired now. Maybe later I'll feel better.

*sigh...*

Printemps des Poetes 2011

2011-03-03T01:38:00.000-08:00

Now and then, I write poems. This happens when I have an idea I can't write down in prose or short (or LONG) story form. That's when I resort to poetry. I wonder if it's intuition that drives this sort of move?

In any case, I was recently invited by Sir Krip Yuson to submit to a poetry anthology he's preparing/editing. I don't have much info about it, but luckily, it looks like two of my poems passed. He didn't tell me yet which ones, though.

Sir Krip was kind enough to invite me to a poetry reading that's happening this March 17, at the Alliance française de Manille (AfM). It's been a while since I've been in an event like this (makes me wonder if I still know how to orate). Hopefully, I won't stutter. O_o

This year's theme, I'm gonna paste over here:

D'INFINIS PAYSAGES – INFINITE LANDSCAPES

"Expressing the deep links that unite man and nature, celebrating or questioning them, is one of the most constant features of universal poetry.
Seas and mountains, islands and shores, forests and rivers, skies, winds, suns, deserts and hills, like a hinterland, most poems carry the memory of landscapes crossed and lived in.

Recognizing oneself as dependent on the infinite faces of the world, this is undoubtedly how Holderlin wanted a poet to live on earth.”

That's it for now. >.<

Edsa Run

2011-02-27T17:46:00.000-08:00

To be honest, I was disappointed about the singlet/souvenir shirt for this event, given that I paid P400+ for the 5K. It was a flimsy, yellow cotton shirt. Didn't even use it since I doubted it could absorb sweat. Yeah, the run was a fundraiser to build classrooms, so I understand they had to skimp on some expenses, but I joined similar fun runs with fees raging from only P150-P200, and we were provided decent singlets. It would've been nice to be provided wearable "souvenir" shirts because the design wasn't bad at all, and it was wasted on poor material.

They'd better build lots of good classrooms, or I'm gonna be real angry.

In any case, I think I've been doing the right thing with my new training program. Been concentrating on doing lots of intervals instead of tempo runs, and I slashed about two minutes from my leg time. I didn't go all out as I was testing my stamina, given that the route around Temple Drive had a lot of uphill slopes. By the last kilometer, I could still go faster. My time was about 28 mins, and I ended up in 8th place (women's category, of course). I might have done better if I wasn't held up by the wall of runners at the starting line. Should've lined up earlier so I wasn't stuck at the back.

In my next 5K race (still choosing one), I'm hoping I can make 26 mins, which is a bit closer to my time when I was in college.

Running, Racing

2011-02-21T23:57:00.000-08:00

Last year, I got it into my head to get back into running. Not that I left it behind somewhere along the way; it was just that I'd treated it more as a recreational activity than an avenue for competition. It's been years since my last big competition, and I was still with the team then. I've always done mid-distance sprints, but last year I thought "why don't a try a full 42K marathon?"

After graduating, I had loads of time for myself. When I wasn't writing, I didn't know what to do with the extra time I had, so I thought, what the heck? Why don't I try? I had a running buddy who was very much into the longer distances anyway, so I was pretty confident that I could do it (till I found out there are really what they call 'endurance monsters' out there).

I started by making a running program for myself. I was like a crazy chef, taking Googled ingredients from here and there. Got hold of the basics first: Intervals, Tempo runs, Easy runs, and of course, the ~~dreaded~~ Long run.

While I was working my way up to doing 3-hour long runs (that was around 4 months into my 5-month long program), I burned out. I was like, "I'm not made for long distance running." I don't know how my running buddy did Camsur in 5 hours, because I felt that it would be impossible for me to even finish that full 42K stretch. Because I didn't have the confidence to join the Quezon City International Marathon's 42K, I settled for half that distance, the 21K. Sadly, I trained for that event, only to be let down by my work, which kept me hanging about in Pasay until 2am for consecutive days prior to the race. I was in no condition to compete, so I just settled for the Grand Fiesta Run's 10K.

This year, I'm not sure if I'll just concentrate on the 5K and 10K distances, which are easier for me to stomach given my busy work sched and the fact that I'm still not used to long-distance running. I usually run really early in the morning. I'm putting my makeshift plan below (not that I always follow it, but at least I kinda have to stick to it since I made it). I excluded a month's worth of running since I already finished those to prepare for the Edsa Run this week.

All this is time-based since I don't have time to go to a track and measure the distances I run. I'll be crossing out/adjusting the workouts as I go along, depending on how I do, and my mood.
Got the races from takbo.ph.

Program
Week	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
1	Feb 21: Rest	Tempo: 10-10-5	45 min easy	4min x 5	45 min easy	Rest	5K Race: Edsa Run
2	Feb 28: ~~Rest~~ ran 35 mins	~~Tempo: 15-10-10~~ Rest	55 min. general aerobic run	5min x 5	45 min easy	Rest	Long Run: 1 hr 45 min
3	Mar 7: ~~Rest~~ XT	~~45 min~~ 35 min. easy	Tempo: ~~15-15-10~~ became 10-10-10, reduced rest to 3 mins per set instead of 5mins	3min hills x 7	45 min easy	Rest	Long Run: 2 hrs
4	Mar 14: Rest	Tempo: 15-15-15	45 min easy	6min x 4	30 min easy	"5K Race? Try Athena Run: March 19, 2011, Sat SM MOA Grounds (Register at Planet Sports, Trinoma)"	45 min easy
5	Feb 28: Rest	Tempo: 15-10-10	45 min easy	5min x 5	45 min easy	Rest	Long Run: 2 hrs 10 min
6	Mar 21: Rest	2min x 12	45 min easy	40 min. Fartlek	1 hr. easy	Rest	Tempo: 20-15-15
7	Mar 28: Rest	5 (hard)-5 (slower tempo)-10 (normal tempo)-5(slower)-5(hard)	30 min easy	4min x 5	30 min easy	Rest	"10K Race: April 3, AACE'S The G.O.O.D Run Bonifacio Global City (Register at Planet Sports, Trinoma)"

Odd Nightmare

2011-02-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

Dreams can be really baffling. Sometimes, they show you normal aspects of everyday life, like say, work. You feel as if you've gone through a day at the office, only to wake up and find that the day is just beginning. You have to go through the whole 9-to-6 drill all over again.

Sometimes they're plain nonsense. Once, I dreamed I could fly if I shook this branch of a mango tree in my hands.

Last night, I had a nightmare. When I told my mom and friends about it, it seemed funny. But in the dream realm, it was awfully unpleasant. I was doing my groceries. I was filling up the basket with stuff. I didn't even seem to care what I was tossing in. A bunch of nameless, plastic-wrapped things. When I was about to pay at the counter, I found that the grocery basket was no longer in my hands. I scurried off, somehow knowing where to go. Met some friends (dunno why they were in my dream, but it seemed we all happened to be in the same store). They told me to go to the meat section to get my basket. Found it. Lost it again. Chased the guy who snatched it from me. Found it. Lost it again.

The cycle went on like this. It felt like hours. Until my mom woke me up. I'd forgotten to turn on the alarm. I posted this awful dream in my FB stat. One of my friends, Leslie, pointed out that the dream might be symbolic of something I'm searching for in my life, a something that keeps getting wrested from my hands.

And so...I've decided to look up a possible interpretation of my dream, because yes, I feel as if I don't know what I want these days. I told myself I'd like to simplify my life from now on, avoid the perfectionism that's been driving me to depression for so long. And yet, the simplicity that I seem to have achieved proves to taste paltry compared to the achievements I so long for.

Shopping Cart

To see or use a shopping cart in your dream, indicates that you are reaping the rewards and benefits of your hard work. Alternatively, to push a shopping cart in your dream, suggests that you need to search out more options for some aspect of your life. Remember that you have choices and you do not need to settle. If the shopping cart is empty, then it suggests that you are coming up empty in some endeavor or plan.

I like the part about searching out more options. Perhaps, it's time to move on...from many things. Among people I've been holding on to, perhaps it's time to stop clinging, find my center once more. Among the things I thought I'd be doing forever, perhaps it's time to look for a new hobby. Writing fiction has been pretty tiresome these days. Perhaps it's time to find something else I'm good at, for now.

New Art: For the Kill

2011-01-21T19:21:00.000-08:00

50th Silliman University National Writers Workshop

2011-01-20T21:53:00.000-08:00

Can't believe it's been almost a year since the 49th. *sigh*

Call for Submission of Manuscripts to the
50th Silliman University National Writers Workshop

The Silliman University National Writers Workshop is now accepting applications for the 50th National Writers Workshop to be held May 2-20, 2011 in the SU Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village.

This Writers Workshop is offering fifteen fellowships to promising young writers who would like a chance to hone their craft and refine their style. Fellows will be provided housing, a modest stipend, and a subsidy to partially defray costs of their transportation.
To be considered, applicants should submit manuscripts in English on or before February 25, 2011 (seven to ten poems; or three to five short stories; or three to five creative non-fiction essays). Manuscripts should be submitted in hard copy and as email attachment, preferably in MS Word 2003, to nwworkshop_su@yahoo.com, together with a résumé, a recommendation letter from a literature professor or a writer of national standing, a notarized certification that the works are original, and two 2X2 ID pictures.

Send all applications or requests for information to Department of English and Literature, attention Dr. Evelyn F. Mascuñana, Chair, Silliman University, 6200 Dumaguete City.

EXIS Teaser

2010-12-28T00:08:00.000-08:00

So here I've written a book. But what is it about? I've been told by some folks that they're intrigued, but they have no idea what to look forward to, so here goes.

In EXIS, I'm presenting four Sci-fi (read: bizarre) tales. The very first is a novella, and the other three are short stories. Here are the back-of-the-book blurbs for each story, in the order in which they appear:

Two lovers seek to find their place in the perfect society—a little town in Laguna where there are no strangers, marriage has an expiration date, and everything must be shared...even parents.
While the gods of a forgotten age have deserted the world, one remains and awakens a young man to prophesy to a deaf world.
Despite having discovered the key to humanity's end, two demon siblings face an identity crisis.
In a universe where gods and humans trade roles, the greatest creature ever made breaks free from her confinement, only to be confronted with the greatest bondage of all.

Hopefully, you've found any one of these stimulating enough to want to go get a copy and open the damned thing. But EXIS will come out in ebook first before print. To make it get into print faster, I'm crossing my fingers to up my good fortunes and make lots of ebook sales. :)

Short Story Collection Nearing Release

2010-12-22T00:53:00.000-08:00

I've had a number of setbacks which delayed the release of my book. But after persevering with numerous revisions with my editor Antonia Tiranth, I am at last nearing it's completion and release. I made a previous post about my signing a contract with eTreasures Publishing, which is based in Marianna, Fl. But the ebook version of "EXIS: gods, ghosts and battered cellphones" wasn't released on time. Anyhow this may be a blessing in disguise since I still don't have a U.S. Tax ID. I haven't had time to go to the US Embassy due to some problems with my passport, which I've also had to fix despite my busy work schedule. I look forward, though, to my book coming out on January 2011, because I already have a (tentative) cover.

Cover art by Jason Angeles and Cate Jose

EXIS

Now Reading: The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey

2010-12-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

The Rowan is the first book of McCaffrey's Tower and Hive collection, which I'm only now beginning to explore. I've read a couple of her Pern novels, which I've enjoyed and reread a number of times, until I developed a stronger liking for science fiction. Well her dragons are 'scientific', but in my opinion, she leans more toward fantasy in her Pern novels. It may be that I'm getting nerdier by the day, that's why I'm liking sci-fi more, or I must have previously read too much fantasy that I've become too used to all the sword and magic tropes.

Anyhow I'm not done with this book yet, but I felt strongly enough about it to make a post. Gotta say I'm hooked. I've searched some reviews and most of them are positive. I like following the life of this young telepathic girl called The Rowan. And I'm totally intrigued at the thought of exploring a world where pschokinetic abilities, not to mention clairvoyance, run the system, thereby sidestepping the usual "speed limit" in space travel.

Law of Motion, released by Damazine

2010-12-15T17:31:00.000-08:00

It's the first poem I ever had the guts to submit to the market. Thank you, Damazine for accepting and publishing it.

If you, reader, happen to drop by here at my humble blog, please do check out my poem, "Law of Motion."

Getting your work out there and published has an odd feeling, like freedom. It feels as if the work is no longer mine, and I can just let go of it totally, complete with whatever feelings I had for it when it was still in writing. After freedom, though, comes challenge. What now? How do I move forward from this?

It's a process, I guess--one of growth. From here I must write of other things that may be of relevance to others in the future. Of course relevance is a subjective term. What I think matters may be completely well, the opposite. Anyhow, I'll keep doing this till I hit upon something, like say, a star.

Cheers!

Unexplained Weightloss

2010-12-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

Usually I'd be rejoicing at getting skinny, but this is weird. It started with all the stress brought about by the different events we were handling during Resorts World Manila's Grand Fiesta Manila 2010. I dismissed it as just the stress of things getting to me.

Then a week later, it was still happening.

And now it's still happening no matter what or how much I eat!

No, I don't think it's that Fashion Slimming Coffee my officemate gave me, because I drank only one sachet when he dared me to try it out (and that was a week ago). I'm thinking of getting a check up, just don't have the time O_o

My Dad (and his mom and dad) had diabetes, making me a candidate for Type 2. I might just be paranoid, but I think it's better to be on the safe side.

11th Iyas Creative Writing Workshop: Call for Submissions

2010-12-07T00:34:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Appearances

2010-11-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

No, it's not I who will be appearing, but some of the pieces I've written a while back. These works, I've either submitted months ago or have only recently decided to submit at last (because I did not have the courage to even try).

"Laws of Stone" will appear in one of the anthologies that will be published by the Library of Science Fiction & Fantasy. This antho is entitled “Rockets, Swords, and Rainbows: New Stories of Fantasy,” and it’s got a queer slant. When I wrote my story, I wasn’t really thinking about whether it’s queer or straight or what, but when this got workshopped in Dumaguete, this aspect appears to be very strong. Fortunately, “Laws of Stone” is a perfect fit for this antho (cover below).

I didn't expect this work to be accepted anywhere since it's so darned long. Not really a short story, not really a novelette, certainly not a novel. I have this thing with writing such long short stories. I try to keep them short and sweet. But in the end, the story takes control of the wheel and things just don’t go where I originally planned.

Here’s a teaser of my story:

In the world called Spheria, there are two clashing cultures—the Pilgrims and the so-called Unbelievers, of which include the Draconic races. The two factions have a history of warfare, but have finally achieved a precarious peace with the Pilgrims’ dominance in the war. Two friends, Rael and Uliel, are on a Pilgrimage to become more powerful warriors, but little do they know that the Unbeliever territories have maintained their hostility toward Pilgrims and don’t give a damn about such things as diplomatic immunity. When Rael and Uliel are enslaved by a power greater than their own, they are faced with a struggle not only for freedom but for their very lives.

Secondly, my poem "Laws of Motion" will be published in the ezine called Damazine. I usually keep my poems hidden, but I felt I should try it out. I guess trying really pays of, literally and figuratively speaking. I’ll probably try submitting my other poems in the near future, so I’ve already taken down the ones I’ve placed in this blog.

Funny how both of these works begin with "laws" and were even accepted within two consecutive days. Is this a sign I should go to law school? :b

I was complaining about how bad luck comes in 3’s, but it seems it’s time for me to shut up with all this negativity, because the good things come in 3’s as well. Still waiting for the 3rd good news, if it hasn’t already come.

Will post more updates. Ciao.

Turn of Events

2010-11-12T23:09:00.000-08:00

All this entering the workforce thing being a big change. It's real. At least for me.

I'm doing a lot of writing for Resorts World Manila, and I find that I'm enjoying it. Aside from learning guerrilla HTML (as in trial and error hehe), I get to check out the casino, and can I just say, I've been waiting for a chance to walk up and down these smoky (cigarette smoky) aisles for a long time, but it's only recently that I've reached the age where I can actually enter the place. It's not much different from an arcade, only I get to imagine under-the-table scenes like in the movies. I don't see mafia-worthy faces, though. Everyone just seems to be having fun. It's too bad we're not allowed to play, would like to try out the real thing and not those online games. However, I've found that I have to stop my ADHD tendency to press every button I see (i.e. Slot Machines). I bet that if I just get one chance, I'll get lucky. I have pretty good luck at these things, (and bad luck for everything else?).

In any case, the point I was making before I was distracted by my own thoughts is that, although I get to do a lot of writing, I pretty much have zero time for fiction. Here I am, blogging, which takes away another 10% from the time I could have spent writing the next page of a story I've already started but have now hidden away in some mental drawer and compartment of my PC.

What's funny is that I seem to thrive in such conditions--When I'm actually NOT free to write. It's like my mind has a panic button screaming "you must write!" and then it starts formulating all these story lines. I remember this is what happened back in school, when we were doing our thesis, and I at the same time, was finishing my first novel.

It remains to be seen whether I can finish my next story collection and novel in such conditions.

Pressure might be good after all.

Published in Philippines Graphic Magazine

2010-10-15T02:58:00.000-07:00

Kinda forgot to post about this. Was published in the October 4, 2010 issue of the Philippines Graphic Magazine. "Topheth No More" appears in the fiction category, under a rather plain-sounding name: Anne Abad. I've been so busy at work I don't have much energy left to update my online life.

Peanuts

2010-09-28T02:28:00.000-07:00

It took me a while to write this. I might have blocked it from my mind. Might have needed time to process what I saw. I didn't know what to do or what I could do about it.

Let me tell you about an old man along the East Avenue-Edsa Intersection.

I see him everyday, while on my way to the MRT station. He's there early, laying out his goods on a dilapidated wooden box. I've noticed that he sells random stuff, tweezers, hard candies, cigarettes, and those little hair ties that look like telephone cords. He's usually not the one I notice, since there's this lady vendor who's always surrounded by these cute, chubby cats that sleep by her side. Day after day.

But last Saturday. I saw the old man. Really saw the old man. He had just bought a packet of fried peanuts from a fellow street vendor. He was walking back to his spot, to his box, when his packet of nuts fell from his shaky hands. The salt, the bits of garlic, and the brown nuts scattered on the ground, ground that had been treaded on by the busy bees of the Filipino work force.

The old man bent down, hurriedly picking up every last piece that fell from his brown paper bag of peanuts. He hastened to put every salvageable bit into his mouth.

And wow, look at me, I had no idea what to do. Was I to help him pick up the sullied food and go my way? Was I to give him money? But what if he got insulted, since, technically, he wasn't a beggar, but a vendor? I thought of looking for the place where he bought those peanuts and getting him a new packet, but I was too caught up in thinking "What should I do?" until it came to the point that I chickened out.

I was scared of helping the old man. And now it's haunting me. Because I remember what happened, but I've forgotten what the old man looks like. And I'm scared that if I remember, I wouldn't know what to do again, because helping just one man doesn't change the fact that there are all those other vendors on that sidewalk. And I will see them every morning. I will see them when I go home.

And there is nothing I can do for them.

I will probably keep living this make-believe life, thinking things will turn out for the better. But it won't.

Not when it's just my life getting better.

10TH ATENEO NATIONAL WRITERS WORKSHOP FELLOWS NAMED

2010-09-16T18:11:00.000-07:00

From panitikan.com.ph:

The 10th Ateneo National Writers Workshop, organized by the Ateneo Institute of Literary Arts and Practices (AILAP) with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Office of the President, Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) will be held on October 24-28, 2010 at the AdNU Campus, Naga City.

Twelve fellows have been awarded fellowships. Six slots were exclusively given to writers from the Bicol Region and writing in the Bikol languages. Covered by the fellowship are the fellows' board and lodging, a modest stipend, and the opportunity to learn from an esteemed panel of Atenean writers and critics. The fellows for this year's workshop are:

For poetry in English: Alyza May Timbol Taguilaso (Quezon City); For poetry in Filipino: Noel T. Fortun (Las Piñas City), Maureen Gaddi dela Cruz (San Pedro, Laguna); For fiction in English: Glenn Diaz (Manila City), Michelle Abigail Tiu Tan (Quezon City); For fiction in Filipino: Arnold Matencio Valledor (Panganiban, Catanduanes); For poetry in Bikol: Gerry Rubio (Virac, Catanduanes), Adrian Remodo (Naga City, Camarines Sur), Eduardo Uy (Gubat, Sorsogon), Richard Madrilejos (Tabaco, Albay), Rodel Añosa (Ticao, Masbate); For fiction in Bikol: Jimple Borlagdan (Tabaco, Albay).

Panelists for this years workshop would include prize-winning writers like Benilda S. Santos, Alvin B. Yapan, Marco AV. Lopez, Michael M. Coroza, Frank Peñones and Carlo Arejola to name a few. This year's workshop is co-directed by Kristian Cordero and Yolando Jamendang, Jr.

Congrats to everyone!

Orbits

2010-09-10T18:12:00.000-07:00

I was relatively happy. I'd just come from a reunion with three of my bestest friends--Maris, Bianca, and Nikka. I needed this break. We all did. We hadn't been able to see each other as much, what with them going to medschool, and me having to go to the office every single day. Day before yesterday, we met at Trinoma, ate a Japanese lunch in Oki Oki till we burst our tummies, then went to Bianca's house to get singing, guitaring, and drumming to Rockband. We were too tired to go home so we decided to just sleepover after having a pizza-dvd marathon.

When we parted ways, I felt trashed--the way I did before we met up. I was walking my usual, on my way to the GMA-Kamuning MRT station. But while walking I noticed the emptiness of my surroundings. The one or two people who passed me by might as well have been ghosts. The streets were quite empty save for a few cars and buses. Dead leaves were rolling over my feet. Empty.

Then I realized the emptiness wasn't coming from this external space, but inside me. It's that same feeling that crops up within me from time to time. I feel like I can paint/write/run...do everything I want, but at the end of all this movement and activity, there's only stagnation.

Empty. Is not the word for my surroundings. My mind was simply describing the state of my soul. And when I tried to reach down deep into this "soul," I couldn't find it either. There was only that void. I wonder if others feel this as well. Or others see this in me that's why they treat me in certain, unpleasant ways, like I'm not worth a second thought (or that's just Self-pity rearing its ugly head in my depressed state).

Why, when all is quiet and peaceful, there is not actually peace but emptiness? The vacuum of space may very well be just a reflection of our lives. We move in orbits within this nothingness of existence. Sometimes our orbits might intersect, but the time is too short to form any real ties. In the end we go our separate ways.

Is this always the case? Will God go His separate way, as well?

I wish I hadn't thought of these things. Events in the past few days may have precipitated this agitated post.

Maybe I was burned out. Maybe I wasn't sure about myself anymore. The ups and downs of my moods have always been hell to deal with. I know I will feel better again. But it comes to a point when what I feel doesn't matter anymore. I just want answers to these (seemingly) unanswerable things.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

2010-08-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

I've gone back to the classics recently, and found the experience very enriching, especially with Kate Chopin's short novel--The Awakening.

The book is short but the language is gorgeous. Chopin gives us a vision of the Creole society and its air of aristocratic resignation. Edna Pontellier, an American, marries Leonce Pontellier and dives into the Creole world. I began reading the book with thoughts of feminism hovering over my head. I expected outright scenes of the oppression and repression of women. However, as I progressed in my reading, such preconceptions fell away. Leonce is an adoring husband who, while watching Edna closely, lets her do as she pleases, even flirt with other men as she does in Grand Isle. Narry a word is spoken, nor signs of jealousy arise from Edna's seemingly inappropriate behavior toward other men. Yet it appears that it is exactly this silence that points to the bondage of Edna's awakening spirit to the Creole society's idiosyncratic logic and mores.

Edna appears apathetic at the beginning. Her marriage is peaceful, but it is as placid as a stagnant lake. She takes everything as they come, after all, she can pretty much do what she wants. It is when Edna goes to Grand Isle that Edna's soul is stirred from slumber. A certain duality becomes apparent--the city and nature. In the city, Edna is wrapped in an illusion of freedom, never realizing that she can only move within society's mores. However, in Grand Isle, nature takes its hold of her when she develops an infatuation toward Robert Lebrun--a passion verily absent in her manicured home life.

The sea is a recurring theme. Its inexorable flow whispers of both its sensous touch and its deathly grip. When Edna chooses the sea at the end, the act becomes the climax of her emancipation. She takes hold of her life, as only nature herself can do. The story becomes a gripping tale of how the act of dying can become one's ultimate awakening.

Treasure

2010-08-03T18:08:00.000-07:00

I was minted at birth,
every facet defined to precision.

But the years have stormed past,
leaving me an effaced coin.
Weathered just like all the rest.

Art's Spirit and Permanence

2010-07-10T04:34:00.000-07:00

I thought perhaps I'd grown tired of drawing and painting, but I guess they're just a part of me. After leaving them behind for sports, and later on writing, I've come back to their open arms. Luckily, they've readily accepted me, for they haven't left me in a stream of amnesia where I couldn't even remember how to hold a paint brush anymore.

Sure, it felt awkward at first. I felt like I was going back to an old skin that I wasn't really ready to shed yet. There were lots of reasons why I stopped, all the while calling it a "hiatus." I was just really disillusioned, and by people I expected would support my craft. I've come to realize I no longer need their approval, not when I can earn my own money now to buy the stuff I need.

Some recent stuff I made are too large to scan, but I made this one entitled "Smoke Screen" while I was brainstorming in the office. Scribbling helps me clear my head, but I didn't want to waste my time (and ink and paper) making doodles when I could make actual pieces that are at least worth looking at.

Jason (aka Song) transferred this design onto a T-shirt for Design by Humans.
Great job really, those red accents made the work real fiery, what I had intended I just didn't have red ink and my Chinese brush with me (I think that's a bit too much to lug along in the office).

Chronicles of the Hidden Thief

2010-06-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

Silly, silly day. After a long day running around preparing my documents for employment, I got hungry. The most natural response of the body to stress. Hunger. Or simply craving.

I was looking for something good to eat, so after riding the MRT from Taft to Quezon Avenue, I went to the station mall called Centris. It's under SM, too, if I recall correctly (and I never do trust my memory). I went to the supermarket and saw a Merced Bakeshop. One thing immediately came to my mind:

Pineapple Pie

Merced, I presume, is really old since I remember my mom buying their dollop-sized egg pan de sal and chocolate beehive since I was around five. We'd dip the pan de sal in hot chocolate and be happy for the rest of the day. After a few months, though, the bakeshop started to become really rare. Now I find them only in small malls and hospital cafeterias like those in the Philippine Heart Center. I miss seeing my face smothered with their beehive's marshmallow icing!

Anyway, back to the pie, I gave the cashier lady a large bill so that I could break it into barya. I didn't want to commute without change since the Manongs almost always presume the change is their tip. However, the cashier lady said she was short on change and asked, "okay lang po ba kung kulang ng P1.50?"

Curtly, I said, "No, it's not okay."

Because it isn't! Couldn't she run to the other counters to get change? Yes, I was pretty pissed. I was hungry, okay? My mind is cloudy with vicious intent when I am. Well anyway, she didn't seem to plan on doing anything about it, so I told her to just cancel the order. Then I left.

After a few seconds, I was back, because I left my cash! Silly me.

I decided to just go home, dejected at what happened. I took a cab, and when I was comfortably seated, I rummaged through my bag to check my wallet. And (oh, silly, silly me) guess what I found inside. See that there picture?

What the hell is that? Yes, yes, that's the pie!!
I forgot to return it! Yet I ate it, thrilled at my unintentional thievery. What an adventure.

I do plan on going back tomorrow to pay for the darned thing. I'm just having a good laugh now. I bet I can use this for a new story!

I'm hoping I didn't put that cashier lady in trouble. O_o Ima apologize for it awright.

photo by janujennifer

Writing, Painting, Bumming...

2010-05-27T06:41:00.000-07:00

Of those three, bumming would make up more than half of my life ever since I graduated this March. My laptop crashed at the airport, when I was about to leave Bacolod (after a six-hour bus-ride from Dumaguete). I lost all my recent files since I didn't update my backup copy. At first I was just staring at my laptop, devastated at the fact that I'd lost the four short stories I'd started but haven't finished. Also lost my nonfiction piece where I wrote about Siquijor.

But for some reason, I was relieved. I started to just chill. Two days after it sank in that I really, really did lose those darned pieces, I was happy. I never thought that losing something important can actually be liberating. See, I feel as though I've gotten into a rut. I keep writing, and the more I write (and oh do I write a lot!), the more I get weighed down by everything I've already written. All those stories felt like a hundred-pound weight on my back. I wondered if that was how tortoises felt.

I couldn't seem to go beyond what I've already made.

I don't understand why it happened, but the spontaneity I had when I took writing seriously a year ago was quelled. My finished works became shackles, my memory of them a steel ball I'd been dragging by my ankles. What's already there was burned not only in my hard disk but my brain.

I remember how, when I began, I would write in a frenzy. It all came out so easily. Didn't even need to discipline myself. I was writing out of instinct, sitting and typing from 7am to 12mn (with eating and bathroom and jogging breaks of course). Perhaps that was the time my muse really took over. Though come to think of it, I'm not really sure what a muse is, what my muse is.

When I was in Bacolod, my cofellow, Jordan mentioned something about three sources for one's art: The duende, the angel, and the muse. I guess he was referring to Federico Garcia Lorca's theory of this triune inspiration. I found an ebook of Lorca's book "In Search of Duende" and am planning to read it one of these days, though I'd much prefer a real book version I can hold and use as a pillow to sleep on.

The duende seems to be the one that had me in its grips back then. Lorca uses Goethe's words in defining the duende as ‘A mysterious force that everyone feels and no philosopher has explained.’
It has a visceral effect on both the creator and the audience. Like the trance music I love listening to, it just takes you away, letting you ride the cadence of light and life. Duende sounds very much like Greek energeia and daimon, then.

Meanwhile here are the other two, the angel and the muse, summed up as light and form:

"The angel dazzles...there is no way to oppose their light, since they beat their wings of steel in an atmosphere of predestination."

"The Muse stirs the intellect, bringing a landscape of columns and an illusory taste of laurel, and intellect is often poetry’s enemy, since it limits too much, since it lifts the poet into the bondage of aristocratic fineness..."

It appears that artists are supposed to subdue these two. I think I have a vague understanding of what Lorca means. Maybe it's about not letting the angel sweep us off our feet and direct our hands in weaving our destinies. Maybe it's about holding on to the ground when the muse tries to lift us up to the pedestal overlooking the world's glory and folly.

Maybe its about letting our souls accompany earth and life as it is churned out in this cycle of fire, tears, blood, and death.

Maybe I'm talking too much.

All I really want is to have that ease again. And I seem to be contradicting myself since what I'm writing now is just gushing out of me, mental diarrhea.

I'm guessing all I really needed to do was to sit down and write. Forget about all those lost files. Forget about those stories I've already written.

Time to create new things.

Beautiful things.

A thing is new only once. Beautiful things happen only once. Maybe that's why Lorca wrote "[t]he duende never repeats itself, any more than the waves of the sea do in a storm." That's something I should never forget.

And now I should download iTunes, Adobe, etc. again to get my laptop back (close to) the way it was.

If I had super powers, I'd boss Chronos around

2010-05-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

Before Farewell

Where is forever?
Is it on the same spot
I am standing on right now,
or perhaps that clock
taunting me from the wall?

If I move my foot, form
circles on the ground,
I can go on
and on like that clock.
I see you all doing the same;
the bags at our feet invisible
only the circles we are drawing.

None of us budge.
We are right
where we want to be.
Time has never moved.
We were the ones
who left it behind.

I miss my cofellows from both the Iyas and Dumaguete workshops. I don't usually write poems but I have nothing better to do hahaha!

1st Poetry Reading Session of Silliman Fellows at Sidlakan, Obviously we had fun (photo by Misael Ondong)

Iyas Fellows at Negros Showroom (photo by Jordan Carnice)

Prophecy of the 49th

2010-05-24T05:58:00.000-07:00

First posted this as a note on facebook. Now am bloggin' it haha (photos c/o Oscar Serquiña, unless otherwise cited):

The Oracle has spoken. 5 yrs after the 49th Silliman National Writers Workshop...

Verse 1: The Batch Mascot
NomNom has evolved into a bug-eating kangaroo and will be featured in Kuya Kim's Matanglawin (I don't remember who took these photos, but they're cute, and you can find more of Nomnom in Facebook)

Verse 2: The Poets

Gian Paolo Simeon Lao = Is the songwriter for the band he established, The Parting

Dominique Allison Santos = Has become the co-owner of Jhutz Cafe

Jacob Dominguez = Has become the lead actor for Oscar's first movie

Oscar Serquina, Jr. = Is the director of the movie "I still believe in True Love"

Verse 3: The Fictionists

Aaron James Jalalon = Upon acquiring his Ph.D. in Creative Writing, leaves everything behind to be the lead singer for the band, The Parting

Jenette Ethel Vizcocho = "The Netty" is the famous leader of the song-and-dance trio, Jejegals

Gilda Ysobel Galang = A convict in Munti, her crime is kept confidential

Anne Carly Abad = Has transferred to another world

Gino Francis Dizon = Has published the book "Fabulous Fabulous Feofle of Angeles"

Jose Carlo Flordeliza = Has been recorded in the Guiness Book of Records for building a house using his abundant supply of books

Ida Anita Del Mundo = Has made a pact with the Palasekan to start a music school. If she doesn't do what she must, there are grave, GRAVE consequences.

Samantha Echavez = Has been declared Cosmo's "Covergirl of the Year"

Verse 4: The Creative Non-Fictionists

Kelly Marie Tulio Conlon = Has established an institute for Latin Dance in Davao

Miro Frances Capili = This Palanca Hall of Famer is not only a singer-dancer, but has been the choreographer of Jejegals ever since it was established (photo removed for safety purposes)

Christina Mae del Rosario = Has chronicled the Jejegals' adventures and conquests in the bestselling series, "jUm3j3j3 DiAri3s Powhz"

I'll prolly be usin' these photos to make the portrait sketches for our batch tshirt. Any complaints, say em now heehee:)

Silliman Workshop Day 16-slash-17

2010-05-20T01:24:00.000-07:00

I have another ghost story to tell.

I wonder, though, why these things have been happening a lot. It began in Bacolod. Of course, I wasn't the one who saw the so-called White Lady back in Balay Kalinungan, it was Alyza, my co-fellow in the 10th Iyas Workshop. Still, the spirit did hover over my head, and the fact that I didn't see it wasn't comforting in any way.

Here in Camp Lookout/Writers Village, we have cabins assigned to us. Four people to each cabin, which has two rooms with a double-deck bed each. We slept early since we were scheduled to go to Antulang the next day--Wednesday, which is outing day. We had to get up at 6am and leave by 7.

In the Jasmine Cabin (so named because we planted a Jasmine tree just outside), we were five, and it was my turn to sleep on the floor (I had a bed, of course). For some reason, I was roused from sleep at 3am in the morning. It wasn't Day 16 anymore, but Day 17 when I woke. I could here typing just outside our rooms, where there was a small "reception" area, like a living room. I thought Miro was still typing in the wee hours. Through the open door, I called out, asking her why she was still typing. I'd thought, "napaka sipag naman naman nito". I believe she was finishing her piece for the 49th Dumaguete antho.

It was dark, mind you. I thought I saw her sitting there. There was no electricity. It was stuffy in the room. When Miro didn't answer, I stood up, stepped outside our room.

"Why are you typing in the dark?" I pressed. Until I realized it. Her Mac Book was on standby. I could still hear the sound of typing. Through the shadows, I could actually see the keys moving. But there was no one seated on the monobloc chair before it. No one was using the Mac.

That was when I freaked out.

No, I didn't scream. My mind just went blank, as though I couldn't comprehend what I'd just witnessed. "Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god..." That was all I could blurt out as I ambled back to our room. Netty woke up because of all my oh-my-god-ing, and the typing stopped.

She asked me what was wrong. She told me she couldn't, didn't hear anything. She was obviously confused about who the hell I was talking to out in the hallway. So was I.

I don't know who I was talking to.

I frickin' don't wanna find out.

I decided to transfer rooms, just to the other side. I didn't want to sleep in our room, on the floor. I was scared the "entity" had followed me.

Grr. I don't even have the proverbial third eye. Hopefully, that thing won't happen again. Hopefully, I won't get up in the middle of the night talking to thin air. Not again. :<

Silliman Workshop Day 15

2010-05-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

Director's Dinner

Lechon

Sweet & Sour Fish

Salad

Fried Pork thingy

Pancit Canton

Creeeeeaaaammmy Mango-Jelly thingy

Four Seasons to wash it all down

A hillock of a stomach

Burp!

(Photo-op with Mom, Edith Tiempo)

Photo c/o Oscar Serquiña

Silliman Workshop Day 13: Siquijor

2010-05-15T04:30:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, I've just begun writing about this day when I realized how serendipitous it is that this is the day my co-fellows and I went to Siquijor!

13

Wow, that's pretty...cool (creepy), isn't it?

I've heard lots of stories about Siquijor. Aside from being told that going to this island is an age-old tradition of the Silliman Writers Workshop, I've heard that this is where the mangkukulam reside--their headquarters. If Harry Potter has Hogwarts, Juan Dela Cruz has Siquijor. Yes, and the tuition is probably much, much lower since it is in pesos, though I'm not sure if they use the same currency. For all I care, they may prefer babies and human liver. :)

Of course, Juan is much cooler, since he practices both the dark and "white" arts. There are said to be mambabarang in the island, a type of mangkukulam that utilizes insects (barang) to perform magic. I've heard stories about people dying from strange diseases, and when their relatives look at their corpses, they see insects--wasps, ants, centipedes (you get the picture)--coming out of the victim's mouth.

Another story I heard is from my co-fellow, Gel, who told me about what happened to her friend. Apparently, once you get to the island, you're supposed to bite the tip of your little finger. Otherwise, the witches and fiends can easily put a curse on you. Gel's friend forgot to bite her finger, and what happened was that she (or was it "he") fell really sick. That person was brought to an albularyo, a practitioner of (mostly) the white arts. The albularyo held out a water-filled glass over the body of the victim, just letting the glass hover around in circles, and within minutes, the glass was brimming with insects.

See? Is Hogwarts all that cool?

I meant to just blog about a normal day. About me leaping from a cliff in Salandoong Beach and nearly cracking my pelvic bone against the water's surface. About the oldest Balete Tree in the Island. About the fields of brush, coconut, and bananas. About the oldest convent in the Philippines (Can't quite remember the name).

But as I run out of time in this internet shop, I guess maybe I'll just google it later and add pictures and edit this darned entry. I hope the internet back in Writers Village has been revived, cuz really, I can't even facebook properly with that thing. The cicadas are sending far stronger signals than the Smart Bro. Haha.

SiIliman Workshop Day 9

2010-05-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

Time sure flies. Hopefully I haven't gained too much weight, what with all the chocolate cake and coffee and vodka/gin (The Bar) and pulutan... so much for my healthy lifestyle, which has now turned into a DISTANT memory. haha :D

Been doin' some running, though, despite the crazy terrain of this mountain. The paths are inclined at quite an unhealthy angle. I'm trying to maintain my running fitness, which I'd previously honed for a marathon, but with Dumaguete, I'm having too much fun karaoke-ing and eating to worry as much as I used to about my body!

Well, I guess it's somehow a relief. A change. It ain't good to be obsessed about anything. Including writing.

Today I picked out a few things that caught my eye. Funny, cuz it was a fly on a plate, an image that caught my mind's eye's attention during our morning critique session.

I noted down the first words/phrases that I can, probably, later turn into a poem or some interesting insight that can be good content for a story. As Mom Edith Tiempo said, "Content is content!"

Here are the words/phrases that first came to mind:

The fly, vultures swooping, circling, mound of rice, spoon on one side with a leftover grain, fork facing the spoon, plate with the ragged edges lined with silver, oil pooled in globules at the edge

Post-Iyas Creative Writing Workshop: Balay Kalinungan Thriller

2010-05-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

Poster c/o Jordan Carnice

I've been in the mountains--Valencia, Dumaguete--for the past few days, and internet has become quite a rare commodity, like drugs you'd get only from black markets...or your neighborhood druggie. Now I have a chance to blog about my last workshop. Later on, I will blog about Dumaguete, haha, if I'm not lazy.

It's been some five or so days since I attended the 10th Iyas workshop in Bacolod. I am beginning to miss the scrumptious food of Balay Kalinungan, the two-bed room with the white lady that hovered over my head, and of course, the people--my co-fellows and the panelists that left us with all sorts of quotable quotes.

There, I was able to re-bond with my highschool friend, Alyza. It's funny how it felt like deja vu. It's as if nothing has changed and we're still doin' our artsy stuff, talking about boys like a bunch of giggly girls (alright, delete giggly).

I've met a bunch of great people, writers in the regional language--Jess, Elsed, Paul, Glenn, Sim... It was such an eye-opening experience to get a glimpse of the sensibilities of those from different areas of the Philippines. I tended to have quite a myopic view of Philippine lit, but now I'm amazed at the plethora of material available to us, only we don't get the chance to explore them. It made me wish I could speak and write at least one more Filipino language aside from my rather poor tagalog.

I'll never forget my tangential encounter with a ghost. I was quite lucky to be knocked out with booze, since I didn't get to see the "white lady", whatever the hell that is (spirit, elemental, some levitating buddha, who cares; it's freaky). It was really like being in a thriller movie. I think it was in Day 2 when, after closing the lights and rolling in for sleep, suddenly something falls, and we hear a clatter in the room. My roommate and I ask each other "was that you?" And of course none of us had moved. I opened the table lamp, and it flickers, along with an electrical buzzing.

The lamp died, plunging the room in darkness.

Alyza and I were screaming like birds (chickens?) until we got that goddamed light to open again. We then found out that a cup had fallen to the floor. Problem is, from its position on the table, it couldn't have fallen. Nope. It just couldn't. Anyhow, that must have been the spirit's paramdam already.

The next day, that's when it happened. That's when the frickin white lady hovered over my head. The freakiest part is that my roommate thought I was reading manuscripts in the dark. She saw the "entity" moving from side to side, like how a little girl does when waiting for her cotton candy. The lady was wearing this translucent, billowing white cloth, eerily radiant in the moonlight. Moonlight that shouldn't have been there since we kept our curtains closed, yet found them open upon opening the table lamp. A number of other things were out of place in our room--the cabinet was open, some things were misplaced...

Well that's one experience I really felt like writing about. About the critiques I got for "Doble Kara" my long short story, basically I need to improve the dialogues, the flow of the plot (the panelists said it's pretty flat), characterization, setting, umm the others are in my notebook. Haha.

Anyhow that's probably it for this post. It was great. The piaya was great. And wow that was random.

P.S. Here's a pic of everyone, c/o vernan jagunap:

49th Dumaguete National Writers Workshop

2010-04-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

This, I just got from Panitikan.com:

National Writers Workshop Director-in-Residence Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Silliman University are pleased to announce that the following young writers have been accepted as fellows for the 49th National Writers Workshop scheduled on 3-21 May 2010:

For Poetry

Gian Paolo Simeon Lao (Ateneo de Manila University)

Dominique Allison Santos (University of Santo Tomas)

Jacob Dominguez (University of Santo Tomas)

Oscar Serquina Jr. (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

For Fiction

Aaron James Jalalon (University of the Philippines–Mindanao)

Jenette Ethel Vizcocho (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

Gilda Ysobel Galang (Ateneo de Manila University)

Anne Carly Abad (Ateneo de Manila University)

Gino Francis Dizon (Ateneo de Manila University)

Jose Carlo Flordeliza (De La Salle University)

Ida Anita Del Mundo (De La Salle University)

Samantha Echavez (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

For Creative Non-Fiction

Kelly Marie Tulio Conlon (University of the Philippines–Mindanao)

Miro Frances Capili (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

Christina Mae del Rosario (Ateneo de Manila University)

Can't wait to meet everyone. And see the beach. And some non-metro manila sky. And some historical sites maybe...

Of course that's not all I'm after. I may be lazy, but I'm certainly dedicated to my craft and improving it. I'm done with my week-long hiatus watching anime and TV series. Back to work. Back to life.

10th IYAS Creative Writing Workshop

2010-04-23T04:10:00.000-07:00

I got this list from La Salle, Bacolod's site:

The Fellows for Fiction in English are: Fred Jordan Carnice, Roselle Jimeno, Vernan Jagunap, Francis Dizon and Anne Carly Abad (English), and Arbeen Acuña (Filipino).

The Fellows for Poetry are: Gian-Paolo Lao, Alyza Mary Taguilaso, Charmaine Carreon (English), Arbeen Acuña, Noel Fortun, Rogerick Fernandez (Filipino), Paul Randy Gumanao, Glenn Muñez (Cebuano), Elsed Togonon (Kinaray-a) and Simplicio Gadugdug (Boholano).

The panelists for this year are Dr. Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Dr. Elsie Coscolluela, Dr. Genevieve Asenjo, Dr. Danilo M. Reyes, Dr. Anthony Tan and Prof. John Iremil Teodoro.

The IYAS Creative Writing Workshop is sponsored by the University of St. La Salle and the Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center of De La Salle University and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The 10th IYAS Creative Writing Workshop is set on April 25- May 1, 2010.

Quite late due to my never-ending laziness, but anyway, it's good to spread the word since it's free haha. I'll make another post for the list of Dumaguete Workshoppers for 2010 :D

Iyas and Dumaguete Workshops

2010-04-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm getting excited. I made it to both the 10th Iyas Creative Writing Workshop and the 49th Dumaguete National Writers Workshop. A bunch of people I know will be there as well, kinda like a reunion.

I'm leaving this Sunday and haven't really decided whether or not to send something to this year's Palanca writing contest. I'm just getting lazy these days, and I'd rather watch all those shows I missed while finishing college. Sigh...Never thought I'd have so much free time!

Anyhow, I've still got to finish this big ass painting my grandmother requested from me. It's been so long since I used oil paint that I thought I'd have a hard time handling it. But I guess once you get the feel of it you never forget the skill. Kinda like riding a bicycle. :D

I'm gonna have to update this blog more often as the release of my first book--my anthology of stories--gets near. Can't wait! And I can only hope this laziness lifts. :b

Signed Contract for My Book

2010-03-15T17:35:00.000-07:00

Hard work does pay off, little by little. I'm quite excited, I just signed a contract with eTreasures Publishing, which is based in Marianna, Fl. It's for a short story collection tentatively entitled: "ΕΞΙΣ: gods, ghosts and battered cellphones,"

Exis is a Greek word. All my Ateneo Education has taught me to appreciate Greek. "The word EXIS denotes the natural power and wholeness of each thing.
According to Speusippos, EXIS is the tendency of the PSYCHE (Soul) which determines the EINAI (Being)of each PROSÔPON (Persona)." Got that from Vlassis G. Rassias; I downloaded a guide from the net. Really interesting, why didn't I think of doing this while I was still in school? LOL

My eBook's expected release is June 15, 2010
While the print version, if things go well, on September 15, 2010.

I hope I find a day job already. And I wonder what happened to all those resumes I sent out during the Ateneo Job Fair!

I lost my phone about a month ago, and that may be the reason why no one's contacted me again, what luck I have!! And I've already gone through the interviews!

Oh man...well maybe there are better things in store. I really do hope so...

I'll go try job street. Sheesh, I'm into my first few weeks of unemployment and I'm already restless. I haven't even gone through the graduation ceremonies yet.

Still, I smile. :)

See?

Berserker Time!

2010-03-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

NOOO!! I realized that the deadlines for the IYAS and Dumaguete workshops are just a few days away!!!! I've been slacking darn it.

Well, I really wanna get into Dumaguete, but I noticed they're requiring works to be notarized. Mehn, I don't even have ink to print my stories, and the airmail is costly as well. Looks like I'm gonna go scavenge for a few days, LOL.

Can I just pray for a windfall? Yeah fine I made some story sales, but the money just drains away like toilet water (oop, ok that's yucky). I'll have to stay up late to finish these half-finished babies! :'(

I miss Final Fantasy!

2010-03-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

Just a few days ago, my friends and I were having dinner. Then while having desert, our inner child jumped out of the depths of oblivion and we just started talking about Final Fantasy again. I felt so nostalgic since I've always been an FF fan, but when college life came, I've completely lost track of this "Final" game that keeps having a next installment, and another, and another (Whew!).

The very first FF game I played was FF VII, with Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, Aerith Scarborough, etc. and well I'd have to mention the bestest and baddest guy ever--Sephiroth. This FF remains my fave. The Chocobo races were the best. I loved exploring the planet with the golden one as well. (Sigh...). I even watched Advent Children, and I was not disappointed. This FF series is pretty consistent with a sort of "environmentalist" voice that doesn't have that yucky didactic, save-the-fairies quality.

Then came FF VIII, with my big crush, Squall Lionheart. This seemed too centered on romance, but hey, loved the effects and summoning GF's. This is my second fave.

FF IX is YUCK, well I didn't like the small people, plus Zidane just wasn't all that cool, especially when I look back and compare him to Squall and Cloud and Sephiroth (yea, yea, he's a bad guy, but still!)

FF X, hmm, great effects, plus it's interesting how the characters can somehow breathe underwater. Then again Tydus looks like Zidane, so yuck. In any case, the story was great. So this goes to third place :)

Haha, funny how I just start reminiscing about these things. Darn, with college done, I might just go back to gaming!!

Expanded Horizons Feb

2010-02-02T03:33:00.000-08:00

Yey! "Songs of Urban Phantoms" is out! It's over here: http://expandedhorizons.net/magazine/?page_id=1179
Thanks to Dash and Prezzey :))...Whew. Still waiting for the results of my novel ms reviews. This sure stresses me out...
O_o

Iyas and Dumaguete Workshops

2010-01-21T22:58:00.000-08:00

Oh dear, got some catching up to do for my writing!

IYAS WORKSHOP NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

Be One of the 15 Fellows of the 10th IYAS Creative Writing Workshop. This will be held on April 25-May 01, 2010 at the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City.

• Applicants should submit original work: either 6 poems, 2 short stories, or 2 one-act play using a pseudonym, in five (5) computer-encoded copies of entries; font size 12, bound or fastened, in separate folders, and soft copies in a CD (MSWord).

• These are to be accompanied by a sealed size 10 business envelope with the author's real name and pseudonym, a 2x2 ID photo, and short resume, which must be mailed on or before March 12, 2010.

more details: http://panitikan.com.ph/

Plus this from http://www.su.edu.ph/49th_writersworkshop.html:

Call for Submission of Manuscripts to the
49th Silliman University National Writers Workshop

The Silliman University National Writers Workshop is now accepting applications for the 49th National Writers Workshop to be held May 3-21, 2010 in Dumaguete City.
This Writers Workshop is offering fifteen fellowships to promising young writers who would like a chance to hone their craft and refine their style. Fellows will be provided housing, a modest stipend, and a subsidy to partially defray costs of their transportation.
To be considered, applicants should submit manuscripts in English on or before March 19, 2010 (seven to ten poems; or three to five short stories; or three to five creative non-fiction essays). Manuscripts should be submitted in hard copy and on CD, preferably in MS Word, together with a resume, a recommendation letter from a literature professor or a writer of national standing, a notarized certification that the works are original, and two 2X2 ID pictures.

Send all applications or requests for information to Department of English and Literature, attention Dr. Evelyn F. Mascuñana, Chair, Silliman University, 6200 Dumaguete City.

Well of course, I'm posting so I will feel the urgency
I haven't been writing much lately since I've been sending out query letters for my darned novel. WHEW.
Oh Heavens, I need blessings!!! :O

ACCEPTANCE from Morrigan!!!

2010-01-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

Whew, after days of getting rejections, I got an acceptance for this horror piece "It Takes Seven". Ms. Notley's letter goes:

Hello,

I am pleased to inform you that your story has been accepted for publication by Three Crow Press. I will be following up with a PDF contract which can be either digitally signed or returned in the post. (... and the other part talks about payment)

Thank you and welcome to Three Crow.

Reece Notley

Yipeeeeeeee!!! :)) Morrigan Ezine's website can be found here: http://www.morriganezine.com/

REAL mango popsicle

2010-01-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

I was hungry and had this great idea, but it's nothing that can be copyrighted. Truth is I don't even know why I'm blogging it! Just got a whole mango, popped it in the freezer for a few hours, popped it OUT of the freezer, peeled the skin off, and voila! Just skewer it with a fork or knife so you don't mess up your hands--Mango-sicle ;b Don't let it thaw though, cuz then you'll have mango MUCK instead.

>< MMMM, brainfreeze!

Funny, I was looking for a picture of a skewered mango and found this one from http://homecooking.about.com/od/howtocookbasics/ss/cutmango_2.htm
(kinda looks morbid):

Book Buys from Books for Less

2010-01-11T03:46:00.000-08:00

Yey, new books, but of course it's not like I have time to read them yet.

1)"The Soprano Sorceress" by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.:
been reading him since high school. It's funny how he starts so slow, yet I stay with him anyway. The last one I read, "The Order War" was much slower than the "The Magic Engineer". There's world-building at the beginning of "The Order War", but it kinda feels like ramblings after a while. The protagonist, Justen, is mostly just doing the mundane, everyday things, including a long scene where he shares a meal with his brother Gunnar, and Krytela, some attractive woman. Anyhow, I did finish it, and it's pretty good. The magic comes out gradually, so much so you eventually get absorbed in it.

2)"The Rowan" by Anne McCaffrey:
I've read some of the Pern novels, "Moreta: The Dragonlady of Pern" is so-so. Can't remember the others now, still have this darned headache from flu!!! Maybe that's why I remembered the Moreta novel, it's about the flu HAHAHA

3) "The Good New Stuff" edited by Gardner Dozois, and anthology of adventure sci-fi (can't believe I got this for just 75 pesos)
Yeaaaaah, already read "Goodbye, Robinson Crusoe" by John Varley, interesting idea, not your usual 2nd childhood. "Swarm" by Bruce Sterling, loved it. "The Blabber" by Vernor Vinge (Nooot baaad at all!!!!!!!! didn't see that ending, plus there are gender implications, too), "The Blind Minotaur" by Michael Swanwick (I think I should re-read this; wasn't concentrating)...

Darn feel like my head's gonna blow.

Got this other offer for my book, but the contract doesn't look good. I'll have to continue looking. Oh my head; I'll dream of getting into places like Ace, Tor, Del Rey. . .zzzzzz

Sniffles

2010-01-08T17:49:00.000-08:00

I seem to get a cold each month. I take vitamins though, and oh well, so much for that. Sick again, fever and sniffles.
Recently all I've been doing is editing (yet again) my novel. This must be my fifth draft. For some reason, I'm obsessed with rewriting some parts. I recently found out that there are quite a number of publishers who don't like what is called "head-hopping" or shifting from one POV to another. I've seen this done in many books though, and I usually don't mind it much since the story is still okay. And it's pretty hard not to shift when using an omniscient third person. Guess I just have to watch out, I realize it does get confusing sometimes when there's too many POV's

Crossing my Fingers:D

2009-12-31T23:04:00.000-08:00

Wow, looks like I might be able to sell my Sci-fi/Fantasy novel soon! Praying....Praying....!!!

What's it about? Well, the apocalypse, a different kind of apocalypse, where Filipinos will be the protagonists for a change. Set in year 2066, here we have a more advanced Philippines, (after 5 presidents overthrown by 5 People Power Revolutions, that is).

I hope I make it, despite my clumsiness in handling the hundreds of files in my computer that sometimes I don't even know where my stories are anymore.

Whew, I'm gonna fix my files, effective immediately! I think I'd like the cover for my book to be angels, like this painting of mine here:

What's up, Anne?

2009-12-31T05:28:00.000-08:00

So I'm talking to myself now, is that it?

Well anyway, in the next posts, I'm just collecting everything I've already posted on www.voicesnet.com

Here's...

The Unbeliever of Renn (August, 2009)

The people in my old town said that my father was a Pilgrim, but not once in my life had I met him, so I was uncertain whether or not I should believe them. It was unlikely for an upright Pilgrim to have relations with anyone with the term ‘Unbeliever’ attached to them like a blood-sucking leech. Perhaps he was a Pilgrim, or else he would not have left me and my mother. Renn and the other towns and cities of Unbelievers had long been hostile to the Pilgrims, and the same was true the other way around. Anyway, that was not important now. My present concern was my new life in my new home here in the town of Renn.

With my wings bound-up and all, it was bad enough that I was a slave in this town. I had been rendered flightless when I was captured in the slave raid, but what I really hated was that people looked down on me because I was a Land-born. The nobility of Renn, the Roths and the High-Roth himself, they were all centuries-old Sky-borns who believed they had been chosen to rule over us ‘lesser’ kinds just because we were not of the Clouds of Birth.

The Clouds were magical. I admit they were. They would sire angels from fire and dust and nothingness. But what difference did it make? We were all angels anyway.

I swore that one day, I would change things, change that stupid tradition.

Today, I was roused by the loud cawing of some unknown birds that had perched outside, on the windowsills of Master Salo’s house. My master was a very kind woman. Like me, she was also Land-born, but she was better than me for she was a Meru, a warrior of Renn. There were only three kinds of people in this town: Roths, Merus, and slaves.

I grudgingly shook off the remnants of my sweet slumber and, taking a wooden stick in my hands, almost jumped outside to scare off the blasted birds that had disturbed my rest. It was barely dawn, Spheria’s numerous moons were still scattered all over the sky like dots of emeralds, pearls, rubies, and sapphires. But those birds were making so much noise already! I came out prepared to strike down the first bird I laid eyes upon, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw next. It was not birds that had disturbed my sleep; it was just one giant bird. I stared at it in disbelief, that huge, blue-feathered thing on the windowsill that looked at me with piercing yellow eyes. If my eyes were not playing tricks on me, I could have sworn that an uncanny glow, a nimbus of sorts, had enveloped the bird’s entire body. It opened its long and dangerous-looking curved beak to let forth an earsplitting cacophony of screeches and shrieks that made me fall back, trembling in fear. Oddly enough, the bird seemed satisfied with that so it ruffled its white and red tail feathers before spreading out the great span of its wings and disappearing into the darkness, moments before first light broke.

There was no way I could go back to sleep after seeing that frightening creature, so I just decided to gather my hunting things to forage in the nearby forest. I never spoke a word to anyone about the mysterious bird on the windowsill.

But I hoped I would never see it again.

Later in the afternoon, while I was tilling Meru Salo’s small field, the loud and beastly sound of a horn unexpectedly shattered my silent reverie. It echoed once, so I looked up and wiped the sweat from my brow. Then it echoed again, this time with more urgency to it, and now I was certain that it was High-Roth Alam’s horn, the official summons for the warriors of Renn.

There was going to be another slave raid.

“Sheba!” called Meru Salo, half-frazzled and half-disoriented by the abrupt summons. I was half as frazzled as she was by the time I got to her. Her otherwise comely face had been overshadowed by an unpleasant expression, perhaps a mix of fatigue and desperation. I could not tell what it was, but I could have sworn that was the same look that the other Meru had whenever Alam announced another raid.

“Stay here. I won’t be out long…usually we are given a day or two to prepare,” she said hopefully and tried to look stoic. I knew she did not believe that, but I had to pretend that I was oblivious to the anxiety that marked every word she spoke. It was not supposed to be my business.

Salo left for the town center without further delay for the High-Roth was a man whose patience was nonexistent. I watched her fly off, spurring a gust of wind in the wake of her flight, and right away I found myself feeling envious of her. She may not have been a Roth, and as a warrior she may have had no choice but to put up with Alam’s turbulent character, but at least her wings weren’t bound up like mine. It had been so long since I last used those things that I had practically forgotten how to fly!

It was tiring to be like this. What if I just went to the assembly?

I shook my head and felt like beating myself up for thinking that. I knew I would get myself into more trouble if I disobeyed orders.

But it couldn’t possibly hurt to just take a short peek, could it?

After debating the matter over with myself, I finally decided to give it a chance, ran as fast and stealthily as I could until I was within earshot of the assembly, panting like a dog yet exhilarated nevertheless. I searched for a nice spot where I could eavesdrop without being seen for it was impossible for an angel with wing bindings to disappear in a crowd of free people. Then, by a stroke of luck, I caught sight of this hefty tree whose twisted aerial roots wrapped in and out of a crumbling wall. There was my perfect spot, so I rushed over to the tree at once.

Alam’s horn moaned again, a lot louder now that I was nearer. Through the cracks in the wall I saw a pompous-looking man, Alam’s official aide, blowing the huge summoning horn from an elevated stage rimmed by artfully carved stone pillars. The Meru surrounded the stage in a half-circle along with Roths who were, of course, standing infront of the entire herd, waiting restlessly for what Alam had to say.

“Silence, all you who gather before the great and powerful Alam, High-Roth of Renn, successor of former High-Roth Dalo, who succeeded—” and so went the list of the town’s past rulers. The aide soon finished with all the boring formalities and Alam appeared at last. His extravagant garb cascaded about his muscular form as his golden hair danced in the slight wind. The gold trimmings at the hems of his robes made him look like a real king. He was unchanged, the same old, haughty Alam I first saw when the Roth who had caught me presented me to him. Back then I thought that Alam was a kind man for everything about his smooth and gentle features told me so, but once he had spoken, I realized how appearances can be really deceiving.

“The stench of these Land-borns offends me,” he had once said, indicating me to my captor. “If it were just me, I would get rid of all these lesser kinds, but then again, they have been such good use for our economy, do you not agree?”

I was seething with so much rage that it had taken all that I had to stop myself from gauging Alam’s eyes right out of his head. But I was defenseless; they had previously disarmed me and put a slave collar around my neck, that gruesome metal thing that had protruding spikes directed at my neck so that if I tried anything suspicious, all that my captor had to do was press a certain button and I would instantly be dead.

As I felt around my now-collarless neck, I could still feel the clammy metal, its cold touch, the touch of death. How relieved I was that they had removed it upon binding my wings.

By the time I realized that I had gotten distracted, had already missed some of the things Alam had announced to the assembly.

The lord’s deep voice rose out imposingly so that everyone listened to his words. “My advisers have informed me of a very wealthy, promising place in the north, a town that goes by the name Kaldel. I have decided that tonight, we shall raid Kaldel!” Even from where I squatted, I could see clearly how the High-Roth’s face contorted with greed and want.

The crowd agitated upon hearing the name of the new target and the fact that the attack was going to be tonight already. Even the Roths who were supposed to be the brave raid leaders turned shifty and began to murmur amongst themselves.

“And what is this commotion? If there is anyone who protests, speak up now, you cowardly rats!”

A noble reluctantly came up to the stage, bowed, and hurriedly said his piece. “My Lord, Kaldel is a town under the protection and tutelage of the Pil—”

“Pilgrims, yes,” Alam cut him short with a wave. “You need not tell me that. Do you take me for a fool that you should shamelessly lecture me infront of my entire assembly?”

“No, it isn’t that, my Lord…but we mustn’t forget that the Pilgrims are dangerous and fierce warriors. Many of them have existed for millennia and wield powers beyond anyone’s imagination. Some have even been claimed to…”

Alam suddenly laughed derisively. “Are you telling me that all of us here are cowards unlike the Pilgrims whom you say are ‘fierce warriors’? Did you all hear what this man said?” The leader was still laughing as he looked about to get his people’s support, but no one was even smiling.

Another noble presented himself. “High-Roth, I believe it is too perilous for us to raid Kaldel.”

“How disappointing. I expected more from you Sky-borns. If there is anyone to fear in the world, it is us, the true children of Heaven. Now, tell me, what powers can these Pilgrims possibly possess that we Sky-borns do not?”

“But, Lord, the legends say…”

“Enough of this! Would you rather listen to those foolish myths than to your own lord? By the stars of Spheria, is it not I who should have the final word?” The Lord of Renn was fuming and gesticulating vigorously with his hands. “People of Renn, heed me! Don’t let yourselves be fooled by stupid legends. When have you ever lost a war under my leadership?”

The congregation shouted “Never” half-heartedly, and Alam was thoroughly disgusted by this. “Have I been breeding a bunch of spineless insects under my wing? I know for certain that these Pilgrims have simply woven these tall tales to scare away enemies. But since I am not stupid to take chances either, I have deliberately planned our raid for tonight for my spies have confirmed that the new Pilgrims are to set out for their first pilgrimage at dusk. Kaldel will be left vulnerable once the stronger warriors leave town. We have until tomorrow morning before the new Pilgrims’ masters return after sending off their pupils…But of course, by the time they return, we would have finished plundering their village, and they will never know what had hit them.”

The congregation wasn’t silenced with that. The anxious voices of the warriors and nobles soared to an incoherent buzz until it came to the point I could no longer make out anything that was being discussed in the assembly. Alam’s face was flushing with anger and his hand rested dangerously on the hilt of his sword. He certainly looked like he was about to explode so I just gave up and decided to head back to home as fast as I could.

It was a wise decision on my part because not long after I had arrived, Meru Salo swooped into her house like a bird of prey. She nearly ripped off her robes in her haste to change into her armor. I assumed that Alam must have had an outburst again. If he said they were going to raid Kaldel tonight, then that was what was going to happen. There was no arguing with the tyrant.

I wrapped Salo’s body with thin bandage before slipping on her leather surcoat. It was then that I accidentally noticed how my sun-browned skin looked so different next to her fairness. As I was about to help her don her light metal breastplate, she suddenly stopped me.

“Sheba,” my name sounded strange when she uttered it in that weary voice of hers. “Tonight, I want you to leave this town. You should be free.”

I was taken aback. “I-I don’t understand…why are you telling me this all of a sudden?” Did she know that I had snuck away earlier?

“This might be the last raid this town will ever have. If ever we do survive this night, I don’t know how long the Pilgrims will let us be. They are vindictive and will definitely track us down to exact their vengeance.”

I tried to mask the sigh of relief that I was releasing. “If you’re certain of this, then why does the High-Roth act so recklessly?”

“Because he is a fool! He has forgotten his people’s past. Renn was barely spared in a past war with the Pilgrims. They only let us live on the condition that we leave their territory alone.”

“I’ve never heard of this before.”

“That is because it happened long before Alam became High-Roth, and even longer before you were brought here. Alam is so proud that he has dismissed the legends as mere myths. But now, because of his foolishness, we shall all be dead within a few days. That will be the Pilgrims’ punishment—they will completely annihilate us.”

I imagined fierce angels wielding deadly, flaming double-edged swords, and I felt afraid. Just how powerful could these Pilgrims be?

Salo walked to a makeshift altar she had erected even before I was sent to her to bid my time. As though swearing allegiance to the old tapestry that hung on the opposite wall, she placed a hand atop the tiny rectangular table that was the altar. I had often seen her perform this ritual before a raid, and she would always stare at that tapestry with the vague silhouette of a bird.

This time I dared ask, “Who is this spirit that you pray to?”

“It doesn’t have a name, but we have known it ever since we can remember; it as our protector and guide, so tonight I pray the spirit will change Alam’s mind.”

“Does Alam pray to the nameless spirit?”

“I don’t know, but he should.”

She briefly finished her prayer, and when she faced me, Salo’s demeanor seemed to have changed. She held my gaze with eyes of fire, the eyes of a warrior, the eyes of one who was prepared for anything, even death. “Come now, Sheba. Let me remove your wing bindings,” she said while unsheathing her gleaming dagger.

I shivered with delight at the prospect of becoming free again. My thoughts rushed over to memories of my old self when I used to explore the vast skies, testing myself to see how far above I could soar and hoping to reach the fiery mouth of the Clouds of Birth (which was, of course, impossible…at least for me).

But I didn’t know what came over me all of a sudden. “No, Master Salo. It is unlawful and shameful…I can’t allow this! Once they find out that I’ve escaped, you’ll be punished severely. Everyone knows that without the ability to fly, no one can get too far in these regions.”

“But I am giving you freedom. I am letting you go! Why do you refuse? Do you want to remain a slave forever?”

“No one wishes to be a slave, but the Sky-borns look down on us Land-borns already, so I think it wise not to break the laws and be called criminals among all the other names they call us. This is my decision.”

There was sadness in Salo’s eyes, but I had already decided and she knew she had to respect that. She hid her blade and said to me that once the raid was over, she will, once more, ask Alam to free me. But we both knew I had just signed my own permanent contract to slavery.

It was dark by the time we finished with the raid preparations and Salo departed for the town center, the place where the warriors were to assemble before leaving for Kaldel. How I hoped she would come back safely and that all our fears about the Pilgrims weren’t real.

I was left alone again with nothing to do really but sit idly, watch the changing moons, and hate myself forever for throwing away my freedom just like that. In the twinkling of an eye, I had lost the chance of a lifetime, and now I felt like the biggest fool ever to walk the face of Spheria!

“You’re so stupid, Sheba. You could have gone home, or travelled the world…but no, you just had to open your big mouth…” I chastised myself bitterly. What did it matter if the Sky-borns debased us any more than they were doing now? At least I would be free by then, free from the fools of this town. “Oh, but I’m the fool here. I’m a slave forever now and it’s all my fault, too! But who knows, maybe the Pilgrims will come and kill us all. That will end my misery…”

I angrily hurled a rock at a tree that was right across me, chipping off a large chunk of bark. I imagined that it was the despicable Alam that I had hit.

“Sheba, why are you so miserable?”

I nearly rolled on the ground upon hearing that ghost-like whisper. The chills that ran up my spine pulled me straight up so that I was back on my feet before I even knew it. “Who’s there?!” left and right I turned as my heart skipped beats, but no one was there save for the shadows. I stared at the tree that I had thrown the rock at and wondered, had it suddenly spoken?

“I am here, child.”

I reeled to find the giant blue bird with the white and red tail feathers perched on top of the windowsill again. It had that eerie glow all about it. Closer now, I noticed its frightful talons and the thick scale-like skin that wrapped its strong legs.

“Do not fear, I will not harm you,” its hushed voice seemed to mingle with the breeze.

My mouth dropped wide open. This was incredible, the bird was speaking to me! “W-who are you? Are you a spirit?”

It preened its blue pinions calmly. “I am the guardian of Renn.”

“Then you must be the nameless spirit, the one they pray to! Why have you come to a slave like me?”

“Child, I have chosen you to do my bidding. Tonight, the moment that the warriors return from battle, go to Alam and tell him that the spirit commands him to release the prisoners from Kaldel immediately. Tell him he will be punished with death if he refuses.”

“Ch-chosen? But the High-Roth hates Land-borns like me. He will never grant me an audience. You must choose someone else!”

The spirit completely ignored my protests. “I have given you my charge, Sheba. The lives of my people are now in your hands. You must not fail me.” It departed in a flurry of wings and feathers, leaping into the air to ascend into the star-strewn heavens.

“No, please wait! Don’t leave, nameless one! I—” but it was gone. How could it choose me? I was an outsider; I didn't even know who it was!

Yet it had given me an order, and if an order came from the mouth (or beak) of the spirit of Renn itself, then Alam should hear me out for I was now the spirit’s charge.

I took heart and deserted Salo’s house for the town since that was where the warriors would return. The length of the night drew on anxiously. Sleeplessly, I waited out the hours while examining the movement of the shadows like a madman. Light was sparse, only the stars, moons, and the few lamps provided illumination. When the warriors finally arrived, I fidgeted and watched absently from behind a pillar as they descended, one by one, alongside fresh captives who were bound with slave collars. The new slaves looked so young that I felt really sorry for them.

Then, with a flourish, Alam landed on the center stage, just a few feet from where I stood. He shook his white wings proudly so everyone could see how all the feathers were intact even after the battle.

I did a most reckless thing after that. Impulsively, I ran to Alam yelling “High-Roth! High-Roth!” and it was only my good fortune that he didn’t have his guards with him or else they would have skewered me to death with their blades.

“Stop! what do you want, slave?” Alam was appalled by the mere sight of me.

“My lord, I have an important message. You must hear me out!”

He looked curious. “And what is this message?”

“It is….” Apparently, the Meru and the Roths had heard me shouting, so they were all gathering around the stage to listen. Of a sudden, the awkwardness of the situation gripped me, and I shrank back inspite of myself.

“The message, slave. I doubt that you need a private audience for what you have to say.”

“The message is from the guardian spirit of Renn. It has commanded that you free the prisoners you have taken from Kaldel.” I tried to be as matter-of-factly as I could.

There was mild amusement in Alam’s eyes. “The spirit commanded me? Is that so?”

“Yes, and it also said that if you refuse to obey, you will be punished with death.”

“Death you say! You sound as if you believe what you are saying.”

“My lord, you must believe me. The nameless spirit sent me as its emissary.”

He ran a big hand through his long tresses. “Oh, but I don’t know this ‘nameless’ spirit of yours.” He wore a mocking smile that hopelessly crushed my resolve.

The frustration I felt was overwhelming. I should have expected that Alam wouldn’t listen to me or the spirit. I looked behind me, at the worried faces of both the warriors and the Kaldelean slaves who had heard everything. Salo was nowhere to be seen. I had never felt so alone in my life.

“Well, are you done?”

I faced him, totally humiliated.

“Now then, warriors of Renn! Incarcerate the captives for now. We have won a good battle and deserve a good night’s rest. Present the booty tomorrow morning.”

The High-Roth left first for his residence; in the meantime, the warriors brought the slaves to their temporary quarters, the small, nearby prison.

When I thought that everyone had gone, I was overcome by the strong urge to cry. I didn’t notice Meru Salo approach and place a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Let us go home, Sheba. It has been a long day.”

*

We had gone halfway already when I changed my mind.

“I have to go back and free the prisoners!” I exclaimed. I planned to sneak into the jail while the guards were still exhausted from the raid. I had told Meru Salo everything about my meeting with the guardian spirit of Renn, and she believed me. She told me of the rumors about other angels who claimed to have seen the spirit, so it appeared that I wasn’t the first to encounter the huge, talking bird.

“Sheba, what if they aren’t asleep as you expect? The prison isn’t far from Alam’s home. Certainly, you will be killed!”

But I was stubborn, my resolve set like iron castings, so despite Salo’s warnings, I went ahead. At the back of my mind, the voice of the nameless spirit urged me on, you must not fail me! I heard it again and again, with mounting urgency and exhortation. If Alam was not going to free the prisoners, then I was.

My anxious steps brought me back to the heart of the town even though I was scared, unprotected, flightless, and my big toe was bleeding from an angled rock that had pierced through my sandals. Beyond the assembly stage, the ominous-looking black walls of the prison greeted me. A lone sentry guarded the entrance, nodding off to sleep as expected, so I slithered in without incident. I tiptoed across the dimly-lit single hall that led to the prisoners, and soon enough I was upon them. There was no watch.

The Kaldeleans immediately came alert upon sensing my presence. They were puzzled although they recognized me as “the impudent girl” who had come to Alam earlier on impetus.

“Hush now, we are going to escape.” I fumbled with the sturdy metal lock and hastily began to burn it with angel fire. The white flames burst forth in my palms, engulfing the lock which refused to budge. Minutes later, it obstinately remained in place. I started to doubt if I was even strong enough to manage this feat.

“We have tried that. The catch must be made of a special metal,” remarked a disheartened prisoner.

“…But I’m sure it isn’t unbreakable.” After groping on the floor like a mouse and chancing upon a sizeable wedge of marble lying around in a darkened corner, I scurried back to the troublesome lock and heaved the slab overhead to attack. Then I heard a sudden gasp from inside the prison before a set of powerful hands violently grabbed the rock from my hands and hoisted me up by the arms….

*

The taste and smell of my own blood nauseated me. I lay on my tummy agonizing within the confines of the very prison I had tried to break into. They had not even cleaned me up after cutting off my wings as if I were a piece of poultry. I was supposed to be beheaded for treachery, but Alam thought it better to have my wings chopped off because decapitation would be to “let me off easily.”

He had made an example out of me on the stage and declared to everyone that this was to be the new punishment for traitors like me. There wasn’t much that I could remember after that event, not even the faces of those who had been watching, there had just been this sharp, searing pain that rushed through my whole body when the axe sliced through feather, skin, muscle, and bone. I then awoke in this dirty cell with this intermittent pain that numbed everything else that I felt, as though I had been drugged…but I knew by instinct that I was dying, dying a very slow and excruciating death with no hope for salvation.

Bits and pieces of my life jumped at me as I lifelessly stared at the grimy walls. I could hardly make sense of my memories, they felt alien and disconnected. Was this how it was to die? I had imagined it differently. I thought maybe I would die in battle with my comrades, or something like that. But not like this, not alone with my demented thoughts.

I suddenly remembered the nameless spirit and realized how I had utterly failed it. I didn’t mind losing my life for a spirit I hardly knew, at least my life had a purpose, at least I was doing something special, but I had failed even in the simple task of delivering a message. What was going to happen now?

The sound of a person’s sobbing resonated from somewhere close by. “Lady, why are they so cruel to you?”

It must have been one of the Kaldeleans. I didn’t know that they were still imprisoned here, and in the opposite cell, too. How long had I been lying in here? I wanted to say something to the crying angel, but my mouth would only produce weird animalistic sounds as my tongue moved about in knots. I swallowed against the dryness as I plopped my head to the other side so that I faced the small, barred window from which a feeble streak of orange light trickled into the room. From the looks of things, it appeared that day was quickly slipping into nightfall again. I caught murmurs from outside, terrified voices of townsfolk, and the lengthy boom of a horn, not the summoning horn, but one that signaled the coming of impending danger.

By the time darkness had chased away the final traces of sunlight, screams exploded from all sides, further confusing my already-muddled senses. There were sounds of armed battle, of clashing metal weaponry and armor, of breaking bones and people grunting in their last moments. There was a heave, a puff, and then a hiss, like the labored exhale of fiery dragon, and before I knew it, I smelled smoke, it seeped through the metal bars, creating a pale screen that shown gray in the light of a blaze that must have spread throughout the entire town. I felt the heat of the flames as the town was razed by unseen enemies, perhaps raiders from a different town, or perhaps the Pilgrims of Kaldel who had come in reprisal for Renn’s insolent attack. Thick black clouds of smoke and tongues of fire now poured into my cell and threatened to choke me to death. I heard the Kaldeleans in the other cell coughing and shouting for help, but their voices were hopelessly lost to the chaos of the battle without.

I closed my eyes with a calm that surprised even myself. This was my end, and I accepted it without resistance or fear. I even thought that maybe I deserved this for failing the nameless spirit. Was the destruction of Renn what it had meant when it said that the lives of its people depended on me? God forbid! I never willed this on anyone, not even Alam.

“Alam is no more, Sheba,” the familiar, ghostlike voice unexpectedly came to me again, a relief in the midst of my deathly loneliness. My eyes fluttered open but I was dazed and could see only the burning yellow eyes and the shade of the nameless spirit outlined as if by fire. It seemed larger than before, filling up the entire cell which could barely contain its gargantuan form. “Alam denounced my will, and now he has received what he deserves. The Pilgrims have come for revenge and to take back that which is theirs.”

Because I couldn’t talk, I just let my thoughts speak for me. “Nameless spirit, why have you come to me again? I have failed you, and now I am dying. There is nothing more I can do for you, nothing I can do for anyone.”

“Sheba, I have chosen you to be the new lord of Renn. Come now, free the prisoners so that the Pilgrims may be appeased.”

I suddenly found myself angry and bitter at hearing the spirit’s ridiculous suggestion. “How do you expect me to do any of this? My wings have been cut off and I will be dead in a few more moments!”

“If you accept, from now on I will be your wings. Through you, I will rule this town so that tyrants like Alam will never find their way to power ever again.”

I stared at the mirage-like visage of the nameless spirit. I couldn’t begin to fathom what it was offering me…the power of a god? How unbelievable, yet here it was being offered to me. I bit my tongue to check if I was dreaming. I wasn’t .

“Child, do you accept?”

The Kaldelean prisoners cried and coughed spasmodically, outside, the people of Renn screamed in fear and agony, the fires blazed forth, smoke poured in, and at last, I made the decision that would change my life forever, “Yes, make me lord of Renn. Give me your strength!”

The black clouds of smoke were pushed back by a powerful force released by the spirit. In an exhilarating rush, light, fire and darkness raged in a whirlwind that enveloped my entire body and braided themselves into new bone, sinew, skin and feather that were grafted into the bloody stump that was left of my old wings. I became one with the spirit, its power and knowledge of centuries. I was filled with inexplicable resolve to rise up, free the prisoners, and drive the Pilgrims away to save my people. They were now my people. I was no longer a slave of Renn, I was its lord.

When I stood up, the metal bars that trapped me and the Kaldeleans melted as the walls of the prison gave way as easily as sand blown away by wind. I beckoned the prisoners, who were shaking like leaves now, to come to me. “Do not fear, it is I, the impudent girl from yesterday.”

They followed me cautiously, eyes wide in fear and amazement, just like the angels of Renn who seemed to forget their injuries upon seeing me emerge like a phoenix from the ashes of the prison. I must have looked different or even terrifying, but I was beyond self-consciousness now. My mind was set on other things.

I saw Alam’s lifeless body sprawled on what was left of one of the pillars that encircled the assembly stage. He had died with his eyes open, his heart burned by a Pilgrim who must have run him through with a sword that was swathed in angel fire. Scorched rubble lay scattered all over the place, wounded Meru and Roths crawled on the ground, and many homes were still ablaze against the dark of night.

The Pilgrims, the six of them that I had identified all in one glance as I took in the rampage they had unleashed on the town, were immediately aware of my presence. Radiant angels they were, with wings that shimmered like multifaceted diamonds. I knew they were dangerous. Unlike the fledglings Alam had captured in Kaldel, these were seasoned fighters, expert in the use of the flaming sword and hardened by long years of journeying all over Spheria in their Holy Pilgrimages. Put together, they could have been a match even for me

“Pilgrims of Kaldel! I have come with those whom you seek,” I announced, showing them the thirty or so captives huddled behind me in a clump. “They are unharmed. I see that you have destroyed much of our town already. You have even killed our High-Roth.”

The Pilgrims gathered together warily, recognizing the danger I posed. One of them who looked wise and dignified spoke then, “Renn has contravened a past agreement, so you must pay the price. Certainly, you must know this.”

“Yes, but if you would look around, you would agree with me that the price has been more than paid. I don’t wish to fight. I simply want my people safe, just as these angels behind me have been kept safe. But if you insist on continuing this rampage, I will be forced to stop you.” My voice was level but the threat in it was evident. I lifted my hands and the Kaldeleans’ slave collars instantly turned to ashes. The youngest of the freed slaves quickly ran to the wise-looking Pilgrim and hugged him tight, sobbing like a child.

“Let’s leave now, Master Virael, please,” said the youth, pulling at the man’s robes. The other Kaldeleans hurried over to the six Pilgrims as well.

Virael looked up, unsure of what to do. He faced me squarely, and I returned his gaze with unshakeable strength of mind.

He exhaled finally, “Very well, for returning our young ones, we will leave this town as you have asked.” He gestured to the others, and they nodded, lifting themselves off the ground and taking to the air. The youngest beamed at me through his tears before returning to Kaldel with his companions.

“Lord of Renn, what is your name?” asked Virael, who now decided to acknowledge me as Renn’s new High-Roth.

“They call me Sheba, Master Virael.”

He studied me more closely, a smile creeping up his care-worn face. For a moment, from the look on his face, I thought that maybe he was proud of me, as if he had known me all along and was happy about what I had become. I had felt as much although I couldn’t understand why. “We shall see each other again, Lord Sheba,” said he mysteriously before departing Renn without another word.

Still puzzled, I watched him leave until the shadows swallowed him up completely. Then I shook my head, brushing away the enigma that was Virael. I looked back at the ruins of my home, the injured and confused angels who were trying to regain their composure, the fiery structures, and everything else that once defined the great town of Renn.

With a smile, I thought out loud, “From now on, things will be different around here.”

“THE END”

ah yes, my angel craze.......

Visibility Time

2009-12-31T04:38:00.000-08:00

Heard that writers need to establish a sort of online presence. So I'd better get together my fragmented Google self in this measly blog of mine.

First of! Let's start with the stuff I've been able to sell: "The Vision of Sakti"----kinda one of those first attempts at horror writing with a local flavor.

It can be downloaded for FREE from Deadmn's Tome Ezine (Thanks Jesse Dedman)-> http://www.demonictome.com/Current.html

Wait, there's more! I'll be coming out in the February 2010 issue of Expanded Horizons Webzine for "Songs of Urban Phantoms"

Next post is gonna be on maybe...more random things, like that artwork up there teehee :b

BB CREAM CATALOGUE:D

2008-10-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

LADIES! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET YOUR OWN BB cream!

I will hold this spree until November 25, 2008, which will be the last day for ordering the following BB creams: (all prices include shipping for those living in Asia, additional fees apply for those in farther areas like the United States)

1) Skinfood Aloe Sun SPF 20 PA++ (30 mL tube)
-price: $25

2) Innisfree oil-free BB mousse SPF 30 PA++ (70mL)
-price: $30

3) Innisfree trouble-care BB cream SPF 27 PA++ (30 mL pump tube
-price: $25

4) Coogi Flowertox 3Action Super BB cream SPF 25 PA++ (30mL tube)
-price: $25

5) Skin 79 Intense Classic UV Balm SPF 20 PA++ (43.5 g)
-price: $25

6) Skin 79 Super+ Beblesh Balm Triple functions SPF 25PA++ (40g hot pink pump container)

-price: $25

* This has a gold version (not oil-free)
-same price
-the difference is that the gold one
has gold caviar, a known anti-wrinkle
ingredient

7) It's Skin Nutritious BB cream SPF 15 PA+
-price: $25

*I have already reviewed the above BB creams here:
http://the-sword-that-speaks.blogspot.com/2008/10/bb-cream-review.html

These other BB creams I've also tried but not as long as I had the ones above:

8) The Face Shop Hydro Splash BB cream SPF 20 PA++

-Price: $25

Description: This is a very lightweight water-based BB cream. absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves it feeling soft and smooth.
Has a faint scent (not bad), coverage is light, but gives a porcelain finish although it isn't as dewy as the other BB's.
Oil control is very good despite being very moisturising, so I think it fits even hot humid countries like Singapore and the Philippines.
As for color, it's very pale, but after about 20 minutes, it blends perfectly into my skin so I didn't mind

9) Etude House Magic BB cream (for oily skin) *in 35 mL pump tube
-Price: $25

Description: has a strog tea-tree scent, so I think it does contain tea-tree oil (I'm not korean, I dunno what the ingredient list says)
Oil control is so-so, had to blot once or twice during the day
this has no SPF, you need to where one underneath
it didn't break me out, but I haven't noticed it helping with my pimples either.
It's yellow-toned and a bit darker than most BB's, it fit me perfectly since I have a slight tan

10) Missha M Perfect Cover BB cream SPF 42 PA+++ (in 2 colors. #21 is yellow-toned but very pale; #23 is darker but pink-toned)
-30 mL tube: $30
-50mL pump tube: $50

Description: this is one of the more expensive BB's...this version, according to the SA's, is the best among their line of BB's. it has arbutin, collagen, jojoba oil, squalene, mcadamia oil, rosemary, chamomile, ceramides, and other skin-soothing ingredients, anti-wrinkle.
application is quite thick, but still blendable. It didn't break me out
very good coverage, problem is, none of the 2 colors match my skin tone!
Nevertheless, this has received various raves on the net.
oil-control is very good, better than skin 79 intense classic UV balm

11) Missha M Watery BB cream SPF 27 PA++
-price: $25

Description: Like The Faceshop's Hydro Splash BB cream, this is a light and moisturising BB cream. But it is oddly not as blendable as TFS's.
It has a darker color that perfectly matched my skin, but I got some red bumps when I washed it off so I stopped using it. Iwould rather buy TFS
I think Missha generally doesn't suit me, but Japanese girls I've met are all raving about Missha's BB creams, so I guess it's just me

Those who want to order have until November 25, 2008 to decide. Ordinary shipping may take 7-14 days.

I only accept wire transfer through my korean bank account:

Shinhan Bank acct. # 110-252-04282

or

Western Union money transfer

Contact me at annetookeen@gmail.com
following this FORMAT:

subject: BB cream order
your name:
Nationality:
complete address:
wire transfer receipt #:

OR
Western Union MTCN
(Anne Carly Abad as recipient):

1) order 1
2) order 2
3) etc....

*your orders will only be confirmed once I receive the payment or am able to confirm that the money you sent has really been transferred

*if you have any special request for other BB cream brands, tell me and I will get them for you. The reason why I only have selected brands here is because they're the ones I've tried, I cannot vouch for other brands

*Once I have shipped your orders, I will not be liable for losses or damages due to shipping (that is why I will send the tracking #'s). All orders are guaranteed to be in good condition upon shipping