Published in Ph Free Press; Upcoming in Ribbons: Tanka Society of America

"Tunnels" can now be viewed at the website of the Philippines Free Press. According to EIC Joel Toledo they expect the publication to be back in print by this year, otherwise it will remain fully online. Though of course it would be nice to be like the good ol days, where the magazine had national distribution. *edit* the magazine's site seems to be down, so I'll post the poem here so it's available.

Tunnels

We dug

hollows

into the earth

into her heart

called these tunnels

so we could pass

back and forth

to and from our destinations

to and fro

day and night

in rumbling vehicles that echo

this hollow being

and this is how we shape the world

in the image of our hearts.

I got an acceptance letter for one of my tanka today from Mr. David Rice, the editor of Ribbons by the Tanka Society of America. David suggested several revisions, which let me understand more the importance of the economy of words in poetry. This is even more important in short forms like the tanka and haiku. The poem is set to appear in the spring/summer issue of the magazine.

Thank God for the good news. I've been getting lots of rejection slips lately and was starting to wonder whether I should go on a hiatus muna.

2011 Philippines Free Press Literary Awards

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

Winners for Fiction

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

Winners for Poetry

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

Finalist list naman....
Fiction

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

Poetry

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

Next Appearance: Philippines Free Press

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) :))