Slip of the Pen

Earlier this month, the second issue of the new premier literary journal Bulawan Online launched. I was fortunate enough to have had one of my Filipino poems published.

Palanca Hall of Famer and distinguished poet Roberto T. Añonuevo wrote the commentary for my poem Talà (Star) as well as for Charles Tuvilla’s work, Sa Unang Ulan ng Mayo (The First Rain of May).

The article (titled Estetika at Pagtanaw hinggil sa Dalawang Lungsod) is in Filipino. An excerpt:

Maaaring tanawin ang lungsod sa iba’t ibang paraan, at isa sa rito ang pagtatanghal sa punto de bista ng isang tagalungsod na dumadama sa loob ng lungsod at tumatanaw papalabas ng sakop nito at tanging siya lamang makababatid. O kaya’y tingnan ang lungsod mula sa labas nito, nang sa gayon ay mabatid ang kabuuan ng lungsod na hindi mababatid ng tao na nasa loob nito at ang sipat ay limitado. Ang ganitong pagtanaw hinggil sa lungsod ang ipinamamalas ng mga tulang “Sa Unang Ulan ng Mayo” ni Charles Tuvilla at “Talà” ni Phillip Kimpo Jr.

Sir Bobby’s essay first appeared on his blog Alimbukad; my surprise to my poem’s inclusion was well-documented on my Multiply blog.

Read the poems and commentary on this page; for more info on the Rio Alma-edited Bulawan Online, visit my other blog, Crimson Crux.

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Just in case you’ve been wondering what I’ve been doing lately:

• Headed the panel at The UP Parser Writing Workshop 2008 (pics);
• Fulfilling my duties as a new member of the LIRA literary group (Workshop 2008 opening day, drinking with Rio Alma, and having a field day at the Museo Pambata, among others);
• Going out with my UST National Writers’ Workshop friends;
• Working (but of course);
• Trying to thin my to-read pile of 100+ books and magazines;
• Being interviewed;
• And trying to finish my first book.