Para Kay Abyan Pilar

Indi ako pagpamangkuta
Sang mga nagkalatabo
Kagapon. Wala na gani
Ako nagkuha laragway
Sang mga kinahanglan
Lipatan. Kay man
Bisan ano pa ka hugot
Ang pagpanghawid
Sang mga nagaangkas
Nga handurawan
Sang nagligad nga gab-i,
Kinahanglan ini sila
Idul-ong kag bayaan,
Agod magpadayon
Sa pagpanglakaton
Subong nga adlaw.



4 January 2018
6:30 A. M.
Bo. Obrero, Iloilo City

My 2017

I felt that I was on cruise control for the duration of 2017, so I thought I'd list down the things that I accomplished last year because I'm insecure like that.

January
- Speaker on "Adulting" for the World Youth Alliance

February
- Summit Director for Magsugilanonay Kita
- Organized #ZineZoned2
- Chancellor's Award for Most Outstanding Performance as Assistant Professor
- Spearheaded TechKnowKasyon
- Speaker: Plenary for TechKnowKasyon, InSeT at Dao, Capiz

March
- Published two poems and two translations in Danas antho by Gantala Press
- Speaker: SPUI

April
- Speaker: Grauation of Passi Learning Center, Caninguan National High School
- InSeT at Sagay, Negros Occidental
- Organized National Council for Acad Union

May
- Speaker: San Joaquin Research Training
- Organized UPHSI Moving Up Ceremonies

June
- Organized UPHSI API Workshop

July
- Speaker: San Joaquin Research Training
- Speaker: WYA

August
- Paper Presenter: KWF
- Speaker: San Joaquin Research Training
- Organized #ZineZoned3
- Speaker: Filipino Teachers Congress Division of Iloilo

September
- Attended Acad Union meeting (MLA)

October
- TLRC module contract signing
- Elected UPV Iloilo Acad Union President
- Acad Union Month

November
- Acad Union Strat Plan
- Speaker: San Joaquin Research Training
- Plenary Speaker: CUPSCON 2

December
- Published two poems at Philippines Graphic Magazine

Hmm.

Fandom

You go have your fandoms. This one's mine. 🌟

Ubo / is All / She Left Me

I think that when writers create a piece, they are automatically aware of the possibility that people will be reading their work.

But what about people who are written about? How do they feel when they find out that a poem or a story about them (not just FOR THEM) is being discussed among literary circles? Or in classrooms?

It's amazing how much power writers wield in this scenario.

***

It was another weekend well-spent. R was sick to the bone (cough, sipon, headache, PMS) the whole time. Still, the limited time we had was filled with amazing convos, great food, and plenty of hearty laughter.

I showed her the two poems that got published in Philippines Graphic magazine, and I think she genuinely liked them. I was actually terrified about having her read the poems (especially the one about her) but she said it's good and I am truly thrilled about her reaction.

The only thing that sucks is that I had strict orders to not take any pictures. Ahay. But yes, my heart is full. My heart is full. :)

[It seems my lungs are full, too. Ubo. Ubo.]

Ngaa Ginaubra Ta Ini Man?

Kon kaisa, sa tunga sang kalapyo sang mga ginahitso nga hilikuton, may inside joke kami nanday Noel kag Gil: NGAA GINAUBRA TA INI MAN?

Ari sa laragway (kuha sadtong tuig 2014) ang pila ka mga rason:

1. Ang bunga sang handom nga tani mas madamo nga mga kabataan ang magdako nga nagapalangga sa ila kaugalingon nga pulong

2. Ang mga tawo nga kaangay ni Mam Gen (kag Sir John Iremil) nga una nga naghatag sang pagsalig sa amon mga ulo-abilidad

3. Si Sir Leo nga tubtob subong, wala gihapon nakapoy sa pag-ulikid (Diin na ang sinulatan mo, Sol?), sa pang-intriga (San-o na kamo ma-elope ni Norman? *ew*), sa panghikay (This is not even a story!), kag sa once in a supermoon nga pagdayaw (...)

Kadamo sang kapaltaha ang mga nagliligad nga adlaw. Daw mga kapaltaha man sang mga tuig sa wala pa ang tion nga ini. Amo gani ang ulihi nga rason kon ngaa padayon ang tanan nga pagpanikasog

4. Ara ho. Ang yuhom pagkatapos sang tanan nga rejection, failure, kag pagduhaduha. 

May palaabuton nga kalipay ang kon ano man nga pasakit subong. (Repeat to self 1000x)

Sa Pagkikitang Tayo Lang Ang May Alam

Nakakahon ang lahat
Ng hiningi kong isauli mo sa akin:

Sapatos na madalas mong hinihiram,
T-shirt na may statement
Na hindi mo maintindihan,
Relong iniregalo ng tiyahin
Na unang nakaalam
Tungkol sa ating dalawa,
At photobook ng sandosenang gala.

Nakasiksik sa pagi-pagitan ng mga ito
Ang pira-pirasong bubog
Ng daan-daang alaalang
Nasa ‘yo pa pala. Samantala,
Narito ang sobreng paglalagyan sana
Ng pagpapatawad ko.

Pero walang laman ‘yan.

Natuto na kasi akong
Huwag magbigay
Sa hindi humihingi.

On taking photos

R: I only take photos of the important things in my life.

Me: *snaps her picture* Same. 😏