Autobiography

Many people say I’ve changed but the truth is I’ve just found myself. My name is Leah Marie S. Labao, 16 years of age. I was born in Manila and I blow my candles every 23rd day of July. I grew up in Barangay Bato-bato Mambusao Capiz. There are three members in my family, my mother, my brother and me. If you’re asking why I don’t have a father, well I was raised by my mother on her own and me and my brother have different fathers which is not actually an issue for me. When I think of words to describe me I thought of boyish, crazy, reasonable, and a bit of an introvert. My favorite colors are black, red, and blue. I like playing basketball and of course, playing games in my tablet. I have lots of hobbies like singing, drawing, playing the guitar and piano, listening to music, and most of all reading. That sums up the most basic things about me.
I started my studies in Little Angels Montessori School, I was two turning three that time. I can’t actually remember much about those times but my mom said I was a bit naughty back then. I tend to drink in my baby bottle at school and put my feet at the table. Then, I started kindergarten in Saint Catherine Academy, I studied there until I finished 6th grade. It was during 4th grade that my baby brother came into my life. It was at that time that I was faced with the harsh reality of this world. As I stated earlier, me and my brother have different fathers, it was not an issue for me but it was a different story for our relatives. They wanted to abort the baby and I didn’t have any idea about it. The worst thing is, I’ve only found about my mom’s pregnancy with her arguement with my grandfather. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on their conversation but I heard everything, all the harsh words that my grandfather said to my mother, and I can’t do anything but cry at that time. But everything’s fine now, we’ve learned to forgive them because afterall, they’re still our family and what’s important is my brother grew up healthily and happily. In my secondary education, I studied in Mambusao National High School from 7th grae to 8th grade. In here I have gained friends that I can say I have my full trust in. We we’re from difdrent grade levels but we still found time together. We actually don’t communicate that much right now but every time we see or chat with each other, we usually end up bickering wih each other. With them I have learned that when facing a problem, I should not avoid it but instead face it head on. I’ve finished the rest of my junior high school in Saint Catherine Academy, I’ve met some of my elementary classmates there and they have helped me adjust in there. I have made anoher group of friends there. I was usually called “one of the boys” because in our group only two of us are girls, and when we walk home I’m the only girl with the boys. It was so much fun with them. Although unexpectedly, our time together was full of drama, ranging from misunderatandings to love issues, but all of those were actually worth it because the memories we’ve made are precious. In the present time, I am studying in Capiz State University Burias Campus taking the strand STEM. It was easier to adjust because I am there with some of my classmates from SCA, and our new classmates were welcoming and friendly. The classes are challenging but it’s still really fun there.
My life until now has been interesting. I had faced many obstacles along the way that I never expected I can actually get through. When i look back, I can say that I can never be the me now if I have never gotten to face them. I am the person I am right now because of them, and I could never have gotten this far without the support of other people. i have a great life because of all the people aroundme. I have made many priceless memories and I am looking forward to the new adventures that are going to come in my near future.

Biography

This girl is my friend. She has a really strong personality but at the same time she is kind and caring, but the trait that I like her about the most is that she is a fighter. In the few years I’ve known her, I have never seen her back down on any of her problems. Her name is Crystel Ann Corcino. She was born on the seventh day of September on the year 2000. She is currently living in Manibad, Mambusao, Capiz. Her favorite colors are black, white, and pink. She likes playing volleyball and basketball. Her hobbies are singing, dancing, listening to music and reading. During her mother’s pregnancy, they were left by her dad because he has another family. Crystel was raised by her grandparents since she was little. Her mother went abroad in order for her to provide everything that her daughter needed.

She started her studies at Manibad, Elementary, School. She studied there from grade one until she was grade six. She was an honored student until grade 6 which made both her and her family happy. During her elementary days, she joined in various competitions, such as MTAP, quiz bee, sports competition and many more. She started studying her Junior High School at Saint Catherine Academy. That was where we met. We’ve become close because we are together in the basketball. At that time, she told me who was her crush, let’s just call him “J”. That was during grade nine. We were in different sections but we got close through basketball. During the intramural meet in grade nine, she joined the cheerleading squad of our year level. They’ve won the title champion during the competition. We were really happy that time because finally after so long they were finally able to be entitled champion. She joined basketball and volleyball during the CAPRISA meet. It was held in in Roxas, City. This was the first time I joined and it was a good thing because we were champion in basketball. She first experience falling in love during those times. Yes, she fell, that is why she got broken. Let’s just call the boy “Kit”. In my perspective, I really thought their feelings were mutual. There was a moment where we were taking our exams. Kit was outside our room holding a boquet of roses. I thought Crystel was the one who was going to receive it, but I was shocked when instead of giving it to her, she gave it to Crystel’s best friend. I can only imagine the pain that she felt that time. After all the girl was her best friend. I remember that there was a time that Crystel didn’t include her in the list of her group mates one time, because she was just relying on her and their group mates. I was shocked when she yelled “you’re just jealous of me because of Kit”. To tell the truth, their circle of friends are actually broken right now. I actually feel bad about what happened because they were together for many years, but I think it’s for the better because there’s no more trust in their friendship.

When she finished her Junior High School, enrolled as a grade 11 student in Capiz State University, Burias Campus. She told me she was nervous because those who teach there seems to be strict in teaching. Yes, they are strict when it comes to teaching but even though they are like that, she said that she have learned a lot in only a few months of studying there until. During our intramural in CAPSU, she joined the volleyball and basketball competitions. She thought it would be hard for her because, new school new team mates but she was proven wrong. It was surprising for her because even though she is new they treated her like their own old teammates and also it is her first time to join the INTERCAP in Pontevedra. “Being there is really fun” she said, even though they stayed there for only two days and one night. They lost the game but they almost won. “Well it’s okay at least we played fair” that is what she told me.

Throughout her life, she have faced many challenges and obstacles, but because of such things she was able to grow more stronger and become more mature. She have gained confidence after conquering them and she is now able to view life in a more positive way. She have with me for a while now, and she have helped me in many times more than she’ll ever know. I’ll be here for her when she needs me and I’m looking forward to share more moments and memories with her.

Virgilio Almario

Virgilio S. Almario, better known by his pen name, Rio Alma, is a Filipino artist, poet, critic, translator, editor, teacher, and cultural manager. He is a National Artist of the Philippines.

Growing up in Bulacan among peasants, Almario sought his education in Manila and completed his degree in A.B. Political Science at the University of the Philippines. A prolific writer, he spearheaded the second successful modernist movement in Filipino poetry together with Rogelio G. Mangahas and Lamberto E. Antonio. His earliest pieces of literary criticism were collected in Ang Makata sa Panahon ng Makina (1972), now considered the first book of literary criticism in Filipino. Later, in the years of martial law, he set aside modernism and formalism and took interest in nationalism, politics and activist movement. As critic, his critical works deal with the issue of national language.

Aside from being a critic, Almario engaged in translating and editing. He has translated the best contemporary poets of the world. He has also translated for theater production the plays of Nick Joaquin, Bertolt Brecht, Euripedes and Maxim Gorki. Other important translations include the famous works of the Philippines’ national hero, José Rizal, namely Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. It was deemed as the best translation by the Manila Critics Circle.

Almario has been a recipient of numerous awards such as several Palanca Awards, two grand prizes from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Makata ng Taon of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, the TOYM for literature, and the Southeast Asia Write Award of Bangkok.
He was an instructor at the Ateneo de Manila University from 1969-1972. He only took his M.A. in Filipino in 1974 in the University of the Philippines. In 2003, he was appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Letters in the said university. In June 25 of the same year, he was proclaimed National Artist for Literature.

Almario is also the founder and workshop director of the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), an organization of poets who write in Filipino. Award-winning writers and poets such as Roberto and Rebecca Añonuevo, Romulo Baquiran Jr., Michael Coroza, Jerry Gracio, and Vim Nadera are but some of the products of the LIRA workshop. (le

Bakit Kailangan Natin Ang Himala?

Kung nasa gitna ng nagkabuhol na trapik

At may natitira ka na lamang ilang saglit
Para maitawid
Ang report na sasagip sa trabaho mong nakabingit,
Kailangan mo ang pag-asa
Na may darating na pulis
At parang madyik na wawalisin ng kompas at prriiit
Ang naghambalang na bus at dyip.

Kung misis kang nasa palengke
At iilang piso ang ipambibili
Ng pangsigang o kahit anong posibleng
Ihanda sa bertday ng bunso mong kinakasi,
Kailangan mong magdasal
Na nagbasa ng Koran ang mga Arabe
Kaya ibinaba ang presyo ng langis per balde
Kaya ibinaba ang pasahe
Kaya ibinaba ang iba pang setseburetse
Para maging pisa sangkilo ng bibilhin mong karne.

Kaya kung isa kang dukha
O wala ka nang ibang magawa
Ngunit ayaw mo namang malunod sa luha
At lalong ayaw mong pumasok sa ibang kusina,
Iisa ang posible mong isipin
Dahil sawa na sa iyo ang kawanggawa
Dahil sawa ka na sa welga, rali’t batuta
Dahil hindi ka uubrang pulgas o tuta
Dahil ni hindi ka uubrang pain sa daga
Dahil maliit ka, pangit at mahina
Kailangan mo ng himala.

By: Rio Alma

Peter Solis Nery

He is a multi-awarded Filipino poet, fictionist and author. He has won prestigious literary awards for his works written in his native tongue, Hiligaynon, and the English language. This includes the 11 Palanca Award winning works under the Short Story–Hiligaynon, Full-length Play, and Poetry for Children categories. He also received the Cultural Center of the Philippines Literature Grant and won the All-Western Visayas Literary Contest of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Diversifying into English and Filipino, he has authored 15 books, and wrote screenplays that won the Philippine Centennial Literary Prize in 1998, and the Cinemanila International Film Festival Scriptwriting Competition in 2001, and the Film Development Foundation of the Philippines’ Screenwriting Contest.

His most recent published works include “100 Erotic Sonnets from the Hiligaynon,” “The Passion of Jovita Fuentes,” “The Prince of Ngoyngoy,” “Rain as Gentle as Tears,” “Fantasia,” and “A Loneliness Greater than Love.” Born and raised in the coastal town of Dumangas, Iloilo, Nery finished his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of the Philippines – Visayas, where he was named Most Outstanding Student in his graduation year. He also took up Associate in Philosophy at Christ the King Mission Seminary and later on, a Diploma in Education at Dumangas Polytechnic College. He worked as a teacher for secondary students and as instructor of Philosophy at the University of the Philippines – Visayas. He eventually transitioned as columnist and editor in wide circulation newspapers in Iloilo City from 2000 to 2006.

In his hometown of Dumangas, Nery is a reputable choreographer, director and performer. He performs and collaborates in several independent films locally and abroad. He now forays into filmmaking with his first full-length feature, “Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa,” to be launched in Iloilo in September. In 2004, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Negros College and went to the United States in 2006 to practice as a registered nurse in California. Multi-disciplined Nery currently works as an orthopedics staff nurse/safety champion at the White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he was honored with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Ang Gugma nga daw Munggo

Kon ang akon kalangkag
Nagamuad sa akon dughan
Nga daw munggo nga ginhuluman

Nagatangla ako sa langit
Kag nagapangamuyo
Nga kuntani magbundak ang ulan

Nga kuntani kis-a mo pa
Mamulalungan ang akon mga mata
Nga halos malumos, halos kapulan

Sang tuman nga kapung-aw
Pagahandurawon ko ikaw
Sa sining kalibutan, sa damgo

Kag sa iban pa nga mga kalibutan
Kay paano ko malimtan ang binhi
Nga ginsabwag mo sa akon dughan?

Ang gugma nagapanalingsing
Kasubong sang sublak nga nagapanginyawat
Kag nagapatambok sa akon kalangkag.

By: Peter Solis Nery

Cirilo F. Bautista

Cirilo F. Bautista is a poet, fictionist and essayist with exceptional achievements and significant contributions to the development of the country’s literary arts. He is acknowledged by peers and critics, and the nation at large as the foremost writer of his generation.

Throughout his career that spans more than four decades, he has established a reputation for fine and profound artistry; his books, lectures, poetry readings and creative writing workshops continue to influence his peers and generations of young writers.

As a way of bringing poetry and fiction closer to the people who otherwise would not have the opportunity to develop their creative talent, Bautista has been holding regular funded and unfunded workshops throughout the country. In his campus lecture circuits, Bautista has updated students and student-writers on literary developments and techniques.

As a teacher of literature, Bautista has realized that the classroom is an important training ground for Filipino writers. In De La Salle University, he was instrumental in the formation of the Bienvenido Santos Creative Writing Center. He was also the moving spirit behind the founding of the Philippine Literary Arts Council in 1981, the Iligan National Writers Workshop in 1993, and the Baguio Writers Group.

Thus, Bautista continues to contribute to the development of Philippine literature: as a writer, through his significant body of works; as a teacher, through his discovery and encouragement of young writers in workshops and lectures; and as a critic, through his essays that provide insights into the craft of writing and correctives to misconceptions about art.

Major works: Summer Suns (1963), Words and Battlefields (1998), The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus (2001), Galaw ng Asoge (2003).

Patalim

Araw-araw
sinusubok naming mag-asawa
ang talim
ng aming balaraw

Halimbawa
kung umiiyak
ang bunsong anak
at hindi kumikilos
ang sintang mahal
sasaksakin ko siya sa likod
at patawang pagmamasdan
habang duguang
pasususuhin niya
ang bunso.

Kung pundi ang bumbilya
sa aming kusina
at ako’y abala
sa paglikha ng tula,

hindi niya ako titigilan
ng saksak sa batok
hanggang ang ilaw ay di
napapalitan.

Patas lang ang aming labanan
lagot kung lagot walang
dayaan.

Kaya
sa katapusan ng araw
magbibilang kami
ng sugat
at tila mga gulanit na kaluluwa
ay magtatawanan
magsusuntukan pa.
Ganito kami lagi sapagkat
labis ang pag-ibig namin sa
isa’t-isa

By: Cirilo Bautista

Edith L. Tiempo

Edith L. Tiempo, poet, fictionist, teacher and literary critic is one of the finest Filipino writers in English whose works are characterized by a remarkable fusion of style and substance, of craftsmanship and insight. Born on April 22, 1919 in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, her poems are intricate verbal transfigurations of significant experiences as revealed, in two of her much anthologized pieces, “The Little Marmoset” and “Bonsai”. As fictionist, Tiempo is as morally profound. Her language has been marked as “descriptive but unburdened by scrupulous detailing.” She is an influential tradition in Philippine literature in English. Together with her late husband, Edilberto K. Tiempo, she founded and directed the Silliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City, which has produced some of the country’s best writers.

Tiempo’s published works include the novel A Blade of Fern (1978), The Native Coast (1979), and The Alien Corn (1992); the poetry collections, The Tracks of Babylon and Other Poems (1966), and The Charmer’s Box and Other Poems(1993); and the short story collection Abide, Joshua, and Other Stories(1964).

Bonsai

All that I love
I fold over once
And once again
And keep in a box
Or a slit in a hollow post
Or in my shoe.

All that I love?
Why, yes, but for the moment-
And for all time, both.
Something that folds and keeps easy,
Son’s note or Dad’s one gaudy tie,
A roto picture of a queen,
A blue Indian shawl, even
A money bill.

It’s utter sublimation,
A feat, this heart’s control
Moment to moment
To scale all love down
To a cupped hand’s size

Till seashells are broken pieces
From God’s own bright teeth,
And life and love are real
Things you can run and
Breathless hand over
To the merest child.

By: Edith Tiempo