2011 National PEN conference

Something big is going on right now at the Silangan Hall in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The Philippine Center of International PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, and Novelists), in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, presents the 2011 National PEN conference with the theme “Archipelagic Feasts, Tropical Disasters: the Literature of Survival” on December 1-2, 2011 (Thursday-Friday), 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

This is the first time that I heard about this. But tell me, it’s quite interesting, don’t you think? Not to mention that this is open to the public which means attendees won’t have to pay for anything. Who in the world will say no to that? (ehem, sadly, I just did. I heard this late and I regret that I just knew it now.)

Anyway, I feel there will always be next time for this kind of thing.

A lot of big names in the field of Filipino literature are in this event including Rony Diaz who rendered the keynote speech on the first day.

My friend Wikipedia told me that Rony V. Diaz is an award-winning Filipino writer. He has won several Palanca Awards. He joined the paper in 2001 as an executive director. He eventually became publisher and president of the Manila Times School of Journalism. He has taught English at U.P. Diliman and has worked for the Philippine government as a foreign service corps.

So there, he’s another big name to add to my yet-to-know list among Filipino writers.

The second day, on the other hand, highlights Madam Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil’s The Jose Rizal Lecture.

Here’s the sessions (please take note of the writers/speakers too):

Apocalyptic Literature: Disaster and Imagination—Jun Cruz Reyes (chair), Antonio Enriquez, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, John Iremil Teodoro (panelists);

Landscape and Personal Poetics—Nicolas Pichay (chair), Marne Kilates, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Marra Lanot, Joel Toledo;

Surviving Calamities: History and Preservation—Malou Jacob (chair), Rosario Cruz-Lucero, Victor Peñaranda, Luna Sicat-Cleto;

Ecology in the Writings from the Regions—Juliet Mallari (chair), Abdon Balde Jr., Glenn Sevilla Mas, Susan Evangelista, Frank Peñones;

Literature in Distress and Popular Media—Ramón Sunico (chair), Charlie Veric, Rolando Tolentino, Gary Devilles;

Feasts and Famine—Carla Pacis (chair), Ricardo Soler, Merlie Alunan, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Yvette Tan.

Convenors for this event are National Artist and PEN chair Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist and PEN founder F. Sionil José, Ronald Baytan, José Victor Torres, Karina Bolasco, Jun Cruz Reyes, Hermie Beltran, Susie Tan, Marjorie Evasco, Shirley Lua, José Wendell Capili and Lito Zulueta.

book writing insights

All books are autobiographical.

Those were the words I heard from Isagani Cruz, as I and a friend entered the hall for the book writing workshop last November 24 at the Filipinas Heritage Library.

We missed his words for the past 15 minutes before we actually reached the room. Makati is such a big maze for me. We ran in circles while finding where the venue is, and so we were late.

Nonetheless, the two-hour workshop was worth the long walk. And to add that I was with a friend who shares the same (or maybe less than the) excitement I feel made me consider myself as lucky throughout the day.

I saw around 40-50 people present in the room, most are not my age. I thought about this blog, and I felt the need to be attentive and not be too overwhelmed by my excitement. Laughs.

Cruz told us the fundamentals of book writing. Just like how a news article is written, he said we also have to answer the what, when, where, why and how of writing a book. Of course there’s also the question, who to write the book for?

Wait, who first is this man telling us these things by the way?

Isagani Cruz, as I know him (but not too well), is a Filipino writer. (I warned, huh) I am personally not really familiar with Pinoy writers despite me being a full-blooded Filipino. Shame on me. But I do read newspaper columns where I hear the sound views of Filipino writers about the Philippines and the world. And one of them is Isagani Cruz.

And to meet him in person is an inspiration for me to know Filipino writers better than I know authors of foreign race.

During the session, I noted the ones he mentioned and listed them as my “must-know Filipino writers”. Some of them are Abdon Balde, Butch Dalisay and Francisco Arcillana. He mentioned Bob Ong too.

I so wondered long ago how ‘published writers’ fill the pages of their books when a five-page story is long enough for me. And I claim to be a writer, huh. I feel sad whenever I would think about how long I can write, :). But these doubts were somehow eased when I learned, through the workshop, the following:

That every writer always writes on the same time. Like every moody being, writers also have to establish a writing routine for his or herself. Say, I eat breakfast in the morning at 6am, so beyond that time is no more breakfast, snacks maybe. Cruz said he writes 3am every morning until 6am. Wow, I wonder, how many words can he put together in three hours? Perhaps half a chapter of a book already. He said, once a time is established, let it be sacred.

That anywhere can be a writing place as long as it is the same place. A writer’s mood depends on how comfortable he is about his ‘writing place’. Some do it under a tree, others in the park. Cruz (and I) does it on a messy desk inside the house or office. The important thing is you write somewhere you can call your own place. Somewhere that fits the word private.

That one should write the first thing that comes into the head. It is called brainstorming. Write whatever it is that pops. It might just be the key to building your story.

That there is no such thing as the general public. A writer has to know who he is writing for. Cruz related a story about a grandfather writing a book for his grandchild. The author wanted his grandchild to relate about what a grandpa thinks and feels towards the world at his age. As that book reached bookshelves, a lot of grandfathers, and grandmothers alike, feel the connection with that book and it became a book seller. It is how specific a writer should be about his reader. You never know how much impact you can make on many lives even when you only tend to touch one life.

That a writer doesn’t stop until it’s done. Hearing this, I thought, I should not allow my laziness get into my system. He said, write at least 300 words each day or each of your writing day. Do you think it is kind enough? I’ll think about it. :) But whatever it is, JUST KEEP GOING.

And the last lesson for me? Throw your first draft. I really seldom edit my first draft. It is holy for me. Haha. Or yes, maybe, I am just too lazy to read, proofread and re-think. The workshop told me to work better because the first draft, Cruz said, is the paper writers don’t want others to read. OMG. But I still feel proud about my first drafts no matter how bad they were. But true, let it be enough that you know your first draft is bad, keep it to yourself.

So there, I really enjoyed my time during the book writing workshop. But hey, one more thing I learned: in order to enjoy something to the fullest, you have to have a friend by your side. :)

THE CROWD. Around 40-50 people attend the 'How to write a book' seminar on November 24 at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati City

A SOUVENIR. From left is the author, the speaker, Mr. Isagani Cruz and the author's friend, Johana Vi Gasga after the book writing workshop on November 24. 

FAN. The author and Isagani Cruz.

First 'Libros Festival' on the go!

I’m really very much excited for the train of events for this year’s book month. If you notice my previous posts, I have been blogging about many events. The National Book Development Board (NBDB) has sponsored a lot of activities along with the Ayala Foundation’s Filipinas Heritage Library.

Now to update the whole thing, there will be a ‘Libros Festival’ on November 24 starting at 10am until November 26.

According to NBDB, the festival will be ‘a showcase of books, arts and performances’ to be witnessed at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati City.

As a fan of the literary world, I am confident that this will be a lot of fun. So for your eyes, here’s the line-up of events:

November 24, 2011 (Thursday)
10:30am Libros Festival Opening: Storytelling
2:00pm-4:00pm Writing for the Young Adult Reader (by Anvil Publishing)
5:00pm-7:00pm How To Write A Book by Dr. Isagani Cruz (Free admission)
6:00pm-9:00pm Advance Travel Writing by Kristine Fonacier ((Session 1 of 4) - P3,500 per head

November 25, 2011 (Friday)
2:00pm-4:00pm The Importance of Reading by Prof. Portia Padilla (Free admission)
6:00pm Concert by Noel Cabangon and Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation (P250 per head)

November 26, 2011 (Saturday)
10:00am-12:00pm Storytelling and Arts and Crafts Workshops by Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Free admission)
2:00pm-5:00pm Young Adult Book Launching (Anvil publishing)
2:00pm-5:00pm Advanced Travel Writing by Kristine Fonacier (Session 2 of 4)

I would like to share that I have already reserved a seat for Isagani Cruz’s writing workshop and I am super excited for that day. Can you hear it? That’s my heart! Yay! See you there, ayt?

OMG! I am in love with this book month!

The Great Philippine Book Café

Now is the start of the three-day program for 2011 Manila International Literary Festival. Get to know many renowned writers and gain deeper knowledge on writing a book and turning it into a published output.

The event will be held at the Ayala Museum from today until the 18th of this month. This year's celebration is called 'The Great Philippine Book Café'. Come on, this is a treat!

This event kicked off in 2010 and from then it gained wide support from writers of different genres, poetry to prose. In a nutshell, I would say the program caters for all published writers and aspiring writers and also to those who believe in the power of their pens.

By the way, this big literary affair is spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) for the celebration of the National Book Week for the month of November.

Here is the complete festival program.

So you see? Exciting, eh?

My final say? Don’t be afraid to explore on your abilities. As what George Orwell said, “There is no test of literary merit except survival, which is itself an index to majority opinion.”

November is for books

Hey, I found this one. :) This is published on the Philippine Star under Isagani Cruz's column, MINI CRITIQUE, updated last November 10, 2011.

It all started in 1934, when Governor General Frank Murphy issued Proclamation 696, designating June 18 to 24 of every year as National Book Week. Murphy said that “the arousing of a national interest in the reading of good books is a patriotic duty and privilege.” Murphy chose June because “the time designated includes the birthday of Dr. Jose Rizal, one of the foremost men of letters of this country.”

In 1936 President Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation 109, moving National Book Week to November 24 to 30. Quezon echoed Murphy, saying that “it is desirable that the task of arousing a wider spread interest in the reading of good books be recognized as a highly patriotic duty as well as a privilege.” Quezon added that “the reading of good books on the printed page is one of the most effective methods of bringing enlightenment within the reach of the largest possible number of people, and of promoting the cause of popular culture with its tremendous social benefits.”

In 1999 President Joseph Estrada issued Proclamation 120, declaring the whole month of June as Philippine Book Development Month. Estrada preferred Murphy to Quezon.

In 2007 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued Proclamation 1436, “re-setting the celebration of the Philippine Book Development Month from June to November of every year starting 2008.” Arroyo cited Quezon’s proclamation as one of the reasons for moving the month.

Late last year, Representatives Jorge B. Banal Jr. and Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas filed House Bill 3877, “An Act Declaring Every 27th Day of November as Araw ng Pagbasa, a Regular Working Holiday.”

This year, the Commission on Higher Education issued a Memorandum and the Department of Education issued an Advisory, enjoining schools to participate in the 15th Philippine Book Development Month, spearheaded by the National Book Development Board (NBDB).

There are many activities scheduled for this month.

For example, on Nov. 14, the Book Talk Society of the Philippines will hold the 2nd National Seminar-Workshop on “Developing a Culture of Book Talk: Awareness, Consciousness, and Involvement” at the National Library.

On Nov. 16-18, the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts National Committee on Library and Information Services (NCCA-NCLIS) will hold a national conference on “Aklatan para sa Kaunlaran (Libraries for Progress)” at Hotel Elizabeth in Baguio City.

Since I am now with the NBDB, allow me to mention the activities that we are sponsoring this month, with the theme “The Great Philippine Book Café.”

On Nov. 12, NBDB and the Manila Critics Circle will announce the winners of the National Book Awards. The awarding ceremonies will be held at the National Museum.

On Nov. 16-18, NBDB will hold the “2nd Manila International Festival” at the Ayala Museum. Scheduled to speak are numerous authors, literary agents, and publishers.

Here are some of the sessions in the festival: Writing from the Margins; In Search of the Great Philippine Novel; From Pen to Print - And Everything In Between; World Book Market vs. World Readership; From Pen to Print: What an Editor Does; Talk to the Litcritters; The Philippine Writing and Publishing Landscape; When Literature Offends; The Stranger Experience; Writing the Woman Reader; Of Power and Emotions: Writing for Young Adults; Crime, Horror, and Suspense; Writing the Memoir; Philippine Children’s Literature for the World; Of Folklores, Myths and Legends; Writing the Real; How to be a Bestseller; The Many Forms of the Novel; Mentoring the Writer; Writing in the Regional Language; Writing about War and Conflict; From Print to Silver Screen; The Many Poetic Forms; So You Got Yourself Published, Now What?; How to Get the Young to Read; Beyond the Page; Fiction Writing: The Basics; Non-Fiction Writing: The Basics; What’s So Funny?

On Nov. 24, NBDB and Central Books will sponsor a “Workshop on How To Write A Book” at the Filipinas Heritage Library in Makati. The workshop starts at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. The workshop is only for those who have never published a book. There is no entrance fee.

On Nov. 24-25, NBDB will hold the “2nd Philippine Digital Publishing Conference” at the Bahay ng Alumni in the University of the Philippines in Diliman.

On Nov. 24-26, NBDB will sponsor the “Libros Festival” at the Filipinas Heritage Library, featuring not just books, but also arts and performances.

There are three ways to celebrate books this month. One is to attend some of the activities scheduled by various organizations and agencies. Another is to buy or borrow two or three books and read them. The third is to write a book.

If you think writing a book is hard, look up “nanowrimo” on the Web. It’s National Novel Writing Month all over the world this month. Thousands of people started writing a novel last Nov. 1. Most of them will finish their novels by the end of this month. Many will even submit their novels to publishers. At least one has been an enormous success: Criselda Yabes’s novel “Below the Crying Mountain,” which she wrote during one of the previous National Novel Writing Months, was longlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize last year.

Read a book this month, and continue reading a book every month from now on. You owe it to yourself.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=746375&publicationSubCategoryId=442

My Favorite Book Contest 2011

To read a book that is incredibly good (define good for youself, hehe) is something worth bragging about. Sometimes you just can’t keep your tongue from promoting it to your friends or from stereotyping the characters or saying “OMG, this book changed me!” Okay, honestly, those are me (laughs). A lot of books made me experienced a lot of feelings. I bursted into tears, felt in love, got excited, laughed really loud, etcetera. Do you have that kind of book in your shelf? Well, just about you want the world to know, here’s your chance now!

The National Book Store, The Philippine STAR and Globe opened a contest for book worms and book lovers dubbed as “My Favorite Book Contest”. Aside from the prize (which I’ll tell you later), winners will get the chance to read their piece in the Sunday Lifestyle section of the Philippine Star.

This essay writing contest invites you to write about the book that made lifetime changes in your life. It may be your favorite book or may come from your favorite author. Both fictions and non-fiction books are okay.

The only rule for this is for you to answer the question: Why has that book touched your life? (Maybe we can add, how?)

Here’s the contest mechanics: Submit a printout of your unpublished essay, typed, double-spaced and not more than five pages long (1,100 words) and a CD containing the word file. Write your name, age, address, contact numbers and two paragraphs of background information. Also include a print of a passport-sized photo or in jpeg format (not inserted in a document file). Mark your CD and picture as we get many entries. Writers who do not comply with these rules will not have their entries considered.

As far as I can remember, I read this last September 2011 and will run until December this year. So the weekly prize will be P5,000 worth of gift certificates from National Book Store. From my source, the grand prizes are P50,000 for the first prize, P30,000 for second prize and P20,000 for third prize (all prizes will be distributed in 50-percent cash and 50-percent gift certificates). Five honorable mention winners will receive P10,000 each — P5,000 worth of GCs from NBS, plus P5,000 cash from The Philippine STAR. Globe will also be giving away Globe Handyphones to the eight grand-prize winners.

Anyone can join except employees of NBS, STAR and Globe and their advertising and PR agencies.

You can send your entries online to myfavoritebook2009@yahoo.com; unpublished entries sent last year to myfavoritebook2008@yahoo.com and mailed to the STAR offices may still be considered. For snail mail, send to: If My Life Were a Book Contest, Lifestyle Section, The Philippine STAR, 13th corner Railroad Sts., Port Area, Manila.

Weekly winners may claim their prizes by calling up National Book Store marketing services department at 631-8079 or 631-8061 to 66 loc. 172.

CIPE's Youth Essay Contest 2011

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) launches yearly essay contest that invites young minds to become involved in strengthening the youth's commitment to democracy and private sector's role towards development. Come on, share your ideas, join and win.

CIPE strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and journalists to build the civic institutions vital to a democratic society. Here for more information about CIPE.

Here are the mechanics (according to the official website of CIPE):

Who can participate:
Students and young professionals aged 18-30.

Length and language

2,000-3,000 words. All essays must be in English.

For winners:
For each category, first, second, and third place authors will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and CIPE will publish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place essays.

Deadline:
November 14, 2011

Categories:

Democratic transitions:
Young people and the technology they used to share knowledge and coordinate action were at the core of movements for democracy in Tunisia and Egypt earlier this year. Meanwhile outside of the Middle East, in Southern Sudan, Nepal, and other countries, young people also have opportunities to help power new democracies.

How can youth play a significant role in newly-formed or emerging democracies? Do existing broad-based civil society groups or parties provide youth with opportunities to participate? How might youth in your country form their own groups and voice their concerns and needs as future leaders?


Economically-sustainable development:
One of the challenges facing democratic and economic development is making progress economically self-sustaining. Policies and practices that address the sources, not the symptoms, of underdevelopment ensure that momentum builds over time. For development programs to be sustainable on their own, they must have financial and political commitment from local stakeholders.

How can youth take ownership of the most pressing development issues and solutions in your country? What can the next generation do to build democratic and economic development that is self-sustainable for the long run? What can be done to make sure progress is locally-driven, effective, and not dependent on foreign aid?

Corruption:
Corruption undermines a fair and open business environment that can provide jobs, opportunities, and tax revenues for a healthy democracy. Often corruption occurs at multiple levels of society, thus making it difficult for businesses and policymakers to curtail it. Without reforming practices and incentives at the root of this problem, corruption hurts business and weakens confidence in political leaders.

How does corruption influence the way business is done in your country? How do nepotism, cronyism, and/or bribery make doing business difficult or more costly? What are some innovative, new initiatives that the next generation should take to address corruption (e.g.: are there ways to change the incentive structure to discourage such behavior)?

You still have 13 days before the deadline. click here for a quick link to submit your entry.