Two Aklanon youth leaders among TAYO national winners

Two Aklanon youth leaders among TAYO national winners

Two of this year’s Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) are led by Aklanons.

Joeby Barrientos, president of the Aklan Catholic College Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants (ACC JPIA), and Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr., president of the national organization of poets Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) received their respective organizations’ honors from President Benigno Simeon Aquino III during the awarding ceremony held last October 27, 2011 at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace.

Assisting the President during the ceremony were Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, TAYO Awards Foundation President Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, National Youth Commission Chairman and CEO Leon Flores III, Coca-Cola Export Corporation President and General Manager Guillermo Aponte, Lenovo ASEAN General Manager and Executive Director Koh Kong Meng, and Secretary Hermino “Sonny” Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

The other eight TAYO awardees are the Industrial Engineering Council of Cebu Institute of Technology University, Youth Solidarity for Peace - Peace Advocates Zamboanga, Association of Locally-Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao, Alyansa ng mga Kristiyanong Mag-aaral - Responsable nga Balikatan han mga Kabataan (AKMA-RESBAK), Indak Kabataan Youth Organization; University of the Cordilleras - Hapiyoh’ Mi Cultural Group, Young Mindanawans Peace Builders, and the Aquinas University of Legazpi’s STAGE (Sama-samang Tinig ng mga Aktor na Gumagalaw sa Entablado).

The winners were chosen based on the organization’s capability to harness the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship, the impact of their projects on their respective target communities, the project’s level of creativity, innovation, and sustainability, as well as its effective use of resources.

The ACC JPIA and LIRA each received a specially sculpted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao, a P50,000 cash grant from Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, a Lenovo IdeaPad laptop, and P2,500 worth of Jollibee gift cheques.

Prior to the awarding, Barrientos and Kimpo joined the representatives of the eighteen other TAYO National Finalists in presenting their organizations’ projects before a panel of judges which included Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Mr. Bam Aquino, Usec. Leon Flores III, Akbayan spokesperson Risa Hontiveros, and Usec. Jose Mari Oquiñena of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

202 youth organizations joined the TAYO search this year. Six stages of intensive screening, validation, and judging whittled this number down to the twenty TAYO National Finalists. 

Barrientos and ACC’s future accountants

Joeby Taglay Barrientos is a 4th year accountancy student at the Aklan Catholic College, where she is the president and CEO of the ACC JPIA. She was a scholar at the Regional Science High School for Region VI and currently resides in the town of Tangalan.

Founded in 2004, the ACC JPIA is an accredited student organization of the Aklan Catholic College. Their project “A CPA: Assisting Cooperatives’ Proficiency in Accounting” helped four selected cooperatives in the province by teaching them basic mathematics up to the fundamentals of accounting.

One of the beneficiary groups was the Boracay Ati Multi-purpose Cooperative and its underprivileged Aeta members. In addition to making an impact on the finances and well-being of the cooperatives, the student volunteers honed their own accounting and teaching skills while building camaraderie within the organization.

Kimpo and LIRA’s “poet-volunteers”

Though born and raised in Quezon City, Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr. is a full-blooded Aklanon: his father hails from Kalibo and his mother from Malinao. He returns to his home province every year, and last May he brought his organization to the provincial capital to teach literature for free to Aklanon teachers. He is also the publisher and co-editor of the upcoming “Madyaas: Journal of Aklanon Literature.”

A computer science graduate of UP Diliman, Kimpo splits his time between writing military history books for the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office and fulfilling his duties as president of LIRA, the oldest organization of poets in Filipino.

LIRA’s “National Literary Education” program teaches native literature to teachers, students, and aspiring writers as a means of contributing to the national identity, as well as planting seeds among the youth to help them become involved citizens and effective communicators, be it as journalists, bloggers, novelists, or poets.

Founded in 1985 by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, LIRA’s “training clinic” in UP Diliman has taught hundreds of beginning writers, many of whom have gone on to win recognition for their literary output. Since 2008, LIRA’s young poet-volunteers have also taught for free to 1000 teachers and students from more than 200 schools in 20 towns of Luzon and Visayas. They also run the “Tulaan sa Facebook” contest and have distributed hundreds of free poetry chapbooks.

Parties interested in lending assistance to or getting to know more about the two TAYO awardees can contact ACC JPIA through accjpia@yahoo.com and LIRA through pamunuan@liraonline.org. 

LIRA’s poet-volunteers win TAYO award

LIRA’s poet-volunteers win TAYO award

LIRA president Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr. (back row, second from left) joins President Benigno Aquino III, Senator Francis Pangilinan, and the nine other TAYO awardees in Malacañang. (Photo from the Office of Sen. Pangilinan.)

The Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) was declared as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) for 2011 during the awarding ceremony held last October 27 at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace.

LIRA, the oldest group of poets in Filipino, became the first literary organization to win in TAYO’s 9-year history.

LIRA president Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr. received the award from President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, who was assisted by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, TAYO Awards Foundation President Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, National Youth Commission Chairman and CEO Leon Flores III, Coca-Cola Export Corporation President and General Manager Guillermo Aponte, Lenovo ASEAN General Manager and Executive Director Koh Kong Meng, and Secretary Hermino “Sonny” Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Joining LIRA as TAYO awardees are the Industrial Engineering Council of Cebu Institute of Technology University, Youth Solidarity for Peace - Peace Advocates Zamboanga, Association of Locally-Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao, Alyansa ng mga Kristiyanong Mag-aaral - Responsable nga Balikatan han mga Kabataan (AKMA-RESBAK), Indak Kabataan Youth Organization; University of the Cordilleras - Hapiyoh’ Mi Cultural Group, Young Mindanawans Peace Builders, Aklan Catholic College Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants, and the Aquinas University of Legazpi’s STAGE (Sama-samang Tinig ng mga Aktor na Gumagalaw sa Entablado).

The winners were chosen based on the organization’s capability to harness the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship, the impact of their projects on their respective target communities, the project’s level of creativity, innovation, and sustainability, as well as its effective use of resources.

LIRA president Kimpo is congratulated by Dr. Ruby G. Alcantara of UP Diliman and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario while Akbayan spokesperson Risa Hontiveros applauds. (Photo by David Garmsen, www.davidgarmsen.com.)

LIRA received a specially sculpted trophy by artist Toym de Leon Imao, a P50,000 cash grant from Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, a Lenovo IdeaPad laptop, and P2,500 worth of Jollibee gift cheques. 

Prior to the awarding, Kimpo joined the representatives of the nineteen other TAYO National Finalists in presenting their organizations’ projects before a panel of judges that included Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Mr. Bam Aquino, Usec. Leon Flores III, Akbayan spokesperson Risa Hontiveros, and Usec. Jose Mari Oquiñena of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

202 youth organizations joined the TAYO search this year. Six stages of intensive screening, validation, and judging whittled this number down to the twenty TAYO National Finalists. 

“Poet-volunteers” for the nation

LIRA’s project entry for the TAYO search was its “National Literary Education” program, which teaches native literature to teachers, students, and aspiring writers as a means of contributing to the national identity, as well as planting seeds among the youth to help them become involved citizens and effective communicators, be it as journalists, bloggers, novelists, or poets.

The program is run entirely by a core of twenty poets, all of whom are 20 to 35 years old, and is led by the current LIRA officers: Kimpo, president; Mariane A.R.T. Abuan, vice-president; Giancarlo Lauro C. Abrahan V, secretary; Deborah Rosalind D. Nieto, treasurer; and Louie Jon A. Sanchez, public relations officer. 

Founded in 1985 by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, LIRA’s “training clinic” in UP Diliman has taught hundreds of beginning writers, many of whom have gone on to publish their own books and win recognition for their literary output. 

Since 2008, LIRA has also taught for free to 1000 teachers and students from more than 200 schools in 20 towns of Luzon and Visayas under the program “Sining ng Tugma at Sukat,” which was funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for two years. It also runs the “Tulaan sa Facebook” contest and has distributed hundreds of free poetry chapbooks.

Some of LIRA’s beneficiaries: (Clockwise, L to R) In Sta. Cruz, Zambales; Baguio City, Benguet; and Kalibo, Aklan.

During LIRA’s silver anniversary year in 2010, Kimpo and the LIRA leadership formalized the concept of the “poet-volunteer” as the organization’s identity for its coming 25 years.

The young LIRA poets face a weekly challenge in splitting their time among work or undergraduate studies, family, art, and their services rendered in various projects held all over the country, thereby exhibiting the spirit of volunteerism recognized and valued by the TAYO panel of judges. More often than not, their weekends find them in Diliman guiding the next batch of LIRA trainees, or in the provinces teaching literature, or in the LIRA-organized commemorative events for national heroes such as Emilio Jacinto and Francisco Balagtas.

A particular story that elicited hearty applause from the TAYO panel was that of Renato Santillan. “Rey,” as he is called by his org-mates, is a public school teacher, a fisherman’s son, and a resident of a small island in Pangasinan. He enrolled in the LIRA training clinic not particularly to hone his writing, but to gain knowledge with the intent of passing it onto his students.

Every weekend for six months, Rey had to rent a motorized banca in the wee hours of Saturday to get to Dagupan, ride the bus to Manila for four hours, arrive at UP Diliman at 8:00 AM, sleep over at a LIRA member’s residence after a whole day of studying poetry, spend the entire Sunday in a similar manner, and ride the bus back to Dagupan come evening. 

In the end, Rey became a full-fledged LIRA member, and has helped organize three seminar-workshops in Pangasinan and Quezon. He also went on to win a fellowship to a national writers’ workshop and have his poems published in several chapbooks.

LIRA’s poet-volunteers in action: (Clockwise, L to R) Providing additional knowledge to teachers in San Fabian, Pangasinan; commemorating Balagtas Day with the City Government of Manila; lending a helping hand to beginning writers in UP Diliman.

This ability to handle the dual weight of attending to one’s art and reaching out to communities is precisely what the LIRA leadership wants to instill in the next batches of LIRA trainees.

This year, LIRA poets won the Makata ng Taon (Poet of the Year) Award from the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino; the Maningning Miclat Award; and the first, second, and third prizes for Filipino poetry, as well as second prize in children’s poetry, in the Palanca Awards. This train of individual recognitions has now been capped off by the TAYO Award for the organization’s volunteerism facet.

Aside from putting pen to paper and putting boots on the ground, LIRA’s poet-volunteers have also had to obtain sizeable amounts of sponsorships, an effort appreciated by the TAYO panel.

For the past two years, the young LIRA leadership has raised almost P400,000 in financial and in-kind assistance for their provincial seminar-workshops alone, and has forged partnerships with various local government units (provincial and municipal), universities, and the private sector.

LIRA plans to expand its program by partnering with various institutions connected with the TAYO Awards such as the National Youth Commission, as well as the network of TAYO national and regional finalists from the different aspects of the youth-volunteer movement—social welfare, science and technology, education, culture, healthcare, environmental preservation, and peace and security. LIRA also aims to teach in more cities in Visayas and Mindanao, as well as to delve into poetry for children’s development and poetry as therapy.

Parties interested in lending assistance to or getting to know more about LIRA’s projects can contact the organization through pamunuan@liraonline.org. 

A Day at Work: Heroes' Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio

May 5, 2011: As part of my part-time historical writing-research duties with the Department of National Defense - Philippine Veterans Affairs Office, I accompanied my bosses to the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Cemetery of Heroes) in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, in particular the planned park & shrine to Filipino war veterans found in the still under-construction sewage and treatment complex of the Manila Water Company.

With me in the convoy from Camp Aguinaldo to Fort Bonifacio were friend and fellow PVAO writer Jeremiah Faustino; Ret. Col. Cesar P. Pobre, Ph. D. of the AFP-OSSS (whom I collaborated with in writing the book "The Freedom Fighters of Northern Luzon"); ma'am Teresita Cuevas, Chief of PVAO's Military Shrines Service (now the Veterans Memorial and Historical Division, to which I am assigned); and sir Noel Biscocho, PVAO Shrine Curator. We hooked up with the Manila Water team and General Ernesto Carolina, PVAO Administrator in the cemetery.

We then proceeded to an ocular inspection of the future park and shrine, the plaques/markers of which will contain historical background text that we will be preparing.

After the visit, we headed to nearby Serendra for an early dinner. Admittedly, I have never been at ease in plush and high-end places, but when dinner's for free, any discomfort goes out the window! In any case, Jere and I hitched a ride on Dr. Pobre's car back to Quezon City. A day well spent.

Baguio Xmas 2: Writers' Feasts

'Yung ni-"rescue" naming stuffed toy ni Ynna mula sa ukay, hehe. Ngayon, nasa bahay niya sa Sta. Mesa si Octopoop.

Dec. 19-20, 2009: After immersing ourselves in the mist and art of BenCab's lofty museum in the mountains, it was time to bring out the booze.

Actually, the word "feasts" in the album title pertains not to a glut of toma & pulutan, but to the general convivial spirit of the three separate meals that we LIRA poets enjoyed: (1) the meet-and-greet inuman with members of the Baguio Writers Group at the behest of JM Agreda, who was my co-Fellow in the 9th IYAS National Writers Workshop; (2) the hearty home-cooked breakfast in the hotel; and (3) the dinner prepared by Ynna's mom, Tita Glory, at the Abuan residence in Mangaldan, Pangasinan on our way down to Manila.

(At hindi dapat pagtakhan na walang "glut of toma & pulutan" -- writers nga e. Generally speaking, maliliit ang mga bulsa, maninipis ang mga pitaka. Hindi naman kami bohemian, pero di rin naman kami mga best-seller. Heh.)

Nakapag-ukay din pala kami, pero di ko na nakuhanan ng retrato. Naisip ko kasing hindi magiging epektib ang tawad skills ni Ynna kung may nakasabit na DSLR camera naman sa leeg ng kasama niya.

The trip would serve as the last whiff of fresh air for the group before we plunged into 2010's year-long celebration (and train of stressful events) of LIRA's Silver Jubilee.

Trip background:

Several poets of LIRA went up to Baguio for a chilly pre-Christmas vacation. Highlight of the trip: Visiting the svelte BenCab Museum, up high along Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet.

This was my 4th time in Baguio in the previous half-year or so (1st: Dapitdilim founding, 2nd: post-Ati-Atihan excursion, 3rd: UP National Writers Workshop), as well as my 2nd time in the National Artist's place (1st time was also during the UP NWW, but because that was in summer, it didn't have the up-high-in-heaven effect).

Baguio Xmas 1: Up in the Clouds (BenCab Museum)

Dec. 19, 2009: Several poets of LIRA went up to Baguio for a chilly pre-Christmas vacation. Highlight of the trip: Being enveloped by mist and art in the svelte BenCab Museum, up high along Asin Road, Tuba, Benguet.

This was my 4th time in Baguio in the previous half-year or so (1st: Dapitdilim founding, 2nd: post-Ati-Atihan excursion, 3rd: UP National Writers Workshop), and my 2nd time in the National Artist's place (1st time was also during the UP NWW, but because that was in summer, it didn't have the up-high-in-heaven effect).

Madaling araw kami bumiyahe mula Cubao. Halos tanghali na ata nang nakarating kami ng Baguio. After taking a brunch at my favorite haunt, Cafe by the Ruins, we proceeded to check-in to our accommodations. Tapos, punta na sa may palengke para sumakay ng jeep papuntang Asin Road.

Ginusto ko talagang dalhin ang mga katropa ko sa BenCab Museum dahil sa magandang karanasan ko dito a few months prior. Pero ang di ko inasahan, mas maganda pa pala ang experience the 2nd time around -- due in no small part to it being in December. It literally felt like being up in the clouds: chillax kung chillax ang lugar, lango ka sa sining, at lumalangoy ka sa hamog. And as a person who prefers cold days over summer, heben talaga.

We spent what, three? four? hours just hanging out in the museum and by its pond. Bago bumaba ang araw, bumalik na kami ng Baguio para mamalengke at tumoma kasama ang Baguio writers...at nasa susunod na album na 'yun.

Call for Contributions: Madyaas Journal of Aklanon Literature

Magpasa na sa bagong-bukas naming lit journal.

* * * * *

Call for Contributions: Madyaas Journal of Aklanon Literature

 

 

Contributions are being accepted for the inaugural issue of "Madyaas: Journal of Aklanon Literature," a new online, multilingual publication intending to feature the best of the current generation of writers from Aklan or with immediate Akeanon lineage, wherever the Akeanon diaspora has taken them to.

 

John Barrios, Melchor F. Cichon, and Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr. are the journal's editors. The journal's first issue will be launched tentatively in June or July 2011, with a minimum of three issues per year.

 

Submission guidelines:

 

- The journal is open to writers who (a) are residents of Aklan, or (b) have Akeanon parent/s, or (c) can write in Akeanon.

 

- Works in Akeanon, Filipino, and English are accepted. (In the future, works in Hiligaynon will be considered.) 

 

- Works of poetry, fiction, nonfiction (personal essays), drama, literary criticism, and graphic novels are accepted. Multiple submissions are okay, but please limit poetry submissions to five (5) and each work of prose to 5,000 words.

 

- Akeanon photographers and artists are encouraged to submit their works, which will occupy the journal's cover page.

 

- Submissions must be emailed to madyaaslit@gmail.com. The email subject should contain the language, genre, and author surname. (Example: Akeanon Poetry - Cichon.) Works submitted on or before May 29, 2011 will be the ones considered for publication in the journal's first issue.

 

The editors reserve the right to include works from invited non-Akeanon guest writers, provided the works give a deeper understanding of Aklan, its history, its culture, or its people to the rest of the nation.

Our LIRA 25th Anniv Celebration & Book Launch

Dec. 4, 2010: The most fulfilling night of my life, to date. More than a year's worth of preparations, literary events, legwork, and fundraisings climaxed in the Silver Jubilee Culminating Night of the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), the oldest organization of poets in Filipino. Venue: Crossroad 77, Quezon City.

The sense of accomplishment encapsulated in that one night is best told by my Facebook status the next day:

"TAPOS NA. 1 year. 9 towns & provinces, ~500 beneficiaries, 2 gatherings, 1 rally, 1 nat'l conference, 4 chapbooks, 1 book, 11 poetry readings, 5 months of poetry workshops & lectures, ~40 clinic enrollees, 18 clinic graduates, 1 organizational award, 2 contests, ~700 contest entries, ~30 sponsors/partners. 11 steering committee members. 25 years of Filipino poetry and volunteerism. Mabuhay ang LIRA!"

The following is not an exaggeration: for that whole year, I felt that I had given most of my waking hours to LIRA's events, and in the bigger scheme of things, to the service of Philippine literature. This was the night when everyone was vindicated, and everything ended for other, greater things to begin. Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng tumulong sa steering committee, at sa mga Kasapi at Fellow ng LIRA na dumalo sa gabing ito.

And here was our official post-event PR:

LIRA’s Silver Jubilee Culminates in Book Launch, Awards Night

The year-long celebration of the 25th anniversary of the renowned Filipino literary group Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) climaxed in the “Lirang Pilak” Culminating Night last December 4, 2010 in Crossroad 77, Quezon City.

Aside from serving as a reunion for some of country’s notable poets, writers, and educators who had been borne of LIRA’s yearly and intensive “poetry clinic,” the night witnessed the launching of a commemorative poetry anthology, the awarding ceremony for a poetry contest, a tribute to organizations who have helped foster the growth of Filipino literature, and a homage to the spirit of volunteerism that marks the poets of LIRA, among others.

National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (also known as Rio Alma), LIRA founder and adviser graced the event. LIRA President Phillip Kimpo Jr. opened the night with a short welcome message before dinner was served.

An audio-visual presentation reviewing the LIRA-organized events and projects for 2010 was shown next. These include the “Writers and Artists’ Penitence for the Nation,” a rally and symbolic “clean-up” for Philippine arts and culture held on April 2 (Good Friday and Balagtas Day) at Pandacan, Manila;

The “Sining ng Tugma at Sukat” (Art of Rhyme and Meter), the second edition of LIRA and the NCCA’s literary education outreach program that visited and taught to almost 500 teachers and students from nine towns across Luzon, from March to December;

The LIRA Poetry Clinic 2010, a five-month-long series of lectures and poetry workshops held by some of the country’s eminent writers and attended by more or less forty beginning poets;

And the National Conference for Poetry in Filipino, a two-day seminar on November 25-26 in UP Diliman and highlighted by lectures by two National Artists.

The presentation was followed by the oath-taking of four newly minted “full members” the organization, which screens and chooses its members from the ranks of its clinic graduates. Acceptance is based on the poet’s skill in the art and his or her willingness to pursue projects in service to the nation, often without remuneration—the embodiment of the “poet-volunteer” that LIRA espouses, especially by its current president.

The twin launch of the “Lirang Pilak” book and “Aninaw” chapbook was the feature of the night. Edited by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario with Romulo P. Baquiran Jr. and Phillip Kimpo Jr. as associate editors, “Lirang Pilak” features works from forty LIRA members, award-winning veterans and emerging talents alike.

The chapbook, on the other hand, was the final installment in a series of four mini-anthologies each featuring twenty five poems. “Aninaw” was edited by Ronaldo Carcamo and was preceded by “Lámang” (Edgar Calabia Samar), “Iláng” (Jerry Gracio), and “Rurok” (Enrico C. Torralba).

The book and chapbooks were published by Vibal Foundation, the socio-cultural development arm of Vibal Publishing House, Inc., and Aklat LIRA, the organization’s publishing imprint.

The night was by no means an all-LIRA celebration, as the winners of the “Timpalak Tulaan sa Facebook” were awarded in a simple ceremony. The contest, which attracted over 700 entries and offered a total prize of Php 10,000 was won by Allan Lenard Ocampo, Lidie Zubiri, and Francisco Monteseña.

On the other hand, no winners merited the prizes for LIRA’s other contest for the year, the “Premyong Bulawan: Php 50,000 Timpalak sa Tula at Kritisismo” as announced by the contest sponsor, National Artist Almario. Instead, the contest will be extended to 2011 and will be complemented by the Philippines Graphic’s “Gawad Rio Alma,” held in cooperation with LIRA.

LIRA also paid tribute to nine institutions that have helped the group’s activities and Filipino literature as a whole. These are the Vibal Foundation, UP College of Arts and Letters, LIKHAAN: UP Institute of Creative Writing, Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas, Adarna House, Ortigas Foundation, Anvil Publishing, Book Development Association of the Philippines, and the Philippines Graphic.

Prof. Vim Nadera, one of LIRA’s founding members led a reminiscing of the group’s early days. Teo T. Antonio, acclaimed as the country’s “Prince of Balagtasan” gave a toast to the organization’s past, present, and future.

Almario then delivered his founder’s message, thanking the people who have poured their energies into the year and for LIRA’s quarter-century existence, and enjoining every young poet in the hall to continue the zeal to become better in the craft and become a better servant to Philippine literature and society.

LIRA President Kimpo closed the program and the year-long celebration by honoring the young poet-volunteers who led and managed the parade of LIRA events and projects: Giancarlo Lauro C. Abrahan V, LIRA Public Relations Officer Mariane A.R.T. Abuan, Mel G. Boquiren, Mikael Gallego, LIRA Secretary Vivian N. Limpin, Deborah Rosalind D. Nieto, Carla Payongayong, Louie Jon A. Sanchez, Michael Jude C. Tumamac, and LIRA Treasurer Enrique Villasis.

The celebration continued into the wee hours of the morning in a party held in nearby Sizzlers’ Blends at Victoria Towers Condominium.

Seeing as the night served as the endpoint of our LIRA@25 activities, here's a compilation of the photo albums of the Silver Jubilee events & sidetrips (to be updated as the albums are uploaded):

• November 28, 2009: LIRA@25 Planning Session at Bulacan


• January 11, 2010: TV-5 Interviews the Poets of LIRA


• February 21: LIRA President's Report & Members Workshop


• March 13: New LIRA Members' Oathtaking at Bahay Bulawan


• March 20: Launch of LIRA's "Salit Sining I" Art Exhibit


• April 2: National Artists Lead Good Friday Rally-Penitence


• Sining ng Tugma at Sukat (nationwide education program, March-December)
  
  
  1. STS San Fabian, Pangasinan [Detour: PTA Beach Resort]
  
  
  2. STS Baguio, Benguet [Detour: Mines View & Ayuyang]
  
  
  3. STS San Antonio, Zambales [Detour 1: Casa San Miguel & Beach; Detour 2: Anawangin Beach Cove]
  
  
  4. STS Vigan, Ilocos Sur [Detour 1: Old Spanish City at Night; Detour 2: Pottery Making & Shopping]
  
  
  5. STS Lipa, Batangas [Detour: Lipa Cultural Tour]
  
  
  6. STS Angono, Rizal
  
  
  7. STS Malolos, Bulacan
  
  
  8. STS Dasmariñas, Cavite
  
  
  9. STS San Simon, Pampanga


• LIRA Poetry Clinic 2010 (June-November)
  
  
  
  • Opening Day
  
  
  • June to August Lectures & Workshops
  
  
  • September Lectures & Workshops
  
  
  • LIRA Fellows Night 2010: Kilapsaw Poets


• LIRA Poetry Chapbook Series
  
  
  
  • Launch of 1st Chapbook at Conspi
  
  
  • "Re-launch" of 1st Chapbook at Mag:net Katips
  
  
  • Launch of 1st & 2nd Chapbooks at Manila International Book Fair
  
  
  • Launch of 2nd Chapbook & "Salit Sining II" Art Exhibit at Conspi
  
  
  • Launch of 3rd Chapbook at Conspi


• LIRAhan Poetry Readings @ Conspiracy (January-November)


• August 28: UMPIL National Congress (LIRA receives an award)


• November 25-26: LIRA's National Conference for Poetry in Filipino

P.S. Most of the photos in this Culminating Night album were taken by Elmer Grampon, to whom I entrusted my camera.

Our LIRA Chapbooks' Launch at the Int'l Bookfair

Sept. 19, 2010: Vibal Foundation launched the first 2 of our 4 LIRA poetry chapbooks (and the e-book versions) at their booth at the 2010 Manila Infernational Bookfair, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.

The two chapbooks, published in celebration of LIRA's 25th Anniversary, were "Lámang" (edited by Edgar Calabia Samar) and "Iláng" (edited by Jerry Gracio).

This was the 3rd time that Chapbook 1, "Lámang" was launched. The first was on June 15, 2010 at Conspi and the second on June 28, 2010 at Mag:Net Katips.

On the other hand, this was like the "soft launch" of Chapbook 2, "Iláng" because its main launch followed just two days after at Conspi. Gusto kasi itong isabay ng Vibal sa grand launching ng kanilang new titles and e-books.

Lots of love for the Vibal team: ms. Kristine Mandigma, ms. Karen Lucero, and mr. Edd Castro for the launch :) Salamat po! At salamat din sa mga LIRA Fellow na sumuporta sa LIRA Members sa launch.

After the quick programme, we were treated to free merienda. Pagkatapos, pumunta kami ni Ynna sa Ortigas to have dinner with her family.

Unlike my 2008 and 2009 bookfair experiences, di na ako masyadong bumili ng books. Di ko na kasi alam kung saan pagkakasiyahin ang mga aklat ko sa iilang bookshelf. (Palusot pa e, wala lang budget!)

LIRA Fellows Night 2010: Kilapsaw Poets

Nov. 30, 2010: 2nd Fellows Night under my term as LIRA president. Nag-enjoy kami sa gabi ng tula at musika na handog ng Batch 2010 ("Kilapsaw") ng LIRA Poetry Clinic.

Venue: Conspiracy sa Visayas Avenue, QC, as usual. For the first time in recent years, inihiwalay namin sa Fellows Night ang LIRA Xmas Party slash reunion dahil meron namang LIRA Silver Jubilee Culminating Night a few nights after this. ('Yun ang susunod kong i-a-upload na album.)

Ikinagulat namin ang presensiya ng isang pulutong ng mga porenger (German ba o French, o iba?) sa front seats. Sayang at di naman talaga ang LIRA ang ipinunta nila, dahil di nga nila siguro alam na may event pala nang gabing 'yon. Dapat sana ay reserved ang venue as is the usual case kapag LIRA Fellows Night, pero guests ata sila ng isa sa mga co-owner. At least dumami ang audience (kahit inattentive). Hehe.

Pagkatapos magtanghal ng Fellows, ginawaran sila ng tongue-in-cheek awards. Sumunod ang pormal na paggawad ng sertipiko sa mga nagsipagtapos na Fellow, ang speech ni sir Rio (National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, LIRA founder & adviser), at ang group photo.

Some of the photos here were borrowed from Elmer Grampon & Joel Salud.

LIRA Fellows Nights from the past years para sa mga interesadong magbalik-tanaw:

• 2009: Batch Bingit


• 2008: Batch Aranya & Part Two


• 2007: Batch Sidhay -- my batch :)

Kimpo Family: Christmas Dinner 2010

Dec. 26, 2010: Kimpo Xmas dinner at Tito Alex & Tita Baby's residence at Brookside Hills, Cainta, Rizal.

This was our last get-together before the Kimpo International Reunion & Ati-Atihan 2011 a few weeks later. Sayang at hindi kumpleto ang angkan, pero naging masaya pa rin ang gabi.

Kami nina manong RJ at manang Kaye ang last cousins standing dahil gising pa pagsikat ng araw. From hapunan to almusal! Yeba.

Si manang Khiara ang kumukuha ng maraming pics dito kaya andun ako sa mga retrato :D Tenks manang! May future bilang photog!

2nd time ko palang gamitin ang bagong Nikon D90 ko nito (the 1st time being our Xmas Baguio trip a week earlier). The family's two previous Christmas celebrations are found in these albums:

• A Merry Kimpo Christmas 2008


• Xmas '09 & New Year '10 at Home

Quezon City's Star-Studded Gawad Parangal '09

Dec. 10, 2009: Ynna and I were invited by National Artist Virgilio S. Almario to his awarding as one of QC's Outstanding Citizens at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Sinundo ko si Ynna sa UP Information Office (her employer back then), at sumabay kami kina sir Wendell Capili & ma'am Gina Umali.

As can be expected, sosyalin ang event, kaya kinailangan naming magbihis nang disente. Hehe. From among the alcoves of my memory, that night's food stands out. Sobrang sarap lang e.

Two scenes that I just have to write down here for journal keeping's sake: First, then-Vice Mayor (and future QC Mayor) Herbert Bautista going around the entire hall and shaking everyone's hand, including mine. Second, I was alone in the restroom and was about to go out when Mayor Sonny Belmonte entered. As I smiled and made room for him to enter, he greeted me with a friendly "Oy." Haha.

P.S. I borrowed a few pics from sir Wendell.

Gala Premiere of "Emir," 1st Pinoy Musical Film

June 7, 2010: Ynna & I were invited by fellow LIRA poet & dear mentor, Jerry Gracio, to the gala premiere of "Emir," whose screenplay he wrote. (Maraming, maraming salamat, sir Jerry!)

Sa SM Megamall ang premiere. "Star-studded" would be an understatement, as the pics below illustrate. Yung digicam lang ni Ynna ang baon namin; di ko nadala ang Nikon D80 ko dahil nag-commute lang.

Pagkatapos ng premiere, naghapunan muna kami ni Ynna sa TGI Friday's -- treat niya dahil kakatanggap niya lang noon bilang college instructor sa St. Paul University QC :)

Call for Submissions: LIRA Filipino Poetry Clinic 2011

Please pass on to people you know might be interested :) Thanks!

LIRA Poetry Clinic 2011, Bukas Na ang Aplikasyon

Binubuksang muli ng Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), ang kilala at pinakamatandang aktibong kapisanan ng mga makata sa wikang Filipino ang Taunang Klinikang Pampanulaan para sa mga nais lumahok. Ang lingguhang klase tuwing Sabado at Linggo mula 9:00 n.u. hanggang 5:00 n.h ay tatagal mula Hunyo hanggang Agosto, subalit magkakaroon pa rin ng iilang klase hanggang Nobyembre.

Upang makapagpatala, magpadala ng isang Word Document file na naglalaman ng mga sumusunod: isang pahinang bio-data, ID picture, numero ng telepono, at limang tula sa Filipino sa palihan@liraonline.org. (Hindi tatanggapin ang mga tulang nakasulat sa Ingles at ibang wika.) Maaari rin mag-iwan ng isang sobreng naglalaman ng mga kailangan sa pigeon hole ng LIRA sa UP Institute of Creative Writing, 2/F Faculty Center, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman, 1101 Quezon City.

Ang huling araw ng pagpapatalâ ay ang ika-30 ng Abril, 2011. 

Sa ibang balita, pormal na manunumpa sa ika-5 ng Marso ang bagong halal na pamunuan ng LIRA. Si Phillip Kimpo Jr. ay nahalal sa kaniyang ikalawang termino bilang Pangulo, at sasamahan siya nina Mariane A.R.T. Abuan (Pangalawang Pangulo), Giancarlo Lauro C. Abrahan V (Kalihim), Deborah Rosalind D. Nieto (Ingat-Yaman), at Louie Jon A. Sanchez (Ugnayang Pangmadla).

Kasabay na manunumpa ang labing-isang bagong kasapi at “poet-volunteer” ng LIRA. Batay sa kanilang husay sa sining ng pagtula at sa kanilang kahandaang maglingkod para sa kalinangan ng bayan, sina Mark Arisgado, RR Cagalingan, Joseph Franco, Elmer Grampon, Vins Miranda, Conrad Nuyles, Imee Rabang, Rae Rival, Crecee Roldan, James Tana, at Shiela Virtusio ang napiling maging mga kasapi mula sa mga nagsipagtapos sa Klinikang Pampanulaan 2010.

Ipinagdiwang ng LIRA ang ika-25 taon nito sa nakaraang taon. Bilang bahagi ng anibersaryo nito, idinaos ng organisasyon ang ilang pangunahing proyekto, kabilang ang isang pambansang kumperensiya, dalawang pambansang timpalak sa tula, isang aklat, apat na chapbook, at ang Sining ng Tugma at Sukat 2010, ang libreng pagtuturo ng panitikan ng LIRA at NCCA sa siyam na bayan sa Luzon.

Itinatag ang LIRA ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Panitikan Virgilio S. Almario (mas kilala bilang Rio Alma) noong 1985. Sa mga palihan ng LIRA nagmula ang mga premyadong makata tulad nina Roberto at Rebecca Añonuevo, Romulo Baquiran Jr., Michael Coroza, Jerry Gracio, Vim Nadera, at Edgar Samar. Para sa dagdag na kaalaman tungkol sa LIRA, magtungo lamang sa www.liraonline.org.

* * *

Call for Submissions: LIRA Filipino Poetry Clinic 2011

LIRA, the celebrated and oldest active organization of poets in Filipino is now accepting sign-ups for its yearly poetry clinic. The regular clinic period is from June to August and will be held every Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, although several more sessions will be held until November.

All those interested must submit one Word Document file containing the following: one-page bio data, ID picture, contact numbers, and five poems in Filipino, to palihan@liraonline.org. (Poems in English and other languages will not be accepted.) An envelope containing the requirements may also be dropped off at the LIRA pigeon hole at the UP Institute of Creative Writing, 2/F Faculty Center, UP Diliman, 1101 Quezon City.

All submissions should be in on or before April 30, 2011.

In related news, the new officers of LIRA will be formally sworn in on March 5.

Phillip Kimpo Jr. was elected to his second term as President, and he will be joined by Mariane A.R.T. Abuan (Vice President), Giancarlo Lauro C. Abrahan V (Secretary), Deborah Rosalind D. Nieto (Treasurer), and Louie Jon A. Sanchez (Public Relations Officer).

Also to be sworn in are eleven new members and “poet-volunteers” of LIRA. Based on their skill in the art of poetry and on their willingness to serve for the nation’s culture, Mark Arisgado, RR Cagalingan, Joseph Franco, Elmer Grampon, Vins Miranda, Conrad Nuyles, Imee Rabang, Rae Rival, Crecee Roldan, James Tana, and Shiela Virtusio were chosen to become members from the graduates of the Poetry Clinic 2010.

LIRA celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. As part of its silver jubilee, the group held several key projects: a national conference, two national poetry contests, a book, four chapbooks, and the “Sining ng Tugma at Sukat 2010,” a literary education outreach program of LIRA and the NCCA in nine towns across Luzon.

LIRA was founded by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (a.k.a. Rio Alma) in 1985. Its workshops have produced award-winning poets such as Roberto and Rebecca Añonuevo, Romulo Baquiran Jr., Michael Coroza, Jerry Gracio, Vim Nadera, and Edgar Samar. For more information on LIRA, please visit www.liraonline.org.

Dapitdilim Writers' Picnic at UP Diliman

March 12, 2009: Get-together, workshop, and picnic of our small group of friends-before-artists, the Dapitdilim Fellowship of Writers.

Background on our group: DD's core is composed of the Fellows from the 9th UST National Writers Workshop in 2008, and all of its members went through the LIRA Poetry Clinic (2007, 2008, 2009). The group was founded on September 20, 2008 in Burnham Park, Baguio City.

Para sa araw na 'to, 5 DD writers lang ang nakapunta: ako, Ynna, Debbie, AC, at Melvin.

Sinundo ko muna si Ynna sa Sta. Mesa before proceeding to UPD's Vinzons Hall. Tapos e tsumibog kami ng tokneneng, chickenball, cheesestick, at shake malapit sa Shopping Center. Nag-palihan kami ng mga gawa namin. Nang inabutan ng takipsilim, naghapunan kami sa Philcoa.

SARMING: Ynna's 1st Art Exhibit

March 27, 2009: Ynna's debut art exhibit! Who would've thought that she'd go on to have five more exhibits (as of Jan. 2011)?

Binuksan ang "SARMÍNG: A Twoman Exhibit (The Art of Ynna Abuan & Vivian Limpin)" sa TAuMBAYAN Restaurant sa Quezon City at tumagal hanggang April 30, 2009. The exhibit opening stands as one of the happiest days of my art life -- this was the first time that Ynna revealed herself as a visual artist to people other than close friends & family.

Nakatutuwa ang todo-suporta ng mga kabarkada niya at mga kasama naming manunulat sa LIRA at Dapitdilim Fellowship of Writers na dumating sa gabing 'to. What's more, we enjoyed a free jam session led by *the* Bituin Escalante, a regular of the resto owned by people from theater, TV, and film. So we can actually claim that Bituin sang at Ynna's exhibit launch, wehehe.

Maraming salamat siempre kay Vivian N. Limpin para sa pagkakataong ito. (At humiram din ako ng ilang retrato mula sa kanya para sa album na 'to.)

The exhibit overview that I wrote:

Sarmíng is the Ilocano word for salamin, or "mirror." But it could also very well be a portmanteau for "sarisaring tingin" (albeit with an absent "m").

Various views, varied visions. These two women without formal training and any pretensions in the visual arts paint their stories in contrasting styles. Ynna Abuan’s canvas (or scrap plywood from time to time) is often a playground of playful colors that find restraint in the fantastic figures of women and intricate patterns. On the other hand, gazing into Vivian Limpin’s serene hues is like looking into the horizon – one gets the feeling of witnessing infinity, only that the physical medium hides the rest from your eyes.

Sarmíng is the first time that Abuan’s works are going to be displayed – not that she dreamt or expected it to happen in her lifetime. This exhibit is the latest of Limpin’s many group and solo shows.

The works at Sarmíng might be art for some and fart for others. Outsider art, untrained craft, mere daubs and splashes, or whatever you call it – drop by anyway. Paintings will be the main course and poetry readings the hors d'oeuvre. And while you’re there, sample the menu and have a round of drinks at this new art resto this side of the metro.

Read the full overview & artists' profiles here.

The Dapitdilim writers (Ynna & I included) met up early evening in Philcoa before proceeding by cab to Kamuning. 7-8 PM nagsimula ang programa. Around 3 AM na ata kami umalis ng TAuMBAYAN; nag-wind down muna kami sa Tomas Morato bago umuwi ng 5 AM.

P.S. Pagpasensyahan ang kapangitan ng composition ng photos ko rito. Pramis, ilang buwan pagkatapos nitong gabing 'to e mas gumaling naman ako. Hahahaha.

Our National Conference on Poetry 2010

Kuha ni ms. Beng using my cam.

Nov. 25-26, 2010: First-ever conference that I directed, LIRA's "Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Panulaang Filipino" at the C.M. Recto Hall, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. One of the biggest projects I've handled as LIRA President.

Bahagi ang kumperensiya ng LIRA Silver Jubilee year-long celebrations. Paying participants came from as far as Baguio, Cagayan and even Davao City.

From our final souvprog for the year:

During the course of two days, literature and Filipino language educators, as well as writers and other lovers of Filipino literature convened and discussed the present state, the changes to, and the future of how poetry in Filipino is read, taught, and written. The conference answered the question “Mahalaga ba ang Tula?” (“Does Poetry Matter?”) with lectures from two National Artists and notable writers and teachers.

Director: Phillip Kimpo Jr.
Assistant Directors: Giancarlo Lauro C. Abrahan V, Louie Jon A. Sanchez
Event Coordinator: Eva Garcia Cadiz

In this album are pics from both days of the summit. May mga hiniram din akong mga retrato mula kay Elmer Grampon. May ilang kuha din dito sina Vivian Limpin at Ynna Abuan using my Nikon D80.

At siempre, ang pasasalamat sa mga naging sponsor namin: Vibal Foundation,
Book Development Association of the Philippines, UP College of Arts and Letters, LIKHAAN: UP Institute of Creative Writing, Shoppersville Bakeshoppe, Purple Angel Shirt Store, Anvil Publishing Inc., panitikan.com.ph, Balikbayan Magazine, Philippines Graphic Magazine.

LIRA Poetry Clinic 2010: September

Kuha ni Elmer.

September 2010: Workshops, lectures, and other activities for the 4th month of the LIRA Poetry Clinic 2010. (View the pics of the 1st three months.)

Halo-halo na ang mga pics ng:
- 3 poetry workshops where I sat as a panelist (siempre hindi ko nakuhanan ng pics ang mga palihang wala ako)
- mid-Clinic advisory session (where we gave the Fellows tips & feedback)
- sir D.M. Reyes's lecture in Ateneo
- sir Fidel Rillo's lecture in UP
- Fellows' meeting for their folio & grad night
- "Information for Foreigners" play at UP CAL (pics courtesy of ms. Beng)
- mga inuman!

May sinama na rin akong ilang November pics na hiniram from Vins, ayoko na kasi ilagay pa sa separate album :) Humiram din ako ng ilang kuha mula kay pareng Elmer.