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.