Showing posts with label literary. Show all posts

Life and Writing

By Apolinario Villalobos

Life and writing are similar as regards their inception, midsection, and culmination.

There is pain felt when the womb pulsates as a new life therein tries to manifest itself. There is pain, too, in the head of the writer that throbs with effort as he struggles how to start a composition or poem with an appropriate opening sentence.

Relief is felt by the mother when the bundle of new life finally makes it out to enjoy its firs whiff of air. Relief is felt, too, by the writer as the first word comes out of his head to trigger the avalanche of more words that shall comprise a literary expression.

As the child grows to enjoy life, he or she is guided by the parents, institutions and established norms so that he or she becomes a virtuous member of the society. On the other hand, as the writer progresses, set norms and ethics, as well as, his own style guide him to ensure that the outcome of his effort becomes satisfactory and relevant.

In life, it is not easy to “call it quits”, especially, as one enjoys every minute of it. But the onset of death cannot be prevented as it may occur unexpectedly due to an accident. Normally, though, it should come with old age or disease. The writer, meanwhile, has to allow a ‘twist” to conclude what he is doing. Or, gracefully allow the avalanche of words to be exhausted naturally…to spell the end.

To sum it up… as with life, writing may also be difficult, BUT CAN STILL BE ENJOYED.

Ang Pagsusulat

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Lahat tayo ay may kakayahang magsulat, sanaysay man o tula, o kung sa Ingles ay essay o poem. Yon nga lang, ang karamihan ay napipigilan ng hiya kaya atubili sila sa pagsulat ng kanilang saloobin o laman ng diwa tulad ng isang naging kaibigan ko…..

Ang kaibigan ko ay kilala noong dekada sitenta dahil sa pagiging unang babaeng direktor ng pelikulang Pilipino. Siya ay nagtapos sa Univeristy of the Philippines at nagpakadalubhasa sa larangan ng pagdi-direk ng pelikula sa Amerika. Nang siya ay tumigil sa pag-direk ng pelikula sa Pilipinas, inimbita siyang maging radio broadcaster dahil maganda ang kanyang boses. Narinig niya sa isang kaibigan ang tungkol sa mga naisulat kong mga tula na nalathala noon sa isang magasin. Sinubukan niyang banggitin sa radyo ang pangalan ko bilang panawagan na interesado siyang makausap ako at kung maaari daw ay baka pwede ko siyang tawagan sa istasyon dahil “on board” siya noon at dahil kauupo pa lang niya, may mahigit isang oras  pa siyang natitira dahil isang oras at kalahati ang kanyang programa.

Nagkataong paborito ko ang istasyon ng radio dahil kahit AM ay marami silang pinapatugtog na mga folk songs na gusto ko. Nang mag-usap kami, inamin niyang curious siya sa akin at siguro bilang pagsubok kung totoo nga ang narinig niyang kuwento, nag-request siya ng tula para sa kanyang mama na ang birthday ay kinabukasan. Hiningan ko siya ng detalya tungkol sa kanyang mama at sabi ko ay patawagan ako after ten minutes. Pero dahil natapos ko agad ang tula in less than ten minutes ay ako na lang ang tumawag uli dahil may pupuntahan pa ako. Nagulat siya at pinabasa sa akin “on air” o sa ere ang tula. Maraming tumawag sa kanya pagkatapos nang ginawa at hindi ko na inalam kung ano ang mga pinag-usapan nila dahil pumunta pa ako sa Tondo. Kinabukasan ay inenterbyu niya ako on air at nang malamang pumunta ako sa Tondo ay nag-request naman ng tula tungkol sa Tondo na ginawa ko naman at binasa “on air”. Dahil wala naman akong pupuntahan noon ay tumutok ako sa programa at narinig ko ang sunud-sunod na mga tawag ng mga Tondo na natuwa. Ang mga caller na dating taga-Tondo na tumawag din.

Pagkalipas ng dalawang araw ay tinawagan niya ako pagkatapos ng kanyang programa at inimbita sa kanyang opisina sa Katipunan Ave. Pagdating ko doon ay tinapat niya agad ako tungkol sa tulong na gusto niyang hingin sa akin. Nang tanungin ko kung tungkol saan, binuksan niya ang dalawang cabinet ng puno ng mga folder. Sabi niya, tingnan ko raw ang mga laman na ginawa ko naman. MGA HANDWRITTEN POEMS PALA NA GINAWA NIYA MULA PA NOONG SIYA NAG-AARAL SA UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES!

Pinapa-edit sa akin ang mga poems pero sabi ko, kung walang mali sa spelling ng words, walang dapat baguhin sa porma, at kung sakali man ay very minimum lang at sa pagpupuwesto lang ng tuldok at comma. Sa tantiya ko ay mahigit isang libo ang mga naisulat niya….nakakagulat!

Pero ang ikinagulat ko pa ay nang tanungin niya ako ng, “pwede na ba ang mga iyan, Bot”? Sa halip na sumagot ay tiningnan ko siya ng matagal at napailing ako. Akala niya ay “hindi” ang ibig kong sabihin, pero nang makapagsalita ako ay sinabi kong, “hindi ako makapaniwala….nalula ako”!

Tinanong ko rin siya kung seryoso ba siya sa pagkuha sa akin bilang editorial consultant niya, sabay paliwanag kung saan ako nagtapos at kung anong kurso ang natapos ko. Ang nakakabilib na sagot niya ay, “wala akong pakialam kung saan ka nagtapos…basta nakitaan kita ng pruweba”….yon lang. Dahil sa pinakita niyang tiwala ay pinagbigyan ko siya.

Ang gusto kong ipakita sa kuwento ay ang hindi maiwasang paghingi ng “assurance” ng isang tao sa kanyang kapwa dahil sa kawalan ng tiwala sa sarili sa larangan ng pagsulat. Sa larangang ito, bawa’t isa ay may sariling “style” na hindi dapat kuwestiyunin ninuman. Subalit para sa mga nag-aaral pa lang, dapat ay sumunod muna sa  mga literary rules na itinuturo sa loob ng klase…. magtiyaga na lang para hindi bumagsak. At, kapag nakatapos na, saka na lang magpakasawa sa paggamit ng sariling “style”…na ginawa ko at ginagawa hanggang ngayon.  Gusto ko lang iparating sa iba ang “assurance” na, “KUNG KAYA KO, KAYA NYO RIN”.

The Writer

By Apolinario Villalobos

A true writer should be sensitive to the feelings of others, be they read as expressly written or viewed as shown through actuations. He should be able to develop any form of literary expression out of spoken words or written “bullet statements”. With facebook as an example, an adept writer should be able to develop a poem out of the comments on a certain posted photo. Comments about the photo are the “thoughts” of the facebook owner who posted it and a poem that is developed out of them by a writer should be rightly attributed to him….the writer being just the “editor”.

The writer should not constrain himself from writing the name of the source of the thoughts in the byline of a literary expression, be it a poem or an essay. Many people are frustrated writers and poets. They have thoughts that float in their mind, but they just do not know how to capture them. They may enumerate the words down but they do not know which to put ahead of the rest, which of them to comprise the content, and which word to end their presentation. This is where the writer-friend comes in….lend a hand….put substance to the words or discerned thoughts that are not yet expressed but are expected, as feelings are universal and interpretations vary only according to situation, but words are the same.

Some people show signs of literary talent but are shy to let them out. Their latent talent is discerned through the kind of words that they use in making comments on facebook posts or in the way they use them. These are the people who should be given utmost understanding. In the end, if the effort has made somebody happy, exert more of it….help many more shy people. This is what a “writer” should do…encourage others to express themselves.

The “Best Seller Syndrome”

By Apolinario Villalobos

A very popular book store in the Philippines patronizes “best sellers”…books of foreign authors. They are prominently displayed right at the entrance of their stores. To cap their promotion effort founded on the colonial mentality of Filipinos, the establishment invites the foreign authors to come over all the way from their so-called “first world” homelands…to sign purchased books which the suckers devour with all their best literary duplicity.

Judging a book is subjective, a fact that cannot be questioned. What can be the best material for one may be trash for another. But an impression can be a very significant influencing factor. How can that fact be questioned when all it needs for a book to be grabbed at bookstores is a review made by influential people…known in their respective field, that do not necessarily show them as literary personalities. This attitude is akin to the “identified with” syndrome, too.

Some Filipinos buy popular books, especially, the hard-bound sets of encyclopedia to create an impression so they are prominently displayed in living rooms. Some friends unabashedly admit that they have not opened any volume of the set and that they are there, just for display, without of course expressing their desire to enhance the sophisticated impression that they practically try to solicit from their visitors.

When word spread about an obscure book that happened to be a favorite of a rags-to-riches business tycoon, suckers rushed to book stores to buy a copy or two, with the extra as a gift to a friend, complete with a “dedication” where the information about its being read by a famous Filipino businessman is also scribbled. I got my copy this way – from a friend who tries hard to make an impression that he is “intelligent”, just because he reads a lot. I have come across the book long before it became popular and sold for only just less than a hundred pesos, but when it got popular the tag price has soared between 300-400 pesos depending on the store selling it. I also found the book prominently displayed in offices I visited, as some kind of a coffee table book.

During one of my visits to a book store, I came across a book with a triangulized corner note about its being the fifth edition, and with sold copies running to millions. This time my sucker instinct made me buy a copy, parting with my hard-earned pesos, especially, because, as the synopsis at the outside back cover said, it was indeed a good read. In the evening when I browsed through the pages thoroughly, my blood pressure shot up because many paragraphs were enclosed with quotation marks…meaning, contents were copied with impunity though with the safety of the said literary marks and  bibliography which ate up 14 pages! I did not notice them when I bought the book because I was in a hurry, and I trusted the “best seller” come on. There went my 300 pesos! In my disgust, I burned the trash!

DAPAT ANG TAWAG SA MGA BARIL AT DROGA NA NAKUKUHA

SA CRIME SCENES AY “NAKUMPISKA” AT HINDI “NA-RECOVER”

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Napansin ko lang naman na ang tawag ng otoridad o kapulisan sa droga at baril sa crime scenes ay mga “na-recover”. Kung na-recover, ibig sabihin ay “nabawi”…kaya kung “na-recover” o “nabawi” ang mga mga bagay na tinukoy ko, ibig bang sabihin ay galing sa kanila (otoridad o kapulisan) ang mga iyon at ginamit ng mga kriminal, at nang nagpang-abot sila na umabot sa pagkamatay ng kriminal ay “nabawi” nila? Kasama sa tinutukoy ko ang mga kilo-kilong shabung “nare-recover” daw nila tuwing raid na ngayon ay hinahanap ng mga Pilipino kung nasaan dahil sumulpot ang isyu tungkol sa pag-recycle ng mga ito….isyu na siyang dahilan daw kung bakit napakaraming ordinaryong pulis at mga opisyal nila ang biglang yumaman.

Sa isang banda, dapat ang  mga ganoong bagay  kung tawagin ay mga “nasamsam” o “nakumpeska” dahil ang mga iyan ay  pag-aarin ng mga kriminal. Maliban pa rin kung “itinanim nila” (otoridad o kapulisan), upang magamit na mga ebidensiya kuno sa paglaban ng mga kriminal lalo na ng mga dumadaming pinapatay na mga sinasabing “drug runners”….na ayon sa marami ay tinutumba upang hindi na makapag-piyaet kung saan galing ang drogang binebenta nila.

Ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung paano nagsimula ang paggamit ng salitang “recover”. Hindi naman basta gagamitin ng mga taga-media ang salitang yan kung hindi nila na-pick up sa mga ini-interview nila. At, ang mga taga-media namang nakakaunawa, lalo pa at malakas ang impluwensiya nila sa kanilang mga taga-sunod, sana ay matutong magtama ng mali. Ang hirap pa rin, karamihan sa kanila ay hindi rin alam ang tamang paggamit ng “kung saan”.

Mahirap ang Maging Prangka

O Magkaroon ng Sariling Style sa Pagsulat

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Masarap sanang maglabas ng mga saloobin o nilalaman ng diwa. Nakakapag-alala lang ang mga taong “masasagasaan” na sasama ang loob kung sila ay matutumbok kahit hindi sinasadya. Halimbawa na lang ay ang mga may tema ng tungkol sa ugali, trabaho at pulitika.

May mga nagtatanong naman kung bakit daw wala man lang akong kino-quote na mga kilalang tao, lalo na mga banyagang manunulat upang palabasing nabasa ko ang mga isinulat o sinabi nila. Ang sagot ko sa kanila, bilang isang blogger, ay mga sarili kong ideya ang dapat kong i-share dahil ang style ko ay editorial. Hindi ako pwedeng magpuna o mag-criticize gamit ang ideya ng ibang tao…ganoon lang ka-simple, dahil inaako ko ang responsibilidad sa pagbatikos na dapat ay hindi batay sa iniisip ng ibang tao, maliban lang sa mga sinasabi sa Bibliya.

Ang mga topic ko ay resulta ng pagmamasid o observations ko sa aking kapaligiran, kaya hindi ko kailangang magbanggit ng mga pangalang kilala upang magpa-impress na ako ay “wide reader”. Kagaguhan nang magbanggit  halimbawa, ng isang Amerikanong green o ecology advocate upang maging batayan ng sarili kong damdamin tungkol sa walang patumanggang illegal logging sa Pilipinas.

 May naisulat na ako tungkol sa bagay na ito noon, subalit ginawa ko uli ngayon para palakasin ang loob ng mga nakausap kong nagba-blog din pero ayaw maglabas ng saloobin nila dahil takot iwanan ng mga “friends” daw at itakwil ng mga kamag-anak na matutumbok!

The Exploited Scriptwriters

of the Film Industry

by Apolinario Villalobos

Every time award-winning films catch the limelight, quotes are heard from those who have seen the movies, to show that they were first-hand witnesses of such eventful showing. It is true that actors play a vital role in the garnering of awards, but without the appropriate and catchy dialogues and dramatic cinematography, the whole movie would be nothing. There is no question with the director who is considered as the life-giver of the film. Unfortunately, while the actors who mumble the phrases are praised no end, the scriptwriter who squeezed his or her brains to be able to come up with juicy lines, is neglected, just like the rest of the essential members of the “working group”.

Remove the scripts and a movie will be back to the former “glorious” silence and subtitled past of the industry. What is sad is that, the scriptwriters are among the lowest paid workers in the filmmaking industry. As if the abuse is not enough, some directors have the habit of practically “shredding” the lines according to his or the actors’ whim. One scriptwriter friend told me that his script was 70% redone, but thankful that the title was not changed.

Sleepless nights are spent to complete a script to suit a story line. Continuity is a very important factor to maintain the flow of the story. A single inappropriate word can spoil a whole script. And, some scriptwriters still had to consult references, especially, if the material is historical just like the “General Luna”. As much as possible, the scriptwriter has to be around while filming is going on, for whatever necessary changes that have to be made on the spot and pronto!

If a script is being sold, during the transaction, there is so much haggling that as much as 30% is lost from the original price, and the worst thing that could happen is when the whole script is redone including the title and a new name appears in the byline.

Those are the sacrifices of the scriptwriter…neglected and underpaid. Just like the rest of artists, a scriptwriter who does not know how to handle his earnings can die a pauper.

Dialogue namin ng isang Makulit na “Kaibigan”

Tungkol sa Blogging

(ito ang sagot kung bakit may mga nagba-blog)

Ni Apolinario Villalobos

Ang nakaganda sa ginagawa kong pagba-blog ay nai-exercise nito ang utak ko upang hindi agad ako maging ulyanin. Hindi ko kasi kaya ang mga larong “candy crusher” at crossword puzzle sa cellphone o computer. Ang mga disadvantages naman ay ang pagbalik ng sakit kong carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) na sanhi ng pamamanhid ng mga daliri ko, pagtaas ng blood pressure kung ang isinusulat ko ay tungkol sa pulitika, at ang pag-isipan akong kumikita sa mga sinusulat ko dahil akala ng iba ay bayaran ako ng ilang pulitiko na may gustong siraing kapwa pulitiko.

Ang sumusunod ay dialogue namin ng isang makulit na ay maurirat pa, na akala ko ay isang matalinong “kaibigan”. Naganap ang pag-uusap namin sa kapihan ng isang mall:

Makulit:   Pare, balita ko namumutiktik na ang internet sa blog mo.  Nakakainggit ka.

Ako:   Eh, di magsulat ka rin.

Makulit:   Hindi ko kaya, eh. At alam mo namang hindi ako nag-iinternet o nagpi-facebook. Kaya yon ngang sinasabing pagbukas man lang ng computer sa bahay ay hindi ko alam. Mga anak ko lang ang gumagamit noon. Si Misis nga eh, galit din sa computer. (Naalala kong binanggit nga niya ito noon, kaya mabuti na lang din dahil kung may facebook siya, hindi ko ito maiba-blog).

Ako:   Eh, di huwag ka na lang maiinggit sa akin dahil marami ka namang ginagawang pinagkikitaan. Sobrang yaman mo na nga, eh. Sana ay marami ka pang kitain. Pasalamat ka sa Diyos dahil sa grasya.

Makulit:   (medyo napangiwi, pagkarinig ng “Diyos”) Siyanga pala, pare, ang sabi nila pinagkikitaan din ang pag-blog. Yong iba alam kong binabayaran upang manira ng ibang tao. (Muntik na akong mabilaukan ng kape sa huling sinabi niya, dahil kulang na lang ay sabihin niyang bayaran ako.)

Ako:   Yong iba siguro. Sa kaso ko naman, wala akong pinipili dahil basta may mali, pinupuna ko at hindi paninira yon dahil ang ang sini-share ko ay alam na rin naman ng iba, pero sinasarili lang nila. Hindi ko naman kayang ipunin sa dibdib ang mga dapat kong i-share dahil baka sumabog ako sa sobrang himutok.

Makulit:   Paano ang gastos mo sa blogging?

Ako:   Mga oras lang yon na nagamit naman sa tama. At least hindi ako basta nakatunganga lang o nangungulit. (Paramdam ang huli kong sinabi upang sana ay tumigil na siya, pero tuloy pa rin.)

Makulit:   May banta ka na ba sa buhay?

Ako:   Secret. Pero mas malaking banta sa buhay ko ang pagtaas ng blood pressure dahil sa mga taong walang alam gawin kundi mangulit sa akin kaya naiinis ako. (Hindi pa rin niya naramdaman ang pagtumbok na ginawa ko dahil tuloy pa rin siya sa pangungulit.)

Makulit:   I-share mo naman yong tungkol sa mga project mo sa mga iskwater.

Ako:   Huwag na. Pero kung magdo-donate ka o tutulong sa pagpapa-aral ng mga bata, marami kang malalaman.

Makulit:   (Tumahimik siya sandali nang marinig ang mga salitang “donate” at “tulong”). Good luck na lang sa mga project mo, pare.

Ako:   (Nakakita ako ng pagkakataong mangulit naman sa kanya.) Hindi pare. Palagay ko bilang kababayang Pilipino dapat tumulong ka rin sa kapwa mo, mabawasan man lang ang “dirty money” mo. (Mabuti na lang hindi naintindihan kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin sa “dirty money”, dahil alam kong may mga illegal siyang transaction kaya biglang yumaman. Akala niya sa “dirty money” ay okey dahil siya ay tinawag ko noong “filthy rich” na okey lang ang ibig sabihin, ganoong sa Pilipino, ito ay katumbas ng “maruming mayaman”.)

Makulit:   Next time na lang pare, at good luck uli sa mga ginagawa mo sa mga iskwater. Siyanga pala, si Misis nasa supermarket sa ibaba, pupuntahan ko baka tapos na siyang mamili. Usap na lang tayo uli. (Dali-daling siyang tumayo.)

Ako:   Teka pare, ano nga pala ang itatanong mo?

Makulit:   Text ko na lang sa iyo.

Nagpasalamat ako sa huling pag-uusap namin ng “kaibigan” ko dahil nabisto kong allergic pala siya sa salitang “donate” o tulong, kaya sa susunod, sa simula pa lang ng usapan namin ay pariringgan ko na siya ng mga ganoong salita.

Paalala lang sa makakabasa na ang blogging ay hindi palaging pinagkikitaan. Ito ay sakripisyo sa panig ng nagba-blog lalo na kung ang sinusulat niya ay tungkol sa maling nagaganap sa paligid, kaya hindi dapat pag-isipan na ang taong maraming blogs ay marami ding pera. Ang mga nagbaba-blog ay mahilig lang talagang makibahagi ng kanilang saloobin sa pamamagitan ng pagsusulat ng sanaysay, kuwento o tula. Huwag ding akalaing mayabang ang mga bloggers, dahil kung tutuusin, namemeligro pa nga ang kanilang buhay lalo na kung tungkol sa pulitika ang kanilang sinusulat. Pero bilang dagdag-kaalaman, kumikita lamang ang mga blogger kung papasukan ng advertisements ang kanilang sites, na kalimitan ay tungkol sa fashion, shopping, cooking, travel , sports, at makabagong gadgets. Ang mga blogs ko ay hindi tungkol sa mga nabanggit na paksa.

Foods are for the Mouth

As writings are for the Mind

By Apolinario Villalobos

The foods can look appetizing by how they are presented, so are the writings that can be made attractive for reading by their title and first few lines. The writings are the poems and essays, and foods are appetizers, main dishes and desserts. While the print media, and today, the internet are the venue to showcase writings, outlets such as dining places and parties, are for the food.

 Every country has its own specialties and distinct recipes or styles in cooking. So are the different nationalities that have their respective and distinct kind of literature, based on their culture. Honesty in presentation, though how seem simple they may be discerned, are on what the foods and writings are judged.

The intriguing simple dishes of a far away Asian country can elicit curiosity and admiration due to their exotic taste, just like the equally intriguing broken-lined poetry of young poets today.

Respect is what foods and writings should be given. They should not be altered based on the whims of others. Those who cannot take the taste of certain foods and intriguing literary style should prepare their own dish or come up with their own poems or essays.

Invented gadgets, contraptions, and machines can be altered and improved based on their progressing necessity. But dishes should remain as originally concocted and can just be made as basis for new ones by food enthusiasts. In the same manner that the different styles in writing poems and essays should remain as they are written by the author and those who have been inspired should come up with their own style of presenting the idea.

Based on the above, nobody should be timid in coming up with their own cookery, essay or poem. What they come up with, unconsciously reflect their personality, such that, simple people may come up with simple dishes and simply written poems, as well as, short essays. Those with complex character, on the other hand, may come up with equally complicated dishes due to various ingredients, as well as, poems and essays with difficult to discern messages.

What I mean here is: everybody can cook and write which are just two of the many expressions of life…our various reasons for living. Most importantly, while the styles in preparing foods and presenting ideas vary, their respective essence remains the same.

To Blog and Risk Losing Life, Friends and Kinsfolks

Or Not to Blog and Remain Nice to All…and Stay Alive

By Apolinario Villalobos

The difference between “blogging” and “contributing” is that while the former gets published in the web of the information technology, the latter gets printed on papers. However, their common denominator is the “purpose” which is to “share”…a risky endeavor, especially, if what are shared concern politics, corruption, and religion. The risk is on losing one’s life, kinsfolks, and longtime friends.

In our province, Marlene Garcia Esperat, a courageous mediaperson lost her life when she exposed anomalous transactions in a government agency. The obviously hired killer had the gall to enter her house and pumped bullets into her head, to make sure that she was disabled for life. That’s one risk, made real – losing one’s life. Similar stories get splashed on pages of tabloids and broadsheets that many people do not take seriously, as they are perceived to be just ordinary incidents akin to road accidents and apprehension of drug pushers.

Bloggers cannot limit themselves with shares about fashion, literary, foods, travel, photography, etc. Sometimes they have to touch on controversial matters, such as politics that include corruption, and religion.  Blogs on these topics may affect the bloggers’ sensitive relatives and friends. Bloggers, therefore, wonder why, all of a sudden, some relatives and friends shy away from them. Some find themselves ignored by friends and buddies since grade school, as well as beloved relatives.

This unfortunate reality is happening to all bloggers. I found this out when I attended a small gathering of bloggers, during which blogging updates were passed around. Two bloggers shared that their sites were hacked, and another started getting threats via facebook messages when he uploaded blogs shared from other sites, about a controversial politician from their province in the north. Expectedly, the sender uses a fictitious personality.

Bloggers are just human instruments of the information technology, so that what they do should not be taken against them. A lot of sacrifice is made, aside from exhaustive effort in coming up with blogs, not to mention the precious time spent and money saved from scrimping on other necessities. Some bloggers earn, but most do not…as they bring out ideas, mainly due to their ardent love for writing and sharing.

Why I Write About People

By Apolinario Villalobos

Long before I got hooked to blogging, I was already an ardent people-watcher. Most often, I am surprised by the flow of my thought that would touch on people as I begin to write. They become important element of my blogs about corruption as victims of exploitation. The same is true when I write about destinations in which they become one of the reasons why a certain place should not be missed by travelers. People who do benevolent acts should be cited and exposed to the world so that others will emulate their acts. On the other hand, people who exploit others must also be exposed so that others will be warned, and the guilty must be stopped from doing more harm.

It is not easy to write about people and their act, as appropriate words must be used so that the situations are clearly “painted” in the mind of the reader. I don’t use “bribe” in the form of material help or promises so that I can get their photos. In the first place, I do not take photos of people to whom I extend random charity. That is my case as a “small time street friend” who uses personal fund and donation from trusted friends. For honest and big foundations, however, that use donations from NGOs and individual philanthropists, they need “action photos” to support their projects, to show that the huge donations in their care, indeed, were received by deserving people and communities.

Materials for my people-blogs come randomly, from unexpected places, time, and situation. I am guided by the values in developing materials about them. These values are actually within all of us waiting for the right and timely motivation or “tickle” to be activated. But the people with negative attitude seem to be already bent on doing what is the opposite of the righteous. I do not find it hard to determine which is which because of the universal standard, that see-saw between the good and the bad. My best gauge is the “Golden Rule”.

What’s nice about people-blogging is that most viewers can relate to them. Conclusions can be derived and be made as basis in realizing a bad act, thereby, changing their bad habits for the better, or getting confirmation that they are doing just the right thing.

Life and Writing

By Apolinario Villalobos

Life and writing are similar on the aspects of their inception, mid-activities, and culmination.

There is pain felt as the womb pulsates, while the new life therein tries to manifest itself to the world. There is pain, too, in the head of the writer that throbs with effort as he struggles on how to start a sentence.

Relief is felt by the mother when the bundle of new life finally makes it out to enjoy its firs whiff of air. Relief is felt, too, by the writer as the first word comes out of his head to trigger the avalanche of more words that shall comprise a literary expression.

As the child grows enjoying life, he or she is guided by the parents, institutions and established norms so that he or she becomes a virtuous member of the society. On the other hand, as the writer progresses, set norms and ethics, as well as, his own style guide him to ensure that the outcome of his effort becomes satisfactory.

In life, it is difficult to “call it quits”, especially, as one enjoys life no end. But the onset cannot be prevented, as sometimes, it is unexpected - caused by an accident. Normally, though, it should come with old age or disease.

The writer, meanwhile, has to allow a ‘twist” to conclude what he is doing. Or, gracefully allow the avalanche of words to be exhausted, naturally, and spell the end.

As with living… writing can also be difficult.

Writing and I

…or how I persist as non-conformist

to literary norms and rules

by Apolinario Villalobos

This share will, I hope, help others to realize that they, too, have the gift of writing. Style, though, in writing varies according to the temperament of the person. Once others realize this, I hope that they will begin to express themselves using this age-old mental instrument.

Good thing that the age of blogging has at last arrived…as with it, different kinds of literary statements have also been boldly manifested. For the sake of grades, however, the traditional teachings are being endured by students. But, once they have graduated, they go on a rampage of expressing themselves literarily with a vengeance. I am doing it myself, although, it took some time before I finally stamped my own statement in the different literary expressions that I have made, be they in poetry or prose.

When I was in high school, I always had to argue with my English teacher about my habit of beginning some sentences in my essays with “And” and “Although”. For her it was a big NO, NO, which was of course very right based on traditional English grammar. Due to my persistence, she gave me low ratings, although my materials were better than those of my classmates. Many years later, she transferred to Manila and earned respect as an educator in a certain district. That time, she also came across my contributions in broadsheets and magazines, and learned about my job in a reputable company. She invited me as one of the judges when she chaired the Committee of the district that organized an essay and poetry writing contest. I was elated, as it was an indication of her acceptance at last, of my literary “style”.

I am most indebted to a former boss, Vic Bernardino, in Philippine Airlines who tolerated my style when he trusted me with the job of editing the travel magazine of our department, the TOPIC Magazine. He was, himself a writer in his own right. The publication promoted the touristic areas, activities and facilities all over the country, as the company’s contribution to the government’s effort in jacking up inbound tourist movement. As the magazine was in black and white, I had to be colorfully descriptive in what I featured. I realized later that in my sincere attempt to deliver what were expected of me, I had overstressed some of my presentations. Fortunately, I found out that such style is what feature magazine writers are using today. Had my boss called my attention to what I was doing, part of my innate skill would have been suppressed.

Writing is an art and liberal expression of one’s feelings, as well as, instrument in releasing what are in the mind. My views regarding this matter may not conform to what are found in the books. In poetry for instance, I maintain that expression should not only be in written form but also through facial expressions. Of course, fingers and hands can help. Movement of the eyes could mean something poetically, even the contortion of the lips, or the raising of eyebrows. It is then, up to the one who perceives to fully utilize his poetic imagination to understand the message.

My being a non-conformist to traditional and bookish grammar is such that I do not observe the basics - rhyme and meter. But, sometimes I give rhyme the chance to seep in subtly by using words that “seem” to sound alike. As for meter, I totally disregard it, for I even start my poem sometimes, with just a single word, and employ dots to indicate suspense. I came across so many non-conformist styles in blog sites and current poetry books that the traditional writers may view as trash. For me, however, the essence of writing is freedom of expression, so nobody has the right to say that one is wrong in his style, especially, in poetry, as it is tantamount to curtailing his freedom.

Today, not only are poems recited, but also rapped in the accompaniment of tapping or clicking fingers. That again is an indication of the richness of poetry as a literary form of expression which can be transposed comfortably into music, and maybe not yet in English grammar books. An artist can also easily transform a simple and monotonous poem into a musical rendition. This is the full manifestation of what was meant by the traditionalists as “poem with sing-song cadence”.

Finally, on how to start, my suggestion is with conviction…with boldness, and generous imagination.

Ideas Are not Owned by Writers Alone

By Apolinario Villalobos

Ideas that suddenly crop up in blogs are not owned by the writers alone. They are also ensconced in the minds of others, waiting to be tapped. It just happened that there are some people – the writers, who happen to bring them out ahead of others. Writers are just articulators of ideas that are innate in all of us. It just happened that they have the nerve to do so. Others may already be thinking about them but are hesitant to bring them out. While others are made aware by the blogs that they have the same ideas in their mind, only, they did not give them much attention.

The writer who comes out with ideas can be helped by others through comments, be they negative or positive. Negative comments do not mean that the commenter is mad at the writer, as the written ideas are the issue, not the writer. Also, those who are harboring the same ideas should not feel bad because others beat them in the posting.

Expression of ideas should not be competitive, as proving who writes the best dissertation. Writers should treat each other as comrades in risks, enhancing each other’s works. If the commenter feels that what has been blogged is lacking or wanting in substance, he should enhance it by giving comments – for the sake of the readers. Writers should not be selfish as to keep information from the public and fellow writer, as these could be made as basis for the ensuing relevant additional information.

Most importantly, ideas that have been exposed by writers should be put into action if necessary by others who have encountered them. This is where role playing comes in. In other words, as not all can be articulate in writing, the others must be good in implementing. Also, if ideas found to be beneficial that have been exposed are worth sharing with others, let us not hold ourselves from doing the necessary action. However, it is expected that writers practice what they preach.

Finally, the popularity of writers, if indeed they become such, is just an incidental result of his effort, and should not be viewed as a big deal at all, because primarily, the objective in writing is to share or expose ideas for the sake of others. 

Philippine Center for the Arts and Sciences

…a suggestion

By Apolinario Villalobos

Being a third world country, the Philippines’ only other resources aside from the natural endowments such minerals, wildlife, forests, marine life, and rich agricultural land, that it can be proud of, are the people – the talented Filipinos. It is a shame that the human resources are treated only as some kind of an exportable “commodity” in the form of labor. There is dignity in labor, but there are more that the Filipinos can do other than work in hospitals, hotels, construction sites and homes in foreign countries. The Filipinos are oozing with talents, but unfortunately, are not supported by the government.

Filipino talents in the fields of invention, literary and music are relegated on the sidelines. Singing contests in village fiestas, TV programs and those organized by private entities bring out world-class singers, but after the announcement of their winning and limited appearance in TV shows, nothing is heard about them. The popular adage is about the need for the Filipino singers to go to other countries to be able to earn recognition that they deserve.

There is the so-called National Institute of Science of Technology (NIST), the government agency that is supposed to be charged with responsibilities on Filipino inventions. It seems that even in the issuance of patent, the agency is lagging. The Filipinos know of inventions only through the media, when resourceful researchers of TV programs are able to scour the countryside for low-profile inventors. Most often, these inventors confess that they have gone to the NIST but outright, they get the feeling of being inadequate due to so many requirements. The standard alibi of the NIST is that they need to check the inventions’ authenticity before they can be recognized, but how long will it take them to do it? Additionally, they also mention the lack of budget!

Also, the inventions are brought to the attention of the consumers only during exhibits which charge high entrance fees to the interested public, and exorbitant charges for inventors who would like to participate. And, to think that these exhibits and shows are supposed to be “sponsored” by the mentioned government agency in cooperation with the inventors’ organization. The NIST should sustain the expenses, as the event is held only once a year. It will not cost the NIST millions of pesos to shoulder the rent for a venue.

The local market is flooded with gadgets from other countries, especially, China, and these are gadgets that can be manufactured locally. So many times, the media expose local inventions that are supposed to curb expenses on electricity, as well as, fuel consumption, even nature-friendly insecticides, and many more. Unfortunately, these inventions are just showcased, waiting for the government support! And, sadly, some of them end up in other countries for mass-production to be brought back to the Philippines as finished products bearing foreign sounding brand names.

Filipino literary artists also suffer from government neglect and utter lack of support. While colleges and universities offer mass communication courses, the graduates are left to fend for themselves after graduation, with most talented writers ending up as clerks in offices. I once talked to the former Director of the National Library of the Philippines, Ms. Nani Cruz, who confided that the institution, for long, has been in dire need of Filipino-authored books. That was more than five years ago. Today, not only is the National Library of the Philippines STILL wanting for the said kind of books but even the bookstores are showing their lack of concern by preferring imported books – best sellers in countries where they come from! These book outlets gladly and proudly announce arrival of foreign authors for book signing!

My suggestion is for the government to expand the scope of NIST’s responsibilities by adding the aspect of permanent showcasing of inventions, be they with issued or pended patent. This can be done by moving the said agency to a big facility complete with equipment for testing and a showroom- a one-stop shop of sort, located in an area accessible to the consumers and patent buyers/manufacturers. The facility should also accommodate those that concern literary and music. It should be a complex that aspiring artists can visit, not only for copyrighting of their works but also for marketing purposes. It should also include audio-video recording facilities. The Copyright office should be based in this center. It should also provide office spaces for organizations that cater to the development of artistic talents of Filipinos. It is suggested that this complex be called “The Philippine Center for the Arts and Sciences”.

If the former President Ferdinand Marcos turned dictator,  was able to build hospitals and research institutes for the heart, kidney and the lungs, additional building complex for the Philippine General Hospital, a vast complex that includes Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, Coconut Palace, and Philippine Trade and Exhibition Center, why can’t the current government build what is being suggested – the Philippine Center for the Arts and Sciences?

If Pnoy Aquino would really want to be remembered, this, he should do. He should stop warbling about “reforms” for there is nothing that needed to be reformed. He has done NOTHING YET! What he meant could be the “eradication” of corruption which has just gone from worse to worst!  He even refuses to acknowledge the fact that some of his trusted guys are not “clean”…hinging his support to them on the premise that unless they are proven guilty in court, they are innocent of any guilt. How can they be investigated when he, himself, is insinuating that they are innocent? He should stop talking about reforms because the inadequacies of his administration just add up to neck-deep atrocities already committed by past administrations. If he wants to leave a legacy, it should be tangible enough to be seen and remembered…and this is it, the Philippine Center for the Arts and Sciences.