material boy

It took me a while to process how highly specific references in time could actually etch a memory even on the toughest Teflon of indifference. There really is no forgetting. But there is acceptance and maybe a pinch of stubbornness among many other things. Like forgiveness. To those who deserve it.

As someone who officially falls under the late 20’s category today, taking on the mantle of an adult now is more pressing than ever. And I guess I am getting good at it. Lately there is not much late night excursions, or drinking just to get a good buzz and hitting on anything that moves, or even hanging out until dawn like some seventeen-year-old teenager. They all seem too blah and pointless.

So now I could only wish that I’d make better choices and simply embrace those that are not, spend my time on endeavors that truly matter, be a better judge of character to myself and not to other people, and understand what is good for me first in the context of what is good for others and not the other way around. This is not selfishness. It is self-preservation.

I have more birthday wishes in mind, and they are just a repeat of what I have posted here before. There are resolutions, too, that I am still dealing with this year. In order to break such repetition, I might as well list down the material things I’ve always wanted (and needed). Givers, you know where to find me and know where to send that package. Thank you in advance.

I was writing this to the music of Amy Winehouse and, yeah, one can say nothing really changed. But there will be. Have a great day, everyone.

• Monopoly Game of Thrones Edition
• Cards Against Humanity
• Ray-Ban Round Flash Lenses in Red Mirror
• Ray-Ban Clubmaster Gunmetal Aluminum
• HP ActionCam Monopod
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100
• JBL Charge 2 Bluetooth Speaker
• Bose QuietComfort 20i Noise Cancelling Headphones
• Smart Evernote Notebook by Moleskine
• Kiehl’s Facial Fuel and Ultra Facial Moisturizer
• Comme Des Garcons Play Green for Men
• Estee Lauder Pleasures for Men
• Base London Aldaniti High-Shine Tan, US9”
• Dr. Martens 1560 Cherry Red, US9”
• Dr. Martens 939 in Aztec Rugged Crazy Horse, US9”
• Dr. Martens Austins Oxblood, US9”
• Seagate External Hard Drive 1TB
• Ikea Lamp and Bookshelf
• Macbook Pro with Retina Display, 13”
• “Interpreter of Maladies” and “The Namesake” by Jhumpa Lahiri
• “A History of the Philippines: From Indios Bravos to Filipinos” by Luis H. Francia
• “The Introvert’s Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World” by Sophia Dembling
• Multicolored Mason Jars
• Basically a whole new wardrobe because almost everything I have now is one size smaller than me

54th silliman university national writers workshop fellows

The family tree continues to grow. Congratulations and welcome to the literary brood!

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The 54th edition of the Silliman University National Writers Workshop is slated to start on 11 May 2015 at the Rose Lamb Sobrepeña Writers Village in Camp Look-out, Valencia, Negros Oriental. The workshop closes on May 29.

Twelve writers from all over the Philippines have been accepted as regular workshop fellows.

Fellows for Poetry

Aimee Paulette O. Cando (University of Santo Tomas)
Angela Gabriele R. Fabunan (University of the Philippines-Diliman)
Darylle Luzarita Rubino (University of the Philippines-Mindanao)
Mohammad Nassefh R. Macla (University of the Philippines-Mindanao)

Fellows for Fiction

Luis Manuel Diores (University of San Carlos)
Patricia Corazon F. Lim (Ateneo de Manila University)
Kristine Abelink Patenio (University of St. La Salle-Bacolod)
Rodolfo Eduardo T. Santiago (Ateneo de Manila University)

Fellows for Creative Nonfiction

Jona Branzuela Bering (Cebu Normal University)
Rowena Rose M. Lee (University of the Philippines-Mindanao)
Miguel Antonio Lizada (National University of Singapore)
Edmark Tejarcio Tan (University of Santo Tomas)


Khail Campos Santia of Malaybalay, Bukidnon (Silliman University) will join them as a special fellow for poetry. The names of other special fellows from around the Asia-Pacific region will be announced later.

Four alternates have also been chosen in case any of the regular fellows declines the invitation: Christian Jil R. Benitez of San Mateo, Rizal (Ateneo de Manila University) for poetry, Edmond Julian Y. Dela Cerna of Davao City (San Pedro College) and Matthew Jacob F. Ramos of Cebu City (Ateneo de Manila University) for fiction, and Fritzie D. Rodriguez of Balaga City, Bataan (University of the Philippines-Diliman) for creative nonfiction.

Three applicants have also been invited to sit as special workshop mentees, including Ana Joaquina Adriano of Dumaguete City (Enderun College), Silvin Federic Real Maceren of Cebu City (Silliman University), and Chuckie Perez Manio of Bacolod City (Silliman University).

The panel of writers/critics for this year will also be announced later.

The workshop, which traditionally lasts for three weeks, is the oldest creative writing workshop of its kind in Asia. It was founded in 1962 by S.E.A. Write Awardee Edilberto K. Tiempo and National Artist Edith L. Tiempo, and was recently given the Tanging Parangal in the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

For more information about forthcoming events during the workshop, please email Workshop Coordinator Ian Rosales Casocot at silliman.cwc@gmail.com or call the Department of English and Literature at (035) 422-6002 loc. 520. (Edilberto and Edith Tiempo Creative Writing Center)

go get it, girl!

Kenneth Branagh’s take on “Cinderella” is a fine example of filmmaking restraint. Although the story’s plot is thin (it’s based on a fairytale, after all), everything works in favor to its formation. Nothing more, nothing less. The stepsisters are believably spoiled and provide ample humor to counter the titular character’s episodes of drama. Helena Bonham Carter’s fairy godmother is not done excessively (thank heavens). And the stepmother, ah, Cate Blanchett is spot-on. Her character brings to us this history of scorn and bitterness that, in reality, could sometimes grip our hearts. We have all been a wicked stepmother once in our lives, unable to let go of that shred of memory that could haunt us and make us unsheathe our claws in defense. Also, Lily James’ Cinderella presents a rare angle in 21st century feminism: she does not have bows and arrows, no powerful wings, no ice powers. There is no need to be extra rebellious. What she has is inner strength, a command of choice, and an awareness of that choice’s consequences. She knows what she wants.

It’s all good, really, and it is easy to say this “Cinderella” is a great leap of improvement over the past live-action versions of Disney’s animated classics. It does not have the narrative problem of “Alice in Wonderland” [2010] and the heavy-handedness that plagued “Maleficent” [2014]. Execs at Disney finally got it right. One could only wish that for future projects they would follow the movie’s guiding motif: Have courage and be kind—have courage to tackle a classic but kind enough to respect the source material. (Note: Disney must keep on hiring actors from the cast of “Downton Abbey.”)

[ image lifted from here ]