Fruits of a visit

Now what do we do for an encore? Marne had recently handed Jimmy an accomplished sestina – six stanzas of six lines each with the end-words figuring in a revolving refrain, culminating with an all-inclusive tercet of internal rhyming. Jimmy responded with a sestina of his own. Now here was an idea. And we pitched it to Aaron, who should in turn vend the notion among his peers when he got back to Lion City.

Hey, we can even draw in our Malaysian brothers, and come up with another poetry anthology, this time not with a thematic bind but rather of strict, special parameters of poetic discipline.

It could be titled "Back to Form" – and gather only poems that observed traditional Western prosodic formats like the sestina, the villanelle, the sonnet, the rondel, the ghazal, why, even Eastern and indigenous forms such as the pantun, the tanaga, the haiku and the waka. Another option for the collection’s title would be "Unfree Verse."

Aaron was all for the idea. Kirpal too spoke of a possible tripartite conference in Penang hosted by our Malaysian writer-friends. That’s probably where we can make the pitch for a gathering of poets from three countries colonized by the English language, and now celebrating in turn (The Empire Strikes Back!) with the traditional forms with which young poets would also be well served to reacquaint themselves.

Around us the table buzzed with other points of spirited conversation.

But Jimmy stuck to future options for still other titles and collections.

We vowed to revive a couple of book concepts we had discussed in the long past. in Dumaguete last May, we had hit upon a memoir-type of anthology that would place collective if informal recollections between covers.

"Oral Lit: Anecdotes & Apocrypha on Filipino Writers" would start with the oft-repeated legend of how our National Artist for Literature Franz Arcellana, then a writer in his prime strolling down Silliman Farm Beach with his peer, the premier poet Ricaredo Demetillo. Franz is said to have riposted as quickly as the surf to Ric’s invitation to help title his latest effusion of verses. Franz, wryly: "Why not ‘Seizures on the Seashore’?" To which, as anecdote limps into apocrypha, the intensely sober-minded Ricaredo took exception by refusing to speak to Francisco for a full season.

Then there’d be "Father Poems" – a thematic collection that would be a cinch to assemble, given the verity that all Filipino poets have essayed verses for their male progenitors. This would have Jimmy and this writer as co-editors. Might as well start sending your contributions to kripbam@email.com.ph.

While we’re at it, let’s sound multiple calls, then, since there’ll be two other books that should see a launch later in the year.

The UMPIL Directory of Philippine Writers published by Anvil in the early 90s demands an expanded, updated second edition. The Writers Union of the Philippines‚ board of directors met last Saturday to give the submission call another kickstart.

All Filipino writers, including the many who now lead their lives abroad, are enjoined to submit their mugshots and biodata to this writer, with address at 62 Cabbage St., Valle Verde 5, 1605 Pasig City, Metro Manila.

As the submission call enjoins, "We of UMPIL wish to complete this project to honor the memory of our dear departed former Chairman Mike Bigornia. We hope to complete this publication in six months‚ time at most, but need your cooperation to get it out even sooner. Please mail your updated bio and current postal address, phone/fax numbers and e-mail addresses, if any, along with a good photograph of yourself, preferably a close-up, to the Chairman, UMPIL." That’s yours truly, bros, at the address listed above.

Yet another UMPIL book project, also in cooperation with Anvil Publishing, Inc., is "Putahe: Writers‚ Recipes." Now this ought to be a bestseller, as most recipe books turn out to be. The idea is to put together a recipe or two each from Filipino writers who like to either lord it over or experiment in a most gingerly way in the kitchen. The appeal of this amply illustrated collection may not lie in the actual efficacy of the recipes offered, but how they’re presented in prose, poetry or dramatic dialogue.

Here’s the official call:

"If you’re one of those writers who pride themselves in their cooking, we would appreciate receiving your contribution of a maximum of two of your favorite recipes, written the way you deem fit, in Filipino or English.

"It would also be nice if you can send us a publishable photo of yourself in your kitchen. Should this not be possible, we may arrange for a photographer to do this, as well as document the dish or two that have been prepared using the recipe/s that have been accepted for the book. Please make sure to title your recipe/s.

"We would also appreciate it if you can send us, or clue us in on, excerpts from Philippine literature – in whatever genre – that relate to food. These will be fully accredited if accepted for use as breakers in the book. And please make sure to include a brief biodata."

Again, everyone may send his/her contributions to the same snailmail addy cited above. Recipes for cooking rice, frying eggs, or whipping up a fruit salad are eminently acceptable.