Tulala sa Manunula

Pinoypoets members Emong, Kiko and Kramer stare blankly at lovely Conchitina Cruz, one of the panelists during the 2nd Pinoypoets Workshop last April 24, 2005.

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Your Birthdate: November 18

Your birthday on the 18th day of the month suggests than you are one who can work well with a group, but still remain someone who needs to maintain individual identity. There is a humanistic or philanthropic approach to business circumstances in which you find yourself. You may have good executive abilities, as you are very much the organizer and administrator. You are broad-minded, tolerant and generous; a compassionate person that can inspire others with imaginative ideas. Some of your feelings may be expressed, but even more of them are apt to be repressed. There is a lot of drama in your personality and in the way you express yourself to others. Oddly enough, you don't expect as much in return as you give.

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Dito ako pupunta...

The Dante's Inferno Test has sent you to Purgatory!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	High
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Low
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very Low
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	High
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Moderate
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Moderate
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Low

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Bibliophilia

Some like the aroma of kitchens,
others, the bouquet of fine wine.
I like the look and smell of a book
as I lovingly finger its spine.

I long to uncover its secrets
I just want to take it to bed.
Most delicious of treats,
to slip into its sheets

head down, pages spread.

(C) Jheric A. Saracho
April 27, 2005

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Fair Winds

Set me adrift before a fair wind's song
upon the sea of life, with confidence
clear those unsettled clouds that closely throng,
and keep my passage free of turbulence.

Help me to weather storms of vanity,
compose the waves that threaten to destroy;
guide me into those tides of sanity
where I can anchor to the nearest bouy.

At sunset, when enfolding shades of night
invade my sea, then send sweet Luna's shine
to ward away those bitter pangs of fright
that harass me from the inky depths of brine.

When I finally see my rendezvous
just fill my sails with hope and guide me through.

(C) Jheric A. Saracho
April 18, 2005

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

To Have You (as posted in eManila.com)

To Have You (for Chie)
Jheric A. Saracho

I don’t know how it really feels to love
but I know I feel it towards you.

Every waking hour of every day
All I want to do is stay,

Stay in your arms and hold you close
For I never want for us to part

I'm here to stay, stay for only you
But I'm sure that's not all you want me to do.

All I want is you
So please tell me what I must do,

To have you.

(March 22, 2005)

About Jheric A. Saracho

About Pinoypoets

Pinoypoets is a community of poets, writers and literary enthusiasts, where members may share their works, thoughts and insights to learn and improve their craft. Formed by less than 50 members in June 204, Pinoypoets grew to 150 members with three consultants to date.

While writing remains a solitary act, our group is a forum for learning and interaction. It is a place where poetic ideas can be exchanged freely while treating one another with respect. Our group does not support any particular political leanings, ideology or advocacy. Its primary objective is to facilitate a creative forum and enrich its members' knowledge and craft on poetry.

The group's consultants include:

• Michael Coroza. Poet, Essayist, Translator, Editor, Educator. Has published two books of poems, namely, Dili't Dilim (Thought and Darkness) in 1997 and Mga Lagot na Liwanag (Severed Lights) in 2002, which was a finalist in the 2003 National Book Award for Poetry of the Manila Critics Circle and was given the Best Publication Award for 2003 of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo De Manila University.
• Edgar Samar. Poet, Fictionist and Educator. Obtained his AB Psychology and MA Literature-Filipino from Ateneo de Manila University where he now teaches literature. Won Palanca (2002 & 2004) and Gawad Surian sa Tula (2004) awards for his poems; and PBBY (2002 & 2004) and Palanca (2003) awards for his fiction.
• Santiago B. Villafania. Pangasinan poet based in Manila. Edits the Makata, an eJournal of Philippine and International contemporary poetry. Awarded Writer of the Year (2004) by the Ulupan na Pansiansia'y Salitan Pangasinan for his first book, "Pinabli tan arum ni'wan Anlong" (Beloved and other Poems) published in 2003.

To date, our group has organized several poetry-related activities, including the following:

Completed Activities

1st Pinoypoets Workshop. Held last November 14-15, 2004 at the Pinto Art Gallery, Antipolo, Philippines. Panelists: Romulo Baquiran, Jr., Joel Toledo, Kris Lanot Lacaba and Paolo Manalo.

1st Pinoypoets Poetry Reading Session. Held last February 11, 2005 at Juliano's, Meralco Ave., Pasig City, Philippines. Theme: Erotika and Love Poetry. With guest poet Sid Gomez Hildawa.

Crit Session with Noel del Prado. Held last March 5, 2005 at Likha-Diwa, UP Diliman, Philippines.

Regular Online Activities

Posting of Works. Members are encouraged to share their poems to the group. All poems posted are automatically considered open for constructive criticism from fellow members.

Season's Favorite Poems. This is a bi-monthly activity wherein each member is encouraged to shortlist from the posted poems their favorites in English, Filipino and in the vernacular. Members submit their shortlists twice every month, one from the batch of poems covering the first day to the 15th of the month, and the other from the 16th to the last day. From the submitted shortlists, the moderators will tabulate and will come up with the Season's Favorite Poems.

Featured Pinoypoet of the Month. To enable everyone, especially those from outside Metro Manila, to be acquainted with fellow members, Pinoypoets (through the group's Council) will select a member as featured poet for the season. The selected poet will choose the poem that he/she thinks best among her works submitted to the group. This will be posted together with his/her brief profile in the group's homepage.

Writing Exercises. From time to time, a writing exercise is presented to the group wherein members are encouraged to write poems based on a given criteria, with a deadline of one to two weeks.

Forum. http://pinoypoets.proboards44.com This is still a work in progress. This is intended to give way for more orderly and facilitated discussions on poetics, criticisms and announcements.

Website. http://www.pinoypoets.com Also a work in progress. The website will be allocated mainly for backup archiving of the poems posted by the members.

Regular Offline Activities

General Assemblies. At least twice a month, members based in Metro Manila and nearby cities or towns meet to plan the group's activities, discuss other Pinoypoets-related issues, and socialize with fellow members.

Crit Sessions. Similar to a mini-workshop, a crit session is a whole-day activity where poems are critiqued extensively by, as much as possible, an established poet. Recently, Pinoypoets held its Crit Session at Likha-Diwa, UP Diliman, with Noel Romero del Prado.

Socialization with Established Poets. Aside from Crit Sessions, recognized poets are also invited to the General Assemblies of the group. Among those whom the group got acquainted with to date are Ramil Gulle, Angelo Suarez, Sid Gomez Hildawa and Noel Romero del Prado.

Chapbook. "Obverse" (Obras in Verses) as the first collection of poetry by Pinoypoets launched on April 2, 2005.

Upcoming Activities

2nd Pinoypoets Workshop. To be held on April 23-24, 2005.

Email: pinoypoetsgroup@yahoo.com
Friendster Account: pinoypoetsgroup@yahoo.com
Yahoogroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/pinoypoets
Website: http://www.pinoypoets.com
Forums Board: http://pinoypoets.proboards44.com
Blogspot: http://pinoypoetsblog.blogspot.com

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

FROM MY MAILBOX: SO YOU WANT TO GET PUBLISHED, HUH?

QUEZON CITY--Finally, here's one opportunity for you to get published, even if you lack connections with big publishers in Manila and elsewhere.

With the National Book Development Board's (NBDB) first-ever Manuscript Fair dubbed as "Gandang Aklat, Ilathala," you and other amateur as well as seasoned writers in the country will now have the chance to bring your works into public awareness and consumption.

And we're not speaking of blogging.

The Manuscript Fair is open to all Filipino writers registered with NBDB and who must submit the following: comprehensive resume, list of books written and published (if any), list of trainings/seminars attended (again, if any), and one 2x2 photo.

That means, if you're not registered with NBDB yet, do so now by requesting the application form by downloading it from the NBDB website, www.nbdb.gov.ph, or by dropping by the NBDB office in Diliman, Quezon City.

Submit the duly accomplished form, together with the required attachments and fees, to the book development board through registered mail.

Pretty excited now, huh? Wait.

You must pay a registration fee of P1,000.

Registration is renewable every three years, so that means you'd only have to pay P1,000 once in every three years.

NBDB-registered writers need not re-register but should present their certificate to prove membership.

Now that you're ready with all the requirements, submit one copy of your manuscripts to NBDB, with office address A. Maria Regidor Street, Area XI, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, 1101.

If you live outside the National Capital Region, you may submit your stuff to the same address through courier or via e-mail.

For hand-in submissions, visit the NBDB office on weekdays, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The book development board invites local publishers to review and choose manuscripts from time to time for possible publication. And these aren't fly-by-night publishers, dude. These are big ones.

Previously published manuscripts are not qualified; neither are those that are handwritten and especially printed or typed on colored paper. Duh.

Your manuscripts may be in English, Filipino, or any regional language. They must be typewritten, double spaced, on short white bond paper. Don't forget to include individual synopses of the manuscripts.

For computerized printout, the font type must be Times New Roman, size 12, using black color ink. Fancy printouts are a no-no. Also, your manuscripts must be properly bound (ring or book). Naturally, your name and the title of your work must appear on the cover.

By the way, the manuscript categories are: academic/reference book (if you're a teacher, your work must be endorsed by the principal that it is being used by the school), technical, literature, culture and the arts, reference book, children's book, trade book, biography, natural science, social science, guides/how to's, and translations.

Now, in the event that your manuscript is verified by the publishers and NBDB for qualification, you must file an application of Copyright Ownership with the National Library.

And if your stuff is so hot that publishers fight over it, you have the right to choose whom you like. However, if none of your work is lucky enough to get noticed, you may claim them from the NBDB office.

The publisher shall of course shoulder the cost of publication and also take care all the necessary paperwork.

Published works will be formally endorsed by NBDB to the Department of Trade and Industry, Board of Investments, for you and other writers to avail of other incentives from the government.

For details, contact:

Carlo June Panila
Project Development Officer
National Book Development Board
http://www.nbdb.gov.ph
(02)920-3887 / (02)929-3677

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

FROM MY MAILBOX: TRUST FUND FOR AUTHORS OKAYED BY CONGRESS

QUEZON CITY--Alas, some reason to celebrate.

House Bill 1531, which seeks to create a National Book Development Trust Fund especially for struggling Filipino authors, was approved without amendments by the basic education panel chaired by Marinduque representative Edmundo Reyes Jr. Tuesday.

Authored by Iloilo City representative Raul Gonzalez Jr., HB 1531 directs the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to contribute P50M each that will constitute the seed money for the program.

The long overdue initiative aims to promote the welfare of local authors, especially those unknown yet talented ones in the regions or provinces, by supporting them financially so that they can work full-time on their manuscripts or research works.

Considered a milestone legislation in the field of local book development, the approved House bill sprung from the findings of a 2003 study commissioned by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), the country's lead government agency on book development and readership promotion.

Most regional or provincial authors, the study reveals, have begun manuscripts or research works that take too long to finish because they are preoccupied with earning a living for themselves and their loved ones.

What usually happens is that these authors, because of financial difficulties, abandon their manuscripts or research works, and focus on their usual 8-to-5 jobs instead.

Now, with the approved trust fund's help, authors may opt to take a leave from their jobs and finish their manuscripts or research works without starving themselves and their families.

Under HB 1531, the trust fund will give out at least 65 grants every year to authors, writers, or researchers throughout the country.

The measure is expected to support works on science and technology, local history, and subject areas wherein locally authored books are few or non-existent.

It also aims to facilitate the development of stories and books for children that reflect Filipino culture and inspire pride in local history and national identity.

The Iloilo City solon is convinced that, with the advent of the trust fund, regional and provincial authors would no longer labor in anonymity, suffer from financial dearth, and hanker for access to Manila-based publishers that are willing to invest on "nobodies" like them.

According to NBDB, a criteria or implementing rules and regulation will be drawn up to determine the choice of beneficiaries of the trust fund.

NBDB, which, under HB 1531, is the administrator of the fund, also expects a dramatic increase in its currently 150-strong author-registrants once the bill finally becomes a law.

For details, contact:

Carlo June Panila
Project Development Officer
National Book Development Board
http://www.nbdb.gov.ph
(02)920-3887 / (02)929-3677

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Why I Love You

(for Chie)

The way you talk to me
The way you treat me
This is why I love YOU

The way you help me with
problems and show me the solutions
The way we argue
It's just out of love

The way you hug me
The way you kiss me
This is why I love YOU

The way you care for me
The way you look into my eyes
This is why I love YOU

The way you have ALWAYS been
there for me
This is why I love YOU

All of the things I wrote above
is to let YOU know...
WHY I LOVE YOU!

(C) Jheric A. Saracho
April 13, 2005

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

FROM MY INBOX: Cool Eye Chart

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

PRESS RELEASE: The 2nd Pinoypoets Poetry Workshop, 23-24 April 2005

Pinoypoets is having its second Poetry Workshop on April 23 at the Manila Observatory, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, and on April 24 at the Art Informal, Greenhills, San Juan, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Workshop aims to convene the members in a creative forum where greater learning is made possible. In this workshop, the group endeavors to help its members find their own voice, improve their craft and, through constructive sharing, gain a general appreciation and understanding of the various nuances of poetry writing.

The panelists for the English poems are: Heights moderator and one of the fellows in The Nippon Foundation Fellowships for Asian Public Intellectuals (API Fellowships, Batch 2003-2004) DM Reyes; UP Professor, Palanca awardee and Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Department Manager III for Visual, Literary and Media Arts Sid Gomez Hildawa; and Fulbright scholar, Palanca awardee and UP instructor Conchitina Cruz.

For the Filipino poems, the panelists are: Joey Baquiran, UP Instructor, one of the Directors of the Writers Union of the Philippines (WUP) and Palanca awardee; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the UP College of Arts and Letters and Associate Professor at the Department of Filipino, CAL, Joi Barrios; and Ateneo de Manila University instructor and Palanca awardee Edgar Samar.

There will also be a pre-workshop activity on April 16, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This seminar/open discussion about poetry, poetry writing and poetry criticism will be handled by Mr. Santiago “Sonny” Villafania also at the Manila Observatory in Ateneo Campus, Katipunan.

Pinoypoets is a community of Filipino poets, writers and literary enthusiasts from all over the world, where members may share their works, thoughts and insights to learn and improve their craft.

Email: pinoypoetsgroup@yahoo.com
Friendster Account: pinoypoetsgroup@yahoo.com
Yahoogroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/pinoypoets
Blog: http://pinoypoets.blogspot.com

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

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I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Too Late

You said you loved me,
You said you cared,
But you never said you'd always be there.
I never noticed,
Until today,
And I noticed,
noticed to late.
You really hurt me,
You hurt me good.
I was thinkin',
"Do I deserve this? Maybe I should."

(C) Jheric A. Saracho
December 10, 2004

Author's note: I wrote this when I found out that my ex-gf was getting married.

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Pinoypoets Workshop (as posted by Ergoe Tinio in thereforeiam.blogdrive.com)

The second Pinoypoets Poetry Workshop will be held on the 23rd and 24th of this month. The April 23 event will be at the Manila Observatory, Ateneo Campus in Katipunan, 9:00-5:00PM. On April 24, it will be at the Art Informal School in Greenhills, 9:00-5:00PM..

There will also be a pre-workshop activity on April 16, half-day from one pm to six in the evening. This seminar/open discussion about poetry, poetry writing and poetry criticism will be handled by Sir Sonny Villafania at the Manila Observatory in Ateneo Campus, Katipunan.

The panelists include Ms. Conchitina Cruz, Mr. Sid Hidlawa, Ms. Joi Barrios, Mr. Edgar Samar and Mr. Romulo Baquiran.

For those interested, contact Romel Samson at 09278470212 or email dcc@headline.com.ph

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Obras In Verses:Pinoypoets Launches First Poetry Chapbook by Romel Samson

The first Pinoypoets Poetry Chapbook,[Öb•Vêrs] Obras in Verses, was successfully launched with the participation of the group's active members last April 2 at Gayuma Café in Katipunan.

Aptly titled Obverse [ÖboVêrs], (the front of an object, (n.) the side, as of a coin, that bears the principal design), this collection contains the poems of writers who are now ready to offer their verses and their voices to the literary world and to willing readers. The statements in the chapbook preface are strong ones:, "It is Pinoypoets,[adj] facing the observer, baring themselves, spilling their innards through their words. It is their invitation to travel in their world, to experience a fragment of their lives, to free the mind and drown in their metaphors and to let lines remain in the heart. It is their works of poetry, their obras in verses, bravely and proudly offered to the world. To be criticized. Even to be laughed at. But at the end of the day, and essentially the most important, to be read. To be shared."

The chapbook boasts of the members' finest poems, best works from June 2004 to January 2005 with diverse themes and fresh images and metaphors on;

Erotica
…You could not blame me
If I chose
To burn my tongue
Just to taste
Your wonder.
from "My Geography Lessons" by Rhodge Fernandez

Unrequited love
I came and you were surprised with my distance
Words unuttered clattered like broken disk in my head
from "I, Woman, Lover" by Gracia Perdiguerra

Unexpressed feelings
Ngunit wala akong maisulat -
O marahil, ayokong isulat,
Dahil ang pagsulat ay pag-amin,
Pagkumpisal ng tagong damdamin
from "Tinatagong Tula", by Rhea Claire Madarang

Intense romanticism
Kagabi, natuklap ang talukap ng lupa
Nang mamulaklak ng malamig na bulak,
Ang bukal ng ulap,
Ngunit di natin iyon namalayan,
from "Kagabi", by Kristoffer Berse

Alienation
The click of stiletto heels
Tap out an arrhythmic dance
on swirling tiles, on massaged concrete,
while above, the city's evening lights
glare out their garish promise,
dreams of the uncaring gods they worship,
from "…4" by The Weepingman

Parental neglect
Maghapon, magdamag mong
Binabalasa
Mga barahang hindi
Marunong bumasa
Ng 'yong bukas

Kaulayaw mo'y usok
Mangkok
Ng ulam mong
Punong puno ng sabaw
Coke, pamatid uhaw,
from "Kwaho" by Edwin Padillo

Life in grayscales
Maybe the placards and the
workers shouts
had all blended into
one pale oblivion.
They were all
talking about you
in the same dim shade
of scattered ashes
in which you wrote
everyday,
in which you lived
a half-starved life
trying to see beyond
the big gray blur
in the center of your
bathroom mirror.
from "Grayscale" by Maureen Gaddi Dela Cruz

Paean to Mother Nature
Kung tumaga man ang kidlat
Saglit lamang ang aking pagkatakot
Dahil may apoy itong handog
Sa mga talahib, sanga at dahon
Init na dulot sa humahaplit na bagyo."
From "Pagpupugay" John Enrico Torralba

Dipper shower
Ayaw pakawalan ng titig
ang kamay na marahang
bumaba
tangan ang tabong pula
sumalok ng tubig
sa malalim na timba.
From "Unang Buhos" by Kathline Ann Tolosa

and other profound musings on human emotions and conditions These poems underwent online workshop among members and were reviewed by some of the group's advisers and established poet friends including Zaldy Dandan, Sonny Villafania, Noel del Prado, Angelo Suarez, Sid Gomez Hildawa, Edgar Samar and John Enrico Torralba, who incidentally was present during the ceremony and delivered a salutary and inspiring message. He told the group that there are only two kinds of poems - the abandoned and the unfinished - and he fervently hopes that the group will continue to be an unfinished poem that will continually seek its fulfillment among the lives and hearts of the Pinoypoets.

During the launch, members also held fun fundraising activities, music jams, and performance poetry readings exuding hearts and pens ablaze with poetry.

The Pinoypoets, at first, was a strictly online poetry group started by less than ten members in June last year. After a few months of sharing their works, giving feedback and exchanging their views online, these budding poets and literary enthusiasts began to meet regularly and develop kinship in sharing their insights, views, knowledge and constructive criticism. The group presently holds their poetry workshops, poetry readings and other activities in various locations within Metro Manila.

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Too Beautiful (as published in EMANILA.com)

Too Beautiful Jheric A. Saracho She taps her red fingernails on the tabletop. Staring at the roses. Enclosed card reads: To my Love, You are too beautiful. Love, Me She sits back – looking through the glass. China eyes holding a wealth of sadness. Drops of emotion trickle down her cheeks. Sparkling like diamonds. She tries to stop the flood, but the gates hold only for so long. Golden band of vows haunt her of promises broken: emotional scars that only the heart can see.

http://www.emanila.com/poetry/

Pulubi

Ang tanging samo nila,
"pahingi po ng barya
pambili ng maruya
panlaman sa sikmura."

(C) Jheric A. Saracho
April 4, 2005

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Beauty

(for Chie)

I can write about the Acropolis in Athens
As the sun goes down and the night chases on
It is so beautiful.
I could imagine the Taj Mahal
Ivory towers and crystal waters
It is surely beautiful

A baby's skin against it's woollen cover
Asleep, perfect as a doll
That is beautiful
And as warm rain flows through the forest canopy
Dark and wet, yet refreshing, exciting
A thing of beauty

A view, a scene, the sea on the beach foaming
A countryside trail, a high mountain range
Natural beauty
The red soil of Mars, the clear sky at night
A pearl in an oyster
To some, such beauty

I can think of others, the sound of soft music
The beat of a bird's wing
Listen to such beauty
The aroma of spice, ozone and the sea
The dark smell of sensuousness
Fantasize the beauty

To label beauty, to define its sheen and aura
Is impossible as clasping at air
But I have seen it; I have seen what it is
To rival and match, to outshine them all
So precious and deep, her eyes, my heart leaps
Her lips, her cheeks, flushed with prettiness

The small vibrations, slight quiver of her hand
The smooth undulations of form
I now know beauty, I have touched it and seen
And it's you, it's you .. you have touched my heart
And I will love you and care for you
Because you are total beauty inside and out.

(C) Jheric A. Saracho
April 1, 2005

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

MMDA

Pwesto sa kanto
ang motoristang loko
huli sa akto

(C) Jheric A. Saracho
January 13, 2005

I never think of the future - it comes soon enough. - Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)