There are several things I miss about my college days at the University of the Philippines Cebu; one of which is my perseverance in writing poems.
I remember writing in Cebuano and getting giddy about reading them to myself. I remember sharing two of these poems to my Humanities teacher, Mrs. Silvana Hermosa, who in turn presented it to Dr. Madrilena “Miss Madz” dela Cerna. Miss Madz, whom everybody in UP feared because of her austere mien, was happy about it and told me she is glad to be reading Cebuano poems from a Mass Comm student. Shortly after that, I was invited to be part of Bathalad (Bathalan-ong Halad sa Dagang) UP Cebu, which Miss Madz started and soon gathered some students and teachers as members. If my memory serves me right, Nasvin Del Rosario, Mojo Son and Ermine (Sorry Yadz, I forgot your last name) where my “companions” in the group. The three became very active in a play that was (I think) originally written by Ermine (?).
Thesis work and too many involvements in several organizations took me away from our small literary group but before I lost contact of everyone, I was able to attend a literary workshop that had Cebuano poet, essayist and writer, Myke Obenieta as our mentor. Oh, how nervous I was when he started talking about the poem I wrote. I will never ever forget one piece of advice that he said and it goes, “When writing the title of your poem, do not summarize it with the one feeling that your work aims to establish. Do not give it away.” Six nights ago, I was reviewing Kabisdak, an online literary lighthouse where Sir Myke serves as its administrator. His words from the 2007 workshop echoed in my mind and just thought, “Maybe, it’s time to write poems again.”
That made me think about organizing something.
I was arranging details for the Basadours’ celebration of the World Read Aloud Day at Hipodromo Elementary School that was scheduled on March 5 when I thought about the possibility of holding a Poetry Café in partnership with Maam Lorna Eguia, the head librarian of the University of San Carlos – American Corner Library. Maam Lorna was also very instrumental during the first Book Share organized by The Reading Ruffolos. I initially asked her if we can do it in the afternoon of March 5 shortly after the morning storytelling session in barangay Hipodromo. However, she will not be around on March 5 and 6. But she suggested to do it on March 4 – the following day. Hahaha! Crazy me said yes and went on making a poster for the event. I told her it should be an intimate gathering of librarians, teachers and students. “Ten people is already the maximum,” I said.
I did not expect much of our little café. When I arrived at the American Corner Library, Maam Lorna’s student assistants were at work. The table was decorated with Stick O’s and chocolates. There were cookies and coffee and water. Chairs were placed at the center of the library with some bean bags scattered in the same area. It was cozy and homey. I wished I took some photos. Maam Lorna, if you read this please give me some photos.
We started at 10 a.m. with USC lecturer Jobelle Marabiles, Maam Lorna, four USC students and myself. I liked it! It was a different arrangement.
Jobelle started the interaction by reading her poem, which talked about her commitment to Heavenly Father whom she described as “the one who loved me first”. I met a student named Patricia, who is a graduating Accountancy student but writes poetry. Patricia shared a poem about her love for her Higher Being. Maam Lorna also shared a poem that talked about the realities of life. There were three other students – whose names I forgot – who were there to listen and offered some comments on the poems read. It was a very small group and it was made to be that way. I have always believed that reading poetry should be done in the most intimate gathering possible with very few people in attendance.
I feel that poems are the closest extension of a person’s soul that it should be handled with utmost care. I have never been that confident about my poems after college. I sort of lose confidence in my skill – if there is any – in writing in that literary form. So on the first Poetry Café, I read Myke Obenieta’s Tuldok, the only Cebuano poem read that morning.
The three students had to leave earlier as well as Jobelle but Patricia stayed on. With only Maam Lorna and Patricia with me, I dared to share a poem I wrote when I was 13 years old, when we were still living in small village in Leyte called Libas, an hour away from Ormoc City.
Like A Lonely Girl
The sea is calm
So peaceful, so quiet.
Alone in the midst of my palm
Like a lonely girl waiting for the light …Then comes that ravishing roaring;
Of the seawaves that enticed my heart
Music to my ears, I know it’s a blessing
To that lonely girl who is full of heart.I wonder what makes the sea going…
Work of art, it might be?
But I know this is something
To that lonely girl that I see.Is not the sea like me?
Sometimes timid, other times angry.
The lonely girl I came to be;
Waiting for someone to prepare my way.
And I finally shared this after 14 years of keeping it inside my brain. In fact, I know there is a stanza that I forgot. But never mind. That’s it.
To conclude the session, Maam Lorna asked us to write our thoughts and experiences and these are the things Patricia and I wrote:
Let’s do this again!
P.S. We are cooking up one more Poetry Café before I leave for China on March 25 in line with the celebration of International Women’s Month. Anyone interested to join? It will still be at the USC – American Corner Library.
