Once upon a time --- no, just yesterday --- I and some of my Sinukuan Gazette buddies decided to take a hop to Holy Angel University in Angeles City to see Biyaheng Panulat. Okay, I have to admit that I had no idea of what we're up to. My co-staffers told me names, but honestly, I wasn't familiar with any of them except Manix Abrera (whom I thought was a cartoonist for a broadsheet, and boy I was right). Note that I have no intentions of mocking these award-winning authors; it's just that I wasn't a fan of reading books (but not until I heard them speak). While everyone seemed to be really excited, as if waiting for celebrities, I was just slouchy sitting, thinking what could happen next, like what's-in-it-for-me.
Biyaheng Panulat is a literary caravan para sa panulat na naghahanap sa bayan (so goes the tagline). It was launched on July 24, 2014 by the Centre for Creative Writing of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. It's important to note that this is FREE and anyone who loves to read or who wish to write (or both) can come.
Layon nitong makapagturo sa mga kabataan at mabigyang-tugon ang mga sumusunod na katanungan: (It aims to educate the youth and respond to the following questions:)
- Bakit natin kailangan magsulat? (Why do we need to write?)
- Paano ba magsulat? (How do we write [correctly]?)
- Paano magturo ng pagsusulat? (How do we teach writing [effectively]?)
- Paano magpahalaga sa panulat? (literary criticism at literary theory)
I wasn't expecting too much from this, but to be honest, Biyaheng Panulat gave me more than what I thought I could get. Every tip these renowned writers gave us were just very moving. You can easily tell that they write as they live, and they live what they preach. Ricky Lee, although I haven't read any of his books (I swear, me so dumb), has become my favourite during the event. His pieces of advice were so profound that I could still almost hear his words as I write this entry. Also, Bob Ong was said to be one of the speakers. Thinking that it was just a part of the promotion of the event and knowing that he wouldn't show up, I got overwhelmed hearing his message for us! (Although the reader had lapses). To my excitement, recorded it, and I've added it to my music playlist, as if it was a song to listen to. He said "... Dahil alam ko na ang batang may kinabukasan sa pagsusulat ay hindi nanghihingi ng sagot, kundi naghahanap ng sagot. At bago pa nila umpisahan ang paghahanap, sinisigurado na nilang tama ang inaalagaan nilang tanong..."
In the said event were also Amang Jun Reyes (who already had 13 Palanca Awards if my memory serves me right) and Dong Abay, the writer/composer of Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo hi hi hi song. They also shared important notes on the status of the Filipino writers or today, and how we can contribute by either writing and reading (also listening) to such artwork and hardwork.
I wish I could think and write more on how crazily healthy this Biyaheng Panulat is for us wanting to write a book, or just write.
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| Biyaheng Panulat |
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| Sir Ricky Lee shares his moving thoughts |
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| A rare gathering on-stage of renowned writers |
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| Amang Jun Cruz Reyes fan-signing |
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| Dong Abay with one of my colleagues |
Biyaheng Panulat's next stop will be in Tarlac State University but there's no exact date yet. For inquiries, you may call Center for Creative Writing with telephone nos. 7167832-45, local 327.
