THIS MONTH OF SEPTEMBER IN BACKSPACE

September 2006
Volume I Issue 3

+ The Writers Guild President bumps into a famous little lady in Boracay. Read more...

+ Mahros Abaño oils her trunk of junk and reins in what could have been a bad case of logorrhea. Now there's a soundbite for you, people! Read more...

+ Perps Poblador trades her microphone for the pen and brings us down memory lane to a time where good music used to be the soundtrack of our lives. Read more...

+ Find out why this nice guy may end up taking over your job. Read more...

+ The Poetry Editor looks to the past and finds gems worth appraising today. Read more...

+ We didn't realize storytelling could be so difficult. Why do people even attempt to learn how to do it? Read more...

+ Pia Manzano talks to writers - or would-be-writers - from the viewpoint of that quintessential writers' partner - the typewriter. Read more...

+ Some good things deserve second helpings. Read more...

+ We were hungry after one very tiring day and look where our rumbling tummies brought us. Read more...

+ Resident Poet Emil Bombita does a double take on SPi employees who spend - and waste, as the case may be - their time on the inanities of the internet. Read more...

+ Resident Poet WIZE poses a challenge. Take it or leave it. Read more...

FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR (September 2006)

"If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd type a little faster." - Isaac Asimov on being a writer


When we were new to SPi (spi technologies pa siya dati), we found the tag line “People are at the heart of what we do” very moving. Although it smacks of cheesy advertising (sorry!), we still find it comforting to know that a corporate environment – usually stiff and cold - can still have a heart.

We first had the idea of featuring people while going up the stairs back to our office after a quick coffee break (We've been charged with 'abandonment of post' before so we made sure we didn't tarry). Interestingly, that light-bulb moment was a just few minutes before we found out that a BU mate used to be with Bayan Muna, that another used to tell stories to children in National Bookstore, and that another guy is actually juggling two jobs as practising physician and a medical transcriptionist. Amazing!

Indeed, to borrow a Melanism, one mustn’t judge a person by his cover, er, character because he/she is not a book. How apt for our setting!

This September, BACKSPACE brings you stories of some people who you may just bump into everyday in our cafeteria or in the washroom but never had the chance to know better. We can’t blame you for not being interested in them. They’re one of us but like everyone else, they too have their own exciting stories to tell.

The Writers Guild welcomes you to our very first PEOPLE issue. Due to delays however, we are only able to feature one person in this issue. The rest of the interviews will be featured in October. Cheers!

Dylan Yap Gozum
President, Writers Guild

N.B. We are also welcoming onboard new writers, some of whom were “discovered” during our first workshop on creative non-fiction last August 26. You can say that after training, a venue for their works should come next. This is it. Yes, this is small time, virtually unknown, but we all have to start somewhere.

ME with "Tisay" (real name: Melcar, 11). She was featured in GMA7's I-Witness which talked about children who were left behind in Boracay by their foreigner fathers. I recognized her when she was offering to braid my short hair for PHP 100. I gave it to her instead as a gift (the peso bill, not my hair and no, I didn't have it braided.)


Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (currently firewalled in our PCs *sob*)

SPi WRITERS, UNITE!

Click on the photos to enlarge!

WRITE HERE. WRITE NOW.

Click on photo to enlarge!

BOOKS! BOOKS! BOOKS!

These are the books available for SPi employees for the months of September and October. Read more! Explore more!


Click on photo to enlarge!

Interested? Text TITLE OF BOOK(space)YOUR NAME(space)SBU to 0926.622.3359 or email us at spiwritersguild@yahoo.com to reserve the book you want to borrow!

Please visit our online library here.

SIGN UP AND ATTEND! SIGN UP AND ATTEND!

Click on photo to enlarge. Interested? Text STORY(space)YOUR NAME to 0926.622.3359

MUSIC REVIEW

Whatcha playin’, player?

by Mahros Abaño

With the fast-rising technology, CDs are practically becoming obsolete. Everything now comes in small, easily accessible packages, and how music is stored is one of them. I am not one to succumb to technology, being the technophobe that I am, but one has to yield to it. Eventually, I got my fat ass a player. It was like mixed-taping without the bulk. It gets me going in the morning, makes me pensive when in a long bus ride or just not make me scream bloody murder in the middle of Parañaque traffic at eight in the morning.

These are the tracks that I like listening to. I narrowed it down to my ten current listening, as I don’t want to take most of the space. Maybe you like some of them but even if you don’t, I don’t care a fig, just kidding. Share me yours, then. Here it goes:


1.) KOKOMO. The Beach Boys – I grew up listening to them but lived them much later. Brian Wilson can’t even surf even if his life depended on it, yet he wrote songs about surfing and hooking up with really hot, blond California girls. A true geek if there ever was one. It never fails to perk me up in the morning.


2.) HIMIG NATIN. Tropical Depression with Pepe Smith and Jr. Kilat – A collaboration of three of the best in the Philippine music industry one of the best songs ever written, and I am not mincing words here. I loved these three artists and I get tickled pink whenever I listen to this song. A good reggae rendition that any “rasta” worth his salt should have on his player.


3.) IS IT WICKED NOT TO CARE? Belle and Sebastian – Isobel Campbell is one of the sweetest, haunting voices out there. As she sings the lines, “If ever there was a sequel,/Would you love me as an equal/Will you love me till I am dead?/Or is threesome else instead?/,” I cannot help but look out the window while on a long bus ride and contemplate the recent tragedy that is my love life. Best companion when I am in-an-indie-film type of mood.


4.) IN BETWEEN DAYS (Live). The Cure – Robert Smith. ‘Nuff Said.


5.) MARX AND ENGELS. Belle and Sebastian – I have tons of Belle and Sebastian tracks because I completely adore them and I have to recommend this. The piano part on this song is absolutely fantastic. This song is about a guy who is in love with a Marxist who wouldn’t talk to him unless it’s about politics; because of this, he could only watch her as she does her laundry.


6.) JULIE TEARJERKY. Eraserheads – I love them since I first heard them and this is one of the songs that show their maturity as musicians. I may be wrong, but there isn’t a single musician or music lover under the age of 30 in this country who was not influenced bu these guys.


7.) THIS USED TO BE MY PLAYGROUND. Madonna. I’ll admit it, I am a fag hag. And any self-respecting fag hag will have a Madonna track on her player, next to vogue-ing matches with her gays. Got to pay respects to the Madge.


8.) COIN-OPERATED BOY. The Dresden Dolls – This is a band composed of two freaks that dress up like mimes from a 1930s Berlin peep show and play this piano-laden track about getting a robot boyfriend after a bitter break-up.


9.) KING WITHOUT A CROWN. Matisyahu – He is an Orthodox Jew. He sings reggae, rap and does beat box. Watch your sexy back, Justin. With his inspirational lyrics about his devotion to God and other good things, coupled with kick ass beats, I’ll listen ti him anytime.


10.) I DON’T LIKE MONDAYS. Boomtown Rats – Admit it, who doesn’t? This song was inspired by a homicide in Britain; when the killer was asked why he shot a man, this was his reply. A funny ditty on a rather sad consequence of urban angst. So keep your hands to your coffee mugs, people, not on your gloc nines.

Again, I reiterate that this is my personal choice, si I wouldn’t want to hear a lot of reactions why this or that band is not included. If you like music and talks incessantly like I do, give me a shout out and let’s trade influences. E-mail me at sinister_teacher@yahoo.com.ph .

____________________________________________
Mahros Abaño is a part-time eccentric, full-time neurotic. She currently scratches her gray matter for the uses of punctuation marks she learned in elementary school as she is an English Editor for HDI. She is also on a Holy Grail pursuit for the best hopia on earth.

PERSONAL: TAKE IT FROM ME

Kami nAPO Muna: A Tribute to APO Hiking Society

By Perps Poblador

“Nandito kami ang iyong barkada mong tunay, aawit sa’yo. Sa lungkot, at ligaya, hirap at ginhawa kami kasama mo.”




The decision of Jim Paredes in 2005 to migrate to Australia with his family left me flabbergasted. I thought this would surely be APO Hiking Society’s final bow. The first bow was in 1998 when their show, Sa Linggo nAPO Sila, which ran for only three years went off the air. Just like other artists who became famous and simply disappeared into thin air, I thought I won’t be seeing them after conceding defeat to their noontime show rival. I was really saddened by the first. I was about to surrender my high hopes after the second.

I had not told anyone else until today that yes, I am an avid fan of Danny Javier, Buboy Garovillo and Jim Parades, more known as the APO Hiking Society, since I heard their song Batang-Bata Ka Pa the first time when I was seven. I had been very discreet about this, fearing I’d be stigmatized by my peers as being baduy or old-fashioned. Finally, I’ve found the source of strength to say it all today when the Kami nAPO Muna: Tribute to APO Hiking Society album was released!

It is said that never shall the twain meet but this album simply disproved that. It is really like bringing the legends and the newbies to meet halfway. This 2-CD tribute album comes not only with a compilation of renditions of today’s famous rock bands, but also with another CD showcasing the original versions of APO, albeit digitally re-mastered. Interestingly enough, the “new age” CD is designed with repetitive illustrations of Danny’s, Jim’s and Buboy’s faces superimposed on a blood red background while the “premiere” CD is in black and gold colors. This was done for the benefit of younger audiences who may not be familiar with APO music. The compilation suggests listening to the black CD first before they move on and headbang to their idol band’s versions. No matter how excited you may be to check out Parokya ni Edgar, Kitchie Nadal, or The Dawn’s versions in the album, I highly recommend you play the original version first. Iba pa rin ang orig!

Performing popular songs with a new twist would have been easy but not if it is a tribute to OPM icons like the APO. Anything less would be an insult to them and to APO diehards like me. The album, overall, has achieved its utmost purpose of paying tribute without compromising the unique stylistics of each band. Kamikazee, for that matter, keeps its unruly and stubborn performance style of singing Doo Bidoo. At the same time, they keep some differential sparks that APO was known for—the feel-good, at times perky tempo, their voices unified in oftentimes satirical yet optimistic interplay of trials and triumphs inherent in the lyrics.

For more top picks, Orange and Lemons’ version of Yakap sa Dilim was a hit with me. This band can truly render their listeners breathless while listening to their own rendition of this APO classic hit. Even the distinct 70’s sound of this song has so enamored Orange and Lemons that they could have done this tribute as a solo gig. Itchiworm’s attempts at combining varying music genres plus the very candid and funny dialogues with peers while performing all paid off in giving justice to Awit ng Barkada. Doo Bidoo is a trademark hit of APO; thus the version that Kamikaze came out with was likewise spiced with expected wackiness and hilarity, very entertaining and was done in good taste! Kitchie Nadal, on the other hand, gives a soothing, feel-good rendition of Pag-ibig. Barbie Almalbis experiments as she applies her distinct singing style to the only English APO song included in the album, When I Met You.

Truly, the APO Hiking Society is a story of three brave souls who have taken risks in their musical and personal lives to write and perform their songs even if fear, apprehensions, and frustrations came along their way. As fate would have it, they also are the best mentors to the young bands featured in the album who are lucky enough to be inheritors of these immortal APO songs. As one of the possibly few younger people who admire their work, I salute Danny, Buboy and Jim for bringing to life songs which have given color to our lives.

Kampay!

Get to know the APO Hiking Society by visiting their web site at www.apohikingsociety.org.

_________________________________
Perps Poblador is a graduate of BS Information Technology from the University of Asia and the Pacific. She’s currently the Operations Support Supervisor at HDI. The Immediate Past President of Toastmasters Club of SPi, she is currently aiming to achieve her Competent Leader and Advanced Communicator - Bronze norms, plans to dabble more on photography, graphics design, web development and to achieve that ideal 120 pounds on or before First Quarter of 2007. She’s now single.

WRITER'S BLOCK

Dear Writer,

I envy you because no matter how much I try, I just can't write. I have come to the conclusion that I CAN NOT WRITE! I've had many plots for amusing short stories in my head, written in part on paper and some have been developed as far as the first chapter and typed in my trusted typewriter, but none have been completed, except in my head, where the ink fades and the story turns into ash as I sleep! But it's not just short stories.

I've wanted to write poems too. Jotting down the verses in my head, written in the clouds and made to rhyme like a beautiful melody. But NO. My poems are of sadness and pain, of loneliness and sorrow, of lost hope and a search of nothingness. (Well there goes all my poetry topics.) Although deep and gloomy as they may sound, they do not want to be written down, not even in deep, dark colors. God help me break my writer's block...wait, I'm not a writer. I haven't successfully written anything substantial enough to be considered an art worthy of being read by others. I'm a scam! I can hear the stones being thrown my way and all the shouts of anger, or rather disgust at my failed attempts.

Can my writer's block be ever crushed into dirt? Oh, wait...I can't have writer's block because I am no writer! Darn it! I can never understand how it feels to have one's creation printed in an ink that is not one's own. For all writer's out there, be thankful for your writer's block, it means you can actually write, you just haven't started!

Yours Truly,

Typewriter


_________________
Maria Pilar R. Manzano is with the Office of the HR Director as Administrative Assistant. She is also the Writers Guild's Vice President and Backspace's Features Editor.

SPipol: ASTROBOY GROWS UP

Photo and Article by Dylan Yap Gozum

He goes by many nicknames – Space Cowboy, Astroboy, Speedy, Sanosuke - but for Christian Umali, 24, easily the most recognizable and best remembered among the staff of SPi’s cafeteria current concessionaire, Sunrise Gourmet, these are all reflections of his true self: a child struggling to come out from within his fragile frame, ready to take on the world with a ready smile and an infectious humor that is rarely seen in these parts.

The road that led to this day, however, wasn’t easy. The second of 5 siblings, his own Mother, a vendor, thought of him as semi-autistic. “Mahina daw pagiisip ko,” says Christian. His academic history, however, doesn’t seem to agree with that statement. He already finished a year of college at AMA as a computer and mobile phone technician, and was already on his second year at Datamex on a Computer Technician course when financial problems got in the way. He then found himself bussing tables at Tropical Hut Malibay. After his 5 months were up, he found employment at Sunrise Gourmet. He does the dishes on Sunday nights (the dishwasher comes in Mondays-Fridays), and alternates between the dining and counter areas during weekdays while earning Php 28.75 / hour on a 12-hour shift. After work, he would walk home (yes, you read that right) to sleep or do his laundry. Regarding his walking home, he said he’s been walking to and from his house for many years now. He even recalls that the longest walk he’d ever done was during Christmas of 2004 from Filinvest Alabang to Baclaran. It seems that times haven’t changed much.

If it weren’t for hard times, he would have preferred to be in the Ateneo taking up Fine Arts, “but I am married to my job right now”, he says. Most of his free time is used going online, busting at least a hundred pesos per week (“I am an internet addict”) and posting scanned copies of his animé drawings in his own webpage (http://umalizord.deviantart.com), and practicing arnis and kendo (“I started to learn these when I was still in AMA. I now use a book that was given to me as a gift.”) In fact, if you might catch him with that long plank of wood strung to his back – all of 22.7 kilograms - fret not. It is actually a weapon but we won’t go into details.

If anything, what Christian really loves doing is to draw. He brings his portfolio everyday to work and draws during his break time. “My first drawings were of cars. I loved cars. I would draw vintage and futuristic cars. My very first animé drawing was that of Astroboy, but I gave him a twist. I made him realistic by changing his hair a bit. After all, he was a robot who used to be a real boy,” he said. His favorite animé series is the Gundam saga and he has joined drawing competitions sponsored by Level Up!, which holds the Philippine franchise to Ragnarok. He claims to have started a comic strip using original characters when he was in Grade 5 about two siblings (“They are the protagonists.”) who wanted to return to the past to correct their mistakes and bring back their dead mother. Entitled “Blade Hunter”, the two have to look for 9 blades, which lead to a time portal which can grant wishes. It really sounds like a very interesting plot for a telly show.

Alpha and Omega Mentals. Artwork by Christian Umali

Eikichi Onizuka and Edward Lightning. Artwork by Christian Umali

“Alam mo ba na I only started to talk when I was 5? They said my very first words were ‘I love you’, which was something I learned from Sesame Street. Muppets always say that they love things!,” he recounted. He said that he learned his English from Sesame and that he recalls with fondness the song SING, which was written for the show but was popularized by the Carpenters when they recorded it in 1973. He even knows what disease Jim Henson died of. Just amazing!

What endeared him more to SPi employees, however, were his antics. I first noticed him while having lunch with SBU mates. He was bussing a table next to ours by spraying it with water first, twirling the two spray bottles much like a cowboy would with two guns, wiped the table dry and then walked away with a grin. I was dumbfounded. “Many compare me to Love Añover (Traffic update segment host of GMA7’s Unang Hirit). May natutuwa sa kanya, may naiinis din. They said we have many things in common. Like her, I like to be fun and make fun of my work. I love my work. I never want it to be boring.” Well said for someone whose motto is ‘I am who I am.’ I reminded him that Love started at Probe Team as a PA. Christian, in fact, watched her life story on Magpakailanman. He then proceeded to recount Probe Team’s history (“Nagsimula talaga sila sa Channel 2!”) and enumerated the 4 women who founded the award-winning show (“Luchi Cruz-Valdez is with ABS CBN now.”). Hey, this guy can win in quiz shows!

I’ve been hunched over my computer for over 2 ½ years now as an English Editor and I wonder, on reflection, whether I’d trade places with this guy than whine about my miserable existence as a regular employee, another obscure face among thousands who pass through the halls of this company, because unlike many of us who are content with our daily routine, Christian goes beyond his comfort zone. “I am very adventurous. Sometimes I even find myself in dangerous places. I just want to find out how it is to be in different situations. They say na baliw daw ako, na mahina ang ulo ko. I am constantly misjudged. I tell them, mas nanaisin ko pang maging baliw at walang ina-agrabiyado kesa maging matino pero marami namang ina-agrabiyado. My supervisor, however, thinks I am advanced. Until now, puzzled pa rin ako sa ibig niyang sabihin dun.”

You can say that I do envy him and his joie de vivre. Indeed, it would be such a waste if I didn’t learn anything from this chat over coffee at 4 in the morning. Love your work, find ways to enjoy it, explore possibilities – these are Christian’s enduring legacy during his brief stay with us. “I don’t want to be known as a great person pero as they say, I am one of a kind. My message is simple: Don’t take your work too seriously because you’d get old early!”

I asked him what his dreams were for himself. This he hesitated to answer. The sense of uncertainty was palpable in his silence. “I guess yung usual dream, eh yung magkaroon ng sariling house. I’d just explore all possibilities. Sabi nga, nobody can tell the future. Expect the unexpected. Malay ninyo, I might even find employment here at SPi,” he says, his eyes sparkling. Asked if he were going back to school, he said he had to look for another job, and then will re-enroll. “Baka balik na ako ulit ng square one. I have only fragments of memory left of my school days. It’s been three years already.”

Certainly, we owe it to people like Christian to be better at what we do because much is expected from us who were given much. If we just put our hearts to it, we can actually touch – and change - the lives of many people like him. I was conveniently reminded by a line of the character Pistol in Shakespeare’s play ‘Merry Wives of Windsor’: “Why, then, the world\'s mine oyster, Which I with sword will open.”

Astroboy, the world is your oyster. Make the most of it! SPi surely will never be the same without you.


The Alan Fraser Activity Center
September 24, 2006
4:56 AM

POETRY OF, BY, AND FOR THE PEOPLE

Pobreng Kidney

Isang sakong bigas, isang bayong na asin,
isang kartong Lucky Me, at isang sakong daing—
pasalubong ni Daddy matapos ipagbili
sa presyong singkwenta mil ang kanyang isang kidney.

Yeheey! O Lord! Sa wakas!
Kakain na rin kami!

Kaya’t
dinamihan ko ang kain
ng natural naming pagkain—
kanin at asin.
At mamayang hapunan
ay dadamihan ko rin ang kain
ng epesyal naming pagkain—
kanin at daing.
At bukas sa almusal-pananghalian
ay dadamihan ko rin ang kain
ng pampyesta naming pagkain—
Lucky Me’t kanin.

Nang ako’y mabilis tumubo’t lumaki
at maibenta rin ang isa kong kidney—

Para masigurong ang anim kong utol,
pati na si Mommy, si Lola’t si Baby
ay makakanguyang hindi kukulangin
sa kanin, sa daing, sa Lucky Me’t asin.





Photos by Dylan Yap Gozum. Intramuros, Manila.

Pobreng Patay

Kailan pa kaya ako mamamatay
nang may makain ulit kami?

Kasi nung ma-gang-rape si Ate
habang nagtitinda ng sampagita,
tatlong linggo kaming busog
dahil tatlong linggo rin ang lamay.

Bukod sa malakas ang kita sa abuloy,
malakas rin ang kita ng tong
sa Lucky 9, tong-its at mahjong.

Nabayaran ni Nanay ang utang sa tindahan.
Napaawit si Tatay sa gabi-gabing tagay.
Nakamtan ng anim kong kapatid ang mga pinapangarap na biskwet.
Nag-enjoy ang barangay sa kapeng walang humpay.

Pero dahil mag-iisang taon nang patay si Ate,
lahat na yata kami ay mamamatay na sa gutom.

Pero di bale,
hihigitan ko pa ang kay Ate’ng naibentang mga sampagita
nang ako’y makaipon ng pambili ng sariling kabaong
at nang may makain ulit kami sa makokolektang tong.

____________________________
Alexander de Juan is the Writers Guild's Poetry Editor. He is a Fellow of the 23rd U.P. National Writers Workshop and has received two national awards for his poetry, one from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the other from Home Life publications. His poems appear in publications by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippine Graphic, Home Life and other poetry journals. He is the senior English Editor at HDI.

STANZAS OF STILLNESS

Photo by Dylan Yap Gozum. Alan Fraser Activity Center.

Minsan ako'y tumambay sa canteen ng SPI
Doon sa may computer ako'y nagnilay-nilay
Dinukot ko ang isang silya at sa pila humanay
Pinagmasdan ang mga tao habang naghihintay

Maya't maya pa'y isip ko'y nagka-pakpak
Pumaroo't pumarito may indayog ang lipad
Samut-saring paksa ay kanyang kinalap
At sa mg talata aking ilalahad

Nagpapaligsahan ang tunog ng mga audio
Patuloy na nababasag ang katahimikan ng kanto
Tili at mga sigaw ng magagaspang na musiko
Siyang pinagpipistahan ng mga empleyado

Sa dulo ng cafe, isang lalaking mataba
Bilugan ang mukha, imahe ng isang ama
'Di pa rin makalimot sa hilig pambata
Kaya sa "cartoons" sumusulwak ang tuwa

Si Ining, di rin mapakali sa kanyang "Friendster"
Walang tigil na pinalalakbay ang sampung daliri
Sa mga pepeng letra ng keyboard ng computer
Daig pa ang kapilyuhan ng isang tenedyer

Kanyang pinagtabi-tabi sangkatutak na larawan
Bawat isa'y binubuksan, walang katapusan
"Maghapon man na sila ay tititigan
Sa ugali pa rin makikilala ang kaibigan"

Friendster, anime at mga musikang pasigaw
Ang nagpapagalaw ng kanilang mundo araw-araw
Sapat na ba ang isang dipang tanaw?
Malawak ang mundo, ikaw ay gumalaw

di mo man lamang subukang sulyapan
Ang mga balitang de-pakpak; nagliliparan
At mga kaalamang 'pinupunla ng mga paham
Na siyang humuhubog sa mga bubot na isipan

Iba na ba talaga ang mga tao ngayon
Wari'y tinatawid ang buhay nang paurong
Patulo'y na tumatakbo ang ating panahon
Huwag magpaiwan, ikaw ay bumangon.

________________________
Emil Bombita is a Journalism graduate of Bicol University. He joined the Writers Guild early this year as a member of the Circle of Poets. He is currently connected with SPi Legal.


Photo by Dylan Yap Gozum. Mall of Asia.

ako ito

rock 'n' roll umaga't gabi,
inuman t'wing may pagkakataon,
joke time kaliwa't kanan,
yosi dito, doon at kung saan-saan:
oo ako ito.

payo para sa mga kaibigan,
tulong sa mga nangangailangan,
magtratrabaho hanggang di na kaya,
mga sekreto na kailanman di ilalabas:
oo, ako ito.

ubo't sakit ng ulo,
butong nagtutunugan na parang orkestra,
pilay sa kung saan-saan,
puyat hanggang makakaya:
oo, ako ito.

lungkot na di mailabas-labas,
luha na tumutulo lamang sa diwa,
mga hinaing sa aking isipan,
at sugat sa puso't isipan:
oo, ako ito.

sa bawat tawa, merong iyak;
sa bawat lungkot, merong saya;
sa bawat tagumpay, may kabiguan;
sa bawat sugat, may ginhawa;
bago husgahan, mawari'y isipin muna
kung kilala mo nga bang tuluyan... ako.

— Wize, 08/05/2006
_________________________
WIZE, Resident Poet of the Writers Guild, is a Software Engineer at SPi CAiS.

THANK YOU! MARAMING SALAMAT PO!

NEWS FLASH! A repeat of this activity is scheduled on September 30! Also, if you wish to be a certified storyteller, sign up with us for the Alitaptap Certification Training on October 21-22 at the National Library. Actual storytelling will be made before children at the Museong Pambata. The Writers Guild is offering sponsorships (certification fee, food and travel allowance all included). Text SPONSOR(space)YOUR NAME(space) to 0926.622.3359 now!

Writers Guild President Dylan Gozum, Storyteller Ethel Rey, WG Vice President Pia Manzano, Storyteller Posh, and WG Workshop Manager JP Canivel. Not in photo is Poetry Editor Alexander de la Cruz.

The 2nd workshop in the Writers Guild's A Series of Fortunate Events went on without a hitch last September 9 at the HR Training Room. The limited participation was to ensure that each attendee gets to participate fully in the session. The workshop, Book-Based Storytelling, was heavy on tips and performances designed to transform the written word (the short story) into a theatrical piece that is meant to get the full attention of children.

Two members of the famous Alitaptap Storytellers' Club, founded in 1999 in the Museo Pamnbata ng Maynila, were guests speakers. Attendees were a mixed lot of SPi employees and public school teachers from Tagaytay.

Special thanks goes to Ms. Lucy Aguila and staff of the Office of the Corporate Social Responsibility and Misses Ivy and Dhang of Employee Relations. Congratulations are due WG Officers, especially JP Canivel, Writers Guild Workshops Manager. To all participants, thank you! See you all again on the 3rd Series in October.

Mabuhay ang kwento! Long live storytelling!


Three participants act out roles of lolas (grandmothers).

Breathing exercises

Kuya Rey and Ate Posh demonstrate another method of storytelling - the tandem. In this setup, two storytellers go into a choreographed manner of performing and telling a story. It requires skill to come up with a performance that is both engaging and effective.


Rose of HDI makes a high point pose as a "ballet dancer".

Kathyleen and Gil of HDI make a midpoint posture to assume the stance of a "karate master". Postures are essential elements of an engaging storytelling session.



Joseph of HDI tries everything in his power to distract his partner. Focus is an essential element of a good storyteller.

Phem Tipo of SPS introduces her story

"Aaaarrggh! My tooth hurts!" Facial expressions form part of a credible storytelling session.

Group II "paints a portrait" of Juan Luna's Spoliarium and wins!


Prayer meeting? No, they're simulating tree branches!

Our class pictures!


Gil of HDI loves "breaking face", a technique used often in storytelling

Making faces. All's well that ends well.