TESTIMONIALS

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS:

I truly enjoyed the talk given by Rica Bolipata-Santos. She was not only very entertaining, but I learned a lot from her. She made me realize I can make ordinary happenings/events in my life seem interesting if I write about them by making use of the elements of fiction. She made me realize that nothing is ordinary after all, that whatever I was thinking of, whatever I was wondering about could be of significance to somebody out there. She made me believe that, given time and practice, I could turn out to be as good a writer as she is.

I believe that nothing is more satisfying for a writer than to see one's work in print. Since she has encouraged us and got our creative juices flowing, then we might as well dream big, right?

Overall however, the seminar was worth my time and effort! I hope more SPi employees could realize how lucky we are to have these opportunities come our way!

- Lisa Austria
Medical Transcriptionist, HDI

TESTIMONIAL

WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS:

I cannot consider myself as a writer nor a poet, but I have the passion. I can compose poems, but I only kept them and treat them as my treasures. I thought there will be no time for me to share my hidden talent.

Thanks to JP (Canivel) of CIS (Team Leader)! He's the one from whom I got the information regarding the workshop last Oct 7, 2006. At first, I decided to only join the workshop because I want to enhance my knowledge on short stories and also to explore my talent. I thought it would just be about reading short stories in Filipino, but then to my discovery it was not!

To be honest, I almost forgot about the workshop (date). I thought it would be boring because I am not into writing stories but composing poems. I even arrived late - almost 30 minutes and I felt sorry for that. Some of the participants that time were already sharing their experiences regarding short stories, whether from their own compositions or the ones they have read. I got lucky because I didn't get to share. Well, I didn't have stories to share and I was mentally blocked so I just listened to them and observed.

It was really a fun workshop. It helped enhance the talents of the participants. Genaro Gojo Cruz was a good speaker. He knew how to interact with the participants. He also knew what the participants' needs were and he did discuss some tips on how to write short stories. Though I already had some knowledge on how to write stories, I still didn't know some of the rules and even the elements that make up a short story (until then).

It's true that it's not easy to create a character for a story. Thanks to the workshop that the Writers Guild had prepared, it really helped me a lot and it inspired me to be more imaginative, playful and resourceful, and to give more importance on the art of writing.

I suggest that all the employees of SPI, (especially) those who have the passion and talent in writing, should join the Guild and contribute their works. Thanks also to Martin, Greyz (CIS) and the other teachers from Tagaytay for (contributing) their story characters. Without them, there will be no story entitled "Chinese Garter". (Editor - The short story is published in this issue.)

Thanks for the efforts of the Writers Guild officers for contributing their time in preparing workshops (like this). Keep up the good work, guys!!!

- Alma Evita "ALEV" Maniago of CIS/CA

STANZAS OF STILLNESS

Ilang Tanong Ni Schiavo*

Tuldok ka bang lilinyang
tuwid sa kahong likha
ng iyong pamamatyag?

Tugtog ka bang sasaliw
sa hirap at lungkot
ng aking paglalayag?

Kung bulaklak mang lanta
ang sa katauhan ko
ay maipapanata
at kung ang bukod-tanging
kuyom na tanikala
sa labi kong pag-asa’y
kapangyarihang pinagkait,
matutuwa ba ako
na tumakas sa dagsin
ng iyong kalupitan?

Iharap mo ang iyong
mukha’t magpakilala -
ang bawat salita mo
ay kutsilyong matalas
na siyang tumatastas
sa sinulid ng aking
pinipita na buhay;
di ko mapagtanto sa
kawalan mo ng pusong
hihingian ng awa.

Manlilikha ka ba na
na siyang makahahatol
sa dulo at hangganan
ng aking abang buhay?

*Teri Schiavo

- Jose Perseus Canivel, SPi Content



Paalam

bawat pindot ng aking mga daliri..
bawat tulo ng luha mula sa aking mata..
bawat hikbi namumutawi sa aking bibig..

Nais ko man ipagpatuloy..
Nais ko man gawin lagi..
Nais ko man ipabasa sa lahat..

May mga bagay na ngtatapos..
May mga pgkakataon nglalaho..
May mga pinto sumasara..

Dalangin kun sino man papalit..
Dalangin nawa'y ang mga salita'y ngmula sa puso..
Dalangin na sana sa pg mulat ng bago sinag ng araw..

ako'y makabalik muli..

- WIZE, SPi-CAiS



GRUDGE OF HEART

Walking down the street
Bearing a broken heart
The color of the twilight
Covers my microscopic delight, but...

As I gazed in the East
There is a creation
Smiling for me
Caring for me.

The moon! Exhorting my soul
To hold the greatest hope.
The stars that totally vanished
Rekindled their lights and shining on me.

The cool drizzle
Falling down my skin,
Straining my blood
That keeps blazing.

Audible sweet music
Shamelessly echoing around my ears
Meaningful message that I grasp
Let my tears fall down the grass.

How do I bear my heart that cracked?
How do I live without your heart?

- Emil Bombita, Legal

JOURNEY WITH THE WRITTEN WORD: TIPS FOR WRITERS, BOTH ASPIRING AND CLOSETED

by Pia Manzano

When I was in high school, I had an English teacher who taught me how to write. Not simply write but to write sensibly. As with any English class, we had a baby thesis to do with the usual background research, quotes, discussion materials, outlines and the like. It was one helluva year but the ending made it all worth the while.

Knowing that some defense sessions took half an hour, I walked to the stage so slowly with my thesis in my hand while out of the corner of my eye, I can see two of my English teachers. I was shaking with fear and I must have turned so red that I eventually needed air so badly. At the end of it all, after just one question asked, I breathed a sigh of relief at a job well done.

This is my journey with the written word.

I had a thought, a need to write, a want to search for truths. I spoke of science and behavior and wanted to write of it as well. I had in my head ideas, in my hand research, on my bed a pillow to rest my thoughts on. How do ideas, research and a pillow help in creating great outputs?

The moment an idea comes to mind, make a web out of it. Write all your ideas; a paper and pen will help to keep things in tact. Write wherever and whenever an idea comes up. Collect you thoughts, make sense of them. What you can’t understand, search for the truth. Read, ask questions, inquire!

And when all these things are starting to make some sense, draft it in your head or write it on paper, then sleep on it. Distance is needed. The greatest works of literature were not made overnight, they were not created at a whim. They were made great in time, like wine that tastes better through the ages, the written word can be made better the more time is spent mulling on it in silence. Some people distance themselves from their work for a week, then read it again. A fresh look will let them see the mistakes, areas to improve on and other ideas that will enhance the product.

Some would rather let others read it, make sense of their work, have another pair of eyes see their creation. They welcome the constructive criticism, knowing they can be more brutal with their work if they were to comment on it. It’s a tedious process, writing, editing, re-writing, reading, sleeping on it!

But as they say, great things will come to those who wait.

__________________
Pia Manzano is the Administrative Assistant at the Office of the HR Director. She is also the Guild's Vice President and Backspace's Features Editor.

DON'T MISS THE LAST WORKSHOP THIS 2006

Click on photo to enlarge.

TWO SHORT STORIES by ALMA EVITA MANIAGO

Bangkang Papel

Isang umaga, nakita ako ni Lolo Tasyo na nakalugmok sa may bintana habang tinutunghayan ang mga patak ng ulan sa labas ng aming bahay.

“Apo, bakit ka nariyan sa may bintana?" saad ni Lolo. “Giginawin ka riyan. Pumarito ka muna sa sala,” dugtong ni Lolo habang inuuga ang lumang tumba-tumba.

“Kasi po Lolo nakakalungkot kapag umuulan,” ang sagot ko sa kanya.

Nilapitan ako ni Lolo. Hinawakan ako sa balikat at umupo kami sa silya. Kinandong ako ni Lolo at tumunghay din siya sa labas.

“Alam mo Josh, hindi ka dapat malungkot kapag umuulan,” ang pag-uumpisa ni Lolo na alam kong kukuwentuhan na ulit ako para hindi ako mainip. “Ganyan din ako nung bata ako. Akala ko kasi hindi na matatapos ang ulan,” si Lolo ulit.

“Eh lolo, hindi kasi ako makapaglaro kasama ang mga kaibigan ko kapag umuulan.”
Ngumiti lang si Lolo at tumingin sa mga patak ng ulan na parang may naaalala.

“Alam mo bang maraming magsasaka ang naghihintay ng ulan para sa mga pananim nila?” ang tanong ni Lolo pero ang ulan pa rin ang nasa isip ko.

“Halika, kumuha ka ng papel at may gagawin tayo,” ang utos ni Lolo. Napansin siguro niya na malungkot pa rin ako.

Dali-dali naman akong humanap ng papel. Nang may nakita na ako, tumakbo ako sa inuupuan ni Lolo at ibinigay ko ang papel.

Kinuha ni Lolo ang papel at agad itiniklop ito nang dahan-dahan.

“Lolo, ano po ba ang gagawin niyo riyan sa papel?” ang tanong ko kay Lolo na halatang sabik na akong makita ang kalalabasan nito.

“Saglit lang apo, matatapos na rin ito,” ang sagot ni Lolo habang tinitiklop ang papel.

Sa wakas tapos na ang pagtitiklop ng papel at iniladlad ito ni Lolo. Pinapikit niya ako na parang may madyik siyang gagawin.

“O, apo, ibukas mo na ang iyong mga mata,” sabi ni Lolo.

Dagli kong ibinukas ang aking mga mata. Namangha ako sa aking nakita. “Wow! bangka!”

“Ito ay bangkang papel, apo. Ganito ang ginagawa namin kapag umuulan,” si Lolo.

“Lolo tara, laruin na po natin ang bangka,” at umupo ako sa sala.

“O, apo! hindi diyan gagamitin ang bangkang papel,” ani Lolo.

Inakay ako ni Lolo palabas. Pawala na ang ulan. Sa may bakuran, may dumadaloy na tubig-ulan.

“Halika, apo! Ganito ‘yan,” at binitawan ni Lolo ang bangkang papel sa dumadaloy na tubig. Dinala ng agos ang bangkang papel na ginawa ni Lolo. At ilang minuto pa ang lumipas at malayo na ang bangkang papel. Nakangiting tiningnan ko si Lolo at sinusundan pa rin niya ng tingin ang bangkang ginawa.

“Lolo...” ang sabi ko habang hawak ko ang kanang kamay niya.

“Naiintindihan ko apo. Ganyan din ako noon. Nanghihinayang din ako sa bangkang aking binitawan at pinaagos. Pero masaya di ba?” ang sabi pa ni Lolo na parang nabasa niya ang nasa isipan ko. Pumasok na kami sa bahay na nasa isip ko pa rin ang bangkang papel.

“Halika,” ang sabi ni Lolo. May papel pa siyang dala-dala. Gumawa ulit si Lolo ng bangkang papel. Itinuro na sa akin ni Lolo ang paggawa nito– inisa-isa niya ang pagtiklop hanggang sa ako’y matuto.

“Hayan, marunong na po akong gumawa Lolo. Salamat po!” at dali-dali akong lumabas ng bahay at pinaagos ko ang bangkang papel. Wala na ang ulan sa labas ngunit may mga tubig-ulan pa ring umaagos.

Salamat kay Lolo at hindi ako nainip. At sa tuwing uulan, gagawa kami ni Lolo ng bangkang papel. Nakakapaglaro ako nang hindi man lang nababasa sa ulan. Sabi ni lolo tuturuan din niya akong gumawa ng eroplanong papel.

CHINESE GARTER

Sa isang tipikal na kumunidad sa Malabon, may nakatirang dalawang pamilya na magkasalungat ang estado sa buhay. Ang pamilya ni Dio Alcantara at ni Marina Ramos.

Si Marina bilang empleyado ng gobyerno ay simple lamang ang estado sa buhay. Bagamat hindi nakapagtapos sa pag-aaral ay sinuwerte namang natanggap sa trabaho bilang klerk sa Munisipyo ng Malabon. Nakatira siya sa maliit na tirahan kasama ang anak na si Jose o mas kilala sa tawag na Pepe. Salat sila sa pinansiyal na kahit ang bubong ng kanilang tahanan na tumutulo sa tuwing umuulan ay hindi man lamang maipagawa. Ang kaniyang sinasahod ay tamang-tama lamang sa pang-araw-araw nilang mag-ina. Mag-isa nang binubuhay ni Marina si Pepe sa kadahilanang hindi siya pinanagutan ng kanyang kasintahan sampung taon na ang nakakaraan.

“Nay, ang ganda ng bahayt ng nasa kabila, ano? Sana ganon din ang bahay natin”, saad ni Pepe habang nakatunghay sa malaking bahay malapit sa knila. “Paglaki ko Nay, magiging Arkitekto ako at magpapatayo ako ng bahay para sa ating dalawa.”, pagdurugtong ni Pepe.

“Balang-araw anak, magkakaroon din tayo ng ganyan. Kaya mag-aral ka ng mabuti at magtapos sa pag-aaral.Huwag gayahin ang nanay na third year lang sa kolehiyo ang natapos.”, si Marina .

Sa kabilang dako pa roon ay ang pamilya ni Dio na may mataas na ranko sa Militar. Isang tao na kahit sinasalungat ng ibang tao’y nanatili parin sa prinsipiyong kinagisnan. Mabait na opisyal ngunit istrikto pagdating sa trabahong kinagiliwan. May pangarap na magkaroon ng kapayapaan sa bansa kahit alam niyang imposible ito. May kaya ang pamilya ni Dio. Maayos ang pamumuhay at nakapagpatayo na rin ng bahay para sa kayang mag-ina. Ngunit sa karangyaang tinatamasa, hindi lubos maisip ni Dio na may isang trahedyang mangyayari. Pinatay ng mga holdaper ang kanyang asawa pagkatapos itong pagnakawan. Halos bumagsak ang mundo ni Dio.

Sa pangyayaring iyon, hindi na napagsidlan ng atensiyon ang kaisaisang anak na naiwan sa kanya ng yumaong asawa, si Melai. Anim na taon pa lang at kasalukuyang pinapaaral sa isang ekslusibong paaralan. Naibibigay ang lahat ng pangangailangan ngunit namulat sa disiplinang pinapairal ng ama. Sa murang edad ni Melai hindi man lang niya naranasang makipaglaro sa ibang mga batang naninirahan sa kinabibilangang kumunidad.

Isang araw, sa pagdadalamhati ni Dio sa pumanaw na asawa, hindi niya namalayang lumabas si Melai sa gate ng kanilang bahay. Abala siya sa pagtitig sa larawan ng asawa.

Masayang naglalaro sila Pepe ng Makita niya ang isang batang babae nakatunghay sa kanila sa di kalayuan.

“Bata! Sama ka sa laro namin!”,pag-anyaya ni Pepe sa natanaw na bata. Tunango ang batang babae tanda ng pagsangayon. Halatang sabik itong makipaglaro sa ibang bata. Isinama siya sa ibang batang babaeng nagsisipagluksuan.

“Melai!”, pasigaw na tawag ni Dio nang matuklasang nakikipaglaro ang anak sa mga anak ng kapitbahay nilang mahihirap. “Pumasok ka sa loob ng bahay at huwag kang makipaglaro sa mga anak-holdaper na mga yan!”. Sa pagkakasabi niyang iyon, saktong pagdating naman ni Marina galing trabaho at napailing na lang at nakadama ng kunting awa sa anak.

“Inay, bakit po ganon na lang ang sinabi ng tatay ni Melai, yong bago naming kalaro na anak ng nasa malaking bahay?”, tanoing ni Pepe sa ina.

“Bayaan mo na anak. Ganyan talga sila.” Ang sagot ni Marina.

Isang araw ng Linggo, nakatunghay si Melai sa mga batang nakasalamuha sa paglalaro. Sa pagnanasang makalahok sa kasiyahan ng mga bata, lumabas ulit si Melai na hindi nalalaman ng ama na sa mga oras na yaon ay nagdadalamhati pa rin sa pagkawala ng asawa.

Nakipaglaro si Melai sa mga bata at andon din si Pepe. Masaya silang lahat. Sa wakes ay makakapaglaro na rin ng chinese garter si Melai na matagal na niyang gustong gawin. Si Pepe naman ay sipa ang laro.

Sa hindi inaasahang pangyayari, may rumaragang sasakyan na patungo sa grupo nila Melai. Nagsipagtakbuhan ang lahat maliban kay Melai na napatulala sa papalapit na sasakyan. Nasagi si Melai at bahagyang tumilapon sa tabi ng daan.

Si Pepe ang unag tumakbo sa kinaroonan ni Melai. Sa pagkagulantang, tinawag agad nito si Marina at agad naming sinaklolohan si Melai. Isinugod agad nila ito sa hospital. Naipaalam na rin ay Dio ang nangyari sa anak.

Pagdating ni Dio sa hospital, maayos na si Melai. Hinidi naman malubha ang pagkakasagi sa kanya. Nagkamalay na rin ito at niyakap ang ama. At doon ay nalaman ni Dio kung sino ang tumulong sa anak.

Napagtanto ni Dio na nagkamali siya sa sinabi sa mga kalaro ng anak. Hindi naman pala anak holdaper ang mga nakalaro ng anak. Humingi siya ng paumanhin sa mag-inang Marina at Pepe. At naintindihan naman ng mag-ina and pagsamo ni Dio.

Sa araw ding iyon, naumpisahan din ni Dio ang pangarap na gustong makamit.

__________
Alma Evita Maniago or Alev is a Contract Analyst from CIS. She is a member of the Writers Guild Collective where she is a certified storyteller. The second story was adjudged best among six (6) entries written during our Introduction to the Short Story workshop last October 7, 2006.

Guest speaker and evaluator of entries that day was no other than Palanca for Short Stories-awardee Genaro Gojo Cruz, who is also a Professor at the Philippine Normal University and De La Salle.

REEL REVIEW: 8TH CINEMANILA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

by Ed Saludes

Here are a few notes on the recently concluded short films competition of 8th Cinemanila International Film Festival which ended last November 16 after a two-week run at SM and Ayala malls cinemas.

The top award for shorts is the Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema which, with all humility, has produced the most talented young Pinoy film makers today. There’s Mes de Guzman, 2002 Ishma winner whose Ang Daan Patungong Kalimugtong gave him the 2006 Urian Best Director. Kalimugtong, by the way, was also a Cinemanila winner in 2005 in the Digital Lokal competition – the programme for (longer) full-length narratives. Notable also is Raya Martin (2004 Ishma awardee) who became the first Filipino to be given a film scholarship by the most prestigious Cinefondation, the film residency programme of, again, the most prestigious Cannes Film Festival. It came after his victory in Cinemanila when he was endorsed by the festival director, direk Tikoy , to the French embassy.

Ryan Martin and his award-winning 2004 work Bakasyon

The ‘prestige’ list won’t be complete without mentioning the latest ‘golden boy’ of Southeast Asian cinema. His name is John Torres (2005 Ishma recipient), whose recent triumph in Vancouver Film Fest put him in the ‘hottie list’ now being lorded over by of Thailand’s Apitchapong Weerasethakul (Cannes 2004 and 2005 winner) and our very own’s Jeffrey Jeturian of Kubrador fame.

John came out of nowhere and surprised the film community with his very personal Todo Todo Teros which is a film about how we terrorize our loved ones and those people around us emotionally, psychologically, physically and politically. Even Philip Cheah of Singapore fest is gushing just by the mere mention of Torres’ name and his outstanding first feature.


Stills from Todo Todo Teros and The Ballad of Mimiong's Minon

Joining the ‘prestige’ list is Jon Ballesteros of Negros. He just won the short film competition of this year’s festival as the new Ishma discovery. His entry, The Ballad of Mimiong’s Minon, was the standout for the selection committee and which was also the longest in the field of 8 at 35 minutes. Shot with a low-grade video, it relied on the power of its seamless story telling of a folk singer who loses his guitar and finds himself in the company of a blind minstrel whose music brings him to a place, nonexistent perhaps, except in the imagination of the blind as a bat artist.

Ishmael Bernal Awardee for Young Cinema, Jon Steffan Ballesteros for The Ballad of Mimiong's Minon

Peque Gallaga is probably beaming with pride again after another of his Ilongo protégé made his dent in the indie scene after Lawrence Fajardo of Kultado fame (Ed. - Kultado premiered during the 1st edition of Cinemalaya at the CCP in 2005) opened new doors for regional film artists and revitalize their forgotten film industries.

Then there’s Hopia Express of Ateneo’s Janus Victoria. Adjudged as Best Short Film (2nd place after Ishma Award), it presents an improbable romance between a GI (genuine Intsik immigrant) working as an attendant at a hopia store in Binondo, and a call center employee (played by Mark Anthony Fernandez). This is obviously a homage to Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood for Love with the touches of a Joyce Bernal kilig flick. Clermont Ferrand’s festival director, Jean Michele Dissard, is so impressed with Hopia, he is bringing it to the Cannes of short films in France next year.


Stills from Janus Victoria's Hopia Express and Marc Laureano's Embers

Another stand out is Embers from New Zealand, megged by a New Zealand-based Pinoy film maker Marc Laureano. Set in rural Kiwi land winter of 1946, it tells the story of of an isolated young wife who awaits the return of her husband from WWII. Her fears about his demise come to vivid life in her imagination, but his sudden return only brings new fears. Laureano flew all the way from NZ to present his film and he was delighted to have met his fellow young directors and watch Pinoy shorts for the first time.

Five more shorts vied for the top Ishma award. Grandma’s Recipe by Imelda Betiong, a San Francisco-based Filipina film maker is the ice breaker of the competition whose wry humor and relaxed clip is a parable of the cooking contests our US based kababayans indulge in as a means of evoking memories of home. There’s also the very eerie Buog ("sleep" in Tagalog) by Milo Tolentino. It is a 30-minute short on a victim of child abuse who finds a mysterious playmate in a lighthouse. By using real-time spacing and long lingering shots, the film succeeded in evoking atmosphere of fear, sadness and suspense among the audience. Hubert Bals Film Fund’s Gertjan Zuilhof approached the film maker after the screening and offered to present his film in Denmark this February.


Stills from Imelda Betiong's Grandma's Recipe and Milo Tolentino's Buog

Finally, the young cinema competition won’t be complete without the outstanding works from UP Film institute. Shut out last year in the competitive list, three thesis projects of the state U’s film program made the cut. Working on the central method of theme and dance, Misteryo ng Hapis by Mark dela Cruz, Sakdal Laya by Tey Clamor and One Man Show by Dohna Sarmiento and Glenn Ituriaga are all creative triumphs because of their confidence in the power of visuals to tell their stories.

Stills from Tey Clamor's Sakdal Laya and One Man Show of Dohna Sarmiento / Glenn Ituriaga

Among the three, perhaps One Man Show easily leads the pack. It focuses on the sad tale of a vaudeville act in a medium slowly being eased to extinction now replaced by slapsticks-ridden one-man-shows in comedy bars. Comedian Gary Granada played the performance of his career as he essays his role well of a solitary showman in bittersweet restraint. What happens when the last note of the song dies down? This short is a must see for old folks for a 15-minute trip down the memory lane of music and dance with the bygone eras of the golden days of Pinoy vaudevilles.

More details here: 8th Cinemanila International Film Festival

_____________
Ed Saludes is from Journals. He was a volunteer in the recently-concluded 8th Cinemanila and was a member of the production of the award-winning film Kubrador.

POETRY WORKSHOP THIS SATURDAY!

November 11, 2005
H.R. Training Room
9 AM - 5 PM

Sign up now! (Click on photo to enlarge.)

TIKIM: WHAT'S COOKING ALONG PASCOR DRIVE?

I’ve been with SPi for almost three years now and I’ve never really given the food stalls along Pascor Drive much thought until I had the craving for something fried during a graveyard shift. Dreading the idea of having to eat the cyclic hotdog-and-egg breakfast at the concessionaire, I mustered the courage to venture into the darkness one quiet morning. I chanced upon one stall – MJ Canteen, methinks, with the tag line “Filipino Favorites” – already up and about.

In one corner, something fishy was cooking. Indeed it was fish and a really huge one at that. I was told it was called torsillo and it smelled really good. I believe it will metamorphose as sarciado later for which it will be sold for php 25 per order. I also espied a new batch of pakbet (Php 15) about to be displayed. I could write my name on the glass of the display cabinet, where the moisture from the hot viands has formed nice circles.

Even before I could say lactobacillishirotastrain, breakfast was served in no time. The breaded pork chop (Php 15) was very tender and the coating just right – not too thick to mislead you as to its real size. The rice was moist, warm and generous (Php 5). The Ma-Ling slices are strangely bigger (sliced from the round top instead of the usual rectangular blocks) and cheaper (Php 10.00). Other choices include pork adobo, giniling with potatoes in tomato sauce, and fried eggplant.

This is the typical Pinoy turo-turo (literally “point-point”). You point to the server what you like and it is quickly served to you and to the hungry masses converging upon these stalls. Workers from nearby courier companies surrounding SPi form the bulk of breakfast regulars.

Hot coffee and pan de sal – the latter delivered regularly and on the dot, the former preferably with evaporada – are perennial favorites. For those whose tummies need more pampering, there is always pansit bihon to go with the bread.

Observing all these, I often wonder who the philosopher Henry David Thoreau meant when he wrote, ”The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation.” but a combination of food, conversations about life and hard-working people at 4 in the morning makes you realize that it’s worth coming here, that you really belong. After all, Thoreau advocated simple living. People make their own prisons, he argued. Others choose to break free. Who says we have to spend so much on basic needs such as a filling breakfast?

You do not have to have an I.Q. of a fire hydrant to know that dining here is so much economical; although there really is a need for caution. To begin with, you may want to stick to soda or at the very least bring your own drinking water. Otherwise, the glasses are clean and the utensils are kept submerged in hot water. If it bothers you to be served food on plastic plates, I pity you.

So, why bother paying the stalls a visit? The idea really boils down to this: people on a tight budget will never have to run out of options ever again. Remember…“that man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest.”

Comments welcome at spiwritersguild@yahoo.com.ph

TIKIM: COOKBOOK KITCHEN

Along the streets of Socorro Fernandez, intersecting Torres St. in Mandaluyong, you will find a cozy restaurant called the Cookbook Kitchen. I found this place with the help of my friend, Cielo, whose tita owns the place. The semblance of a local painter’s version of Vincent Van Gogh‘s Café Terrace at Night complements the well-ventilated and well-lit room. Capacity is at 40 to 50 seats, ideal for intimate gatherings for family and friends. It’s also good for a warm get-together with significant others and colleagues.

The Cookbook Kitchen offers delectable Italian cuisine just right to the Filipino taste. Not only does it cater to our native tongue but also to our thriving budget. Appetizers range from Php 88.00 to Php 100.00 with pasta dishes amounting between Php 180.00 to Php 220.00. They also have rice meals for heavy eaters – chicken, sausage, pork and fish dishes priced from Php 180.00 to Php 260.00. Desserts are also offered for those with the sweet tooth, from ice-cream to cakes.

Must try is the Parmesan-crusted White Fish at Php 240.00, which is good for two. The fish is very tasty as it is served on an oven-baked dish plate complemented by the steamed rice.

What is also nice about the place is the service provided by the staff who are always smiling and welcoming. You can also get a free palm reading when Cookbook Kitchen is not that busy. Just ask for one of the staff, Teta, who can give you her own interpretations of your fate or luck.

Dessert samplers: To die for

So next time you visit Mandaluyong or if you are craving for Italian food, go visit Cookbook Kitchen. They are open from Mondays to Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 10 pm. Enjoy the food because I sure did!

Our rating (5/5):
3.5 for Taste
3 for Ambiance
3.5 for Customer Service
_________

Deng Perez is HDI's Quality Management Manager.

SUPER STORYTELLERS!

The first batch of Writers Guild-sponsored storytellers had their level-up Certification Training with the Alitaptap Storytellers Club, the country's premier storytelling group, last October 21-22 at The National Library on T.M. Kalaw, Manila.

All of them, except Alev Mañiago of CIS, came from Healthcare Documentation (HDI). The rest are Lisa Austria, Dr. Rosemarie Teleron, Kathyleen Nogrado, Maria Lea Torres and Regina Bongat. Training was handled by Alitaptap's current President, Charlyn Chua. The 2-day training composed of storytelling basics, audience assessment, theatre basics, and actual storytelling sessions.

On the second day, the group had a live storytelling activity with children at the Luneta, the national park. Pretty soon, they'd be telling stories at the Museong Pambata and The National Library too.

The art of storytelling goes beyond the mere mouthing and acting of children's stories. It also brings to fore a person's acting abilities, proving their mettle and gift at gathering a crowd and keeping their attention during the entire session. Storytelling is also staging a comeback in the Philippines as a Golden Age is currently being experienced by Filipino writers in the childrens' books genre. Storytelling also engages a child's imagination and encourages him/her to read more books.

The group had their first storytelling session in SPi last October 28 during the SPi Family Day (Trick or Treat).

Hundreds of stories are waiting to be told and read. Will you help?

A statue of Manuel L. Quezon, former President of the Philippine Commonwealth and "Father of the Filipino Language" sits outside the library.

Reg and Posh introduce themselves using a comical skit.

Our future storytellers watch an actual session at the National Library Playroom.

Ate Posh of Alitaptap amuses the kids with a story about a good witch.

Guest storytellers like this lady from Iran also get to mingle with Filipino children who regularly visit The National Library.

When was the last time you visited a real library?

A stunning view of the Manila City Hall clock tower from the 6/F training room.

There are 5 historical structures in this photo. Can you idenify them? There are 6 if you include the building from which the photo was taken. Go on, give it a try. :-)

OH, THE HORROR!

The 2nd edition of the Trick or Treat (otherwise known as the SPi Family Day, albeit informally) went so well last October 28, 2006 that the Employee Relations have decided to do it on this scale every year. The parents and their kids were all agog over the orchestra of activities laid out for them - games galore, a best-in-costume contest, a talent show (which lacked pizzaz but could hopefully be improved next year), and storytelling sessions.

Kudos to the following for a job well done:

ER - for brewing something this big. We have to give it to you, people!

HR - the staff were everywhere anticipating every need. Cheers!

Writers Guild of SPi / Alitaptap Storytellers Club Philippines - great stories! Here's to more sessions! Wacko and Ethel, see you guys again sometime soon! Thanks, JP Canivel, for coordinating the visit of ASPI to SPi.

Toastmasters Club of SPi - nice job, Espie and Perps. Now if only we could bring in all the rest of the officers to help.

OBRA - face painting was fab as always.

Security - They may have forgotten to send you food but hey, thanks so much po for making everything so orderly!

Facilities - Thanks so much for helping us set up the entire 5/F!

Anyone else we forgot? Kick us in the shin so we can correct this entry. Congratulations once again and cheers!

HR people rock. Ang sisipag ninyo!

Writers Guild moment. Lisa Austria and Regina Bongat of HDI, two of our newly-certified storytellers, prepare the kids for costume presentation.

"Dad, do you know that penguins do not drink milk?" *coughs*

Identity Crisis. "Mommy, if I am Wonder Woman, who is this guy painted on my face?!"

Cold break. The little devil takes a break from sentry duties and orders ice cream.

"Have you seen our mommies?"

A lovely Egyptian Princess. Have you seen Moses yet, dear?

EC Chair Joeven of HDI believes in a second childhood.

"Anak, o! Picture! Smile ka naman!"

Wacko and Ethel of Alitaptap, members of the jury, poses with the Best in Costume winners.

Awww...Batboy is alseep.

"Dad, this shirt looks familiar. Isn't this my school uniform?!"

Theorical question: When people have their photos taken with Jollibee, does the person inside the mascot smiles too?

"Oh, look! Isn't that Peter Pan?" *whispers* "He is so not growing up anymore!"

"Oh, hush! Mira! (Look!) I think that's Tinkerbell behind them!"

Ms. Pam Dayandante enjoys the festivities.

Mom makes last minute adjustments to this mermaid's brassiere.

"Dad, stop it. You are embarrassing me."

"Tee hee! I love drawing!"

"Yes, darling. We can see that!"

"If this thing doesn't come out well, he'd get a taste of a Powerpuff punch!"

"Uh-oh. I hope there's no mirror around here..."

"Good evening, Your Highness!" *curtsies* Can we take your photo now?

"Pia, watch out!" (Or should Benjie Navado watch out instead?!)

"Hah! I told you we'd win this contest!"

"Yadda yadda yadda...."

Writers Guild's very own storytellers and 2 members of Alitaptap Storytellers Club

Proud mom. Ms. Marie of HDI and her twins. Her Superboy won Mr. Congeniality and the twin brother was a contestant for Mr. SPi.

"Oh, Jollibee! I've been waiting for this chance to wring your neck!"

"Darling, look who's got bigger hands!"