IT WAS an October night in 2016 when I first found myself surrounded by some of Iloilo’s most promising young writers and a handful of the region’s best established poets and storytellers at Esplanade Uno – overlooking the Iloilo River as it cut across the Molo district.
I had I arrived late after a long day at Panay News’ office in Pavia and Carlos Palanca Awards hall-of-famer Peter Solis Nery was already at the podium reading a sensual piece from his book “100 Erotic Sonnets from the Hiligaynon.” Nery, animated as always when he is onstage, proceeded to introduce his next piece, a poem not from the book he was holding.
Nery announced that it was entitled – if I’m not mistaken – “The most selfish poem.” After a long pause, Nery bellows “I.” He bows to the crowd and steps off the stage to applause.
The immutable Nery was followed by a slew of other respected Ilonggo writers, among them Aklanon poetry pioneer John Barrios, educator and champion of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) Early Sol Gadong, and one of the Ilonggo poets I most idolize, Melecio Turao.
But also given the chance to speak and share their poetry and voice that night were a dozen or two young and hopeful local writers – unfortunately, I wasn’t one of them because my stage fright and shyness got the best of me. That was my first “Poetika” experience, now a monthly congregation for Iloilo’s literary lovers to gather and trade stories.
After two years and over 20 events held, this Iloilo grassroots-organized haven for poetry and spoken word media is releasing its first anthology today at Fitstop Bikes and Bites.
“Poetika” originally started out as a monthly event geared towards the promotion of poetry in Iloilo. Events were held in different venues all over Iloilo City, and it has since gained a reputation for creating a safe and experimental platform where Ilonggo poets and creative are encouraged to express themselves.
The revolving door of regular readers who contributed to the anthology are a mix of luminaries from the regional literature and artistic communities, while emergent talents are also being discovered with each event.
Names like Reymundo Salao, Shane Fernandez, Christian Lozañes, Gil S. Montinola, Harren Christopher Fegarido, Marvin Monfort, Allyn May Canja, Hermz Gacho, Anna Teresa Slater, Rhick Lars Vladimer Albay, Danica Keithly O. Celiz, Early Sol A. Gadong, Franz Bedonia, Kristine Buenavista, Roxie Go, Andrew Torlao, Ryn Olivete and Noel G. de Leonare are among some of the people whose works are included in the book.
In addition, the collection is featuring works written in Karay-a, Hiligaynon, Filipino, and English.
Poetika’s first anthology will be published in partnership with Kasingkasing Press, a Guimaras-based independent publishing house founded in 2015 with the primary aim of promoting West Visayan Literature. It is committed to upholding the welfare of contemporary writers in the region serving as a platform for them to publish and showcase their works to local communities./PN
Thanks for the mention, Mr Albay.