FOR THIS Friday, I’m taking a break from my series articles — you know, my very long ruminations on crazy subjects that are serialized into installments that you need to follow M-W-F to really understand.
I actually like writing my thoughts down (out?) until exhaustion; and then, just decide to cut up them into prime pieces like an expert butcher.
But for this Friday, I want to let you catch your breath.
I know I can be pretty exhausting.
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And it’s hard to play catch up with me.
My mind is restless.
I’m constantly thinking about things that shake the world.
I always think ahead of my readers.
It’s only August 17.
I arrived Iloilo on August 3. Exactly two weeks ago.
But it looks like I’ve been in Pinas forever.
I’ve been to South Cotabato, and Negros, already!
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In two weeks, I have met two great political leaders.
Sure, they were just courtesy calls.
But who can brag to be so warmly welcomed by Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor on short notice?
And by South Cotabato Vice Governor Vicente de Jesus so often?
Actually, I’ve met Vice Governor Vic de Jesus twice in four days.
Kind of Hello, and Goodbye, meetings.
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2018 Peter’s Prize winner Janet Deza-Demegillo took me for a courtesy call to Vice Governor Vic de Jesus as soon as I arrived in Koronadal City on a Friday.
(Friend Florence Hibionada took me to meet my media friends at the Iloilo Capitol, who all pushed me to the governor’s office.)
Vice Vic is the “father of Koronadal City”.
Which is to say, he was its first mayor.
And he was instrumental to its cityhood.
We talked history.
We talked possibilities.
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Vice Vic wanted me to submit a proposal for a project.
Which, of course, I did.
On the Monday before I flew back to Iloilo, I passed by his office again, submitted my proposal, and left it at that.
I’m a busy person.
But for the right reasons, and given certain liberties (I want my liberties and quirks!), I can be convinced to do something for places like South Cotabato.
I don’t do projects blindly.
Or for the money.
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Sure, I said I don’t do projects for the money.
But I have to set certain standards.
Especially about professional writing fees.
I owe it to other writers who make their only living through writing.
Am I willing to do things for less than the standard pay?
This is a very tricky question.
Because most artist-friends lower their prices for me.
(Yeah, I have some of my portraits done at half their regular asking price!)
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I guess my answer will always be, It depends upon the project.
How much I believe in it.
How much it demands of me.
And if I have the time to do it.
Am I expensive?
I sure am not.
Although I have been known to speak for a fee of P14,000 (P13,300 cash, plus some tokens worth P700) for a mere four hours.
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P14,000 for four hours for a Peter Solis Nery talk?
Trust me, I’m not that expensive.
It was a happy mistake.
But it happened.
I have been contacted to give a talk for 12 people.
How much would make it worth my while?
I said, If there are only 12 participants, charge them P300 per head.
P3,600 is not a bad take home pay for a five hour talk.
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As it turned out, 47 participants registered when they heard that it was “the great” Peter Solis Nery giving the talk.
Each paid P300 just to hear me speak.
So the money was collected.
And because they didn’t know what to do with it, they gave the sum to me after expenses for my meals, tokens, and bottled mineral water.
So yeah, I think I’ve just set the record for the most expensive talk by a writer in the Philippines.
P14,000 for four hours.
Actually, I was scheduled for five hours; but they had lengthy opening and closing ceremonies.
So, I actually spoke for only four hours.
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How good was the experience?
The participants said, It was totally worth it!!! (Triple exclamation marks theirs.)
They even said, If all speakers are like Peter Solis Nery, no money will be wasted in this country.
Of course, they want me again.
They want me back.
They think I’m totally brilliant! (Single exclamation point mine.)
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Sure, sure, we do selfies with celebrities all the time.
But for each paying participant to request a selfie photo with me, I think it’s an indication of my success and fame.
I know all my talks tend to be brilliant and entertaining.
I mean, If I don’t have original and wonderful thoughts, Panay News would have already dumped me as a columnist.
And you can trust me on this: I’m more fun as a live speaker than as newspaper columnist.
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My radio interviews are great.
Ask Manuel Mejorada, who interviewed me over his program “Maayong Gab-i, Iloilo” (89.5 Home Radio Iloilo) on August 6, Monday evening.
Ask Chona Villaluna Gosiaoco, who interviewed me over her program “Tatak Negrense” (DYAF-AM Radyo Veritas) on August 15, Wednesday morning.
Ask RMN Station Manager Joepy San Juan, who brought me over iFM 94.3 (RMN Bacolod) on August 15, Wednesday afternoon.
They will all say I’m fodder for great sound bites.
And I am!
Or, else, why would you still be reading me?/PN
