IF I WERE a practical person, I would be writing more about our upcoming Haw-as Festival in Dumangas.
I could even be promoting my “own” events in the week of October 26-31.
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Like, in the evenings of October 27 and 28, we will have The Peter Solis Nery Foundation International Film Festival (ThePSNFIFF) and Dumangas Haw-as Film Festival.
Like, in the afternoon of October 28, poet and writer Mel Turao, and I, will be conducting cultural awareness and literature education workshops from 1-5pm.
Mel will talk on a writer’s creative process (his!), and detail his experience “from brain to book”; from ideas to stories and poems, to published and marketed material.
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I will talk on so many other things including the literary landscape of Iloilo and Western Visayas, the demands of 21st century literature, the place of traditional forms like binalaybay and composo (a dying tradition in Dumangas), the evolving audiences and readers’ literary and shopping tastes, et cetera.
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I can write about how, on October 30, I will ringmaster the Youth Forum with a TV-magazine type discussion called “RealTalk in a TikTok World: Navigating the Post-Pandemic Gen Z Realities in Dumangas”.
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The untelevised talk show (or I may decide to have it televised—let’s wait and see) will feature, among others, Ian Gempeso, a teacher and filmmaker; Andy Evidente, a financial adviser, tour guide/agent, and HIV awareness advocate; Russell Dumancas, a transgender and first male majorette of our local high school; Gennil Tribunsay, a Nursing graduate turned entrepreneur (coffee shop owner!); and Louie Bolido, architect and sports coach.
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That’s just the initial lineup, and it is exciting.
Did you notice the multi-hyphenation of careers and interests of these guests?
Did you recognize the fields/advocacies they represent?
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So yeah, expect a talk show about gonorrhea epidemic, social media stress, self-celebrity, financial literacy, LGBTQIAP+ concerns, sports politics, and even educational directions in a post-pandemic world.
Oh, I am so brilliant cooking this up!
And if you think I will just emcee the event, think again.
After all, I am the master of multi-hyphenation.
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The Sangguniang Kabataan of Dumangas is sponsoring the forum, so shout out to honorary/ex-officio Sangguniang Bayan member John Dale Azucena.
Coordinator of the youth forum is Ariel Pelobello.
All Haw-as events are managed by the Tourism Office with Marvie Erin Derayunan, and Leonardo Quiachon.
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Oh, in the evening of October 30, I will also perform another ringmaster role, but this time dressed like a character from “Avatar”.
At least, from the Cirque du Soleil’s version called “Toruk”.
Dondon del Oeste decided that Avatar will be the theme of this year’s coronation pageant.
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Traditionally, the Dumangas Town Fiesta queen is crowned on May 5.
But then, pandemic happened.
So, Shainna Patricia Crucero de la Peña will be crowned on October 30 instead.
(Pageant starts at 7 pm, and I’m in the opening sequence. Haha!)
The coronation pageant makes sense to me, even if we have a Search for Miss Haw-as Festival on October 29.
There’s a festival queen, and there’s a town fiesta queen; never mind that they will be crowned on successive nights.
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I’ve seen the photo shoots for the AVR and promotional tarps of the coronation night, and the members of the royal court are beautiful.
A queen, two princesses, five gentlemen consorts, and there will be me on coronation night.
I can’t believe I’m performing jaw-dropping pageant choreographies again at 53.
(Don’t your breath on that aerial dance number.)
But I am such a trooper. Haha!
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I’ve always wanted to recreate the WAFACon (Writers Artists Filmmakers Artisans Convention) in Dumangas.
It’s The Peter Solis Nery Foundation’s 10th anniversary, and I wanted to celebrate it with a bang this year.
Like, gather all the Peter’s Prize winners, patrons, sponsors, contributors, et cetera through all the years.
But I’m not so sure about this Covid pandemic (what with a new Omicron variant from India!).
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I do not want to be responsible for people’s health, especially when I’m not so sure about the efficacy and efficiency of healthcare in this country.
I would like to proceed with caution.
The medals, they can always be awarded later.
Most e-certificates have already been awarded.
The merrymaking can wait.
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I’m actively participating in the events of my town’s festival, but I don’t want to bring in people from all over the Philippines “upon my official invitation”.
I cannot assure their safety, and I do not know their health statuses, or healthcare insurances.
Welcome to Haw-as sa Dumangas Festival.
Welcome to my hometown.
But proceed at your own risk!/PN
