Poetry by Wenzl Petrak Bautista | May 15, 2011
what children
having played house
now drag the fingernails across
blackboards, drawing attention
from dolls & coloring books
illustrated
with house rules.
sucking thumbs hours after
there is pain
during laughing games,
we gaze at
our hands
thumbless without identity.
(April 19, 1980)
Poetry by Wenzl Petrak Bautista | May 15, 2011
tolerate
their tales.
wagless
dipped in ink
like handkerchiefs
that won’t
knot.
trying hard to rhyme.
blood and tales
refill
poets and
classrooms
losing grip on
a world
tattered red
and white.
(April 17, 1980)
Fiction by Jondy Arpilleda | May 15, 2011
Wala nahimutang si Francis samtang naglakaw padulong sa ilang balay. Naglantugi ang iyang hunahuna kon mopadayon ba siyag uli o dili. Gipaningot siyag taman sa kakulba. Bisag naa nay iyang namugnang palusot, wala gihapon mahuwas ang iyang gibating kahadlok.Sa iyang paminaw, mora siyag malipong. Kusog kaayo ang pitik sa iyang kabuhi.
Isip usa ka sundalo, grabe modisiplina si Nong Ernesto kanila – ligas paka ang balaod niini sa balay. Nakatilaw na siya kausa sa kasalbahis niini. Wala kadto sila kaulig sayo kuyog sa iyang Kuya Joel nanan-awg amatyur sa plasa. Mao nga pag-uli, grabeg pangasaba ug latos ang ilang nadawat. Nasunggo intawn ang iyang maguwang pagkaigo sa kusog nga kinumo sa amahan.
Editor's Note by Dominique Gerald Cimafranca | May 14, 2011
We will launch the Davao Writers Guild’s two latest books, “The Best of Dagmay” and “Fractional Lives” on May 28, 2011, Saturday, at 3:00PM at Ateneo de Davao University.
To indicate your participation in the book launch, please sign up at our confirmation page.
“Fractional Lives” is a collection of Margarita Marfori’s short fiction. The collection spans her writing career, dating back to her first published story in 1995 to new previously unpublished fiction. Marfori’s quiet, emotional stories reveal vulnerable characters struggling with alienation and personal anguish.
“The Best of Dagmay” is an anthology of the best works of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and drama appearing between 2007 and 2009 in Dagmay, the weekly literary journal of the Davao Writers Guild. Appearing as a weekly insert and online, Dagmay has published works from hundreds of Mindanao writers. This book compiles 97 pieces from 77 young authors. Below is the table of contents of “The Best of Dagmay”:
Continue reading Book launch: "Best of Dagmay" and "Fractional Lives"
Nonfiction by Cely Bacani Abad | May 8, 2011
When Gertrude phoned me that I was to say something nice about my sister-her mother-I protested, not because I had nothing nice to say, but because I had too many.
“No, no, Gertrude, please. Huwag mo akong bigyan ng trabaho na nakakanerbiyos, please lang. Pwede ba magpaseksi na lang ako?”
“Auntie,” Gertrude scolded. “Multi-award ka na sa kaseksihan. I want the guests to see your inner beauty.”
I insisted, “Ikaw na lang ang mag-display ng inner beauty na minana mo sa akin.”
Nonfiction by Jo Bacani Angeles | May 8, 2011
A warm surge of love and gratitude wells up from my being as I realize that these rejoicing and celebration are happening on my behalf. Never have I been the center of such attention. Never in my wild imaginings have I received tribute so salutary that I can hardly believe it is for me. Thank you, dear sisters mine! As you spoke about this wonderful character to this captive audience, revealing her wisdom, integrity, and goodness, I could not believe such an ideal creature could exist! Well, apparently, she does! And she is me! And I am she! I want to believe this. Really, I do! Let this be the magic moment when it all comes true!
Poetry by Nemesio Baldesco | May 8, 2011
Aga, kulop,
Umuran, umadlaw,
May bagyo o wara,
Ginlalaoy ka,
Ginhahahangkupan,
Ginsasaklang,
Ug ginlilingkuran,
An im palwa,
Agad aparon,
Adton nalabaw,
Nga sasaluron,
Adton duga,
Nga naabid,
Siton mananggite.
(Hunyo 6, 2010)
—
Morning, afternoon,
Rain or shine,
Storm or no storm,
He visits you,
Embraces you,
Then climbs up,
And sits
On the palm frond,
And slices the tip,
Of the coconut flower bud,
The juice
That flows
Is then collected
By the tuba gatherer.
(June 10, 2010)
—
Si Nemesio “Totoy” Baldesco sakop sa Calbayog Literary Arts Organization (CALAO) sa Samar. Mitambong siya sa Taboan 2011 sa Dabaw.
Poetry by Nonoy Narciso | May 8, 2011
Nagtuyatuya nga baruto sa kawakatan
Pino ang lutaw sa tayam
Kamingaway kini nga lugar
Gamayay nga bakatay
Naglutayay sa tayam
Nagbarog uban sa tungki
Giugbok nga kawayan
Samtang gakinto ang bakhaw sa tayam
Hagdan–hagdang panganod
Latayan sa mga damgo
Padulong sa buwan
Landong na unta
Abogon pa dyod sa hangin
(Dec. 26- 29, 2009, Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur)
—
Si Noy Narciso uska magtutudlo sa Ateneo de Davao University. Daghan siyag talento: musikero, aktor, direktor, pintor, eskultor.