Tag: Dominique Gerald Cimafranca

The Curse of Fanfic

Nonfiction by | August 29, 2010

In what must have been a first for any writers workshop in the country, last summer’s Ateneo de Davao Writers Workshop featured stories from the genre of fanfic.  As the screener for the applications, I take responsibility for the ensuing misadventures; but I confess I also found much amusement in the resulting collision of cultures between the panel and the fellows.

Fanfic, if you’re not aware of the term, is short for fan fiction. Its writers take characters from juvenile books, TV series, video games, and anime, and cobble together new stories around them. Because of this lack of originality, the genre doesn’t get much respect. But because of the popularity of the source material, many young people gravitate to the genre, either as readers or writers.

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Bukambibig 2010

Events by | July 20, 2010


Bukambibig 2010, the poetry reading series of the Davao Writers Guild, will have a public performance on July 22 (Thursday) at Gaisano South (Ilustre) 5/F Entertainment Center. Event starts at 6 PM. Special guests are Tita Lacambra-Ayala and Aida Rivera Ford.

Bukambibig will also be heard on Blue Knight Radio through Mellow Touch (94.7MHz DXLL) on July 27, 29, and 31, from 11:00AM to 11:45AM.

Zeta's Quest

Fiction by | March 14, 2010

Because she was the last girl on earth, Zeta’s only friends were Sally the Seabird and Terry the Turtle.

Every day, the friends would meet on the island where Zeta lived. Terry and Zeta would swim in the water. Sally would swoop from the sky to catch fish they could eat.

One morning, while at play, Sally dove in for a catch. However, unlike before, she did not emerge from the water. “Something is wrong,” said Zeta.

“I see something,” said Terry. He swam out to sea. When he returned, he bore Sally on his back. Her neck and wings were trapped in a yellow thing.

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Winners for the Bisaya Fiction Contest

Editor's Note by | October 12, 2009

The judges have chosen the winners from the field of 21 entries. They are:

1st Prize Winner: Ug Mingiob ang Kalibotan by Raul Moldez
2nd Prize Winner: Kadula by Brian Ang
3rd Prize Winner: Mga Dalan sa Downtown by Javin Jet Tevar

Awarding ceremony will be at Bagobo House Hotel, Gov. Duterte St., on October 17, 5:00 PM.

Fellows for the Davao Writers Workshop 2009

Events by | April 8, 2009

The following fellows have been selected for the Davao Writers Workshop 2009.

Fellows for Fiction
Alpha Fortun (UP Mindanao)
Aaron Jalalon (UP Mindanao)
Edmund Julian de la Cerna (San Pedro College)
Eric John Villena (Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan)
Jeffrey Javier (UP Mindanao)

Fellows for Creative Nonfiction
Mary Ann Tarusan (Ateneo de Davao)
Migs Bassig (Ateneo de Manila)
Karen Quinones (University of Southeastern Philippines)
Rowena Rose Lee (UP Mindanao)

Fellows for Poetry
Allen Samsuya (UP Mindanao)
Jobelle Obguia (Ateneo de Davao)
Hannah Enanoria (Ateneo de Davao)
Henrietta Diana de Guzman (UP Mindanao)
Paul Randy Palua-Gumanao (Ateneo de Davao)
Vanessa Almeria (UP Mindanao)

The workshop takes place at La Storta Retreat House, Shrine Hills, Matina, from May 4 to May 8. Panelists are Marjorie Evasco, Tim Montes, Macario Tiu, and Don Pagusara.

Opening ceremonies for the workshop will be on May 4, 9:00 am, at Ateneo de Davao University.

The workshop will be open to a limited number of observers. Stay tuned to this web site for announcement on the sign-up details.

Bukambibig: Salita't Sayaw

Events by | March 9, 2009


National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Davao Writers Guild, UP Mindanao Dance Ensemble, and the Ateneo de Davao University Humanities Division present: Bukambibig: Salita’t Sayaw, a performance of poetry and dance. Bukambibig features the works of Ricky de Ungria, Tita Lacambra Ayala, Macario Tiu, Aida Rivera Ford, Jhoanna Cruz, and Dom Cimafranca, as performed by the UP Mindanao Dance Ensemble.

The performance takes place on March 13 (Friday), 5:00PM to 7:00PM at the 5th Floor, Finster Hall of Ateneo de Davao University. If you wish to attend the event, please post your name as a comment by Thursday, or visit our Facebook event page.

Poetry Night 2

Events by | January 25, 2009

Poetry Night 2
Poetry Night 2
Our second Poetry Night, held at Wings and Wedges in Matina Town Square, was a smashing success. Students from UP Mindanao came out in full force and comprised most of the readers and audience (though we did get good representation from Ateneo de Davao, University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao Writers Guild, and other young professionals, as well.) All in all, our crowd had grown by around 50% more than the first Poetry Night.

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A Distant Country

Poetry by | November 30, 2008

This is the curve of the cheek
that I once explored with kisses.
This is the cave of the mouth
where I once blew in breath
whose wetness I tasted.
This is the hillock of the nose
where I once rubbed my own
on an idle summer day
when we ran through the fields.
These are the wings of the eyelids
that fluttered to life
at my slightest whisper.
These are the pools of the eyes
into which I lost my soul.

Now a distant country, only
half-remembered.

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