Writers’ month coming up!

So many books to read, so many writers to enjoy, and so little time.

Literary activities heat up toward September, our book and writers’ month. The book lover’s calendar can only flow over.

Last Saturday, UMPIL (Unyon ng Manunulat sa Pilipinas or Writers Union of the Philippines) had its 27th National Congress and Gawad Alagad ni Balagtas awards ceremony at the Goethe Institut.

Recipients for this year’s awards were Ambeth Ocampo for the historical essay in English, Simeon Dumdum Jr. for poetry in English, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo for fiction in English, Ave Perez Jacob for poetry in Filipino, Reynaldo A. Duque for fiction in Ilocano, and Melchor Cichon for poetry in Aklanon.

A special Gawad Manlilikha was presented to Manny Baldemor for his unstinting support for UMPIL’s activities through the years, while the Gawad Pedro Bukaneg for Outstanding Literary Organization was given to the Philippine Literary Arts Council or PLAC, which turns 20 years old this year.

This morning at 10 a.m., De La Salle University Press launches Harvest and Other Stories by Loreto Paras-Sulit, edited by Dr. Edna Manlapaz, at the North Wing of the Marilen G. Gaerlan Conservatory of DLSU-Manila.

Tonight UMPIL conducts a special bilingual poetry reading at Padi’s Point Mindave in celebration of Araw ng Wika. Featured readers will include outgoing UMPIL Chair Mike Bigornia and board members Teo Antonio, Mario Miclat, Marne Kilates, Roberto Añonuevo, Vim Carmelo Nadera, Mike Coroza and Rebecca Añonuevo.

On Wednesday, Aug. 29, Singaporean Ambassador Jacky Foo tenders a send-off dinner for six Filipino poets who have been invited to participate in Singapore’s annual Writers Festival, which starts the next day and ends on Sept. 4.

UP-Mindanao Chancellor Ricardo de Ungria and Ramon Sunico leave for Singapore on Aug. 31, in time to conduct a reading at the National Library that evening. Gémino H. Abad, Cirilo F. Bautista, Ophelia A. Dimalanta and this writer can only follow on Sept. 2 due to other commitments.

Our PLAC contingent will conduct poetry readings at the Gallery Evason Hotel, the MPH Bookstore and the Kinokuniya Bookstore. At the last-named venue, we will be reading together with our hosts, with whom we’re publishing a Singapore-Philippines poetry anthology titled Love Gathers All. The project has been partly funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Also scheduled are a radio interview, a discussion with members of the National Library Council, and workshops cum fora at a number of schools. Our visit is sponsored by the National Arts Council of Singapore.

On account of the despedida at Ambassador Foo’s residence, we’ll have to miss the big-ticket launch on the same evening, at the Main Theater Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, of Curtain Call: Selected Reviews, 1957 to 2000, written by National Artist for Dance Leonor Orosa Goquingco.

The invitation says that "the lavishly illustrated book (includes) 125 reviews covering music, drama and dance performances by local art groups as well as visiting artists and ensembles," and that "the compendium of critiques will give its readers a thorough scan of cultural events spanning those years."

At 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31, Anvil Publishing, Inc. launches A Cultural Worker’s First Manual: Essays in Appreciating the Everyday, by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria, at PowerBooks in Makati. Knowing this 2001 Dangal ng Haraya awardee’s prose, we can expect this book to be another good read.

Saturday, Sept. 1, marks the opening of the 12th Philippine Bookfair at SM Megamall. Many important new titles are on tap for serial launchings, and various book-related activities will take place during the nine-day fair.

On the evening of Sept. 1, the traditional Palanca Awards are given out at Rigodon Ballroom of the Manila Peninsula Hotel. Rumors have it that two veteran writers are joining the Palanca Hall of Fame for having won their fifth First Prizes. The leaks have been more or less confirmed, but any premature announcement would be improper.

On Sunday, Sept. 2, The Bookmark, Inc. launches Lugar: Essays on Philippine Heritage and Architecture by Augusto F. Villalon, with illustrations by Ferdinand Doctolero, at 5 p.m. at the bookfair. Being a fan of Toti Villalon as architect and writer, I regret that I’ll have to miss out on this event, on account of likely failure of my bilocation skills that evening. But I’ll toast to Toti and Lory Tan right after our first PLAC reading in Singapore.

On Friday, Sept. 7, Platypus Publishing, Inc. launches a 5-CD and book set titled 20 Speeches that Moved a Nation at 6 p.m. at the RCBC Plaza Tower 2 Lobby.

The score of landmark speeches collated and edited by Manolo Quezon were recorded under the creative supervision of film directors Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes. Among the voice talents are Jaime Fabregas, Noel Trinidad, Subas Herrero, Freddie Santos, Audie Gemora, Mario O’Hara and Mark Gil. This ought to be a collectible, especially since the project was put together by the same brilliant group behind the late lamented Pen & Ink literary journal.

On Saturday, Sept. 8, the Manila Critics Circle hands out the 20th National Book Awards in conjunction with the bookfair, at Function Room B of Megatrade Hall at SM MegaMall. The awards ceremony starts at 6:30 p.m.

Here’s the list of nominees according to genre among last year’s titles:

Anthology: The Likhaan Book of Philippine Criticism, 1992-1997, edited by J. Neil C. Garcia (University of the Philippines Press); The Writers’ Wives, edited by Narita Manuel Gonzalez (Anvil Publishing, Inc.); Intsik: An Anthology of Chinese Filipino Writing, edited by Caroline S. Hau (Anvil); The Milflores Guide to Philippine Shopping Malls, edited by Antonio A. Hidalgo (Milflores Publishing, Inc.); and The Sea-Gypsies Stay by Rowena Torrevillas (UP Press).

Art: Selyo: Philippine History in Postage Stamps by Reynaldo Gamboa Alejandro and Arminda Vallejo Santiago (Anvil); and Kiukok: Deconstructing Despair by Alfredo Roces (Metropolitan Museum of Manila).

Biography/Autobiography: Seven in the Eye of History, edited by Asuncion David-Maramba (Anvil); Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo: Continuing the Legacy of Leadership by Ma. Rosa N. Carrion-Buck, et. al. (Seagull Philippines, Inc.); Austregelina: A Story of Lina Espina Moore’s Life and Selected Works by Edna Zapanta Manlapaz (Anvil); Lives at the Margin: Biography of Filipinos Obscure, Ordinary and Heroic, edited by Alfred W. McCoy (Ateneo de Manila University Press); Teacher to Tycoon: The Life & Times of Trinidad Diaz Enriquez by Erlinda Enriquez Panlilio (Anvil); and Looking for Liling: A Family History of a World War II Martyr by Alfredo Roces (Anvil).

Cartoons: The Best of A. Lipin by Jess Abrera (Inquirer Books and Anvil); and Ink and Politics by Pol Medina, Jr. (Pugad Baboy, Inc.).

Children's Literature: Ang Mahiyaing Manok by Rebecca T. Añonuevo (Adarna Book Services); The Quarreling Kites by Lin Acacio Flores (Tahanan Books for Young Readers); Ay! May Bukbok ang Ngipin ni Ani! by Luis Gatmaitan (OMF Literature); Cinco de Noviembre by Rene Javellana, S.J. (Bookmark); The Jinx, The Dolphin & The Deep Sea Mystery by Edgardo B. Maranan (Bookmark); The Brothers Wu and the Goodluck Eel by Fran Ng (Tahanan); A Sea of Stories: Tales from Sulu by Carla M. Pacis (Bookmark); and Xilef by Augie Rivera (Adarna).

Comic Books: Trip to Tagaytay by Arnold Arre (Quest Ventures and Tala Studios).

Cookbooks and Food: In My Basket: The Cookbook by Lydia D. Castillo (Bookmark); and Center for Culinary Arts: Cooking with Filipino Chefs (Anvil).

Drama: Almanac for a Revolution by Nicolas Pichay (UP Press).

Editing: The Estrella D. Alfon Anthology, Volume I: The Short Stories, edited by Herminia Santos Bas (De La Salle University Press); and Lina Flor: Collected Works, edited by Soledad S. Reyes (Anvil).

Environment: The Last Great Forest by Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan (Bookmark); and Forest Policy and Politics in the Philippines: The Dynamics of Participatory Conservation, edited by Peter Utting (ADMU Press).

Essay: Random Walks and Other Essays: Ruminations of a So-So Manager by Rene Azurin (UP Press); Light to the World: The Vision of Fr. Raul Bonoan, S.J. by Raul Bonoan, S.J., edited by Soledad S. Reyes (Ateneo Office of Research and Publications); The Spirit of 1896: A Mirror of the Philippine Past, A Window on the Nation’s Future by Jason Co (UP Press); UP into the 21st Century and Other Essays by Francisco Nemenzo (UP Press); and Mysteries & Memories by Doris Trinidad (Giraffe Books).

Fiction: My Sad Republic by Eric Gamalinda (UP Press); Happy Endings by Luis Katigbak (UP Press); Life Before X and Other Stories by Angelo Rodriguez Lacuesta (UP Press); Desire aned Other Stories by Paz Latorena, edited by Eva V. Kalaw (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House); Mass for the Death of an Enemy byRenato E. Madrid (ADMU Press); An Embarrassment of Riches by Charlson Ong (UP Press); Etsa-Puwera by Jun Cruz Reyes (UP Press); and Exactly Here, Exactly Now by Nadine L. Sarreal (Giraffe Books).

Film Criticism: Geopolitics of the Visible: Essays on Philippine Film Cultures by Rolando B. Tolentino (ADMU Press); and Bida sa Pelikula: Richard Gomez at ang Mito ng Pagkalalake, Sharon Cuneta at ang Perpetwal na Birhen at Iba Pa by Rolando B. Tolentino (Anvil).

History: Taming the Wind: Ethno-Cultural History on the Ivatan of the Batanes Isles by Florentino H. Hornedo (UST Publishing House); White Love and Other Events in Filipino History by Vicente L. Rafael (ADMU Press); and Presidential Plunder: The Quest for the Marcos Ill-Gotten Wealth by Jovito R. Salonga (University of the Philippines).

Journalism: Betrayal of the Public Trust: Investigative Reports on Corruption, edited by Sheila S. Coronel (Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism); Investigating Estrada: Millions, Mansions and Mistresses, edited by Sheila S. Coronel (PCIJ); Tales from EDSA by Neni Sta. Romana Cruz (Anvil); Public Faces, Private Lives by Lorna Kalaw Tirol (Anvil); and Above the Crowd by Lorna Kalaw Tirol (Anvil).

Linguistics: Defining Standard Philippine English: Its Status and Grammatical Features by Ma. Lourdes S. Bautista (DLSU Press).

Literary Criticism: Necessary Fictions: Philippine Literature and the Nation, 1946-1980 by Caroline S. Hau (ADMU Press); and Writing the Nation/Pag-akda ng Bansa by Bienvenido Lumbera (UP Press).

Poetry: Pagsiping Sa Lupain by Roberto T. Añonuevo (ADMU Press); Karikatura at Iba Pang Kontra-Banda by Teo T. Antonio (UST Publishing House); The Firetrees Burn All Summer and Other Poems by Salvador F. Bernal (Bookmark); Waking Ice: Poems by Ricardo M. de Ungria (Anvil); Candon by Reynaldo A. Duque (UP Press); The Sorrows of Water by J. Neil Carmelo Garcia (UP Press); Edad Medya: Mga Tula sa Katanghaliang Gulang by Jose F. Lacaba (Anvil); Voice From The Underworld: A Book of Verses by Maningning C. Miclat (Anvil); Mujer Indigena by Vim Carmelo Nadera (UP Press): Hunos: Mga Tula by Allan Popa (Artista Publications); and Ecstatic Mutations by Eileen Tabios (Giraffe).

Screenplay: Rizal: Bayaning 3rd World: 2 Dulang Pampelikula by Mike De Leon and Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr. (DLSU Press).

Social Sciences: Generating Energies in Mount Apo: Cultural Politics in a Contested Environment by Albert E. Alejo, S.J. (ADMU Press); Cuaresma, edited by Gilda Cordero Fernando and Fernando N. Zialcita (Bookmark); The Tinge of Red: Prehistory of Art in the Philippines by Jesus T. Peralta (National Commission for Culture and the Arts); and Women, Power, and Kinship Politics: Female Power in Post-war Philippines by Mina Roces (Anvil).

Theology & Religion: The Shepherd’s Voice: Gospel Reflections for All Seasons by Joseph V. Landy, S.J. (Tahanan); Tomorrow Begins Today by Harold J. Sala (OMF); and Looking for Jesus: Reflections by the Street Corner by Msgr. Socrates Villegas (Anvil).

Translation: Mapangaraping Kagandahan, translated by Ceres S.C. Alabado (New Day Publishers); and Noli Me Tangere, translated by Benjamin C. De la Fuente (DLSU Press).

Travel: Philippine Ecodestinations by Amadis Ma. Guerrero (Anvil); Why I Travel & Other Essays by Fourteen Women, edited by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo and Erlinda Enriquez Panlilio (Anvil); and Riding Towards the Sunrise and Other Travel Tales by Alice M. Sun-Cua (Anvil).

Later at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, PLAC will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special reading at Santum in Intramuros (right across Letran College).

September will also feature reading at Goodwill Bookstore’s Cafe Literati at the Glorietta in Makati. Previous readings have featured theater performers as well as the literary group The White Bicycle, comprised of the young writers Ana Ablaza Baluyot, Anna Bernaldo, Lourd de Veyra, Isagani D’Bayan, Rhandee Garlitos, Ramil Digal Gulle, Nerissa del Carmen Gievara, Glenn Maboloc, Ayvi Nicolas, Tappy Peralta and Erwin Sebastian. I understand that PLAC poets and fictionists will be tapped soon for individual performances.

Finally, special mention must be made of the recently launched landmark volume, The Urian Anthology 1980-1989, edited and introduced by Nicanor G. Tiongson, published by Antonio P. Tuviera. This handsome coffeetable book, with photos and design by Cesar Hernando and Mes De Guzman, is the long-awaited sequel to The Urian Anthology 1970-1979. The subtitle reads: "Film Essays and Reviews by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino With a Filmography of Philippine Movies 1980-1989."

The filmography alone lends this volume collectibility status. As for the reviews, it all seems so far away now that I can’t even recall having written the pieces represented in the anthology. What remains memorable are the hours spent in convivial discussion and occasional bitchiness with the rest of the Manunuri at that time, in the early ’80s, when we used to meet at Nic Tiongson’s place or were hosted by Pio and Joy de Castro.

The writers for this volume include some of the best film critics we’ve ever had, namely Tiongson himself, Clodualdo del Mundo Jr., Mario A. Hernando, Nestro U. Torre, Grace Javier Alfonso, Tezza O. Parel, Isagani Cruz, Joel David, Agustin L. Sotto, Pet Cleto, Bienvenido Lumbera, Alice G. Guillermo, Emmanuel A. Reyes, Justino Dormiendo, Mario E. Bautista, Christian M. Guerrero, Joselito B. Zulueta, Butch Francisco and Behn Cervantes.

The book is dedicated to the late Pete Daroy, Pio de Castro and Hammy Sotto, all of whom we still treasure for the camaraderie and shared love for good and great cinema.