Gigantism, autism, literature and art
At the start of my poetry class in Ateneo last Wednesday, I asked: “Yo, dudes, anyone here know about the novel Ilustrado by Miguel Syjuco?” One hand came up.
“Only you? But he’s an Atenean, and he had a talk and reading here late last sem. The rest of you should find out more about his first book, the 2008 Man Asian Prize winner. Reason I bring it up is because this evening, another book by an Atenean is being launched at Powerbooks in Megamall. Also written abroad, it also looks to be a best-seller. I say all this to underscore the fact that our university has been producing excellent writers, among them authors who first make their mark internationally. Now isn’t that so Fabilioh!?”
The second book I referred to is Candy Quimpo Gourlay’s Tall Story, which has been making waves in the UK book scene since its launch there earlier this year.
I first heard about it from poet-writer Ed Maranan, who had worked in London for nearly a decade, doing everything as a writer, photographer and xenagogue for our embassy, apart from winning haiku contest prizes from the Guardian. Since he came home he’s been the bullyboy of sorts, constantly adding to his record-setting Palanca collection of prizes, such as recently when his entry was declared one of the 10 winners of The Philippine STAR’s Journalism Awards on the subject of Heroes and Icons.
On an aside, Butch Dalisay and I believe he overheard us plotting at the awards rites at Ayala Museum — to speak to the Samsung head honcho, tell him Ed had designated us as the pick-up guys for the giant LCD screen that was among the prizes. And so he conveniently disappeared, Ed did. Drats, foiled again by an artful dodger.
Back to Candy Gourlay, she had e-mailed months ago: “I am enormously proud to announce that my book Tall Story has been taken on by a publisher. And not
just any publisher — it’s the legendary David Fickling! And I am deliriously proud to announce that I have a publisher in my native Philippines: Ramon Sunico, a fabulous poet and a pioneer in publishing teen fiction in the Philippines. It’s beyond fantastic!”
A UK announcement had it: “Tall Story by Candy Gourlay is an outstanding and highly original novel for 10 years+. The deal was negotiated by Hilary Delamere from The Agency and David Fickling. This is a book about Bernardo, a boy who lives in the Philippines, and Bernardo is tall. Not just tall, he’s 8-ft tall. Bernardo is actually a giant! In a novel packed with humor and quirkiness, Gourlay explores a touching sibling relationship and the comedic results of two very different cultures colliding.”
We knew Candy from beer and vodka sessions in the early ’80s at Moviola and Penguin Cafe-Gallery at Remedios Circle, when their inseparable trio of fresh Ateneo grads — Francoise Joaquin, Vicky Suba and her — would join our table of poets and photographers to talk art, film, lit and journalism.
“Frankie” Joaquin who had black tresses flowing down to her knees became a full-fledged journalist. So did Candy, in which exercise of profession she met Richard Gourlay (not the Canadian warbler of If Ever I Would Leave You... but an excellent British newspaperman). They got married and settled in London, where, sometime in the ’90s, the journalist Marites Vitug and her hub, my poet-buddy Vet Vitug, took me to visit them one afternoon, I think in celebration of some occasion.
Candy and Richard had started raising kids by then. When Trix Syjuco and I interviewed her last week for our show “Illuminati” on GNN Channel 21 of Destiny cable, she said they had four kids. And yet she managed to keep writing! Now that’s a lovely mum, as dedicated to her art as she is to family. She certainly deserves the great good fortune that now attends her success with what is actually her fourth novel manuscript.
With her usual bright smile, she confided how she had kept submitting her drafts to UK publishers, only to be rejected. Until, that is, she hit it big with Tall Story. Now she’s the toast of London, with her book bursting into the London Sunday Times’ list of 100 Best Titles for Summer:
“Candy Gourlay’s debut novel Tall Story is a feel-good tale about basketball-mad Londoner Andi and her 8-ft. tall Filipino half-brother Bernardo, who is reunited with his mother and sister after 16 years of waiting for the necessary papers. Making use of Philippine superstitions and legends, the novel brings magic to a down-home story of earthquakes and sibling love.”
Rave reviews have poured in:
From Amanda Craig, The Times Saturday Review: “Gourlay is good at describing the comedy of family life and the underlying tragedy of life in a poor country; readers who are in sport will enjoy the drama of Andi’s great match against a rival basketball team. This is a lovely book, as colorful, cheerful and original as its cover. “
From The Bookseller: “Tall Story... combines wry humor and profound comment on cultural identity. It is an astute coming of age novel. There is an assured quality to the writing which wholly envelops readers in this convincing, witty and poignant story about difference, assimilation and family dynamics.”
From Library Mice: “What I particularly liked about this book, beyond the talented writing, is Candy’s ability to mix many different themes; it covers witchcraft and curses, mythical stories of giants protecting the land from earthquakes, gigantism (a very real condition), as well very contemporary themes of poverty, immigration and integration, sibling relationships, and cultural identity and differences... Candy Gourlay is a great new and original voice in children’s literature and I very much look forward to seeing what she has in store for us next.”
From Addy Farmer, Amazon Review: “A deft and beautiful piece of storytelling.”
And now we have the Cacho Publishing House edition, thanks to RayVi Sunico, who had fallen in love with the story from the very first page he read in Candy’s website. He started arranging for its publication here even before the London edition came out. That one was as a straight novel for young adults, meaning all text. The local edition has some illustrations, by Yasmin Ong. And it sells for only P250 per copy.
Last Wednesday’s launch was quite an affair. Candy asked her bro-in-law Boy Ramos to invite some tall people. i.e. basketball players. Four came — two Lady Archers: 6’7" Fritz Oyao and 6’2" Katie Wilson — and 6’6" Bryan Faundo of the Barako Bulls and 6’3" Eddie Laure of Rain or Shine.
The Quimpo-Gourlay clan led by Candy’s mom — Cynthia Lopez Quimpo, a former drama teacher at St. Theresa’s College in QC — and Richard, who is now with the London School of Economics, performed a musical number. This was video’d, as had been a similar performance conducted by Candy’s friends and neighbors for the London Waterstone’s launch.
Candy intends to do the same at the launch at the Philippine Embassy in London, and eventually of the US launch. Then she’ll edit the videos together and post it for the world to see. For now, her websites http://www.candygourlay.com/ and http://www.tallstory.net/ offer a wonderful animation trailer done by her brother Armand.
Now here’s that Prologue passage (from Andi’s POV) that has drawn in every reader:
“Rush hour.
“So many armpits, so little deodorant. The whole world is heading out to Heathrow to meet long-lost relatives. I am wedged between the tummies of the two fattest men in the world.
“Rank.
“Mum’s practically vibrating. Like she’s overdosed on coffee. Which she probably has.
“Dad’s got his arm around her like a lock. She’s fidgeting so hard and the train’s so crowded. ‘It’ll be ages yet, Mary Ann,’ he whispers into her ear.
“‘I just want to make sure we’re there when he comes out.’
“‘He’s sixteen. He’ll be fine!’
Dad kisses her forehead. Which isn’t a stretch because the crowd is pushing them so close together his face is practically pasted to her head.
“‘But William’ — Mum glares at his chin — ‘he’s so TALL!’
“Why is Mum so psycho about Bernardo being tall? She’s been going on about it since we found out he was coming to London. ‘Don’t be surprised now, Andi, your brother is tall. Tall, you hear me?’
“Does she think I needed impressing? I mean, Mum isn’t exactly God’s gift to the human race in the height department. I’m the smallest in Year Eight and I’m still taller than her. She’s so short she needs an ID to prove she’s old enough to buy wine at the supermarket. ‘I don’t understand,’ she always argues at the Tesco Express. ‘Where I come from, there’s never any problem.’
“Well, London isn’t the Philippines, Mum.
“The two tummies are practically holding me up in the carriage. I could fall asleep and remain vertical. Hopefully it won’t be this bad on the return trip with Bernardo and his luggage.
“Bernardo!”
Wonderful writing! Congrats, Candy! You do us proud.
* * *
Last Friday at ArtistSpace in Ayala Museum, a special solo art exhibit opened, titled “Piece by Piece… A Selection of My Personal Best,” with 23-year-old J.A. Tan giving a brief artist’s talk.
Based in Vancouver, the youngest child of Vincent and Zelie Tan describes himself as an “artist with autism.” Diagnosed at the age of nearly three years to be a high-functioning child with autism, J.A. eventually began to express the way his mind works through his art. He explores the theme of emotions in his pieces, using a variety of texture to express his everyday feelings.
Born and raised in Manila, J.A. Tan recently completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the prestigious Emily Carr University of Art+Design in Vancouver, where he participated in a number of group exhibits. He was also invited to speak at a forum — “On the Edge of Chaos: Contemporary Neuroscience, Creative Patterns, and Material Practice — attended by neuroscientists, doctors, and artists. His presentation was entitled “Autism and My Art.”
This is his second solo show in Manila. His first was at Oakwood Hotel in Makati in March 2006, after he graduated from St. Scholastica’s College with a Certificate in Fine Arts.
Asked what inspires his art practice, J.A. says: “I work on my paintings the same way I work at life. I paint from small images and ideas and build up to a unified whole. As in my life, I learn in small steps and take in as much details and information as I can. I then put these all together into a whole piece that makes it possible for me to integrate myself into the world that everyone else perceives. I live and work in this same world; but it is seen in a different perspective by me and my autistic mind.”
He acknowledges being initially inspired by Monet, whose paintings he found in art books. When his mom had to attend a conference in France, he saw it as his chance to see Monet’s actual paintings. He was excited to see Monet’s house in Giverny.
“The gardens were full of lovely flowers,” J.A. writes. “I was inspired by his works, which convinced me to paint flowers from his garden.”
Now he says that his favored style is abstract expressionism. “I am partial to the use of acrylic paints for my collages and mixed-media paintings. I also like using powerful colors and multi-textures for my works.”
Kudos to J.A. — whose art looks certain to go a long way. His exhibit pf paintings, drawings and collages done during the last four years runs until August 4. For more information, visit www.artofjatan.com and http://facebook.com/artofjatan
