June–September 2011
│El Obrero Littéraire
Reviews
Features & Literary B7 Watch.
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Read. Ang Inahan ni Mila*(Mila’s Mother) ISBN 978-971-814-112-0
E William A.G. Bulaqueña william.andrew_mm@yahoo.com These are the magic spells used in ―Harry Potter,‖ the most successful cinematic franchise of all time. Though they are not proper Latin themselves, they provided the characters with the useful effects that made the movie series a remarkable feat. The big explosion of this nuclear-like-weapon had contaminated the whole world with such an incurable virus—not fatal but sort of addiction-producing fever that, when discussed by either young or old, unless not updated, everyone has something to say. Simply put, both the books and movies generated such a passionate following the world over. The grandeur commenced in 2001, which then continued its journey and has existed to be one of the most successful series ever made—pertaining to the glory and influence of the art magic and wizardry. Thank to J. K. Rowling for she, not he, wrote these stories all by herself when she was riding a train. Her true name is Joanne Rowling. Fearing that the target audience of young boys might not want to read a book written by a
xpecto Patronum! Reducto! Expelliarmus! Avada Kedavra!
woman, her publishers demanded that she use her two initials instead of her full name. Her imaginative thinking created this book series, which bestowed her that multi-millionaire status within five years.
Harry Potter is the kind of timeless literary achievement that comes around once in a lifetime.—Warner Bros. Awards poured in every part that was released. Even before they were adapted for the silver screen, her books alone had gained immense popularity, critical acclaim, and commercial success. ―The Half-Blood Prince‖ was ranked fourth of the most expensive movie in the case of creation, $250 million in total. When not adjusted for inflation, the series is the highest grossing film series of all time, with $7.6 billion in worldwide receipts. With these enormous special effects, moving plots, and stunning casts that had cost a lot of money,
Mayor Sy… EO: If you could change anything about your life, what would it be and why? NS: I will never change anything that has happened to me even if it made my life miserable. These experiences have made me a stronger person.
Activities EO: May we know your hobbies? NS: Basketball and tennis. EO: Club affiliations despite your busy schedule? NS: Basketball, tennis, and boxing associations. EO: Any group involvement or active membership? NS: Sports, political, and religious. EO: What is your favorite food? NS: I eat almost everything except seafood because I am allergic to it. EO: Music? NS: I go for folk. EO: Movie? NS: The Godfather. EO: Sports? Obviously basketball and tennis? NS: Yes. EO: Book? NS: ―House on Garibalde Street.‖
Moments EO: What was the occasion when you were the happiest in your life? NS: When I finally married my first love. EO: The saddest? NS: When I lost in 2007 by a slim margin. EO: Most terrifying? NS: I still have to experience that one. EO: Most embarrassing? NS: When I was suspended in
their hold unto the moviegoers was beyond expectation. It was unbreakable, nearly. The story deals mainly with Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger who, in real life, are Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, respectively. The trio‘s selection was arguably one of the best show -business decisions over the past decade. They have shown admirable grace and steadiness in the face of teen superstardom. It was their friendship that was very much admired by the people. The struggle was then caused by Lord Voldemort, played by Ralph Fiennes. Love, anger, trust, betrayal, unity, courage, hope and magic are all mixed up in the whole series. It is a fantasy with so many insights to learn—the magic—that should be kept and should be put to practice.
From B1 junior high for misconduct. I had a misunderstanding with a classmate then. I was transferred to Manila, but I came back to Sindangan due to adjustment problems. However, I could not be readmitted; so I stopped studying that school year. EO: Most inspiring? NS: Now that I am leading the people of Sindangan.
Leadership EO: We listened to your state of the municipality address. Of the many concerns and needs of the people, which of them should be prioritized by your administration? NS: We prioritize the agricultural sector because Sindangan is blessed with a vast farmland and a bountiful sea. However, we have a very high poverty incidence rate. Through a productive agro–industry, we can alleviate the people from hardship and for them to enjoy an improved quality of life. EO: What is the greatest accomplishment of the Sangguniang Bayan? NS: We aim to achieve the vision of making our town a solid waste management compliant. We are active in our campaign for waste
segregation, which the public has responded positively. EO: Was the election of all your party mates (except for one) an advantage in the realization of your vision for the town? NS: Of course. EO: Are you actively pushing for the cityhood of Sindangan? NS: No, our population and income are still way below the standard requirements. EO: What are your plans for 2013? NS: Run for re-election as long as I still have the mandate of the people. EO: We appreciate your commitment to the SJCSI Seahawks. Do you have any other plans for the basketball varsity team? NS: I support the needs of the team while the college takes care of their tuition. They have been number 1 in the provincial level for two consecutive years. My next goal is for the team to bag the regional championship. This will be a realization of my personal childhood dream. EO: Thank you do much for this opportunity. Any parting words from you, Sir? NS: Make your parents and yourself happy by getting a college degree.
El Obrero Littéraire ▪ Features and Literary William Andrew G. Bulaqueña Section Editor Reger Ed A. Caperig Feature Iveanne Therese E. Malinao Literary Yanessa S. Naval Science and Technology Writers and Contributors: Donalyn E. Aquino • Roxanne B. Dataro • Meryl Aurece R. Enriquez • Mara Aubrey Sistine L. Escoreal • Janine Claire T. Jalosjos • Ma. Joeresa P. Jamora • Gilbert B. Lamayo • Cynthia Kareen J. Nazario • Reginald Clement S. Pondoc • Rosel Rio R. Tobias Photojournalists: Reginald Clement S. Pondoc • Kevin G. Siasico
A struggling mother in search for wealth to achieve respect but turns herself to the opposite of common traits, ―Mila‘s Mother‖ shows these with all essence and assertion. Austregelina Espina–Moore‘s ―Ang Inahan ni Mila‖ is a Cebuano novel translated by Hope Sabanpan–Yu, for a wider readership. Yu was single-minded to the goal of preserving much of Espina–Moore‘s style and speech in keeping it to be Cebuano-oriented. Women‘s private struggles engage issues in household and family life. Teresa‘s personality is affected by her past that makes her practical about financial matters. Though becoming selfish is the stereotype for her character, she is a convincing conduit of change. The meaning of ―woman‖ has changed from the dependent, maternal, nurturing submissive to a ―woman‖ who openly expresses her hostile experiences with society. She is a rebel who faces her situations in order to provoke and encourage change. A peek at the last paragraph: “In this life, a person makes mistakes. There are mistakes one can erase; others remain for the rest of one’s life, a stain that will never fade… .” Author: Austregelina Espina–Moore Translator: Hope Sabanpan–Yu Publisher: NCCA Press © 2008 Pages: 52
Men at Sea and Other Stories* ISBN 978-971-814-129-8 ―The sea will not wait for the fisherman. It is man who follows the movement of the sea.‖ Guaranteed to delight the reading public, 10 stories where the limits of faith, memory, and love are scrutinized in an astonishing variety of uniqueness that is Gremer Chan Reyes. ―The child, the bird, and the man‖ portrays a father who realizes that money cannot buy everything while searching for his child‘s happiness to improve his poor health. ―The child and the fearsome crab‖ is one of Reyes‘ beloved stories that tackles family responsibility. ―Every creature has its golden moment‖ echoes the moral on respect for life even in the worst of circumstances. In ―Men at sea,‖ a heretic fisherman dies clutching the image of Jesus Christ in his effort to save it from the eddy. ―The fish of the flower of Talikod‖ reflects the awesome mystery of nature and the unexplainable beauty that reveals itself before anyone who approaches it with reverence. ―The day in the life of a man at Tinagong Dagat,‖ a critique on the government and military, expresses the effects of progress. ―God is with you‖ deals with a rebel as well as the conflicts and tensions in his life. ―A shore on the other side of the sea‖ emphasizes a child‘s nostalgia for his uncle and contrasts the different lives of two brothers: a radical turned fugitive and a teacher. ―At the edge of light and dark‖ speaks of a clearer view of human relationships where a teacher and a student are examined in terms of their expectations. In ―The man dancing with the picture in the frame,‖ an orphan who cannot remember his past dances by hugging the frame with a photograph of a family to experience the joy of being loved. These 10 stories personally chosen by the translator encompass the different themes and styles used by Reyes. His fascination with the sea makes him one of Cebu‘s best literary voices. Author: Gremer Chan Reyes Publisher: NCCA Press © 2009
Translator:Hope Sabanpan–Yu Pages: 88
Cuentos Hispanofilipinos* (Hispano–Philippine Stories) ISBN 978-971-691-930-1 Unravel the humor that is distinctly Filipino as you leaf through the pages of this literary collaboration between writers and friends Edmundo Farolán and Paulina Constancia. You will find delight in the Spanish (translated to English) stories shaped by the duo through a wide range of emotions from the sentimental to the nostalgic and light-spirited to the comical. Farolán‘s ―Palali,‖ ―Tía Luz y Tía Aïda,‖ and ―Mardi Gras with the Montecillos‖ recall the memories of his maternal grandfather Don Drancisco de Paula, a Malagueñan, who had lived and loved Palali, a barrio in Sablan, Benguet. Semi-fictitious as Farolán describes them, the narrations and dialogues of his stories were based on what he heard from his aunts and cousins—some true, some exaggerated. Paulina Constancia is primarily a Cebuano visual artist, but she published a bilingual collection of poetry entitled ―Open Arms/Brazos Abiertos‖ in 2003. In this second book, she takes account of ―The Chinese Man Goes to Mass,‖ ―The Monkey and the Scientist,‖ ―Tatang Goes to New York,‖ and ―The Apostle.‖ Painting and writing are two worlds she united and whose boundaries she linked. Either one is the mirror or the reflection, her storytelling of each character‘ life‘s moments is as colorful as the kaleidoscope in her pseudo-naïf paintings. Authors: Edmundo Farolán and Paulina Constancia Publisher: Central Book Supply, Inc. © 2009 Pages: 139 *Reviews by William Andrew G. Bulaqueña.