2009 ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Bird Lands, River Nights and Other Melancholies “Jose Marte A. Abueg’s poetic utterance—as ‘daylight’s whisper’ and ‘pearled midnights’—assumes lyrical gravitas while beholding cages and suicides. Yet, there is no despairing in these laments, for the cited, repeated treasures of spirit lead to a reckoning of wisdom. Iridescent images open paths to insights, and from genesis to incense there is but the word as verb—’epiphany’-ing the ‘me’ or cosmic I. There too is the extended, experimental, experiential verse collage for the self-strung namesake, which turns into a nearly epicurean tribute to the sadness of literature. From the loss that ‘keeps you company’ to the big picture of cerebral flight, the poet splits mysteries like bamboo, to ignite eyes.”— Alfred A. Yuson, Palanca Hall of Fame The author is a Palanca and Philippines Free Press awardee for poetry. Balisa Three plays that are interrelated and considered as cornerstone in the three decades of contemporary history are contained in this trilogy: Martial Law, EDSA I and EDSA II. All of them won literary awards. Isang nobela ang trilohiyang ito kung pagmamasdan sa saklaw at pagkakawing-kawing ng mga pangyayaring nakapaloob rito: Satirika, Ligalig, at Balighô. Tinalakay dito ang middle class at ang kanilang pangarap, takot at agam-agam, pakikisangkot, pagmamaneobra at pakikikutsaba, mga lihim at pagnanasa, sala-salabat na relasyon, at pananaw sa mga pangyayaring lumikha sa kanila na pilit nilang binabago o pinananatili. Si Reuel Molina Aguila ay nagtuturo sa UP Diliman.
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