FEATURE
FEBRUARY 16 - march 31, 2008
The Augustinian
Editor: ELSED TOGONON
7
An hour with the writer
An Interview with Agustin T. Misola By Dominique Ann Misola
Agustin T. Misola is an Ilonggo author who has written more than 50 books in Hiligaynon, English and Spanish. He is recognized as a leading figure in the literary field of the Philippines, having been awarded in 1991 the Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, in 2005 as one of the Outstanding Augustinians of the Century, and the honor of being the lecturer of the Jose Rizal Lecture of the Philippine Center for International PEN, with both events held at the University of San Agustin. His most recent endeavor is a book of poems entitled, “On the Sands of Boracay”. On September 28, the BSN 2-L class on Engl 111: Survey of Philippine Literature, conducted a one hour interview with the writer as a project, with questions that propelled memories and inspirations from Agustin T. Misola. On his first poem The writer’s first poem was entitled “My Queen”, written on
December 1944 when he was still in his first year of high school during the war years. He wrote it as he watched the carabaos on his father’s farm, thinking about a young girl of the farm, no one in particular though, but the “creative image of a woman, but not who she is”. He wrote it with the help of an old English dictionary, making a romantic 12 stanza poem. It was at the ending lines that he discovered how he loved poetry, that it was his forte, “an ambition of a young man”, as he said. Till now, at the age of 80, he still recognizes it as his best poem. On his inspiration “My wife”, he said, as we all smiled. “It is love that drives a man, whether in pain or not.’ On gay writers “We are still creations of God. Gays are creative in the arts, writing, and mostly fashion. It is not about the status of the person but of his mind. Poetry is a creation of God, the creative
talent, too. It needs divine guidance and passion.” Lessons on writing In his own count, he has written 499 poems in Spanish, 490 in English and 1058 in Hiligaynon. His epic poem of 1529 stanzas, “Indi Kami Mag-ampo”, won him the Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas award. “What is important about writing is not being afraid of criticism.” He tells us of the many rejection letters he had received. “Recognition came very late for me”, as he tells us the sacrifice of silently working on his translation of Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios from Spanish to Hiligaynon and Spanish to English. “It is a product of enjoyment and tears, a product of sacrifice and faith”, he said about writing. “There is a season pf writing”, as he talks about the many times he missed writing ideas or lines because he was stuck in the bathroom or in court.
Learning, the fun way:
Highlights of the U-Week Alternative Classes By Paulo Bayabos
It seemed that everybody was curious about how unsexy celebrities turn into eye-catching sexy models in magazine covers. Or maybe they’ve always been amazed with spectacular graphics in movies and TV. Whatever it is, the two rooms in Rada Hall were surely not enough to accommodate the thrilled computer-geeks of our university.
Martial Arts class Dr. Gomez lectures on photo editing
February 14, 2008 – Not an ordinary Valentine’s day for Augustinians; they spent the day roaming around the university campus, having a hard time deciding which among the many interesting classes they would attend. It was such a fun-filled learning experience, courtesy of the Office of Co-curricular Activities together with the USA Sports office and the USA Student Council, once again initiating the 100 Alternative Classes as part of the 2008 USA U-Week celebration. With so many classes and venues to choose from, students and teachers alike seized the opportunity of learning not only from cool, youth-oriented discussions but also useful and relevant skill-enhancing lecturettes and exercises facilitated by expert authorities, some were USA teachers and students themselves. It would take forever to tackle each alternative class one by one;
however, here are some which apparently became a huge hit for the students: Unrequited Love (1 PM, USA Gym) By: Mr. Christian Gregoire Tioco Facilitated by: USA Student Council It wouldn’t be Valentine’s day without a stroke of teenage love and romance for the adoring hearts. Mr. Student Council President was cupid for a day and talked about the familiar instance of having to love somebody without being loved in return. A certified chick flick. Photo Editing using Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Graphics Making using Corel Draw (10 AM, RH 30-31) By: Dr. Edmund Gomez and Mr. Barry Frank Gregore Facilitated by: The ICT Society
Martial Arts Class (10 AM, USA Field) Instructor: Mr. Henry Parreño Facilitated by: Sigma Chi Fraternity Hundreds of students were in battle mode as they lined up to take a bow, pose, punch and kick for a taste of Martial Arts despite the pouring rain. That’s something they don’t do everyday, and now their fists of fury are ready to take on any adversary! Acting 101 ( 1PM, 5th/F Alumni Hall) By: Mr. Edward Divinagracia Facilitated by: USA Little Theater There’s an actor inside each of us, and what better opportunity to unleash this talent than being mentored by the great Edward Divinagracia himself. Participants put on their acting faces and artistic skills as they celebrated the art of acting, soaring unto great heights on the rooftop of the Alumni Hall. Other classes include Ecological Solid Waste Management by the USASC, Learning to Love Music by the MAPEH Circle, Ozone Free Car testing by DENR and USA Eco Populi, Speed Dating by JPAMA, One Philippine Psychology: Unity Amidst Diversity by the Psyche Cell, Philosophical Delivery with Presence by the Societas Philosophorum, Autopsy by the Epsilon Chapter,The Perfect Romance by the USAGIASA, and many more. Mr. Eric Divinagracia is the chairman of the committee on CoCurricular activities, Rev. Victor F. Gonzaga OSA for the USA Sports Office, and the USA Student Council is headed by Mr. Christian Gregoire Tioco.
Misola (left) Dr. Alimen’s class pose with Misola
USA Little Theater stages Babaye By Elsed Togonon
During the 20th century, women themselves in order to give their have finally arisen and zealously family a bright future. Mona Pico, defended their right for equality the coordinator of USA Martin in the patriarchal society. This de Rada Human Rights Desk, thrust towards parity persists in rendered a poem by Magdalena the literary texts written by women Jalandoni titled “Nanay,” while writers and poets, exemplifying Edward Divinagracia, the artistic Helen Cixous’ idea that “women director of the USA Little Theater, should write themselves.” interpreted John Iremil Teodoro’s B y f o s t e r i n g w o m e n ’s “Ang Eroplano,” a poem from his essence in the society through the poetry collection Babaye. performing arts and promoting the Babaye was part of the U.N Millenium Development Goal activities in celebration of the to promote gender equality and National Commission for Culture women empowerment, the USA and the Arts’ 2008 Philippine Arts Little Theater, in February 28 at Festival, with its theme “Ani ng the Museo Iloilo, staged Babaye, a Sining.” Moreover, the show served poetry in motion which showcased as the culminating presentation of the different poems of distinct local the USA Little Theater after their poets, such as Flavio Zaragosa participation in Tanghal! which was Canno, Magdalena Jalandoni, held in Zamboanga City. Joseph Espino, Joi Barrios, John Carlo USALT performs “Pram Tiampong, Dr. Alice Hong Kong wid Lab” Tan-Gonzales and John Iremil Teodoro. The poems which w ere compellingly interpreted by the USA Little Theater, articulated the w o m e n ’s p l i g h t and struggles in the society. The poignant tone, reinforced by the multimedia presentation and the black clothes worn by the actors, may have deeply pierced the audiences’ consciousness as to the real situation USALT renders of the women an opening t o d a y. “ G a h a s a , ” prayer entitled “Inumol,” “Predam “Paghaylo” at Demokrasya,” “Si Pinang at Estong,” portrayed the violence experienced by women in-and-outside of their homes. On the other hand, the poems “Ili-ili sang Binayaan,” “Ang Eroplano,” “Pram Hong Kong Wid Lab,” and “Ang Package,” speak USALT interprets freedom of women’s heroism as “Predam at Demokrasya” OFW’s who sacrifice