Corazon Aquino: Some Disparate Thoughts

By now, news of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino’s death is everywhere, so I don’t think I need to post any article links. I just want to go back in my memory to 1986, when I was a freshman at Moreau Catholic High School in Hayward. I remember my Honors English teacher, this simultaneously granola and crabby old crone of a white woman, who expressed her elation at the beginning of class one day, about this non-violent revolution which ousted the dictator Ferdinand Marcos, how apparently this was a big deal in the history of the world. I knew all this because my father and many of the grown-up’s were glued to the TV (pre-TFC), constantly reading the Philippine newspapers, and sharing the news with one another.

Pinay Poetics: A Kapwa Panel

I’m getting ready for tomorrow’s KAPWA Conference, which takes place at San Francisco State University. I’ll be moderating the Pinay Poetics panel at 2:45 pm in Burk Hall Room #241. Speaking on poetic process will be Aimee Suzara, Elsa Valmidiano, Irene Faye Duller, Karen Llagas, Maiana Minahal, and Niki Escobar.

I am anticipating some sincere and detailed articulation of how each poet comes to her poem. I have been thinking about why this would be important information. On this here blog, I discuss my work all the time. It’s been helping me clarify for myself what I am doing with each poem, with each poetic project, and with manuscript. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to hear from other poets, emerging and otherwise, that my ruminations are helpful to them. I’m glad for this.

Work: KAPWA Conference 2009: Looking for TWO emerging Pinay poets

UPDATE: This morning I was looking for two Pinay poets to add to my panel/round table discussion for the forthcoming KAPWA Conference 2009, which takes place at the SF State University campus on June 27, 2009. I am quite happy that I have found my poets.

Information on the conference and on the concept of Kapwa is here:

http://kapwacon2009.wordpress.com/about/

I recently submitted a proposal for a panel/round table discussion on Pinay Poetics. I am happy to report that my proposal has been accepted. I have extended invitations to a few poets. Confirmed are the following:

• Aimee Suzara
• Maiana Minahal
• Karen Llagas
• Niki Escobar
• Irene Faye Duller
• Elsa Valmidiano