masterwork January 19, 2012

On my way home today, I heard Simon & Garfunkel’s Sound of Silence played in the loudspeakers of the Cubao station of the MRT. Goosebumps all over me, I felt like crying. All those tired people in the station, heading home too, looked so beautiful. Then, all of a sudden, I remembered Alfredo telling Toto [...]

A Fellowship January 14, 2012

Oi! Fellow writers! That season’s begun again – sweet slaughter: http://www.panitikan.com.ph/event/call-submission-manuscripts-silliman-university-national-writers-workshop Truth is, I only want to get in so I could get that free plane ride to Dumaguete. Then I’ll get me a boat ride to neighboring Siquijor. Then I’ll run to the white sand beach and do cartwheels. Then on to the ritual: [...]

“all your graces someday will flower” December 30, 2011

First heard the song in Cuaron’s adaptation of Great Expectations… … and to my very last breath I know I’ll have no less than great expectations.   Happy New Year, girls and boys!

All together now! December 27, 2011

“It’s time, time, time that you love!” “Immerse your soul in love!” “All is full of love!” … and so shall it be ’til our days are done.   Gotta keep the faith, all ye lonesome girls and boys. Stand your ground in the heart of the song. There’s no other way to go.

caroling December 24, 2011

Thank You for the bread and soup and milk. And for the roof over my head. Thank You for all the work You’ve allowed me to do to earn these good little things. Work that has kept me going. Thank You for the bed, and for this time to rest, and surrender. And dream. Please [...]

“a hook-laden melody is a movable feast” December 12, 2011

… writes The Guardian critic Alexis Petridis about Coldplay’s latest offering, Mylo Xyloto, despite a few reservations. Actually, that’s what I admire about Chris Martin and company – their seemingly reliable ability to come up with gently infectious melodies… … and lines like, “In your tears, and in your blood/ In your fire, and in [...]

Good. Will. Hunting. December 11, 2011

After Finding Forrester, I put Good Will Hunting on, to keep me company while doing some of these edits. I miss my poetry teachers. Terribly. I miss the classroom, and hearing life spun in verses, aiming for the heart, and getting right in, and changing lives. I miss my good teacher, him who gave to [...]

Merry merry! December 2, 2011

Dear Santa, I want a guitar that looks like and sounds like the one Mrs. Michael Penn is playing here. And all the graces that my little yearning heart can hold. Thank you. Love, Jennifer

just as I am preparing for the new guitar… November 11, 2011

… I hear news that Coldplay is coming here in Manila… … and as much as that excites me, I’d like Radiohead to come too, because I want to hear the sexiest, smartest, truest, and most comforting Radiohead song, live… … at any rate, I’m playing both songs on my coming dark, handsome, sonorous one

Rektikano 6 – The Lasallians’ Progress October 22, 2011

The latest issue of Rektikano Magazine, the official global publication of Filipino Lasallians, is finally out! For your copies of this special double edition, and for subscriptions, please contact our publisher, the De La Salle Alumni Association ( http://www.dlsaa.com/dlsaa/rektikanoMagazine.php ). Enjoy reading!