Rational Insanity
A bunch of hurrahs
I would like to use up this week's column space to send out a bunch of greetings, so bear with me.
First, I would like to congratulate my dear friend, Marcel Milliam who left for Manila last Saturday to attend the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature awarding ceremonies slated tonight at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. Marcel's entry, titled 'Bitay' won in the Maikling Kuwento sa Hiligaynon Category. Ayan! Palanca awardee ka na rin, welcome to the family. The Capiz Arts Council is proud of you! You see, for most writers, winning the Palanca awards is sort of like a rite of passage or a baptism by fire. Let's face it, you won't quite get the recognition that you need to survive as a writer in this country without the Palanca awards. Of course, some would contradict this and say that the Palanca is not always a validation of your skill as a writer, which is true in some aspects; but you would not have to worry about that anymore Marz, because you already are a Palanca awardee. Kudos to you and congratulations! Many more Palancas to come!
I would like to take this opportunity also to greet my The News Today Family. September is our anniversary month, and I have heard from Mama Richel that this year we will be celebrating our anniversary, where else? In Roxas City! Cool! So to all of our TNT readers in Roxas City, watch out for our anniversary celebrations there! We hope to see you all, because, whether we like it or not, The News Today is actually taking Roxas City by storm; thanks to our ever active, ever industrious account executive, Donna Casio! This is the first time that TNT will be celebrating its birthday bash outside of Iloilo (if I'm not mistaken, because we used to go to beaches and resorts in the province of Iloilo). In connection to this, I also heard that Bacolod is also slowly catching the TNT fever! Sa tanan nga mga Negrense, magbasa kita sang TNT para maging 'IN'. I hope you don't forget Rational Insanity na rin, which is also in its fifth year na this September! Whew! parang kelan lang yun;-)
Also, I would like to congratulate Che Che Lastimoso who opened Stages Dance and Arts Studio in Gaisano City Roxas yesterday. It offers classes in the different art genres like dance, voice, martial arts, crafts, creative writing, etc. Oh, and I will be teaching the creative writing classes which is open to all ages. I will also be doing one-on-one creative writing consultations to those who are interested. Enrollment begins today for regular classes and for individual consultations, schedules may be worked out. It's really nice that people are slowly beginning to realize the role of arts and culture in individual development. This also means something else; that the people of Roxas City have now transcended Maslow's hierarchy of needs and moved on to greater things! Good for you guys!
I would also like to welcome my dear Mam Zenny French to our News Today Family, she has began to write her column here last week. Check her out and learn a lot from this wonderful literaturist! I hope we have more writers like you here in TNT. By the way, Mam Zenny has repeatedly won the Homelife National Poetry contest, so hindi gid matawaran ang mga pangalan dito sa The News Today. Congrats Mam Zen and welcome to The News Today!
Likewise, I would like to send out my warmest congratulations to Mayor Vic Bermejo of Roxas City who had done a great job for Roxas City during the first year of his term. Mayor Vic has turned Roxas City into a truly wonderful Metropolis! He will be delivering his State of the City Address some time this month in a regular/special SP Session. Mayor Vic has remained faithful to his SULONG agenda and has achieved so much in the span of year. You ought to visit Roxas City now and see the changes for yourself. I hope to see you around! And I do hope that Mayor Vic would join TNT in celebrating its anniversary!
Be rational; be insane… every once in a while! TTFN!
I love you all! Byers!