SUNDAY BLESSINGS

EVENT REPORT:

Today was the Methodist Book Launch (so to speak, and it amuses me to speak of it as such) of AMNESIA: Somebody’s Memoir at the Saint Helena Methodist Church. It was one of the best poetry reading experiences of my life and shows just how fruitful it can be for poets to go beyond the usual literary world contexts for presenting their poems. And thanks to Leny Strobel and Cal for attending. Leny, as my bookseller during the reception, sold out my books and folks put in several orders—never had the book bag been so light after a poetry reading. She and I just may launch a reading tour of the Methodists churches in wine country! 

But what I also want to say is how synchronistically the poems ended up addressing the events of the week. There was the line “I forgot it need not take more than one person to bring the world to ruin…” which I’d written *after* the Greek Myth of Helen and the Trojan War, and yet came to address refugee matters. And when I introduced a poem partly inspired by the Philippines, unplanned by me came the line, “I just wanted to say I’m an immigrant too…” As well, it was good to share the line, “I forgot Muhammad welcoming Jews and Christians for they, too, are 'People of the Book.'" The best poems transcend authorial intent to befit whatever times surface in life, out of the poet’s control. I’m grateful I discovered some of my poems work in this manner.

I learned, too, that the cello (and piano, except that the cello was a revelation) is a wonderful accompaniment to my poems courtesy of the Napa Valley Duo. As well, I was blessed by the company of Linda Lang’s artworks. Anyway, my heart is full. Thank you, Universe. 

 (Rev. Audrey and Leny Strobel)

 (artist Linda Lang)

While my reading focused on AMNESIA, I also read poems from FOOTNOTES TO ALGEBRA and THE LIGHT SANG AS IT LEFT YOUR EYES:

Of course, I was blessed, too, to be in the company of Micah, Matthew, and Chopin.

Matthew

Micah

Chopin

And afterwards, the stillness of peace:

THE LITERATURE OF THE PHILIPPINES' MARTIAL LAW

The Philippines just held its elections, electing a President who's been described as possessing dictatorial tendencies, and the son of Ferdinand Marcos being a close second in the Vice Presidential race (in the Philippines the races for President and Vice President are conducted individually/separately).  This makes all the more timely the following list (the link is a Facebook link):

A Working List of Martial Law Literature


About my inclusion, I said on Facebook:

I AM VERY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS LIST. In poetry I have only one loyalty and it's not to a particular community, country, political bent or trends concocted within the so-called literary industrial complex. Having said that, it would have been ridiculous for a writer of my age and roots not to be on this list. I actually have an unpublished short story manuscript on this theme -- I say that only to stress that this poet of Beauty does not believe she lives in a vacuum. I am very proud to be on this list.

I represent through the following poems and short stories -- and am proud to represent:

POEMS:
“List(ing) Poem: Towards the New Filipino Society” by Eileen Tabios  (1)

“My City of Baguio” by Eileen Tabios  (2 and 3)

“The Rebel’s Son” by Eileen Tabios  (4)

“What Can A Daughter Say?” by Eileen Tabios (2 and 3)

SHORT STORIES:
“Negros” by Eileen R. Tabios

“Force Majeure” by Eileen Tabios

“The Man in a White Suit” by Eileen Tabios

“Redeeming Memory” by Eileen Tabios

*****

(1) Featured in I TAKE THEE, ENGLISH, FOR MY BELOVED
(2) Featured in THE THORN ROSARY
(3) Featured in The Light Sang As It Left Your Eyes: Our Autobiography
(4) Featured in Beyond Life Sentences

THE HALO-HALO REVIEW IS FRESH!

You can go directly to The Halo-Halo Review's Mangozine #2, but here also is the Table of Contents for convenience below.

THE HALO-HALO REVIEW'S MANGOZINE, Issue 2

In addition to aggregating reviews from the internet, THE HALO-HALO REVIEW presents The Mangozine which features new reviews and serves as the online publisher for reviews and other engagements (e.g. book introductions) published in print but not yet available within the internet.  Other features, including author interviews and reader testimonials, also will be presented. The following presents a Table of Contents for Issue 2 -- CLICK on links to go to the reviews.

Editor's Note:  Welcome to the second issue of THE HALO-HALO REVIEW where we provide engagements with Filipin@ literature and authors through reviews and engagements, interviews and other prose. We hope readers, writers and publishers will continue to participate and share information about numerous Filipino authors and the wide variety of their writings. 

The Mangozine's Review Copy information is HERE; you are encouraged to fatten up the list as well as pick some to review! Submission deadline for the third issue has been set at July 15, 2016 (though I will take reviews sooner than the deadline if that is more convenient for the reviewers).
Eileen Tabios' Editor's Note continues over HERE. 



I.  NEW REVIEWS AND ENGAGEMENTS

Four books by R. Zamora Linmark: Rolling the R's (Kaya Press, New York, 1997); Prime Time Apparitions (Hanging Loose Press, Brooklyn, 2005); The Evolution of a Sigh (Hanging Loose Press, Brooklyn, 2008); and LECHE (Coffee House Press, Minneapolis, 2011). Engaged by Sheila Bare

"The Boatman's Spine Poetry," a poem and sculpture by Aileen Ibardaloza (2015). Engaged by Eileen R. Tabios

After projects the resound by Kimberly Alidio (Black Radish Books, 2016). Engaged by Marthe Reed

Angel De La Luna and the 5th Glorious Mystery by M. Evelina Galang (Coffee House Press, Minneapolis, 2013). Reviewed by Amadio Arboleda

COURT OF THE DRAGON by Paolo Javier (Nightboat Books, New York, 2015). Reviewed by Chris Mansel

INVENT(ST)ORY: Selected Catalog Poems & New 1996-2015 by Eileen R. Tabios (Dos Madres Press, Loveland, OH, 2015). Reviewed by Neal Leadbeater

Hollywood Starlet by Ivy Alvarez (Dancing Girl Press, 2015). Reviewed by Rebecca Loudon

Three books by Albert E. Alejo: Tao Po! Tuloy! Isang Landas ng Pagunawa sa Loob ng Tao (Ateneo de Manila University Office of Research and Publications, 1990); Generating Energies In Mount Apo: Cultural Politics In A Contested Environment  (Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2001); and Nabighani: Mga Saling Tula ng Kapwa Nilikha (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House, 2015). Engaged by Leny M. Strobel

Bridgeable Shores: Selected Poems (1969-2001) by Luis Cabalquinto (Kaya Press / Galatea Speaks, New York, 2001). Reviewed by Neal Leadbeater

THE BEAUTY OF GHOSTS: Five Voices: A Theater of Poetry by Luis H. Francia (Ateneo de Manila University Press, Quezon City, 2010). Engaged by Eileen R. Tabios

Her Wild American Self by M. Evelina Galang (Coffee House Press, Minneapolis, 1996). Reviewed by Amadio Arboleda

Reproductions of the Empty Flagpole by Eileen R. Tabios (Marsh Hawk Press, New York, 2002). Reviewed by Monica Manolachi

Names Above Houses by Oliver de la Paz (Southern Illinois University Press / Crab Orchard Series in Poetry, 2001). Reviewed by Cristina Querrer

Bistro Filipino Book edited by Yolanda Perez Johnson, with Contributor Chef Rolando Laudico (Soumak Collections, Inc., Manila, 2014). Engaged by Jeannie Yniguez

Disturbance by Ivy Alvarez (Seren Books, Wales, 2013). Reviewed by Nicholas Whitehead

Tattered Boat by Luis H. Francia (University of the Philippines Press, Quezon City, Philippines, 2014). Reviewed by Rhett Pascual

Two books by R. Zamora Linmark: Rolling the R's (Kaya, New York, 1997) and LECHE (Coffee House Press, Minneapolis, 2011). Reviewed by Justine Villanueva

FOOTNOTES TO ALGEBRA: Uncollected Poems 1995-2009 by Eileen R. Tabios (BlazeVOX [books], New York, 2009). Reviewed by Chris Mansel



II. AUTHOR INTERVIEWS, POST-BOOK

Paolo Javier, Post-Court of the Dragon  (Nightboat Books, New York, 2015) 

Kristine Ong Muslim, Post-Age of Blight (Unnamed Press, Los Angeles, 2016)



III. READERS SHOW SOME LOVE TO FILIPINO AUTHORS

Go HERE to see the Love expressed by the following:

Eileen Tabios on Jessica Hagedorn

Tony Robles on Marianne Villanueva

Eileen Tabios on Nick Carbo 

Jason Koo on Patrick Rosal

Metta Sáma on Barbara Jane Reyes

Dave Bonta on Luisa A. Igloria

Cristina Querrer on Bino A. Realuyo

Paul Pines and John Bloomberg-Rissman on Eileen Tabios

IV. FROM OFFLINE TO ONLINE

Reviews
Magdalena by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard (Plain View Press, Austin, TX , 2002). Reviewed by Eileen R. Tabios for Babaylan Speaks (now offline)



From Books: Introductions, Prefaces, Forewords, Afterwords and Author's Notes

Nick Carbo introduces RETURNING A BORROWED TONGUE (Coffee House Press, Minneapolis, Minn., 1996)

Oliver de la Paz introduces Little Anodynes by Jon Pineda (The University of South Carolina Press, Columbia, SC, 2015)

Luis H. Francia presents an introductory excerpt to his EYE OF THE FISH: A Personal Archipelago (Kaya Press, New York, 2001)

Cecilia M. Brainard introduces A LA CARTE FOOD & FICTION, Collected and Edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and Marily Ysip Orosa  (Anvil, Philippines, 2007 and an Ebook published by PALH, CA)

Lolan Buhain Sevilla and Roseli Ilano introduce WALANG HIYA: literature taking risks toward liberatory practice (Carayan Press, San Francisco, 2010)

Thomas Fink introduces INVENT(ST)ORY: Selected Catalog Poems & New 1996-2015 by Eileen R. Tabios (Dos Madres Press, Loveland, OH, 2015)

HERE COMES THE SUN!

It was such a joy last night to go to a wonderful bookstore, Napa Bookmine, and help celebrate the release of Leza Lowitz's latest book, a wonderful memoir HERE COMES THE SUN: A JOURNEY TO ADOPTION IN 8 CHAKRAS.  I read the book in manuscript and it is as wonderful and innovative as Leza's popular poetry book which I also highly recommend, YOGA POEMS: LINES TO UNFOLD BY. Here are some shots from the reading as she's introduced by Napa Bookmine owner Naomi Chamblin, as she read, and as she signed books.

(Click on images to enlarge)

In the audience was vintner and major poetry supporter Bunnie Finkelstein of Judd's Hill Winery.  We posed together below because there is a less-than-six-degrees connection among us, though I haven't seen both ladies in over a decade. Bunnie and Judd's Hill sponsors a poetry contest. Though I don't usually enter such contests, I did years ago because I had just moved from New York to Napa Valley. I forget the year but, that year, I lost to this lady named "Leza Lowitz." Miffed (well, not really but, still aiming for that grand prize of a 3-litter bottle of cabernet etched in gold and hand-painted), I entered again the following year. To my non-miffedness, I won* and got that bottle. So here we are all pleased with each other:

Seeing two of her winners tonight, Bunnie had a grand idea of doing a poetry reading inviting all the winners of Judd's Hill's annual poetry contest.  Dear Bunnie: I am soooo...o....o there!

As for Leza, I actually met her not through the contest but at another reading. She came to be a supporter of my work and I of hers -- it's a wonderful relationship and friendship!

Click on the above links to the book titles to see more information about Leza's books!


_____
* The winning poem "Justice" is available in FOOTNOTES TO ALGEBRA.

ALL VOICED UP!

The current issue of Our Own Voice is generous to me.  Thank you Reme Grefalda and Aileen Ibardaloza for featuring, not just Mom’s reminiscences of me as a toddler-writer, but

--a poem from AMNESIA: SOMEBODY’S MEMOIR: “I Forgot All Ancestors” 

--a review of FOOTNOTES TO ALGEBRA.  Here's excerpt of review:

[Tabios’] “poetry” may be “inherently a matter of interconnections,” but the principle of “a word arbitrarily place next to another” is not going to guarantee the collection of generative interconnections; the poet needs to have written the poems carefully and then to have thought vigorously enough to establish effective groupings. And she did. … When Tabios’ poetry simultaneously enables the reader to contemplate the significance of the “frame” of words and to “see/ Beyond the frame” to “another possibility,” its algebra is most enticing and acute.

--my interview with poet Patrick Rosal about his breakdancer drawings:

"Patrick Rosal: Sketching the Energy of Breakdancers" 

--a review of my three 2014 released poetry collections: SUN STIGMATA, 44 RESURRECTIONS and 147 MILLION ORPHANS. Here are excerpts from the review:

On Sun Stigmata 

With few exceptions, the titles of the poems in this collection begin with an open bracket as if they are being written in parenthesis. To my mind this is because they seek to offer an elaboration or a rephrasing on something that has gone before. Interestingly, the brackets are never closed. This is the parenthesis that offers a space, a digression, an interlude that Tabios leaves for the reader. It is up to the reader to complete whatever it is that he or she discovers in the poem and then to close that bracket. It is a mechanism that allows the poem to breathe, to resonate in all its nuances, much as a person might stand before a painting and not move away from it until its impact has been experienced in full. 

 In the opening section, “My Greece,” Tabios gives hints as to the strategy she will adopt as a writer. She will embrace unpredictability, she will not be constrained by narrative, she will appeal to the emotions, write from the heart as well as the head, and escape chaos through the creation of art. She is attracted by the statue of the Kritios Boy because it breaks with tradition by shifting away from a rigid full-frontal position, the right leg slightly bent, the whole statue immortalized in hesitation. In “Purity” she laments how a square canvas depicts a square and a circular canvas depicts a circle. In contrast to such dull predictability, she wants her writing to flow like “a menstruation—ooze with a viscous intensity unmitigated by geometry.” 

 On 147 MILLION ORPHANS 

This is a book that offers up some powerful thought-provoking messages. It deserves to be heard because it speaks out against social injustice and brings to light the shocking plight of those who have no voice of their own. 

 

On 44 RESURRECTIONS 

The overall effect is often one of the beginning of a story or series of stories which the reader is left to complete because once again Tabios has allowed us the freedom to indulge in the realm of our own imaginations. Isn’t that one of the things that all great poetry should really be about?

I guess I've been busy....