From the Baguio Writers Group

For those who missed the fun Friday night at the Cafe by the Ruins, here's my report. The lights went out in downtown Baguio around 5 p.m.ish. At a little before 7 p.m. I texted Cafe manager Laida Lim Perez if we needed to reschedule the Flores de Mayo Poetry Reading and Singing to another day. She sounded optimistic so Desiree and I hied off to the Cafe. There were candles on each table and gaslight was turned on by the ancient stove where we requested we hold the reading/singing. As soon as Butch and Monica came in, we started the program despite the lack of power to run the sound system. Dinner was served to the participants as the program went on. We had a guest reader in Mickey Ybanez, friend of Jenny and a poet based in Dumaguete.

Every reader/singer had to throw his/her voice to be heard. In this aspect Butch was the champion. The fun of it was when I closed the program and thanked all the sponsors, then took my seat, the lights went on! Hay naku! Laida said something to the effect that our timing was great. A good time was had by all, and there were requests for a repeat, maybe on another theme. Next time siguro Frank does a solo stand-up to make up for all the times he let others read his poems.

Meanwhile, some dates to remember. First week of August is for the first draft of submissions to The Baguio Reader (anthology of prose & poetry on or about Baguio; this is a tentative title). Butch requests that hard copies of poetry and fiction be submitted to him. We still have to find an editor for the creative non-fiction (essays).

August is also for the biographical workshop for adults and senior citizens. Laida and Merci Dulawan have agreed to conduct the three-Saturday workshop (Aug. 11, 18 and 25) to be held 9 a.m.-12 noon. We're still scouting for a venue and hope that Baboo can convince the Country Club to co-sponsor the event, provide a small function room and serve the snacks and limitless coffee. Of course, we'll charge the participants a fee which will cover workshop kit, materials and snacks. Any suggestions on how much we will charge? We have to take into consideration that we will also pay the workshop facilitators a good honoraria.

If you wish to meet before school opens, please tell me. Thank you. -- Babeth