Saturday Get-Away

I was at Matabungkay last Saturday.
I attended a writing workshop with three distinguished writers as panelists, including Palanca Hall of Famer and Liwayway editor-in-chief Rey Duque and Dr. Landicho, who was recently recognized as UP professor emeritus. The participants in the said event (including me, of course!) are writers in a recently published book entitled “30 Piling Kuwento sa Taong 2003” – a compilation of “selected” (duh!) stories published in last year’s issues of Liwayway.
We, er, dissected three stories. The panelists preferred to call this part “pointing at the weak points and giving constructive criticisms”. But, I still think dissected is a more truthful term…
It might had been a “painful” experience for the writers of those three stories. One even cried –and I mean, literally- as her masterpiece was scrutinized, without even the tiniest detail spared. But, for most (if not for all) of the participants, it was indeed a learning encounter, an event that every writer should go through.
Another highlight of the event was the formal launching of KATINIG (Samahan ng mga Bagong Manunulat) and I was appointed as part of the interim board of directors.
After that, we were free to enjoy the beach as much as we want to. However, I was the only one among the ladies, who opted for a swim (or should I say “plunge” as I didn’t really know how to swim…). But, I didn’t mind if that meant going after the waves by myself. Last Saturday was just too beautiful to be missed…
-Rojan-