[poptastic: a state of happiness]
One can’t be quite sure how Urban Dictionary, or humans (so to speak), come up with new words, which is probably as often as babies are popped into this planet, but this word here, poptastic, has sure captured the promise of the event below: that something good is going to happen.
This year’s international literary festival in the country is dubbed “Text and the City” and one of its highlights is “POPtastik Pinoy!” – panel talks on Philippine literature in text, komiks, TV, radio and film. It will be on November 15 (Friday) 10:00 am – 5:00 pm at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.
To us who grew up consuming pop culture, this is a special treat, especially when topics cover Pop Lit in graphic novels and TV among others. There’s also “Kwentuhan on Komiks” and “Writing in Different Genres.” The coolest part is attendees will get certificates of participation.
All panel discussions are FREE to the first 100 participants to register!
Among the panel discussants and moderators are comic artists Manix Abrera, Noel Pascual, AJ Bernardo, Karen Francisco, and Budjette Tan; novelists Eros Atalia, Luna Sicat Cleto, and Edgar Samar; scriptwriter Suzette Doctolero; fictionists Sarge Lacuesta, Efren Abueg, and Yvette Tan; journalists Ruel de Vera and Kristine Fonacier; and Prof. Patrick Campos.
Korean-American writer Krys Lee will discuss her short story compilation Drifting House. Lee will be joined by Sarge Lacuesta, Andrea Pasion-Flores, and Kristine Fonacier for a flash fiction writing masterclass, “City Fiction 100,” while other pocket lectures are being held in the Ayala Museum function rooms.
Writer Isagani R. Cruz will also hold a seminar on “How to write a book” for professional and amateur writers. Garitony Nicolas will also share his experience of publishing his own books with the help of Central Books, the first publisher-on-demand in the Philippines.
POPtastik Pinoy! is organized by the National Book Development Board, together with UP, ADMU, DLSU, UST, Filipinas Heritage Library, and Ayala Museum.
The LitFest will stretch to the following week at the Ayala Malls. On November 17, a marathon of GMA films will be held at the New Glorietta Activity Center, along with a mini fair for indie komiks creators and sellers and small or independent publishers. The public can also view GMA 7 telefantasya costumes at Ground Floor Greenbelt 3 from November 18 to 24.
Shoot questions to Verne Ahyong of the Ayala Museum at 759-8288 (loc 46) or ahyong.vy@ayalafoundation.org. To register, call Marj Villaflores at 759-8288 local 25, or email litfest@filipinaslibrary.org.ph