Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Taga-uma*@Korea

I remember Genevieve or 'Bevs' during our freshman year in U.P. Visayas (Miagao, Iloilo) as the girl who usually sits in the front row, throwing witty insights with a dose of sarcasm to our professors. In her petite but strong-willed frame, and proud Kinaray-a (from Antique) accent, we knew she was deemed for bigger things. Little did we know that it would all come too soon for her.

Genevieve L. Asenjo is perhaps the most celebrated alumna of our class in the Humanities. She earned her first Don Carlos Palanca Memorial award for Literature at 22 (Hiligaynon short story tagauma@manila), published her first collection of short stories at 25, (Taga-uma@manila kag iba pa nga pakipagsapalaran (A collection of Short Story in Kinaray-a) and a PhD in Literature at 28 (High Distinction and Outstanding Dissertation Award) . From 2003 to present, she is an Assistant Professor at De La Salle University in Manila.
Currently on leave for a study grant here in S. Korea, she explores this part of the peninsula with childlike enthusiasm. Hangeul classes at the Korea University are part of her daily routine aside from the cultural tours integrated within the program. She's also keen on exploring and researching for some new material for a new project. Perhaps a novel, a prose, a screenplay...who knows? And yes, if you ask her why she is in Korea she'll straightforwardly tell you...'To fall in love!"

Despite all her nakaka-windang accolades, she still remains to be the same charming, down-to-earth Bevs that we knew.

How did your writing career began?
I was discovered in a literary event in UPV during my last year in college. I was invited to pursue my master’s degree in DLSU, and was offered an entry position as faculty.

What’s the transition like coming from UP to La Salle?
My first job was like on a different status. Sort of a culture shock. I didn’t know at first how to grade! But everyone was helpful so it was not really that difficult.

What are your impressions of South Korea and the Koreans?
Seoul is cleaner and more organized than Manila. I was amazed sa dami ng flowers! On my first day, I was tempted to pick up some roses down the walls in the neighborhood. Bigla kong naisip, baka may law and there would be a headline: "Filipina, arrested for picking roses in Seoul"! Katakot!

What are your insights about Pinoys in Korea?
During mass on Sundays sa Hyewa, ang daming lalaki. Obviously, mga lalaki ang pumupunta dito para mag-work. Ang available na work para sa mga lalaki. Napaiyak ako noong una, thinking ito ang mga magulang na may mga pamilya na naiwan, iniwan sa Pinas, at nangungulila rito kasi ako nga, nalulungkot e.

Favorite Korean food?
Bibimbap! I'm fine with Korean food. Lahat makain ko, actually. Di lang masyadong nakakabusog kaya on the first week weeks, feeling ko palagi akong gutom.

Can you recommend some notable Korean literature.
Marami magagaling, mahirap nga lang ang mga pangalan! Saka ito 'yong 'serious literature'. Gusto ko ang isa sa pinakasikat nilang poet, si Ko Un. Kaya lang matanda na. Nakapunta ito sa 'Pinas. Ipinanganak siya during the Japanese occupation at naging Buddhist monk after the Korean war. Doon siya simulang nagsulat. Then lumabas din at nag-asawa ng isang literature prof. O, di ba?... Nakakainggit na they are really writing in Korean. Nakakamangha na ang binabasa nila - like Harry Potter - in Korean translation. In short, they are reading the world in their own language. Mismo!

What’s the direction of Phil Literature in your opinion?
I think we are doing fine sa Phil. Lit. Most academe based nga lang. We are writing in different Phil. languages and nagpa-publish na rin ngayon internationally other than 'yong mga matatandang writers. Last year, Filipino ang nanalo ng grand prize sa Man Asia Literary Award. Ito ang isang prestigious award sa Asia. Novel ito in English. This year, andaming nasa shortlist. Visit panitikan.com.ph. Dito mababasa ang ilan sa mga works ng maraming magagaling na Pinoy writers.

Do you have any special projects in Korea?
I volunteered for Sulyapinoy and they scheduled me for a talk on Sept. 27 (tentative date) after the mass. Literature and globalization ang general topic. Philippine-Korea ang context. Baka mag-facilitate rin ako ng writers workshop sa grupo ng mga Filipino women married to Korean sa Busan sometime in October. I'm trying to write my projects - poetry and fiction - aside from my official activities here that include studying Hangeul and doing cultural tours.

What's the next step for you in the Philippines?
My next book, my first novel, is coming out this December. The title is "Lumbay ng Dila" (Loneliness of Tongue).You can read the first few chapters on this link. http://www.philjol.info/philjol/index.php/IDEYA/article/viewArticle/952.

Dr. Genevieve L. Asenjo is a poet, fictionist, researcher, translator, cultural worker, and Assistant Professor at De La Salle University-Manila. She is the author of Pula ang Kulay ng Text Message (University of San Agustin Press, 2006), a poetry collection in Kinaray-a and Filipino, and taga-uma@manila kag iba pa nga pakipagsapalaran (NCCA, 2005), a collection of stories in Kinaray-a. She is a three-time Don Carlos Palanca awardee for her stories in Hiligaynon and two-time Home Life Magazine awardee for her poems in Filipino. She is a member of Philippine International-PEN, Philippine Studies Association, and the NCCA Translation Committee. She has published in national anthologies, magazines, and journals. She has earned writing fellowships and served as panelist in writing workshops. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in Literature at DLSU.
Source: Mothertongue Publishing Inc.


*Taga-uma - in the Hiligaynon dialect, pertaining to a person living or hailing from the countryside or with provincial roots.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Hyewha on a Sunday

Hyewha-dong is the Pinoys' "melting pot" in Seoul. Never could one imagine a crowd of Filipinos in all forms and sizes, in mother tongues so diversed, could assemble in one little 'Bayan' --not even in Quiapo nor Divisoria.

The Hyewha Catholic Church serves as the Pinoys' comfort zone on a Sunday. Tagalog mass is conducted at 1:30pm. For somebody like me who would usually take hearing mass for granted, I was moved by the simple "Alleluia" being sang in Filipino.
Kudos to the awesome Pinoy all-male choir!


And what better way to celebrate a Sunday but to satisfy our craving for some Pinoy comfort food! Carinderias sprout everywhere the area on this busy day. A set meal could start from 5,000 won which includes 2 ulam, soup and rice even good for 2! (as in lamon to!) I was too absorbed in eating my sisig and bakareta that I forgot to take some shots! Street food from bananacue to squid balls shouldn't be missed as well! A bonus to other foreigners is that vendors can speak both in English and in Korean!

Here's the
palengke-day scene outside the church.


HOT vendors Piolo and Sam...joke lang po!



Canned goods to bring home!



Only in the Philippines...balut and mangga!



The Palenkeras and Palengkero...
Myself, writer-friend Gen Asenjo, on a study grant hiatus and Zach of Sulyapinoy.org!


Friday, August 21, 2009

Dae Jang Geum Theme Park

And so we were bored on a scorching Sunday afternoon. How redundant can it get? Husband and I decided to take a little tour not very far from where he lived. And guess what was there all along? The Dae Jang Geum Theme Park! Yes, the site of the famous drama Dae Jang Geum or "Jewel in the Palace".

We were two strangers trying to 'acquaint' ourselves with this quaint theme park. Me, perhaps being the only Filipino who has not seen the drama, and him enjoying his first visit after almost 15 years. Once it was just a park open to public built by MBC TV station, then reconstructed into a drama set in 2003. I can't believe he never attempted to sneak in to watch the filming inside when this place is almost just across his street! Tsk, tsk...


Lee Young-Ae is even her favorite actress!


Costumes for Rent

MBC Studios
The soccer field at the foreground where he used to play when he was young.

Moi, trying hard to be an almighty kusinera!

Entrance fee: 5,000 won
(1,000W discount for Yangju City residents)
Tour duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Killing time while tripping down memory lane: Priceless
! 

How to get here: take Seoul Metro Line 1. Get off at Yangju Station exit 1 and cross the street. A local Yellow bus marked DaeJangeum Thema Park (#2-4) leaves approx. every 5 minutes.

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Tao lang...

The picture can speak for itself....until you read the caption!!!Manila Bulletin 'to ha!!!

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Tita Cory

The tearful Philippine skies were almost like a prelude to the Filipinos mourning over Cory Aquino's passing. From the first day of our week-long trip down to the last, the skies were all but gloomy. Our beach front rooms in Boracay were of no use except for viewing the swaying coconut trees. The pool-resort I reserved in Bacolod only served as backdrop to the daily downpour. Nevertheless, the trip was a memorable one for all of us. With some major and minor nuances also meant to be forgotten. Still, I'm thankful that we're back in Korea all in one piece.

On our last day, Sunday, we took Cebu Pacific's first flight out from Bacolod to Manila (better early than rushing to our flight back to Korea at around 3pm). I was still heady and delirius while chatting with my friend Dulce whom we met in Makati. And when the newspaper-boy passed by with this image on the front page I just gasped like I completely understood it. And my friend confirmed, 'Yes,
day...last night'. (Btw, no newspapers on Cebu Pacific's discounted flights on economy class, local and international...nor food and water! buti na lang may upuan! hehe...)


Here are some photos from The Philippine Star's inside spread tribute.

1986 Inauguration and People Power Rallies.

Cory and Ninoy's Wedding Day in 1954.

Cory as a young Kulasa. She was valedictorian in elementary school.

Prayer for a Happy Death
by Corazon C. Aquino

(written while she was still in good health.
from The Philippine Star August 2, 2009)


Almighty God, most merciful Father
You alone know the time
You alone know the hour
You alone know the moment
When I shall breathe my last.

So, remind me each day,
Most loving Father
To be the best that I can be.
To be humble, to be kind,
To be patient to be true
To embrace what is good,
To reject what is evil,
To adore only You.

When that final moment does come,
Let not my loved ones grieve for long.
Let them comfort each other
And let them know how happiness
They brought into my life.
Let them pray for me,
As I will continue to pray for them,
Hoping that they will always pray for each other

Let them know that they made possible
Whatever good I offered in our world.
And let them realize that our separation
Is just for a short while
As we prepare for our reunion in eternity.

Our Father in heaven,
You alone are my hope,
You alone are my salvation.
Thank you for your unconditional love.
Amen.

Farewell, Tita Cory!
Thank you for making us believe in Democracy.
May your legacy remain in all of us.