Page 10 - The Flame

Artlets professor launches

flash fiction book

By DENISE ANGELA E. SALAZAR
READERS of modern Filipino fiction are in for a new treat as Faculty of Arts and Letters (Art-
lets) professor and writer Eros Atalia launched his new book at the Thomas Aquinas Research
Complex Auditorium last November 28.
Atalia’s new book, Wag Lang ‘Di Makaraos–100 Dagli (Mga Kwentong Pasaway, Paaway,
at Pamatay) (Visual Print Enterprises, 2011), is a compilation of 100 flash fictions stories.
Attended by faculty members and students from different universities, the book launch
was graced by Artlets Dean Michael Anthony Vasco, Philippine Daily Inquirer Editor and the
Varsitarian Adviser Joselito Zulueta, University of the Philippines College of Mass Communi-
cation Dean Roland Tolentino, writers Jun Cruz Reyes and Efren Abueg, National Artist Bien-
venido Lumbera, and many other personalities in the field of Philippine literature.
“Bihira sa isang akademiko ang magkaroon ng balanseng pananaw sa kahalagahan sa
husay ng pagtuturo at malikhaing pagsusulat,” Vasco said in his opening remarks.
“Lalong bihira sa isang manunulat ang magkaroon ng talento sa pagpukaw ng buhay na Artistang Artlets showcased the two-part
halaw sa tunay na pangyayari sa mga imahinasyong pinanday ng malikhaing kaisipan at ak- play Hakbang at the Albertus Magnus Audi-
mang lengguwahe at tiyempo kung paano bibigyang-buhay ang mga nasabing kathang-isip torium last November.
at karanasan ng buhay,” he added. JULIA MAIRE P. FRANCISCO
Meanwhile, Zulueta said that Atalia’s work has a contemporary sensibility that never fails
to catch the attention of its readers. AA stages ‘Hakbang’
“Tinutugunan ng mga akda ni Eros ang mga pangangailangan ng mga Pilipino ngayon sa
babasahin–hindi lamang nakaaaliw kundi nakapupukaw din ng panlipunang usapin,” Zulueta By JERICHO LESTER M. VARGAS
said.
Unlike his other books that follow the typical novel structure, Atalia noted that this new IN AN attempt to bring the Arts and Letters
installation took him longer time to finish. (Artlets) community closer and more in-
“Ito ang pinakamatagal kong proyekto. ‘Yung ‘Peksman’ [Nagsisinungaling Ako], three volved to theatrical performances, the Artis-
months ko siyang naisulat. ‘Yung ‘Ligo na U, Lapit na Me,’ almost four months kong sinulat. tang Artlets (AA), the Faculty’s official theater
Pero itong 100 flash fictions, almost three years ko siyang sinulat at last leg na lang hindi ko guild, staged a two-part play entitled Hak-
pa matapus-tapos. Nasa 92 stories na ako, ‘yung walo ang pinakamahirap na matapos dahil bang at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium last
thematic ang mga ito,” Atalia said. November.
The two plays showcased in Hakbang in-
Age of independent films clude Taguan sa Puntod ni Elena and Huling
In the Filmmakers in Focus Forum held at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Atalia Ensayo Para Sa Iyo.
shared his views on his book Ligo na U, Lapit na me (Visual Print Enterprises, 2009) and the According to AA Artistic Director Jihad
prominence of independent films in the country Mambuay, both plays made use of the con-
Together with independent filmmaker Paul Soriano, Atalia gave a thorough discussion on cept of tension that pertains to “the relation-
the current matters and trends of Philippine cinema. He also shared the experiences he gained ship between two actors, between the actors
when his novel Ligo na U, Lapit na me was being produced as a Cinemalaya Film Festival entry. and audience, and how it eventually branch-
“Hindi ko talaga inaasahang magiging film siya. Surprisingly, si Noel Ferrer, yung producer es out into conflict.”
ng film, sinabi kay Jerry Gracio na scriptwriter at kaibigan ko na interesado silang gawin itong Written by Palanca award winner Layeta
pelikula,” Atalia told the aspiring filmmakers. “For the first time, mag-a-adapt sila ng novel Bucoy, Taguan sa Puntod ni Elena is a tragic
para sa Cinemalaya.” story that revolves among siblings who are
Atalia also mentioned that his next book, Bakit Hindi Pa Sasakupin ng mga Alien ang Daig- trapped in their own “made-up happiness”
dig sa 2012, will be published this year. while seeking the love and attention of a real
His other works include Taguan Pung (kalipunan ng mga akdang di pambata) at Man- family.
wal ng mga Napapagal (kopiteybol dedbol buk) (UST Publishing House, 2005); and Peksman, The other play, Huling Ensayo Para Sa Iyo,
(mamatay ka man) Nagsisinungaling Ako (Visual Print Enterprises, 2007). F was created by another Palanca award win-
ner Njel de Mesa. Its plot depicts the story
of a lover who prepared and practiced for
Arts and Letters professor Eros his girlfriend’s birthday surprise only to be
Atalia launched his new book caught off-guard with the inevitable turn of
Wag Lang ‘Di Makaraos–100 events that followed.
Dagli (Mga Kwentong Pas- According to Hakbang Director Sherina
away, Paaway, at Pamatay) at Mae Inza-Cruz, the two-part play was entitled
the Thomas Aquinas Research Hakbang to symbolize the closer interaction
Complex Auditorium last No- they tried to establish with the audience.
“We chose the title Hakbang because we
vember 28. His new work is a wanted to take a step toward the hearts and
compilation of 100 flash fiction minds of the audience,” said Cruz.
stories. AA already used this kind of staging be-
fore as shown in Anatomiya ng Pag-ibig and
ARKON D. DIA Fin. F

10 | FLAME