IN anticipation of many events, including Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations, another book of poetry in Bikol was launched December 20, 2007 at the Instructional Media Center of the Ateneo de Naga University.
“Antisipasyon asin iba pang mga rawitdawit sa Bikol asin Ingles (Anticipation and other poems in Bikol and English)” by Vox Bikol columnist and Ateneo de Naga faculty member Victor Dennis T. Nierva, was launched with featured reviews of the book and readings of selected poems from the same book.
Noted Bikolano poets H. Francisco V. Peñones Jr. and Kristian S. Cordero delivered their respective reviews. Peñones cited the collections’ dominant character of being proleptic, that it is, “in the general tone of the poems where Nierva leaves his characteristic silent footprints.
In “Antisipasyon,” a speaker awaits with serene anxiety the arrival of something or somebody, only hinted at through the sparse words and the space pointed by the dash ‘between waiting and coming—,” which feels much like rainwater on the palms that is “...crystal-like,/ clinging to the strands of our hair, almost—/ almost, and yet not there,” Penones said.
In his review, Cordero considered “Antisipasyon” as “Nierva’s sensitive and heartfelt examination of his own Bikol, neglected, lost, and exploited, and yet also his own way of calling everyone to take part in its renaissance. He does this by recalling the happy moments of his own place, where he experienced the joy of his very childhood.”
Dr. Paz Verdades M. Santos, foremost critic of Bikol literature, also graced the event by reading the poem “Antisipasyon.”
Other readers were Dr. Ronald Elicay, Prof. Adonis Rugeria, Prof. Jose Federico Lagdameo, Mr. Noli Ayo, and several creative writing students of Ateneo de Naga. Also present were members of Kabulig-Bikol Writers’ Group, Ateneo faculty members and students, and promoters of Bikol literature.
“Antisipasyon” is composed of sixty-seven poems in Bikol with translations in English. Selected translations are by award-winning Bikolano poet and translator Marne L. Kilates, and Frank Peñones Jr.
The book is published by Naga-based Goldprint Publishing House. For order details, please contact 09293371588 or 09175012287.
