Peñones translates Spanish poem
to Bikol
By Kristian S. Cordero
Bikol poet Francisco V. Peñones, Jr. is one of the regional
translators of Miguel Hernadez’s Spanish poems in a multi-lingual
anthology of the latter’s poetry. This will be the first time a
Spanish poet is translated into seven Filipino languages: Tagalog,
Cebuano, Pampagngo, Ilocano, Bikol, Ilonggo and Chabacano. This
opus is a collaboration of the Instituto de Cervantes and De la
Salle University to bring to the Filipino readers the poems of
Hernandez, who died at the tender age of 31 and considered as one
of the greatest Spanish poets of the 20th century.
Aside from Peñones, other award-winning poets in the Philippines
will translate Hernandez's masterpieces. This includes Marra Lanot,
Marjorie Evasco, Salvador Malig, Herminio Beltran, Jr., Alice Sun
Cua and Francis Macasantos.
The formal launching of the book and a poetry reading was held at
the RCBC Plaza in Manila on October 18 as part of the Fiesta, the
Spanish festival for culture and arts. Peñones attended the book
presentation and read his Bikol translations.
Frank Peñones is a recipient of various literary fellowships,
grants and awards namely the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Writing Grant for Bikol Poetry, Sumagang Awards for Literature,
1st Pedro Sabido Writing Grant, U.P. National Writers Workshop and
the Saint Peter Baptist Catholic Mass Media Awards. He is also an
active member of Kabulig-Bikol, the regional network of Bikol
writers and writes a regular column in one of the weeklies in the
region.
