September is memory written on the pages of our nation’s history. And because memory fades and history can be left to gather dust and grow dim on the shelves of time, the Philippines Graphic took to Literature to illuminate memory through the life and works of September-born 1990 National Artist Francisco “Franz” Arcellana (Sept. 6, 1916-Aug. 1, 2002).
Written by his son—poet-editor and twice Palanca winner for poetry Juaniyo Arcellana— “Father the griffin” is an intimate 12-page essay on a man who dedicated his life to poetry, fiction, and the tending of young students venturing into the world of creative writing.
It is with sheer enjoyment that we share with our readers this exceptional recollection of a literary life caught in words and pictures, a period when the giants of Philippine literature came together to usher the dawn of the modern Filipino short story in English and much later, the inevitable parting of the literary sea during a time of grievous political tumult in Philippine history.
True, the pandemic may have robbed us of our chance to give recognition to the poets and fictionists of our time. But it did not succeed in depriving the Philippines Graphic of the opportunity to devote its pages to the life and works of the best and the brightest in Philippine literature.
As a bonus, we included in this issue, Francisco Arcellana’s “The Mats.”
Youth hugs the ages and rises to a new generation of dreams and nightmares. And so it is with 21-year-old poet Julian Miguel Bondoc Alquinto, our featured personality in the People Section of the Philippines Graphic.
The only child of Philippine Daily Inquirer photographer-poet Joan Bondoc and photojournalist Mike Alquinto, the young Julian has been writing poetry since the age of nine and is a three-time winner in the Children’s Museum and Library Incorporated (CMLI) on-the-spot poetry writing contest.
Torn between hope and despair, Julian’s poetry finds resonance in the favored expression of today’s youth—the rap.
Change in lifestyle is the hallmark of the New Normal.
We feature Rio Constantino’s engaging essay on the decline of the dine-in and the emergence of home cooks and amateur bakers in his piece, “Kitchen confidence: Pandemic essentials.”
Constantino is a 22-year-old writer and volunteer to an international non-government organization that addresses the issue of climate change.
Thomas Wiersing, Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation to the Philippines, takes us back to the years 1994 to 1995 and to life as it was in Germany and France when he was 25.
The 1990s was a decade of social, cultural, and political upheavals in Europe. News of the tragic death of Filipino OFW Flor Contemplacion likewise traveled to that part of the world around that time.
Wiersing writes about his experiences in the midst of these developments—life encounters that would shape his world view as a future European diplomat and global citizen.
We view Science & Technology with an enlightening discussion on the much-vaunted DOST-Planades Settlement Model Training Module by multi-awarded S&T editor Lyn B. Resurreccion and segue into Wellness with editor Anne Ruth Dela Cruz’ highly informative piece on diabetic retinopathy.
Finally, we bring you COOK Magazine’s September offering, combining fragrant blooms and delicious sweets in one bite.
There is also a visit to Mamma Mia at the Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. This quintessential Italian restaurant offers savory delights that are available for delivery, take out, and pick-up.
