What I could have learned from Mr. Icban
Manila Bulletin|April 11, 2021
Mr. Icban never really noticed me, until I wrote a poem.
AA PATAWARAN
What I could have learned from Mr. Icban

I attended the 10day Singapore Writers Festival and brought home with me this burning desire to write in verse. I used to write poetry as a kid, but I outgrew it. While working for glossy magazines, I started writing poetry again to accompany the fashion editorials or travel photographs when, instead of facts, what I would like to convey was a mood or an atmosphere— but moving to the newspaper, I had this mistaken notion that there was no room for poetry in the news, even in the lifestyle beat.

“Poet ka pala. You are a poet,” said Mr. Icban, when my coverage of the writers’ festival came out in the lifestyle section of this paper. I was overwhelmed by the many voices and the many writing styles I encountered during the two-week-long writing congregation that, instead of a straight-up report or an elaborate essay, I decided to write about it in the form of a poem I called “A Few Words to Our Poets in Hiding.”

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MANILA BULLETINView all
Taking care of older persons is the collective concern of the citizenry
Manila Bulletin

Taking care of older persons is the collective concern of the citizenry

The International Day of Older Persons is observed on Oct. 1 each year.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 1, 2021
Promoting safe driving in the new normal
Manila Bulletin

Promoting safe driving in the new normal

Ford Driving Skills for Life

time-read
2 mins  |
October 1, 2021
ON MANNY PACQUIAO - You're the greatest – Roach
Manila Bulletin

ON MANNY PACQUIAO - You're the greatest – Roach

From one legend to another.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 1, 2021
NAT'L BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - PAY CUTS FOR NO VAX PLAYERS
Manila Bulletin

NAT'L BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION - PAY CUTS FOR NO VAX PLAYERS

NBA poises crackdown on those who refuse to get vaccinated

time-read
1 min  |
October 1, 2021
Duterte renews commitment to infra dev't
Manila Bulletin

Duterte renews commitment to infra dev't

With only months left in his term, President Duterte reassured the public that his administration remains committed to its promise of infrastructure development aimed at making the Philippines a progressive nation.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 1, 2021
Sustain Our Teachers' Enthusiasm; Enable Young Learners To Hurdle The Learning Crisis
Manila Bulletin

Sustain Our Teachers' Enthusiasm; Enable Young Learners To Hurdle The Learning Crisis

For 10 years now, the period from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 of every year has been observed as National Teachers Month (NTM), by virtue of President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Proclamation No. 242. The observance culminates on Oct. 5 that, by virtue of Republic Act 10743, is observed as World Teachers Day (WTD) and National Teachers Day (NTD) pursuant to a UNESCO mandate.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 30, 2021
Love knows no borders
Manila Bulletin

Love knows no borders

Pangasinense couple weds at checkpoint

time-read
3 mins  |
September 30, 2021
The Next Election Is No Waste Of Time
Manila Bulletin

The Next Election Is No Waste Of Time

An appeal to the young who can influence the outcome of the upcoming elections

time-read
4 mins  |
September 29, 2021
US Olympian Biles Says She Should've Quit Earlier
Manila Bulletin

US Olympian Biles Says She Should've Quit Earlier

Gymnastics

time-read
1 min  |
September 29, 2021
Drones And Jets: China Shows Off New Air Power
Manila Bulletin

Drones And Jets: China Shows Off New Air Power

ZHUHAI, China (AFP) — China on Tuesday showed off its increasingly sophisticated airpower including surveillance drones and jets able to jam hostile electronic equipment, with an eye on disputed territories from Taiwan to the South China Sea and rivalry with the United States.

time-read
1 min  |
September 29, 2021