By Jenny Ortuoste
In line with its commitment to encourage Filipinos to express their thoughts and feelings through literary and visual arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Intertextual Division, will launch online the 41st edition of its official literary journal “Ani” on April 7.
Dubbed “Ani 41: Lakbay”, this year’s edition will feature multilingual Philippine literary works about travel, journeys, and roaming published as an e-book that will be accessible online for free.
Edited by award-winning writer and editor Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., with Mia P. Tijam as the special section editor, the literary journal features 146 literary works — travel essays, poems, short fiction, and other literary styles — selected from thousands of submissions sent in from different parts of the country and the world.
Of the 146 chosen works, 13 were written by persons with disability (PWDs) and persons affected by disability (PADs). These works make up the special section, with the goal of helping promote inclusivity in the publishing field.
The works are in English and in Philippine languages including Filipino, Bicol, Bicol Rinconada, Pangasinan, Cebuano, Visayan, Waray-waray, Iloko, Hiligaynon, Kankanaey, and Akeanon. Through a multilingual book, the CCP aims to engage the reading public in linguistic diversity.
Designed by art director Ronie Chua Padao, the book cover features a photograph titled “Bangka” taken by Marcellino C. Sanchez Jr. Artworks by Dominic Ian E. Cabatit, Fara Manuel-Nolasco, Jean Govinda Marquesto, Jerome Agustin, Kyle Alistair Tan, and Norma Jean Lopez serve as the dividers for the book.
“Ani: 41” launch details
To open the launch, CCP President Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso and Vice President and Artistic Director Chris B. Millado will give their messages.
These will be followed by a presentation of new works in various media created by artists in collaboration with Ani: 41 writers. “Pikpik,” a short story by Elizabeth Joy Quijano from Davao, will be turned into a video essay, while “Si Gol at ang Gintong Barko,” Paul John Padilla’s children’s story based on Catanduanes folklore, will be brought to life through the works of Shadow Ace, Sofia Jaira S. Manalo, and Posh Develos.
Music and spoken word will come together in a mash-up of Steffi Nucum’s poem “Inertia” and Jack Lorenz Acebedo Rivera’s “At Least?!” composed by Lolito Go and arranged by Karl Art, with the special participation of Bacolod singer Maria Margaret while Nerisa Del Carmen Guevara’s poem “Chicken Little” becomes a short film highlighting her work as performance artist, with some help from theater arts graduate Stacy Anne Santos. The Makatas will share their feedback as readers in the form of performance literature.
The Ani 41: Lakbay theme song composed by Karl Art and sung by Patti Langas will also be formally introduced. The sign language interpreter for the show, Ellainne Bugtong, is from Cebu. The Ani 41: Lakbay e-book will be made available to everyone for free download after the launch.
Directed by Jon Lazam, the online launch marks the CCP’s celebration of National Literature Month. Catch it on the official CCP and CCP Intertextual Division Facebook pages at 2:00 PM on April 7.
The writers of Ani: 41
The journal’s featured authors include: Adrian Pete Medina Pregonir, Al Joseph Lumen, Allan Popa, Angeline Bernadette Rodriguez Pancho, Anna Vanessa G. Miranda, Anthony B. Diaz, Anthony Gabumpa, Ariane Urayenza, Arnel T. Noval, Arnie Quibranza Mejia, Arnold M. Valledor, and Arthur David San Juan;
Basil Bacor, Jr., Benster G. Comia, Carl Lorenz G. Cervantes, Chelsey Keith P. Ignacio, Christine Marie Lim Magpile, Christine Siu Bellen-Ang, Cindy Velasquez, Claire Quilana, Cris R. Lanzaderas, Crystal Micah Urquico, Dennis Andrew S. Aguinaldo, Dexter Reyes, Dionisia B. Fernandez, and Dominique Garde-Torres;
Earl Carlo Guevarra, Edgar Bacong, Eilyn L. Nidea, Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, Elmer Del Moro Ursolino, Elvie Victonette B. Razon-Gonzalez, Emmanuel Lacadin, Epifanio San Juan, Jr., Eric P. Abalajon, Ernesto V. Carandang II, Fe M. Valledor, Fermin Antonio Del Rosario Yabut, Francisco Arias Monteseña, and Froy P. Beraña;
Genaro Gojo Cruz, Gerome De Villa, Gerome Nicolas Dela Peña, Gil S. Beltran, Gillian P. Reyes, Glen A. Sales, Gloria Antuerfia, Gregorio V. Bituin Jr., Heather Ann Ferrer Pulido, Helen Rose Roncal, and Honesto M. Pesimo Jr.;
Jack Lorenz Acebedo Rivera, Jaime Dasca Doble, Jaime Jesus Uy Borlagdan, James M. Fajarito, Jan Angelique Dalisay, Jane Tricia Cruz, Jason F. Pozon, Jayson V. Fajardo, Jeremie B. Joson, Jessie Ramirez, Jr., Jett Gomez, Joel Donato Ching Jacob, Joel F. Ariate Jr., Joel J. Clemente, John Christopher Endaya, John Jack G. Wigley, John Patrick F. Solano, John Paul Egalin Abellera, Jose Velando Ogatis I, and Juan Carlos Montenegro;
Kelvin Gatdula Lansang, Korina Muella, Larry Boy B. Sabangan, Ma. Steffi V. Nucum, Mac Andre Arboleda, Maffy Carandang, Maria Ella Betos, Maria Sophia Andrea Endrinal Rosello, Mark Anthony Angeles, Mark Norman S. Boquiren, Marren Araña Adan, Michael Andio Tagalog Suan, Napoleon Arcilla III, Natalie Pardo Labang, Nerisa Del Carmen Guevara, Nestor Librano Lucena, Nikki Mae Recto, Niño Manaog, and Norsalim S. Haron;
Paterno B. Baloloy Jr., Patricia May Labitoria, Paul Jerome Flor, Paul John C. Padilla, Paulene Abarca, Peter Michael C. Sandico, Priscilla Supnet Macansantos, Radney Ranario, Ramzzi Fariñas, Raphael A. Coronel, Raymond Calbay, Rene Boy. Abiva, Rene M. Raposon, Reynaldo M. Tamayo, Jr., Rhea Claire Madarang, Ricky C. Angcos, and Roland Peter J. Nicart;
Roman Marcial Gallego, Romeo Palustre Peña, Rommel Chrisden Rollan Samarita, Ronaldo D.S. Bernabe, Ronnel V. Talusan, Ronnie M. Cerico, Roy Rene S. Cagalingan, Ruth Chris Casaclang De Vera, Shur C. Mangilaya, Stefani J. Alvarez, Sooey Valencia, Tresia Siplante Traqueña, Wama A. Jorbina, Yanna Regina Mondoñedo, and Yvette Tan.
Video courtesy of CCP Intertextual Division
