Aklanon Literature Archive

Aklanon Literature Archive

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

The Renaissance of Aklanon Literature

By Melchor F. Cichon

Updated: February 22, 2007

Read during the First Provincial Conference on Aklanon History, Culture and Society, Second Floor, Capt.
Gil M. Mijares Bldg., 19 Martyrs St., Kalibo, Aklan, April 21, 2006.

The word Aklanon has two meanings. It may refer to the natives of Aklan and to their language. Aklanon
literature refers to all kinds of literary works in any languages written by Aklanons, either published or
unpublished. But it can also refer to the kind of literature written by Aklanons in their native language. In
this paper, unless stated, Aklanon literature refers to the kind of literature written by Aklanons in their
own language. For several decades now Aklanons have been writing literary pieces in Spanish, Tagalog,
Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a. Surprisingly, this writer has discovered that Aklanons have been writing poems in
Aklanon since 1568. In 1925, Gabriel M. Reyes published a novel, Toning. This 35-page novel in Akeanon
was published by La Panayana. In 1926, Peping Tansinko Manyas published a short novel entitled
Tagiposuon nga Hueowaran; Baeasahon Nga May Mataeupangdan. Included in this work are the
following poems by Manyas “Sa Adlaw Nga Kinamatyan nay Doctor Jose Rizal”, dated December 1, 1913;
“Haead Sa Adlaw Nga Kinamatyan Ku Napueo Ag Siyam Sa Akean”, 1913; “Kaeantahon nga Pilipinhon”
(Marcha Nacional Filipina), Sinueat nay G. Jose Palma; Gin Inakeanon nay G. Peping Tansinko Manyas,
Musika nay G. Julian Felipe. “Haead Sa Pahayagang “Ro Akeanon”, April 26, 1913; “Sa Manga
Kadaeagahan; Mga Tubo Sa Akean”, April, 1914; Also in this book is Manyas’ translation of the Spanish
poem by Manuel Laseran entitled: Eugta’ng Nahamut-an (Sinueat nay Manuel Laserna.) Its original
Spanish version is also found in this book. It must be noted that Manyas’ translation is so far the oldest
Aklanon translation of the Philippine National Anthem. In 1957, Tente Undoy published Mga Bilisad-on.
This includes 105 maxims in Akeanon. Tente Undoy must be a brother of Roman A. de la Cruz. We can
see some of the old Aklanon poems in the book Contribution of Aklanon Minds to Philippine Literature
by Beato de la Cruz. We can also see two Aklanon poems translated into English in the book Hiligayon
Literature: Texts and Contexts (1992) edited by Lucila V. Hosillos. These are “Halad Sa Adlaw Nga
Kinmatyan” by G.H.M.A. Tagipusuon. But the oldest Aklanon poem that I have known is The “Song of
Balinganga” But before that, please allow me to give you a little background of these poems. Nabor
(1968) gives us a good background of this poem: The “Song of Balinganga” Other than the syllabary
itself, the most antiquated sample of Old Inakeanon writing that we have so far is the 1911 reproduction
made by Capitan Juan Orbista of the 1725 Moysing reproduction of the 1568 Kabanyag reproduction of
the original “Song of Balinganga.” According to tradition, the original and the rest of its copies were
written on hardwood (amaga) tablets. The Juan Orbista reproduction was submitted by Apolinar Orbista,
Sr., eldest son of the former, to the chairman of the Aklaniana Research Society in appropriate
ceremonies held at the Aklan College Auditorium in 1962. In his manuscript, Orbista (the elder) explains
that his reproduction is but a hokwa or a copy of a writing which goes back to Balinganga, The Orbista
Ms. contains a number of other songs and poems in Inakeanon writing, It also contains Orbista’s
transcription of the famous Code of Kalantiaw from the original syllabic writing system into
contemporary Inakeanon graphics.” Here is the poem: Hambae Inakeanon I Hambae Inakeanon Manat
saeaysayon Hanongod sa dato, Nga si Bangkaay, Ag anang asawa, Imaw si Katorong, Kat sanda nga
daywa Mga bataon pa. II Sanda hay nagkita Sa sangka daeanon, Daeagang malangya Miron nga
dongganon: Ag sanglit gaoy eon Rato nga daeaga, Pomaeapit dayon Datong miron kana. III Singpit nat
dayon Nga kana omaba, Agod di gaoyon, Makapahoway pa. Dayon na nga abhon Ay mana eat opa,
Kono, kabog-at na Kato nga daeaga. IV Naghinadya dayon Miron ag daeaga: Nagpanaw sa nayon Kon
tawgon Tawaya Nag-abot panag-on Sanda nag-asawa, Nagin malipayon Pangabohi nanda. The Aklanon
oral literature are found in our luwa, riddles, legends, proverbs, and composo. As for the written ones,
we find them in longer poems, short stories, novels, essays, and lately haiku. Except for riddles,
composo, proverbs and luwa, most of the Aklanon written poetry, legends and short stories are in
English. This is understandable because there were no venues for Aklanon literature. If there were they
were very limited. We have for example the Aklan Reporter published and edited by Mr. Roman de la
Cruz that used to publish Aklanon short stories. Or those who have the means would just publish their
own works. As a result most of the Aklanon writers would contribute their pieces to national magazines
like Philippines Free Press, Liwayway and Sunday Times Magazine. But the competition in these
magazines are very stiff. After the 1986 EDSA Revolution came a new literary revolution in Western
Visayas. Spearheaded by Dr. Leoncio P. Deriada, a former professor in literature at the U.P. in the
Visayas, a literary revolution took place almost simultaneously in Iloilo, Antique, and Aklan. Through his
encouragement and with funding from the Cultural Center of the Philippines and later through the
Presidential Commission for Culture and the Arts, which later gave way for the National Commission for
Culture and the Arts (NCCA), writers in these provinces started to write poems and short stories in
Ilonggo, Kinaray-a and in Aklanons. The NCCA encouraged the establishments of local arts councils and
subsidized conferences, workshops and publication. It also awarded writing grants and venue grants.
Two of these writers who availed of these writing grants were Prof. John Barrios and this writer. The
Bishop Gabriel Reyes Foundation I think also availed of these grants. Dr. Deriada’s political approach to
encourage local writers to write in their own languages was effective. He said this to Kinaray-a writers.
“My politicizing would begin by my saying: There is no such thing as a superior language. No one can
give power and dignity to your language except you. Your language has dignity and power if you can do
three things with it: sing your songs in it, compose your poems in it, and pray in it. If you can do these in
Kinaray-a, then your language is the same level as any language in the world.” Later, he used the same
approach to Aklanon writers. After conducting creative writing workshops and contests among Ilonggo
and Kinaray-a writers, Dr. Deriada continued his crusade to Aklan. Here is how he practically twisted the
arms of Aklanon writers to write in Aklanon: “Liberating itself likewise from literary oblivion was
Aklanon. Just as the Antiquenos were forming Tabig, emerging Aklanon writers also formed the Aklanon
Literary Circle in Kalibo. Spearheading this was Melchor F. Cichon, a librarian at UP Visayas. Ably
assisting him was UP Visayas student John E. Barrios. “In my various workshops in Iloilo, Cichon had
been there listening to the things I was telling Kinaray-a writers to challenge them. Cichon - and Barrios -
took the challenge and soon the Aklan issue of Ani, which I edited with Cichon, et al., was published by
the CCP and launched in Kalibo in early 1993. Cichon, who was by then writing in English and Tagalog-
based Filipino, turned out to be the leading poet in his language and has the distinction of being the first
Aklanon ever to publish a book of poems in his own language. Eventually, Cichon and Barrios won
writing grants from the CCP.” When the Aklanon Literary Circle (ALC) was formed in the 1990s, Melchor
Cichon, John Barrios and Alexander de Juan put up Bueabod, the literary journal of ALC. It was a one-
page mimeograph or photo-copied journal. In this journal some contemporary Aklanon poets like John
Barrios, Pett Candido, Alexander de Juan, Geoffrey Ricafuente, Rommel Constantino and others
contributed poems. It was also in this journal where the Aklanon poems of Mr. Roman de la Cruz and
Dominador Ilio first appeared. Many of the poems published in this journal were anthologized in
Patubas, Ani (Aklanon issue), and in Mantala. Some of them were selected as best poems of the month
by Mr. Isagani Cruz in his column Critic at Large. From 1986 to 2000, three books were published by
NCCA edited by Dr. Deriada et al. which included Aklanon poems. One of these books is the Ani Aklanon
issue. In 1999, the book by Melchor, Ham-at Madueom Ro Gabii ? (Bakit Madilim Ang Gabi?) was
published. The books on poetry by Bellysarius de la Cruz came out within this period. These are With
Hope Undying (1988); Earth Glare (1994) and Poems in Praise of God (1997) In 2000, the novel of Roman
de la Cruz, Life with the Family; a folk autobiographical novel came out. In 1998, five Aklanon short
stories were published in the book: Selebrasyon at Lamentasyon: Antolohiya ng Maikling Kuwento ng
Panay edited by Carmen L. de los Santos, Ma. Milagros G. Lachica and John E. Barrios. A breakthrough
came out in 2002 when the first Aklanon haiku written by this writer came out in SanAg, the literary
journal of the Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Desk, University of San Agustin. Another breakthrough
in Aklanon literature took place in 2005 when the first Aklanon collection of short stories by Prof. John E.
Barrios, Engkan(aw)o ag iba pa nga tag-ud nga istorya came out. Another breakthrough in Aklanon
literature took place in 2002 when the haiku by an Aklanon was published in Heron’s Nest, an
international haiku journal based in America. When the Aklanon Literary Circle was formed, almost all
the members then were students. Some of them were John Barrios, Alex de Juan, Geoffrey Villafuente,
and Rommel Constantino. The youngest was Am. He was still a high school student then. I do not know
where he is now. But after their graduation, Bueabod hibernated for almost a decade. While Bueabod
was hibernating, a new writing venue was evolving in the Philippines. This is the internet. And with
internet, a new kind of Aklanon literature evolved. This is what is now known as the Aklanon virtual
literature. Through the internet new Aklanon writers were discovered and new types of poems were
added to Aklanon literature. These are haiku, senryu, and tanka. These are all Japanese types of short
poems which had never been utilized by Aklanon writers until the new millennium.
As mentioned earlier, I said that a new crop of Aklanon poets came out as a result of the appearance of
the internet particularly the appearance of this website: http://www.my.akeanon.com. This website was
created by a group of young Aklanons where Aklanons from different parts of the globe can exchange
ideas. Then one day a certain Tata_Goloy opened a thread, Kangga ni Tata_Goloy. In this website, many
Aklanons posted their opinions on how to further develop Aklan. Some of the contributors include
beeSPUNKY in Canada, bugoy in Federated States of Micronesia, Cinderella in Alaska, USA, ember in
Manila, Gumamila in Iloilo, kal in Alaska, miss-terryosa in Iloilo City, SunflowR in Florida, USA, Swiss in
Switzerland, Tata-Goloy in Chicago, USA, Toryo in one of the states in USA, water sprite , in Manila,
yamanitoshi in Makati, Manila, and Maeara, in Iloilo. All of them are Aklanons and have one common
desire—to write essays and poems. You will notice that each of the contributors was using an alias. It
was only later that I learned about their real names, but not all. Then a certain Badjao opened a new
thread in my.akeanon.com. He called it Iskul Bukol. In this thread, some of the above contributors
posted poems in Inakeanon. Noting that the so-called poems posted in this new thread needed
rewriting, Maeara posted some comments to improve their works. Then SunflowR posted a haiku
written by Melchor F. Cichon from Heron’s Nest, an online haiku journal based in America. This haiku
journal is one of the most respected and very competitive haiku journals in the world. So far only three
Filipinos have been published in this journal, one is based in Pangasinan (Sonny Villafranca), the other
one is in America (Victor V. Gendrano) and the third is from Iloilo, actually an Aklanon, Melchor F,
Cichon. Here is the copy of that haiku. It is a poem on the impact of the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo to a
town in Pampanga: And this is the first haiku published in an international journal written by an Aklanon
Sunday morning— a boy digs in the mud that buried a cathedral Heron’s Nest, Vol. IV, No. 9: September,
2002 Knowing that Maeara is no other than me, Tata_Goloy asked me to conduct a virtual class in
poetry writing. I agreed to conduct a virtual poetry workshop. Adopting the technique used by Dr.
Leoncio P. Deriada in creative writing workshops, I suggested to them that they first write and post their
haiku, luwa, or longer poems in my.akeanon.com website. And they did post their contributions in this
website. Every Saturday, I collected their works, wrote my comments on them and then post the original
and the corrected ones, plus my comments on the merit and demerits on their works. Of course, it
would have been better if there were more critics, but there were no other critics around. For two
months, I did this. Without their knowledge, I collected their corrected works and arranged them into a
book. I requested two of the contributors to help me edit their works. SunflowR and beeSPUNKY agreed.
After preparing the manuscript, I looked for a printer. I told the contributors to help me finance the
printing. Finally, I found a better one, and that is the Macar Enterprise in Kalibo, Aklan. Besides, I know
the owner of Macar Enterprise, Mr. Roman de la Cruz, poet, lexicographer, historian, novelist, and a
newspaperman, rolled into one. I requested him to further edit the manuscript which he did. And in July
2005, the book came out the press. This book includes haiku, luwa and other poems. But before this, I
already have developed a website that focuses on Aklanon literature. This is:
http://www.geocities.com/aklanonliterature. In this website one can find riddles, maxims, luwa, longer
poems, songs, legends, short stories, profiles of Aklanon writers, annotated Aklanon bibliography, and
haiku. As of April 17, 2006, this website was visited 16, 417 times. In addition, I have my own blog,
http://anahawleaf.blogspot.com , which features my haiku and luwa What type of poetry is written in
this website? Who are the writers, what do they write about. What is the quality of their works? What
do Aklanon writers write? Like other writers in the Philippines, Aklanon writers wrote on oppression,
corruption, poverty, exploitation of women and the environment, love, religion, politics, insurgency, and
hope. This is so because many of them are college trained and have gone to many places outside of
Aklan like Manila, Iloilo , Antique. And abroad.

Allow me to say something about Aklanon contemporary poets and read some of their works. Here are
some of them:

Losally R. Navarro was born in Banga, Aklan on January 3, 1973 but grew up in Malinao. She studied at
Aklan College, now Aklan Catholic College. While in college, she used to contribute articles in the Aklan
Collegian. She joined the Iskul Bukul creative writing workshop and wrote a number of haiku and luwa.
Now married to an Indian national, Losally now stays in Calvary, Alberta, Canada. In the February issue
of Homelife, a national magazine, one of her haiku was published. Two of Navarro's best haiku are: fear
nothing even if our taj mahal is made of bamboo *** si Maria Clara nag-agto sa Amerika pag-uli naka-
minis-skirt eot-a

Amzi V. Martinez was born in December 1976 in Balete, Aklan. He has a BS Industrial Education degree,
majoring in Drafting Technology. He also has an MA in Education-Industrial Arts, with units in MS
Industrial Education-Drafting Technology. He is presently working in Tofol, Lelu, Kosrae, Federated
States of Micronesia as a Vocational Instructor. Here is an example of his luwa:

Manami kunta tan-awon

Kitang mga Pilipino nagahugpong;

Paano kita magtililipon

Ay owa’t trabaho sa aton?

Ellamae Fernandez was born on April 18, 1986. She is currently studying at the University of Alaska
Anchorage, Kodiak College and taking up Certified Nursing Assistant/Health Care Assistant and majoring
in AAS in Nursing. She is from Lezo, Aklan.

Here is an example of her work:

nasa binggohan

nagasi-einggitan

Jay Jose Feliciano is from Kalibo, Aklan. He is presently working in Alaska, USA. Here is one of his poems:
paraisong pinas naka-Merceds nga gobyerno nakakanggang pumueoyo Ma. Terry F. Marte is from
Poblacion, Lezo, Aklan. She is currently taking up AB Political Science at the West Visayas State
University in Iloilo City. Here is an example of her haiku: Countless tears fall in calloused hands under the
sun Edna Romulo Laurente Faral was born in Batan, Aklan but resides in Tampa, Florida with her family.
She is not only a folk dancer par excellence, but a fine haijin as well. Here are four of her finest haiku:
December mourn— thousands of people hide behind monster waves after the storm— nipa hut a castle
no more Oh, eangit… sa punta ka eang kang tudlo Fall— the cherry blossom folds its petals Renelyn
Beglinger-Vallejo is married to a Swiss national and they now live in Switzerland. She was born in
Ochando, Banga, Aklan. Boracay Dayang Boracay Nga ginatawag nga paraiso— Ham-at maputi ro baeas
Indi kaparis sa Kalibo? 7 kakilometro dayang isla Maisot manlang ikumpara sa iba. Ham-an abu nga hotel
Nga ginpatindog iya? Owa sanda nahadlok’nga eumubog ra? Cirilo Castillon, Jr. was born in Badio,
Numancia. After working in Angeles, Pampanga, then in Saudi Arabia, he settled in Chicago, USA. A
philanthropist, Mr. Castillon or Tata Goloy is one of the most prolific contemporary Aklanon poets and
essayists. Here are two of his poems: My friend My shadow Forever *** Nag-agto ako sa Kalibo Nakakita
ako’t mag-asawang mueto Umalagwa gid ako it tudo Iwag manlang gali’t awto. Cris Ocampo. When I
asked Cris on his concept about poetry, he wrote: “my concept about poetry is it makes your emotions
come out lalo na pag mag-isa ka lang..dito mo nabubuhos ung mga nararamdaman mo its either na
masaya, malungkot, anger, magmamahal, halos lahat na cguro ng emosyon pwede mong ilipat sa
poetry..at nakakapag-isip ka ng mga matatalinhagang salita na ikaw lang or kunti lang ung makakagets at
tapos pagnabasa ng iba, iba-ibang opinion ung maririnig mo na hindi lang pala ikaw ang nakakaalam. Cris
was born in Kalibo and finished his high school at Pilot Science Development National High School , (now
Regional Science High School) in Kalibo, Aklan. A martial law baby, one can see his political ideas in his
haiku. Matig-ang Bagoe matig-ang bagoe gapanago sa amamakoe hin-aga mano-eo Jawili Abaw kanami
isipon Ro Jawili nga mahae nakon Ano natabo kimo makaron Musyon akon ikaw nga tatapon Belle
Nabor. She first studied at Kalalake Elementary School in Olongapo City, then transferred to Bulwang
Elementary School in Numancia, Aklan. She finished her secondary and tertiary education in Aklan
College, Kalibo, Aklan. Now she works as a University Research Associate at the University of the
Philippines in Diliman (UPD). At the same time, she is working for her master’s degree in education
majoring in guidance and counseling at UPD where she is also studying French language. Her haiku have
been published the Mainichi Daily News, a world famous newspaper that prints haiku. . Her other haiku
were included in Sakura Anthology of Haiku published in Sweden along with other world famous haijin
like Robert D. Wilson, Michael Rehling, an’ya, and 27 other poets, The Makata, Short Stuff, and in Poetry
Country Mouse. Her popular blog, http://Short.Poems.blogspot.com, that features her short poems:
haiku, tanka, and cinquain, has been instrumental in her introduction to world haiku. Here are some of
her works: Haiku Selections inside a train the city moves faster too canoe-shaped moon tonight, your
beauty floats tired of seeing the world, the snail— a recluse again drooping eyelids the moon looks
smaller now Tanka Selections Burying the box from the attic was full of letters, faded ink those soulless
papers — haunting it wasn't that easy putting him to rest. Poet in Love for you, I'll begin to write this
poem, a new set of words with my heart full of yearning I could not speak. Forgetting Time we sit side by
side under the graceful stars our hands entwined dawn has arrived too soon. Melchor F. Cichon brown-
out— nagsueod ro aninipot sa baeay namon *** Ku Ati-atihan 2005 sa Kalibo Sa plaza nag-eapta ro mga
tawo Ay nagpaburot ka armalite Si SPO1 Jonathan Moreño In conclusion, I would say that Aklanon
literature has a tradition to think of. Through the centuries, Aklanons have been writing different types
of literature: poems, short stories, novels, riddles, songs, maxims, legends. Lately, Aklanon writers have
been writing haiku, tanka, and other Japanese types of short poems. Except for those who have the
means to publish their works, it is unfortunate that Aklanon writers have very limited venues for their
creative works. Thanks however for the internet, Aklanon writers now have an alternative venue to
publish their works. However, many Aklanon writers still have very limited means to use the internet
because of its cost. Sources: Cichon, Melchor F. Belle Nabor: A Filipino Haijin. Posted November 28,
2005. http://www.akeanon.com. Retrieved: April 16, 2006. Deriada, Leoncio. Literature engineering in
West Visayas. Forum, Opisyal na Pahayagan ng Universidad ng Pilipinas, March 28, 2006.
http://www.up.edu.ph/forum/2000/03/28/litengg.html, retrieved: April 13, 2006. Manyas, Peping
Tansinko. Tagiposuon Nga Hueowaran. Daeang Rizal, Kalibo, Capiz. 1926. 26p. (Photo-copy) Nabor,
Fiorella I. “An Inquiry into the Ancient Inakeanon Writing System,” Silliman Journal, Ist Quarter, 1968,
pp. 54-86 ((Photo-copy) Reyes, Gabriel M. Toning. Mandurriao, Iloilo, 1925. 35p. (Photo-copy) Tente
Undoy. Mga Bilisad-n ni Tente Undoy. San Juan, Rizal, Kalantiaw Publications, Inc. 37p. (Photo-copy)

Melchor F. Cichon at 2:29 AM

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