The Thomasian Writers Guild launched a literary folio, featuring 23 works from 21 Thomasian contributors, on May 2 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex.
The folio, titled “Bulebard,” consists of 12 poetry collections, three short stories, three essays, three one-act plays, and two flash fiction pieces.
Noji Bajet, the folio’s fiction director and lead editor, said the title was influenced by toponymy and the longstanding tradition of naming literary publications in Metro Manila after streets.
“Mula Malate hanggang Dapitan, ang buong lansangan ay isang aklat para sa mga estudyanteng manunulat,” he said.
Bajet said they balked at “España,” which was initially considered as the folio’s title, due to post-colonial ethical considerations, and settled for “Bulebard” (Boulevard) as a way of presenting the contemporary urban and literary reading of the metropolis.
“España Boulevard is a shared space in flux where one encounters and engages with many narratives and images of the city where one ponders on their past, present, and future selves,” said Assoc. Prof. Nerisa del Carmen Guevara, the guild’s adviser.
Contributors for poetry and tula include political science junior Ivan Carl Arevalo, secondary education senior Charles Cuyana, and creative writing junior Kayle Cristobal.
“Pabunot,” a poem written by communication sophomore Juliana Jamito, was critiqued during the Varsitarian’s 20th Creative Writing Workshop and is included in the folio.
Alumna Carmel Ilustrisimo, who bagged the Rector’s Literary Award (RLA) in the 35th Gawad Ustetika, and Elijah Molina, who won first prize in poetry in the 40th edition, contributed their poetry suites.
“Isang Liham ng Isang Dating Atleta,” the essay by Marie Claire Lagrisola that also earned the Rector’s nod in the 39th Ustetika, is also among the pieces published in “Bulebard.”
Other Gawad Ustetika winners Franz Austin De Mesa, Ma. Doreen Evita Garcia, and Jericho Christian Lopez, all guild members, contributed to the folio.
The program included reading sessions and poetry performances from selected contributors.
The guild is set to release another folio, titled “Mythopeia.”
Its call for submission of literary works that reimagine folkloric narratives is open until July 15. Charlize Ann D. Lavastida
