IL PADRE DELLA POESIA VISUALE is a Filipino! Lilian Dipasupil Kunimasa Once again! A Filipino brings honour to our country through a mind-bursting skill and passion that is uniquely Filipino. For centuries, no laurel has been as worldwide revolutionary and liberating as the one we now have in literary world, specifically the world of Poetry. Poesy or the art of writing poems has been liberated from the traditional and conventional bygone poetry standards by a Filipino. He has proven to the world that poets must not be afraid to find their individual voice or style in writing. Writers who are fixated for years on grammar, syntax, structured form, syllabic meter, patterned rhyme and other antiquated writing standards are shocked and considered his works as trash. But the broad-minded and perceptive academicians who “get it” are utterly amazed and dumbfounded. They hailed the Master with his signature black shades as a rebel genius never seen since William W. Shakespeare. Yes! The ‘El Padre Della Poesia Visuale’ or ‘Father of Visual Arts’ is indeed a Filipino. He is Dr. Epitacio R. Tongohan or better known by his pen name Doc Penpen Bugtong Takipsilim. Doc Penpen, as he is fondly called, is a native of Tanay, Rizal. He is a multitalented man; a medical doctor with doctorate degrees in several fields, UERM Most Outstanding Alumnus Career Achievement Awardee 2014, FAMAS cited filmmaker, and an internationally recognized, awarded and honoured poet in several continents across the world. One would say Doc Penpen has gone beyond the normal aspirations of a born achiever. Yet, Doc Penpen’s dream does not end there. He had, even long before, a flourishing vision for Philippine Poetry. A vision for Philippine poetry to reach the four corners of the world. For Philippine literature to be recognized and elevated in ranks with the languages and literatures of the classical class. He has such a determined and indomitable obsession to see the Philippines become the “The Poetry Hub of the World”.
Such ignited passion lead to the discovery and creation of a kind of poetry that has bombed the world all over with its ingenuity and innovative style. A legacy that will give back the honour and pride of our country. It is a great contribution to mankind and humanity, when Doc Penpen combined Poetry with Visual Arts in such a way that mystified even the most renowned poetry associations all over the globe -- the creation of Pentasi B poetry book. PENTASI B is a three volume poetry book that contained the amazing poems written by Doc Penpen. Written in a style that defied the stifling and rigid style of classical poetry, Pentasi B boasts of poetry that is an image within an image itself. A style that taunted with impish delight the Literature establishment in a bad-ass, non-conformist manner of a genius. Doc Penpen’s poems are like the traditional woven cloths of the Northern people of the mountain region and designed as the arousing batiks of the Southern people of Mindanao region, but with the depth of the fields of the Tagalog region. A true representation of Filipino culture in a literary masterpiece. Pages that had been uniquely designed have their own magical surprise as well. Poems read with naked eyes, will move even the hardest hearts. But when the page is placed under a special kind of light, magic comes into play. A portion of each book has been amazingly painted by a wizard’s hand with a hidden spell. After one has gone through few pages, one notices that some of the poems seem almost blank, even beyond what one would expect of a suggestive minimalism. This blankness actually hides a unique surprise which can only be seen in a darkened room under the special light. Once seen in this mystical scenario, a page will show images and hidden words that would change a formerly seen as a work of conservatism or simple lyrical poem into a spectacular ouevre d’art or chef d’ouevre. One can even say it is a Pablo Picasso masterpiece, abstract and surreal. A gem hidden within a gem. A prism of unlimited images and colours. Pentasi B has its own nest hugging with the best of the best in the reputable libraries of the University of British Columbia (Canada) and Sabanci University (Turkey). The book, a first of its genre, also had its coming out in 2011 at the National Library of the Philippines. A copy of the book was auctioned off in the USA in 2013. Sold at US$10,000.00 per volume, Pentasi B would probably be the most expensive modern book of its kind. Doc Penpen’s advocacy “to heal, to inspire, and to awaken” has earned him acclamation from renowned poets and poetry enthusiastic. His poems are of ambiguous interpretations that gave voice to wounded hearts, bewildered minds and spirits weakened by the harshness of life. Doc Penpen explored the world of the tortured, the scarred and the broken souls with such sensitivity that will enlighten the readers so that awareness, healing and inspiration to greater and stronger level may be achieved. A group of brotherhood united by poetry from different continents of the worlds, yearly
converge in different poetry landmarks to show unity regardless of physical and social differences. All speaking the same language of love, harmony and friendship. Doc Penpen has always been invited and participated in the international events to represent a Filipino culture that is nothing like in the whole world, with the diversity of tradition, belief, passion and culture yet moulded into one united body. This year, another confluence of great poets shall be held in Taranto Italy. The Pablo Neruda Cultural Association of Italy chaired by Prof. Saverio Sinopoli, with the coordination of Kibatek Foundation of Turkey, announces that on February 19 to 20, 2016, the 39th World Festival of Poetry, or named as The PABLO NERUDA & KIBATEK39 FESTIVAL will take place in Taranto, Italy. Poets and dignitaries have been invited to participate from various continents; the Philippines, Canada, Holland, Turkey, Bosnia, United States of America, Romania, Cyprus, Greece and Azerbaijan. Our very own Doc, Penpen Bugtong Takipsilim, honoured as Görsel Şiir Babası. Padre Della Poesia Visuale or Father of Visual Poetry is one of the featured poets and academics from around the world that will give life to poetry and its value not only in literary but also in cultural event of brotherhood and friendship between people of different races. The PABLO NERUDA & KIBATEK39 FESTIVAL is sponsored by the Kibatek Foundation, represented by the Vice President and the poetess Leyla Isik, and by the Pablo Neruda Cultural Association, represented by President Saverio Sinopoli, Poet and Literary Director Maria Miraglia, and the Secretary and Treasurer Ariel Signorelli. The idea was born at the end of June 2015 when the great poetess , Leyla Işık, vice president of Kibatek Foundation, asked to organize their first festival in Italy this coming 2016. After a brief discussion, the Pablo Neruda Cultural Association accepted this important event focusing on the cultural and artistic city of Taranto. The Kibatek International Literary Festival handles the main promotion of the event, while the founders of Pablo Neruda Cultural Association, have their specific roles: Saverio Sinopoli as the Project and Team Manager, Massimiliano Satin as the Art Director, Maria Miraglia as the Literary Director, and Ariel Signorelli as the Communication & Marketing. We, the Filipino people, wish to thank ARIEL SIGNORELLI, Founder of Pablo Neruda Cultural Association; SAVERIO SINOPOLI, president of Pablo Neruda Cultural Association; MARIA MIRAGLIA, great poet and literary director; LEYLA IŞIK, vice president of Kibatek Foundation; and the government and people of Italy for the honour and acknowledgement of our countryman, DOC PENPEN BUGTONG TAKIPSILIM as EL PADRE DELLA POESIA VISUALE. It is our dream to be the next host country of such prestigious International Literary and Cultural Festival. It
will be a great honour for the Philippines, and the Filipino people to hold such international event that will give more prestige and showcase the different cultures in our own country. An event where the government, the cultural organizations, the gifted artists and passionate Filipino people can join hand in hand to show the world our distinct way of being diverse yet one. A place where traditions, beliefs, faiths, ideologies and other social stratum can be truly united and accepted equally. To be another haven of literary convergence of colour, gender, and language for Unity, Brotherhood, and Equality of mankind. Reference links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbE7gaGOAok http://www.poemhunter.com/doc-penpen-btakipsilim/biography/ http://www.tarantoeventi.it/11/2015/arriva-a-taranto-ilkibatek-international-literary-festival/ http://www.tarantoeventi.it/10/2015/kibatek-festivalinternazionale-della-poesia-arriva-a-taranto/ http://www.kibatek.org.tr/kibatek-tarihi-2/ http://speedydeletion.wikia.com/wiki/Doc_PenPen_B._Takipsilim/ http://www.mb.com.ph/filipino-poet-honored-by-turkish-literarypeople/#IfWDAediT9cABofe.99/
http://www.pinoyparazzi.com/the-philippines-home-of-the-father-of-visual-poetry/