THE PHILIPPINES, HOME OF THE FATHER OF VISUAL POETRY By Jobb Gosamo Irrefutably regarded as the “Cradle of Philippine Art” and “Culture Capital of the Philippines”, Rizal, the province of rolling hills, rugged ridges, beautiful valleys and refreshing waterfalls boasts enviable history and patrimony nowhere else found in the entire breath and length of the country. Once upon a time, National Artist Botong Francisco, the unrivaled muralist, roamed around the idyllic towns of the province, in the course of which the pastoral sceneries and the inhabitants’ rich religious and cultural ideals provoked his native genius that gave us priceless works of art. Rizal’s contribution to music, the art of heavenly sounds, is just as impressive. National Artist Maestro Lucio San Pedro, the exalted symphonist of grand compositions, lives forever in his euphonious lullabies and zesty marches. The poignant melody of “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” (In the Cradle’s Rocking) has not merely immortalized his name but has perpetuated his renown as one of the greatest composers. Now comes Dr. Epitacio Tongohan, a medical doctor by profession and a poet by avocation, popularly known as Doc Penpen, who was born and raised in Tanay. Doc Penpen has given the province another reason to be proud of, this time in the field of literature, specifically poetry. Before Doc Penpen’s advent into poetry, the academe had somewhat incarcerated poets within the throttling confines of academic regulations of bygone eras which the so-called gurus obstinately mandated as scholastic absolutes. Out of the blue, Doc Penpen came barging in. Kicking up a storm, he emancipated libertarian poets from dogmatic prescriptivism by showing them to not be afraid to find their own voices. Amidst criticism and vilification from academic bullies, Doc Penpen soldiered on and his efforts and determination did not go unnoticed. In 2013, he was recognized as the “Father of Visual Poetry” in a ceremony held in Vancouver, Canada. The momentous occasion was graced by Ms. Melanie Balisi Diano, Vice Consul, Philippine Charge' D'Affaires, who, in behalf of the country, joined Doc Penpen in accepting the exceptional honor. Shortly after the recognition in Canada, awards from international literary organizations followed. Quite dramatically, his personal advocacy of “to heal, to inspire and to awaken” through his poems earned acclaims from renowned poets and poetry enthusiasts all over the world. Astonishingly, what started as a hobby, his dabbling in poetry, catapulted into a ground-breaking accomplishment that surprised even Doc Penpen himself. His first poetry book, “Pentasi B”, an objet d’art in itself, lays side-by-side with the best in the reputable libraries of the University of British Columbia (Canada) and Sabanci University (Turkey). The book is also on display at the National Library of the Philippines. In 2013, a copy of the elegant coffee-table book was auctioned off in the USA and fetched a staggering USD10,000.00, thus making it probably the most expensive modern book of its kind. On May 17, 2015, PENTASI B WORLD FRIENDSHIP POETRY, an organization of local and international poets, held a convocation at picturesque Cloud 9 Sports and Leisure Club of Antipolo. Said gathering had three agenda, first, to hold a get-together for members in order to forge a stronger bond among themselves that they may persist in fostering a “colorless, classless, creedless and borderless” espousal of poetry, second, to welcome Mr. Romeo Della Valle, the keynote speaker, a New York-based poet in his first visit to the Philippines, and third, the most important, to formally introduce PENTASI B to the officials of Rizal Province.
Doc Penpen took the occasion to acquaint the guests of honor (Dr. Reynaldo San Juan, Jr., Board Member, Sanguniang Panglalawigan ng Rizal, representative of Gov. Rebecca “Nini” Ynares, Mr. Ronald Barcena, Councilor, Antipolo City and Mr. Paui Tapales, Councilor, Antipolo City, representatives of Mayor Casimiro “JunJun” Ynares III, and Mr. Rafael “Raffy” A. Reyes, Councilor, Tanay, representative of Mayor Rafael “Lito” A. Tanjuatco) on what PENTASI B is and will eventually be. Without blowing his own trumpet, Doc Penpen likewise apprised the guests of what the nomenclature, Father of Visual Poetry, means to the province of Rizal, and the guests were quick in realizing the significance of the honor and its potential. Very tantalizing are the possibilities! That Doc Penpen has gained international recognition as is done and dusted. That PENTASI B WORLD is well on its way to have legion of followers from the four corners of the globe cannot be stopped. And, that Rizal is the birthplace of the Father of Visual Poetry is an honor no other can claim. There’s the excitement! Local and international poetry aficionados will be interested to see for themselves Doc Penpen’s birthplace, not only to come face to face with what might have inspired him to mold his visual poetry but also to “feel” the place to acquire a sense of belonging for that’s the way the poets are. Not one to squander an opportunity, Doc Penpen came up with an idea that will cement Rizal’s entitlement as “One of the Culture and Arts Capitals of Asia” and, yes, “Of the World, too”. To realize this, he proposed the building of a WORLD POETRY GALLERY, a structure that will become the hub of visual poetry where poets across the world can convene on regular basis to celebrate, disseminate and share their masterpieces. Mr. Romeo Della Valle said it best, “Doc PenPen’s brilliant idea of creating a World Poetry Gallery in Rizal for the exposure of poets and their priceless works will make the Philippines the Mecca of world poetry.” The proposed gallery, if the concept is followed, is visualized to be an attraction in itself. The building’s design will reflect Rizal’s endemic architecture but stylized, will use indigenous building materials, and will use exterior and interior decors and amenities that are native to the province. Needless to say, it will be built in a scenic spot. The proposed gallery is envisioned to be a showcase of Rizal’s best. In the just-concluded convocation, Doc Penpen elaborated on his ideas, focusing mainly on Rizal’s officials, who are the right people to join him in the undertaking. Given the honor Rizal will enjoy and thinking of collateral benefits to be derived from “poetry tourism”, Doc Penpen, a tenacious wearer of rose-colored glasses, had no doubt that the forward-looking officials of Rizal could only welcome and support the idea. Dr. Reynaldo San Juan declared, “Kudos to you, Doc Penpen, a too-great Filipino, the Father of Visual Poetry. On behalf of our Governor Nini Ynares including the members of the Provincial Board headed by Vice-Governor Frisco San Juan Jr., I greet you a warm afternoon as I congratulate you on your successful convocation. Once again, Long Live all of us! Doc Penpen, rest assured that the Provincial Government under the administration of Governor Rebecca “Nini” Ynares will be 100% - more than 100%, supportive of your cause. Rest assured too that we will be happy to promote Pentasi B not only here in the province of Rizal but also in other places in the Philippines.” By his encouraging pronouncement, Dr. Reynaldo San Juan reinforced Doc Penpen’s optimism that the proposed project will come to fruition. After all, the Ynareses are known for their munificent patronage of meritorious ventures and surely they will not pass up a chance as commendable as this one. Considering the economic benefits this project will generate, it becomes all the more appealing. Already, poets who learned of it are inquiring when the gallery will be finished so that they can begin planning their visit.
Talking on behalf of Mayor JunJun Ynares of Antipolo City, Councilor Paui Tapales, refusing to be outdone, seconded Dr. Reynaldo San Juan, Jr.’s assurance. Ending his speech with a spirited and appropriate mantra, “Yes, we can!”, he effectively pledged support to Doc Penpen’s advocacy and project. For his part, Councilor Raffy Reyes, representative of Mayor Rafael “Lito” A. Tanjuatco, the City Government of Tanay further bolstered the morale of Doc Penpen and the poets present in the assembly by echoing “Yes, we can!” Some may deem it providential that Doc Penpen’s recognition has opened doors to the province of Rizal, but personally I call it vision. As somebody said, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” Now, Rizal’s leadership has the chance, nay, responsibility, to translate this vision into reality because vision without venture is building a castle in the air. To not seize this rare opportunity is to be culpably remiss in what we can and must do. The convocation ended in high spirits so much so that everybody now looks forward to the realization of WORLD POETRY GALLERY because indeed, “Yes, we can!”
Danilo Jaime Flores danilojaimeflores@yahoo.com