Cyberspace Invitation
August 19th, 2007 | by Fhen Macabasag |Googling over the iborongan site last early August, I saw a posted message from someone introducing himself as Cedric Solidon. He openly wrote: “Hello, I’m currently looking for writers who are willing to help me undertake a writing project about Eastern Samar. Please e-mail me with at least 3 sample works in English (e.g. feature stories, articles, etc.) to the e-mail address above along with your resume/biodata by the second week of August. Please change yahooey into yahoo in the address (a measure to avoid spam). Thank you!”
It registered in my thought firstly on who is Cedric Solidon and what is his socio-historical status in the Sinirangan community. His invitation may sound noble though, I was more interested in the persona who authored the message encouraging the iborongan audiences to actively partake in Ced’s first blog site for the Estehanon people. Solidon’s objective in establishing and operating Sinirangan.com appears to be perceptible and attractive, the indomitable visionary lingers to be mysterious and intriguing to everyone’s mind-frame. Even Conga (an anonymous Sinirangan.com viewer) pleads for a reply:
“…But please let it be known where you can be found and a brief personality description. You’re someone interesting.”
My impression tells me that Ced is a native Estehanon writer who endeavors to unite the Estehanon’s social and cultural aspirations through the world wide web. Albeit Ced failed to explicitly answer Conga’s inquiry, he suggested Conga to explore the archive of cyberspace and it might shed some light to one’s riddle upon unearthing the track to Solidon’s little biography. Ced somehow implies that he is a celebrated writer and his life seems to be a public knowledge.
Following Ced’s recommendation, I had undertook a small researched about him in the realm of the internet and key in “cedric solidon” in yahoo.com. Coming into my comprehension after reading one of his personal essay entitled, “. . .to leave the seminary,” I felt assured that Ced is not only a penname nor a renegade imaginary character posing as a concerned Estehanon advocate. There is little knowledge I have about Ced, nonetheless, I know that he is real and different from the realness of aswang, mermaid, fairies and other mythical creatures out from local folklore literature; thus, my application to become one among the first team bloggers of Sinirangan.com.
Time is never my friend these past few days. I don’t have all the leisure to write articles containing in my cerebrum no matter how heavy the desire to propagate in writing the collected and heterogeneous ideas my mind possess. It became a challenge for me on what specific undertaking I would tackle in resolving the dilemma about the requirements prior to membership of first team blog. The willingness to be a blog member in Sinirangan.com is only a first phase in achieving one’s dream. However, there is more to willingness than the thought to be a first team blogger – and that is a series of concrete actions.
Ced required all who wish to be a first team blogger to submit a minimum of three sample works in English language usage. And that was my crisis. Considering my busy schedule in work, it became my prime concern on what sample works to submit. Unfortunately, I had somewhat abandoned English usage in my numerous written essays, journals and other literary crafts. Most of my literary works are fingerprinted with Tagalog usage since early 2005. At that period, I was convinced that a change of language tone needs my conviction in order to draw many readers – from English to Tagalog literary works. As statistics lay down, many Filipinos fail to understand printed materials written in English due to poor knowledge in the said language. With this in mind, I started to patronize Tagalog in all aspects of my writing as the main medium of communication in printed form. As a process, I produced a small number of cooked write-ups with English ingredient.
Canvassing my folders in our personal computer, I rediscovered five English articles largely a critic of some Eastern Visayan youth writers. A smile suddenly paints in my face. Soon after however, a sour thought followed. Out of these five articles, only two qualified in my literary taste for its submission. Ced et. al. will not be ready in appreciating and accepting few of my provocative articles, I pondered over. I sieve my literary crafts in presenting them so as to respond with a declaration “Interesting. The thoughts are clearly expressed and they show how much you really are into literature.”
There remains to be one critical problem I need to provide solution – I still lack one sample work to meet up “at least three.” And I desperately turned to English poetry. Ced solely requires sample works; in English translation, a selected literary work that includes but not limited to essay, feature article and poetry. Alas, by and large I satisfied Ced’s prerequisite. Conversely, I have to submit my resume in due time. It is as if I am applying for work. Solidon elucidated, “I’ll be using that for identification purposes only. I want to know who I’m working with.”
The torment does not end there and continues to grow even further. My resume hangs in the air and time shackles my movement to accomplish it. With divided mind and bewildering chronometer, I have to find a way in meeting the pressure and limits of its requirements. And so I did…
Disclosing my e-mail ad in the proceeding days, I encountered happiness in the road to my literary craving. Ced et. al. warmly accepted my application to Sinirangan.com. At last, the fruit of my labor dawns before my eyes with optimism and hope. Quoting his message, “You’re good to go with the blog.”
The war of words and worlds stay within the bound of professional journalism. Defining the signifier “professional journalism” is quite conflicting and complicated dependent on the collected and historical interpretant. Perhaps, this is rooted in the contradiction between freedom of expression and libelous statement. There boundaries are limitless and oftentimes confusing. Who should delineate them and what should be delineated is academic in nature.
To those Estehanon who love writing (as I do) and understand what one writes, here’s the cyberspace invitation for you: Send info @ sinirangan.com your accomplished requirements and together, let us make this regional site a relevant and socially meaningful interaction of overt ideas and aspirations as an Estehanon people for the Estehanon people.
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Fhen Macabasag Fhen Macabasag is a well-rounded Waraynon. His art is his life.
11 Responses to “Cyberspace Invitation”
By observer on Aug 19, 2007 | Reply
FHEN MACABASA:
is it ok if u air ur views concisely and to d point nex post? tenx
By fhen on Aug 19, 2007 | Reply
First of all, thank you for commenting on my first article in Sinirangan.com. I accept your viewpoint, which pertains to airing my views “concisely and to the point.”
True, I made my “Cyberspace Invitation” very long and exhaustive to its readers. In this respect, I seek understanding from the Sinirangan.com viewers especially to “Observer.”
I have to admit, this is my first post in this regional site and I spent four nights writing this literary piece. Despite my busy schedule in work, I still give ample time to Sinirangan.com through writing an article for this blog site. I wanted to show to my fellow Estehanon team bloggers that I am willing to participate and contribute in the development and operation of Sinirangan.com.
I take your strong recommendation “Observer.” My next post will be as concise and direct to the point as much as possible…
By observer on Aug 20, 2007 | Reply
FHEN:
hope i did not stunt ur creative juices by my comment. rest assured it was a friendly or constructive criticism. it’s good to note that estehanons can share their ideas in english coz whether we like it or not, facility of this language is more often than not a sign of intelligence, well of course people cud also be brighter even if their forte is tagalog or waray. but am still convinced that people from the upper echelons of society gauge a person’s IQ or lack of it, by his or her english. but then again, it wud be good if we only don’t get flattered coz we cud easily impress some people by our writing but also so that we cud shape opinion specially on the pressing issues about our province and community. i hope i’l also have the luxury of time so that i maybe able to contribute to this blog/website. more power bloggers!
By fhen on Aug 21, 2007 | Reply
Observer:
First things first: I appreciate your warm thought on my first article in Sinirangan.com. It only shows that my writing has a lively audience and I like it although their messages are “friendly or constructive criticism.”
Second, you don’t have to worry about the impact of your “friendly or constructive criticism.” And you never stunt my “creative juices” the way I codify or comprehend the signifier “stunt.” I just give great importance to my audience to my literary craft when I think that my audience has a concrete point; and in your case, you were right in saying that my said posted article needs to be “concise and to the point.”
By the way, I have been used to writing articles that are quite long. In fact, I had already made many literary crafts consuming ten pages (short bond paper size). “Cyberspace Invitation” is only one-fifth of its size compared to my previous written articles.
Thirdly, I find it colonially oriented to state: “…people from the upper echelons of society gauge a person’s IQ or lack of it, by his or her English.” Albeit, it is a dominant thought in our Boronganon society as propagated by the U.S. propagandists and educators in the beginning of their colonial rule in our country, I am persuaded that it is not true. Intelligence is not measured by how deep one’s knowledge in English language usage rather on how deep one knows and participates in the social issues of our times. This is a long topic, we require a forum in order to understand my points…
Fourthly, I have no intentions to “easily impress some people” by my writings. I write not to impress but to express so as to produce “opinion especially on the pressing issues about our province and community.”
And fifth, you are much welcome to contribute to this regional blog site. Ced et. al. encourages our audience to participate and contribute altogether…
Again, thank you.
By Lance AC Acampado on Aug 21, 2007 | Reply
Welcome to the blog team, fhen. This may be a bit late but I congratulate you for sharing your time, effoirt and ideas to this site. God bless you and God bless Este!
By fhen on Aug 22, 2007 | Reply
As the saying goes, “Better late than…” Well, everyone knows what follows next.
Thank you Lance for your warm and direct message of welcome to this regional site. It is comforting to hear your message. I find it nice to be one among the members of the Estehanon Team Blog.
I am optimistic that this site will be successful in its endeavor. We just have to organize, organize and organize more.
By Haruan on Aug 22, 2007 | Reply
Dear all,
It’s always good to speak your sensible thoughts out but please make your assertions grounded on factual and empirical bases.
Fhen, English proficiency is corollary of intellegence. You may research on multiple intellegence domains.
Can anyone write some interesting stories about/in Eastern Samar?
Rakenrol!
By fhen on Aug 22, 2007 | Reply
Haruan,
Thank you for sharing your idea about the topic on English language usage or as you call them “English proficiency.”
And I appreciate your comment on the goodness to speak out “sensible thoughts.”
I would agree with you that intellegence is dynamic or as you label them as “multiple.” Even in music and arts, one can be intellegent. Knowledge is not limited to one dimension of the human capacity. Intellegence is complex.
Don’t misinterpret me, but I was only pointing to the concept or idea that absolute knowledge in English proficiency means absolute intellegence. I am convince that the measure of intellegence is not singly on English proficiency; that would degenerate people who are not exposed or not educated to English language (like majority of people in China, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Vietnam etc.) yet intellegent in their own way (multiple intellegence domains).
Think it over, English is merely a dominant language in the world wide sphere due to the superpower U.S. who presently dominate the political and economic system in the globe. But the use of English language is largely an influence of the superpower U.S. to the nations that once its colony like the Philippines.
As I have said, this requires a forum. I can provide you “factual and empirical bases” in the said proper and right forum….
Again, thank you for your view on this matter.
By Haruan on Aug 23, 2007 | Reply
well, just to get it through the right context…
factual and empirical bases apply to all topics posted…
US remains to be a political superpower but China has dethroned its economic prowess… kindly revisit your analysis… you might be using an old paradigm.
I admire your flare and idealism as you reminded me of my UP days.
More power and brains to all!
By fhen on Aug 23, 2007 | Reply
Haruan,
Greetings of Peace!
Nice comment but…
“Flare?” - The way I see it, you have also the attitude of being “flare.” I read your shared thought about barangay election (written by Lance) and your tragic personal experience relating to it. How sad. Still, I admire you that you did not loss your head figuratively speaking.
“Idealism?” - That’s kinda not new. Hmmm, I wonder: How do you define “idealism?” And what is the relationship of “idealism” to your “UP days?” It appears to me, your approach is general and reductive even…
“Revisit your analysis?” – That’s a strong ungrounded persuasion. And again, kindly be clear. What analysis should I revisit? That “US remains to be a political superpower?” And that “China has dethroned its economic prowess?” I knew that already, what is your point? Please try not to confuse the argument: What is its relation to English proficiency and intelligence?
“Old paradigm?” What paradigm? Please be clear again.
It seems you knew me already. Do you really know me Haruan? Or perhaps, you’re merely thinking that you know me already. Are you reducing me to something?
Let me remind you not of your “UP days” rather with our original argument: Does English proficiency implies absolute intelligence? Please try to focus in this line of argument because the way I see it, you’re lossing your direction…
Brains to all especially Haruan!
By igna on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I am impressed. UP days….Ang galing nyo.