A GRAND SPIKE OF CREATIVITY

An undeniable spike of creativity continues to grab attention towards the yearend.

- ALFRED A. YUSON

And it's obviously unrelated to such post-pandemic activities let loose a few years ago, like horticultular devotion, culinary attention and pet acquisition. We can't say if it comes in reaction to the non-stop spread of social media or digital prompts, but it seems part of the unstemmed flood of creative expression.

As a man of letters, my interest is naturally drawn to fresh literary output. But the efforts also take advantage of the accessibility of public venues. Each month, for instance, I can't help but be impressed with the energy of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, for whom a week doesn't pass without him sharing poems, essays, and "Samot-saring" observations—plus personal involvement in publications of all sorts.

A pity that I couldn't join the gathering last Nov. 5, when he spearheaded the launch of a tribute anthology of translated poems timed to coincide with what would have been the 72nd birthday of our recently departed friend Marne L. Kilates, held at Street Kohi, Mayaman St. in UP Diliman.

Abner Dormiendo hosted the program that included translators JR Abdon Balde, Precious Leano-Baluyut, Joey Baqui Pascual, Mikael De Lara Co, Kristian Sendon Cordero, Michael M. Coroza, Jim Meer Libiran, Ei Narvaez, Victor Dennis Tino Nierva, artist Alfredo Esquillo, cover artist Imma Lopez, and book designer Vic Nierva. Also joining in were Jerry Gracio, Jerry Respeto, Michael Coroza, Joey Baquiran, Agatha Palencia-Bagares, Edgar Calabia Samar, Joti Tabula, Fernando Josef, Fidel Rillo, Niles Breis, Noel Del Prado, and Mikka Cabangon, among other readers invited by FIT and LIRA.

We'll just have to keep guessing what Almario's next production will be.

Similarly, his fellow National Artist Ricky Lee was quoted in a recent interview: "I don't stop writing. I think 90 percent of my time, I am writing. In my head, while we're talking, may ideas."