By ELIZABETH LOLARGA
THE P28,000 prize and Julie Lluch trophy that the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation Inc. gives to each winner in the English, Filipino and Chinese poetry categories every other year may not match the more endowed Carlos Palanca literary awards.
But these prizes reflect the foundation’s commitment to allow talents 28 years old and below “to reach for the sun and drink in the rain. Blessed with both, these tender young plants grow into strong saplings. In time they stand tall on the hills, trees that mark our horizon. MMAFI commits itself to the nurturing of these young artists,” Edna Z. Manlapaz, literary critic and former foundation vice president, said.
Trilingual poet-painter Maningning Miclat died at 28 in 2000. Numerologists and ancient religions have explained the number’s significance. A scientific theory propounded by Yale psychologist Daniel Levinson considers the transition years of 28-30 crucial for a person because “changes occur in life structure, either a moderate change or, more often, a severe and stressful crisis.”
Alma C. Miclat, MMAFI executive director and Maningning’s mother, said, “It’s a critical, delicate age when young people must be encouraged and supported. It’s when they have a lot of angst. If you get past that, okay na.”
This early the judges have declared a winner in Chinese poetry–Chen Xiao Yan of Guandong, China. The six finalists are: Phillip Yerro Kimpo Jr., Jason G. Tabinas and Paul Alcoseba Castillo, Filipino category; Nolin Adrian de Pedro, Gian Paolo Lao and Miro Capili, English.
Another strategy that the Foundation adopted to encourage a zest for poetry is finding group sponsorships for public school students and teachers for the awards night-cum- concert, “Ningning ng Tula at Musika,” on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Abelardo Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.
Miclat said, “This is a good chance for teachers of poetry and music to expand their exposure and for students to be encouraged to write.” She added that combining poetry and music edifies and makes for good rhythm .
Soprano Banaue Miclat-Janssen, tenor Dondi Ong and pianist Mary Anne Espin selected a quality repertoire: the revolutionary songs “Joselinang Baliuag” and “Awit ni Oryang,” “Sa Lupang Pangako” from the opera Noli Me Tangere by Felipe Padilla de Leon, Les Miz favorites “Bring Him Home,” “I Dream a Dream,” “On My Own,” and “A Little Fall of Rain,” a duet from The Merry Widow. Espina, a soloist in her own right apart from being a top-caliber accompanist, will play Chinese piano music.
Now on its sixth year, the poetry contest alternates with the MMAF painting competition poetry on odd-, painting in even-numbered years). The foundation has not been able to host these two contests at the same time yearly. Miclat explained that alternating is more sustainable and enables contestants to focus on one area.
Past poetry winners are: Joselito D. delos Reyes, Naya S. Valdellon, Cheng Yue, Joseph de Luna Saguid, Allan J. Pastrana, Ye Caisheng, Erica Clariz delos Reyes, Raymond John de Borja, Chen Siyuan, Kristian Sendon Cordero, Mikael de Lara Co, Chen Liang, Enrique Villasis and Pan Weili.
On the graying of the board membership, Miclat acknowledged the need for young blood to infuse ideas on how to keep the MMAFI ‘s mission/vision of creating a Pan-Pacific community of poets and painters going. The other MMAFI officers are mostly retirees: Herman Gamboa, president; Fe Mangahas, secretary; Ding Ramos, Mario Miclat, Lluch and Nancy Na, directors.
However, she said, “The young have their own dreams. They’re still struggling to survive, meet basic necessities and at the same time fighting to keep the role of the arts in their lives alive. Many still have to prove themselves. Time is precious for them. If they’re successful professionally and financially, they will have the time. The older people in the board are already made, they can afford to give back and are happy to give financial support, knowing it’s for the young.”
She said the judges have volunteered their time through the years. One judge for this year’s Chinese category insisted on paying for an expensive dinner at a judges’ deliberation held at Peking Garden “for the love of Maningning.” Miclat teared up at the memory of gestures of generosity that has enabled MMAF to raise half a million yearly for the prizes and production costs.
She may have lost a beloved daughter but has gained a legion of other children whose hopes she and the MMAFI have raised.
Concert tickets are available at: Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings, Loyola Heights campus’ old Rizal Library; Data Center Design Corp., Mile Long Arcade, Amorsolo st., Legaspi Village, Makati; or the lobby of Pacific Century Tower, 1472 Quezon ave., QC. Fifty percent discount will be given to students, 20 percent to senior citizens.