CALAMANSI BLOG #10

SPREADING MY WINGS: Day Three @Haboean

by W. J. Manares

By Day 3, the Latag-Latag: Haboean Holiday Market 2 was buzzing with energy. The performer, DORAT approached me with that on-the-spot invite on Day 1, and today is the day of my debut as a "spoken word artist." Makata-ɤamad in the house!

I felt the crowd’s curiosity building - one moment people were browsing books, handmade crafts, and having snacks, the next they were listening to us, drawn to the idea of live poetry spoken with out-of-this-omniverse sound.

As I'm speaking, DORAT layered my poems with subtle, textured sounds - soft crackles like firewood (perfect for a holiday feel) and gentle echoes that mirrored the rhythm of my words. My poems in Aklanon from my book, "Owa't Tawo," published by Ukiyoto Publishing, hit different with that sonic backdrop. Every pause felt intentional, every emotional beat amplified. The audience wasn’t just listening; they were immersed. Some nodding along, others completely still, holding their breath through my most powerful lines. I also read some poems from my books, "Buto" and "Bura't."

Links:

OWA'T TAWO https://www.ukiyotophilippines.com/product-page/owa-t-tawo

BUTO https://www.ukiyotophilippines.com/product-page/buto

BURA'T https://www.ukiyotophilippines.com/product-page/bura-t

Sharing that creative space with DORAT was a kind of spontaneous collaboration sparking with new ideas I’d never have thought of on my own. More performances soon.

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NOTE:

Why "Calamansi" Blog?

I chose the name 'Calamansi Blog' because it embodies the essence of what I want my blog to be. The calamansi, that small but vibrant Philippine lime, symbolizes joy and freshness. Just as the fruit adds a burst of flavor to any dish or drink, I want my blog to bring a fresh and uplifting perspective to the readers.

Beyond its Filipino roots, the name also resonates with me on a deeper level. 'Calamansi' bears a phonetic resemblance to the Indian words 'Kalam' (कलम), meaning 'pen' or 'writing,' and 'Anshi' (अंशी), meaning 'god's gift.' This connection suggests that my writing is more than just words on a page; it's a gift, an inspiration, perhaps even divinely guided.

My 'Calamansi Blog' represents a blend of Filipino zest and a sense of inspired creativity. It's a name that is both memorable and meaningful, reflecting my commitment to sharing content that is joyful, refreshing, and purposeful.

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W. J. Manares is the Partner/Distributor of Ukiyoto Publishing via Ukiyoto House, Philippines. He's one of Ukiyoto's prolific authors and a one-of-a-kind writer from Aklan, Philippines, authored more than 69 books and counting, a lesser-known worldbuilder and storyteller, and labelled as "the sardonic yet whimsical author of the Philippines" since 1999. You can contact him via email: wjmanares@ukiyoto.com or via SMS at +639192015217.