Well Wisher

In the few remaining hours of the year, let us set ourselves, however briefly, to a solemn look back on the things that we have done for the last twelve months. And may we orient ourselves in the coming of the New Year to our newfound resolves. There is nothing wrong with being organized with our personal endeavors. Instead, it endows our lives a more coherent form. Let us then celebrate in the safest way we could!

LagosZine Issue 1-4: The One-Page Issue

Issue, issue, issue

Here, the word ‘issue’ takes on a double meaning – one, the descriptive one since it is obvious that we really have a one-page output; and two, the probable question that we are now getting complacent with the making our ‘petty project’. Perhaps the first one would only hold. We, well yes I, have our (my) own reasons for opting to a one-page release.

In reality, we are only two in the core of this thing, Essej and I, having proceeded with the project without the (semi) prof guidance of a friend. The reasons, I have said already in an earlier issue.

Then vacation came that greatly complicated the matter. My partner, having no extensive communications means (a bad thing for two people having a common work to do, you see), could not comply now with our agreement to release a written-issue for this month. Having no update at all, I decided to resort initially to a one-page written issue, then looking with all those pile of books I have mercilessly imposed upon myself, I decided resolutely to have a one-page Adobe-facilitated last issue.

A Look Back

There is not so much to look back really. We have only released three issues that barely had readership at all (even an intimate never bothered to touch the copy I lent). But it’s good to realize for now (at least) that readership is not a big-time issue yet. One thing that’s important here is that we get to pool our thoughts and creative ideas (if there are, really), and have it as a collective output, meant to be shared to the people.

Although in many instances I have felt the sways of my thoughts for the project, I know that our desire to focus this thing on San Pablo is not altogether lost. Perhaps it is better to put here now the fact that it would difficult, if not boring, if we would really confine, hard core, the contents to San Pablo alone. Thus, we have a comical page, and pages dedicated to tackle issues of national importance. With this, we are able to balance the general mood of the project.

What’s Next?

I personally wonder too what’s in store for this little zine project of ours. Sold it to somebody else and get away with the burden of a release every month? Nah, not that gross I think. In fact, plans are undergoing to fully revise LZ in a manner that it shall be treated more seriously by the chance readers. Although we were not able to fully have a dictionary-type meaning of the slogan we gave for it, we nevertheless want to adhere to what ‘socio-lit’ mean to us. We are not literature masters, but certainly each person is in complete freedom to express his/herself under the many forms of lit.

Expect LZ to be relatively readable: easily by the common people and other who understand such endeavors, and tolerably by those who are more after the ‘form’ than the contents. And a possible ISSN, don’t you think? (Smugs)

Cheers!

Kabyawan Chapbook (Kilometer 64)

Just found this among the lines of messages in the group. Thought it would be better if people could easily access this. Go download KABYAWAN: Mga Tula Para sa mga Manggagawa ng Hacienda Luisita at LagosZine 4Shared Page (lagoszine.4shared.com).

Call for submissions for High Chair 12

High Chair 12 is a special issue devoted to the Maguindanao Massacre.

We are inviting poets and artists everywhere to submit responses to the following questions:

1. What did you feel upon hearing about the Maguindanao Massacre?

2. How could poetry be written/art be made so that it has value to the event?

We are interested in poems (whether old or new, unpublished or previously published) that offer ways of thinking about terror, horror, and other pertinent ideas/terms.

We are interested in essays and reviews that examine the role and state of Philippine poetry and art in the context of the Maguindanao Massacre.

We recognize the need to engage with the Maguindanao Massacre immediately and to ensure, through an ongoing discussion, that the event remains current and urgent. Thus,High Chair 12 will take on the format of a work in progress, with content uploaded by installment from mid-December to mid-February.

The deadlines for submission for possible inclusion in the four installments of High Chair 12 are: December 10, 2009, December 26, 2009, January 15, 2010, and January 30, 2010.

We welcome submissions in Filipino and English. Please visit our site (highchair.com.ph) to get a more comprehensive idea as regards the work we do and the poetry and essays we publish. Please send no more than five pages of poetry. There is no page limit for essay contributions.

Please email your submissions or queries to highchair@gmail.com (subject heading: High Chair Issue 12). Feel free to circulate this call for submissions to other interested parties. Thank you.

Conchitina Cruz and Adam David (Issue Editors)