The November 11, 2009 NBDB Panel: How To Read The Next Generation (Fiction) (UPDATED)

I attended the November 11, 2009 NBDB-sponsored talk (which I announced here) on How To Read The Next Generation (Fiction) at the Filipinas Heritage Library. The panelists were (from left to right in the group photo above): Ed Samar, Tara Sering, Dean Francis Alfar, Sarge Lacuesta, and moderator Charlson Ong (Jose Dalisay, who was the originally scheduled moderator, couldn't make it). The host was Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores (the solo pic at the podium above), Executive Director of the NBDB. Also present was writer, Jun Balde (the solo pic of the man standing, above).

I noted that most of the listeners were teachers, some from the private sector, but most from public schools. After each writer read excerpts from their books (Ed's was particularly raunchy), we were allowed to ask questions, many of which were direct, pointed, and thought-provoking.

All were concerned with how to get their students more interested in reading, and then, reading Pinoy writers. One teacher lamented that at the mention of some popular, foreign books, his students would be enthusiastic and involved, but at the hint of the name of a local writer, they would suddenly become quiet. Another asked a related question about how writers can reach out and do their own "marketing" to their readers, so as to help the teachers make their students aware of what is being produced locally. Atty. Andrea answered that the first world ideal would be for writers to write and publishers and agents to "market", but as we all know, the Philippines isn't the first world (I'd like to add that many writers in the first world are not leaving it to their publishers and agents but are indeed marketing themselves already via websites and online social-networking). Sarge Lacuesta mentioned that he believes a writers' role is to write, to give his best to what he's writing, which is his obligation to a reader who buys his book. Comparisons were made to what other Southeastasian writers are doing in their countries to promote themselves (Jun Balde mentioned their use of print-on-demand), and inevitably the question was raised as to whether local writers could do the same. I'd like to point out that based on my own observations, Dean Alfar has been putting in his own considerable effort to promote via his blog the books he writes and publishes. Nevertheless, it raised envy to hear about how writers in other countries are admired by their countrymen more than here (Sarge mentioned that while traveling abroad, some schoolchildren found out that a local writer he was with was in the same bus, and they all eagerly lined up to speak with him and get his autograph).

One teacher whispered to me that it would have been nice if a curriculum designer or two from the Department of Education could've been invited to the panel so that they could see for themselves what is available from local writers so that their course work could be remade to contain more local content.

Jun Balde raised some interesting publishing figures. He cited that millions of books are sold each year in the Philippines (I forgot the exact number he mentioned, but it was a considerable amount), so it's not right to say that Filipinos don't read. Rather, it's more interesting to parse just what kinds of books are being bought. The bulk of books that are being bought are paperback romance novels, humor books, how-to's, and textbooks. Jun Balde said that fiction actually ranks in the top five of the types of books being purchased and read, and if any type of book-type has not been selling well, it's poetry.

Someone asked about the role of writers in Philippine society, whether writers have the duty and obligation to write stories that make readers aware of the different social issues and concerns we face. Sarge answered that in the end, he writes what he knows, and if it reflects whatever situations the country faces, then there it is. I personally read that he has no outright "agenda" to "inform" readers through stories about the country's social ills. When I mentioned this to some other writers later that evening, their reaction was this is no longer fiction but journalism (I hesitate to use the word "propaganda", but I'm sure someone will bring it up). Personally, I think a writer will be drawn to write on a certain issue if the characters and the issue itself arouse his passions enough to put it into a story.

There, too, was an interesting question about the creative process of each writer, and another about the role of workshops and classes to improve one's writing. All the panelists spoke of discipline and setting aside time to write. Sarge mentioned that writing for him is an obsession; it is something he has to do, wants to do with a passion, and that's something anyone who really wants to write has to ingrain. With regard to workshops and classes, Dean made a good analogy about the Pinoys who sing well: some are trained, some are self-taught. Some from each group go on to become world-class talents. Those who are trained learn a bit more technique and craft, but that's not to say that those who don't can't perform. The same, for writing. Ed Samar mentioned his staying up till the wee hours of the morning just churning out words, implying the amount of work and effort involved.

A most forthright question made by one of the public school teachers was about photocopying texts for classroom use. Atty. Andrea, being the lawyer that she is, answered by citing some law numbers that I can't remember anymore, but in the end cited "fair use". Bottom line: you can legally photocopy parts of a book for students to read, but not the whole book. If you plan to do so, it may be better to buy the book and help the writers and publishers out; but portions of a book for study and discussion is fine.

Charlson Ong made a pointed statement, and I paraphrase, "Until we get a Dep Ed secretary, and even higher than that, a President, as well as other government officials, who are literate, who know the value of reading and the arts because they themselves are readers, I think we all know that nothing will improve."

The discussion yesterday afternoon just confirmed my own assumptions about the difficulties of increasing local literacy. That's a reality and an issue in itself, and one wonders if a story can be made about that. I've mentioned in the past that in my own simplistic analysis, making Pinoys more literate is a root to addressing many other societal ills. The realities brought home by the questions of the teachers only shows how challenging this still is. In 2010, the Philippines will be having major elections. Here's hoping for a change for the better.

Update: I forgot to mention a question made by Bliss, who was there at the talk in the front row, and who reminded me of it in a comment on the PGS Multiply mirror (she blogs about her experience here). She asked about how long it takes for a writer to write good fiction, the assumption being that writing good fiction requires a certain amount of...experience, to which everyone laughed at the age implication in her question. Dean and Sarge said something like, "What are you saying?! Na matanda na kami?!" But I agree with their answer that it doesn't matter. Why wait? Just write. Their answer in a nutshell is, "Why wait? If you do, by the time you get to write about what you want for the sake of "experience", the moment, and your readership, might have passed you by." In other words, Bliss, who is in her early 20's, can write as well as those as old as, ahem, Dean and Sarge. I would've simply said, "No. As with sex, age doesn't matter." ;-)