Not a wallflower at a party

Or so I think. I just couldn't forgive myself if I missed a milestone like F. Sionil Jose's 90th birthday party. Occasions like that are about the only time I see, press palms with or buss my writing mentors, idols and confreres. A friend said that in her excitement, she hyperventilated that night and forgot to have her picture taken with friends she hadn't seen in a long time.

While I was recuperating in Baguio from an ailment I would rather not discuss at length and my husband was forced to stay home and stay still because of a knee fracture, we went on a reading marathon of Manong Frankie's short stories and novels. It reached a point where we'd try to discuss what we had read and ended up mixing the characters and plots. Rolly counted how many times Frankie used the word "sybarite" in a novel. That sounds like my husband all right. You can keep the editor at home but not the editor from NOT working.

Thank you to the people who pressed the button of my camera so I can have a few mementos of the evening of Dec. 3 at the Cultural Center's main lobby.

Alfredo Roces, who I've been reading since high school, the birthday boy and fictionist Rony Diaz

It was Manong Frankie who told my class of high school kids: "You must not forgive a writer his sins just because he's a good writer." He's shown with a reader who's glad to have a few seconds with him before he was deluged with more well-wishers.

With Tessie Jose, who continues to make Frankie's life of letters possible, and sculptor Julie Lluch. Manang Tessie has kept her figure. This was the same outfit she wore when Frankie turned 80.

The heavyweights' table, only because two other National Artists for Literature are sharing space: Bienvenido Lumbera and Cirilo Bautista. The writers' wives are by their side, too: Shayne Lumbera and Rose Bautista.

Ka Satur Ocampo and Ka Universe Gilda Cordero Fernando

Three muses of literature Susan Lara, Marj Evasco and Gilda

Two publishing greats: Eugenia "Eggie" Apostol and Gilda yet again

Celeste Legaspi sings "Gaano Kita Kamahal" for the birthday celebrator (he with the black beret)

Blurry though it may seem this precious photo of laughing writing couple Roger and Fe Mangahas is full of meaning to me: love conquers all, especially dictatorships, aging and personal tragedies.

The untouched birthday cake that features likenesses of the covers of Frankie's novels. The cake people flocked to was the one baked by Estrel's, specializing in caramel cakes. It was given by the University of Santo Tomas's The Varsitarian which Frankie edited in his youth.

If it ain't broke...

..why change it? Or even fix it? 

That question had been asked also of the refurbished Batmobile when it was George Clooney still playing the guy in the suit who sat behind the wheels of a super-powered car. 

My partner and foremost critic asked me that, too, as he tried to "navigate" his way through this blog's new look (or turbulent waters?) just this Tuesday after I came from a blogging workshop. He grew increasingly exasperated as he kept pressing the wrong buttons and found the visuals flip-flapping this way and that. 

"Why not?" I asked back of oh captain, my captain, and laughed as I showed him where to press the button so he could return to the Classic look that he's more comfy with.

There was a chance to choose one of many Dynamic looks, click on my choice and apply it to this blogspot. Thank you,teachers Padma Perez and Jenny Cariño, for showing me how. I didn't lose a file nor the blogs in my "play list."  The latter is some sort of procrastination station where I like to linger to read the works of fellow bloggers united in the word.

One of our new bloggers from Baguio, who prefers to remain anonymous in the meantime, has one about life's charms and challenges. I must admit to feeling charmed and enticed by the look of the blogs of radical chick Katrina Stuart Santiago and now/here/now/where woman Padma and even that art blog of a more senior writer, Alfredo "Ding" Roces.  

I told P how the look reminded me of a desk with many drawers that I can pull out, depending on what I fancied. Could be the wrong analogy, huh? Okay, maybe I should compare their respective blog's layout to a cabinet of wonders (thanks, Anita Feleo, for the use of your Anvil travel book's title).

I talk too much or over-think things when all I what I want to say is this: 

El Capitan looking forlorn

"Dear Captain RBF, we are missing you in the same way we conceitedly know that you are missing us, the girls in your life, because, well, we're away part or most of the time. Don't be glum, don't be blue, don't answer a simple text of  'How are you?' with 'Still breathing.' We all know what can put a smile on your face again. Just continue to breathe and eat and work and play with Yao Ming the Dog and spin the opera CDs you bought at a bargain bin, and we'll be there in no time at all, down to our last centavo, broke but back in your loving arms. Ha! Got you there." --(signed) Wanna-be dynamic blogger

With The Button who can put a smile back on his face

Photos of Rolly and Butones Fernandez by Babeth Lolarga