August 15, 2000 
ISSUE # 38

Baliktanaw sketches contributed by Tom MaVeety. Page concept by Reynaldo Morales

Dear Reader,

When we first conceptualized Baliktanaw: Akdang Pilipino mula sa Ibayong Dagat, we basically wanted an issue that would showcase the writings of Filipinos abroad. What we got, however, was so much more than that.

This month's theme has spilled out from the Literary Section that we thought would contain it, and has delightfully filled and inspired several other parts of this issue. 

In our news section, for example, we have 2 Fil-American writers in back-to-back Likhaan events.. Under our special features, we have  a column by Jose Y. Dalisay who just got back from London. Our book launch section  features  the launching of a landmark Filipina American anthology. The visuals themselves are  sketches provided by an American with a heart that goes out to the Philippines. And of course,  under our Literary section, we have 9 works from Filipinos from all over the world, including 1 from an American reader.

We are likewise featuring Joseph Nathan Cruz, whose valedictory speech seems appropriate for this issue, as it questions our notions of solidarity in the global village.

If  this issue can provide an additional dimension  as to  what Cruz' solidarity entails, it is perhaps the idea that Filipinos, no matter where they are in the world, will always keep in touch with their country, be it in thought or speech or, as far as Baliktanaw is concerned, in writing.

Additonally, because many other nationalities  have responded to Likhaan Online's call for Filipino works, perhaps the idea of global solidarity and national unity must eventually lose its  geographic or racial boundaries. In the end, solidarity means embracing the "multitudes consigned to the margins," as Cruz says.

With that, we hope you do enjoy this issue which, aside from being international on the internet, is international in many other ways.

Gio B. Tavanlar IV

Distinguished Filipino-American Writers featured in recent Likhaan Events:
 
(1) Kwentuhan with Bino Realuyo
(2) CW 250 with Marianne Villanueva
6 Honored at Poets Congress. Click Here.
The Correct Usage of National Artist.
RP Culture has a new webpage Click Here.
Jaime An Lim's Language of Landscape
Filipina and Filipina American Writers in landmark anthology.
Babaylan

Alan Popa and Jaime Borlagdan launch collections of their poetry. New Books


Joseph Nathan Cruz, the top graduate of the College of Arts and Letters this year, delivered a valedictory address that has been well-received and publicized in newspapers, and in the internet. Likhaan Online readers have responded to his speech as well. We feature Mr. Cruz' speech here, as well as commentary from a reader in Mexico.

Butch Dalisay, Likhaan Online's Editorial Consultant, has come back from London. In his column, PenMan, he shares with us his experience of Britain. Click Here.
© Copyright 1999 Likhaan: 
U.P. Creative Writing Center
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Bino Realuyo. Pantoum: The Comfort Woman & Filipineza
Marianne Villanueva. Silence
Elmer Omar Pizo. Black Dog, Mother Tongue & Candid Moment.
Jon Pineda. Coffee Near the Arno
Erwin Cabucos. Father
Dennis Merino. My Playful Moon & Brush Stroke
Raidis Smet. June Bride
Manuel Yturriaga. Paano Mo Ba Susuungin & Pambihirang Pinoy
Duane Locke. Showcases, Outside, & Migration.