Author: Daniel-Jay Pascual
Class: IP 411: Ilokano Literature in Translation/English
Yesterday, we were fortunate enough to be in the presence of a guest poet, Dr. Alegria Visaya of Mariano Marcos State University. Dr. Visaya is the Secretary of the Board of Regents for the Philippines-based University. Being “100 percent” Chinese and “100 percent” Ilokano, Dr. Visaya has gone through an array of experiences in her life, one in particular, determining her identity.
Our class was able to learn about various aspects in her career as a poet. From her experiences as an editor for The Youth Grinder at Bakara High School, to writing poems for Banawag, Dr. Visaya has developed a profound skill for poetry. Her inspirations stem from writers of various backgrounds, a few of which include Edgar Allen Poe, Donel Pasis, and a former professor of Dr. Visaya, Professor Calixto.
The visit by Dr. Visaya was very refreshing. Being exposed to the experiences of a poet’s life has allowed me to see the knowledge one can gain through expressions in writing. Dr. Visaya writes poetry for a range of different focuses. From a picture of a sea shell, to the atmosphere of the night, her motivation to write is infinite. Ultimately, she has shown me that it is possible to take any simple object in life and eternalize it in writing.
1 comment:
Noted, 11-18-07
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