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Guwang
- GenresPoetry
111 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
14 people want to read
About the author
Mesándel Virtusio Arguelles
35 books20 followersMesándel Virtusio Arguelles’s 19 books in Filipino include, among others, Walang Halong Biro (De La Salle University Publishing House, 2018), an edition of selected poems, Ang Iyong Buhay ay Laging Mabibigo (Ateneo de Naga University Press, 2016), and Talik, Antares, and Mujeres Públicas, a three-volume poetry series from Balangay Books. A recipient of multiple national awards and fellowships, two-time Philippine National Book Award finalist Arguelles is co-editor of the journal hal., works as a book editor, and teaches literature and creative writing at the De La Salle University. English translations (by Kristine Ong Muslim) of his poems have appeared or are forthcoming in numerous journals, magazines, and anthologies, including Asymptote, Circumference: Poetry in Translation, Construction Magazine, Fishhouse, Samovar, Spoon River Poetry Review, The Adirondack Review, The Cossack Review, Speculative Masculinities (UK: Galli Books, 2019), and The Silent Garden: A Journal of Esoteric Fabulism (Canada: Undertow Publications, 2018).
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 28, 2014
Guwang means space. This is the main theme of the book: life's emptiness. Space is empty. Space is sad. Space is injustice. Space is nothing.
Click on the cover of the book. The Filipino children here are dressed like the ones from the old Tagalog movies set during the Spanish era. One boy even has a crucifix so they appear to be religious and living in an old laid back rural town. Notice that they are all looking at the sky with their mouths open as if they are either waiting for food because they are hungry or they saw a celestial phenomenon and they are shouting in disbelief. The open mouths signify space or "guwang." There's a space in their mouth. May guwang sa kanilang bibig.
I met the author of this lovely poetry book last year during a bookfair. He was non-assuming fellow so I did not get any impression that he was a good poet. He even signed my book: "Kay Sir KD - Lugod ko ang ating pagkakakilala, para sa pagmamahal sa sining at tula! Salamat po!" (To Sir KD - The happiness of meeting you is mine for the love of arts and poetry! Thank you!). The book is pristine. Something that you can give as a gift to friends because it is so presentable and looks classy (compared to mainstream bestsellers available in big bookstores). The poems are well-thought of and have collections to historical events in the country. These connections I felt while reading but did not readily figure that out until the last page of the book where there was that page with the author pointing those out. I thought that was nice because it did not influence my mind trying to remember those events while reading the pieces. It was like having a blank brain trying to decipher what the poems meant. I was even thinking of myself and what was going through my life the past few weeks (too much work in the office and working almost 16 hrs each day feeling like a hero who has to make sure our customers, my bosses especially, are happy) then later found out that the poet's intent was to tell the story of those heroes in different battles in our country's history. Well, while closing the book, I said to myself that I am not a hero in this or that battle, but I am living my busy life for myself, for my family, for my retirement and I can be a hero in my daughter's eyes. In fact, all of us are heroes in our own way. We have spaces but not all spaces are unfilled or unfulfilled. If we are heroes, the spaces in our hearts will have to be filled with love. Especially those that come from our loved ones.
In my case, as long as the fillings are from my wife and my daughter, I will die a happy man with a big heart filled and fulfilled.
Job well done, Mr. Mesandel Arguelles. More! More!
Click on the cover of the book. The Filipino children here are dressed like the ones from the old Tagalog movies set during the Spanish era. One boy even has a crucifix so they appear to be religious and living in an old laid back rural town. Notice that they are all looking at the sky with their mouths open as if they are either waiting for food because they are hungry or they saw a celestial phenomenon and they are shouting in disbelief. The open mouths signify space or "guwang." There's a space in their mouth. May guwang sa kanilang bibig.
I met the author of this lovely poetry book last year during a bookfair. He was non-assuming fellow so I did not get any impression that he was a good poet. He even signed my book: "Kay Sir KD - Lugod ko ang ating pagkakakilala, para sa pagmamahal sa sining at tula! Salamat po!" (To Sir KD - The happiness of meeting you is mine for the love of arts and poetry! Thank you!). The book is pristine. Something that you can give as a gift to friends because it is so presentable and looks classy (compared to mainstream bestsellers available in big bookstores). The poems are well-thought of and have collections to historical events in the country. These connections I felt while reading but did not readily figure that out until the last page of the book where there was that page with the author pointing those out. I thought that was nice because it did not influence my mind trying to remember those events while reading the pieces. It was like having a blank brain trying to decipher what the poems meant. I was even thinking of myself and what was going through my life the past few weeks (too much work in the office and working almost 16 hrs each day feeling like a hero who has to make sure our customers, my bosses especially, are happy) then later found out that the poet's intent was to tell the story of those heroes in different battles in our country's history. Well, while closing the book, I said to myself that I am not a hero in this or that battle, but I am living my busy life for myself, for my family, for my retirement and I can be a hero in my daughter's eyes. In fact, all of us are heroes in our own way. We have spaces but not all spaces are unfilled or unfulfilled. If we are heroes, the spaces in our hearts will have to be filled with love. Especially those that come from our loved ones.
In my case, as long as the fillings are from my wife and my daughter, I will die a happy man with a big heart filled and fulfilled.
Job well done, Mr. Mesandel Arguelles. More! More!
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December 12, 2015DONE WITH THIS
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews