...because I, too, have become a sad, barren person. I've began to suspect that our new bigas is making me lose IQ points. I swear, ever since we used that variant of bigas (dunno what it is called), I can't even think of something remotely witty to my friends. Scary mind-numbing bigas, be careful of them.

Yesterday was the lit prelims, and as expected it was all gas. You know, while lit with Sir Hibek is funny and crazy and insane and very gay, there really are times I wish I had another prof. It's just -- lit is supposed to enable you to think for yourself and philosophize, right? When asked for the theme of a poem or whatnot, as long as you were able to explain intelligently why you thought the theme was such, that should suffice as an acceptable answer. To say that there is only one right interpretation of a poem (which is his interpretation, most probably) is in equal parts egotistic and stupid.

On the bright side, lit with Sir Hibek has made me appreciate poetry more, which is quite a feat considering I can hardly appreciate poetry not from my own pen (or from my friends'). It also brought me Nick Joaquin.

Oh how I love Nick Joaquin! Three Generations is one of the best short stories I've ever read, and I have passed my (also third generation photo)copy on to my friends. I am now nodding beatifically at the computer screen, thinking of my efforts to spread the Nick Joaquin love.

I'm currently hunting for his works. Will visit the lib next week, I swear. If you have any recs, I'd be delighted to hear them. Actually if you could recommend other works by excellent Filipino writers, that'd be great as well. I really must be missing a lot on the whole Filipino literature scene. My shame is as deep as the ocean for reading more European books.