When the subject of Gilda Cordero Fernando, writer and serious painter (no matter how she pooh-poohs the sincerity with which she applies herself to the art), comes up, sculptor Julie Lluch and I are one in agreeing on this.
PINOY is what Filipinos call each other. It’s an abbreviated term of endearment—you’re Pinoy from Pilipino, just like you’re Tisoy from mestizo, or Chinoy from Chinese-Filipino.
The initial reaction of the Theresians of Quezon City to the column of Gilda Cordero Fernando, which appeared last Sunday in the Inquirer, ranged from mild surprise to perplexed anger, bordering on disgust even. Some simply wondered where these mindless thoughts of Ms Fernando were coming from.
When I wasn’t looking, I turned 83. And my life is full—of writing and painting (until 3 a.m., which is the best time to paint and get insomnia).
In the time of People Power, on Dec. 5, 1987, a lively gathering was going on at the “in” place at that time, Limelight at the Remedios Circle. Political activists, socialites, artists, bohemians and academicians of all stripes had trooped to the fun district of Malate to toast and roast themselves in the launching of the book, “History of the Burgis.”
“FOREVER 81” writer Gilda Cordero Fernando (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Sunday Lifestyle) models for the 80 and above a waltz down memory lane beyond “Triviata.” A neighboring column, “My Chair Rocks” of Conchita Razon, not only awaits more “aha moments” from PDI readers, but also propels them to keep in step with her beat. One can’t help tapping into her vibes and rocking, too.
There seems to be a resurgence lately of interest in the aswang and other creatures of lower mythology. The outrageous new novel by the inimitable Ricky Lee, “Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata,” and Erik Matti’s hilarious spoof of a film, “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles,” which Belai Gruenberg and I caught on its last day, are the most recent.
The three lovable Delgado sisters sit in a front pew of the Power Plant chapel at Rockwell for a Mass commemorating the anniversary of Cory Aquino’s death. As usual for any Cory occasion, they are dressed in casual-chic yellow and, as usual for just about any occasion, wearing their golden-brown hair neatly teased. In their late 80s now, they look frailer than when I saw them last, but they remain bright-eyed and enthusiastic.
Be enthralled by the colorful creatures of Philippine folk literature and mythology as the UP Playwrights’ Theater puts the spotlight once again on “Umaaraw Umuulan Kinakasal ang Tikbalang,” Dulaang UP’s hit production last season. The play is adapted from Gilda Cordero-Fernando’s children’s short story “The Magic Circle,” written by Rody Vera and directed by José Estrella.
That was a conclusion I had arrived at many months after my husband’s death. It was a contentious marriage. We were the opposite of each other—qualities he didn’t have, I had, qualities he had, I didn’t have. Which should have been, if you blanked out everything else, a perfect fit.
The latest in global fashion, beauty, and culture through a contemporary Filipino perspective.
COPYRIGHT © LIFESTYLE INQUIRER 2022
