Flashbacks - Fifteen Minutes of Fame

As some of you know, on a Saturday, last May 17, Aldo Ning Amanung Sisuan was held at the brand new state of the art theater of the Holy Angel University, in which three US based Capampangan poets, my brother Rafael Maniago, Renato Alzadon and Ernesto Turla, were crowned Poet Laureat. Despite a stormy Saturday night, the event was well attended. During the same night, a book of a collection of Capampangan poems by newly crowned Poet Laureat Renato (RBA) Alzadon, entitled Kasapunggul a Sampaga, was launched by ANASI and Holy Angel's Center for Kapampangan Studies. There was a short book signing by RBA at the lobby of the theater.


Holy Angel University's CKS did a superb job in setting up the momentous event with cool posters displayed all over the school and the city. Cong Paing's paintings were displayed by the entrance of the theater.


Lita and her husband were able to watch most of the show. They had to leave before it ended because her family were taking Fumio out for a farewell dinner.

Friend Mike Estacio made it as well but Tonette's vehicle got turned around by cops because of the heavy traffic created by a fallen tree off of McArthur Highway.

They served some snacks before the show and and a sumptous dinner was also served after the show.

The day after the event, local Cable Channel 8, Infomax interviewed all three new Poet Laureats in their talk show Personalan held at the lobby of the theater.

Weeks later, I tried to inquire from the station about a DVD copy of the show and was told it wasn't ready yet but was asked would I be interested to be one of the guests in another show Talking Points to discuss the plight of the Capampangan language. I said sure, thinking this can be my 'fifteen minutes of fame'.

The interview went really well. It was hosted by Personalan's Mau Aquino and another gentleman, forgot his name. They also invited friend Romy Rodriguez and CKS's Erlinda Cruz. Local Capampangan advocate Jason Laxamana and his Kalam co-director Diego Marx Dobles were also there. In the invterview, Ms Cruz and Romy discussed the recent passing of a provincial bill creating a Provincial Language (Capampangan) Council.

I don't watch a lot of TV so I really haven't seen the full episode of the interview but acquaintances have told me, "I saw you on TV the other night!" That's pretty cool for a non-celebrity like me!

Talk about TV, Mareng Myrna sent me a text message telling me to turn it on and put on ABS/CBN Pampanga. Friend Tonette and her sister Atching Claire were being interviewed about their family foundation, the IMMF, short for Innocencio Magtoto Memorial Foundation.