My Teacher, My Friend

Olive Tripon

The first time I met Marjorie Evasco, she was part of the panel of the Silliman Creative Writing Workshop in the summer of 1989. I was not part of the batch of talented writers like Luna Sicat, Vim Nadera, Danny Reyes, Joey Baquiran, etc., who are now award-winning writers in Filipino and English. I was an “observer” or what you call “saling pusa.” I don’t know how I got there, but I was happy to be with these young writers. At that time, I was a freelance writer contributing to Mr. and Ms. and had a parenting column at the Manila Chronicle.

Although I submitted three poems, I did not dare think they would critique them. But the panelists, composed of the celebrated Tiempos, Merlie Alunan, Cesar Aquino, and Marj, did not discriminate. They treated me as if I was part of the batch.

My batchmates, too, were friendly and dragged me to Dumaguete’s seaside for beer sessions which I wasn’t fond of. I was more into “sikwate and budbud kabog” (hot chocolate and suman). Because I was the oldest, they elected me editor of the traditional newsletter.

In Silliman, I learned that writing is hard work, especially poetry. It is never enough just to learn to express oneself. It is a craft that must be honed and nurtured by a lot of reading! Even just knowing your “voice” is a long process.

Heart to heart

She is a teacher and a friend. I consider her my poetry sensei still. Always inviting me to new ways of being and opening my mind to new ways of thinking and writing. I remember going to De La Salle for meetings with her group of feminist poets who called themselves “Witches.” She invited me to lectures and book launches at DLSU and Instituto Cervantes. She introduced me to Wislawa Szymborska on one of our book-shopping expeditions.

When I invited her to be part of the WFS* board, she did not hesitate. So sincere was she in helping our writers excel in creative non-fiction—always the teacher, encouraging, and patient. This is where our bond became stronger—heart to heart—as she helped the organization weather the problems. She helped us write proposals and designed training budding writers.

In one of our events, the topic was women as peacemakers (Bangsamoro peace talks were ongoing then). Marj included a poetry reading instead of the usual cultural fare. She chose five poems, including Grace Monte de Ramos’s “Brave Woman.” We, the board members, read a poem each. A lump was in my throat as I read a 4-year-old’s bravado to fight. “I am 4”, thinking of my grandson. The audience was stunned by what they heard, and hopefully, everyone present would work for peace.

The giver, the foodie

Marj shares her friends as well as her discoveries of the good life. We would hold meetings at Cibo, sharing a salad, pasta, and pizza plate. A yoga practitioner, she exudes spirituality and calmness. At our board meeting in our friend Carrie Tharan’s lovely home in Bohol, she brought her yoga teacher, who welcomed the day in meditation, and then we greeted the sun. We also had a poetry reading at sunset!

Once, she introduced me to vegetarian dishes at the Buddhist temple before attending the lectures there on literature.

On her birthday, she invited me and Carrie to high tea at Bizu. As we munched on exquisite cakes and tiny sandwiches, I handed my poems for them to read.

I have savored reading Marj’s works; some she gifted me. (I now have a collection of beautiful bookmarks, most of which were gifts from Marj ). I am only in awe of her words, so chosen for the right effect. She writes with discipline, opting out of social media. Despite her many awards, she remains humble and a true friend.

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*Women’s Feature Service (WFS) Philippines Inc. was an independent news media that I headed since 1990 until its closure in 2015. A UN initiative, WFS had a pool of women writers nationwide writing features or creative non-fiction from the women’s perspective. The collection of stories and books is now in the Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings.