SLUM BOOK QUESTIONS: Valentine’s edition
Who was your first crush?
Christine: si Steve ng Voltes V (abnormal)
Panch: I think it was Andre Gower from the Monster Squad
Patti: A Jesuit priest
Nemah: My catechism instructor (a seminarian), when I was in second grade.
Frank: My sister brought me to watch Paper Moon and since then, I fell in love with Tatum O'Neal.
Tony: Carmelita Canlas
Elbert: My first crush was watching Caselyn Francisco on That's Entertainment. One day I will meet her in person and it will bring my childhood to a completion. (In the meantime, my childhood's still in a holding pattern.)
Cyan: Robin the Boy Wonder
Who was your first kiss?
Panch: Not applicable. Hahahaha.
Patti: A pimply 16-year-old boy
Nemah: Someone who was 6"4; he had to bend way down to reach my lips.
Frank: It was a classmate in Grade III. It was a dare orchestrated by my best friend, Bernardo, while playing in recess one August morning. But try as I can, I forgot her name.
Tony: Becky Misa
Cyan: my first boyfriend at 21
Who is your fantasy romantic partner?
Christine: singer Josh Groban (first choice); American actor Jensen Ackles
Panch: Johnny Depp
Patti: Someone who will remain nameless
Nemah: Depends on the time of day: Hugh Jackman in the morning; George Clooney at night. Lately, David Beckham is fading out and Barack Obama is getting into the picture.
Frank: Fermina Daza (Love in the Time of Cholera)
Tony: Secret
Elbert: My fantasy romantic partner is Natalie Portman, although I'm not sure the girlfriend will appreciate that. (I love you!)
Cyan: Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice
How will you celebrate Valentine’s Day this year?
Christine: usap lang kami sa phone. long distance. mahal magmahal.
Panch: Go swimming probably or working.
Patti: Will most likely forget unless reminded of it.
Nemah: Hmmm, probably curled up in bed, with a book of poems on erotica.
Frank: After the Taboan Writers Congress in QC, I will attend the "Presences and Absences" Poetry Reading at the Café by the Ruins and then drink the night away with my ruined poet friends
Tony: Meeting with Santeros Filipinos and practicing Santeria
Elbert: My better half and I are planning to go to Chinatown on a food trip with some friends during the day, then maybe cook dinner for each other, just the two of us, after that. Staying in and avoiding the Valentine crowds.
Cyan: spend time with my husband and hobbits
Cyan Abad-Jugo is the author of Leaf and Shadow: Stories About Some Friendly Creatures and has a story in the forthcoming anthology A Time for Dragons.
Frances (Panch) Alcaraz illustrated Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin, Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon, Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya, Cyan Abad-Jugo’s Leaf and Shadow and the recently released Heaven’s Butterfly.
Christine S. Bellen retells the stories of Lola Basyang in Anvil’s first children’s book series, Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang ni Severino Reyes (15 titles as of this writing).
Frank Cimatu is co-editor of the forthcoming Mondo Marcos: Martial Law Babies Write About Marcos and His Martial Law.
Nemah Hermosa is the co-author of the best-selling series Our World of Reading that’s been used in schools since the 1990s.
Patricia (Patti) Laurel is the author of the young adult novel Only If You Can Find Me.
Elbert Or illustrated Ang Parusa ng Duwende, Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Hari and the forthcoming San Miguel Pure Foods’ Kid’s Kitchen Camp Cookbook.
Tony Perez is the author of The Calling, Mga Panibagong Kulam, and the Sitio Katakutan series.
Photos of Christine, Nemah, Elbert and Tony by Wendy Basilio, copyright by Anvil Publishing.
