If it happens that you have already read Hailord Lavarias’ previous feature here at The FIlm Dream, you already know that we have promised to reveal the secret behind his favorite poem he has written entitled, “Tila.”
Here it goes...
“Paborito ko ang “Tila” kasi sa tingin ko, dito ko matagumpay na na-execute yung poetry principle na hindi lahat ibinibigay ng author sa nagbabasa. Kailangang magtira ka para sa pag-iisip nung nagbabasa kasi dito madalas nakakasama yung reader sa experience. Parang nasa tula rin siya, kasi binibigyan mo siya ng pagkakataon na bumuo ng sarili niyang realidad gamit ang kanyang nabasa,” Lavarias shared.
Such a generous act for the 21-year old Thomasian Hailord Lavarias who recently won the Rector’s Literary Award (RLA) at the 36th Gawad Ustetika to share the story behind that wonderful poem, but mind you, he has a lot more to offer.
This talented literary writer is currently studying law at University of Sto Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. But even if poetry is quite far from the legal profession he is planning to pursue, he will never stop from writing poems. In fact, publishing his own poetry book is still one of his biggest dreams.
While we are all waiting for that book to finally materialize, Hailord has a treat for those who are aspiring to craft their first poem or those who are already immersed in poetry but feels like they’re stuck and uncertain on how to make that magic happen. Hailord Lavarias listed down five wonderful tips which might be of great help for you:
Kailangan alam natin ang sinusulat natin. Kung kailangang magbasa o mag-research tungkol sa topic na isusulat natin, gawin natin. Kasi ang nagpapaganda sa tula hindi lang naman yung creative aspect, kundi pati na rin yung accuracy.
Hindi kailangang perpekto agad sa unang sulat. Laging kailangang maglaan ng panahon para mabasa ulit at tingnan ang dapat tingnan. Pero dahil tingin ko hindi naman talaga natin maaabot ang ‘personal perfection’, kailangan alam din natin kung kailan tayo titigil sa pagbago ng mga nasusulat natin.
Kung makakaya, hingin din ang opinyon ng iba (kapamilya, kaibigan) sa sinusulat. Kasi minsan nabubulag tayo ng sarili nating ideas, kaya mahalagang may mga taong pwedeng pumuna sa atin kung anong dapat isama pa para mas maging maganda ang isinusulat. Malaking tulong ang pagsali sa workshops sa aspetong ito.
Huwag ikulong ang sarili sa iisang istilo o konsepto. Kailangan, kung maaari, unti-unting mag-explore sa pwedeng isulat. Huwag matakot maging political or existential. Sulat lang.
Laging mag-iwan ng pagkakataon para sa reader na mag-isip at bumuo ng sarili niyang reality sa sinulat. Magbigay ng sapat, huwag sosobra.
Hailord also called “Hail” by his friends shared that young writers like him should always be welcoming with opportunities that may come along their way.
“If there’s an opportunity for us to write, write. Kasi doon natin malilinang ang mga kakayahan natin. At siyempre, napakahalaga ng pagbabasa para matuto ng iba’t-ibang estilo ng pagsulat,” Lavarias emphasized.
Despite Hailord Lavarias’ gift of creativity as a literary writer, he remains open to learning new things. In fact, he has mentioned names of talented creatives in their respective fields whom he really looks up to.
“Para sa tula/poetry, nandyan sina Vijae Alquisola, Paul Castillo, Joey Baquiran, Mookie Lacuesta, at Carlomar Daoana. Para naman sa ibang literary genre, hinahangaan ko sina Joselito Delos Reyes at Sarge Lacuesta, para sa kanilang mga maiikling kwento.
Writing poems as they say gives you the freedom. Some would say that putting words on paper can help you make sense of the world around you or would actually help you express your deepest emotions. Whatever reason that maybe, the only way to figure it out is to start writing now.
But just to reiterate a reminder from Hailord himself, “magtira para sa magbabasa.”
Happy writing!
Get to know Hailord Lavarias and how he started his journey in poetry.