Bridges of Memory

“Writing memoirs & poems made me relook at my learning is life.” Mario Torrento, an entrepreneur from Iloilo who took the Creative Writing class. 

“My poem “Letter to the World” serves as a beacon of hope to our readers, young & old, in the face of chaos and confusion” this is from Rudy Fernandez, a banker who was sidelined from his career due to an illness. 

All these and many more, are contained in a book, Bridges of Memory, a compilation of poems, short stories & memoir written by 12 students of Prof. Oscar Gutierrez Penaranda, which was launched last December 2.

The enrollees recalled sitting for four hours to tackle lectures, read voluminous research materials, do homework & read these in class to be critiqued by the Professor & the entire class. 

This advanced class in Creative Writing, a six-week, hybrid class came up with a book “Bridges of Memory” dedicated to Mrs. Felicidad T. Sy, matriarch of the Sy family for “envisioning & creating the Sunshine Place” which has become a haven for seniors to hone their creativity after retirement. 

The launch had Prof Butch Dalisay and Dr. Vim Nadera as Guests of Honor. Dalisay wrote in a blurb “a collection of personal narratives and creative expressions, so profound and moving. It will stir deeply kept and forgotten memories in one’s life. So comforting it quiets the heart and the mind.” Prof Nadera wrote the Introduction to the book calling it an expressive arts therapy.  

At the launch, Len Fernandez read her poem “The Witching Hour’”, Dada Trillo, “Sprinklings of Dawn,” while Vicky Lopez who was in San Francisco read her poem “The Wounded Sparrow” via video. Arlene Gonzales read excerpts from her piece “Being almost Charlene” and Melanie Lago’s “Dayuhan Siya.”

There was an intermission number, a Beatles song “In my Life” rendered by Luigi Lago, son of Melanie Lago, one of the writers of the book. 

Lizanne Uychaco, Executive Vice President of SM Investments Corp & President of Sunshine Place gave an inspirational message to all to continue “open up a window of their lives” to share lessons to the everyone, to the young, to the not-so young.

Butch Dalisay congratulated the authors for their enthusiasm in sharing their memories through poetry, short stories and essays. Via a video message from San Francisco, Prof. Oscar Penaranda congratulated the authors of the book for opening up the windows of the souls.