To love is to admire with the heart, to admire is to love with the mind :)

"A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader and from the reader the writer learns." -P.L. Travers

Jessica Zafra

Born in 1965, Jessica Zafra's career ranges from fiction writer, columnist, editor, publisher, former television /radio show host to former manager of the Eraserheads. Mostly known for her books, the Twisted series, her works reflect her sharp and witty style. The subjects of her essays include current events, tennis players, movie reviews and even the concept of world domination. A known cat lover (she owns 3 cats), Jessica Zafra never fails to amuse her readers with funny,cynical and most of the time-ironic-stories that puts her as one of the most respected contemporary Filipino authors of our time. Zafra gives a fresh approach to Philippine literature in forms of satires and ironies. She currently writes a weekly column for The Philippine Star. The latest of the Twisted series, Twisted8 is now available at Powerbooks, National Bookstore and Fullybooked branches.

(Source: jessicarulestheuniverse.com:Jessica Zafra. 2006. Web. 24 June 2009. <http://jessicarulestheuniverse.com/about/>.)

Bienvenido Santos

Bienvenido Santos is a fictionist, poet and nonfiction writer. He was born and raised in Tondo, Manila. His family roots are originally from Lubao, Pampanga. He lived in the United States for many years where he is widely credited as a pioneering Asian-American writer. One of his known works, The Day the Dancers Came, is a short story that depicts the life and the feelings of a Filipino living in a foreign land. His other notable works include Scent of Apples (1979) and What the Hell for You Left Your Heart in San Francisco? (1987). A Carlos Palanca Memorial Award winner, Bienvenido Santos believed that it was important to feel compassion for his characters. "When you have created a story..you can take it with you, and remember, then you have magic". Santos died at his home, in Albay on January 7, 1996. He was 85 at that time. A great author who sympathizes with his fellow Filipinos working abroad in search of greener pastures.

(Source: bensantos.net:Tomas N. Santos. 2000. Web. 24 June 2009. <http://www.bensantos.net/>.)


PHOTO CREDITS:
http://www.thewilyfilipino.com/images/santos.jpg
http://jessicarulestheuniverse.com/images/jessica.zafra.photo.gif

Art in Progress

Literature is ART. Like a blank canvass, its possibilities are endless. The writer is the artist;the words, his medium. Literature triggers countless emotions-an evidence that we live and not merely exist. It is a bridge from the writer to the reader. Lives are changed from the ideals we read or even from the stories we share. I can share so much as how reading and writing changed the way I see the world. Through reading other people's works, I was able to catch a glimpse of reality through their eyes and to travel the world while even in my seat. :) Here's a short poem I read about what Literature is:

"Literature is a fantasy world.

Literature is emotions unfurled.

Literature is the mind's paintbrush.

Literature is a heart's soft touch.

Literature is imagination.

Literature is sleep deprivation.

Literature is my greatest bane.

Literature is my favourite game.

Literature is birds on wing.

Literature is...

Everything."

-streamwolf8.deviantart.com
(ORIGINAL POST CAN BE FOUND HERE.)

Photo credits to: http://epicureanpoetry.deviantart.com/art/Imagination-waiting-85923138