CEBUANO humor is the theme of “Ang Nakayatak kay Nayatakan (Who Steps Upon is Stepped Upon),” the latest book of poems by multi-awarded Cebuano poet Adonis Durado.
To book was launched at Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel on Saturday morning, Aug. 21, 2021.
The book published by the University of the Philippines Press consists of more than 60 poems with topics ranging from local experience to global news events, from art and philosophy to history and politics.
August, the national language month, also celebrates local languages with the theme, “Filipino at mga Wikang Katutubo sa Dekolonisasyon ng Pag-iisip ng mga Pilipino.”
“In Cebuano conversation, using humor is a potent form of ‘pasumbingay’ (when words and meaning are deliberately projected or deflected),” said Adonis Durado, book author and currently a visual communication professor at the Ohio University in the United States.
He said: “The overarching theme of this poetry collection is the exploration (and exploitation) of the various shades of humor and metaphor in Cebuano language.” The book title, “Ang Nakayatak Kay Nayatakan” is a Cebuano tongue-twister.
The Cebuano poems in the collection are translated into English by talented poets and authors: Catherine Viado, Michael Obenieta, Delora Sales-Simbajon and Anthony Kintanar.
The book launch featured poetry reading and interviews with the author and translators. It was hosted by Palm Grass in partnership with the UP Press, Cebuano Studies Center, Davao Writers Guild, University of San Carlos Basabalak Kanunay and Palabra.
A Tongue Twister Contest was held with the winner getting a free copy of the book.
Poetry readers included artists in various fields such as Radel Paredes, Ester Tapia, Cindy Velasquez, May Rosales, Ouida Rivera and Mark Montesclaros.
This is Adonis Durado’s fifth poetry collection. His previous books are the following: “Dili Tanang Matagak Mahagbong”, “Minugbo”, “Lisay sa Bugan”, and “Pahinungod sa Di Hintungdan”. These titles are all available at Palm Grass The Cebu Heritage Hotel bookshop.
The event will be live-streamed on the pages of Palm Grass, partner institutions, and the National Quincentennial Committee of the Philippines.