Our Author in Spotlight is Paul Cardenas, author of Kahel, a collection of Tagalog poems of hope, faith and second chances.  Paul is a blood cancer survivor and his poems were inspired by his experiences throughout his ordeal.

Get to know more about Paul and what inspired him to write poems in our short interview with him below.

 

What is the title of your new book and what is it about?

“My book is entitled Kahel, which also means color orange – the first and last color that you will see during sunrise (after darkness) and sunset (before darkness). Kahel is a collection of Tagalog poems about hope, faith, and second chances in life.

 

What was your inspiration for this book? Is there someone who influenced you to write?

My Mama. I was the family black sheep back then. A negative person indeed. I was very self-centered and greedy. Then, I was diagnosed with blood cancer (acute leukemia in 2012). I was bedridden for almost 2 years, jobless, and completely depressed. I lost my job in 2012, got heartbroken in 2014. My life was hanging by a thread, and my fatal illness crippled my personal savings. I went back to my family and real friends and asked for help and support. It was 2013 when I started taking oral chemotherapy meds and restarted a new life with my family (especially with my mom).

That was also the time I remembered that I have a talent in writing short stories and poems. I remember winning various contests from poetry to oratorical speech when I was in grade school until college. Instead of getting depressed, I encouraged myself to learn new skills such as how to play the violin and ukulele, and at the same time, rebuild the talent that God gave me, writing poems. But this time, I challenged myself and wrote it in Tagalog. I started to read Filipino books from authors like Bob Ong and Rolando Tiñio. But my favorite is Marcelo Santos III. He inspired me to not let go of my dreams. Marcelo’s poems are my inspiration that’s why I wrote different poems, monologues, and spoken poetry about heartbreak, second chances, being whole again, and faith.

I wrote my poems in a steno pad paper, alone in my small room, and my Mama helped me to write a theme. That was also the time I discovered that my Mama is a struggling artist. She’s also a poet and no one knows that. “As an artist, I will continue to write stories and poems for my Mama and to all the people who are suffering & struggling from mental disorders”. Initially, I have no plans on selling my art. But I realized that my poems can be an inspiration to the people struggling with mental health disorders. That’s the reason why a portion of the proceeds from Kahel will be donated to my partnered mental health group.

 

What made you decide to write in Filipino?

I used to write English poems and short stories back then as a hobby and no one is reading my poems. They find it boring. It was 2013, the year I’m struggling with mental health and coping up with blood cancer. I tried to read novels from Bob Ong and collection of poems from Rolando Tiñio and Marcelo Santos III. And then “ayun, ang sarap pakinggan at basahin ng mga tula sa wikang Tagalog”, mas lalo sa mga context at content ni Marcelo Santos III. (It is so nice to hear and read poems in Tagalog, especially the context and content of Marcelo Santos III.) So, I tried to write poems in Tagalog while in oral chemo and that was also the time I won’t let go of my pencil and steno pad paper. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam magsulat ng Tagalog, mas nadarama ko ang saya, lungkot, luha, takot, pag-asa, galit, sakit, at pait. (It feels so good to write in Tagalog, I can feel happiness, sadness, tears, fears, hope, anger, pain, and bitterness more.)

 

Can you tell us a little background about yourself?

I was born in Manila, Philippines and I grew up in a very simple and religious family. I am the third and youngest child of Alexander Cardenas, a retired sea farer and a simple housewife, Ruby Cardenas. When I was young, I really wanted to be an animator or a cartoonist because I’m in love with Dragon Ball Z, Ghost Fighter, Cedie – Ang Munting Prinsipe (The Little Prince), and The Lion King. From grade school until college, I love writing short stories with my sketches / drawings in a folded bond paper and then, I will give it to my friends and classmates. I enjoyed writing my own oratorical and declamation speech and performing it on stage. I graduated from Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Taguig with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. I started working as a technical writer, and then I became a web content developer, e-learning trainer, and web / mobile app user interface designer in different IT companies. Currently, I am working as a Knowledge Governance and Content Writing Manager in a private company.

 

We have seen the video of your performance. How often do you have open mic performances and where do you have them?

It was my first time! I just tried to register and share two of my monologues and poems in an open mic group called “Ang Sabi Nila”. I was really surprised that I was selected to perform on stage. In my excitement, I suddenly left the office and wrote a spoken word poetry in a coffee shop. I also selected one of my favorite poems in my book titled “Tanga-tangahan (Maliwanag pa sa Buwan)” and perform it in the crowd. I am really thankful and extremely happy that night. I will continue to do open mic performances every month. I am really thankful for the opportunity that “Ang Sabi Nila” gave me. This is what I love to do.

 

When will be the launch of your book? What should your guests expect at the launch?

 

My book launch will be on February 2, 2020, Sunday, 3:00pm to 5:30 pm and it will be held at Malongo Atelier Barista in McKinley West, Taguig. I’m excited to discuss my book with the help of my mental health advocates, fellow independent poets and authors, and spoken word artists who will also be performing their piece during the event. We will discuss about mental health issues and disorders in our country, how to end the stigma, and will provide answers on medications and support.

 

Where will your books be available and how much is it?

For now, it will be only available online. People can order my book via email at pablitobooks@gmail.com or they can follow my page https://facebook.com/pablobahaghari and they can directly PM their orders for only PHP 380. I am also planning to sell my book in National bookstores and other bookstores nationwide mid 2020.

 

What was your feeling when you finally got your book published?

HINDI MASUKAT NA NGITI at walang katapusang tears of joy!!! (Immeasurable smiles and unending tears of joy!) I told my mama, “Ma, isa na akong ganap na manunulat! Isa na akong ganap na author”. (“Ma, I am now a full pledged writer. I am now an author.”) I was crying when I received the manuscript and still praying that someday I can leave my 8-5 job, be a successful author, continue to write more books, and inspire my fellow Filipino people. It was the best experience ever!!!

 

What advice can you give to aspiring poets?

Please continue to write, chase your dreams, and do not give up. May mga pagkakataong sasablay tayo habang hinahabol at ginagawa natin ang ating mga pangarap pero wag na wag kang bibigay dahil parating may chances ang buhay. When God gave you this chance or another chance, make it special. Hindi pa huli ang lahat para sa ating mga pangarap! Keep walking! Keep writing! May magandang plano si Lord sa atin. Write and inspire people. Ibalik mo kay God ang talentong binigay niya sayo at maging isa kang magandang inspirasyon sa mga tao. (Please continue to write, chase your dreams, and do not give up. There are times we stumble while chasing our dreams but never give up because there are always chances in life. When God gave you this chance, make it special. It is not too late for our dreams! Keep walking! Keep writing! The Lord has a beautiful plan for us. Write and inspire people. Give back to God the talent he gave you and be a beautiful inspiration to people.)

 

Can you share with us your favorite line or verse?

“Ok lang sumablay, parating may chances ang buhay” – a line from my book Kahel | Mga Tula ay Salita sa Gustong Mabuo Muli.