Epitacio Tongohan
Epitacio Tongohan | |
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![]() Taken during the 'Ceremonial Event' of Doc PenPen (center) to the Order of National Artist for Literature (Poetry), and his conferment as 'Father and King of Visual Poetry' under Tanay Sangguniang Bayan Resolution No. 43, at Tanay Municipal Session Hall, on February 22, 2024. | |
Born | Epitacio Ramos Tongohan November 19, 1958 |
Pen name | Doc PenPen Bugtong Takipsilim |
Occupation | Medical doctor, poet, artist, entrepreneur |
Nationality | Filipino |
Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas University of the East |
Years active | 2000-present |
Notable works | Pentasi B Poetry Volumes 1 - 3 |
Epitacio Ramos Tongohan (born 19 November 1958), known in global literary circuits as Doc PenPen Bugtong Takipsilim, or simply Doc Penpen, is a medical doctor, indie filmmaker and producer, artist, and poet from Tanay, Rizal, the Philippines, and conferred by different poets organizations in different parts of the globe the title “Father of Visual Poetry”.[1] He is also the founder of the global organization of poets and artists Pentasi B World Friendship Poetry.[2] He is also actively campaigning for the Philippines be declared as the "Poetry Heart of the World" to help boost its tourism and literary industry.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Tongohan grew up in Tanay, a municipality in Rizal. A trained medical doctor specialising in anatomic pathology, he obtained his degree in Medical Technology from University of Santo Tomas in Manila in 1979. He got his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the East - Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center in 1984. He returned to UST for his post-doctorate studies specializing in Anatomic Pathology in 1988.[4]
Poetic style
[edit]As a visual poet, Tongohan's poetry is "controversial" as it does not follow the conventional way of writing poetry. A journalist and critic from the Philippines called Tongohan's poetry as "out of the box," and "...dared provoke the standard, the conventional and the traditional." The critic said that Tongohan's visual poetry are "...nearly insolent bravado with which the poems were written defies time-honored rules, taunting rather mischievously the establishment without reservation, hesitation or trepidation."[5] His experimentation with words, symbols, and other elements has given his poetry "abstract" and "surrealist" characteristics, if compared to paintings.[5] Moreover, Tongohan pioneered the "5Ms" concept in visual poetry: multilingual, multimodal, multiangular, multisensorial and multidimensional, which he called Pentasi B poetry.[6]
Works
[edit]Tongohan's works were compiled in a three-volume book called Pentasi B Poems.[4] The copies of his books were deposited to the following libraries and universities in the world:
- Irving K. Barber Library, University of British Columbia, Canada (deposited in 2012)
- OTUSA.TV Building, Los Angeles, USA (2012)
- The National Library of the Philippines (2013)
- The University of Sabanci, Turkey (2014)
- The University of Bari, Italy (2016)
- The National Library of India (2017)
- The National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco (2017)
- The University of Ghana, Africa (2018)
- The National Library of China, Beijing (2019)[6]
Awards and recognitions
[edit]In 2013, Tongohan was given the title "Father of Visual Poetry" by different Filipino poets at the National Library of the Philippines during the Pentasi B Historical forum, organized by the National Library.[7] Earlier, in 2011, he was awarded by OTUSA TV as the "Father of Philippine Visual Poetry," in an event held at the Grand Ballroom Cloud 9, in Antipolo City, Rizal.[8] Chinese poets in Beijing also conferred the same title to Tongohan during the Pentasi B World Poetree in Beijing, China in 2020.[1] Tongohan received numerous recognitions and accolades from prominent poetry groups worldwide, including the title "King of Visual Poetry," which has been given to him by poets in India. During that poetry festival, Tongohan has been able to meet the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[9] As a filmmaker, Tongohan has received a special citation from FAMAS for his docu-indie film, "Takipsilim" in 2007.[5] Meanwhile, the Tanay local government, by virtue of Municipal Resolution No. 43, has nominated him to the Order of National Artist in Literature for his contribution to the development of visual poetry and local culture.[6]
Former professor, writer, and chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, Jose Laderas Santos said that this nomination is "long overdue" since Tongohan has been able to bring international recognition to the country being the Father and King of Visual Poetry.[6] Even the late multi-awarded Filipino fiction writer, poet, activist, journalist and educator Rogelio L. Ordoñez praised Tongohan's visual poetry, saying that it surpassed Jose Garcia Villa's "comma poem."[6]
Philanthropy and advocacy
[edit]Tongohan is also a philanthropist, having his work auctioned for a cause. The sales of his books and paintings have been used to finance education of less privileged youths in the Philippines. In fact, his Pentasi B poetry book fetched US$30,000 and used the money for this purpose. According to sources, he also solely financed the Pentasi B Award for deserving poets and creatives worldwide. [10]
Moreover, as a poet, Tongohan is seen by some poets all over the world as one of the advocates of the democratization of poetry, bringing back to the ordinary folks the power to create poems.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Ramiro Rondera, Nenita (February 10, 2020). "China honors a Filipino as the Father of Visual Poetry". Philippine Star. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Fund for Cultural Education and Heritage (December 27, 2016). "Penpen Bugtong Takipsilim | Fekt". FEKT. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Barcelona, Noel (June 8, 2024). "Pinoy poet wants the Philippines declared as the 'Poetry Heart of the World'". The City Post. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Cordevilla, Ed. "PENTASI B: A WORLD TREASURE FOR GLOBAL HEALING". Directorio Mundial. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c Santos, Bong. "Doc Penpen's 'Visual Poems'". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Gallardo, Danny. "Why Tanay poet Doc PenPen should be declared National Artist for Literature". Philstar.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
- ^ Team, The Good News Pilipinas (October 30, 2017). "World Poetree Festival honors Filipino Father of Visual Poetry in India". GoodNewsPilipinas.com. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
- ^ "'Father of Philippine Visual Poetry'". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ Takumi, Rie (October 20, 2017). "Two Pinoy poets honored at India poetry festival". GMA News Online. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Domingo, Ronnel (January 13, 2016). "Visa woes for poet". Inquirer.net. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ Cordevilla, Ed (March 6, 2024). "Poetry as Metaphor of the Soul | Agimat: Sining at Kulturang Pinoy". Retrieved September 6, 2024.