While it takes most artists and writers years peppered with heartbreak and disappointment before making it in the literary circle, the road to success has been relatively shorter and easier for Carlos Piocos, first place awardee for the Tula (poetry in Filipino) category of the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature 2007, out-performing writers his senior both in age and experience.
And he is just warming up.
At only 23 years old, Piocos, a masters student at the University of the Philippines Diliman, is one of the youngest winners in the major categories of this year's Palanca Awards. He now joins the field of veteran poets, who have received recognition from the same institution and other credible literary bodies here and abroad.
Piocos' collection of poems "Corpus," which delves into the lives of a historian, an undertaker and a poet, won critical acclaim among the Palanca judges.
"I really feel privileged, honored (about the award), but it was really unexpected. I never expected to win this early," Piocos admitted.
Piocos would not have joined the Palanca awards if not for the prodding of family and friends.
For him, writing poetry is more about self-expression rather than an attempt for recognition.
"Poetry is an attempt to find a language, to put feelings into words during a vulnerable moment of a poet," Piocos stressed, admitting however that winning a Palanca gives him a sense of affirmation as an artist.
"All writers are seeking some degree of affirmation, and Palanca gives you that. It is not about the prize or the compensation, " Piocos added.
Although shorter, the road to success for Piocos was not without setbacks.
Piocos recalls feeling down and depressed when, as a young writer, he failed to qualify in several fellowships for literature. He also tried his luck in English essay writing, but failed to make the cut.
He also attempted to express his artistry through plays, but this too was not a bed of roses for Piocos. Last year, his entries in the
"I was really humbled by my earlier experiences. All along, I thought my creations were good enough but then I realized that there are still areas I should work on," Piocos added.
It was only after he shifted to the Filipino medium that Piocos felt comfortable with his writing, effectively translating his feelings to words.
"Writing in our language worked better for me. I think that my works in Filipino were more heartfelt and really mirrored my emotions," he said.
With his success early on, Piocos intends to pick up where he left off. Piocos is now writing several poetry pieces in Filipino, which he intends to compile into a book.
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