Starstruck

If only my sandals have wings so I could fly as fast as I could to go to Ariston Estrada Seminar room. We were told to be there at 5:30pm for the Norton Anthology book launch and poetry reading by the country's finest poets and writers-- Dr. Gemino Abad, Dr. Marjorie Evasco, Alfred Yuson, Marne Kilates, and Edgar Maranan. I had only fifteen minutes before the hands of my wristwatch turned to 6pm. Fortunately, the angels were on my side. When I opened the door, the event haven't started yet. There were only a number of strangers inside so I decided to wait for my classmate and friend Irish outside the room. Then a dignified-looking man who is in his fifties I think, smiled at me and asked if that was the room for the book launching. Since I didn't know about the book launch 'cause I honestly thought it was sole poetry reading, so I asked him back, "Yung poetry reading po ba?" I courteously asked and he smiled again and said, "Yes". So I told that was the room. He asked me again if it is okay to go inside and I answered him, "Opo, may tao na rin po sa loob." He sincerely thanked me and went inside. After a minute or two, I decided to go inside and fortunately I saw my other classmate. A few minutes later, the room was filled with so many people, most of them I only knew by face except of course for Dr. Marj. Then, after the invocation and introduction, the poetry reading began.

One by one, the five poet-writers I mentioned earlier were being called to read their chosen poems. Dr. Marj was followed by Marne Kilates and then the emcee after a quite long biographical introduction, she called for Edgar Maranan. I was surprised when the man who stood in front of us was the same man who asked me few minutes ago! Suddenly, I realized I was awe-struck or maybe starstruck! How lucky I am to have conversed (If I may say) or exchange words with someone like him. Eventhough he only asked me if that was the room for the book launch, I still consider myself lucky. It isn't everyday that I meet someone like him. I mean, I only know his name, see his name under his works just like the characters in fiction. It's as if he's not real. But now, I've seen him in flesh! I am also lucky that I've seen Dr. Abad, Sir Marne, and Sir Alfred Yuson. Before, I was only reading them, seeing their names on papers. That's why after the event, I didn't go home without having pictures with them.