A List for Literary Flips
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By Butch Dalisay
The word "Flips" may have been considered derogatory by US-based Filipinos decades ago, but today it is used--openly and proudly--by a new generation of Filipino and Filipino-American writers in the US to display the unapologetic, in-your-face assertiveness of America's politically emergent minorities. "Flips" also happens to be the name of an Internet mailing list comprising many of the best-known and newest names in Philippine literature in English, a list maintained by writer and professor Vince Gotera from his cubbyhole at the University of Northern Illinois.
As a writers' forum, the Flips list keeps its subscribers abreast of goings-on in the world of Philippine writing, with "world" now becoming more literal than ever. Though mainly US-based, the Flips list now includes members from the Philippines, Europe, and even South Africa. Like many mailing lists, it can be a debating society one day and a social club the next, or be both at the same time.
Typical of the kind of issue that generates heated, weeks-long discussions on the list was a reference a few months ago by an American magazine writer to a Filipino boy in Milwaukee as a "monkey" (the context of which suggested no harmful intentions, but the use of which was nevertheless seen by many as a slur loaded with historical significance--or in the least, with historical ignorance).
Responding to a barrage of critical letters, the magazine editor put out an apology, which nevertheless failed to satisfy many. Another literary lightning rod was the Asian-American writer Lois Yamanaka's novel, Blu's Hanging, which was given a prestigious literary prize but which was scored by many Flipslisters as anti-Filipino, for its negative depiction of a Filipino character. (Not having read the book myself, I can't comment on it, except to suggest that every writer should have every right to write what he or she wants to write, and thereby should be prepared for criticism of all kinds.)
Not surprisingly, the list itself has been under fire from some of its own members for seeming or seeking to be overarchingly politically correct. Indeed several writers--like the very talented and energetic poet and editor Eileen Tabios--can be depended upon for lengthy and incisive commentaries on what it means, one way or another, to be Filipino, American, and Filipino-American. A few others like poet and novelist Eric Gamalinda have opted out, preferring the relative quietude of private e-mail correspondences.
Thankfully, not everything on the Flips list needs to be particularly insightful or gut-wrenchingly combative. Announcements of births and weddings--and, of course, of new books, readings, and fellowships--lend it a friendlier touch. For many subscribers, it has been the best way to re-establish contact with vagabond friends, to nail down reclusive authors, and to make new literary connections.
Among the oldest and most respected voices on the list is West Coast-based poet Carlos Angeles, who can always be counted on to generate support for younger writers. Novelist Cecilia Manguerra Brainard keeps listers abreast of important readings, and provides valuable advice on dealing with the American publishing industry.
For some other foreign-based Filipino writers, like Gene Alcantara in London and Edna Weissner in Frankfurt, the Flips list--for all its periodic fractiousness--is a welcome refuge, a virtual literary community, a validation of one's own distant labors. Edna came to the list by reading one of my articles here in Archipelago; she e-mailed me, looking for kindred spirits across the globe, and I introduced her to the list, to which she has just contributed a long but exhilarating account of the Pinoy presence at the recent Frankfurt Book Fair.
Getting on the list is free and relatively open, but it helps to be reminded that it's a professional forum in many ways, engaged in serious (even if funny) discussions of literary issues. In other words, membership demands a certain commitment to writing and to its sense of cultural community. If all you want to do is chat with your favorite author, waiting in the hallway (or sending a private e-mail message) might be the better option. Whether or not you're personally interested in joining the list, however, it should be worth your while to check out the Flips list website www.uni.gotera/flips for an idea of who's on it and what's coming up in Philippine literature around the world.
Butch Dalisay (Jose Dalisay Jr.) has published nine books of fiction, drama, and essays, and writes a weekly column for the Style section of Today. He has won Palanca, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Ten Outstanding Young Men, and National Book Awards for his writing. He holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and teaches English and creative writing at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.
