THIS is Part 2 of ThePSN interview that started as “21 Palancas”.
I, The Peter Solis Nery of Philippine Literature, has just earned my 20th and 21st Palanca awards this year.
I had an iconic couture dress designed, and I went to the Palanca awards ceremony with Mr. Universe 2022, no less.
I had a ball. A night at the ball. A ball of a night.
Too many balls!
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RSL: You brought Mr. Universe 2022 Elcid Camacho to the Palanca Awards Night as your plus one. What difference did it make?
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ThePSN: The difference, for me, is very personal. The idea that I can bring anyone to the Palanca Night feels like power to me.
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To be honest, I didn’t think Mr. Universe would say yes to my invitation. And you can ask him, but I didn’t pay a single cent for his travel.
He came of his own accord, and I don’t know if he was financed by his friendly connections, but I didn’t pay anything for him. And because of that, I have so much respect for Elcid.
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At the awards night party, I was a little worried about him because it clearly wasn’t his comfortable place, but I told him we were just there to have a good time.
So yeah, he did say, and with a follow up text the day after, that he truly enjoyed the evening even if he was just people-watching most of the time.
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The thought of bringing Mr. Universe to the Palanca was simply my idea of adding glam to what’s more likely just another writers’ night.
There are not many Mr. Universe in the world, or even in its pageant history. Why not celebrate a person like Elcid Camacho?
If the Palanca is so prestigious, how can it miss a Mr. Universe?
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RSL: From your perspective, what makes you—The Peter Solis Nery, an avant garde and “loud” writer who breaks literary norms—still relevant in this social media age?
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ThePSN: I have never really felt irrelevant in my life because I know that what I am doing really matters.
And I am doing so many things at the same time that it is hard to ignore or cancel me: I’m a teacher, I’m a writer, I’m a nurse, I’m an actor, I’m an HIV testing advocate, I’m a filmmaker, I’m a charitable foundation.
So, if I’m irrelevant as an actor, I’ll do better as a writer and film producer. Or if I am no longer relevant as a nurse, I can still advocate for sexual health, mental health, and HIV consciousness.
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We are only irrelevant if we are so selfish that what we do does not find meaning in other people.
As for social media cancellation in this so-called cancel culture, people can try, netizens can try. But I will survive because I have my own money.
I do not depend on fans for my livelihood. I do not depend on illiterate and snowflake people to afford what luxuries I enjoy in my most wonderful life.
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As for being avant garde and norm-breaking, well, tough luck, but I think that it is exactly what the world needs now.
Why hang on to very traditional literature when the world is moving forward with more experimental and newer forms?
Look, I have no problem with traditional or formalist forms of literature. I just won two Palanca awards, didn’t I?
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But I also have no problem writing for the crowd who enjoy my literary books, my textbooks, my newspaper columns, and even my social media posts because they are very relatable and so 21st century.
Yes, I am a very fine example of 21st century Filipino author. And I don’t need to apologize for anything that I write and create.
I understand my platforms, I understand my audiences. I understand my responsibilities, and I have a clear vision of my mission as a writer and as an artist in this world.
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RSL: What makes you feel young even better? What do you hope to achieve with your social media posts on meal accounting or your routine morning walk or running? Are you trying to be a wellness guru?
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ThePSN: I am 53, and if you think that I am old, that’s on you. I am healthier than most people. I got the stamina of a horse.
I can run 11.5 kms every weekend, walk 7.5 kms everyday. I have a rather healthy sex life, and you can ask the boys about it.
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I have always inspired people with my way of life, my travels, my cultural explorations, my spiritual journeys. So, I said, why not also do it with health consciousness, when people get sick with diabetes because of eating too much rice, or because of lack of exercise?
I invested on a $50 app to track my food intake at the start of the year. It’s an effective food journal, and it’s very convenient to share on social media so I just do it.
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Yes, I said it: “Rice is for poor people who can’t afford more viands.”
I also said, “Adding milk and sugar in coffee is for poor people who can’t afford cake.”
The words may hurt the ego of the poor, but once they realize that black coffee and less rice is really good for them, they’ll thank me.
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I don’t have to be a wellness guru, even if I do consider myself a wonderful life coach.
The difference between myself and some guru that people follow is that I do my life witnessing and life coaching for free. And some people are not comfortable with what’s available for free. (To be continued as “Next Projects”)/PN
