00:00 Writing is an important part of our culture and society.
00:03 By writing stories, poems, and poems,
00:06 our ideas and feelings become clearer.
00:10 This is not just a talent,
00:12 but a mission that will bring light, inspiration, and knowledge to the public.
00:17 If that is the case, we will be able to meet the author, Ron Canimo.
00:22 Good morning, Ron.
00:24 Good morning, Rise and Shine, Philippines.
00:29 I apologize for my voice.
00:31 This is made for Christmas parties.
00:34 Good morning.
00:35 Ron looks so happy about attending Christmas parties.
00:40 By the way, this is Profits Together with Diane.
00:43 Anyway, we want to know how your journey in writing poems started.
00:48 And what is the joke that you write your own books?
00:53 Ron, go ahead.
00:57 I actually started writing when I was in elementary school.
01:01 I will never forget what my grade 6 teacher, Gina Mendoza, told me.
01:07 She said that I should construct a sentence.
01:10 Then she invited me to join the campus paper.
01:13 Then in high school, I was discovered by my Filipino teacher,
01:17 Ms. Patti Atchon.
01:19 She told me that I should join an essay writing contest.
01:23 So I took up a BA in Journalism in college.
01:27 In 2013, I created a Facebook page to serve as a venue for my unpublished literary works.
01:35 And I took a break from writing for over three years because I focused on my professional career.
01:42 I got a job after I graduated.
01:45 I also became busy with nation building because I am also a community volunteer.
01:51 Then in April 2020, the start of the nationwide lockdown due to pandemic,
01:58 it led me to reviving my seven-year-old blog and renaming it to Mga Tala at Tula.
02:05 So Mga Tala at Tula was created out of hope.
02:08 I used it to cope with sad memories of the pandemic.
02:14 I have chosen to turn my pain into poetry.
02:18 In 2020, I self-published my first book, which is Mga Tala at Tula.
02:24 Now, I am reprinting copies because many people request on social media
02:31 that I restock because they wanted to read the first book
02:36 because they have a third book, which is Ikaw sa Bawat Araw,
02:40 which trended on social media.
02:43 So that's where it all started. I started writing when I was still young.
02:48 Ron's poems are beautiful.
02:52 We know that writing is a personal process.
02:55 How did you find your own voice and style in writing?
03:00 How did you show it in your poems, Ron?
03:03 Ma'am, I'm actually an avid reader of my mentor, Ricky Lee.
03:12 I also guided other Filipino authors,
03:17 such as Bob Ong, Eros Atalia, Lual Hathi Bautista, and Sir Vim Nadera.
03:24 I was also influenced by our Batican writers,
03:28 such as Sir Rio Alma and Sir Nick Joaquin.
03:33 I was also influenced by new generation writers,
03:38 such as Rod Marmol, Chuck Berry Pascual, Lang Leav, and other spoken poetry artists.
03:46 Aside from these influences, I think a big part of my writing process and style
03:53 is the things I learned from writing workshops.
03:58 If we're talking about rituals and routines,
04:01 I clean my room before I write, or I take a bath.
04:06 Before I write, I want to clean my surroundings
04:10 because I feel like my mind and heart are being cleansed.
04:14 I am able to clean my intentions as well.
04:17 It's important for me to have clear intentions when I write.
04:20 Why I'm writing a topic like this,
04:24 why I want other people to read it.
04:28 When I'm lost, I always look for the reason why I became a writer.
04:34 I want to make people feel loved,
04:37 I want to remind them of their dreams,
04:40 and I want them to have hope.
04:42 I realized based on what Ron said,
04:46 that you can't just write, you need to read.
04:50 That's where you get inspiration,
04:52 or you'll be able to look for your niche.
04:56 That's what I can see or say from what Ron said.
05:01 We want to know Ron, what are some tips you can give
05:05 to aspiring writers to overcome what we call a writer's block?
05:11 It's really hard to overcome a writer's block.
05:17 My number one tip is to experience life.
05:24 Embrace the struggle, the pain, and the heartbreak.
05:29 Then continue moving forward.
05:32 Because our sad experiences in life,
05:35 in our dreams, in our family, in love,
05:39 in ourselves, write about them.
05:41 We can't avoid a writer's block.
05:44 It really comes to life by one person.
05:47 But if we have a long experience,
05:50 if we are able to experience things first-hand,
05:55 if we know how to feel the experiences and the story we're writing,
06:02 it won't be lost.
06:04 Eventually, we'll overcome the writer's block
06:07 because our heart remembers what we want to write.
06:11 Ron, just to follow up,
06:12 because a lot of writers want to write in the early hours of the day.
06:17 Did you have this kind of experience?
06:20 And why are the scenarios usually like this?
06:24 Yes, sir.
06:25 Personally, I like to write in the early hours of the day.
06:30 So, it's okay to write in the early hours of the day.
06:31 I remember when I started my personal blog on Facebook,
06:37 I wrote until 3 or 4 AM.
06:41 I think, sir, because these are the times that are quiet,
06:47 these are the times that are good to reflect.
06:49 That's why a lot of writers say that this is the time to write.
06:56 Ron, what is your advice to those who are planning to start their own books or novels?
07:03 And of course, invite our viewers to support the books you wrote.
07:08 I just want to remind everyone that it's okay to not be okay yet
07:17 and it's okay to not be there yet.
07:19 Whatever experiences we have in life, be it happy or sad,
07:23 simple things, the sea, the sun,
07:27 talking with friends or strangers,
07:30 all of these will be our ingredients in writing our books.
07:34 So, experience life. Focus on your own story first.
07:38 Let's not think about what others will think.
07:42 Let's write for ourselves first.
07:44 Let people find you and let them say that they can relate to you.
07:51 And if that day comes, when finally,
07:54 someone appreciates you,
07:56 I hope you write to give hope and to remind people of kindness.
08:02 In this cruel and unfair world,
08:04 I hope you write creative pieces to make people feel heard,
08:09 less alone and understood.
08:11 This is the power of our words.
08:14 We help people reignite their hope
08:17 and we help people wait for better days.
08:21 For these kinds of pieces,
08:24 for motivations,
08:26 for pieces of inspiration,
08:30 I invite you to grab copies of my book
08:34 at the Shopee and TikTok shops.
08:39 You won't regret it if you read the pieces
08:43 that I poured my time and love into.
08:47 Words and poems.
08:49 What she said earlier,
08:51 you can put it in your book.
08:53 Yes, it's beautiful.
08:55 What she said is really heartfelt.
08:58 You know, I was surprised to see Ron yesterday.
09:00 He graduated from Bulacan State University where I teach right now.
09:04 I'm very proud of his college and his achievements.
09:07 Congratulations to you, Ron.
09:09 Thank you very much.
09:10 Thank you for sharing your story and for sharing your knowledge
09:14 on how to write effectively.
09:16 Ron, thank you so much and stay safe.
