RECAP: LANG LEAV IN MANILA

Last Sunday was probably one of the greatest moments in my bookish life. National Book Store brought one of my writing inspirations here in Manila - Lang Leav. 

I met Lang last year and she said she'll be back and well, she really did! She is such a lovely and sweet lady. I love writing poems so this event made the tongue-tied poet withing me very happy. Her writing skills is amazing and for me, it's probably one of the best poetry writing styles I've read in my entire life.

She writes from her instincts because it offers a lot more compact to the readers. And most of the time, it all comes naturally from her. It's something that she has always done way before. Like most of us, writing is her own way of getting her feelings out. Especially during the rough and tough times of her life, it's when she can write the most. She told us this story about when her best friend's mother who passed away. This drove her into deep sadness since she considered her best friend's mother as her second mother.

We asked her where her inspirations come from, she told us that aside from personal experiences, her interaction with her readers is one of her inspirations. Some of her poems are derived from the stories her readers tell her.

She told us that the writing process for her second book, Lullabies, was easier because of Love and Misadventure's success, as well as she already had a publisher by then.

Pinoy Book Tours bloggers with Lang Leav

My fangirling moment!

After the forum, we headed to Powerbooks, Greenbelt 5 for the poetry reading and public signing. The venue was full of people, all excited to meet our poetry queen.

Here's a photo dump of the poetry reading and book signing event:

Sorry for the bright light!

Lang Leav's fans reading her books while waiting for her

And also, great news for you, guys! Lang has a new upcoming book coming this 2015! Hooray!

Upcoming Event: Lang Leav Book Signing Tour

A moment of silence please, because my Queen of Poetry will be having a book signing event this December at National Book Store! I met Ms. Lang Leav last year and she was so nice! I'm excited to meet her again, and this time, I'll grab the opportunity to give her a compilation of poems by The Tongue-tied Poet!

(c) Source: National Book Store

Join contemporary author and artist Lang Leav, author of the bestselling Love & Misadventure and Lullabies, for book signing events on December 5 at 5 pm in The Gallery of Ayala Center Cebu (200 slots), on December 6 at 12 pm in the East Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza East Wing (500 slots), and on December 7 at 12 pm in Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4 (500 slots). Registration starts at 10 am for all events. The events are made possible in partnership with Raffles Makati, Metro magazine, Chalk magazine Sweep, Ayala Center Cebu and Shangri-La Plaza. Follow National Book Store on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@nbsalert) for more details. Tag #LangLeavinPH to join the discussion.

What: Lang Leav Book Signing Tour

When: December 5, 2014, 5 pm

Where: The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu

(200 slots only)

When: December 6, 2014, 12 pm

Where: East Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza East Wing

(500 slots only)

When: December 7, 2014, 12 pm

Where: Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4

(500 slots only)

Registration starts at 10 am for all events.

ABOUT THE LULLABIES

A sequel to the hugely popular, best-selling Love & Misadventure, Lullabies continues to explore the intricacies of love and loss.

Set to a musical theme, love's poetic journey in this new, original collection begins with a Duet and travels through Interlude and Finale with an Encore popular piece from the best-selling Love & Misadventure. Lang Leav's evocative poetry speaks to the soul of anyone who is on this journey.

Leav has an unnerving ability to see inside the hearts and minds of her readers. Her talent for translating complex emotions with astonishing simplicity has won her a cult following of devoted fans from all over the world.

ABOUT LANG LEAV

The enchanting work of contemporary author and artist Lang Leav swings between the whimsical and woeful, expressing a complexity beneath its child-like facade.

Her imagination stretches across a variety of disciplines encompassing art, poetry and books. She is currently represented by New York literary agent Al Zuckerman from Writers House. 

Frequently invited to exhibit at high profile exhibitions locally and overseas, she has since built up a loyal following of international fans. Her handcrafted book, Charlie’s Widow, was presented to iconic film director Tim Burton at the opening of his Wonderland exhibition at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Lang is a recipient of The Qantas Spirit of Youth Award and was later granted a coveted Churchill Fellowship. Her fashion label Akina has achieved critical and commercial success, stocked in key boutiques around Australia and later in cutting edge Harajuku, Japan.

Mechanics

1. There will be three (3) book signings each with a limited number of signing slots:

• December 5, 5 PM, The Gallery, Ayala Center Cebu (200 slots)

• December 6, 12 PM, East Atrium, Shangri-La Plaza East Wing (500 slots)

• December 7, 12 PM, Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4 (500 slots)

2. Registration will start at 10 AM for all events. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED.

3. Lang Leav will only sign copies of her book LULLABIES. No other book or other item will be allowed.

4. Each registrant is only allowed to have one (1) book signed.

5. Only copies of LULLABIES bought at any National Book Store, NBS Express, and Powerbooks branches will be allowed. The book MUST have its official receipt or price tag.

Are you excited for another bookish event this December? Have you read poems by Lang Leav? Do you consider yourself as part of #TeamSawi? Join the discussion by using the official hashtag, #LangLeavinPH! :D

Love and Misadventure with Lang Leav!

Source: Fully Booked

Last Sunday, I was one of the girls who lined up at the 4th Floor of Fully Booked ATC to have our books signed and catch a glimpse of this lovely poet named Lang Leav. In case you don't know her, Lang Leav is the author of the poetry book entitled Love and Misadventure. This is a collection of poems and short stories that will capture your hearts through its simplicity but deep meaning. You can also find some illustrations in the book drawn by Lang herself.

Love and Misadventure

by Lang Leav

Genre: Poetry

Published September 17th 2013 by Andrews McMeel Publishing

Beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully conceived, Love and Misadventure will take you on a rollercoaster ride through an ill-fated love affair from the initial butterflies through the soaring heights to the devastating plunge. And, in the end, the message is one of hope.

The journey from love to heartbreak to finding love again is personal yet universal. Lang Leav's evocative poetry speaks to the soul of anyone who is on this journey. Leav has an unnerving ability to see inside the hearts and minds of her readers. Her talent for translating complex emotions with astonishing simplicity has won her a cult following of devoted fans from all over the world.

Lang Leav is a poet and internationally exhibiting artist. Her work expresses the intricacies of love and loss.

BOOK SIGNING EVENT RECAP (In photos)

The 4th floor of Fully Booked was so full of Lang Leav's fans patiently waiting for the event to start

Me and Patricia with Celine and Elyssa of Two Ends of A Bookshelf

Eeep! Me and Lang while she's signing my book!

Me and Lang Leav! *faints*

The event started on time and finished early. We didn't experience hassle during the signing. Thanks to Fully Booked and its staff for making this event successful! Please bring more authors here at the Philippines!

Lang Leav and the staff of Fully Booked ATC

I also have a poetry blog named The Tongue-tied Poet. Feel free to visit it if you have time and if you're into poetry. Let me know your thoughts! By the way, here's a short poem by yours truly, inspired by Lang Leav's book:

Poetry

by Algel Crestfall

Once again,

I understand.

I feel.

I yearn.

To read and write,

my own love story

and misadventures

through poetry.

I'm Not Sure If...

I'm not sure
If all the time here on earth
Is enough to spend with you
I'm not sure if the world
Will be enough to travel with you
I'm not sure if my hands
Are wide enough to offer you the biggest hug
I'm not sure if I
Am warm enough to comfort you
I'm not sure if my lips
Are sweet enough to give you the sweetest kiss
I'm not sure if my heart
Is big enough to give you all the love you need
I'm not sure if words
Are many enough to tell you how much I love you

But one thing is sure
My love is enough to make you feel loved

Gone Are The Days

Gone are the days
When you'd throw me into the air
And I just laugh like I didn't care

Gone are the days
When you'd kiss and tickle me
'Cause you wanted to make me happy

Gone are the days
When you'd sing me to sleep
Wishing I'm forever yours to keep

Gone are the days
When you'd give me lollipop
So that my tears would stop

Gone are the days
When you'd kiss my wounds when they bleed
Then I'd believe from the pain I'd be freed

Gone are the days
When you'd sleep beside me and pat my head
'Cause I'm afraid of the monsters under my bed

Gone are the days
When we watch the tv together
And spend long talks during dinner

Those days may be gone
But the memories will live

'Cause I'm still that 'lil girl you used to sing
'Til she falls asleep

Tula-tulaan

Bakit nga ba ikaw ang napili?
Napili na ikaw ang mahalin
Mahalin ng lubos at walang halong kasinungalingan
Kasinungalingan na walang puwang sa ating relasyon
Relasyon na pagtitibayin sa paglipas ng panahon

Patuloy akong nangungulila
Nangungulila sa iyong yakap at halik
Halik na walang katulad
Katulad mo ang aking hangad
Hangan na makapiling hanggang sa hinaharap

Aalagaan ko ang iyong puso
Puso ko'y tanging sa'yo
Sai'yo lamang ako habangbuhay
Habangbuhay kitang mamahalin
Mamahalin kita ng tunay at puno ng paglalambing

Unan

Nakakalungkot, gabi nanaman
Nasaan na kaya ang aking malambot na unan?
Isang araw nanaman ang nakalipas
Ngunit sa lungkot ng kahapon, ay di makaiwas

Nangungulila parin sa'yo aking sinta
Gabi gabi'y nakadungaw ako sa bintana
Hanggang kailan nga ba maghihintay
Sa araw na tanging ikaw ang taglay?

Tuwing gabi'y nais kang mahagkan
Ang iyong mga labi, nais kong mahalikan
Sa halip, pangungulila'y sa aking unan naibabaling
Upang makatulog lamang ng mahimbing

Certainty in Uncertainty

He is the one who keeps me inspired everyday
Just one sweet text message from him, all the bad bad vibes would go away
We've been through a lot for the past years
We shared sadness and joy, laughter and tears
Our plans for the future are already secured
All the trials and problems, we're ready to endure

I never even thought a man like him would exist
He is the type I just couldn't resist
He may be that I-am-always-in-trouble type of guy
Yet he gives that wink and smile that reaches the sky
He says for him I was perfect
That it's my beauty within that reflects

He may seem so far away from me
But when I close my eyes, he's all I see
He painted my life with the colors of the rainbow
With him by my side, I never feel low
In his arms, I never have to worry
And that I will never be sorry

Just like fireworks he took my fears away
I promised that for as long as he wants, I'll stay
Yes, we're apart and must stay in touch
But this only made me love him so much
I miss him every second, every minute and every hour of the day
And I know he feels that same too anyway

I really hate it when he acts cold like the ice cream
But with his sweet nothings, my heart would scream
I love the way he tickles me
'Cause I know it's my laughs and smiles he wants to see
During my bad days he makes me laugh
In his jokes I just can't get enough

When he chats with other girls
I want to straighten his curls! XD
I want him to flirt to no one but me
He gave me his honesty and loyalty
Missing him is such a terrible feeling
Day by day, the pain is only increasing

He made me hold onto his words and promises
Promised to give me more hugs and kisses
He's the only one who made my feel this way
My heart doesn't want him to go away
So, the question is, "Is he the one?"
Well, I guess the answer is YES, he is the only one. 

NAPATINGIN ako sa iyong mga mata

At sa isang iglap, ako ay natulala

Puso ko ay muling tumibok

Ngunit, di kaya ako lamang ay mapusok?

NAGUSTUHAN ko ang iyong mga ngiti

Wala akong pinalalampas na sandali

Nais ko'y araw-araw kang masilayan

Sa bawat sandali, ika'y mahawakan

MINAHAL ko ang lahat sa iyo

Sa buhay kong ito, kuntento na ako

Salamat sa pagdating sa aking buhay

Dahil pinintahan mo ito ng kaygagandang mga kulay

My mind soaring through the wind

Drifting in the waters

Walking down the streets

Looking for my lost memories.

..but I know that I already found my forever

I will no longer search for another one

Look not into what is perfect, but look on what is right

Happy or sad, whatever, just stay with me forever