The Story That Wasn't There: An IYAS Anthology Tragedy

Last April 17, 2013, I received a good news from IYAS Literary of University of St. La Salle of Bacolod City.

This was the message:

Dear IYAS Fellows -

Hello!  We are pleased to let you know that finally, the IYAS Anthology (2001 – 2010) will be coming out this summer.  Attached please find an invitation for you to attend the book launching on April 26, 2013 at 7:00 pm at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City.

We would be very happy if you could come and personally receive your copy of the book.  However, please note that you will have to take care of your own travel and board and lodging arrangements since we do not have funding for these.  Balay Kalinungan is also fully booked during this time due to the IYAS and Kritika workshops along with other events; thus, it would be best for you to find accommodations in any of the hotels or pensions in the city. In case you are unable to come, please email us your current address and contact number so that we can send you your copy via DHL.  If coming, please email *** so that we can count you in for dinner.

Thank you and best wishes.

I was very happy that time because we have been waiting for that book since 2010. But, I was not able to attend in the book launching because I was short of money to pay for transportation, food and hotel.

Then, last May 27, I received another message:

Dear All :

Greetings.

We are now arranging for the delivery of your copy of the IYAS Anthology.  DHL is charging the following rates: P 132.30 for Luzon & Mindanao, P 127.00 for Visayas, and P 324.50 for Samar & Leyte because they have no branches there and will have to make special arrangements.

Please send me and email confirming that you are willing to pay for the DHL mailing fee upon delivery of your copy. Please note that DHL requires us to submit to them a printout of your confirmation before they will accept your package for delivery.

In case you want to order an extra copy, please email your order ASAP and pay the amount of P 300 to the following account: ********* and fax or email your deposit slip to me.   

We will start mailing your complimentary copy (and extra order, if any) upon receipt of your confirmation letter.

Thanks and best regards.

So, I deposited 300 pesos for the extra copy. My plan was the extra copy will be kept safely in a box to protect it from wear and tear. 

Then, the next email was sent to me last June 13

Dear Vernan -

Hello!  DHL just picked up your IYAS Anthology book but will be sending it tomorrow so you will receive your copy by Saturday, June 15.

Please inform us if you received your copy.

Thank you and best wishes.

I was waiting for a text message from DHL, but nothing came. So, I decided to go to the DHL office anyway, but they do not have the books. I waited until Tuesday, and when no message came, I decided to email back to IYAS.

And this was the reply:

Dear Vernan -

Hello!  I was alarmed to see your post sa facebook last night so I called DHL today and according to them "Consignee Unknown" daw when they delivered your books.  You may pick up the books at DHL Parañaque branch with tracking # 769961799.  I hope you them this time.

I told IYAS that I am in Iloilo and it would be difficult for me to get it in Parañaque. And IYAS replied that they will just send me another. It was picked up in USLS, Last June 28, and I finally got the books on July 2, 2013.

I went home and the first thing that I did was to search my story, and.... it was not there. So, I searched again, flipping every page of the book, but my story was not there. I found my name on the list of author's or the "Authors' Biography", but my story was not there.

I decided to send PM's to the editors and publishers and this were the replies:

Gen

Hello, Vernan: I am sincerely sad about this. Ginlantaw ko akun kopya kag tuod...

Elsie

We are trying to get in touch with john iremil to check on what action was taken on your submission. We forwarded all hiligaynon entries to him, he being the editor for this language group. We asked him if he got your story, read it, and included it for the book, as there were some that were not accepted. I hope he can shed light on this matter. The book is out, so we cant do anything about this in case john says he accepted it. Our only recourse might be to include it in the next volume, in 2015. I know how you feel, my sincerest apologies.

John

oh no. check ko. damu gid man problema sa iyas anthology kay naguba ang gin-edit namon nga camera ready manuscript. gin-reconstruct lang sang lay-out artist.

...........

I still can't believe that this happened to me. It is difficult to write a story, and it is much difficult to get published even just in a magazine. And, now that my chance has come, this tragedy happened.

Maybe, this is how it feels when someone is scheduled to graduate in college and then, for some stupid reason, that is not his fault, his graduation was suspended for five years.

To be included in the 2015 issue is a good thing. But, I was supposed to be in the first issue. My batch-mates in the 10th IYAS were there, and the first issue is always different.

I don't know what really happened, but this was really disappointing.

Anyway, for those who are interested to read the short story (it was wriiten in Hiligaynon). Here is the link: http://angbalaysugidanun.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/bagat-ni-vernan-jagunap1.pdf