my two cents on speculative fiction

The Philippine speculative fiction scene is recently ablaze with discussions here and there about many aspects of the genre -- others want a definition of what encompasses Philippine spec-fic; others are asking if this genre is indeed necessary when work produced in this genre can be categorized (and stereo-typed, no doubt) as either science-fiction or fantasy; still others lament the current state and direction of speculative fiction in the Philippines as producing "Westernized" and not works that can be distinctly distinguished as "Filipino" (a lament that stories and novels and, yes, even comics being done are not rooted in Philippine culture, language, tradition and norms); and still not a few cry out their anguish and antagonism over commercialism, elitism and marketing hype that exists within the genre. If you want to read about what's abuzz, read the blogs and threads covering it via the Philippine Genre Stories blog and read what spec-fic advocate, Dean Alfar, has to say about it as well.

As someone who still hovers on the fringes of the speculative fiction scene (myself being no more than a novice in the spec-fic arena) -- essentially, an outsider looking in (one of the most oft heard cliches nowadays from both the professional and personal POV) -- I find the current debacle and discussions healthy and beneficial for the Philippine science fiction and fantasy scene, both for readers and the crafters alike.

This could only mean that the genre is finally being taken seriously by many people -- more than just "kid stuff" or labeled "for kids" only -- with some of the online discussions zeroing in on proposing that spec-fic be literary.

The ongoing exchanges of opinions could only mean that people are indeed passionate about this genre and that could then mean that there are people who are there to look out for the future of the genre despite its seeming lack of mass appeal or its apparent non-acceptance in academic circles.

This could only mean that the genre is indeed growing (it isn't in it's infancy either because spec-fic has been in Philippine literature since our earliest times rooted in all our folklore, myths and legends, I believe) and with any growth, the "growing pains" cannot be avoided.

And, with any growth and the accompanying pains, readers, like myself, can only expect more of Filipino speculative fiction.

Yes, we want more. And personally, I wish to be able to give more to the genre that I believe I've breathed all my life (since I first learned to mix up letters in kindergarten and learned that the word "Once" isn't read as "on-ke").

We who find happiness on our periodic doses of spec-fic, or fantasy, or magic-realism -- we don't really care that much about the labels, truth be told -- will welcome whatever is served to us -- whatever the label or its characteristic. It can be literary, you can inject your political agenda in it -- heck, you can imbue a steampunk story with an environmental message if you want to -- we're not saying we'll like it ... but we'll definitely read it.

IMO, the underlying thing is that speculative fiction (or whatever moniker you chose to call it) should never fail in its main purpose -- to tell a story. That's the whole point of writing short story anyway, right? Tell us a good yarn, tell us a fantastic tale, weave for us a magical place and we'll ride with you.

But please, don't get lost in the debates and the discussions and the discourses that you forget to tell the story. Tell the story ... a fantastic one would be most appreciated.

Peace.