Two novels do not a novelist make; but more importantly, I think, the term “novelist” implies or demands a certain outlook on life, a certain scope of artistic vision that I have yet to find and feel comfortable with. Indeed, with the notable exceptions of F. Sionil Jose, Antonio Enriquez, and Azucena Grajo-Uranza, it seems that few Filipinos living here today can be rightfully called novelists, in the sense that their novels are what they are mainly known for. Edith Tiempo has written novels, but is appreciated more for her poetry. (Of course, in America, we have people like Linda Ty Casper, Ninotchka Rosca, Jessica Hagedorn, Eric Gamalinda, Gina Apostol, and Cecilia Manguerra Brainard—but their situation is friendlier to the aspiring or practicing novelist.)
Mabilis ang pagpapalit ng bagong damit ng lungsod ng Maynila. Dumampot ng peryodiko,Photonewso alinpaman, at matataranta ang mga mata ng sinumang bubuklat ng mga pahina sa pagsalubong ngadsng iba’t ibang mga tindahan, produkto, serbisyo at anunsyo ukol sa palakasan, pelikulang kasalukuyang pinapalabas, at iba pa. Naririyan, halimbawa, ang Toyo Shirt Factory, Macondray and Co. na gumagawa ng talking Chinwah, o kaya ay Erlinger and Galinger na nagtitinda ng sikat na ponograpong Victrola; panay ring mababasa ang paalaala ng Tiboli Amusements Co., ukol sa palabas na bodabil sa Teatro Tivoli na kinatatampukan ng mga kinagigiliwang bituing kagaya nina Dimples, Miami, Millie at Bebe, at iba pa.