Photos by Elizabeth Lolarga, John Lim, Aina Unas and Camille Lopez Molina
Sign says it all: One more pen won’t hurt.
I remember my first fountain pen—not the brand, but the person who gave it to me at age 10. It was my dad, a surgeon. It came with a bottle of Quink blue-black ink and blotting paper which he got for free from pharmaceutical company representatives who dropped by his clinic to give away sample medicines.
I wrote letters on Grade 4 sheets of paper—that was back when they were still pen-friendly and didn’t blot or smear. Somewhere in my youth or childhood, I lost the pen but kept the quaint ink bottle.
My primary pen-abler Joseph Uy
When I turned 60 years old, my good friend, the classical music impresario Joseph Uy, gave me a box giftwrapped so tightly that it took some effort to unbox the present—a Sheaffer pen! I ooohed and ahhhed, but threw away the box once I got home. Big mistake! Why? The box is proof of a pen’s provenance. Not only do pens’ worth climb through the years if they’re well-cared for, but their resale value comes with the box it came in. Oh dear!
Joseph, who I call my “pen-enabler,” didn’t give me handling tips, except one: Don’t lend your pen to anyone! Whenever my husband Rolly is in a rush to scribble reminders and costings on one-fourth sheet of scratch paper, he reaches for my pen, but I give him a firm tap on the back of his hand and hand him a disposable ballpoint pen.
Joseph recalled lending his pen to someone, then it returned to him with the point broken, “like a ballerina doing a split, Tita,” he told me with a sigh.
It was inevitable that I’d veer towards pens because I keep a diary, although erratically, and write letters frequently. Before, I’d use Pilot sign pens, which were not too disposable. Their fillers could be easily purchased, especially at National Bookstore. I’d have a choice of purple, green, red, black sign pens, and used them until they ran dry. Then I’d refill them.
Until I discovered the variety of fountain pen inks, I never went beyond those colors. Publishing maven Karina Africa Bolasco, when she learned that I bought inks from a seller that had names like Turon and Laing, said, “How come they name the shades of ink after food? Why not literary greats?” She had a point. There are Mont Blanc pens named after Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, even the Brothers Grimm, but their prices are beyond a freelancer’s budget. I would have to get a full-time job, maybe in the IT profession, to save for one Jane Austen.
There are Mont Blanc pens named after Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, even the Brothers Grimm, but their prices are beyond a freelancer’s budget. I would have to get a full-time job to save for one Jane Austen
My pen collection grew, a lot of it through gifts from friends like Joseph and Chicago-based collagist Augusto “Ogot” Sumulong, who mailed me a fine Waterman in its deep blue box accompanied by a Billy Collins poetry collection on my 63rd birthday. Those two gifts (pen and book) were like a nudge for me not to be too idle (I was on vacation in Boise, Idaho with my daughter and grandchild) and to start warming up my creative engine.
The only minor catastrophe I had with my pen collection was when I went down for breakfast, heard a loud crunch, and found our golden retriever Satchi looking abashed after she bit hard and chewed a Lamy, leaving her teeth marks on it, and broke two other pens in two. Rolly and I just checked if the scattered small parts formed a puzzle, and no part was swallowed by our dog. But I got so upset—I usually have my temper in check—that I removed my slipper and hit Satchi on her butt while shouting, “Bad dog! Bad dog!”
As for Joseph, he told me in jest, “Next time Satchi does that, we’ll make her drink ink until her golden brown fur turns purple.”
I learned the hard way not to leave any pen on my writing table, which Satchi could reach with her paws and mouth while standing on her behind. Rolly told me to dismiss the chewing or teething as part of the dog’s development. But how my heart cried!
Before long, Joseph invited me to attend the annual Manila Pen Show (MPS), usually held at the Holiday Inn Makati in mid-March, with free-flowing coffee and tea and with a variety of sellers, the mouth-watering wares displayed on long tables. It’s now on its fifth year; I was present for the last three years, and even though I told myself to practice disciplined spending, I always ended up in debt. The first time, Joseph lent me a small sum so I could buy my heart’s desires. I paid him promptly with my collections from thediarist.ph.
Whenever my husband sees me bringing out my pens to admire or use them, the collector in him says it’s good he hasn’t taken an interest in them. Otherwise, knowing what an avid collector he is of art and books, he will also go overboard in acquiring whatever suits his fancy. In Filipino, dadaigin niya ako (he’ll beat me).
On my second MPS visit last year, I practically ran away from our Baguio home without fixing my husband’s breakfast, running after the 6 a.m. Cubao-bound bus at the Gov. Pack Road terminal. By 10 o’clock, I was at the lobby of Holiday Inn. Jun Castro, a stalwart of the Fountain Pen Network-Philippines Inc. (FPNPI), greeted me with a hearty “Amoy Baguio ka pa (you still smell like Baguio).”
Apart from pens, there were numerous stationery items for sale including cute cat stamps, pen-friendly sheets of paper and pads (I went for the Rhodia brand), pen holders in cotton, batik, leather and other materials. There were helpful workshops on the care of the pen and its nib or improving one’s penmanship. Someone even had a booth dedicated to the repair of broken pens.
What I liked in those yearly shows was, the atmosphere was congenial, everyone was smiling and sharing their loot and the questions at the open fora were on point. The resource persons were so helpful you didn’t feel like an amateur or an interloper in an exclusive club.
Lorraine Marie Castañeda, FPNPI vice president, said she was “delighted and surprised at how much the show has grown.” Asked if there was a coincidence that the MPS was held on the weekend of March 15-16 this year at, of all venues, the Peninsula Manila (nicknamed The Pen), she answered, “We’ve always wanted to do the Manila Pen Show at the Manila Pen, a wish fulfilled on our fifth year!”
One of the notable and young vendors was Alex Sandoval Catanghal, who goes by the handle Cat Custom Craft on Instagram and YouTube, where I’ve come to follow her eagerly. She has been drawing for over 25 years—starting with doodles on the margins of her notebooks and progressing to contributing to local anime and comic book publications, and eventually working as an animator in the early 2000s.
She said when she discovered fountain pens, she was inspired by the Japanese deco-kakuno community and decided to try her hand at decorating pens. She started experimenting with decals and gel nail polish. Thanks to the encouragement and collaboration of friends Tere (Promise of Spring on IG) and Timothy (Big Panda Works), she pushed on forward. She added that their support has been invaluable. “Without them, I might never have started selling pens at all.”
Pen and ink by Alex Sandoval Catanghal
Alex seems to be painting on a different and miniature canvas: the body of fountain and ballpoint pens. She explored the world of pens and discovered the incredible variety available. Along the way, she learned more about combining pen customization with artistic expression. “Talented creators like Erikson Arcilla, Permie’s World, and Stanford Pen Studios left me in awe with their remarkable skills. While I am nowhere near their level, I felt inspired to give it a try. Fortunately, I already had experience drawing and painting miniature objects, which gave me a starting point. As with any craft, it’s all about practice, practice, practice.”
Alex Catanghal seems to be painting on a different and miniature canvas: the body of fountain and ballpoint pens. ‘Fortunately, I already had experience drawing and painting miniature objects, which gave me a starting point’
She hasn’t been able to convert her father to switching to a fountain pen. He insists on using a ballpen. She recalled, “My sister even bought him a Lamy fountain pen designed specifically for left-handed writers. As much as I adore fountain pens, I have to admit that ballpoint pens are often more practical—and my father is a very practical man. He has sacrificed so much for our family. I wanted to express my gratitude in a meaningful way. Last Christmas, I created a one-of-a-kind, ‘Starry Night’-inspired design on a Lamy rollerball pen just for him.”
Happiness is pen-abling another family member, in this case the author’s sister Pinky
She owes total pen love to her sister. “She has been practicing law for some time now, but during her years of studying, she often used fountain pens. Six years ago, she asked me, ‘Ate, have you ever tried drawing with a fountain pen?’ At the time, I had experimented with calligraphy and comic nibs, but I’d never considered using a pen. She gifted me a Pilot Prera, and I instantly fell in love with its smoothness. From that moment on, I tumbled headfirst into the fountain pen rabbit hole.”
She continued, “Isn’t it incredible how many kinds of pens exist? And don’t even get me started on the endless array of inks just waiting to be explored. Pen enthusiasts are absolutely nuts—but what an incredible community to be a part of!”
Calvin Almazan in trademark apron
A lawyer in the making with a small business dealing with special pens, Calvin Almazan confessed that falling in love with pens “didn’t happen instantly—it was gradual. It started in senior high school when a mentor introduced me to them. My first pen was a Sheaffer VFM, which I bought for around P300 from National Bookstore. At the time, I saw it as just another pen, nothing too special.”
It wasn’t until his first or second year of college that he became more interested in the hobby. He joined the FPNPI Facebook group, which played a big role in deepening his appreciation for fountain pens. “Seeing all the beautiful pens shared by members, from Montblancs to Nakayas and other respectable brands, was both overwhelming and inspiring, especially for someone just starting out. My P300 Sheaffer felt basic in comparison.”
He continued, “I can’t say exactly when I fell in love with fountain pens, but I do know who made me love them. The welcoming and well-organized community of collectors helped me appreciate the hobby even more, and to this day, they continue to make it an enjoyable experience.”
Lamys in a variety of colors
His business, called The Manila Penography, started as a way to fund an increasingly expensive hobby. He said, “The business wasn’t something I had meticulously planned—it simply grew out of my love for pens. In the beginning, I would visit lesser-known stationery stores, hunting for back-edition Lamy Safaris that I could resell at a slight markup due to their rarity. But even then, every purchase was a battle between my collector’s instinct to keep and the need to sell. More often than not, I just wanted to keep the pens for myself.”
He recalled, “Even during the pandemic, turning this into a full-blown business was never something that I imagined would happen. While stuck in the province, I partnered with my then-mentor (now Atty.) Niko Aguilar to start a small venture producing indigenous weave pen cases. Like before, the idea was simply to fund our hobby while also supporting local heritage weavers along the way.”
Calvin Almazan’s business, The Manila Penography, started as a way to fund an increasingly expensive hobby. ‘But even then, every purchase was a battle between my collector’s instinct to keep and the need to sell’
Later in the pandemic, he started coming across more of his so-called grail pens. “I began searching for rare finds abroad—pens I could acquire, enjoy for a while, and eventually sell. I ran things solo for a few months, posting just one batch a month, which was enough to sustain the hobby in the Fountain Pen Palengke (a Facebook buy-and-sell group). As with any business, competition eventually came into play. After a few conversations, I realized that rather than competing, our interests aligned. That competitor became my now-business partner Jeph. By pooling our resources, we were able to expand our offerings to more collector-grade pens, start The Manila Penography—and the rest is history.”
He continues to share his passion with the community and help others discover their dream pens—sometimes pens they never even knew they wanted. He said, “We focus on sourcing limited edition and grail-level pens for a simple reason: We love bringing joy to fellow enthusiasts. What started as a personal love for fountain pens has grown into something bigger, but that passion remains the heart of everything we do.”
At the MPS, he found it his chance “to finally meet in person the people we usually only interact with online. As an online business, we find there’s something special about putting faces to names and sharing the hobby beyond just messages and transactions. It’s a great way to connect with fellow enthusiasts on a more personal level. For the monthly pen meets, I love being able to relax and share the hobby with fellow enthusiasts. The laid-back atmosphere makes it enjoyable, and even though the hobby is now connected to my business, it has never felt like work.”
He described the pen community as “diverse, humble and full of surprises! The community is one of the most diverse collector groups I’ve encountered. From students to professionals to industry leaders—you’re bound to meet a wide range of people if you fully immerse yourself in it. Yet, despite the presence of these professionals and high-profile collectors, the community remains incredibly welcoming. Whether you own a beginner-friendly pen or a prized grail piece, there are no barriers—just shared enthusiasm and appreciation.”
He added, “The community is full of surprises because you never know what you’ll encounter—be it a rare pen find, an unexpected act of generosity, or the fascinating stories behind each collector’s journey. There’s always something new to discover, someone new to meet and fresh perspectives to appreciate. This constant sense of exploration is what makes the pen community truly special.”
Pen and ink doodle by Camille Lopez Molina
Viva Voce Vocal Ensemble founder and director Camille Lopez Molina credited Joseph and her sister Gracielle as her two main “pen-ablers.” She said, “Gracielle and I have always been into writing and drawing, and one day she made me try the pen she had with her. That led to me going to her place, and she made try the other pens in her collection, which she had never mentioned before. I was impressed and especially wowed by how vibrant the ink showed on paper. She brought out a bottle of shimmering ink. That did it—I was hooked!”
Zentangle art by Camille Lopez Molina
Camille started to read about fountain pens and learned that because of their wider girth, they’re more comfortable in the hand than normal pens, which are thin. “My ride-or-die pens since entering college have been Pilot G2 gel pens because they were the only ones that never blotted even when I dropped them, the ink was vibrant on paper, but also because they were thick and had rubber grips that are more relaxing to hold, especially for long periods of time. Ergo, excuse number one to try fountain pens. “
She said one of the most recommended pens for beginners that she could actually afford and was readily available was the Pilot Metropolitan. She bought it at National Bookstore along with matching Pilot blue black ink. She assessed it as “okay, but I wasn’t very happy with it.”
Then Joseph invited her to join the Fountain Pen Network on Facebook. From there she discovered the Fountain Pen Palengke. “Down the rabbit hole I went. Pens first, then inks, then paper. Now I’ve found my seven ride or die, and they’re always with me.”
Floral drawing by Camille Lopez Molina
Since Camille has always been a doodler or a pen and paper fiend from childhood, something she got from her mother, she uses her pens all the time—while watching TV, waiting for a student, when she’s trying to memorize songs, before performances, after performances. In school, as in from grade school to college, the doodling helped her stay put in class.
Since Camille Lopez Molina has always been a doodler, she uses her pens all the time—while watching TV, waiting for a student, when she’s trying to memorize songs, before performances, after performances
She said, “I also love writing letters to friends, entries in journals, and my planner. I dabble in calligraphy, though I’m not disciplined in practicing so I’m better at the casual stuff than the formal. It’s the writing and drawing that kept me sane during the pandemic.”
Her favorite pen is a Pilot 912 with a Spencerian nib which she found in the Fountain Pen Palengke. She said, “The line variation is crazy beautiful, but the pen does require a gentle, knowing touch.”
Asked if she was crazy about inks as pens, she answered, “Yes! I have too many inks, but no regrets. I’ve only discovered using glass nib pens (thanks to a friend who gifted me with a beautiful one, coincidentally also Japanese), which is the best solution to having to fill and refill regular fountain pens to use different colored inks because glass nibs are the easiest to clean. My favorite ink at the moment, the past two years actually, is a witch’s brew of Diamine Jalur Gemilang and Vinta Ink’s Dugong Bughaw. The sheen is hypnotic . I never get tired of staring at the way the ink morphs into different shades depending on the light, especially on Tomoe River paper. For drawing, I like using cold press 200 or 300 gsm sketchpads. So my bag always weighs a ton because I always have my pen case, my bottle of ink, my Hobonichi planner, and a sketchpad or two.”
Flowers by Camille Lopez Molina
Like any fountain pen user, Camille said with finality, “Give me an empty corner table and my coffee, and I can draw and write all day.”
