.S. Lewis was a prolific author. Best known as the author of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters among many others, Lewis' works range from children's fantasy to science fiction, from theology and philosophy to discussions on literature and education. But through this vast range of literary genres, all his works resonate with a single theme - what he referred to as sehnsucht, a wonder-full joy. It unfolds in his literary work like a spring flower blooming, and is explored in his philosophical works with both a systematic thoroughness and a sense of adventure.

n eclectic group, the members of The Philippine Order of Narnians range from grade school pupils to university professors, from Baguio in the north to General Santos City in the south to Philippine communities all over the globe. These people are drawn together by one thing - the overwhelming sense of joy that Lewis skillfully wove into the fabric of each of his manuscripts.

While named after the Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis' most famous work, the group also appreciates Lewis' other works.
The group grew slowly at first, but when some of the members attended the A Long Expected Party: the Second Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, things began to heat up. New members came in, exciting discussions popped up, and the C.S. Lewis Filipino community grew. By 2005, the group had become a participant of the New Worlds Episode 3: Third Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention, and had become a full-fledged member of the New Worlds Alliance (NWA), the umbrella organization behind the conventions.

By that time, TPON had started what came to be known as "Summons"—regular meetings of community members, enabling them get to know each other better, and discussing Lewis' works and the works of those influenced by him on a more personal level. This now happens every second and fourth Saturday of the month, with the time and venue announced on the mailing list.

Today, TPON is coordinating various other entities to bring to life Narnia events in 2006, in celebration of the Walden Media/Disney Pictures adaptation of “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.” For more information on this and other TPON activities please visit the home page.

here's plenty to discuss. The current popularity of The Chronicles of Narnia is a good starting point, and the discussion unfolds from there. That a live-action feature film, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” opens in the Philippines in January 8, 2006 encourages people to return to the books that started it all. When discussing Lewis' works wears people out, the interesting life of C.S. Lewis always provides us much to wonder about.

Not that the group talks exclusively about Lewis; his influence as a writer and as "the foremost Christian philosopher of the 20th Century" is great. Authors ranging from Neil Gaiman and Madeline L'Engle to Lloyd Alexander, Ursula LeGuin, Philip Yancey, and John Eldredge were greatly influenced by and regularly refer to his works, as were artists like U2, Jars of Clay, and Sixpence None The Richer, whose name was derived from one of Lewis' books.

ummons, the regular TPON meetings, is held every second and fourth Saturday of the month. The decision for the venue is very fluid but most of the time, we meet at the Mosaic Lounge, found on the 3rd floor of Greenbelt 1 building in Makati City, a place inspired by the Eagle and Child, the pub where Lewis and Tolkien and the Inklings used to meet.

Sometimes we meet somewhere around Greenbelt 3, namely Seattle’s Best Coffee. Some occasions call for a South (Alabang) and North (Quezon City) Summons at times. Announcements are made via the mailing list.

To get to know the group better, join the e-group at Sumulat Sa Narnia or at our Yahoo! Group. You can also visit our online forum.