June 28, 2006

Nationalism and Literature at UST

The Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) and the University of Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Studies (UST-CCWS) would like to invite interested parties in a forum entitled, "Nationalism and Literature," which will be held on 4 July 2006, from 3 to 6 pm, at the ground floor of St. Raymund's Building, UST-CCWS Conference Room.

Three prominent literary critics, namely, National Artist for Literature Dr. Bienvenido L. Lumbera, Dr. Soledad S. Reyes of Ateneo de Manila University, and Dr. Ramón G. Guillermo of University of the Philippines will each deliver a paper addressing various concerns and controversies surrounding writers as well as artists in the Philippines ranging from popular literature to nationalist ideology to Filipino aesthetics.

The forum is the first of a series of collaborative efforts between UMPIL and UST-CCWS, and is made possible through the assistance of College of Arts and Letters Dean Dr. Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta, an eminent poet and critic herself.

June 28, 2006

Virgin Labfest 2006 at the CCP

After the sensational hit of last year’s Virgin Labfest, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino and the Writers Bloc, in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, proudly present its second edition of untried / untested / unpublished / unstaged works, from July 7 to 16, 2006 at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute.

This year’s festival features fifteen new plays culled from the year-long regular series of readings by the Writers Bloc, and penned by some of the country’s finest breed of vibrant and prolific playwrights:

I. Opening
July 7, 2006 (Friday) 8PM

A glimpse of Virgin Labfest 2 featuring three new works from the roster.

II. Like a Virgin
July 8, 2006 (Saturday) 3 & 8 PM

(previously staged works directed by the Dulaang Sipat Lawin Ensemble & J. William Herbert Sigmund Go feat. the Dulaang Sipat Lawin Ensemble)

Dulaang Sipat Lawin’s PRAGRES

A musical adaptation of F. Sionil Jose’s story. Set during Martial Law, a provincial senior clerk is sent through an arduous affair of going to Manila to seek the endorsement of her promotion. As she encounters one bureaucrat after another, she drowns in incompetence and corruption.

Alfonso Dacanay’s FIRST SNOW OF NOVEMBER

Palanca-winning play based on Bienvenido Santos’ The Day the Dancers Came. A Filipino expat in Chicago longs for home. When a group of Filipino dancers arrives for a performance, he is determined to invite them to a night of bonding and reminiscing. But how does one win the hearts of complete strangers when he himself is a stranger in a foreign land?

Rody Vera’s ANG UNANG ASWANG

The legend of the aswang: Ang unang aswang ay naulilang sanggol na sumuso sa dugo ng bangkay niyang ina. Ang kaniyang tanod ay ‘sang pusang itim, ‘sang asong may pangil at ‘sang baboy ramong nagpasuso sa kanya. Nang ang unang aswang ay magdalaga, sinipingan siya ng ‘sang binata, at nang magbunga’y kinain ang sariling supling. Ang lahat ay tumuro sa kanyang pagkabata, wala ni isang nagbintang sa binata.

III. Hora de Peligro
July 9, 2006 (Sunday) 3 & 8 PM

J. Dennis Teodosio’s BAKA SAKALI
(directed by Catherine Racsag featuring Nanding Josef & Joel Garcia)

One dreary midnight, a grandfather eagerly convinces his grandson to push their luck further. A noon time show promises instant fortune and taking a chance at it won’t harm them. Their talk gives them high hopes until fate plays its trick the next morning. Is dreaming risky?

Layeta Bucoy’s ANG ANAK NI GLORIA
(directed by Tess Jamias featuring May Bayot & Mayen Estañero)

In order to avoid prostituting herself again, Gloria clings to her Dutch boyfriend’s promise to take her to Holland. But after failing to send her money, Gloria begins to think that her lover has abandoned her. When he resurfaces, she moves heaven and earth to convince him that the dark, ugly, Pinoy-looking baby is his.

Rogelio Braga’s MAGANDA PA ANG DAIGDIG
(directed by George de Jesus III featuring Ama Quiambao)

A family tries to cover up a crime committed at the height of EDSA Dos Revolution. After finding a way to dispose the remains of a dead boy, the family faces a new challenge: how to free their conscience of the committed crime, as the mother of the dead boy arrives for a tête-à-tête with them.

IV. DespArate Voices
July 13 & 14, 2006 (Thursday & Friday) 8 PM

Nicolas Pichay’s TRES ATAQUES DE CORAZON
(directed by Vincent de Jesus featuring Eric Bisa, Andoy Ranay & Jef Dee)

Three short monologues about three characters dealing with triple blockages in the heart.

Rody Vera’s THE RETURN OF FLOR
(directed by Rody Vera featuring Mailes Kanapi)

God is playing a joke that nobody understands, and nobody’s laughing. God sends Flor Contemplacion back to earth to console Gwen, a Filipina who is also accused of a grisly murder in Singapore while Flor’s twin sons are also imprisoned for selling drugs. Flor brings along a microphone to sing and lull Gwen to sleep, as her two sons also sleep in prison. Some joke!

Rene Villanueva’s ISANG DAKILANG MAMAMAYAN NG REPUBLIKA
(directed by Regina Ronquillo featuring Mae Paner)

Sa Recto, nagtitinda ng banana cue si Lola, exasperatingly over weight at laging mamantika. Sa kanya naiwan ang tatlong apo, anak ng anak niyang nakapag-asawa ng adik. Ang bunsong apo ay laging nagkakasakit at wala siyang perang pampagamot. Akala mo melodrama ito, wrong answer! More like a suspense thriller pa!

V. Hopelessly Umaasa,
July 15, 2006 (Saturday) 3 & 8 PM

Job Pagsibigan’s THE PALANCA IN MY MIND
(directed by Roobak Valle featuring Wenah Nagales, Clottie Lucero, Eric Cruz & the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company)

See how far Dory, a call center agent, can go to have a crack at the country’s premier literary competition. Up to the challenge, albeit mentally-challenged herself, one can catch a glimpse of what goes on in the minds of aspiring winners, even the most delusional of them.

Debbie Tan’s DRAGON’S BREATH
(directed by J. Victor Villareal featuring Marj Lorico)

The prospect of losing one’s sight is daunting but meeting someone who has already lost it keeps life in perspective. Dragon’s breath is a dream where inner fantasy is hope, where oriental myth merges with reality.

Niel de Mesa’s PAG-UWI ‘PAG UNDAS
(directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio feat. Chromewell Cosio & Carmela Magtuto)

Undas: Dalawang taong naghihintay sa isang dinumog na sementeryo. Isang babaeng mainipin at isang lalaking masigasig. Ano nga ba ang saysay ng buhay kung lagi na lang tayong pinaghihintay ng ating mga mahal sa buhay? E, ano nga ba ang hinihintay natin? Baka mas mabuting umuwi na lang. Pero sayang naman ang paghihintay kung mauuwi lang sa uwian.

VI. Naked Truths
July 16, 2006 (Sunday) 3 & 8 PM

Liza Magtoto’s HUBAD
(directed by Denisa Reyes featuring Nonie Buencamino & Irma Adlawan)

A middle-aged couple is discontented with their married life, so they start to engage in sex games. As they play roles and act out their fantasies as student-teacher, driver-master and even cross dressing, the woman realizes that she just wants to be accepted as she is.

Argel Tuason’s PALABAS / EXIT
(directed by Rolando Inocencio featuring Noel Escondo & Jejie Esguerra)

Sa sinehan, hinihintay ni Borji ang isang misteryosong lalaking nakaulayaw niya nuong nakaraang buwan, si Rey. Si Rey ay isang sakristang umibig sa isang pari, bagay na di nakaligtas sa mga mapang-usyosong mata ng mga taga-simbahan. Sa pag-alis sa simbahan, anong mga sagabal ang bumabalakid sa muling pagtatagpo nina Rey at Borji?

Dennis Teodosio’s PAYB-SIKS
(directed by Phil Noble featuring Gerard Pizzaras & Arnold Reyes)

Kapag may umuutang, sino ba ang mas may power, ‘yung nangungutang o ‘yung inuutangan? A seduction play about the politics of money and sexual dominance.

Buy your tickets now!

Tanghalang Pilipino
832-3661;
832-1125 locals 1620 / 1621
(0920) 953-5381
(0920) 953-5419
ccptanghalan(at)yahoo.com

TicketWorld 891-9999

June 28, 2006

Call for Submissions: L A G D A

Kasalukuyang nangangalap ng mga artikulo, pananaliksik, rebyu at malikhaing akda ang Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas (DFPP) para sa isyu ng Lagda hinggil sa Kulturang Popular, Sekswalidad at Panitikan. Kaugnay rin ito ng planong pagbubuo ng teksbuk na magagamit sa pagtuturo ng Pan Pil 17 (Panitikan at Kulturang Popular) at Pan Pil 19 (Panitikan, Kasarian at Sekswalidad) sa Unibersidad.

Malugod namin kayong iniimbitahang magsumite ng inyong mga natatanging sanaysay at pananaliksik, at mga maikling kuwento, tula, dula at iba pang porma ng malikhaing akdang tumatalakay sa masalimuot na larangan ng kulturang popular at sekswalidad sa Pilipinas. Ilan sa mga iminumungkahi naming paksain ninyo ay ang sumusunod:

1. Ang Transpormasyon/Transisyon ng mga Serye sa Komiks Tungong Teleserye (Kampanerang Kuba, Panday, Darna at iba pa)
2. Independent Film Making sa Pilipinas
3. Panitikan sa Internet (blog, fan fiction, hypertext, atbp)
4. Gay at Lesbian clubs/pubs (Government, Red Banana, Fahrenheit, atbp)
5. Panitikang Chic o Chic literature
6. Panitikang popular sa mga rehiyon (nobelang romansang Iluko, Bisaya, atbp)
7. Piniratang DVD sa Quiapo
8. Gloria-gate CD, ringtone at text jokes
9. Artista bilang kultural na texto (Anne Curtis, Ethel Booba, Willie Revillame, atbp)
10. Pagsulpot ng iba’t ibang All Male Groups (Viva Hot Men, Masculados, Barakos, atbp)
11. Reproduksyon at Refabrikasyon ng tv game shows (Game KNB?, Wowowee, atbp)
12. Pagsulpot ng Gateway sa Cubao
13. Birtuwal na relasyon: E-chat, Avatar, Friendster, hi5, Photobucket, Flickr, atbp
14. Bagong advertising strategies ng fastfood chains tulad ng McDonald’s atbp
15. Virgin Cola
16. Star Circle Quest, Starstruck, American Idol, Hollywood Dream, atbp.
17. Mga panimulang pag-aaral/sanaysay ukol sa panitikan at kulturang popular, o ugnayan ng panitikan, kasarian at sexwalidad.

Mangyaring sundin ang sumusunod na gabay:

1. Ang mga akda ay dapat nakasulat sa wikang Filipino, kompyuterisado (Times New Roman, 12 font size, double space), orihinal at hindi pa nalalathala sa limbag o elektronikong anyo.
2. Hindi kukulangin sa 20 pahina, naka-encode, at doble-espasyo. Lakipan ng abstrak ang pag-aaral na hindi lalagpas sa tatlong daang (300) salita.
3. Hindi lalagpas sa sampung pahina ang mga rebyu (tulad ng pelikula, programang pantelebisyon, aklat, musika, atbp.)
4. Maghanda ng isang talatang tala sa manunulat.
5. Isumite rin ang tatlong (3) hard copy at isang soft copy na nasa Rich Text Format.
6. Humingi ng permiso sa anumang materyal (larawan, pabalat ng aklat, ilustrasyon, mapa, atbp.) na ilalahok sa inyong manuskrito.
7. Kailangang sagutan o punan ng mag-aambag ang Form 1 (Atestasyon ng Orihinalidad) na mukukuha sa opisina ng DFPP na nagpapahayag na hindi pa nailalathala ang inyong akda at kung sino ang mga posibleng tagasuri sa inyong pag-aaral.
8. Sundin ang patnubay ng Chicago Style of Manual. (14th ed)
9. Ipadala ang inyong manuskrito sa: Isyu Editor, Lagda, DFPP, UP Diliman. Sa Hulyo 7, 2006 (Biyernes) ang huling araw ng pagsusumite.

Para sa mga katanungan, magpadala ng e-mail kay G. Mykel Andrada, Prop. Will Ortiz, at/o Prop. Eugene Y. Evasco sa lagdaan@gmail.com o di kaya’y mag-text sa 0915-4413324 at/o 0917-8300330.

June 28, 2006

SALOY 2006: Ikatlong Kumperensya ng mga Estudyante para sa Wikang Filipino.

Tema: "PAGSIPAT SA IBA'T IBANG KALIGIRAN NG WIKANG FILIPINO."

Inaanyayahan ng Departamento ng Filipino ng Pamantasang De La Salle –Maynila ang mga estudyante sa antas tersyarya para sa SALOY 2006: Ikatlong Kumperensya ng mga Estudyante para sa Wikang Filipino.

Ang pangkalahatang tema ng kumperensya para sa taong ito ay "Pagsipat saIba't Ibang Kaligiran ng Wikang Filipino." Ito ay gaganapin sa ika-8 ng Agosto 2006, 1:00 hanggang 5:00 ng hapon sa Bulwagang Ariston Estrada, Pamantasang De La Salle – Maynila. Layunin ng pagtitipong ito na mabigyan ng venyu ang mga estudyante na ibahagi at talakayin ang kanilang mgapananaw, ideya o pananaliksik tungkol sa wikang Filipino at mga kaugnay na isyu o disiplina.

Ang mga paksa ng papel ay maaaring pumaloob sa mga sumusunod na sub-tema.

a. Ang Wikang Filipino sa Iba't Ibang Disiplina at Larangan
b. Pagtuturo at Pagkatuto ng Wikang Filipino
c. Wikang Filipino: Umuusbong na Anyo at Dalumat
d. Ang Pulitika at Kultura sa/ng Wikang Filipino
e. Ang Wikang Filipino at ang Mass Media
f. Wikang Filipino sa Panahon ng Globalisasyon

Para sa mga nais magbasa ng kanilang papel o naisagawang pananaliksik, kailangang magpadala ng abstrak na hindi lalagpas sa 150 salita at naka-single space, kasama ang pangalan ng awtor, kolehiyo/pamantasang kinabibilangan, tirahan, telepono at email address.Kapag naaprubahan ang abstrak, ang pinal na papel ay hindi dapat lalagpas ng labinlimang pahina, doble espasyo, sa font size na 12 at font type na Times New Roman o Arial. Ang mga notes, bibliograpiya o ilustrasyon ay hindi kasama sa labinlimang pahina. Gayunpaman, bibigyan lamang ang bawat magbabasa ng papel ng labinlimang minuto para sa kanilang presentasyon. Ang mga papel ay dapat orihinal.

Ang dedlayn para sa abstrak ay sa Hulyo 14, 2006. Maaari itong ipadala sa Departamento ng Filipino, Room 401, William Hall, De La Salle University-Manila, 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila o sa email na torralbaj@dlsu.edu.ph. Ipaaalam ang mga natanggap na papel sa Hulyo 17, 2006. Ang dedlayn para kumpirmasyon ng paglahok ay sa Hulyo 21, 2006.

Walang bayad ang pagdalo sa kumperensya, magbabasa man ng papel o makikinig. Magbibigay din ang departamento ng token at sertipiko ng pagkilala sa mga magbabasa.

Para sa iba pang katanungan, maaaring tumawag sa telepono bilang 5244611, lokal 552/509 at hanapin si Dr. Raquel Sison-Buban o John Torralba.

June 22, 2006

5th Barlaya Writing for Children's Workshop

Adarna House, the country's leading children's book publisher, is mounting the 5th Barlaya Writing for Children Workshop. Barlaya is designed to help aspiring writers for children enhance their craft.

Ten writing fellows will be chosen based on the merit of their submitted stories. Interested parties should submit three copies of one (1) original, unpublished story to Adarna House at Room 102 JGS building, 30 Scout Tuazon St., Quezon City.

Entries should be typewritten, double-spaced, and should not exceed five pages. All entries should be accompanied by a one-page backgrounder on the writer.

The deadline of submission is 5:00 PM, Friday, August 11, 2006.

June 20, 2006

UP Press to launch twelve new titles

The University of the Philippines Press is about to launch twelve new titles including Sonetos Postumos by Rio Alma, The Knowing is in the Writing: Notes on the Practice of Fiction by Jose Dalisay Jr. and The Roots of the Filipino Nation, Volume 2 by former UP president O.D. Corpuz.

Entitled Paglulunsad 2006, Ikalawang Yugto , the launch will also celebrate new literary titles from Thelma B. Kintanar, Jose Duke Bagulaya and Karl R. De Mesa as well as scholarly ones from Wilhelm Solheim II, Dante Simbulan and Ramon Pagayon Santos.

The affair will be held on 30 June, 6 p.m. at the Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The complete titles are as follows:

Archeology and Culture in Southeast Asia: Unraveling the NUSANTAO by Wilhelm G. Solheim II

Damaged People: Tales of the Gothic-Punk by Karl R. De Mesa

Iconography of the New Empire: Race and Gender Images and the American Colonization of the Philippines by Servando D. Halili Jr.

Kuwentong Bayan: Noong Panahon ng Hapon, Everyday Life in a Time of War by Thelma B. Kintanar, Clemen C. Aquino, Patricia B. Arinto, Ma. Luisa T. Camagay

Mula sa Mga Pakpak ng Entablado: Poetika ng Dulaang Kababaihan by Joi Barrios

Sonetos Postumos by Rio Alma

Stringing the Past: An Archeological Understanding of Early Southeast Asia Glass Bead Trade by Jun G. Cayron

The Knowing is in the Writing: Notes on the Practice of Fiction by Jose Dalisay, Jr.

The Modern Principalia: The Historical Evolution of the Philippine Ruling Oligarchy by Dante C. Simbulan

The Roots of the Filipino Nation, Vol. 2 by O.D. Corpuz

Tunugan: Four Essays on Filipino Music by Ramon Pagayon Santos

Writing Literary History: Mode of Economic Production and the Twentieth Century Waray Poetry by Jose Duke S. Bagulaya.

June 19, 2006

The Knowing Is in the Writing: Notes on the Practice of Fiction by Jose Y. Dalisay Jr.

Part manual, part testament, part autobiography, The Knowing Is in the Writing : Notes on the Practice of Fiction was written by the author to engage new and young writers of fiction not only in matters of craft but also of life and livelihood. Beginning with an overview of the nature and elements of fiction, the book then deals with specific issues in the writing of fiction, from plotting and characterization to the workshop experience and publishing one's first book. "Through fiction," Dalisay says, "we best make sense of our lives by stepping away from them—by momentarily becoming strangers unto ourselves, by exploring more interesting alternatives to what we already know or most likely would do, and, ultimately, by giving ourselves a new reason to hope and believe that life indeed follows a plot we can direct—if we only knew what it was."

Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., PhD, has published fifteen books of fiction and non-fiction, with five of those winning the National Book Award from the Manila Critics Circle. A Palanca Hall of Fame and TOYM awardee for creative writing, he teaches English at the University of the Philippines. As Butch Dalisay, he writes a weekly column, "Penman," for the Philippine Star.

The Knowing Is in the Writing: Notes on the Practice of Fiction is part of the University of the Philippines Press's Ikalawang Yugto for 2006. It will be launched along with 11 other new titles on June 30, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman.

For more details, please contact the University of the Philippines Press Marketing Office at (02) 9266642 and (02) 928-2558 locals 111 and 112.

June 19, 2006

Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature to Feature the Best of the Best
by Arvin Abejo Mangohig

In a recent column of his in The Philippine Star, Dr. Butch Dalisay announced plans for the Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature. This is very good news indeed. After the stoppage of the Likhaan anthology series, the University of the Philippines’ Institute of Creative Writing continues to forge ahead with this new project. Just as the UP nears its centennial, the Likhaan Journal will underscore UP’s “legacy as the nation’s richest and most influential source of new literature,” wrote Dr. Dalisay.

The proposal has just been approved by UP Chancellor Sergio Cao. The journal will be blind refereed and its board of editors will be the associates of the ICW themselves, with Dr. Dalisay as the maiden issue’s editor. Dr. Lilia Quindoza Santiago and Dr. J. Neil Garcia will be the sub-editors.

Chancellor Cao’s fundraising will enable the Likhaan to give writers their highest honoraria yet. Dr Garcia likened being published in the journal as having won a prize in a major literary contest already. Professor Vim Nadera, the ICW’s director, had this to say about the new endeavor: “The Likhaan Journal will be one of best literary journals the country has ever seen, by virtue of its editors and referees alone. It aims to showcase the greatest as well as the latest literary works for the year.”

Likhaan will begin as an annual publication, coming out with “short stories, poems, essays... memorabilia… and a bibliography of locally published creative work,” Dr. Dalisay elaborated further. He enjoined every one to submit only their best original and unpublished manuscripts. Submissions can be sent to likhaanjournal@gmail.com.

June 19, 2006

Rene O. Villanueva Children's Reader is off the press

Children’s story writer Rene O. Villanueva has a new book that reintroduces his works for young readers to parents, teachers, and children, The Rene O. Villanueva Children’s Reader.

Published by Cacho Publishing Inc., with an introduction by renowned poet and children’s story writer Ramon Sunico, The Rene O. Villanueva Children’s Reader puts together 22 of Villlanueva’s popular previously published stories, as well as lyrics of children’s songs and children’s drama.

The Reader also includes 19 unpublished stories, three plays for the classroom, and ten songs from the pioneering educational TV program, “Batibot,” where he served as head writer for more than ten years. The book is illustrated by Elbert Or; the book cover features a painting by Robert Corbin showing the prolific storywriter surrounded by his storybook characters.

Villanueva, considered among the pioneers of modern children’s literature in the Philippines, started writing for children in 1978 as author of the first two Aklat Adarna prototypes. When he won the Gawad CCP para sa Sining in 2004, he was cited for writing children’s stories that “influenced the worldview formation of a generation of young Filipinos.”

The author is currently teaching as Associate Professor at the Department of Filipino, College of Arts and Letters, University of the Philippines in Diliman. He also serves as an associate of U.P. Institute of Creative Writing.

Villanueva has published more than 60 storybooks for children and has worked with numerous publishers for children’s books, including Aklat Adarna, Lampara, Tahanan, Anvil Juvenile, and Manila-UNICEF.

He is an honorary member of Kuting and Philippine Board on Books for Young People. He was elevated to the Carlos Palanca Hall of Fame in 1993, having won the country’s most prestigious literary award 29 times.

Rene O. Villanueva Children’s Reader is available at the children’s section of all branches of National Bookstore and other leading book stores.

June 13, 2006

Ateneo National Writers Workshop now accepting submissions

The Ateneo Institute for Literary Arts and Practices (AILAP) is now accepting applications to the sixth Ateneo National Writer's Workshop to be held on October 23-28.

Applicants must submit a portfolio of any one of the following in Filipino or in English: five poems, three short stories, or two one-act plays, together with a title page indicating the author's pseudonym and a table of contents. The portfolio must be accompanied by a file of the document(s) saved in a diskette in rich text format (.rtf).

All submissions must also include a sealed envelope containing the author's name, address, contact numbers, and a one-page biodata with a 1x1 ID picture.

Address all entries to Dr. Benilda Santos, Director, Ateneo National Writer's Workshop, c/o Filipino Department, Horacio de la Costa Hall, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Deadline of submissions is August 4.

For inquiries, please call workshop coordinators Mr. Jelson Capilos and Mr. Yol Jamendang at 426-6001 local 5320-5322.

June 13, 2006

New Novels by Lualhati Bautista

Acclaimed writer Lualhati Bautista has come out with new novels focusing on women’s bodies and women’s rights: Sa Kabilang Panig ng Bakod, Desisyon and Hugot sa Sinapupunan.

Each novel costs only P20.00, having been published by a woman’s NGO. Those interested may contact 09193175708 for more details.

Bautista has written modern classics like Gapo (1980), Dekada 70 (1983), and Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? (1984). She has also written for film, winning best screenplay awards for Bulaklak ng City Jail and Kadenang Bulaklak .

June 13, 2006

Join Salaysayan 2006

Got the knack for telling stories? Get something out of it by joining Salaysayan 2006, the nationwide storytelling contest organized by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People.

Salaysayan 2006 is a book-based storytelling competition open to both amateurs and professionals aged 21 and above. There shall be two categories: Filipino and English.

Winners from each category shall get P20,000 for the First Prize; P10,000 for the Second Prize; and P5,000 for the Third Prize.

For inquiries, and if you want to obtain application forms, email events@adarna.com.ph or call 372-35-48 loc. 110 and look for Vanessa. Deadline of entries is on June 24, 2006.

Join and be heard, this is your chance at becoming one of the Philippines’ finest storytellers. The stage awaits you!

Salaysayan 2006 is organized in partnership with Anvil Publishing, Hiyas, Growers, RCBC, and Vibal Publishing.

June 13, 2006

Hawaii Centennial Literary Competition Winners

Poetry Writing Category

1st - GOJO CRUZ, GENARO R.
San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan

2nd - CAYANES, DEXTER B.
Pasig City

3rd - VEGA, JOEL H.
Nijmeegen, The Netherlands

Essay Writing Category (in no particular order)

LUMABAO, JAN LORD V.
Dingras, Ilocos Norte

PONCE, ARIEL EDGAR G.
Quezon City

UBAL, RACHELLE D.
Makati City

Special Citation

PEREZ, MA. SOCORRO Q.
Makati City

One Act Play Writing Category

1st - RIVERA, ARISTEO T.
Cebu City

2nd - ESTUAR, MARIA CLARISSA N.
Mandaluyong City

3rd - PEÑA, ROMEO P.
Sta. Mesa, Manila

June 6, 2005

UNESCO International Theater Festival Opens

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is rolling out a cornucopia of plays at the UNESCO International Theater Festival (ITF) 2006. The festival of plays begins on May 30 and will run until June 25.

Held in cooperation with various embassies, arts groups and institutions, the ITF will feature plays from Japan, Australia and the Philippines.

" The Borges Project," based on Jorge Luis Borges magical short story "The Circular Ruins," is slated for May 30-31, 8PM at the CCP Huseng Batute. The Philippines, Belgium, Cameroon, Croatia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and United States present plays of their own.

" Peregrinations...Against Reduction, " a collaboration between the Philippines and Australia, will be staged on June 9, 8 pm and June 10-11, 3 pm at the CCP Huseng Batute.

" The Coffee Shop Within the Play " will run June 22-23, 3 pm at the CCP Huseng Batute. It features a segment of Noh, a Japanese theater form still only performed by men.

Tanghalang Pilipino's hit musical play " Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah ," which tells the tale of a gay beautician who transforms into a superwoman, will be re-staged on June 16, 8 pm and June 18, 3 pm and 8 pm at the CCP Huseng Batute.

" Condor Conquest of the Galaxy: Jupiter " will be presented on June 23, 8 pm at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater). This is in cooperation with the Japan Foundation Manila and the Embassy of Japan as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Philippine-Japan Friendship Year.

"Waiting For Godot" transforms into" Godot, Wer is U? " to be staged on June 22-23, 8 pm and June 24-25, 3 pm at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater). Featured actors are Paolo O'Hara, Paolo Rodriguez, Cris Pasturan, and Bong Cabrera. This production is jointly sponsored by Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc., the French Embassy, Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The ITF 2006 was last presented here in the country eight years. For more information on ITF performances, contact the Cultural Center of the Philippines .

Email: ccp@culturalcenter.gov.ph
Web site: http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph

CCP Complex
CCP Complex
Roxas Boulevard
Pasay City
Tel. 832-3667
Fax No. 551-5960

June 5, 2006

25 Poets in Caracoa 2006

Hereunder is the list of 25 poets chosen for the 2006 revival issue of the Caracoa. We received submissions from 71 poets and we had a tough time trimming the list to 25. The works of those who were not included in this revival issue will be forwarded to the upcoming Caracoa anniversary issue which will come out within the year or early 2007. We are now working on the design and layout of the book. To all those who submitted, thank you very much for contributing and for keeping the Caracoa afloat.

The Editors:

Mookie Katigbak
Angelo Suarez
Lourd Ernest De Veyra
Joel M. Toledo

1. Alexander Agena -- Lady in an Imaginary Painting
2. Jim Pascual Agustin -- Those Who Still Have Black Blood Under Their Feet
3. Ivy Alvarez -- The Elephant
4. Oscar Alvarez -- Economy Class
5. Glenn Atanacio -- Journey of Flowers
6. Amado Bajarias -- Artifacts 2 / Happiness in Other Planets
7. Luis Cabalquinto -- Details
8. Mark Cayanan -- As Dina Bonnevie
9. Frank Cimatu -- The Manifest Destiny Routine, or My Fetid Sestinna
10. Mikael De Lara Co -- Tongues
11. Vincent Coscolluela -- Church of the Meek
12. Adam David -- Instructions for the Inclined: Help Found A Writing Org
13. Raymond de Borja -- Tell Me, Where is the Soul
14. Rodrigo dela Peña -- Algebra
15. Israfel Fagela -- Condolences
16. Eduardo Geronia, Jr. -- Surfing in these Islands
17. Luisa Igloria -- Minim / Archipelago
18. Ken Ishikawa -- End of a Frontier
19. Arkaye Kierulf -- Horses
20. Sarge Lacuesta -- Modern Girls
21. Paolo Manalo -- Weekend Couple
22. Wilfredo Pascual -- A Filipino in the Charlie Brown Musical
23. Jose Ocampo Reyes -- Glimpses
24. Naya Valdellon -- New Year at the Wake
25. Joel H. Vega -- Interiors

June 5, 2006

ARTPAPER releases its maiden issue

Why are the songs of Eraserheads deep and poetic? Why is Jang Geum of "Jewel in the Palace" close to the Pinoy's heart? What makes National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco an exemplary human being? Want to get a glimpse of the 20th century performance art? How not to be duped by fake artworks and scheming art dealers and collectors?

What's the latest art magazine in town?

Find out the answers on 11 June 2006, Sunday, 6:00pm, at Pasig Museum as ARTPAPER (Impormasyon:sining@kultura.com) releases its maiden issue.

The people behind ARTPAPER are Ramon "Chitoy" Zapata (Publisher); Richard R. Gappi (Editor); Neliza de Leon, Michael Ian Lomongo, Lilimay Manalo, Claire Zapata (Editorial Board); Allan G. Alcantara, Carlos "Totong" Francisco II, Marlon "Nunong" Olinares, Wire Tuazon, Keiye Miranda-Tuazon (Creative Team); Lena Cobangbang, Mideo Cruz, Karen Ocampo Flores, Tata Raul Funilas I, Lisa Ito, Lyra Abueg Garcellano, Donna Miranda, James Owen Saguinsin, Abet Umil (Contributing writers and artists); Neil Doloricon, Patrick Flores, Alice Guillermo, Jose Tence Ruiz, Pablo Tariman (Advisers); and National Artist Virgilio Almario and National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera as consultants.

June 5, 2006

The Fourth International Conference on the Book
Emerson College, Boston, USA, 20-22 October 2006

The conference will address a range of critically important themes relating to the book - including the past, present and future of publishing, libraries, literacy and learning in the information society. Main speakers will include leading thinkers and innovators in the areas of publishing, editing, librarianship, printing, authorship and information technologies, as well as numerous presentations by researchers and practitioners. Publishers, librarians, academics, teachers, authors and associated professionals are all welcome to attend.

I would particularly like to invite you to respond to the conference call for papers. Presenters may choose to submit written papers for consideration before or after the conference in the fully refereed International Journal of the Book. If you are unable to attend the conference in person, virtual registrations are also available which allow you to submit a paper for refereeing and possible publication in the journal, and give you access to the electronic version of the journal.

The deadline for the next round in the call for papers (a title and short abstract) is 15 June 2006. Proposals are reviewed within four weeks of submission. Full details of the conference, including an online call for papers form, are to be found at the conference website - http://www.Book-Conference.com

We look forward to receiving your proposals and hope you will be able to join us in Boston in October 2006.

June 2, 2006

Powerhouse “All Star Cast” for Cesare @ Lumiere

An “all star cast” representing three generations of leading advocates of Spoken Word Poetry will take center stage at Lumiere in Makati for Cesare Syjuco’s live performance night on Friday, June 2, at 9:30 P.M.

Aptly titled “Attacked From Underground”, the Lumiere date comes three weeks after the packed performance event at the Penguin Café in Malate, which has since become the talk of the local art world. It will also be the third leg of Cesare’s pre-launch promotional tour for his 15-track poetry and music album to be released later this month.

“This is an incredible new development we didn’t anticipate,” says event organizer Jean Marie Syjuco, herself a renowned performance artist who helped pioneer the spoken word idiom. “There’s just so much new talent out there, and it’s finally coming out to be heard. It’s an exciting time … a bit of history in the making, with a brand new audience… and we’re hoping to take this as far as it will go.”

Cesare will perform two poems from his new CD album “A Sudden Rush of Genius”, accompanying himself on solo electric guitar. He will also be performing with an odd selection of sound-generating children’s toys -- a well-known performance staple of his in the past – deploying these devices for the first time since his standing ovation at the historic Manila International Poetry Festival in 1985.

Also featured in the powerhouse cast are Alfred Yuson, Ronnie Lazaro, Judy Freya Sibayan, Gemino Abad, Maxine Syjuco, Jim Libiran, Angelo Suarez, Jevijoe Vitug, Lirio Salvador, Tata Funilas, Bob Balingit, Kaye O’Yek Daya, Ian Madrigal, Mitch Garcia, Joel Toledo and Los Chupacabras, among others. The event will be hosted by veejay Trix Syjuco and U.P. Creative Writing Center’s Vim Nadera.

Lumiere is located at the site of the former Luz Gallery, Locsin Building, Makati Avenue. Admission is free, but space is limited. Reservations can be made in advance through 8509254 and 8509278. More information is also available online through www.cesaresyjuco.com.

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