ADAM DAVID WINS BEST FIRST BOOK AWARD



The Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing is pleased to announce the winner of the 9 th Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award. Adam David's The El Bimbo Variations , a collection of 99 retellings of the first line from the lyrics of the song “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by the Eraserheads, bested three other finalists to win the prize. The book was published by The Youth & Beauty Brigade in 2008.

Described as "one of the most experimental and avant-garde poets of his generation" ( The Routledge Concise History of Southeast Asian Writing in English , 2009), David joins the ranks of Angelo Lacuesta, Elen Sicat, Ma. Felisa Batacan, Luna Sicat-Cleto, Vicente Groyon, Kristian Cordero, Rica Bolipata Santos, and Zosimo Quibilan, Jr., whose first books are winners of the prestigious award. David is a zinester, bookmaker, and freelance writer.

The El Bimbo Variations , along with finalists The Proxy Eros (Anvil Publishing, 2008) by Mookie Katigbak, Girl Trouble (Visual Print Enterprises, 2007) by Alan Navarra, and Antisipasyon (Goldprint Publishing House, 2007) by Victor Dennis T. Nierva, will be honored in a forum on December 11, 5 pm, at the basement of Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman. The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award Forum will feature a discussion of the four best first books in English for 2007 and 2008 and the state of Philippine literature by this year's panel of judges: UP ICW Fellow and UP Professor J. Neil Garcia, De La Salle University Professor and Literature Department Chairperson David Bayot, and award-winning poet Angelo Suarez. After the forum, the award ceremony will be held at 7 pm at the second floor of Balay Kalinaw. Both events, which are free and open to the public, are part of the annual UP Writers Night.

The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award is given annually to the writer of the best first book within a two-year period. The award alternates between English and Filipino writers. The winner receives a prize of P50,000.00 from the Madrigal Gonzalez family. A forum usually precedes the award ceremony, which coincides with UP Writers Night. The award is administered by the Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing.

For more details, please contact the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing Secretariat at (02) 922-1830.

BEST FIRST BOOKS IN ENGLISH TO BE HONORED



A writer's first book is cause for celebration, more so if the book happens to be selected as one of the best of its kind. On December 11, 2009, the four best first books in English for 2007 and 2008 will be honored in a forum in UP Diliman. The forum is in line with the conferment of the prestigious Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award to one of the four finalists.

The finalists are The El Bimbo Variations by Adam David, The Proxy Eros by Mookie Katigbak, Girl Trouble by Alan Navarra, and Antisipasyon by Victor Dennis T. Nierva.

The El Bimbo Variations is a collection of 99 retellings of the first line from the lyrics of the song “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by the Eraserheads. David studied in the University of the Philippines, lives in Cubao, Quezon City and is a zinester. He has been a bookmaker by trade since 1999. The El Bimbo Variations was published by The Youth & Beauty Brigade in 2008.

The Proxy Eros is a collection of poems on love, desire, and the act of making. Katigbak resides in Quezon City and is currently taking her PhD at the University of the Philippines. She holds degrees from Ateneo de Manila University and New School University New York . The Proxy Eros was published by Anvil Publishing, Inc. in 2008.

Antisipasyon asin iba pang rawitdawit sa Bikol asin Ingles is a collection of poems in Bicol with selected translations into English by Marne Kilates and H. Francisco Penones Jr. Nierva resides in Camarines Sur and was born in Naga City . He is currently finishing his MA at the University of the Philippines and is teaching in Ateneo de Naga Univeristy. Antisipasyon was published by Goldprint Publishing House in 2007.

Girl Trouble is a story told in various forms, from short stories and koans to print and billboard layouts and advertising storyboards. Navarra is a graduate of the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City. Girl Trouble was published by Visual Print Enterprises in 2007.

The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award is given annually to the writer of the best first book within a two-year period. The award alternates between English and Filipino writers. The winner receives a prize of P50,000.00 from the Madrigal Gonzalez family. A forum usually precedes the award ceremony, which coincides with UP Writers Night. The award is administered by the Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing.

The award was established in 2001 and the following writers have won. Angelo Lacuesta for Life after X and Other Stories , Elen Sicat for Paghuhunos , Ma. Felisa Batacan for Smaller and Smaller Circles , Luna Sicat-Cleto for Makinilyang Altar , Vicente Groyon for The Sky over Dimas, English, Kristian Cordero for Mga Tulang Tulala , Rica Bolipata Santos for Love, Desire, Children, etc. , and Zosimo Quibilan, Jr. for Pagluwas .

This year's panel of judges is composed of UP ICW Fellow and UP Professor J. Neil Garcia, De La Salle University Professor David Bayot, and award-winning poet Angelo Suarez. The judges will be in the forum to talk about the merits of the four best books.

The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award Forum will be held at the basement of Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. The awarding will be held during UP Writers Night at 7 o'clock in the evening at the second floor of Balay Kalinaw. Both events are open to the public and admission free.

For more details, please contact the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing Secretariat at (02) 922-1830.

UP ICW ANNOUNCES BEST FIRST BOOK NOMINEES FOR 2009

Arvin Abejo Mangohig

The UP Institute of Creative Writing and the Madrigal-Gonzalez family are pleased to announce the nominees for the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award for 2009. The nominees are: The Proxy Eros by Mookie Katigbak, Stories From Another Time by Benjamin Bautista, Antisipasyon by Victor Dennis T. Nierva , The El Bimbo Variations by Adam David , Girl Trouble by Alan Navarra, Trese: Murder on Balete Drive by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, I Hate My Mother by Perpilili Vivienne Tiongson and Playing It Safe by Gerry T. Los Baños.

The Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award is administered by the UP ICW and is generously sponsored by Atty. Gizela Gonzalez-Montinola and the Madrigal-Gonzalez family. Each year, alternating between Filipino and English, the UP ICW selects from the list of first-time authors and their works and grants the cash prize of P50,000 and a plaque during Writers Night. Former winners include Sarg Lacuesta, Luna Sicat Cleto, Kristian Cordero, and Vincent Groyon. Last year's winner was Pagluwas by Zosimo Quibilan published by the UP Press.

This year's selection mirrors the changing landscape of Philippine literature as it includes the bestselling graphic novel Trese, a collaboration between Tan and Baldisimo—a possibly controversial inclusion among purist circles. Katigbak is acknowledged for her first volume of "lovely and genteel" poetry (according to Conchitina Cruz), published by Anvil. Nierva's book is a strong contender as it has already won a National Book Award for Poetry. David dazzles with his postmodernist experiments. Tiongson's novel about teen emotions is “pitch-perfect,” according to reviewer Tarie Sabido. Gregorio Brillantes hails Bautista as “exceptional and remarkable,” comparing him to stylists Joaquin and Polotan. UP Press Deputy Director Gerry Los Baños rounds out this year's selection with his first novel for young readers, a story of young love.

This year's winner will be awarded on Writers Night at the UP Diliman on December 11.

A FESTIVAL OF BOOKS

The UP Press launches 14 new titles today at 5 p.m. at Balay Kalinaw in the UP Diliman campus.

Bird Lands, River Nights and Other Melancholies by Jose Marte Abueg won the Gawad Likhaan: the UP Centennial Literary Prize in Poetry in English last year. Judge Ricardo M. de Ungria says of the collection, the author's first: “The voice is unfaltering and deep, and the ear is playful with inflections and rich harmonic constructions that admit the aleatory, the allusive, the appropriated. Bird Lands... is free jazz, nujazz, and just jazz.”

Balisa by Reuel Molina Aguila is a trilogy of plays with intertwined threads that suggest a novelistic approach. The Palanca-winning three-act plays — “Satirika,” “Ligalig,” and “Balighô” — cover the cornerstones of three decades of contemporary history: Batas Militar, EDSA I, and EDSA II. It is the Filipino middle class that undergoes scrutiny, as only a brilliant playwright like Aguila can apply, with first-rate acuity.

Regarding Franz, edited by Dr. Elizabeth Arcellana Nuqui and Dr. Lydia Rodriguez Arcellana, gathers memories and recollections of family, friends, protégés, and colleagues of Francisco Arcellana, National Artist for Literature.

Huwaran/Hulmahan, atbp: The Film Writings of Johven Velasco, edited and with an introduction by Joel David, features a draft left behind by Johven Velasco (1948-2007). “Films from diverse periods and genres, along with star personas... (are subjected to) a long-overdue critical treatment that only a fan specialist with Velasco's visionary approach could provide.”

Aves by Jerry Gracio won the UP Centennial Literary Prize for Poetry in Filipino. National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario weighs in: “Isa sa pinakamatingkad na tinig sa panulaang Filipino at inaasahang magdadala ng ilaw sa milenyong ito.”

Looking for the Philippines: Travel Essays by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo is not your ordinary collection of travel pieces, since the author revisits the places she encountered earlier, thus making it part memoir. It is her seventh such collection. “Perhaps I write about places as a way of making sense of the spaces I occupy now, these islands, which are and are not one country,” Hidalgo writes. Critic Jonathan Chua says of her work: “As in a pointillist painting, she lays out the details... until she assembles, not just a picture but a complete mood... Hidalgo manages to provoke her readers to rethink the familiar... We are introduced to a sensibility well-informed, sensitive, and sophisticated, but not unblemished by doubts.”

Unplugging the Constitution by Florin Ternal Hilbay tackles a wide range of issues — constitutional theory, adjudication, legal hermeneutics, the bar exams, marriage, psychological incapacity, free speech, presidential immunity, liberalism, church and state — and takes an unconventional and often critical view of standard legal discourse and prevailing social institutions.

XXth Century: 2 Plays by Malou Jacob dissects the violence inflicted on Filipinos by Filipinos. “Country in Search of a Hero” is a full-length satirical play on the mortal sins of the Martial Law Regime, while “A Significant Life,” a full-length dramatic play, exposes how a revolution devours its own children.

Philippine Studies: Have We Gone Beyond St. Louis?, edited by Priscelina Legasto, collects 35 essays by Philippine and US-based scholars which illustrate the dynamism and complexities of the discursive field of Philippine Studies, one that has gone beyond the classic Orientalist/racist discourses that informed the St. Louis World's Fair of 1904 as “a crowning display of American imperial power.”

Among the eminent contributors are National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, Judy Celine Ick, Marivi Soliven Blanco, Reuben Cañete, Ruth J. Pison, J. Neil Garcia, Rosario Cruz-Lucero, Nicanor Tiongson, Soledad Reyes, Vicente Rafael, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Cyan Abad-Jugo, Gémino Abad, Myra Beltran, Patrick Flores, Josephine Barrios-Leblanc, Joel David, Isagani Cruz, Caroline Hau, Rolando Tolentino, Jose Wendell Capili, and the editor herself. Indeed, what sterling company!

Kalusugang Pampubliko sa Kolonyal na Maynila 1898-1918 by Dr. Ronaldo Mactal is a novel attempt by a historian at threading through the three disciplines of geography, medicine and history, while critiquing the American occupation's manipulation of health practices.

Women's Common Destiny by Hope Sabanpan-Yu is a groundbreaking study of maternal representations in Cebuano literature. Focusing specifically on serialized Cebuano novels by women, Yu traces the history of motherhood and examines maternal stereotypes, including the important roles played by patriarchal and societal structures.

Pag-aklas, Pagbaklas, Pagbagtas: Kritikal na Kritisismong Pampanitikan by Rolando B. Tolentino offers literary criticism by way of a political and ideological reading of the presidencies of Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and what's to come, vis-a-vis the Makabayan Curriculum, Enchanted Kingdom , political killings, and activism.

Philippine Short Stories 1941-1955: Part I (1941-1949), selected and edited by Leopoldo Y. Yabes, is a sequel to Philippine Short Stories: 1925-1940, which came out in 1975. It collects stories originally written in English by Filipinos, stories that reflect the ability to use a foreign language as a literary medium,

A Satire of Two Nations: Exploring Images of the Japanese in Philippine Political Cartoons by Helen Yu-Rivera “utilizes visual satire as a primary tool for discourse analysis, charting the shifting dimensions of Philippines-Japan relations as depicted in Philippine editorial cartoons from 1986 to 1998.”

Buyers at the launch will enjoy a 20-percent discount on all the new titles and the chance to have their copies autographed by the authors.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) continues to celebrate the 13th Philippine Book Development Month with a series of activities. A special highlight is the Book and Arts Festival at Greenbelt from Nov. 25 to 29, culminating in the awarding of four winners of the Pinoy Story Writing Contest in the genres of Pinoy romance, chick lit, horror/crime anthology, and literary fiction, with each winner receiving P15,000.

Readings will spice up the four-day fest, beginning with Jimmy Abad's poetry reading on the first day, with three of his poems displayed in panels alongside Jaime Zobel's photographs.

On Nov. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m., Anvil Publishing Inc. and Filipinas Heritage Library will launch a dozen new books at the Greenbelt 3 lobby. Leading off the titles are elegantly designed (with cover art by Danny Dalena) recompilations of Quijano de Manila's everlasting journalistic features, as Reportage on Crime and Reportage on Lovers by Nick Joaquin.

Gilda Cordero Fernando Sampler follows up on the beloved goddess' recent successful art show at SLab with a collection of her trans-genre felicities. San Francisco-based Marianne Villanueva's The Lost Language: Stories is a collection of 14 short stories that deal with displacement, geographical and otherwise, with memorable characters serving as paragons of our diaspora. New York-based Gina Apostol's The Revolution According to Raymundo Mata is her second novel, and one I have long awaited. Her first, Bibliolepsy, won the National Book Award for Fiction in 1998. A fellow author named John Barth writes that The Revolution... “weaves the complex tangle of Philippine history, literature, and languages (along with contemporary academic scholarship) into a brilliant tour de force of a novel. Brava!”

Another short fiction collection is Flames and Other Stories by Angelo “Sarge” Lacuesta, his third, with his two previous collections, Life Before X and Other Stories and White Elephants: Stories, both winning the National Book Award in 2000 and 2005, respectively. This guy must be good.

Agreeing with a robust blurb is our common friend from the University of Iowa, Robin Hemley who's the director of its Creative Non-Fiction program, but currently in Manila: “In these accomplished stories, Sarge Lacuesta explores with compassion and insight the yearnings of people who by and large have to learn to roll with life's punches. They are the people we see all around us, who we often choose not to notice. Lacuesta does more than notice — he understands. I advise you to get your own copy to experience first-hand the magic of Sarge's handicraft.”

Butterfly by Robin Lim is a first novel, while The Cebu We Know by Erma M. Cuizon is a collection of essays. I look forward to review copies of each. For her part, the lovely Davao-based author Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz comes out with her first love book, a collection of loving essays titled Women Loving. Hmmm.

Bringing up the rear, as it were, are three new poetry titles. Pilgrim in Transit by Victor Peñaranda is his second collection, after Voyage in Dry Season — this time composed mostly of poems written in Bhutan and Macedonia, the last two places he inhabited with aplomb together with his dear wife Jo. Victor or “Bimboy” writes such luminous, luminescent poems on places, many of which are found in his bountiful heart.

Care of Light by Gémino H. Abad is the nth verse collection by this Promethean poet, who last summer did us proud like Pacquiao by winning Italy's prestigious Feronia Prize. Then there's Poems Singkwenta'y Cinco by yours truly, my sixth collection, and the first that's bilingual, with 11 poems in Manileño Tagalog — plus one in Kastilaloy if we count a translation I collaborated on.

So do join us this Thursday for a wordfeast.

But wait, there's more! At 2 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the LRTA Station on Santolan, the NBDB launches the poetry anthology and accompanying CD titled Off the Beaten Track, the second edition of its “Tulaan sa Tren” series, with the poems to be displayed for a time inside the LRT coaches, and recordings done by showbiz personalities treating the commuting public.

On Nov. 28, Adarna House brings out four new storybooks for kids at 2 p.m. on the third floor of Eastwood Mall. They include this year's PBBY-Salanga Prize and PBBY-Alcala Prize winner, May Higante sa Aming Bahay. The event also serves as part of a benefit book drive. For every 500 pesos worth of books bought, you will be donating one storybook to UNICEF for the benefit of those affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. You may reach the publisher at www.adarna.com/ph for more details.

Alfred Yuson, from his column Kripotkin, philstar.com

A TEACHER'S ROMANCE WITH LITERATURE

As Professor Reuel Molina Aguila walked up the stage at this year's Palanca awards night to receive his award, his mind flashed back in 1975 when he, as a student at the University of the Philippines, first won in the country's premier literary contest.

He won that year under the One-Act Play category. He was the first student in UP to win a Palanca award.

This time around, Aguila came up on stage to receive the distinction of Palanca Hall of Famer, for having won five first prizes in the annual Palanca Awards. Over the years, he has won as well various other prizes from Palanca.

According to Aguila, “Ang Palanca ay isang institusyon. Para sa kabataang manunulat, tulad ko noong 1975, isang rituwal na dapat maranasan ang Palanca. Hindi ganap ang pagiging manunulat ng sinuman kung 'di pa siya nakakalahok o nananalo ng Palanca (Palanca is an institution. For the young writer, like I was in 1975, Palanca is like a ritual which needs to be experienced. One is not a complete writer if he has not yet joined or won a Palanca).”

Aguila recounted how his romance with literature started, “It was in college where I grew fond of poetry reading, plays, and any literature explaining about the things which were happening in the society; it was the 70s. I also joined a poetry writing contest in UP where I won. I realized that I enjoyed writing more,” said Aguila.

This newfound love in literature soon made him decide to shift course to Bachelor of Arts in Filipino, to the utter dismay of his father. He was then taking up accountancy at the UP College of Business Administration as his father had hoped, after he graduated at the top of his class in high school, that he would become an accountant-lawyer

“It was only after I won my first Palanca that it became easier for my father to accept my becoming a writer,” said Aguila.

His Palanca victory would be followed by a string of other winnings in various literary competitions.

“Before I knew it, I was already hooked in this field,” he said.

The literary professor is into all genres, as he is comfortable in all forms of literature, and does not favor one over the other. As such, he has been known as the compleat writer – creating poems, formal and personal essays, short stories, plays, songs, and scripts for radio, television, movies, and komiks.

In poetry writing, Aguila admires Chinese and Latin American poets. He is drawn to the deftness of the Chinese in creating images, while he loves the intense emotions of Latin American poets.

In plays, the professor takes to Brechtian or Brechtian-like - painstakingly written, and one which threshes out issues in life and society. He said he likes plays not only for its entertainment value, but as a chance to enter the minds as well as the reasons why things happen.

Aguila also loves Italian movies for the simplicity of its narratives. He loves old songs also for its simple melodious pattern. And he loves his laid-back lifestyle where he enjoys being a ‘houseband' – doing the market and cooking for his family; and tending his bonsai plants, which he says is an art in itself.

The professor, however, was quick to clarify that he has never patterned his writing from that of other writers, and advises others not to do this as well.

“Hindi uunlad ang panitikan kung nanggagaya lang tayo o inuulit lang ang istilo ng mga nauna (Our literature will not prosper if we will just imitate the style of those who came before us),” said Aguila.

And Aguila has always preferred to write in the native language as he believes that the choice of language is political. Said the literary guru, “Nagbubuo tayo ng isang pambansang panitikan. At ang bansa ay may katangian - isa rito ang pambansang wika (We are creating a national body of literature. And our country has a distinct characteristic – one of these is our national language).”

Aguila said that he derives inspiration from the ordinary people and day to day life. For Aguila, writing is both challenge and fun if only because the world is rich in topics and themes on everyday life, society, hardships, sexuality, struggles, history, and love.

That is why he is always relating what he writes to the present, and how his written works could serve as key to see or feel or understand whatever is happening to our lives today.

NOVELIST MERLINDA BOBIS TAKES PINOY LANTERN MAKER'S STORY TO THE U.S.

She has been living thousands of miles away from her native land for almost 20 decades now. But multi-awarded Filipina writer Merlinda Carullo Bobis who stays in Australia remains a keen observer of dichotomies in Philippine politics and culture.

Through the eyes of 10-year-old “Noland," the mute Filipino protagonist in her new novel, “The Solemn Lanter Maker," Bobis was able to hollow out contradictions from situations already hackneyed in the eyes of familiar folks.

The story builds up when Noland, a lantern maker, imagines seeing an angel falling from the sky to a slum area in Manila where he lives with his crippled mother, Nena. But the angel, it turns out, is only an American tourist caught in a drive-by shooting of a political journalist.

“Bobis's … novel is a beguiling mix of polarities: of the holy and the profane, of Third-World Asian poverty and white Western affluence. It tackles child prostitution, government corruption and international politics, which all sound heavy going, but Bobis is also known for her poetry and the book is suffused with gorgeous imagery..." says a review published in Australia 's news site, The Age.

The prolific Bobis, who is also a dancer and a visual artist, has produced a number of novels, short stories, dramas, and poems that were published by Pier 9, Murdoch Books-Australia, Anvil Publishing- Manila, Spinifex Press North Melbourne, and De La Salle University Press-Manila, and Aunt Lute Books-San Francisco.

Random House Publishing released her new novel in the US, where Bobis, a native of Legaspi City in Albay province, recently held a series of book talks and performances in the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Francisco's Kularts and the Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. organized the weekend book talks and signing at the Bayanihan Community Center in San Francisco.

During the talk, Bobis said the new book was inspired by the colorful and dazzling lanterns she saw when she was inside a cab caught by traffic jam in the Philippines.

She said that when she saw those lanterns she thought that there must be a story behind these Christmas decorations. Then she saw a boy standing and guarding the lanterns who became the subject of her novel.

UC Berkeley and University of the Philippines Philippine Studies faculty member and poet Joi Barrios with UCLA's Lucy Burns moderated the event series with Bobis.

Barrios said the Philippines should take pride in Bobis who had received numerous awards including the Philippines' National Balagtas Award, the Steele Rudd Australian Short Story Award, the Prix Italia, the Australian Writers' Guild Award, and the Pamana Philippine Presidential Award.

Bobis's plays have also been produced on stage and radio in Australia, the Philippines, France, China, Thailand and the Slovak Republic in the Western Sydney Aurora Festival, Darwin Arts Festival, Sydney Asian Theatre Festival, the Philippine-France Festival-Paris, Cultural Centre of the Philippines- Manila, among many others.

Bobis taught Literature and English in Philippine universities for a decade before immigrating to Australia in 1991. She completed a Doctorate of Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong where she now teaches creative writing. - MARCONI CALINDAS, GMANews.TV

I.N.K. PAYS TRIBUTE TO RENE VILLANUEVA

On its 18th year, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang I.N.K.) presents its annual exhibit for 2009, entitled “FOReveRENEver,” a tribute to the late children's writer Rene O. Villanueva, whose literature has showcased I.N.K. illustrators' works for several decades now.

Ang I.N.K. pays tribute to one of the most celebrated figures in the landscape of Filipino children's books with a showcase of more than 30 works that bring to life Rene's never-been-illustrated literature

Join Ang I.N.K. in honoring the memory of Rene O. Villanueva, and in ensuring that his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of future generations of Filipino readers.

Opening night is on November 19th, 730 pm and will run until the 29th.

Join us for a short program and cocktails at the CCP Little Theater Lobby as we unveil our exhibit.

ADARNA ACTIVITIES FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

Adarna House welcomes 4 new storybooks

In partnership with Eastwood Mall, we will be launching our new storybooks at 2:00 P.M., on November 28 (Saturday) at the third floor of Eastwood Mall. Our new storybooks include this year's PBBY-Salanga Prize and PBBY-Alcala Prize winner, May Higante sa Aming Bahay. The event also serves as part of our book drive for the typhoon victims—for every 500 pesos you buy, you will be donating 1 storybook to UNICEF for the benefit of those affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

Raya School presents Hinabing Haraya

The Raya School , Adarna House's laboratory school is presenting Hinabing Haraya 2009 at the Abelardo Hall, UP College of Music , on November 21, Saturday. Hinabing Haraya 2009 features three children's plays based on well-loved children's books: Ang Mahiyaing Manok, Pamilya Ismid and Si Hugo, Ang Pahamak na Hunyango. The plays will be performed by the Raya School elementary students. For tickets and more information about Hinabing Haraya, you may call Evelyn at 9288189 or 9229254. You may also email ani.almario@gmail.com.

Christmas Showroom Sale

Our books will be going on sale from November 16 to December 19 at the Adarna House Showroom — up to 70% off on selected items! Storybooks will go for Php 50.00 each. When you purchase a total of Php 500.00, you will be donating one storybook to UNICEF, for the benefit of the Ondoy and Pepeng victims.

Come visit us at 2/F FSS Building, 20 Scout Tuason corner Scout Castor Streets, Barangay Laging Handa, Quezon City. We are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mondays through Saturdays. Call Dang at 372-3548 local 102. Maligayang Pasko!

PBBY-Salanga Prize Deadline Extended

PBBY is still accepting entries for the 2010 PBBY-Salanga Prize. Entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat c/o Adarna House, Inc., 2nd Floor, FSS Building , 20 Scout Tuason Street , Quezon City no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 26, 2009. The contest is co-sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and The National Library.

There will be two winners, one for Poetry in English and another for Poetry in Filipino. Each winner will receive P20,000 in cash, a gold medal, as well as an opportunity to be published.

For more details, interested parties may contact the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, through telefax (372-3548) or e-mail (pbby@adarna.com.ph). Visit www.pbby.org.ph for more details.

TANGHALAN!: PHILIPPINE THEATER AESTHETICS DISCUSSION

The Teatro Sambisig, Inc. (TSI) and the National Committee on Dramatic Arts-National Commission for Culture and the Arts present Tanghalan! a preliminary reading of papers written by performing arts researchers in Metro Manila.

It will be held on Saturday (November 21), 8am to 7pm at the Bulwagang Leandro Locsin of the NCCA office in Luna st., Intramuros, Manila.

The growth of Philippine theater as seen in the advocacies of PETA, Dulaang UP, Tanghalang Ateneo, Philstage, PNU's Arena Theater, Palanca awards, community organizations, DepEd curriculum, literary translators, and critical reviewers will be tackled in the whole day non-stop discussion. Writers and artists Alexander Cortez, Manny Pambid, Ricky Abad, Dennis Marasigan, Corazon Villareal, Tessa Belleza, Reuel Aguila, Al Santos, Frederick Castro, and Walter Ang will share their insights and experiences in the field. A roster of peer artists Rody Vera, Nick Pichay, Lulu Torres-Reyes, Tito Valiente, Judy Ick, Bobet Mendoza, among others will play as reactors.

This Metro Manila discussion is part of a national project which aims to document Philippine theater experiences and characterize the dynamics that give shape to its history and performative artistry.

Tanghalan! is open to the public.

For details, please email jbaquiran@gmail.comor jephsinc@yahoo.com. Or text 09082579211 or 09204210367.

BIGKAS PILIPINAS: WORKSHOP AND OPEN JAM AT THE HOUSE OF RUNES

On November 25, from 6 in the evening onwards, Bigkas Pilipinas—the country's leading spoken word and performance poetry team—is going to have a workshop on creative writing and animating literature at The House of Runes. An “Open Jam” session will follow later in the evening to serve as a recital for the workshop participants to showcase what they discovered from the workshop.

“Bigkas Pilipinas is a venue for everyone—absolutely everyone! Not just for writers or performers!—to exercise their freedom of expression through the art of spoken word and performance poetry, indiscriminate of age, sexual orientation, religious views, political affiliations, or smell,” Carlos Malvar explains. Carlos “Siege” Malvar stands as one of the team's creative officers. He is the author of three novels for young adults, and has performed his works all over the Philippines, as well as in South Korea and the United Kingdom. “It's not just for people who like writing and reading poetry. We devised the workshop to make creative writing and animating literature fun especially for those who get easily bored with these sort of things.”

The Bigkas Pilipinas Workshop has a participation fee of 500php per person, inclusive of one meal from The House of Runes menu. Interested parties may avail of their 3-for-2 promo: a group of three people only has to pay a total of 1,000php, as long as they register before November 25. To make the workshop more intensive and intimate, the number of slots is limited to 12.

Admission is free for the Open Jam session. The House of Runes is located at the Westlife Bldg, along West Avenue, Quezon City.

For more information, please contact Kooky Tuason at kookytuason@yahoo.com , or via +639205749870.

FILIPINA AUTHOR SCORES WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH UK PUBLISHING GIANT – BUT HANDS RP RIGHTS TO FILIPINO PUBLISHER

Former Inquirer journalist Candy Quimpo Gourlay this week sold her novel TALL STORY to David Fickling Books (DFB), joining a prestigious list that includes John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pajamas) and Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass). DFB praises the book as “an outstanding and highly orginal novel."

Candy, who lives in London, however reserved Philippine publication rights for Filipino publisher Ramon “RayVi” Sunico.

Sunico is the manager of Cacho Publishing House, which has pioneered in bringing teen fiction to the Philippine publishing scene.

“It was so important to me that a Pinoy publisher will be the one who brings my writing to the Filipino public. I am thrilled that RayVi is going to be that publisher,” Candy said.

In turn, Sunico said, “From the moment I discovered Candy's blog and read the crisp, crackling prose of Tall Story, I knew that getting her read here would benefit not only the growing field of Philippine Young Adult lit but inspire many young Filipinos.”

Says Bella Pearson, Editorial Director of DFB: “It isn't often that I am in fits of laughter one minute and in tears the next - TALL STORY is one of the warmest, funniest, most moving books I've read in a long time - and Candy Gourlay is a rare and new voice in children's fiction. We are feeling immensely excited (and smug!) to be able to add her name to the DFB list.”

TALL STORY uses the Bernardo Carpio legend and other Philippine folk lore as a stepping off point to tell the story of a teenage boy named Bernardo who grows to eight feet tall. After years separated by immigration paperwork, Bernardo meets his half English sister Andi with by turns hilarious and touching results.

A hardback of TALL STORY will be published in the United Kingdom in June 2010 and later in the United States later in the year.

A publication date will soon be announced in the Philippines.

DFB is an imprint of Random House, one of the biggest publishing companies in the world.

“I can't believe my luck. Not only do I get to work with RayVi Sunico who is himself a fabulous poet, but I get to meet David Fickling whom I've always admired – his books are always gorgeously published and his taste is impeccable,” Candy said.

Candy moved to the UK in 1989 after she married Richard Gourlay, who was the Manila-based correspondent for the Financial Times of London. In the UK, she became the London correspondent of the news agency Inter Press Service and later the editor of the pan-European magazine Filipinos in Europe. They have three children.

Ani 35 features the works of Mark Angeles, Lilia F. Antonio, G. Mae Aquino, Genevieve L. Asenjo, Abdon M. Balde, Jr., Janet Tauro Batuigas, Gil Beltran, Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., Kristoffer Berse, Jaime Jesus Borlagdan, Raymond Calbay, Catherine Candano, Nonon V. Carandang, Christoffer Mitch Cerda, Joey Stephanie Chua, Kristian S. Cordero, Genaro R. Gojo Cruz, Carlomar Arcangel Daoana, Arvin Tiong Ello, Dennis Espada, Rogerick Fontanilla Fernandez, Reparado Galos III, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Joscephine Gomez, Malou Jacob, Ferdinand Pisigan Jarin, Karla Javier, Phillip Kimpo, Jr., Ed Nelson R. Labao, Gexter Ocampo Lacambra, Erwin C. Lareza, Jeffrey A. Lubang, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Perry C. Mangilaya, Noahlyn Maranan, Francisco Arias Monteseña, Ruth V. Mostrales, Victor Emmanuel Nadera, Jose Velando Ogatis-I, Wilhelmina S. Orozco, H. Francisco V. Peñones, Jr., Scott Magkachi Sabóy, Judith Balares Salamat, Edgar Calabia Samar, Louie Jon A. Sanchez, Soliman Agulto Santos, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Rakki E. Sison-Buban, Jason Tabinas, Vincent Lester G. Tan, Dolores R. Taylan, Rosario Torres-Yu, Betty Uy-Regala, and Camilo M. Villanueva, Jr.

Ani 35's editor is Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., managing editor is Betty Uy-Regala with Rommel Manto as graphic artist and designer.

MAG-AKYAT NG AKLAT: The Wawa Elementary School Book Drive

Kaibigan, inaanyayahan ka naming maging bahagi ng proyektong Mag-akyat ng Aklat: The Wawa Elementary School Book Drive bilang donor. Nangangalap kami ng donasyon sa anyo ng aklat na pambata, bago man o luma. Ang makikinabang sa proyektong ito ay ang mga mag-aaral ng Wawa Elementary School , Montalban, Rizal. Para sa iyong kaalaman, sinalanta ng bagyo ang kanilang lugar. Oo, si Ondoy na naman.

Siyempre pa, wala kaming itinatakdang limit para sa bilang ng mga aklat na idodoneyt. Mas marami, mas masaya.

Interesado ka? Dalhin lamang ang (mga) aklat sa 128 K-8th Street , Kamias, Quezon City , ikatlong doorbell. Hanapin si Aileen. Ang huling araw ng pagdo-donate ng aklat ay sa 10 Disyembre 2009. Iaakyat ang mga aklat sa Wawa Elem. School sa umaga ng 14 Disyembre 2009. May inihandang programa ang Isang Bata para sa mga mag-aaral. Maaari kang makisaya kung nais mo at hindi ka busy. Makipag-ugnayan lang nang mas maaga upang makapaglaan ng slot para sa iyo.

Kung may tanong, mag-text lamang sa 0919-3175708 o mag-email sa beverlysiy@gmail. com. Ang proyektong Mag-akyat ng Aklat ay pinamumunuan ng Isang Bata at Dagdag Dunong Project. Mas makikilala sila kapag pumunta ka sa isangbata.blogspot. com at dagdagdunong. blogspot. com.

NDBD SETS GLOBAL PINOY WRITERS LECTURE

This lecture is by invitation only. Aside from yourselves, we will welcome undergrad/graduate students/professors of creative writing, comparative lit and those who are able to contribute to a lively discussion of Philippine lit in a global scenario. Kindly give your name and your recommended invitees (who must be confirmed attendees) to Dianne of the NBDB 926-8238 or Anne of the FHL 892-1801. We can accommodate only around 50 or so people. We are flying in Miguel Syjuco especially for this lecture. He will not be available any other time during the whole of Philippine Book Development Month. See you there!

NBDB CELEBRATES PINOY WRITERS THIS NOVEMBER



This November is all about our talented Pinoy writers, and the publishers of these talented Pinoy writers! Join the NBDB in a month-long celebration of Philippine Book Development Month. If you haven't picked up a Pinoy book recently it's about time you know that ang GALING PINOY, ay dapat BASAHIN!

I. The Writers, Their Works

How to Read… the next generation

A series of readings and intimate talks with young writers in the context of their literary genres and specific works

Venue: Filipinas Heritage Library

1. For poetry (November 10, 9am)

Featuring: Conchitina Cruz, Mikael Co, Mesandel Arguelles, and Joel Toledo

Moderator: Gémino Abad

2. For fiction (November 11, 1pm)

Featuring: Tara FT Sering, Edgar Samar, Dean Alfar, Angelo Lacuesta

Moderator: Jose Dalisay

3. For non-fiction (November 12, 9am)

Featuring: Luis Katigbak, Vlad Gonzales, Rica Bolipata Santos, Louie Cano, Carljoe Javier

Moderator: Antonio Hidalgo

II. Reading Nick Joaquin (November 16, 2009)

A discussion of Nick Joaquin as historian, novelist, poet and his contributions to the literary art form and the Filipino way of life.

1. NJ and his non-fiction

A lecture by fictionist Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo

2. NJ and his poetry

A lecture by poet Afred Yuson

3. Transforming NJ's works into film

(Lecturer to be announced)

4. A film viewing of NJ's work turned into a movie

Tentaive Venue: Greenbelt 3's My Cinema

III. Global Pinoy Literature (November 24, 5pm)

Coffee and conversation with three Man Asian Literary Prize winner / finalists Miguel Syjuco, Jose Dalisay, and Alfred Yuson and Gémino Abad, recipient of the Prize Premio Feronia – Citta di Fiano 2009.

Venue: Filipinas Heritage Library, by invitation only

Moderator: Isagani Cruz

IV. El Filibusterismo (November 25, 2009)

A sequel to the reading of Noli Me Tangere, the El Filibusterismo performance reading will be a showcase of talent from different fields of the art as artists and celebrity performers read / perform chapters of this historic and tumultous novel.

Venue: Greenbelt Park

V. Pinoy Story Writing Contest

A month-long story writing contest open to all writers, focusing on specific topics such as Pinoy romance, chick lit, horror fiction, literary fiction. Four winners will be selected and will be awarded P15,000 to be announced during the Books and Art Festival at the Greenbelt Park . Winners also have a chance of being published by Precious Pages, Summit Books, Anvil and PsiCom.

VI. Books and Art Festival (November 23 to 26)

A festival that will showcase the best of Filipino literature and art in one venue. For five days, Greenbelt becomes a haven for artists (literary and visual) and art lovers where they will get to experience this unique mixture of the arts at the heart of the city.

VII. Writing about Philippine Culture, Art, and Food (November 7 to 8 2009)

An overnight adventure for those who want to sample the native culture of Southern Luzon . This will involve a tour to local art galleries, native restaurants, and Ugu Bigyan's pottery shop.

VIII. Davao Academic Publishing Seminar (November 19 to 21, 2009)

An academic publishing conference for Mindanao-based publishers and universities, with Google's Erik Hartmann, De La Salle's Dr. Isagani Cruz, UP Press' Dr. Luisa Camagay, and ADMU Press' Maricor Baytion among others.

Venue: Ateneo De Davao University

IX. Tulaan sa Tren 2 launch

The much-loved Tulaan sa Tren is back with more poems and the winners of the Tulaan sa Tren 2 Poetry Contest, judged by no less than the country's top poets National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, Feronia Prize winner Gemino Abad, and Man Asian Literary Prize finalist Krip Yuson.

Venue: The LRT2 Cubao Station, by invitation

For details, visit www.nbdb.gov.ph!

AGOS@45: MGA KUWENTO NG MULING PAGTATAGPO



Iniimbitahan ng UP Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas sa pakikipagtulungan ng Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura, Cavite Young Writers' Association, Inc (CYWA) at ng UP Ugnayan ng Manunulat (UP UGAT) ang lahat ng kuwentista sa buong Pilipinas sa unang Rogelio Sicat Seryeng Panayam , isang forum/talakayan tungkol sa mga paksang may kaugnayan sa malikhaing pagsulat. Bilang pambungad ng serye, inaanyayahan namin ang lahat sa “Agos @ 45: Mga Kuwento ng Muling Pagtatagpo.”

Layunin ng forum na ito na pagtagpuing muli ang tatlong nalalabi at orihinal na kasapi ng AGOS SA DISYERTO na sina Efren R. Abueg, Rogelio Ordonez, at Edgardo M. Reyes. Ito ay gaganapin sa Nobyembre 19, 2009, 1-5 ng hapon sa Pulungang Recto ng Bulwagang Rizal sa Kolehiyo ng Arte at Literatura, UP Diliman. Kasama rin sa "pagtatagpo" sina Bienvenido Lumbera, Jun Cruz Reyes, Fanny Garcia, Luna Sicat-Cleto, Cora Lalu-Santos, Roland Tolentino, at ilang kabataang manunulat.

Para sa iba pang detalye, tawagan si Susan Alcantara sa 9818500 loc 2123 / 9244899 o mag-email sa bughawnaval@gmail.com .

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