September 26, 2008

ANVIL EDITION OF BANAAG AT SIKAT TO BE LAUNCHED AT BANTAYOG MEMORIAL CENTER

ANVIL PUBLISHING, INC. will launch Banaag at Sikat, one of the first literary novels written by premier Filipino author Lope K. Santos on October 4, 2008, from 12 nn to 2 pm, at the Bantayog Memorial Center in Quezon City. This important book is deemed as Santos' "obra maestra" and considered the "Bible of the working-class Filipinos." The novel revolves around the life of the socialist Delfin and his friend Felipe, and how they fought for their social beliefs and principles against a backdrop of cruelty and inequality caused by the rich landowners.

Banaag at Sikat tackles social issues like capitalism and equality of rights in a society, and has been the motivation of Hukbalahap (Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon) during World War II. Its central message – a long tradition of camaraderie exists despite any crisis that affects all workers – remains applicable even in modern times. The book is also the only novel that the Filipino critic Teodoro Agoncillo included in the list of important books about Tagalog literature because it started a mode of writing a Tagalog novel. Its narration of the lives of the characters is clear and smooth, and it carries themes of love, livelihood and the reality found in society.

Lope K. Santos was a renowned novelist, journalist, poet, and labor leader of his time. He is remembered as the Father of Filipino Grammar and was granted the first "Paham ng Wika" Award in Tagalog Literature history for this very novel. He was named the director of the Surian ng Wikang Pambansa by President Manuel L. Quezon.

For more details, please contact Joyce Bersales at 747-1622.

September 24, 2008

4TH GAWAD EMMAN LACABA

Gawad Emmanuel Lacaba  is the annual literary contest of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines-Luzon.

Emmanuel "Emman" Lacaba, great late poet, dramatist and a student journalist, was an editor of The   Guidon , the official student publication of the   Ateneo de Manila University , one of the founding campus publications of the Guild. Lacaba fought against the dictatorship during the   Martial Law   and died as a martyr at the age of 27. He was also the brother of renowned Filipino writer Jose 'Pete' Lacaba.

Lacaba has often been compared to the   French poet Arthur Rimbaud , a fact he himself alluded to in one of his poems, "Open Letters to Filipino Artists", where he told of his being called "the brown Rimbaud." Like Rimbaud, Lacaba started writing poetry at the tender age of 14, and still like him, lost his life before he reached his 40th   year.    

If there is something Emman Lacaba is most noted for, it is for having been a writer-activist. He was a poet, essayist, playwright, fictionist, and scriptwriter who joined the protest movement in his student days and later lost his life as an armed revolutionary.

At the Ateneo, he fought for the Filipinization of the university administration, which was then largely American-led, and the use of Filipino as medium of instruction. He was also instrumental in arousing and organizing his fellow Ateneans in various socio-political issues, through his stint at the Guidon and as a   student leader.

In his early days as an activist, his poetry began to show signs of the road he was to take for the rest of his life, with his increasingly frequent use of the image of Icarus, a Greek mythological character who burned his wings, fell to the sea, and died because he flew too close to the sun – an often-used symbol for those who perish in the pursuit of noble causes.

He also joined Panday Sining, the cultural arm of the militant   Kabataang Makabayan , and participated in the   First Quarter Storm .

In his college days he frequently commuted between the Bohemian life and activism. It was only after college that he would turn his back on the former.

Before he graduated from college, he won a major   literary award   for Punch and Judas, a short novel depicting the transformation of an intellectual, Felipe "Philip" Angeles, from Bohemian to activist.

After college, he taught Rizal's Life and Works at UP and got involved in the labor movement. He also became a member of the militant writers' group Panulat para sa Kaunlaran ng Sambayanan (PAKSA). He later on   became active on the stage, writing and acting in plays. He also assisted in film productions, and among his compiled writings are a number of unfinished film storylines. He wrote the lyrics for the theme song of the Lino Brocka-directed movie Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, which is essentially a critique of the hypocrisy of society.

In 1975 he set out for   Mindanao   to join the armed revolutionary movement, to become a "people's warrior", as he later called himself in a poem.

Such was his passion for writing that he wrote even while leading the life of a revolutionary guerilla. It was in the hills, in fact, that he wrote one of the poems he is best remembered for, "Open Letters to Filipino Artists", where he described the guerilla warrior as thus:

"We are tribeless and all tribes our ours.

We are homeless and all homes are ours.

We are thieves in the night, angles of death:

The ever moving, shining, secret eye of the storm."

Lacaba is best known for his posthumously published books, Salvaged Prose and Salvaged Poems.

CONTEST RULES AND MECHANICS

•  The contest is open to all members of student publications within Luzon (membership to CEGP is not a requisite), except to current officers of the College Editors Guild of the   Philippines   in any formation.

•  Entries may be written in either English or Filipino. 

•  Translation of an entry submitted in English shall not be qualified for the Filipino division, and vice versa.

•  The contest has three categories: short story, essay, and poetry.

•  Entries shall be original and solely written by the contestant. Only one (1) entry per entry shall be allowed per contestant.

•  Contestant shall only submit entries published within the present academic year 2008-2009 in their respective school publications, or previously unpublished works.

•  Entries shall be type-written, 12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced on a letter-sized (8 ½ x 11) bond paper, with 1-inch margins on all sides. Page numbers shall be placed on the bottom-center of each page.

•  All entries shall consist of three (3) copies each, enclosed and sealed in a brown letter-sized envelope. A CD copy of the entries shall also be enclosed.

•  Only the title of the entry, category and division shall be written or typed on the upper left portion of the envelope. Any indication of the author's identity in/on the entry shall render the entry disqualified.

•  All entries shall be personally submitted before the first day of Lunduyan 2008 closes.

•  All entries shall remain with the CEGP Secretariat in the whole duration of the event, until the awarding.

Rules per category

•  For the short story category, each entry shall be at least five (5) but not more than 15 pages long.

•  For the poetry category, each entry shall consist of a compilation of at least three (3) but not more than five (5) poems.

•  For the essay category, each entry shall be at least five (5) but not more than 15 pages long.

Judging and criteria

•  The Board of Judges shall consist of persons appointed by the CEGP National Office.

•  The Board of Judges shall have the discretion to withhold awarding if it does not deem any entry meritorious of any award for any particular category.

•  The decision of the majority of the Board of Judges shall be final and irrevocable.

•  Top three entries shall be declared the winners for each division and category.

•  Winners shall be announced and awarded on the last night of Lunduyan 2008.

September 22, 2008

WRITING UP HERE: UP WRITERS CLUB CELEBRATES ITS 81ST ANNIVERSARY

Established in 1927, the UP Writers Club has lived enough to see the University to its Centennial Year and also to produce many Philippine literary giants, including eight National Artists for Literature and many prolific writers in media and the academe today. To commemorate its 81 years of existence, the fresh, young breed of artists and writers it has on its present roster has a number of activities in store for its 81 st Anniversary celebration.

Entitled “Writing UP Here: UPWC @ 81,” the celebration will formally begin with the opening of the Club's exhibit of works from alumni and present members, on September 23, Tuesday, 10 AM, at the Galeria 2 of the Faculty Center, College of Arts and Letters. On September 24, Wednesday, the Club will hold a three session lecture series at the C.M. Recto Hall of the Faculty Center, featuring young writers who will talk on a variety of topics. On September 26, Friday, the anniversary celebration will be concluded with a Cultural Night, also at the Galeria 2, featuring performances from performing groups Romancing Venus and Alitaptap Storytellers, and other university-based organizations. The winners for the Writers Club's Flash Fiction Writing contest will also be announced during the Cultural Night.

The topics slated for the September 24 lecture series are as follows. “Recreating the Pinay in Philippine Lit” will be at 10 am, and will feature university professors Conchitina Cruz, Roselle Pineda and Anna Felicia Sanchez. “Blogging and the Internet as a New Writing Venue,” featuring UP Writers Club alumni Vlad Gonzales and Adam David, will be at 1 PM. At 3 PM, Dean Alfar with his group The LitCritters, and Philippine Genre Stories publisher Kenneth Yu, will be speaking on “The New Philippine Fantastic.”

All of the events in Writing UP Here are open to the public. Writing UP Here is made possible through the support of the National Book Development Board, Philippine Genre Stories, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Belle Basics and Vibal Publishing.

September 16, 2008

LUMBERA LECTURES ON LOPE K. SANTOS

Arvin Abejo Mangohig

The UP Institute of Creative Writing continues its Centennial Panayam Series with National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera lecturing on Lope K. Santos and his novel Banaag at Sikat. This will be at the C.M. Recto Hall, Bulwagang Rizal, UP Diliman on September 19 at 2:30 p.m.

The novel is one of the few enduring works still being studied today. Santos is a novelist, poet, critic and is called “ Ama ng Balarila ng Wikang Pambansa.” Lumbera is equally eminent, is arguably the country's most prominent literary critic of the last thirty years and writes librettos for musicals as well. He was conferred National Artist status in 2006. His latest volume of poems is Poetika/Pulitika.

The UP ICW Centennial Panayam series kicked off this June. Former ICW director and National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario lectured on Jose Rizal's German literary influences. He caused quite a stir when he introduced our national hero's great granddaughter Mickey Faustman as his guest of honor. Almario handed Faustman a copy of his book Si Rizal: Nobelista along with UP Press director Luisa Camagay. Read the lecture here. Visit his official website here.

Current ICW director Dr. Jose Dalisay lectured on the Philippine novel in English and why he thought Filipino writers should be putting out more novels. He talked about his latest novel Soledad 's Sister, which was shortlisted in the Man Asian Literary Prize. Read the lecture here.

Former directors Amelia Lapena Bonifacio and Gemino Abad are also set to lecture in the coming months.

September 13, 2008

UP ICW ISSUES GUIDELINES FOR WRITERS' WORKSHOP

LIKHAAN: The UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP ICW) is now accepting applications for the 48th UP ICW National Writers Workshop to be held in Camp John Hay, Baguio City, from April 12 to 18, 2009.

UP ICW Director Jose Y. Dalisay, Jr., also announced that four fellowships are available for open competition and that these are open only to advanced writers. Following the “Kumustahan” workshop concept, the other eight slots will be awarded by the ICW by invitation only to qualified, highly meritorious writers in mid-career. The ICW reserves the right to reapportion the number of reserved and open slots, depending on the responses and the quality of applications received.

The 2009 workshop will be chaired by National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.

Almario also announced the submission guidelines:

QUALIFICATIONS – To qualify, applicants:
(1) must be writers in English or Filipino;
(2) must have attended at least one creative writing workshop (national/regional, including the UP National Writers’ Workshops), or earned a degree in Creative Writing/Malikhaing Pagsulat, or won at least one national/international literary award;
(3) must have published at least three poems or two short stories or two pieces of creative nonfiction (e.g., essays, memoirs, profiles) in reputable collections or anthologies, journals, magazines (including campus publications), or refereed Internet web magazines, or have had a play staged. Writers who have been fellows at any of the UP National Writers’ Workshops are eligible. Some of these qualifications may be waived in exceptionally meritorious cases, with the unanimous concurrence of the UP ICW Fellows, Advisers and Associates.

REQUIREMENTS – Applicants must submit the following:
(1) five copies plus digital file (12 points, double-spaced, 8 x 11) of one original unpublished manuscript (short story, poem, or creative nonfiction, play) to be discussed during the workshop – this manuscript should not have been submitted to any other workshop;
(2) a two-paragraph description of a work-in-progress in any of the above genres, in English or Filipino (also 12 points, double-spaced, 8 x 11); and
(3) photocopies of the applicant’s published work, including publication details; and
(4) application form (available at the UP ICW office in UP Diliman and on panitikan.com.ph).

During the UP workshop, fellows will be expected to make a presentation of a chapter or draft of the work-in-progress referred to above, and an essay on an aspect of their writing or of the genre in which they work. They must be present for the full duration of the workshop period.

The deadline for submission is November 30, 2008. For inquiries, call 922-1830 and ask for Ms. Eva Cadiz.

Download the application form here.

What has been keeping Filipinos from writing novels?

This concern was at the heart of Prof. Jose Y. Dalisay’s UPAAA Professorial Chair lecture, “Novelists in Progress: Writing Long Filipino Fiction in English,” which the new UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW) director delivered at the Pulungang Claro M. Recto in UP Diliman (UPD) on July 31. The lecture is part of the UP-ICW’s year-long Centennial Panayam lecture series.

In his lecture, Dalisay noted that aside from a few notable exceptions such as National Artist F. Sionil Jose, few writers in English in the Philippines today have made a name for themselves as “novelists”—writers whose body of work is populated mainly by novels.

He added that while Filipino writers had become “masters of the short form” such as poetry and the short story, the hard, cold truth was that “no one will take (Filipino writers) seriously on the global stage unless we announce ourselves with big, emphatic, memorable novels.”

“It’s the hard fact of literature as a global industry,” Dalisay said, “Collections of poetry and short fiction will be picked up by university and small presses and released in small editions; but the novel is the big whale in the ocean that publishers and agents have their harpoons at the ready for.”

Citing a recent study by Prof. Patricia May Jurilla of the Department of English and Comparative Literature in UPD, Dalisay said that between the years 1985 and 2000, only 47 new Filipino novels in English were published in the country, which makes for an average of only three novels a year. He also noted that most of the novels that are published are shorter compared to those written in other countries such as India.

Dalisay offered three possible reasons for the dearth of more and longer Filipino novels. First is that there is almost no financial or even psychic reward to writing and publishing a novel in the Philippines.

Quoting Prof. Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Dalisay said that, “the worst part of writing a novel is finding the time to write it; the second worst part, (Hidalgo) says, ‘is knowing that after all that effort, hardly anyone was going to read it, not even some of my own friends.’”

Second, he said that most Filipino writers are intimidated by the shadow cast by Jose Rizal’s Noli and its sequel Fili. “(M)any (Filipinos) find it difficult to think of the novel as anything but history writ large,” Dalisay observed, “with a flaming revolution in the background and a love story in the foreground.”

Finally, Dalisay said that most Filipino writers are “city-bred” and have become “masters of the street scene, the close encounters for which the short story is the ideal medium.” He said that where the novel demands “sweeping views,” the Filipino writer’s “fictional space has become very small and very crowded, with a very low ceiling.”

Dalisay, however, noted a visible spike in the number of Filipino novels being submitted to writing contests such as the recently concluded UP Centennial Literary Prize, the 2008 Palanca Awards, and the Asia-wide Man Asian Literary Prize. There were reportedly 25 Filipino novels submitted for the Man Asian Literary Prize this year. Four of the 25 made it to long list.

He also said that in terms of being read here by fellow Filipinos, he believes that local writers should be “writing about the things that might prove interesting to our potential readers.” “Clearly,” he said, “we need to write more popular or genre fiction—novels that employ not only the fantastic, but also more crime, more sex, and more humor.”

Dalisay also spoke briefly about the writing and continuing revision of his second novel Soledad’s Sister, whose first Philippine edition was being launched after the lecture. The novel was short-listed in the inaugural Man Asian Literary Prize. Dalisay referred to it as “a work-in-progress” and revealed that he was still tweaking the text for submission to an international publisher.

“This edition of about 62,000 words represents what I think my Filipino reader can intuitively appreciate,” Dalisay said, “but I expect and am prepared to write about 5,000 words more to expand certain sections of the novel.”

Prof. Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. earned his B.A. English degree from UP, his M.F.A. from the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D in English from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a Fulbright scholar. Dalisay has authored more than 15 books and has numerous awards including 16 Palanca Awards in five genres. He was named one of The Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 1993 for his creative writing, and in 2005, he received the Premio Cervara di Roma in Italy for extensively promoting Philippine literature overseas.

Source: http://www.up.edu.ph/upnewsletter.php?

September 13, 2008

UMPIL WEBSITE LAUNCHED

The Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) launched its new website, www.Umpil.org during its 34th National Convention held last August 30. Umpil.org contains information on the organization's history, membership, officers, and annual Congress. A list of yearly winners of the Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas, Gawad Paz Marquez Benitez, and Gawad Pedro Bucaneg can also be perused.

Founded in 1974, UMPIL is the largest organization of Filipino writers in the country. V.E. Carmelo D. Nadera Jr. is its current chairperson.

Umpil.org was designed by Stellify.net's Sophia Lucero, who also designed the literary journal BulawanOnline.com. The webmaster is Phillip Kimpo Jr.

UMPIL also launched its own presence on Multiply at www.umpil.multiply.com. Multiply is a popular social networking and media sharing website. Umpil.multiply.com serves as the organization's photo album, as well as a means to reach out to a wider audience. Writers with Multiply accounts are invited to add UMPIL to their list of contacts.

September 10, 2008

LUSONG AND GAPASAN 08
Luzon Theater Festival and Conference

The Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog, Inc. (ARTIST Inc.) and the Lusong Arts and Culture Network Inc. in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the UPLB Office of Initiatives in Culture and the Arts will hold a three-day long Luzon Theater Festival and Conference entitled Lusong and Gapasan 08 on September 16-18, 2008 in UP Los Banos, Laguna.

The festival performances will feature ARTIST Inc.'s Ang Guro; Barasaoin Kalinangan Foundtion Inc.'s Kaluluwa sa Ilog, Teatro Sandaang Pulo's Alamat ng Sandaang Pulo from Alaminos National High School, CBTG's Reyna Gayon from Sorsogon, Teatro Iloco's Unang Dalaw from Ilocos National High School, TABAK's Carnival Exotica from Baguio City, Obon Di Malayad's from Mountain Province and Aquinas University's Abaca from Legazpi City.

Topics of paper presentors in the Conference will include the following: Luzon as geopolitical basis of the Lusong Theater Festival ; Emerging Practices of Theater-in-Education ; Theater, Climate Change and Food Security; and Reclaiming and redefining Identities through Theater. National Artist Awardee Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera will render the keynote address.

For more inquiries, please contact: Mr. Ety Carandang and/or Ms. Myla Perez at(049) 536-1017, (049) 536-6680 or email ARTIST Inc. at artistparagos@yahoo.com

September 10, 2008

MARRA LANOT LAUNCHES NEW BOOK AT 29TH MIBF

"Riding the Full Moon and other poems in Filipino & Spanish" by Marra PL. Lanot will be launched at the 29th Manila International Book fair at 3-4:30 pm on Saturday, September 13, Room 3, Level 2, SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. The book, which is part of the Poetry on Demand Series, is published by Anvil Publishing and Fuji Xerox.

"Riding the Full Moon" is the latest collection of poems by Lanot. The book is composed of pieces originally written in English, in Filipino, and in Spanish. The cover and inside illustrations are by Danny Dalena, and the book design is by Ani V. Habulan.

Lanot is a prize-winning poet, essayist, and freelance journalist with several books to her name, including "Deja vu & other essays," "The Trouble with Nick & other Profiles," "Passion & Compassion" (poetry), and "Witch's Dance at iba pang tula sa Ingles at Espanyol." She has been translated in many foreign languages, and has written for television and cinema. At present, she teaches at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and acts as literary editor of Philippine Graphic magazine.

The two other poetry books to be launched at the same time as Lanot's "Riding the Full Moon" are Mookie Katigbak's "The Proxy Eros" and Lia Lopez-Chua's "the fate of all progeny."

September 6, 2008

PISTANG PANITIK 3 AT THE 29th MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR IN MOA

The third Pistang Panitik will be held during the 29 th Manila International Book Fair at the SMX Mall of Asia . This year's format should prove to be quite unique. On September 12 , 14, 15 and 16, writers/artists/performers will have morning and afternoon sessions dedicated to them, wherein their works will be discussed and presented. Critical discussions, storytelling sessions and poetry readings will add spark to this literal literary fiesta.

The premiere writing institution in the country, the UP Institute of Creative Writing counts the College of Arts & Letters of the University of the Philippines-Diliman , the National Commission for Culture and the Arts , and Primetrade Asia as its partners for the week-long event. Fresh from the success of the Gawad Likhaan: the UP Centennial Literary Awards, the UP ICW initiated Pistang Panitik in 2006 with the help of Anvil Publishing House, National Book Development Board, and Book Development Association of the Philippines.

Pistang Panitik is a brainchild of former ICW Director Prof. Vim Nadera who said that Pista is a way of sharing the beauty of the written art with the public by celebrating our own literature.

On September 12, 2008, 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the Meeting Room 6, Writers' Cafe will host Charlson Ong , Ophelia Dimalanta, Benilda Santos, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Jaime An Lim, writing greats who will talk about their craft over a cup of coffee. On that same day, 4:00-5:30, writers speak on writing and joining writers' groups in Writers are not Loners with Beverly Siy of Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), UP Writers Club, The Varsitarian (UST), Heights ( Ateneo de Manila ) and Malate ( De La Salle University ). At 7:00 p.m on Stage Area 1, Literature will be performed the alternative way by Ony Carcamo, Lourd de Veyra, Khavn de la Cruz , Charms Tiamzon , Girl Valencia and Cynthia Alexander.

In Ganito Kami Ngayon , renowned writers (the new ICW director) Jose Dalisay, Roland Tolentino, Romulo Baquiran, Jr., Jose Neil Garcia, Nicolas Pichay and Jun Lana will update literature lovers on current literary practice in the Philippines on September 14 , 10:00am-12:00nn. Pop Lit on September 15 , 10:00am-2:00 p.m. at the Stage Area 1 will have comic book artists , performance poets, storytellers, independent film directors and literary innovators like Romancing Venus, Teatrong Mulat, Angelo Suarez , and Jim Libiran with TRIBU rappers Raynoa Aguillon, Billy Cruz, Lloyd Labastida, and Shielbert Manuel will present emerging forms in Philippine literature.

And for the finale, the business of blogging will be discussed on September 16 , 10:30am-12:30 pm, at the Stage Area 1. The activity called Blog! will be handled by Dean Alfa , Marne Kilates, Bobby Añonuevo, Sonny Villafania, Dino Manrique, and Vlad Gonzales.

For more details, contact the UP ICW at 922-1830 and visit panitikan.com.ph.

PALANCA AWARDEES FOR 2008

MANILA, September 1, 2008 – Continuing its tradition of honoring Filipino writers and promoting literary arts in the country, the Carlos Palanca Foundation Inc. honored the winners of this year’s Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature.

On in its 58th year, the Palanca Awards remains one of the most prestigious and sought-after literary awards in the Philippines, with this year’s roster of winners almost equally distributed among Palanca veterans (57%) and first-time winners (43%). Done every other three years, the “Novel” was once more part of the 20 categories in this year’s competition.

The awarding ceremony held at The Peninsula Manila in Makati had for its guest speaker, Secretary Jesli Lapus of the Department of Education, the largest department in the government sector, accounting for one-third of the entire Philippine bureaucracy. Under his watch, the Department of Education registered unprecedented achievements such as: the highest public approval rating among government agencies, top performing cabinet secretary, breakthrough student ratings in achievement measurements (NAT), highest mobilization of resources for education and World Bank acclaimed management and education reforms as international “best practices."

Established in 1950 to honor Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the awards aims to help develop Philippine literature for writers to craft their most outstanding literary work; to be a treasury of the Philippines’ literary gems from our gifted writers; and to assist in its dissemination to the public, especially the students.

For more information, visit the Palanca Awards website at www.palancaawards.com.ph.

The following is this year’s complete roster of winners:

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO:

1st – Maria Lucille Roxas (Game Show)

2nd – Lemuel E. Garcellano (Anghel Kalahig)

3rd – Rommel B. Rodriguez (Kabagyan)

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA

1st – No Winner

2nd – April Jade B. Imson (Si Karding at ang Buwaya)

3rd – Allan Alberto N. Derain (May Tatlong Kurimaw)

SANAYSAY:

1st – Jing Panganiban-Mendoza (Ang Pagbabalik ng Prinsesa ng Banyera)

2nd – Michael M. Coroza (Ang Mabuhay Singers at Ako sa Pag-awit at Pag-ibig)

3rd – Eugene Y. Evasco (Agaw-buhay)

KABATAAN SANAYSAY:

1st – No Winner

2nd – No Winner

3rd – Allen D. Yuarata (Nang Dumating si Joe)

TULA:

1st – Mikael de Lara Co (Ang Iba’t-ibang Ngalan ng Hangin)

2nd – Renato L. Santos (Sari-saring Salaghati… (At good-bye-my-kangkungan)

3rd – Niles Jordan Breis (“Rubrica” mga lakbay nilay at pagbubunyag)

DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO:

1st – Floy C. Quintos (Ang Kalungkutan ng mga Reyna)

2nd – Debbie Ann Tan (Teroristang Labandera)

3rd – Allan B. Lopez (Masaganang Ekonomiya)

DULANG PAMPELIKULA:

1st – Emmanuel A. Dela Cruz/ Michiko Yamamoto (1434456 – “The Singalong Singhs”)

2nd – Dennis Marasigan (Joy)

3rd – Alfred Aloysius Adlawan (Padyak)

DULANG GANAP ANG HABA:

1st – No Winner

2nd – No Winner

3rd – No Winner

REGIONAL DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO – CEBUANO:

1st – Macario D. Tiu (Tsuru)

2nd – Edgar S. Godin (Bingo)

3rd – Lilia Tio (Sapatos)

MAIKLING KUWENTO - HILIGAYNON

1st – Leoncio P. Deriada (And Pagbalik sang Babaylan)

2nd – Alice Tan Gonzales (Dawata, Anak)

3rd – Marcel Milliam (Bitay)

MAIKLING KUWENTO - ILUKO

1st – Danilo Antalan (Dangilen)

2nd – Ariel Tabag (Littugaw)

3rd – Aurelio Agcaoili (Alegoria Uno)

ENGLISH DIVISION

SHORT STORY:

1st – Ian Fermin Rosales Casocot (Things You Don’t Know)

2nd – Tara FT Sering (Good People)

3rd – Nadine L. Sarreal (Night Sounds)

SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN:

1st – Celestine Marie G. Trinidad (The Storyteller and the Giant)

2nd – No Winner

3rd – Kathleen Aton-Osias (The Mapangarap and the Dream Trees)

ESSAY:

1st – Jose Claudio B. Guerrero (Talking to a Fu Dog on a Wedding Afternoon)

2nd – Katrina Stuart Santiago (Mirrors)

3rd – Jhoanna Lynn Cruz (Sapay Coma)

KABATAAN ESSAY:

1st – Miro Frances Dimaano Capili (Rated X)

2nd – Cristina Gratia F. Tantengco (Things that Lie Beyond the Postcards)

3rd – Elfermin Manalansan Mallari, Jr. (The Roads and Dreams that Meander)

POETRY:

1st – Francis C. Macansantos (Morphic Variations)

2nd – Anna Maria Katigbak (Sl(e)ights)

3rd – Marie La Viña (The Gospel According to the Blind Man)

ONE-ACT PLAY:

1st – Maria Clarissa N. Estuar (Anybody’s Revolution)

2nd – Percival Intalan (Secret Identities)

3rd – Joachim Emilio B. Antonio (Newspaper Dance)

FULL-LENGTH PLAY:

1st – Peter Solis Nery

2nd – No Winner

3rd – No Winner

GRAND PRIZE WINNERS

NOBELA:

Norman Wilwayco (Gerilya)

NOVEL:

Grand Prize – Miguel Syjuco (Ilustrado)

September 5, 2008

VETERAN AUTHORS AND LITERARY LUMINARIES FOR PALANCA AWARDS BOARDS OF JUDGES

Award-winning authors and other luminaries in the Philippine literary and art circles served as judges for the 58th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, the Carlos Palanca Foundation announced today.

The judges, whose expertise are well known in literature, academe, television and performing arts, screened 927 entries for the award’s various categories this year.

The awarding ceremonies for the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards were held on September 1 at The Peninsula Manila.

Established in 1950 to honor Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the awards aims to help develop Philippine literature for writers to craft their most outstanding literary work; to be a treasury of the Philippines’ literary gems from our gifted writers; and to assist in its dissemination to the public, especially the students.

For more information, visit the Palanca Awards website at www.palancaawards.com.ph.

The complete list of Palanca judges include:

FILIPINO DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO

Lamberto E. Antonio, chairperson

Fanny A. Garcia

Levy B. dela Cruz

MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA

Ani Rosa Almario, chairperson

Augie Rivera

Christine S. Bellen

SANAYSAY

Lilia F. Antonio, chairperson

Roberto T. Añonuevo

Imelda Pineda-De Castro

KABATAAN SANAYSAY

Ligaya T. Rubin, chairperson

Violeta A. Laraya

Perfecto T. Martin

TULA

Romulo Baquiran, chairperson

Rhoderick V. Nuncio

Marra PL Lanot

DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO

Rodolfo Vera, chairperson

Elmer Gatchalian

Chris Martinez

DULANG GANAP ANG HABA

Ricardo G. Abad, chairperson

Nonilon V. Queaño

Manuel Buising

DULANG PAMPELIKULA

Roy C. Iglesias, chairperson

Mark A. Meily

Frank G. Rivera

NOBELA

Lualhati Bautista, chairperson

Jun Cruz Reyes

Domingo G. Landicho

REGIONAL DIVISION

MAIKLING KUWENTO - CEBUANO

Teresita G. Maceda, chairperson

Belen Calingacion

Manuel Faelnar

MAIKLING KUWENTO – HILIGAYNON

Corazon D. Villareal, chairperson

Ada Javellana Loredo

Isabel D. Sebullen

MAIKLING KUWENTO - ILUKO

Herminio Beltran, Jr. , chairperson

Rufino Rebudal

Maria Leonida Fres-Felix

ENGLISH DIVISION

SHORT STORY

Charlson Ong, chairperson

Jose Neil C. Garcia

Vicente Groyon

SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN

Maria Elena Paterno-Locsin, chairperson

Zarah C. Gagatiga

Ma. Luisa S. Felix


ESSAY

Karina Bolasco, chairperson

Nilo L. Rosas

Ronald Baytan

KABATAAN ESSAY

Jose Wendell P. Capili, chairperson

Ralph Semino Galan

Benilda S. Santos

POETRY

Marjorie Evasco, chairperson

Jaime An Lim

Cesar Aquino

ONE-ACT PLAY

Jerry C. Respeto, chairperson

Ronan Capinding

Nathaniel Joseph De Mesa

FULL-LENGTH PLAY

Malou Jacob, chairperson

Fernando Josef

Glen Sevilla Mas

NOVEL

Antonio A. Hidalgo, chairperson

Soledad Reyes

Shirley Lua

September 5, 2008

GINTONG AKLAT AWARDS 2008

The Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP) in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the National Book Development Board (NBDB) will be holding the Gintong Aklat Awards 2008 ceremony on September 12, 2008, 6:00 PM at the SMX Convention Center coinciding with the opening of The Manila International Bookfair.

Among the 273 entries, 7 winners were chosen based on book manufacturing, design, writing, and editing. This year's awardees are A Guide to Families of Common Flowering Plants in the Philippines (Irma Remo Castro, UP Press) for Natural Science; Potluck: Hidalgo Bonding A Family Heritage Cookbook (Jaime C. Laya & Adelaida Lim, Anvil) for Trade Books; Salamanca (Dean Francis Alfar, ADMU Press) and Naglalayag: Silent Passage (Irma Dimaranan, UP Press) for Literature; The Rocking Horse: Ang Kabayong Tumba-Tumba (Becky Bravo, UST Publishing) for Children’s Book; Pinoy Dressing: Weaving Culture into Fashion (Barge Ramos, Anvil) for The Arts; Sing, O Barren One…and Other Essays on Biblical Themes (Sr. Helem Graham, Claretian Comm. Fdtn.) for Religious Books; and Brains of the Nation: Pedro Paterno, T.H. Pardo de Tavera, Isabelo delos Reyes and the Production (Resil B. Mojares, ADMU Press).

Established in 1981, the prestigious Gintong Aklat Awards are given out regularly to outstanding book publishers based on the quality of the books they produce year after year. Managed by BDAP, the Awards are meant to recognize excellence in bookmaking in the country's book industry. For details, call Flor Javier or Liezel Mabinta at 5332309 or 7479250 local 101.

September 3, 2008

DULAANG UP STAGES ISANG PANAGINIP NA FILI

A New Musical by Floy Quintos and CJ Javier
Directed by Tony Mabesa and Floy Quintos

Why another musical version of Jose Rizal's immortal "El Filibusterismo"?

One, the novel is so rich and so full of dramatic detail, innuendo, conflict and possibility.

Two, because it would be challenging to try and strip away the baroque flourishes, and zero in on the one sub plot that best captures the dark and cruel heart of Rizal's novel.

Third, because the novel offers us a glimpse of Rizal's angry side.

Imagine then, this scenario. Jose Rizal in Paris, finishing the second novel. He is exhausted, nervous and (as can be gleamed from his diaries) impoverished. He rooms with Tunying Ibañez, an Illustrado rake and ne'er-do-well. It is through Tunying's eyes and imagination that this version of Fili takes place. He is transformed to Simoun, the jeweler who in turn manipulates Juli, Basilio, Kabesang Tales, the Friars Irene, Salvi and Camorra, and the Governor-General in his desire for revenge and the rescue of the ravaged Maria Clara.

In the end, Tunying's tranformation is completed by his exposure to Rizal's masterpiece.

Fili will start its run on September 10 and end on the 28th. The Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater is on the 2nd floor of Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City

For ticket inquires, contact 0917-6206224, 926-1349, 433-7840, 981-8500 local 2449.

Playdates

First Week
September 10, 2008 Wednesday 7:00 pm
September 11, 2008 Thursday 7:00 pm
September 12, 2008 Friday 7:00 pm
September 13, 2008 Saturday 10:00 am
Saturday 3:00 pm
September 14, 2008 Sunday 10:00 am
Sunday 3:00 pm

Second Week
September 17, 2008 Wednesday 7:00 pm
September 18, 2008 Thursday 7:00 pm
September 19, 2008 Friday 7:00 pm
September 20, 2008 Saturday 10:00 pm
Saturday 3:00 pm
September 21, 2008 Sunday 10:00 am
Sunday 3:00 pm

Third Week
September 24, 2008 Wednesday 7:00 pm
September 25, 2008 Thursday 7:00 pm
September 26, 2008 Friday 7:00 pm
September 27, 2008 Saturday 10:00 am
Saturday 3:00 pm
September 28, 2008 Sunday 10:00 am
Sunday 3:00 pm

September 2, 2008

3rd YEAR BA CREATIVE WRITING STUDENT AWARDED THE FRANCISCO ARCELLANA SCHOLARSHIP GRANT

The Arcellana family and the University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing (UP ICW) announce the awarding of the Francisco Arcellana Scholarship Grant 2008-2009 to Maria Emilynda Jeddahlyn Pia V. Benosa, a BA Creative Writing student of the Department of English and Comparative Literature (DECL) of UP Diliman. The awarding will be held on September 5, 2008 at the Dean’s Office of the UP College of Arts and Letters (CAL).

Benosa is a third year student in the Creative Writing Program of the DECL. She is also the current secretary of UP Writers Club. She graduated from the Manila Science High School in 2006.

The Francisco Arcellana Scholarship Grant is open to all students of the University of the Philippines CAL, Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature and DECL on a full-time basis. It provides for a monthly cash stipend of two thousand pesos (P2,000) for ten months of the school year starting 1 August until 1 May of the ensuing year.

The scholarship grant was established by Professor Francisco Arcellana’s (1916-2002) family to honor the memory of the late National Artist for Literature and Founding Director of the UP ICW.

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