FELLOWS FOR SILLIMAN WORKSHOP ANNOUNCED

National Writers Workshop Director-in-Residence Rowena Tiempo Torrevillas, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and Silliman University are pleased to announce that the following young writers have been accepted as fellows for the 49th National Writers Workshop scheduled on 3-21 May 2010:

For Poetry

Gian Paolo Simeon Lao (Ateneo de Manila University)

Dominique Allison Santos (University of Santo Tomas)

Jacob Dominguez (University of Santo Tomas)

Oscar Serquina Jr. (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

For Fiction

Aaron James Jalalon (University of the Philippines–Mindanao)

Jenette Ethel Vizcocho (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

Gilda Ysobel Galang (Ateneo de Manila University)

Anne Carly Abad (Ateneo de Manila University)

Gino Francis Dizon (Ateneo de Manila University)

Jose Carlo Flordeliza (De La Salle University)

Ida Anita Del Mundo (De La Salle University)

Samantha Echavez (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

For Creative Non-Fiction

Kelly Marie Tulio Conlon (University of the Philippine–Mindanao)

Miro Frances Capili (University of the Philippines-Diliman)

Christina Mae del Rosario (Ateneo de Manila University)

10TH IYAS CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP ANNOUNCES ROSTER OF FELLOWS

The IYAS Creative Writing Workshop proudly announces its roster of Fellows for 2010.

The Fellows for Fiction in English are: Fred Jordan Carnice, Roselle Jimeno, Vernan Jagunap, Francis Dizon and Anne Carly Abad (English), and Arbeen Acuña (Filipino).

The Fellows for Poetry are: Gian-Paolo Lao, Alyza Mary Taguilaso, Charmaine Carreon (English), Arbeen Acuña, Noel Fortun, Rogerick Fernandez (Filipino), Paul Randy Gumanao, Glenn Muñez (Cebuano), Elsed Togonon (Kinaray-a) and Simplicio Gadugdug (Boholano).

The panelists for this year are Dr. Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Dr. Elsie Coscolluela, Dr. Genevieve Asenjo, Dr. Danilo M. Reyes, Dr. Anthony Tan and Prof. John Iremil Teodoro.

The IYAS Creative Writing Workshop is sponsored by the University of St. La Salle and the Bienvenido N. Santos Creative Writing Center of De La Salle University and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The 10th IYAS Creative Writing Workshop is set on April 25- May 1, 2010.

NBDB AND IP PHILIPPINES CELEBRATE WORLD BOOK AND COPYRIGHT DAY CHINOY STYLE

Celebrate World Book and Copyright Day Chinoy style. The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and Intellectual Property Office Philippines commemorate the special day of books with a one-of-a-kind food and literary tour this April 23 – the Big Binondo Food and Literary Wok.

Sample the delectable Chinese chow Binondo is most famous for while experiencing the district's colorful past and present through stories from Xin Mei's Afraid to be Chinese and Robbie Kwan Laurel's Ongpin Stories. Explore the alleys of Binondo, from miraculous Chinese shrines and a Baroque-inspired cathedral to the best authentic Chinese restaurants and hopia shops, with streetwalker Ivan Man Dy. While nibbling on Chinese treats in-between stopovers, Chinoy authors Robbie Laurel and Xin Mei will be also talking about their writing. Copyright experts from IP Philippines will also be giving interesting copyright trivia in-between stopovers.

Call 920-9853 for details.

SULAT NI VIM NADERA TUNGKOL SA COPYRIGHT, MEETING SA UST

Alam ba ninyong napag-alaman ng Filipinas Copyright Licensing Society, Inc. (FILCOLS) na may salaping nakolekta ang Copyright Agency Limited ng Australia para sa atin at inaasahang mayroon ding nakolekta ang ibang Reproduction Rights Organizations (RRO) para sa Filipinas?

Hindi nila ito ibinigay sa atin dahil hindi tayo nagkakabuklod-buklod bilang mga manunulat. Dahil dito, palalakasin natin ang ating hanay sa pamamagitan ng Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) General Membership Meeting.

Tinatawag na UMPILAN, ito ay gaganapin sa Abril 30, 1 n.h. , sa Thomas Aquinas Research Center ng Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas. Una, tatalakayin po ang Writers and Copyright. Ikalawa, aayusin po ang bagong edisyon ng UMPIL Directory of Filipino Writers.

Ikatlo, tatanggapin po ang inyong akda ( tula , kuwento, sanaysay, dulat, atbp.) ukol sa UST na babayaran sakaling makapasa sa Lupon ng mga Patnugot ng aklat para sa pagdiriwang ng Quadricentennial Centennial ng nasabing pamantasan. Pakipasa po ng imbitasyong ito sa kapuwa-manunulat natin.

Mas organisado, mas makapangyarihan tayo!

Maraming salamat po.

Vim Nadera

Tagapangulo

UMPIL

LIRA BRINGS STS TO BAGUIO

The Filipino poetry group Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will hold the second leg of the “Sining ng Tugma at Sukat (STS; Art of Rhyme and Meter) 2010” in St. Louis University, Baguio City on April 18, 2010.

The STS is a series of free seminar-workshops on poetry in Filipino in nine towns across nine provinces of Luzon from March to December 2010. Teachers of Filipino from public high schools are the intended beneficiaries. The STS is on its second year, with the first edition being held in 2008 when around 430 delegates in ten towns across Luzon attended.

This year's first beneficiary was San Fabian, Pangasinan last March 6. For STS Baguio, award-winning writer Prof. Edgar Calabia Samar of LIRA and Ateneo de Manila University will be the lecturer.

The other beneficiaries of STS 2010 are Sagada, Mountain Province; Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Lucban, Quezon; Bataan province; Naga City, Camarines Sur; San Antonio, Zambales; and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The STS 2010 is one of the fifteen projects for LIRA's year-long 25th anniversary celebrations. Founded in 1985 by the National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (alias Rio Alma), LIRA is the premier institute of poets in Filipino. In pursuance of its mission of enriching and promoting Filipino poetry, the organization holds a yearly five-month-long poetry clinic held for the most part in UP Diliman. The STS 2010 is an effort to bring part of this clinic outside of Metro Manila.

The project directors are Phillip Kimpo Jr., president of LIRA, and Beverly W. Siy, immediate former president and creator of the STS. The overall project coordinators are Mariane A.R.T. Abuan and Deborah Rosalind D. Nieto. To contact the STS team, email them at pamunuan@liraonline.org.

LANAI, FOLIO OF MIRIAM COLLEGE, LAUNCHED

Lanai, Miriam College 's literary folio was launched on April 19th at mag:net Katipunan ( Philippines ).

The featured contributors are Arleen Atienza, Tamara Subido, Sandra Laureano, Therese Patricia San Diego, Maureen Shafer, Camille Rivera, Claudine Quiba, Ricky Rizza Mendoza, Karen Ramos, Anne Tongo, and Morrie Tolibas.

The launch conincided with Happy Mondays LXXVI Poetry Night hosted by Joel Toledo which features poetry readings and other performances.

ALTERNATIVE ALAMAT CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Philippines is blessed with a multitude of mythologies and legends, yet too few of these tales are known and read today. While it is understandable that the modern reader might find it difficult to relate to ancient oral tradition, we've all seen how the gods/goddesses and heroes/heroines of other cultures have remained relevant because of writers who incorporate the old myths and legends in modern tales. (See: The Percy Jackson series, or the many re-imaginings of the King Arthur myth.) I think we need more Filipino tales in that vein–hence, our new anthology, “Alternative Alamat”.

Story Guidelines:

* The story should make use of characters, events, and/or artifacts from Philippine myths or legends

* The element taken from myth/legend must be integral to the story. Even if your protagonist owns Bantugan's sword, if he/she never uses it, then that doesn't count.

* The myth/legend from which the element is taken must be integral to the story. Even if your protagonist wields Bantugan's sword, if that history doesn't come into play (in other words, if you just treat it as a generic magic sword), then that doesn't count.

* While we're drawing from myth/legend, I want stories written with a modern sensibility. Note I don't mean the stories need to be set in modern times–what I mean is that I want stories that the modern reader can relate to and enjoy.

* Because part of the mission of this anthology is to raise the reader's awareness of our myths and legends, you need to be able to point me to your source material: the name of the myth/legend, the book/site where you found it etc. If it's simply part of the oral tradition of your area, let me know and we'll see if we can transcribe it and put it online somewhere, because it's important that readers have the opportunity to read the source material.

Length: 3,000 – 7,000 words.

Language: English.

Who May Submit: Filipino authors, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad. Age is immaterial, but if you're a minor you'll need parental consent for the contract.

Reading Period: June 1, 2010 – August 30, 2010. Plenty of time to hit the books and find that perfect, obscure myth just begging to be put back in the limelight.

Compensation: PHP600.00 + a copy of the anthology when we release the book the first time, either as an ebook or as print. If /when release it a second time (as an ebook if it was initially print, or vice versa), we'll add another PHP400.00 and a copy of the new version of the anthology.

http://www.rocketkapre.com/submissions/anthology-short-stories/alternative-alamat/

JUMPSTART YOUR FREELANCE WRITING CAREER

Passion for writing + byline = Writer's paycheck?

Is that really possible?

Yes, it's possible to earn money from writing. But can you make a living out of it? Find answers to your questions through Writer's Block Philippines, a group that aims to inspire and encourage aspiring writers to become more effective communicators.

“Jumpstart Your Freelance Writing Career” is a one-and-a-half-day workshop that will focus on developing writing techniques and sharing practical insider information to get you started with freelance writing. Not everyone can be a successful freelance writer, but you will go a step in the right direction with the tips and tricks that you will learn from the workshop.

So, mark the dates (April 24 to 25, 2010) and sign up now! Start your journey to becoming a freelance writer and monetize your passions.

For inquiries, please contact:

Mobile Number: 0908-8925510

Website: www.writersblockphilippines.com

Email: writersblock.ph@gmail.com

Twitter: writersblockph

JAPANESE GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE HUMANITIES

These scholarships are open to all Filipino citizens.

Research Scholarship in the Humanities, etc. (may lead to a Master's degree or a Ph.D.)

This scholarship covers a 1 1/2 to 2-year period of study in Japan for individuals who are interested in conducting research in a field related to what they have previously studied within the scope of humanities, natural sciences or social sciences.

Applicants must be born on or after April 2, 1976, have good academic standing and completed at least 16 years of formal education. Experience in research work is an advantage.

Application

Application forms are available at the JICC Library in Manila, the Consular Offices of Japan in Cebu City and Davao City, or may be downloaded from the Embassy Website:

(www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/culture/scholarship/index.htm). Deadline for submission of requirements is on May 28, 2010 (Friday).

The selection process is composed of several stages, i.e. document screening, written exams and interviews. Only selected applicants at each stage will be notified for further instructions.

Free scholarship consultations are also held at the library of the Embassy of Japan every Friday at 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 2:00-4:30 PM. Interested individuals are requested to bring a valid ID so they can enter the embassy premises.

http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp/culture/scholarship/index.htm

FELLOWS FOR ROGELIO SICAT WORKSHOP ANNOUNCED

The Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature (DFPL) of UP Diliman announces the names of 15 young writers accepted to the Third Palihang Rogelio Sicat (DFPP 2010 National Writers Workshop).

Writer Edgardo M. Reyes, author of Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag and Laro sa Baga, will be the guest panelist of the annual literary event named after Rogelio Sicat, the renowned fictionist in Filipino and a contemporary of Reyes.

The workshop will be held in Baler, Aurora from 28 April to May 4, 2010 in cooperation with the provincial government of Aurora headed by Governor Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo and Congressman Juan Edgardo M. Angara.

Here is the roster of fellows: For poetry- Louise Vincent B. Amante (UP Diliman; Binangonan, Rizal); Ma. Monica V. Antonio (UP Diliman; Puerto Princesa City, Palawan); Joseph Immanuel Casimiro (AdMU; Taytay, Rizal); Camille Josephine C. Cruz (UP Diliman; Makati City); Christa I. De La Cruz (DLSU Manila; Parañaque City); China Pearl Patria M. De Vera (UP Diliman; Quezon City); Alvin Ringgo C. Reyes (DLSU Manila; Quezon City); Alvin Capili Ursua (Calayan Educational; Lucena City, Quezon); Om Narayan A. Velasco (UP Diliman; Manila). For fiction - Aidel Paul G. Belamide (UP Los Baños; Silang, Cavite); Jennette T. Bongo (Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation; Lucena City, Quezon); Johannes L. Chua (DLSU Manila; Malabon, Metro Manila); Rafael Carpio Cañete (UP Diliman; Marilao, Bulacan); Christine Giselle Espino (UP Diliman; Manila); and Cara Cristina B. Red (UP Diliman; Cainta, Rizal).

The workshop faculty includes Edgardo M. Reyes, Roland B. Tolentino, Luna Sicat-Cleto, Romulo P. Baquiran, Jr., Eugene Evasco and Vladiemir Gonzales. Workshop co-directors are Jimmuel Naval and Reuel Molina Aguila.

Workshop coordinators are Erick Dasig Aguilar (0908-7491066) and Mixkaela Zosa Villalon (0918-2771553). Email: palihangrogeliosicat@yahoo.com.ph

BICOL MAIL ANNOUNCES FIRST BICOL REGIONAL SHORT STORY CONTEST

By Leonor Aureus Briscoe

To celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of distinguished Filipino American writer Bienvenido N. Santos, the Bicol Mail is sponsoring the first regionwide short story contest which starts April 15 and ends December 30, 2010.

It is open to residents age 16 and above in the six Bicol provinces.

Students enrolled in Bicol high schools, colleges, and universities, as well as non-professional Bicolano writers interested in a career in writing are encouraged to participate. There is a limit of one entry per person. Employees of the Bicol Mail and their families and relatives are not eligible to participate.

A panel of professional writers will select the first, second, and third place winners who will be awarded P10,000, P5,000, and P2,000 in the English short story division. The best short story in Bicol will be awarded P10,000 for second prize P5,000 and for third prize P2,000.

The Contest follows a tradition of discovering and recognizing writing talents among Bicolano youth which was started by Leon Sa. Aureus, founder and first publisher of the Bicol Mail. Ben Santos, who died in 1996, was the chair of the panel of judges for the first regionwide essay writing contest that the Bicol Mail sponsored.

One of the Philippines' most prolific and multi-awarded writers, Santos devoted his whole life to writing and teaching in the Philippines and the U.S. His works include five novels, five short story collections, two books of poetry, two autobiographical books, and two volumes of letters. Born in Tondo, Manila, of Pampango parents from Lubao on March 22, 1911, Santos adopted Bicol as his home when he married a Bicolana, Beatriz Nidea from Camalig, Albay.

As a government pensionado of the United States during the war years, Santos studied English at the University of Illinois, Columbia and Harvard, and served with the Philippine government in exile in Washington, D.C.

Santos is well known for his stories about the “pain of homelessness” of Filipinos in America. He won the American Book Award in 1981 for his short story collection, Scent of Apples, published by the University of Washington Press.

His second novel, The Volcano, which deals with the American experience in the Philippines from 1928 to 1958, is set in Albay. The foothills of Mayon Volcano is the setting of many of his pre-war stories, collected in a 1985 retrospective anthology, Dwell in the Wilderness.

Santos was a Rockefeller Foundation fellow at the prestigious University of Iowa Writers Workshop where he later taught as a Fulbright Exchange professor. He has received a Guggenheim Foundation fellowship, a Philippine Republic Cultural Heritage Award in Literature, and a U.S. National Endowment for the Arts in Creative Writing award.

During his tenure as vice president and dean of the College of Liberal Arts of the University of Nueva Caceres, he was commissioned by then Mayor Vicente Sibulo to write the poem which became the lyrics for the Naga City hymn, “Heart of Bikol.”

Santos has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by his alma mater, the University of the Philippines; Wichita State University, where he was distinguished writer in residence from 1973 to 1982; Bicol University; University of Nueva Caceres; and De La Salle University (DLSU).

After his wife died in 1981, Santos commuted between the homes of his son Tomas, a professor in English in Greeley, Colorado, and his daughter Lourdes S. Anonas, UNC vice president, in Mabolo, Naga City. In between, when he was teaching fiction writing in Manila, he stayed with the Brothers Community at De La Salle University. His last years of teaching at DLSU endeared Santos to the community. Following his death on January 7, 1996, DLSU honored his memory and literary accomplishments with the opening of the Ben Santos Creative Writing Center (see www.dlsu.edu.ph/research/centers/bnscwc).

In March 2011, DLSU will spearhead the centennial celebration of Santos's birth with a series of literary happenings, including the publication of a book of interviews and an anthology of his pre-war stories by Anvil Publishing, Inc.

PHILIPPINE SPECULATIVE FICTION 5 BOOK LAUNCH



Philippine Speculative Fiction has become one of the country's most consistent and highly-anticipated yearly anthology series, showcasing the continuing development of the exciting field of speculative fiction writing. This fifth volume, edited by Nikki Alfar and Vincent Michael Simbulan, collects a broad spectrum of short stories that define, explore, and sometimes blur the boundaries of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and all things in between—featuring the work of both literary luminaries and very new voices, from across the archipelago and the globe. PSF 5 contains stories by:

• Angelo R. Lacuesta
• Dean Francis Alfar
• Rica Bolipata-Santos
• Paolo Gabriel V. Chikiamco
• Timothy James Dimacali
• Joseph F. Nacino
• Charles Tan
• Dominique Gerald Cimafranca
• Isabel Yap
• Christine V. Lao
• Raymond G. Falgui
• Mia Tijam
• Joseph Anthony Montecillo
• Ejay Domingo
• Apol Lejano-Massebieau
• Veronica Montes
• Alexander Osias
• Fidelis Angela C. Tan
• Andrew Drilon
• Gabriela Lee
• Aileen Familara
• Marla Cabanban
• Eliza Victoria
• Kate Aton-Osias
• Kenneth Yu

Join us at the book launch on April 24, 2010 at 3PM, U-View Theater, Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street!

On April 16 at 2pm, the NBDB Book Club will be hosting a discussion of Marites Vitug's Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court, the much-talked about book about the inner workings of the Supreme Court. Released just recently, the book aims to shed light on the country's judiciary process and probes the alleged manipulations by some members of the magistrates in the decision-making of the Supreme Court.

Joining the discussion as panelists/reactors are: Atty. Victor Avecilla, professor of Law and Mass Media at the UP College of Mass Communication ; Anvil Publishing's Karina Bolasco; and journalist/editor Pete Lacaba.

Published by Public Trust Media Group, Inc., Shadow of Doubt: Probing the Supreme Court is available at Popular Bookstore (Tomas Morato, Quezon City), La Solidaridad (Padre Faura, Manila), UP College of Law, Filipinas Heritage Library (Ayala, Makati), and the Newsbreak office – telephone (02) 920-0997.

The NBDB Book Club session will be held at the Ortigas Library, Ortigas Building , Meralco Ave. , Pasig City. For details, call 926-8238.

The National Book Development Board will be hosting an afternoon conversation on Philippine lit and publishing with Miguel Syjuco at the Filipinas Heritage Library on April 14, 2010 at 3 pm. Man Asian shortlisted novelist Jose Dalisay will join him, and so will Palanca publisher Antonio Hidalgo.

The novel, which begins as a murder mystery expands into a family saga spanning more than a century of Philippine history. Ilustrado also won Grand Prize for the Best Novel in English in the 2008 Palanca Awards. Syjuco, who is now based in Montreal , Canada will be flown in by MacMillan, the publisher of Ilustrado.

RSVP 926-8238

PHILIPPINES RIPE LITERARY MAGAZINE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Philippines Ripe Literary Magazine has set out on an undertaking to offer the most engaging reading practice for literature in the country. Featuring fresh literary pieces from Filipino writers, the magazine will be presented in a fascinating format that prides itself on revolutionary design, graphic, and shooting. The magazine will offer its community of dedicated readers the most preferred venue for Philippine writers to share their work.

It is a magazine with an audacious visualization for reading and amusement—one that holds on to its value over time and is never behind the times. Unswerving to distinction, Philippines Ripe Literary Magazine aims to refurbish itself and outline the future of reading pursuit for its readers.

Submission Guidelines

Philippines Ripe Literary Magazine publishes short fiction, poetry, essays, drama, book reviews, paintings, photographs, and digital art from a Filipino. Writers/artists at all stages of their careers are invited to apply; however, we can only publish a very small fraction of the material we receive. If you are interested in submitting your work for consideration, please refer to the guidelines below.

WHEN:

Philippines Ripe Literary Magazine is published once yearly. There is no formal reading period and work may be submitted at any time during the year.

WHERE:

Submissions should be addressed to

Roger B Rueda

The Castle

192 Bonifacio Drive

5000 Iloilo City

Please note that we accept e-mail submissions only from overseas contributors. If you live outside the Philippines, you may send your submission via e-mail. Please include your full name and mailing address in the email and attach your submission as a Microsoft Word document or a PDF.

HOW:

For submissions by mail, please include a cover letter citing recent publications, relevant degrees and awards, and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Manuscripts must be paginated and clearly labeled with the author's name on every page. Please limit your submission to no more than five poems, two short plays, or 7,000 words of prose, and do not submit more than twice in one year. If you would like us to consider work in more than one genre, please send each piece in a separate envelope with a separate cover letter.

Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, so long as we are notified of the work's acceptance elsewhere. Do not send the only copy of your work, as we do not accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. We try to respond within six months.

BOOK REVIEWS:

Please note that we do not accept unsolicited book reviews. If you are interested in reviewing for Philippines Ripe Literary Magazine, please write to the editor, enclosing two or more recent clips.

Roger B Rueda's Editorial Philosophy: I am excited most by poems that defamiliarize the well-known, poems that are taut and elegant in their unfolding, yet not overwrought or overtly inventive. A plain style can be as compelling as one that reaches for transcendent utterance, while poems that delve into underexplored areas or risk saying the unsayable also capture my attention. I like poems that exhibit rich moments of figuration, poems that are conscious of rhythm and meaning, and poems that make claims on our lives or enact historical, social, literary, and spiritual awareness, while remaining grounded in the multiple facets of our lives. For fiction: What am I looking for? The threshold for me is pretty basic: does this story make me want to keep reading it? Beyond that it's really case by case. In general, I'll go for something raw and strong over something polished and less strong, something strange over something familiar.

ILOCANO WRITERS ORGANIZATION CELEBRATES ILUKO LITERATURE MONTH

GUMIL Filipinas, the premier association of Ilocano writers in the country and overseas, will celebrate Iluko Literature Month during its 42nd annual convention, April 9-11 at Pangil Beach Resort, Currimao, Ilocos Norte.

It may be recalled that in 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed Presidential Decree No. 26 “declaring April 2001 and every year thereafter as Iluko literature month.” The choice of April was largely due to the fact the GUMIL always holds its convention during this month.

This year's three-day convention will feature literary seminars and plenary sessions, book launchings, cultural presentations, awarding of the winners in the different literary competitions, as well as the search for Mrs. GUMIL Filipinas.

Award-winning poet and novelist, Professor Domingo Landicho, professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines-Diliman, will grace this year's convention as keynote speaker. He will talk about national literature to an expected audience of 200 composed mainly of Ilocano writers from the different chapters of the association, as well as cultural workers, educators and students.

Also to be discussed during the seminar proper by award-winning Ilocano writers include multi-lingual education and the Ilocano writer, scriptwriting for film, performance poetry, short story writing, novel writing, comics, editing, and literary criticism.

Ten books will be launched on the second day of the convention, including two by GUMIL Filipinas (short story anthology and poetry anthology). Also scheduled to be launched are “Banyuhay ni Lam-ang” an epic written by Prof. Landicho and “Adda iti Puso ti America,” Carlos Bulosan's famous novel, “America is in the Heart” translated to Ilocano by Manuel S. Diaz. The six other books to be launched are either by a GF chapter or by a GUMIL member author.

Also on the second night of the convention, the association will bestow its highest honors to two outstanding Ilocano writers: Marlene J. Tolentino and Arnold Baxa. Tolentino, a novelist, essayist and fictionist and current adviser of GUMIL Ilocos Norte will be presented with the Leona Florentino award, the highest award given by GF to a female Ilocano writer. Baxa, on the other hand, will be presented with the Pedro Bucaneg award, the highest recognition the association gives to a male Ilocano writer. Presently the president of GUMIL Maui, Baxa, is a fictionist, essayist, and poet.

Also highlight of the convention is the awarding of the winners of the various literary competitions held in cooperation with GUMIL Filipinas. Winners of the 1st Fele Mann Iluko Novelette Writing Contest are Danilo B. Antalan, first prize, with his novelette, “Sarsuela” (Zarzuela); Reynaldo A. Duque, second prize, with his novelette, “Arakup Dagiti Agpatnag” (Overnight Embrace) and Estella B. Guerrero, “Balangkantis a Namnama” (False Hope).

Winners of the 2010 Honor Blanco Cabie Premio iti Naisurat iti Literatura Ilokana (Cabie PINILI), are Sherma E. Benosa, first prize, with her short story, “Ti Burrarawit ni Raya” (Raya's Wand); Arnold P. Jose, second prize, with his story, “Da Tiktikrubong ken Palal, ken ni Angkel Miks" (Tiktikrubong, Panal and Uncle Miks); and Jovito F. Amorin, third prize, with his story, “Ti Budobudo” (The Caterpillar).

Winners of the Savella-Baclig Literary (SABALI) Awards are Jobert Pacnis ti Ballesteros, first prize, with his story “Maestro Teody” (Teacher Teody); Jovito F. Amorin, second prize, with his story, “Ti Lalaki a Pakaikamangak” (My Future Father-in-Law); and Virgilio D. Domaloy, third prize, with his story, “Dagiti Kumpet iti Tadem” (The Desperate Ones). Sponsors of the SABALI literary awards are Judge and Mrs. Vivencio Baclig.

Winners of the 12th Abuan-Valdez Awards for Iluko Literature are: Derick Marcel F. Yabes, first prize, with his poem “Segga” (Longing); Raquelito B. Cenal, second prize, with his poem, “Linnaaw kadagiti Dawa Naikur-it a Letra” (Dewdrop on the Grains Written Words); Virgilio S. Naungayan, third prize, with his poem, “Adal” (Education); Ma. Rosa Cabie, fourth, with her poem, “Isakaddaka Ingga't Inggana;” Efren A. Inocencio, fifth prize, with his poem also titled ”Adal;” and Delfin P. Dumayas, sixth prize, with his poem, “Utek Dagiti Henio” (The Mind of the Geniuses).

Winners of the 12th AMMA Foundation Literary Awards are Mark Anthony T. Ganotice first prize, with his short story, “Anak ti Gatel” (Child of a Whore); Salustiano A. Digaoan, second, with his story, “Batibat” (Nightmare); and Avelino B. Felicitas, Jr., third, with his story, “Zita F. Imperial, CNA.”

Finally, winners of the Reynald F. Antonio Literary Awards (RFAAFIL) poetry division are the authors of the following poems: “Rissik ti Panunot, Kannawidan Rumasuk” (first prize); “Umok ti Ragsak” (Nest of Joy), second prize; “Saringit ti Pamilia: Anus a Naullo iti Panawen ti Rigat” (third prize); “Daytoy ti Gapuna No Apay a Subliananka,” (Why I Came Back), fourth prize, and “Organiko” (Organic), fifth prize.

In the short story division, only one author will be given an award: Virgilio S. Naungayan (special prize) with his story, “Ti Naisar-ong a Lungon.”

NATIONAL ARTISTS ALMARIO, LUMBERA LEAD GOOD FRIDAY RALLY FOR ARTS AND CULTURE

MANILA, Philippines—Writers and artists led by the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) and the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) gathered at the Plaza Francisco Balagtas in the Pandacan district of Manila on Good Friday, mounting a symbolic “clean-up” for Philippine arts and culture exactly on the 222nd birth anniversary of the country's premier poet.

Dubbed “Mag-alis ng Dungis ng Bayan: Penitensiya para sa Dangal ng Bayan” (Clean the Dirt of the Nation: Penitence for National Dignity), the program included some poetry performances not only remembering the King of Tagalog Poets and author of the canonical work “Florante at Laura,” but also calling for renewed state support for the arts.

Armed with brooms, dust pans, and rags, the group convened by National Artist for Literature and former University of the Philippines Diliman College of Arts and Letters Dean Virgilio S. Almario, also known as the poet Rio Alma, also bared a cultural agenda which includes, among others, measures to improve the state of cultural industries and the creation of a separate Department of Culture.

“It is necessary to formulate a national policy that fully recognizes and gives due importance to culture as the core and foundation of government political and economic policy, said Almario, in a statement he read on stage with Manila Historical and Heritage Committee Vice Chair Gemma Cruz Araneta.

The seven-point agenda prepared for people running for office in the coming May 10 polls proposes, among others: (1) “The formation of a separate and full-fledged Department of Culture to oversee and manage the present cultural agencies of the government”; (2) “The establishment of a National Institute for the Creative Industries at the University of the Philippines to undertake cultural research, train cultural workers, and design a national plan for genuine cultural education”; (3) “Support for the potential of culture and creative work in economic production”; (4) “Promotion and empowerment of Filipino as the National Language”; (5) “Financing undertakings for the protection and upkeep of the nation's natural and cultural heritage”; (6) “Designation of an official Cultural Coordinator in every municipality, city, and province”; and (7) the training of teachers, “for them to become active representatives of effective cultural education.”

“Everything must emanate from culture,” Almario explained in an earlier interview. “It must be the center of all things. This is not only my belief, but this idea is being implemented in Japan, Korea and China. That is why these countries never go wrong in their policies all because culture is where their policies are anchored. Why? Because culture means country.”

Joining Almario and Araneta as lead signatories of the cultural agenda were Bienvenido Lumbera and Benedicto Cabrera, National Artists for Literature and Visual Arts, respectively; critic Isagani R. Cruz, representing Wika ng Kultura at Agham (WIKA), University of the Philippines Diliman Deans Zosimo Lee (Social Science and Philosophy), Danilo Silvestre (Architecture) , and Rolando Tolentino (Mass Communication) ; poet Romulo Baquiran Jr., chair of the Filipinas Institute of Translation; poet Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera Jr., UMPIL chair; poet Phillip Kimpo Jr., LIRA president; and singer and songwriter Gary Granada.

After the clean-up, Lumbera and Liberal Party Senatorial Candidate Sonia Roco led the offering of flowers at the Balagtas monument, while the participants sang the nationalistic classic “Bayan Ko.” The attendees carried placards and streamers that echoed the cultural agenda, as well as commentary on the recent Presidential “midnight appointments” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and last year's National Artist Awards controversy.

The event organizer, LIRA is the premier organization of poets in Filipino celebrating its 25th anniversary this 2010, while UMPIL is the largest organization of writers in the country.

60th Palanca Awards Now Accepting Entries

The Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards) continues to live up to its reputation as the country's most prestigious and longest-running literary contest as it officially opens its 60 th year.

This year, the Carlos Palanca Foundation looks forward to more brilliant works to add to its trove of 1,954 winning literary gems it has gathered since it first handed out an award in 1951.

The regular categories under which participants can submit their entries are: English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, One-act Play, Full-length Play; Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula; Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon and Short Story-Iluko. Each contestant may submit only one entry per category.

Much anticipated as well are entries to the competition's relatively new categories: Poetry Written for Children in the English Division and Tulang Isinulat Para sa mga Bata in the Filipino division. The categories were launched last year to encourage the development of a body of poetry for young children ages 6-12.

Meanwhile, in the Kabataan Division, Palanca Awards' special division for young writers below 18 years old, the Kabataan Essay theme in the English category is "What is it in the environment that I can protect?", and in the Filipino category, “ Ano sa kalikasan ang aking kayang pangalagaan?”.

The literary contest is open to all Filipino (or former Filipino) citizens, except current officers and employees of its organizing body, the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Contest rules and official entry forms are available at Palanca Awards' official website, www.palancaawards.com.ph .

Entries with complete requirements may be submitted to the Foundation's office at the 6 th Floor, One World Square Bldg., 10 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City or may also be entered online through the Palanca Awards website or sent through email at cpawards@palancaawards.com.ph .

Deadline of submission of entries for this year's awards is midnight of April 30, 2010. Winners will be announced on September 1, 2010.

For further information, you may call telephone number 856-0808.

ELEVEN MID-CAREER WRITERS ARE FELLOWS TO THE 49TH UP NATIONAL WRITERS WORKSHOP

Eleven Filipino writers in mid-career will arrive in Baguio City on April 4, 2010 to attend the most prestigious writers workshop in the country. The eleven are fellows to the 49 th University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop, which will be held from April 4 to 11 at AIM-Igorot Lodge in Camp John Hay, Baguio City.

The fellows for English are Marc Escalona Gaba and Mabi David for Poetry, Karl de Mesa, Timothy Montes, and Maria Leonida Fres-Felix for fiction, and April Yap and Faye Ilogon for creative nonfiction.

Fellows for Filipino are Auraeus Solito for dulang pampelikula, Kristian Cordero and Alwynn Javier for tula , and T.S. Sungkit for kuwento.

Marc Escalona Gaba has written two books, How Sound Becomes a Name (2007) and Nouveau Bored (2009), published by High Chair. His third book, Have , is forthcoming from Tupelo Press. Mabi David is the author of Unto Thee (2005) and You are Here (2009), published by High Chair and co-author of Portraits of a Tangled Relationship: The Philippines and the United States (2008) published by Ars Mundi Philippinae.

Karl de Mesa is the author of Damaged People—Tales of the Gothic Punk (2006) published by UP Press and the forthcoming News of the Shaman from Visprint Enterprises. Timothy Montes is the author of The Black Men and Other Stories (1994) published by Anvil Publishing, Inc. He has won the Palanca, Free Press, Graphic, and NCCA Writers Prize. Maria Leonida Fres-Felix is the author of two books, Sup? (2000) published by Adarna and Making Straight Circles (2004) published by UP Press. She has won the Pilar Perez Medallion for teen writing among other literary prizes.

April Yap is the author of two books, Stressed in the City (2005) and Omigosh, The Unbearable Lightness of being Burgis (2007) published by Milflores. Faye Ilogon has won a Palanca Award in 2000 and is the author of 12 Steps to Quitting AJ (2009) published by Summit Books.

Auraeus Solito's works in film, video, and television have won recognition and prizes from Berlin International Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Rotterdam Film Fedstival, Independent Spirit Awards, Las Palmas International Film Festival, CineManila, Cinemalaya, Golden Screen Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards among others.

Kristian Cordero has won numerous literary awards including the NCCA Writers Prize, several Palancas, Premyo Tomas Arejola, and the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award. His books are Mga Tulang Tulala: Piling Tula sa Filipino, Bikol, at Riconada (2004), Santigwar: Mga Rawitdawit sa Bikol asin Filipino (2006), and Pusuanon: Mga Bersong Bikol (2007), all published by Gold Print Publishing. Pusuanon has a second edition published by Ateneo de Manila University Press in 2009. Alwynn Javier has won numerous literary recognitions including three Palancas.

T.S. Sungkit won the NCCA Writers Prize in 2007. His first book, Batbat hi udan (2009), a novel, was published by Central Book Supply.

The eleven will participate in workshops and discussions with a panel composed of advisers, fellows, and associates of the Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing. This year's panelists are National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, Gemino Abad, Romulo Baquiran Jr., Conchitina Cruz, Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., J. Neil Garcia, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Mario Miclat, Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera Jr., Charlson Ong, Jun Cruz Reyes, and Rolando Tolentino, who is also this year's workshop director.

The workshop is organized by the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing with funding from the Office of the UP Diliman Chancellor and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and support from the UP Baguio College of Arts and Communication, Baguio Writers Group, Café by the Ruins, National Artist for the Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, the BenCab Museum, Cong. Eric Singson, Filling Station, and Kidlat Tahimik and the Deguia family.

For more details on the workshop and the participating writers, visit the workshop blog. The workshop blog will provide a detailed chronicle of the workshop proceedings and side activities, complete with live blogs, press releases, pictures, and an application that allows blog-readers to have their questions answered by the workshop participants.

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