October 31, 2006

Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award 2006 names finalists
by Vic Nierva

Two fiction books and three poetry collections were named finalists of the annual Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award (MGBFBA), the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW) and the Madrigal-Gonzalez family announced on Thursday, October 19.

Included in the shortlist are fiction books Iskrapuk (UP Press) by Allan Derain and Pangangaluluwa at Iba Pang Kuwento (UP Press) by Jimmuel C. Naval; and poetry collections Mga Tulang Tulala: Mga Piling Tula sa Filipino, Bikol at Rinconada (Goldprint Publishing House) by Kristian Sendon Cordero; Order of the Poets: Poems in English and Filipino (Akdang Bayan) by Jaime Dasca Doble; Ibang Daan Pauwi: Mga Tula (University of Santo Tomas Publishing House) by Manolito Sulit.

The winner will be announced on December 8, 2006, after a book forum with the finalists at 2 p.m. Both will be held at the Pulungang Recto, Bulwagang Rizal, UP Diliman, Quezon City.
The winner will receive a cash prize of P50,000.

The Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award, established in February 2001 and administered since then by the UP ICW, is the only award-winning body in the Philippines that recognizes first books by new authors published within the last two years. It is sponsored by the Madrigal and Gonzalez families, through Atty. Gizela Gonzalez Montinola, writer and granddaughter of Bienvenido Gonzalez, former UP President, and daughter of Gonzalo Gonzalez, former member of the UP Board of Regents.

According to UP ICW director Vim Nadera, the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award encourages beginning writers to persevere in writing and publishing, and it also encourages publishers to take risk with new authors.

The award covers all genres of creative writing and nominations may come from publishing houses, university presses, creative writing centers, writers’ organizations, and other literary enthusiasts. It is given on alternate years to writers in English and writers in Filipino.

Previous winners were Life After X, a story collection in English by Angelo R. Lacuesta (2001), Paghuhunos, novel in Filipino by Ellen L. Sicat (2002), Smaller and Smaller Circles, a novel in English by Felisa H. Batacan (2003), Makinilyang Altar, a novel in Filipino by Luna Sicat-Cleto (2004), and The Sky Over Dimas a novel in English by Vicente Groyon (2005).

This year’s members of the board of judges are Malou Jacob, Luna Sicat-Cleto and Rene O. Villanueva.

October 31, 2006

Dulaang UP presents Hamlet Redux

For its 31st season, Dulaang UP will stage Hamlet Redux, a translation of one of Shakespeare’s Hamlet by National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio. Tony Mabesa directs.

Rolando S. Tinio was a playwright, actor, poet, translator, teacher, and critic. His book Kristal na Uniberso won the National Book Award. Among his many works for the theater are Larawan, the musical, Ang Mestisa, Ako, Ang Kiri, Ana Maria and the komedya Orosman at Zafira. He was known for translating Western classics, which includes the works of Shakespeare, Ibsen, Sophocles, Chekhov and Puccini into Filipino. He led theater groups Ateneo Experimental Theater and Teatro Pilipino to new heights with his artistic vision and intellectual approach. He was conferred National Artist status in 1997.

The play dates are:

November 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30 - 7p.m.
November 25, 26 - 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
December 1, 6, 7, and 8 - 7 p.m.
December 2, 3, 9 and 10 - 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

October 25, 2006

ALITAPTAP Storytellers Philippines invites artists to join their poster-making contest

Our poster design competition is not a grand one as we are not a private organization. We are a volunteer group seeking help from colleagues in the field of children's literature and its allied fields. We will appreciate participating illustrators but can reward only with some cash but huge recognition the best way we can.

Guidelines:

1. You may submit as many entries as you want.
2. Poster theme should be included in the design. Theme: Nais kong pamasko, laruan, libro at mga kwento niyo.
3. Submit artwork – layout must be digital, layered, photoshop, corel, freehand, illustrator. 300dpi resolution, size must be 18x24 inches.
4. Contents of the poster is attached. If you received this through a forwarded message, you may ask for info from alitaptap_storytellers@yahoo.com.
5. Actual poster size is 18 x 24 so the texts in the poster may be adjusted to make them proportionate to the poster size.
6. Included in the design are: graphics, Child opening gifts of toys and books, child paused to read one with a smile, etc.
7. Important details in the poster are: sponsors, theme, title, dates, two categories of the contest.
8. Deadline of submission is on October 26, 2006.

CD copy of design must be submitted to:

Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines
c/o Mr. Manolo Silayan
unit 2-C RPM Bldg., cor. Sikap St .,
Boni Ave., Mandaluyong

Or email to: alitaptap_storytellers@yahoo.com

From the entries, we will select only 1 design to be used. The rest will be kept for future use in the next two years. Should any design be used, designer will be notified and given the same reward.

All entries will be displayed in our website's photo gallery.

The winner will receive P2,000 upon announcement. And an additional P1,000 after the completion of the printing of the poster. The winner is expected to make all necessary changes, revisions, etc. for the production of the poster.

October 25, 2006

Notice to Philippine Center of International PEN Members

The contact data of PHILIPPINE CENTER OF INTERNATIONAL PEN are as follows: 531 Padre Faura Street, Ermita, Manila; tel: 523-0870, fax: 525-5038, email: philippinepen@yahoo.com

October 20, 2006

3rd Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop accepts entries

The Tiburcio Tancinco Memorial Institute of Science and Technology (TTMIST) in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the UP Tacloban VISWRITE and the City Government of Calbayog, through the Office of Hon. Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento is proud to present the 3rd Lamiraw Creative Writing Workshop.

It will be on November 8-10, 2006 at the TTMIST-AVR, Calbayog City, Samar. Deadline for the submission of entries is on October 21, 2006. Entries must be addressed to the TTMIST SARS Office or at lamiraw@yahoo.com.

School publication writers and young local writers are its prospective clientele. This Samar-wide Workshop aims to revive the rich cultural heritage of the Waray people through the different literary genres. It also aims to promote more awareness and understanding of contemporary literature in Waray, Cebuano, Hinabaknon, and English.
The panelists and speakers of said workshop are: Prof. Merlie Alunan and Dr. Victor Sugbo from UP Tacloban; Dr. David Genotiva from EVSSU; Mr. Michael Obenieta, editor of Sun Star Cebu; Mr. Ernesto Lariosa, Cebuano writer; and Mr. Dante Rosales, writer and layout artist.

Submit your sample works now! Hurry! There are only 20 slots available for workshop fellows and ten slots for workshop auditors. For inquiries, call telephone number 209-3657 or email us at lamiraw@yahoo.com.

October 16, 2006

Literatour slated

After the successes of the revamped UP National Writers Workshop and the panitikan.com.ph, the UP Institute of Creative Writing has slated “Literatour: Pagtuturo ng Kontemporanyong Dula.” Set for 24 November 2006 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., it will be held at the Claro M. Recto Hall, Bulwagang Rizal, UP Diliman.

This groundbreaking seminar will equip literature teachers and drama enthusiasts with the necessary tools to teach drama to high school students. Literatour is in line with the UP ICW’s many projects that spread literature throughout the country.

The seminar will have National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera as keynote speaker. Drama veterans Rene O. Villanueva and Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio will deliver their lectures in the afternoon session. Excerpts from the plays of Villanueva and Bonifacio Ilagan will also be performed.

The launch of the Likhaan Book of Drama, co-edited by Villanueva and ICW director Vim Nadera, will be held right after the seminar.

The seminar fee of P1,000 already includes a reading kit, lunch and one copy of Likhaan Book of Drama. For more details and registration, please e-mail literatour.icw@gmail.com or call 922-1830. Look for Eva or Vic.

October 16, 2006

UST-CCWS to hold creative writing seminar-workshop

The University of Santo Tomas Center for Creative Writing and Studies (UST-CCWS) is holding a seminar-workshop on creative writing for the faculty members of UST. Participating colleges are the Faculty of Arts and Letters, Education, Engineering, Commerce, College of Fine Arts & Design, Architecture and Pharmacy.

The two-day activity will be held from Oct. 19 to 20 at the workshop rooms of the UST-CCWS. The lecturers are UST-CCWS director Dr. Ophelia Dimalanta, senior associate Dr. Cirilo Bautista, and Michael Coroza.

The objective of the activity is not really to teach creative writing as a profession, considering that the participants belong to different disciplines and field of expertise, but simply to bring creative writing to their awareness as a possible tool and aid in their academic experience.

For information about UST-CCWS events, call Ana Nicolas at 405-1611 local 8281 or e-mail ccws@mnl.ust.edu.ph.

October 16, 2006

Kapampangan poetry book launch a success

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Kapampangan poetry book Ing Bie Kung Delanan, Ing Bie Kung Balikan, launched recently at the University of the Assumption, was touted by Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS) administrators as "one of the best and nicest Pampanga had ever had."

CKS director Robby Tantingco described the launching as "tender, intimate, with the right blend of scholarliness."

The book launch, emceed by Erlinda Cruz, was attended by guests which included family, friends, and luminaries like Representative Reynaldo Aquino, former board member Rosve Henson, retired education official Ely Manaloto, HAU administrator PJ Nepomuceno, Agtaca poets with their president Geronimo del Rosario and secretary Felix Garcia, as well as members of the Aguman Buklud Kapampangan (ABK).

Also present were Fer Caylao (representing San Fernando City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez) and Councilor Roque Paule (attending for Lubao Mayor Dennis Pineda).

The book's author, Dr. Tec Sanchez-Tolosa, is a practicing dermatologist and the eldest child of the late former San Fernando mayor Virgilio Lazatin-Sanchez who passed away at the time of book printing, exactly four weeks before the launch.

Describing why she decided to push through, the author said that "to truly honor the man we loved and lost, we must emulate his zest and zeal for celebrating life at its fullest and most meaningful."

In another part of her talk, she called on all Kapampangan parents ("to instill in our children their heritage") and children ("to never forget who you are"), Kapampangan writers and artists ("to keep going and to pass the torch") and to society leaders ("to infuse literary and cultural endeavors with political support and will").

Nenita Sanchez, the author's mother, spoke briefly on her daughter's accomplishments and thanked the guests who graced the event.
One highlight of the program was the talk of designated book reviewer Lord Francis Musni, consultant/archivist of the CKS. He called Tec's opus as a "welcome impetus to the dying local literature" that makes use of the "K" orthography to make reading easy for the young.
He stated that the book "bridges the gap between the golden era and the information age," as Tec attempts to break new ground and takes poesia to a new dimension. He noted the poem "Para King Bespren Ku," a trilingual piece that boldly experiments with language. He also added that "gender-sensitive issues which early Kapampangan writers failed to address are carried out in the open."

He called the collection of 30 contemporary Kapampangan poems as "an experience so comprehensive" and the author "indeed an effective agent of aesthetics: within, as a poet; and without, as a doctor."

The book, which includes the poems "Parul Kang Makasindi, Crissot, Nanu Na?, Ing Dalan Cabalantian, Nung Akalingwan Mu Na, Ing Ima and Kang D" is available at the Center for Kapampangan Studies (Angeles) and at the St. Ferdinand Bldg. (San Fernando).

From Sunstar Pampanga. 11 October 2006

October 11, 2006

New Anthology Spells New Life for Philippine Drama

Who goes to see plays in the Philippines? Not very many, and multi-awarded playwright Rene Villanueva is the first to confirm the less-than-ideal state of Philippine Drama in his introduction to the University of the Philippines Press' latest release, Ang Aklat Likhaan ng Dula 1997-2003: Kapangahasan Bilang Kaligtasan. Which perhaps makes the publication of this anthology of new plays both a daring and necessary act of faith— an attempt to revive what used to be one of our country's most popular and valuable art forms.

Daring, after all, as the anthology's title announces, is what Villanueva believes to be the virtue that will save drama from obscurity in these shores. And this book has daring in abundance. Edited by Villanueva and Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera, the collection showcases material that transcends boundaries of genre, accommodating works originally written for radio and film, as well translations, adaptations, even scripts for performance art. Gathered here are the voices of both established and beginning playwrights—Teo Antonio, Nicolas Pichay, Chris Martinez, Jun Lana, Allan Lopez, among many others—their works an embodiment of the vitality that should infuse new life into Philippine Drama in the years to come.

Rene Villanueva has written fifty plays in his career and is a Palanca Hall of Famer. He was executive producer of the well-loved children's show Batibot, as well as creative director of the Philippine Children's Television Foundation. He teaches at the University of the Philippines' Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature