May 26, 2008

Adarna Book Sale and Upcoming Events

Back-to-School SALE at the Showroom

Spend a little, learn a lot, and have fun buying books at our showroom from May 15 to June 15. We'll be offering 50% to 70% discount on selected copies. Each day, one featured item has a very special rate!

The Adarna House Showroom is open Mondays to Saturdays from 8am to 5pm, and is located at 2/F FSS Bldg., 20 Scout Tuason cor. Scout Castor Sts., Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City

Storytelling sessions for June

For the month of June, watch our stories come alive! Catch the storytelling sessions of Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Read-Along on the second and fourth Saturday of the month of June. Call PDI Read-Along at 897-8808 local 329. We will also be having a storytelling session at Hooked on Books on June 28, in partnership with Purefoods Hotdogs. Hooked on Books is located at 138 Ching Santos Building, Katipunan Ave, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. You may reach Hooked on Books at 911-2149.

We’re going places!

Our showroom is not the only place where you can find Adarna House books at a discount. Head over to one of our sales booths this month: May 22 to 24 at Mission Ministries in Starmall, May 24 at the University of Asia and the Pacific, and May 30 to 31 at the Philippine Daily Inquirer Office in Makati. Call Genesis at 3723548 local 101 for details.

Free field trip to the MIBF

This year, we’re giving three (3) schools free field trips to the Manila International Book Fair! The MIBF field trip will include storytelling sessions, book-signing with an author and an illustrator, free entrance to the Fair, and partial transportation. The MIBF will be held at the SMX Convention Center (beside Mall of Asia).

Those interested may choose from a morning or afternoon slot on the days of September 12, 15, and 16. Contact Genesis now and ask about our Katuwang program! 372-3548 local 101 / genesis@adarna.com.ph / 0917-3722639

Tag: EVENTS

May 26, 2008

5 play set for PETA's 41st Season

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) presents 5 exciting new plays in its 41st Theater Season.

Opening the season in July, Soxie Topacio directs Nic Tiongson’s NOLI AT FILI DEKADA 2000 (DOS MIL). The play is set in a small town in the Quezon province where the small town politics and social mores become the backdrop of Rizal’s novels. Performances are slated for July 18 to August 24, 2008, Fridays to Sundays at 10am and 3pm.

TOSCA (August 29 and 30, at 2:30pm and 7:30pm) is an adaptation of Puccini’s classic opera piece. PETA sets its interpretation during the Japanese occupation and Tosca becomes the battle ground of Japanese Imperialism, patriotic love and selfish greed.

Christine Bellen’s MGA KUWENTO NI LOLA BASYANG and BATANG RIZAL are back to back presentations of the Children’s Theater productions for September to October. Lola Basyang features three of Severino Reyes’ folktales: Ang Prinsipeng Mahaba ang Ilong, Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Mahal na Hari and Ang Prinsipeng Duwag, tackling the mythical journeys into self discovery and value formation. Batang Rizal revisits the notions of heroism and love of country from the point of view of a child. Shows will be on September 19 to October 12, 2008, Fridays to Sundays at 10am and 3pm.

SAAN BA TAYO IHAHATID NG DISYEMBRE? is the featured play from November 14 to December 7, with Friday performances at 2:30pm and 7:30pm, and Saturday and Sunday performances at 10am and 3pm. The third of Tony Perez’s trilogy on friendship love and compassion, the play, directed by Nonon Padilla is about the unbreakable love and bonding between best friends and among family members, despite complications of betrayal, jealousy and anger.

The season ends with ADAPTING THE EUROPEAN MASTERS in a pseudo festival that will showcase an end to a ten month project that will take at least forty of our artist be they writers, directors and actors into the study of European playwrights. Shows from February 6 to March 15, 2009, on Fridays at 2:30pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 10am and 3pm.

Season subscription is available for only PhP1,000.00. Each subscriber will be entitled to one (1) entry pass to all productions at the Theater Center plus privileges including discounts for up to two (2) companions, regular mail or e-mail updates on the latest happenings in PETA, a subscriber ID and acknowledgment in the souvenir program of all productions.

For more details, contact the PETA Marketing and Public Relations office at The PETA Theater Center, 5 Eymard Drive , New Manila, QC with telephone numbers 4100821 or 7256244, or email petampro@yahoo.com. Schedules may change without prior notice.

Tag: EVENTS

May 18, 2008

Eros Atalia to attend book signing

VPE Publishing will host a book signing for author Eros Atalia. This will be on May 24, 3 to 6p.m. at the Cubao Shoe Expo in Quezon City, near Puregold Supermarket and SM Cubao.

The event is open to the public. For more details, you may contact 0922-8771975.

Eros Atalia is a faculty member at the UST. His book, Taguan-Pung at Manwal ng mga Napapagal, a collection of flash fiction, was published by the UST Publishing House in 2006.

Tag: EVENTS

April 19, 2008

NDBD hosts Villafania lecture

The National Book Development Board, Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo and the Ortigas Foundation Library will host a lecture by Santiago B. Villafania. This will be at the Ortigas Fopundation Library, 2/f Ortigas Building, Ortigas corner Meralco Avenues, Pasig City on April 26 at 10 a.m.

Dr. Crisanta Nelmida-Flores of the University of the Philippines will be the guest speaker.

Villafania is the author of Malagilion Sonnets tan villanelles.

Tag: EVENTS

April 2, 2008

UP writers to hold forum in UP Baguio

by Arvin Abejo Mangohig

A stellar list of panelists will be in UP Baguio on April 11, 2008 to discuss New Trends in Philippine Writing. They are Virgilio Almario, Jun Cruz Reyes, Vim Nadera and Charlson Ong. They will be at the UP Baguio AVR from 2 to 5 p.m.

The UP Institute of Creative Writing Associates will be in town for the 47th UP National Writers Workshop to be held at the Igorot Lodge in Camp John Hay, Baguio City from April 6 to 13, 2008.

The fellows are: (Fiction in English) Tara Sering, Luis Katigbak, Ian Casocot; (Poetry in English) Ana Maria Katigbak; Vincenz Serrano; (Creative Non-Fiction in English) Rica Bolipata Santos; (Drama in Filipino) Nicolas Pichay, Rodolfo Lana Jr.; (Poetry in Filipino) Roberto Añonuevo, Frank Cimatu; (Fiction in Filipino) Abdon Balde Jr., Allan Derain.

In keeping with how the UP ICW has been at the forefront of writing, it has reformatted the workshop and raised the bar for other workshops to emulate. Fellows are now in mid-career, having published books and won major national awards. They present works-in-progress to their peers and the ICW associates.

The forum on Philippine writing will be held just before the workshop ends on the 13th. As any workshop fellow would know, writers interacting with each other create literal bursts of energy, very much like stars working off and against each other. The panelists will shed their light on new writing in the country, an event that their fans and students should not miss.

For more details on the forum you may contact the UP ICW at 922-1830 or call/SMS Ms. Eva Cadiz at 0927-924-5242.

Tag: EVENTS

March 13, 2008

Palm Sunday puppet show

Watch Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio’s Papet Pasyon, the Philippines’ 1st and only children’s senakulo in puppetry, for free. This will be on March 16, 2008, Palm Sunday, 3:00 & 5:30 pm at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo, 64 Mapagkawanggawa St., Teachers Village, Quezon City.

Landmarks are Holy Family School and Aqua Gel Water Station (along Maginhawa St.) and fronting Talleres de Nazaret (on Mapagkawanggawa St.).

For details call 921.9773, 929.0895 or 918.903.2040

Tag: EVENTS

March 11, 2008

LIRA Lecture: Kababaihang Makata

Bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Kababaihan, inihahandog ng Linangan sa Imahen Retorika at Anyo (LIRA) ang isang panayam ukol sa Panulaan ng mga Kababaihang Makata. Ang panayam ay gaganapin sa Marso 16, 2008, Linggo, 9:30 ng umaga sa Room 201 ng College of Arts and Letters (CAL) Building sa University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City.

Ang pangunahing tagapagsalita ay si Bb. Nikka Osorio, isang kasapi ng LIRA. Nagtapos siya ng AB Literature sa De La Salle University at kasalukuyang kumukuha ng MA Filipino sa Ateneo de Manila University.

Ang panayam ay libre at bukas sa publiko. Kung may katanungan ukol dito, makipag-ugnayan kay G. En Villasis sa cell no.: 0922-4596365.

Isa lamang ang panayam na ito sa mga serye ng mga gawaing handog ng LIRA bilang ambag sa lalo pang pagpapaunlad ng panulaan at panitikang Filipino.

Tag: EVENTS

February 29, 2008

UP Press Bookstore Diliman’s 5th Anniversary Sale

The University of the Philippines Press (UPP) Bookstore in UP Diliman is turning five years old this March. And we are sharing our joy with loyal patrons by holding a month-long sale. Visitors to UPP Bookstore - Diliman will enjoy discounts of up to 80% on UPP titles (even our latest titles will be sold at a 20% discount) and 5% on non-UPP titles. Similar sales will also be held in other UPP Bookstore branches in Baguio, Cebu, and Davao.

UPP Bookstore - Diliman is at the ground floor of Balay Kalinaw, Guerrero corner Dagohoy Streets, UP Diliman, Quezon City. Store hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays. A lunch break from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. is observed. For inquiries, call (02) 920-2313.

UPP Bookstore’s regional branches, operating hours, and contact details are as follows.

UPP Bookstore - Baguio
2/F Isabelo de los Reyes building, UP Baguio, Baguio City
Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 12:00 a.m., 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
(074) 442-5703

UPP Bookstore - Cebu
1/F Arts and Sciences Building, UP Cebu College, Lahug, Cebu City
Tuesday and Friday, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.
(032) 233-9034

UPP Bookstore - Davao
2/F Terraza Milesa Building, Anda corner Rizal Streets, Davao City
(082) 222-2223
Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 - 12:00 a.m., 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Tag: EVENTS

February 26, 2008

NBDB Book Club to discuss sudden fiction anthologies

The NBDB Book Club will be reading two volumes of the country’s best collection of sudden fiction stories.

Written by the finest writers of this generation, Mga Kuwentong Paspasan and Very Short Stories for Harried Readers (both volumes published by Milflores Publishing) contain 30 stories in Filipino and 41 short stories in English. Both volumes are edited by Vicente Garcia Groyon.

The book club meeting will be held on March 15,Saturday, 10 a.m. at the Ortigas Foundation Library. Award-winning writer Tara FT Sering will moderate the discussion.

Mga Kuwentong Paspasan and Very Short Stories for Harried Readers are available at National Bookstore branches for P290 each.

For more details about the NBDB Book Club, please call 926-8238 or 631-1231 local 222 and 228.

Everyone who has read the featured books is invited to come. Admission is free.

Tag: EVENTS

February 22, 2008

Poet Marne Kilates to discuss writing poetry

The UP Institute of Creative Writing in cooperation with Powerbooks and Read Or Die present the third series of Write Or Die: Writers Write lecture-workshops. The discussions will be held every weekend from November 2007 to February 2008 in different Powerbooks branches and will be moderated by some of the best writers in the country. The purpose of the workshops is to promote the Gawad Likhaan: The University of the Philippines Centennial Literary Prize.

The workshops has three areas: Fiction (November 2007-December 2007), Non-Fiction (January 2008), and Poetry (February 2008).

Noted Bikol poet and translator Marne Kilates will be speaking on writing poetry in English on February 23, 2008 (Saturday) in Powerbooks Greenbelt from 2PM to 4PM. The talk is free and open to the public.

Marne Kilates is a member of the Board of Directors of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) and is an Associate Fellow of the Philippine Literary Arts Council (PLAC). He has also won several Palanca Awards and the 1998 SEA (Southeast Asia) WRITE Award given by the Thai royalty. For more information please contact us at readordie.ph@gmail.com.

Tag: EVENTS

February 16, 2008

New rock musical at the CCP

EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson is a rock musical presented by Tanghalang Pilipino Cultural Center of the Philippines . The playdates will be:

Feb 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, March 01, 07, 08, 2008 8:00 PM
Feb 16, 17, 23, 24, March 01, 02, 08, 09, 2008 3:00 PM

This will be at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

This unique rock spectacle is written by Ed Maranan and directed by Chris Millado. Legendary OPM Band The Dawn will perform the music.

EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson is both eulogy and exaltation, an exhortation to never forget, a celebration of two human beings who enriched our country's history, and whose ideas and beliefs will surely stand the test of time.

Ed Maranan writes plays, poems, essays, short fiction, and children's stories. His play Ang Panahon ni Cristy was written when he was a political detainee in Camp Bagong Diwa during the martial law era. It won the Carlos Palanca first prize for full-length drama in 1978. He also wrote a 'drama historico,' Tolentino, about the life and times of the Katipunan's revolutionary playwright Aurelio Tolentino, staged at the CCP's Bulwagang Gantimpala under the direction of Tony Espejo.

His other plays include Ang Unang Pagtatanghal ng Dulaang Pugadsisiw Bilang Pagdiriwang sa Pandaigdigang Taon ng mga Bata, Ang Alamat ng May-I and Ang Tagapagligtas among many others. His play EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson, was commissioned by Tanghalang Pilipino, Cultural Center of the Philippines .

Tag: EVENTS

February 6, 2008

The NBDB Book Club reads The Kite of Stars

The NBDB Book Club invites you to its first book club meeting for the year on
February 15, 2pm here at our new office at the 2nd floor of the NPO Bldg., EDSA
cor. NIA Northside Road in Diliman. Kicking off our 2008 list of must-reads is Dean Francis Alfar's highly-praised debut collection The Kite of Stars and Other Stories published by Anvil.

The Kite of Stars is a wondrous collection of 16 stories of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and things in between from the same author who brought us the award-winning novel Salamanca.

Dr. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo says of Alfar, "Surely one of the most unusual
writers to burst on the literary scene in the last decade or so is Dean Francis
Alfar, who may have introduced the term 'speculative fiction' to Filipinos. This
first collection of short stories is so obviously from the same hand that
wrought the funny, magical Salamanca, the hand of a warlock dreaming dreams of
unnamed stars. Readers would do well to step into the dreams."

Mr. Dean Alfar himself will be coming over to join our discussion. The book club will be moderated by another award-winning writer Tara FT Sering.

The Kite of Stars and Other Stories is available at all Powerbooks and
National Bookstore branches for P280.

To confirm your attendance, pls. call the NBDB Secretariat at 926-8238. Look for Dianne Mendoza or Grace Santos.

Tag: EVENTS

January 21, 2008

UP ICW hosts Man Asian Literary Prize executive director in lecture, discussion

The UP Institute of Creative Writing will host Peter Gordon, Executive Director of the Man Asian Literary Prize. The event will be at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, January 24 at the AV Room, 2nd floor, Rizal Hall (Faculty Center), UP Diliman. Gordon will be in the country to promote the prize among Filipino writers and to speak on “International Opportunities for Filipino Writers.”

The Man Asian—informally known as the “Asian Booker”—was established in 2006 and recognizes the best unpublished novel in English or English translation by an Asian. Dr. Jose Dalisay Jr.’s novel Soledad’s Sister made the shortlist of the inaugural prize, which drew 243 entries from all over Asia. The deadline for the 2008 Man Asian is March 31.

Gordon will speak about the prize and on literary publishing in Asia in general. The UP ICW is inviting all interested writers, translators, publishers, teachers, and students to attend the lecture-discussion, which will also feature Dr. Dalisay and fellow novelist and columnist Alfred “Krip” Yuson.

Peter Gordon is a founder and former Director of the Man Hong Kong International Literary Festival (held each March in Hong Kong), founder and editor of the Asian Review of Books, and publisher at Chameleon Press. He writes a weekly column in the Hong Kong daily The Standard and is chairman of the Russian Interest Group at the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

For more details on the Prize: http://www.manasianliteraryprize.org/. For details on the lecture, contact Eva Cadiz at 922-1830.

Tag: EVENTS

January 13, 2008

UP ICW sponsors Read or Die Workshop with Maria Isabel Garcia

The UP Institute of Creative Writing in cooperation with Powerbooks and Read Or Die present the second series of Write Or Die: Writers Write lecture-workshops. The discussions will be held every weekend from November 2007 to February 2008 in different Powerbooks branches and will be moderated by some of the best writers in the country. The purpose of the workshops is to promote the Gawad Likhaan: The University of the Philippines Centennial Literary Prize.

The workshops will have four areas: Fiction (November 2007-December 2007), Non-Fiction (January 2008), and Poetry (February 2008).

Maria Isabel Garcia, winner of the 2007 National Book Awards for Essay for her book "Science Solitaire" (Ateneo Press) and acclaimed science columnist of the Philippine Star, will kickstart the Non-Fiction series on January 12, 2008 (Saturday) in Powerbooks Greenbelt from 2PM to 4PM with a discussion on science writing. The talk is free and open to the public.

For more details please contact Read Or Die at readordie.ph@gmail.com or visit http://write-or-die.org.

Tag: EVENTS

December 14, 2007

UP Press year-end blast

The University of the Philippines Press ends the year on a high note by staging Paglulunsad 2007: Ikatlong Yugto at Pasasalamat.

Everyone is invited to this grand book launch cum cocktail party happening on December 14, 2007 at the Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman campus, Quezon City .

The event will highlight six important factors in UP Press, as follows:

• launch of the third installment of book titles for 2007
• introduction of UP Press' new Editorial Board
• announcement of the UP Centennial Books project
• the celebration of UP Press authors who won or became finalists of this year's National Book Awards by the Manila Critics Circle
• the five-year anniversary of UP Press bookstores
• launch of the new UP Press website

The event will start at 6 p.m. Food, music and books will be abundant in this year-end celebration. It is also a way of thanking UP Press patrons and partners.

Ikatlong Yugto will complete the 2007 roster of titles. Some of the titles in this third installment include the following:

• Best Filipino Stories: The NVM Gonzalez Awards 2000-2005 edited by Gemino Abad and Gregorio Brillantes
• Cordillera in June by Ben Tapang
• Defiant Daughters by Rina Corpuz
• Forcing The Pace: The Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas: From Foundation to Armed Struggle by Ken Fuller
• Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine Literature, Issue I edited by Jose Dalisay Jr.
• Mannahatta Mahal: Collected Expatriate Poems by Luis Cabalquinto
• Mostly in Monsoon Weather by Marne Kilates
• Sexuality and the Filipina by Lilia Quindoza-Santiago
• Sawikaan 2006: Mga Salita ng Taon edited by Robert Anonuevo and Galileo Zafra

Some of the authors will be present in the event. Balay Kalinaw is at the corner of Guerrero and Dagohoy streets, UP Diliman, Quezon City (near Ilang-Ilang Residence Hall). Dress code for the party is smart casual.

For confirmation of attendance or for more information, please contact: Ms. Libay Linsangan Cantor (UP Press Special Projects Assistant) 0918 249 5377; 920-6863; libay.cantor@gmail.com

Tag: EVENTS

December 11, 2007

Pasko ng Komiks in UP Diliman

As part of the U.P. College of Arts and Letters "Linggo ng KAL" event on December 6-14, the U.P. Likhaan: Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW) and Read or Die sponsor Pasko ng Komiks or PASKOM symposium on December 11 (Tues), 9am at the Pulungang Claro M. Recto, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

PASKOM will discuss the relevance of comics arts in contemporary Filipino life. Four related topics, which foreground new perpectives on a growing popular arts tradition, will be discussed, namely "Komiks in Philippine Culture and History," "The Study and Collection of Komiks," "Women in Komiks," and "Creating Komiks."

In the morning , Pablo Gomez, Patrick Flores, Gerry Alanguilan, Glady Gimena, Dennis Villegas, and Orvy Jundis will talk on the two first topics. Then in the afternoon, the women artists—Sherry Baet, Ofelia Concepcion, Vivian Limpin, Elizabeth Chionglo, Joannah Tinio-Catinglo, and Gilda Olvidado—will talk about how the feminine and comics arts intertwine toward a liberative cause.

Still later in the day, comics creators Carlo Vergara, Andrew Drilon, Andrew Villar, Carlo Pagulayan, Randy Valiente, Jonas Diego, Melvin Catinglo, Rey Tiempo, KC Cordero and Victor Balanon will unravel the energy and inspiration behind their works.

The day long discussion will be synthesized and commented upon by Bobby Yonzon (Mango Comics), Emil Flores, Joey Baquiran, and Lawrence Mijares.

Prior to the symposium, a comics exhibit, featuring the actual works of contemporary and past comics artists will be on show beginning December 8. It will be set at the Galleries 1 & 2 of Bulwagang Rizal, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman.

PASKOM is made possible through the support of National Books Development Board, Powerbooks, Mango Comics, WikiPilipinas, New Worlds Alliance, Read or Die, Komikera, Subway Productions, and the U.P. College of Arts and Letters.

Comics fans, students, and teachers are welcome to attend the symposium and see the exhibit which will run until December 14. For details, call Ms. Eva Cadiz at 9221830.

Tag: EVENTS

December 1, 2007

Writers Night set for December 8

Writers Night on December 8 at the Bulwagang Rizal in U.P. Diliman promises to be more than a chance to meet the idols of Philippine literature. If one stays on long enough, one will actually see many of them do poetry performances. Or sing. Yes, many writers are singers. And band members too. So expect this December affair to be a party experience that will be just as fun and memorable as the previous writers night.

The event starts off at 5:30 pm with the awarding ceremony of the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award at the Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan. This award honors authors whose maiden publications merit an auspicious introduction to modern day readers. Among the sterling nominees are Dean Francis Alfar's Salamanca (novel); Barbara-Ann Gamboa Lewis's Barefoot in Fire (creative non-fiction); Maria Isabel Garcia's Science Solitaire: Essays on Science, Nature and Becoming Human (essays); Rica Bolipata-Santos's Love, Desire, Children, Etc (essay); Helen Yap's From Inside the Berlin Wall (essay); and Katrin De Guia's Kapwa: The Self In The Other (essay).

After the awards, partying begins with performances by invited guests Cesare Syjuco, Heber Bartolome, DJ Alvaro, dancer/choreographer Myra Beltran, zitar player Joey Valenciano, ventriloquist Ony Carcamo, experimental artist Jeena Marquez, Romancing Venus, and poets Marne Kilates and Teo Antonio.

Then, everyone will be in for a surprise as daring writers join a mock fashion show staged by campus groups UP Quill, UP Speca, UP Ugat and UP Writers Club. All in the spirit of carnivalesque play.

Friends and guests of writers, as well as readers and fans are welcome to attend the 2007 Writers Night. For details, call Ms. Eva Cadiz at U.P. ICW, 9221830.

Tag: EVENTS

November 23, 2007

Tanghalang Ateneo Stages The Death of Memory

Tanghalang Ateneo goes contemporary Filipino in The Death of Memory, the second production of the company’s 29th season. Written by Glenn Mas, it is a Palanca-prize winning play and an awarded thesis production of the Catholic University of America. Tangahalang Ateneo’s Staging would be the play’s Philippine opremiere production.

In the play, four people are trapped in a nowhere land where time has topped, and with no memory how they got there, and no ides on how to get out. Eah one carries a painful and violent memory- sexual abuse, abandonment, murder- that assaults them at unpredictable moments and ties them to this purgatorial prison.

Ralph Quiblat and Brian Sy alternate as the newcomer Juan, while Rachel Quong and Margarita Paje play the Keeper, the ethereal guardian of the nowhere land. The rest of the faculty cast is Randy Solis, Dianne Laserna, Miguel Lizada and Angela Serrano. In turn, the rest of the student cast is composed of BJ Crisostomo, Regina Francisco, Nicolo Magno and Gianna Villavicencio.

Director Ricardo Abad and porduction designer Salvador Bernal depart from their Asian motifs to create an abstract world that is replete with surreal and violent images. Joining them are choreographer Matthew santamaria, lighting designer Jonjon Villareal, and sounds and graphic designer Reamur David. Kastski Flores, finalist in Cinemalaya 2007, incorporates film images of the character’s memories.

The Death of Memory runs from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 4 to 8, and 11 to 15 at 7 p.m., with additional 2 p.m. shows on Dec. 1, 8, 15 at the Rizal Mini-Theater of the Ateneo de Manila University. For inquiries call Sheila Concina at 0915-5715665 or the Rizal Mini-Theater at 426-6001 local 5121. The play is for mature audiences only.

From The Philippine Star, November 19, 2007

Tag: EVENTS

November 18, 2007

Ang Bagong Libro: The Exhibit

Read Or Die and Goethe Institut Manila present "Ang Bagong Libro," an art exhibit featuring re-interpreted covers of Filipino books by Filipino artists using their chosen media. The purpose of the exhibit is to foster an intersection between Filipino literature (and writers) and Filipino art (and artists) through the medium of book cover design as art.

We are encouraging Filipino artists of all artistic stripes and affiliations to participate. If you are interested in submitting artwork for the exhibit please take a look at our guidelines .

The exhibit will open on January 25, 2008 at the Goethe Institut, 4-5/F Adamson Centre, 121 Leviste St. , Salcedo Village , Makati City.

Tag: EVENTS

November 1, 2007

UP Gawad Likhaan: Write Or Die lectures in Powerbooks

The UP Institute of Creative Writing ,in cooperation with Powerbooks and Read Or Die, present the first series of Write Or Die: Writers Write lecture-workshops. The workshops will be held every weekend from November 2007 to February 2008 in different Powerbooks branches and will be moderated by some of the best writers in the country. The purpose of the workshops is to promote the Gawad Likhaan: The University of the Philippines Centennial Literary Prize.

We especially encourage people who are non-professional or non-academe-based to attend the workshops and submit their works to the Gawad Likhaan. Teachers are welcome to bring their students. No reservations are needed.

The workshops will have four areas: Fiction (November 2007-December 2007), Non-Fiction (January 2008), and Poetry (February 2008).

The schedule for the Fiction workshops is as follows:

Dean Alfar
November 10, 2007
Powerbooks Megamall
2PM - 4PM

Jun Cruz Reyes
November 17, 2007
Powerbooks Trinoma
2PM - 4PM

Amelia Lapena Bonifacio
November 24, 2007
Powerbooks Trinoma
2PM - 4PM

Charlson Ong
December 1, 2007
Powerbooks Trinoma
2PM - 4PM

Admission is free and open to the public. For more details, contact Eva Garcia-Cadiz at 922-1830.

Tag: EVENTS

November 1, 2007

Komedya Fiesta 2008

In celebration of the UP Centennial, the  College of Arts and Letters, in cooperation with the Office of the Chancellor and OICA, presents Komedya Fiesta 2008.  

The Komedya Fiesta 2008 is a month long event which aims to present, create an awareness, and increase the  understanding of  and appreciation for the komedya.  The komedya  is a colorful theatrical tradition whose plot revolves around the social, political, and religious conflicts between the Muslims and Christian heroes. It is usually presented in festivals with the support and patronage of the communities. This theater form has its origins in the theatrical traditions of Spain and Mexico in the 16 th -18 th century. It reached the Philippines through the Hispanic Christianization of the Philippines . This is precisely the reason why many of the plots have Hispanic leitmotifs. While komedya performances will be the principal event, Komedya Fiesta 2008 will also feature an international conference, an exhibition, and a colloquium to provide scholars, cultural researchers, artists and production teams a venue for sharing ideas.

The existence of active komedya/moro-moro groups in a number of regions in the Philippines today warrants an intensified effort to assert the significance of this centuries-old theater tradition. Although the komedya, which is also referred to as  moro-moro among the Tagalogs and Ilokanos; linambay among the Cebuanos; moros-moros among the Ilonggo's;  palo-palo among the Ivatan, is still performed to this very day and draws a following, it enjoys limited exposure.

As one of the traditional theater genres that is fully developed and which has dominated the Philippine theater for over 300 years across regions, the komedya truly deserves a serious examination. It is sad that after substantial studies conducted by some scholars in the early eighties, no significant event has been initiated to further the studies nor promote the understanding of and appreciation for this form on a national level. As a theater form, it is significant to study its performance conventions, production process, and organizational practices that make it possible to survive to this day. In the same light, the persistence of this tradition ensues an interest to look more closely at the manner and processes of transmission of this tradition from one generation to the next. It is in this light that the first national festival is conceived.

The festival seeks to celebrate the komedya as a significant legacy in the continuing history of the Philippine Theater.   More significantly, the effort, talent and creativity that have been manifested by several komedya groups all over the country to make this tradition survive for more than three hundred years is definitely worth celebrating.

The celebration primarily aims to encourage the academic study and research on the komedya and other traditional theater forms in the country. It  will also examine how the disciplines of theatre and performance studies, including related fields, struggle with questions of globalization. This event can be a platform for discussions across disciplines in the Arts and Humanities, History, Philippine Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Tourism and others. It will also provide a venue for sharing expert knowledge about traditional performance practices across a broad spectrum of perspectives. In the process, this exchange will hopefully develop among scholars and researchers a theoretical grasp of the relationship between performance and culture in the context of globalization and transnational mobility.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Komedya Fiesta 2008  will be composed of the following:

A. Research

As a pioneering effort to hold the festival on a national scale, the research component plays a significant role in substantiating all the major events of the festival. An updated information on the existing komedya troupes, their performance practices as well as their organizational management processes is  necessary to create a better understanding of this form.  The information will govern the nature and substance of all the festival events.  

B. Performances

As the flagship component, regular performances will be held every Friday for the whole month of February 2008. Each performance will have  "entreme"  or front act performances prior to komedya performances. It may include a balagtasan, an amateur singing contest, magic, circus etc. Since the komedya's running time varies from 1 ½ hours to several days, a further study on how to regulate the performance period is necessary. Nevertheless, there will be one komedya group to perform each night.  

C. International Conference and Workshop

The two-day gathering  will include the presentation of academic papers in the morning and workshops on the different aspects of komedya productions in the afternoon. The conference hopes to tackle the current state of this tradition in the Philippines and in some parts of the globe.  

D. Exhibition

This component is a month long exhibition that features modern works, installations and other contemporary visual arts expressions on the  komedya. The exhibit will also include a historical overview of  its origin, assimilation, indigenization and diffusion of komedya tradition in the Philippines . This exhibit will highlight the data on the existing komedya groups, komedya performances, production process and the maintenance of the organization. The panels of text will be punctuated by the presentation of significant komedya material elements like orihinal (scripts), props, costumes, shields, headdress etc.  

E. Colloquium

The half day colloquium will be a discussion among all the comediantes , production team and accompanists that comprise the groups. The discussions will center on the strengths, weaknesses of the groups and their recommendations for the future of  the komedya on a national scale. This component hopes to establish a network of komedya groups of the country.  

F. Special Events

1. Opening Ceremonies

This event will usher in the entire celebration by a parade of all komedya players along major streets in UP. They will be accompanied by marching bands. The Opening Ceremonies will have a program that will officially announce the opening of the festival. All the performing groups will be presented to the public. The UP officials, the officials of major stakeholders as well as important organizations in UP are also part of the parade. Fireworks display will highlight the Opening Ceremonies.

2. Serenata ng mga Banda

Marching bands play an important role in any komedya performance. To give prominence to this role, a "serenata ng mga banda" will be held on selected afternoons within the festival period.  

3. Auxiliary Events

The auxiliary events will feature activities that help create the "fiesta" atmosphere. They include a singing contest, jugglers, magic tricks, mime performances, higantes on a stilt, fire eaters (if allowed), and circus among others.

4. Closing Ceremonies

This event focuses on a video presentation of the week that was. This is the time when the participating groups will sit down as guests. The highlight of this event is the mass playing of different participating bands. Hundred voices will render pieces relevant to komedya. Choral Groups will render musical pieces relative to komedya. The highlight of the program is the singing of UP HYMN by hundred voices.

Target Date of Implementatio: February 1, 8, 15, 22, 27-29, 2008

Venue: The Ampitheater, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City   

Tag: EVENTS

The 12th Biennial Symposium on the Literatures and Cultures of the Asia Pacific Region

November 22-24, 2007
Department of English and Comparative Literature
University of the Philippines

The Asia Pacific region has been the site of the enthusiastic production of literature and other cultural texts for the last fifty years but many of these productions have so far been just a token presence in the anthologies and scholarship outside the region. Even within the region, knowledge of each other's literatures and cultures is minimal. Current theories have helped address the imbalance by privileging " Third World " or "postcolonial" texts, by exposing processes of containment, co-optation and mediation, and by suggesting solutions such as retrieval, negotiation and recuperation.

REWOR(L)DINGS: CONTESTATIONS AND RECONFIGURATIONS IN THE LITERATURES AND CULTURES OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION seeks to up the ante by questioning the paradigms that have forced the writer and scholar in this region to retrieve, negotiate and recuperate, contesting the worlding that has relegated the region to the margins. It will explore possibilities of re-mapping culture so that no center has single dominance, and every center retains a fidelity to its people's history and culture without negating a colonial past or current global imperatives.

Specifically, the conference will explore breaking away from popular paradigms for the creation and analysis of literature and culture. It will review concepts ubiquitously present in current discourse-globalization, for instance, and postcoloniality with its panoply of accompanying terms, such as hybridity, diaspora, dialogic. It will invite new discourses that promote reconfigurations and new visionings, e.g. the creation of "moving"/ "untranslatable" identities, translation as a globalizing force. It will cite regional realities that should inform this new cartography and the ways by which the writers, especially those in the "new" genres, have responded to them. It will encourage the creative writers to share their process of resolving contradictions between art and subjectivity. Writers, translators and scholars will be expected to draw from traditions and currrents in their cultures, and through the power of the word and the image, re-world this region's literature and culture.

Topics that will be of interest are the following:

• Literary Theory: Windows from the Pacific
• Europe-Asia: Dis/Connections
• Re- Searching Language and Literature: Methods of Research
• In/Trans-nation: Issues of Translation
• The Past in Present: Myths and Folklore in Literature
• Gendering the Word: Gender and Literature from Another Perspective
• Narratives of Self-Fashioning
• Literary Fetish(es)
• Borders and Borderland Cultural Landscapes and Mindscapes
• "Untranslatable"/"Moving" Identities
• Asia-Pacific Literature in the Global Market
• Memory and Narratives of Terror and Displacement
• The Word in/and Cyberspace: Re-imagining the self in cyber community
• English and the Linguistic Realities of the Asia Pacific Writer
• The "New Genres"
• Children's Literature: Stirrings and Movements
• Speculative Fiction
• Genre Fiction
• What's Chic about Chick Lit?
• The Literary Blog
• The New Gothic Literature
• Literature and Anime
• Narratives of the Game/Gaming (Video games storylines)

The network's conferences usually allow only a minimum number of non-paper readers to participate. For this symposium, a considerable number of non-paper readers will be invited to participate in the conference. These participants will come from various local tertiary institutions which may benefit from an international conference on Asia Pacific literatures and cultures.

Tag: EVENTS

October 7, 2007

British Council and U.P. Likhaan sponsor Reading Workshops
by Arvin Abejo Mangohig

What do literature teachers do during their spare time?

The British Council has Alan Pulverness to offer. The internationally acclaimed reading specialist will deliver five lectures in the Philippines for free between October 19 and 27 and the UP Likhaan: Institute of Creative Writing will host him on October 26, 9am to 5pm, to talk about "Teaching Language through Literature: Reading Across Cultures" at the UP College of Arts and Letters Audio-Visual Room, Faculty Center, UP Diliman.

Alan Pulverness is a freelance teacher trainer, materials writer, and an Associate Trainer with the Norwich Institute for Language Education. His areas of special interest are culture and the teaching of literature. He has a degree in Comparative Literature and Applied Linguistics from the University of East Anglia . He has edited and advised for several new volumes on new fiction and worked on an award-winning course on Macbeth.

Pulverness was part of the Reading Reputations, 20th annual British Council Conference on the teaching of literature and Animating Literature, the British Council regional seminar held in Prague , among others.

In the Philippines , his itinerary includes:

• 19 October "Using Literature in Teaching Content Areas" In-Service Training for Teachers - Cluster 1 ( Luzon );
• 22 October "Using Literature in Teaching Content Areas" In-Service Training for Teachers - Cluster 1 (Visayas-Mindanao);
• 25 October "Theory and Practice in Language and Literature: A Revisit and Re-vision" with Council for Department Chairs in English and the College English Teachers' Association;
• 26 October "Teaching Language through Literature: Reading Across Cultures" with the UP Likhaan: Institute of Creative Writing
• 27 October "Boogie by the Book (main lecture): Teaching Language through Literature: Reading Across Cultures"

For more information and confirmation of the lectures, please contact Eva Garcia-Cadiz at 922-1830 or the British Council at 914-1011 to 14 or e-mail the British Council at britishcouncil@britishcouncil.org.ph or visit British Council website.

Tag: EVENTS

October 7, 2007

DLSU hosts Ka-Tribo Ko

The Harlequin Theatre Guild, the official theater organization of De La Salle University-Manila, is going to have a week-long exhibit entitled "Harlequin Week: Ka-Tribo Ko" in line with the world's celebration of Indigenous Peoples month. The event shall culminate in a concert featuring some of the Philippines ' brightest luminaries in world music.

The exhibit will run from Monday, October 15, 2007 until Friday, October 19, at the Yuchengco Building Lobby, DLSU-Manila campus, and the culminating activity will be held at the Teresa Yuchengco Auditorium on October 19, from 7pm to 9pm. Admission for the exhibit is free, while tickets for the culminating activity is available for 100 pesos for students, 120 for general patrons.

Tag: EVENTS

October 7, 2007

Pangasinan Language and Culture Conference

The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and the Dr. Jose De Guzman Tamayo Foundation, Inc,.in cooperation with the Pangrehiyong Sentro sa Wikang Filipino, Pangasinan State University (Bayambang Campus) and the Ulupan na Pansiansia'y Salitan Pangasinan, cordially invite you to a conference on "Revitalizing the Pangasinan Language and Cultural Heritage."

WHAT: A two-day conference devoted to paper presentations and discussion pertaining to the Pangasinan language and cultural heritage; Pangasinan history and historiography; the literary and folkloric legacy of its people, and the state of literacy and education in the province. A literary contest known as the Gawad Komisyon 2007 (Wikang Pangasinan) shall also be held.

AIMS: The conference aims to:

• bring into focus the linguistic, socio-cultural, and educational practices of the people of Pangasinan;
• reflect on how these practices influence, and are affected by, the regional, national, and global cultures;
• chart the directions for research and creative work in Pangasinan cultural studies, advocate for policy changes and draw up long-term and medium-term programs in the cultural, educational and linguistic fields; and
• forge linkages and foster cooperation with the various stakeholders in pursuit of these plans and policy advocacies;

WHEN and WHERE: November 8 and 9, 2007 at the Urdaneta City Cultural Center , 2nd and 3 rd floors;

WHO ARE INVITED: The conference is open to academic institutions; teachers; students; educators and other professionals; cultural workers and tourism officials; provincial, city and local government leaders and administrators; religious and lay leaders; and individuals.

CALL FOR PAPERS: Abstracts of papers may be submitted to the program committee until October 18, 2007. The abstract should be less than 400 words; be original; and adhere to the conference theme and/or deal with related topics. Notice of acceptance of abstracts shall be on or before October 26, 2007. Paper readers to be entitled to honoraria must submit their full papers on or before November 2, 2007.

FEES: Regular Registration fees: P750.00 for 2 days, inclusive of lunch and snacks. P500.00 for graduate and undergraduate students.

The Gawad Komisyon 2007 (Wikang Pangasinan)

The Gawad Komisyon 2007 (Pangasinan) is a literary competition in the short story and poetry categories. The contest is administered by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, but the prizes are provided for by the Dr. Jose De Guzman Tamayo Foundation. The contest rules are:

• The contest is open to all, excepting KWF employees;
• Entries must be original (not translations from other languages); have not won a major prize in other contests; and have not been published.
• The entries must not bear the name or any identifying feature of the author and must be accompanied by a separate form that can be secured from the organizers or can be downloaded at http://wika.pbwiki.com/Mga+Pormularyo
• Length. For poetry (anlong), the entry must be a collection of seven to 10 poems. For short story, it should be from 10 to 20 pages long, double spaced.
• The prizes shall be as follows: first prize: PhP15,000 + plaque, which shall be known as the Gantimpalang Tamayo; second prize: PhP10,000 + plaque; third prize: PhP8,000 + plaque; three (3) consolation prizes: PhP2, 000 + certificate. Non-winning authors shall be entitled to a certificate of participation.
• Only one (1) entry per category per individual shall be accepted;
• The deadline for submission on entries is on October 19, 2007. The winners shall be announced during the cultural night of the conference on November 9, 2007.

THE ORGANIZERS AND PARTNERS: The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino is the official language agency of the Republic of the Philippines created by Republic Act No. 7419. The Dr. Jose De Guzman Tamayo Foundation, Inc. is a private institution whose projects are designed to identify, safeguard, preserve and revitalize the cultural and literary heritage of the Pangasinan people. The collaborating organizations are the Pangrehiyong Sentro sa Wikang Filipino (Pangasinan State University-Bayambang Campus) and the Ulupan na Pansiansia'y Salitan Pangasinan, an organization of Pangasinan writers and cultural artists.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call the KWF office: (02)736-25-21 c/o Crispa or Elvie; the DJGT Foundation, Perpetual Help University, Malasiqui Office c/o Rhia, 09193721808/(075) 536-34-12; the ULUPAN office, United Way Building, Alvear St., Poblacion, Lingayen, Pangasinan, (075) 541-0863; the Pangasinan State University c/o Mary-Ann, 09205971505, annmacaranas@yahoo.com.ph.

Tag: EVENTS

October 7, 2007

Call for Papers for the 1st International Theatre Conference on Komedya

UP College of Arts and Letters in celebration of the centennial of the University of the Philippines is announcing the KOMEDYA Fiesta 2008, a celebration of tradition, culture and performativity. Part of this grand activity is the 1 st International Theatre Conference focused on Komedya and Moro-Moro . The conference aims to interrogate komedya as a Philippine traditional theatre form; reevaluate its nature and elements; rediscover the past (history) through this theatre form; and historicize its continuum and dynamics. The conference will be held on February 27 - 29, 2008 at the College of Arts and Letters Building and Bulwagang Rizal, University of the Philippines , Diliman, Quezon City . The theme of the conference is Komedya: Revisiting the Past for the Possibilities of the Future. The conference has the following objectives:

• to gather a community of Philippine Performance Studies scholars interested and / or focused on komedya ;
• to provide opportunity for presentation and discussion on researches among academic scholars and practitioners in the theatre and performance studies in the Philippines ;
• to theorize on the present state of komedya as part of Philippine Performance Studies discourse through the series of researches and / or presentations;
• to exchange information among scholars and practitioners in the theatre and performance studies regarding this traditional theatre form; and
• to build networks among scholars and practitioners for future collaboration in research, academic exchange and performance praxis.

Who should attend the conference?

• Researchers, academics and consultants with research interests on Philippine Theatre and Performance Studies (specially those who specialize in komedya studies)
• Administrators of academic programs in Philippine theatre, dramatic literature, speech communications and performance studies
• Theatre practitioners - actors, directors, artistic staff, production staff and stage staff who specialize and / or perform komedya
• Graduate and post-graduate students in theatre, performance studies and related fields
• Publishers of journals and / or academic textbooks in Philippine Theatre and Performance Studies
• Students in theatre arts, arts studies, art education, performance studies and related disciplines

The conference will invite papers on either completed research or a preliminary report on a research in progress. Best papers will be competitively selected and authors will be acknowledged with plaques and certificates.

General Interest Sessions: The conference will feature several plenary sessions that will include panel presentations and / or forums focusing on:

1. Komedya: The Literary Form
2. Komedya as Community / Folk Theater
3. Komedya and the Hispanization of the Islands ( Philippines )
4. Komedya, Christianity and Islam
5. Komedya and History
6. Komedya, Aesthetics and Sensibility
7. Komedya: Translations, Negotiations and Adaptations to Modernity
8. Komedya: Deconstruction and Reconstruction
9. Musical Elements in Komedya
10. Dance and Movement in Komedya
11. Performance/s of Komedya in Other Regions and Other Languages
12. Production Management Process
13. Any other papers related to the theme of the conference

Submission Guidelines (for the abstracts):

1. One page abstracts (typed double spaced) not exceeding 500 of proposed papers should be submitted for the final selection process.
2. Submit abstracts by email to the conference secretariat, komedya2008@yahoo.com
3. Deadline for the submission of abstracts is on October 15, 2007 .
4. Paper Review Committee will conduct a refereed screening of abstracts. Authors of accepted abstracts will be informed by the conference secretariat within 3 weeks after the abstract is received.
5. Once the paper is accepted, at least one of the authors must register for and present the paper at the conference.

Submission Guidelines (for Final Papers)

1. Full paper submission is allowed for the final selection process.
2. Full papers for review need to be edited as per the final paper format.
3. Submit full papers for review by email to the conference secretariat, komedya2008@yahoo.com
4. Deadline of full paper submission for a refereed screening process is November 30, 2007 .
5. Once the paper is accepted, at least one of the authors must register for and present the paper at the conference.
6. Completed Full Papers will be professionally published in the conference proceedings (with ISSN number).
7. Papers will only be published in the conference proceedings if at least one of the authors registers and attends the conference.

Call for Workshop Presentations

 Workshop Presentation is another highlight of KOMEDYA Fiesta 2008 and the 1 st International Theatre Conference focused on Komedya. Practitioners of komedya are invited to submit workshop presentation proposals. Also, practitioners of some aspects of komedya like arnis instructors, poets specializing in awit, playwrights , choreographers and/or dancers of paso doble, batalya and the likes may submit proposals.

What aspects of komedya may be workshopped?

• Movement in komedya
• Footwork and swordfighting in komedya
• Voice and Diction in komedya
• Writing a komedya
• Writing an awit
• Writing a song for komedya
• Any other possible workshops related to komedya

Workshop presentations will be given 120 to 180 minute sessions.

Submission Guidelines (for workshop proposals):

1. One page proposals (typed double spaced) of proposed workshops should be submitted for the final selection process.
2. Include in the proposals, objectives of the workshops, materials needed, strategies and proposed number of participants.
3. Submit proposals by email to the conference secretariat, komedya2008@yahoo.com
4. Deadline for the submission of proposals is on October 30, 2007 .
5. Workshop Review Committee will conduct a refereed screening of proposals. Facilitators of accepted proposals will be informed by the conference secretariat within 3 weeks after the proposal is received.
6. Once the proposal is accepted, at least one of the facilitators must register for and present the workshop at the conference.

Registration

Registration forms will be available very soon at the UP College of Arts and Letters website, www.kal.up.ed.ph . Early Bird Registration Fee (on or before February 1, 2008 ) of research presenters and workshop facilitators is Php 2,000.00 for local participants and USD 90.00 for foreign participants. Non-presenters' early bird registration fee is Php, 2,500.00 for local participants and USD 100.00 for foreign participants. Regular registration (after February 1, 2008 ) of research presenters and workshop facilitators is Php 3,000.00 for local participants and USD 100.00 for foreign participants. Non-presenters' regular registration fee is Php 3,500.00 for local participants and USD 120.00 for foreign participants. Student participants must attach a copy of student ID and certificate of studentship to the registration form. Student registration fee is Php 1,500.00 for both local presenters and non-presenters and USD 50.00 for both foreign presenters and non-presenters.

For inquiries, email the conference secretariat, Prof. Sir Anril P. Tiatco at sir_anril.tiatco@up.edu.ph or komedya2008@yahoo.com

Tag: EVENTS

September 22, 2007

British Council and UP ICW hold performance poetry workshop
by Arvin Abejo Mangohig

Poetry, both a spoken and written art, is actually a performance medium. Readings and others multimedia performances bring poetry closer to a generation reared on MTV, youtube, and blogs.

The British Council, in cooperation with the Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing, will be holding performance poetry workshops as part of its Animating Literature project. London-based Francesca Beard will gather a select number of young Filipino writers to train in UP Diliman and UP Baguio, in coordination with its deans - National Artist Virgilio Almario and Elizabeth Calinawagan respectively. They in turn will spread the expertise Beard will share to others, especially elementary and high school teachers, who would like to venture into performance as art.

ICW Director Vim Nadera, himself a noted performance poet, is delighted at hosting Francesca Beard once again. She caused quite a stir during her last visit two years ago, and this second one, Nadera hopes, will be more fruitful and more artistically fulfilling. The British Council wasted no time in contacting the ICW -- for the latter's Literatour -- a program offered to literature teachers and students alike. Beard will be training performance poets at the Pulungang Claro M. Recto of the UP Diliman's Faculty Center (September 26-28) and UP Baguio's College of Arts and Communications (September 30-October 2) for the seminars.

For details, please contact Eva Cadiz at 9221830.

Francesca Beard was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . She grew up in Penang and now lives in London. She is also a lyricist and a workshop facilitator. She has traveled the world and toured in Azerbaijan , Bulgaria , Colombia and the Philippines, which she considers advanced in performance poetry comparatively.

Tags: EVENTS

August 25, 2007

Poetry symposium, jazz concert in Baguio slated

The Baguio Writers Group in cooperation with Baguio Country Club and Smart Communications Inc. presents a poetry symposium on “To Do or to Be: How to Make a Poem” on Sept. 15, Saturday, 2-5 p.m. at the Wolfson Room of the Club.

Panelists include Marjorie Evasco, Sid Hildawa, Marra Lanot, Francis and Priscilla Macansantos, Edgar Maranan and Alfred Yuson.

In the same evening the writers group will host an invitational concert, “Jazz for Tonight,” at 7 p.m. at Par 7 of the Country Club. Featured performers are Jacqui Magno, Gou de Jesus, Richard Cariño, Desiree Caluza, Butch Cando, Egay Buñing, Joanifer Abubo, Enrico Subido, Ivan Cruz and On-Call.

Seats are limited. To reserve call or text 0927-989-0191.

August 5, 2007

"Transpormers" at the UP Press Bookstore

Three young writers in Filipino will read their latest works at the UP Press Bookstore Diliman on August 17. Vladimeir Gonzales, Carlos Piocos, and Mykel Andrada will be featured in the afternoon program titled "Transpormers." Included in the works to be performed are pieces that are anime-, love-, and political killings-inspired. "Transpormers" will be held at the rear veranda of the UP Press Bookstore Diliman at the ground floor of Balay Kalinaw, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. The reading begins at 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.

"Transpormers" is part of the series of monthly readings at the UP Press Bookstore Diliman, which started in May with a reading of new stories by Anna Sanchez, Mary Jessel Duque, Francezca Kwe, and Marie Aubrey Villaceran. This was followed by a chapbook launching and reading by High Chair poets Marc Gaba, Misandel Arguelles, and Jose Beduya. July featured Paolo Manalo reading poems he wrote at in the USA and Scotland. In September, Conchitina Cruz will be reading her latest works.

Transpormers is part of the UP Press's activities in celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa. For more information on these and other UP Press events, call (632) 9282558 local 110.

Tag: EVENTS

August 5, 2007

National Artist Jose to give lecture

National Artist for Literature Francisco Sionil Jose will grace the Ortigas Foundation Library on August 16, 2007 to give a lecture entitled, “History as Literature.”

The lecture will be held on Thursday, August 16 at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more information please call 631.1231 local 222 or email ortigasfoundation@ortigas.com.ph.

F. (Francisco) Sionil José, founded the Philippine Center of PEN, an international organization of poets, playwrights, essayists, and novelists. His work includes eleven novels, five books of short stories, a book of verse, a collection of stories for children and four books of essays. He has received numerous fellowships, honorary Ph.D’s and awards, which include: the Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Award (1980); the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Centennial Honors for the Arts (1999); the National Artist Award for Literature (2001); and the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award (2004).

Tag: EVENTS

August 5, 2007

Pistang Panitik 2007

After success of last year’s "Pistang Panitik," LIKHAAN: The U.P. Institute of Creative Writing, in partnership with the Book Development Association of the Philippines, Prime Trade Asia, Anvil Publishing, the National Book Development Board and Read Or Die, will mount "Pistang Panitik 2007" at the World Trade Center from August 30, 2007 to September 2, 2007 to coincide with the 28th Manila International Book Fair.

"Pistang Panitik" was conceived by UP ICW Director Vim Nadera as a literary festival where readers and writers alike can meet and greet. This year’s "Pistang Panitik" is much more ambitious as it spans over the 5 days of the Manila International Book Fair.

Araw ni Bienvenido Lumbera
AUGUST 30 (Thursday)
Function Rm A
1:00-3:00 p.m.

KRITIKO: Dr. Roland Tolentino, Dr. Rod Nuncio, at Dr. Rosario Torres Yu
TAGAPAGTANGHAL: Bb. Susan Magno
MULA SA MAMBABASA: Kristin Mandigma & Marianne Suba

Araw ni Francisco Sionil Jose
AUGUST 31 (Friday)
Function Rm A
1:00-3:00 p.m.

KRITIKO: Dr. Neil Garcia, Dr.Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta at Ferdie Lopez
TAGAPAGTANGHAL: Under Siege
MULA SA MAMBABASA: Mia Sereno & Israel Realin

Araw ni Virgilio Almario
SEPTEMBER 1 (Saturday)
Function Rm B
1:00- 3:00 p.m.

KRITIKO: G. Roberto Añonuevo, Prof. Mike Coroza at G. Rogelio Mangahas
TAGAPAGTANGHAL: Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo
MULA SA MAMBABASA: Kristel Autencio, Renita Norada

Araw ni Alejandro Roces
SEPTEMBER 2 (Sunday)
Function Rm A
1:00- 5:00 p.m.

KRITIKO: Dr. Isagani Cruz, Prof. Lito Zulueta, at Prof. Danton Remoto
TAGAPAGTANGHAL: Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines
MULA SA MAMBABASA: Rachel Teng, Karen Inocencio & Paolo Cruz

Araw ni Edith Tiempo

PANAUHIN: G. Alfred Yuson, Dr. Gemino Abad, Prof. Ralph Galan
TAGAPAGTANGHAL: Ony Carcamo
MULA SA MAMBABASA: Pamela Punzalan & Mia Marci

Visit the "Pistang Panitik 2007" website for the schedules and updates, or call the UP ICW at 922-1830.

Tag: EVENTS

June 25, 2007

UP Centennial Commission launches literary contest

The UP Centennial Commission is formally launching the Gawad Likhaan: The University of the Philippines Literary Prize on Friday, June 29, 2007, 3:45 pm at the Bulwagang Recto, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. This Contest is administered by The UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW) as part of the celebrations of the UP Centennial in 2008.

There are six awards, each one worth P200,000, for original, book-length works in 3 genres in either English or Filipino: the novel or short story, poetry, and creative nonfiction or sanaysay. Only one prize per genre in either language will be awarded.

The complete rules are available at the UP-ICW office in UP Diliman. They will also be uploaded on the UP-ICW website and on www.panitikan.com.ph, the literary portal hosted by the UP-ICW.

All entries to the contest are to be submitted to the Board of Judges, Likhaan: The UP Institute of Creative Writing, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. Deadline for submission is Monday, March 31, 2008 at 5 pm. The names of the winners and the members of the board of judges will be announced in June 2008.

The UP-ICW is also sponsoring two other events taking place on the same day as the launch. First is the inauguration of the UP Likhaan Centennial Lecture Series, commencing with the lecture of Dr. Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, titled “Fiction as Response to History: Philippine Fiction in English.” At 6 pm on the same day, the UP Press will launch at Balay Kalinaw, UP Diliman, among ten other titles, The Children’s Hour, a two-volume anthology of stories on childhood by Filipino writers in English, edited by Gémino H. Abad and Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo.

Tag: CONTESTS, EVENTS

June 25, 2007

First National Conference on Literature for Children

The UP Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikan ng Pilipinas (UP DFPP) will be sponsoring the first-ever Pambansang Kumperensiya sa Panitikang Pambata (National Conference on Literature for Children) with the theme “Tungo sa Gintong Panahon ng Panitikang Pambata” (Towards the Golden Age of Literature for Children) on July 25-27, 2007 at the Claro M. Recto Hall, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. The national conference will feature paper presentations by both established and young literary critics, creative writers, and visual artists for children led by renowned UP scholar Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu. Topics include interpretation and interpellation of Filipino aesthetics, historical and regional narratologies, educational and informational praxes, the culture of reading, media, diaspora, sexual politics, folklore, ethnography, peace talks, and poverty and revolution, – all in relation to literary production for children. Keynote speech will be delivered by critic and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario. The said conference will also feature workshop talks by illustrator Jose Miguel Tejido, Adarna House publisher Ani Rosa Almario, and renowned writer for children Prof. Rene O. Villanueva. For inquiries about conference fees, reservations and the like, contact Dr. Eugene Y. Evasco (eugene.evasco@gmail.com) and/or Prof. Will P. Ortiz (bilogangbuwan@gmail.com). You may also contact UP DFPP (9244899).

Tag: EVENTS

June 12, 2007

Portrait of the City: The Literary Imagination and the City We Live In

A literary exhibit of places in the city that have inspired great works of literature

“To begin with, it is impossible to write of Pasay without feeling — one thinks of it with love and repulsion and sorrow.”-Kerima Polatan from The Rise and Fall of Pasay, Author’s Choice, Selected Writing of Kerima Polotan

See how words can take you to places and make you feel the city throb with emotion; realize the beauty in the bustling chaos. Experience the works of Philippine authors come alive in this unique exhibit.

As part of the celebration of the 11th Philippine Book Development Month, the National Book Development Board (NBDB), in partnership with the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL), is mounting a literary exhibit entitled, “Portrait of a City: The Literary Imagination and the City We Live In”. The exhibit will feature the places around the metropolis that have inspired great works in Philippine literature, from Rizal all the way to young contemporary writers. The exhibit is free at the Glorietta III Park, from June 27 to July 1, 2007, and at the Trinoma Mall from July 4-8, 2007.

To further enhance the literary experience, on June 30, there will be a Portrait of the City tour, wherein an actual tour will be held visiting the places in Makati, Pasay, and the City of Manila. Starting and ending at the exhibit at the Glorietta Park, participants will experience the written word come alive in this one-time, one-of-a-kind tour. The tour will be guided by reading enthusiast Ms. Joanna Abrera Del Prado.

Powerbooks is the official bookseller of the exhibit. The books will be on display for sale during the literary exhibit at the Trinoma Mall.

To join the Portrait of the City tour, please call the Filipinas Heritage Library at 892-1801, look for Ms. Sheila Cayton. The Portrait of the City tour costs five hundred pesos (P500) per head to cover transportation and meals. Limited seats available. Guided tours of at the exhibit itself will be available on June 28 to 29 at the Glorietta III Park and July 5 and 6 at the Trinoma Mall at these times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

For schools and teachers interested in guided tours of the exhibit itself for their students, or for the schedule of events during the Portrait of the City exhibit please call the NBDB at 928-0048 and look for Mr. Jun Briola.

Tag: EVENTS

March 22, 2007

LIRA hosts Lila

Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) and Ortigas foundation invite you to  Lila: Handog sa Buwan ng Kababaihan, a series of multimedia exhibits, film showings, lectures, book fair, and performances in celebration of Women's Month.  This will be at the Ortigas Foundation Library, 2nd floor of the Ortigas Building along Ortigas Avenue from March 24 to March 30.  The exhibit features pieces by Vivian Limpin, Maningning Miclat, Maureen de la Cruz, Beverly Siy, Raul Funilas, and Vim Nadera.  Lectures of different aspects of womanhood and literature will also be given by Rebecca Anonuevo, Luna Sicat Cleto, Betty Uy Regala, and Kora Dandan. The ribbon-cutting will be on March 24, at 1:30pm.  This event is free and open to the public.

Tag: EVENTS

March 22, 2007

Filipino Program launches a Philippine literature festival

A two-day Philippine literature festival to celebrate Filipino writing and writers will take place on April 12 & 13, 2007 at the University of Hawaii Manoa campus and the Philippine Consulate General of Hawaii.

Initiated by the UH Filipino and Philippine Literature Program, the festival will convene writers from the Philippines, the US mainland and Hawaii. The first day is called "Pagtatagpo: Filipino Writers Summit", a roundtable discussion on the direction of Philippine writing in the United States. The panelists include Ma. Josephine Barrios, a well-known playwright, poet and novelist from the Philippines; R. Zamora Linmark, distinguished visiting writer from the UH Department of English and author of Rolling the Rs ; Ninotchka Rosca, New York-based international human rights activist and author of the award-winning State of War ; Marianne Villanueva, San Francisco-based short story writer and author of Mayor of Roses ; Michelle Cruz Skinner, Punahou teacher and author of Mango Season ; and Francis Tanglao-Aguas, a playwright/stage performer and author of the collection, Purple.

The authors will be met by local writers and UH aspiring writers/performers on April 12, 2:00-5:00 pm at the QLC Student Services 412 in the Manoa campus. Among the invited local writers are Amalia Bueno, Michael Cueva, Elynia Mabanglo, Aurelio Agcaoili, Amado Yoro, Khalil Apuzen, Nilda Boland, Felino Tubera, Jovita Zimmerman and many other young writers from the University of Hawaii campuses.

To celebrate writing, the festival will have a musical literary event on the 13th, 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the lanai of the Philippine Consulate General of Hawaii. The evening will showcase performances of invited writers and contributors to the third volume of the Katipunan Literary Journal.

The festival aims to (1) create an avenue of discourse amongst writers and aficionados of Filipino ancestry about the state of the art, problems of invisibility and publication opportunities open to would-be writers; (2) discover diversity in fostering literary writings in a multi-lingual setting (Filipino, English, Ilokano or Pidgin); (3) foster the appreciation of Philippine literature through the writings of Filipino and Filipino-Americans; (4) encourage and show appreciation to Filipino and Filipino American students of the UH System, local Filipino American writers of Hawaii and the US mainland through poetry reading, storytelling and performance arts; and, (5) inspire young Filipino American writers by finding role models for them through the presence of renowned writers.

One of the organizers of the festival, novelist/poet R. Zamora Linmark commented that this festival "will reconsider Filipino diasporic writing."

Dr. Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo, coordinator of the Filipino and Philippine Literature Program, hopes that "the festival will address issues in writing, publishing and promotion of Philippine literature in the United States. What could be done to abrogate that so-called invisibility of Filipinos in literature? How can young people be inspired to write or read? How can the Filipino community be involved in its own literacy? These are only some of the questions that can be asked."

Lester John Hael, editor of the Katipunan Literary Journal (Volume III) and literature festival coordinator, said that he volunteered to work in this project because he believes that "This will build a bridge between authors and aspiring writers to foster the appreciation of Philippine literature." He also hopes that participants "will become cognizant of the direction of Filipino and Filipino American literary writing in Hawaii and the US Mainland." He even added, "The Hawaii situation is different because there are writers who write in Filipino, Ilokano and Pidgin. Those writers should also be recognized."

Various offices and community organizations pulled their resources together to make this festival happen. At the University of Hawaii Manoa Campus, the sponsors are: the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Center for Philippine Studies, Department of Asian Studies, Department of English, Department of Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific Languages and Literatures, College of Languages, Linguistics and Literatures, Freeman Foundation Undergraduate Asian Studies Initiative and Diversity Fund Initiative. Assistance from the Filipino community comes from Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW), Filipino American Historical Society of Hawaii (FAHSOH) and the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA). Some individual donors include Teresita Ramos, Gigi Graulty, Margie Pascua and Cristina Bacchilega.

Tag: EVENTS

March 22, 2007

Free puppet show on Palm Sunday

Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio will present Papet Pasyon on April 1, Palm Sunday, 3 and 5:30 PM. This will be at TACT (Tita Amel Children's Theatre) 64 Mapagkawanggawa St., Teachers Village, Q.C. [near Holy Family School along Maginhawa St.] Admission is free.

TACT also will hold a Puppet-making workshop for kids & adults. This will be at April 24-28, 2007 2 - 5 pm @ TACT. For details, text/call 0918-9032040.

Tag: EVENTS

March 15, 2007

Publish Asia 2007

Ifra Asia is pleased to announce that Publish Asia 2007 will be held in Manila, Philippines from March 27th - 28th 2007, this will be Publish Asia's 7th year running in the Asia region.

To encourage all local Philippines publishers, Newspapers, Institutions (Mass Communication, Journalism etc), Media & Publishing Association and Suppliers to attend, Ifra is offering a very attractive and special rate to all.

The theme of this year's conference is: Re-Inventing for Today's Business, Creating for Tomorrow's Challenges

The topics cover four core concerns of the publishers:

1) Business Strategy
2) Digital Media
3) Advertising Strategy
4) Circulation, Readership & Audience

Highlight on speakers and topics

High calibre speakers from across the world will share their strategies
and success stories:

* A Strategy for Integration
David O Valdes, Executive VP and COO, Philippine Daily Inquirer

* Strategy for Staying Ahead: Product Diversification
Siddharth Kothari, Director, Rajasthan Patrika

* Search Engine Strategies for Newspapers
Jo Christian Oterhals, Head of Development, VG Multimedia

*The Brand Positioning of The Times of India
Ravi Dhariwal, CEO-Publishing, The Times of India

* Launching a Community Site: www.stomp.com.sg
Chew V Ming, Executive Content Producer, STOMP, Singapore Press
Holdings

* Mobile Publishing
Saurav Sen, Head of Business - Telecoms & Internet, ABP Pvt Ltd

Attached registration form for you and your team's review. We hope that you will consider and take this opportunity to send your senior management and staff to attend and benefit from this Conference.

Ifra Asia Pte Ltd
Phone: +65.6562-8440, Direct: -8446
Fax: +65.6562-8441
IfraAsia2@ifra.com
www.ifra.com/asia
www.ifra.com

Tag: EVENTS

February 19, 2007

UP Press’ Paglulunsad 2007: Unang Yugto

The University of the Philippines