CULTURE EXPRESS: EVENTS AROUND THE METRO

The 1st Manila Cathedral Organ Festival
December 1, 4, 8 at 7:00PM
December 3, 2:00PM and 8:30PM
December 10, 6:00PM
The Manila Cathedral, Intramuros
After 15 years of silence, Southeast Asia's largest cathedral organ comes alive again, thanks to the expertise of the Diego de Cera of Las Piñas City. World-acclaimed Belgian artist Luc Ponet performs in this five-day festival, joined by local virtuosos Armando Salarza and Jose Flores Jr. Admission is free.

The San Agustin Organ Festival
November 28, 29, and 30
8:00PM
The San Agustin Church, Intramuros

The 18th-century organ of the San Agustin Church in Intramuros takes you on it's 8th year of making great music possible in the City of Man. Featured artists for this festival are the Spanish organist Juan de la Rubia and Filipino trumpetist Fredeline Parin. They will be joined by the UST Singers, Kilyawan Boys Choir, and the UP Singing Ambassadors. Call 5266793 for details and nightly programme.

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.


Included in this photo of current LIRA participants is our very own Workshop Manager JP Canivel

LIRA 21: Gabi ng Tula

Ang ika-21 na anibersaryo ng Linangan ng Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA) ay idaraos sa Disyembre 5, 2006 sa Conspiracy Bar (sa Visayas Ave., tapat ng istasyon ng Shell) sa Lungsod ng Quezon, 6-9 ng gabi.

Kaalinsabay rin sa pagdiriwang ang paglulunsad ng Ang Una Naming Siglo, kalipunan ng isang daang tula ng dalawampung fellows na sumailalim sa anim na buwang palihan ngayong taong ito.

Ang mga manunulat na kasama sa folio ay sina: Lilia Antonio, Willie Bongcaron, Mic Camba, Jaypee Canivel, Me-ann Cariquez, Sol Corong, Ayn dela Cruz, Mao dela Cruz, James Fajarito, Rose Faner, Repa Galos, Ezzard Gilbang, Chiz Jose, Gex Lacambra, Eph Orara, Joel Palacpac, Rey Tamayo, Charles Tuvilla, En Villasis at Kyo Zapanta. Karamihan sa kanila ay nagwagi na sa iba't ibang paligsahan o dili naman kaya ay napabilang sa ilang babasahin. Ang ilan naman ay nakapaglabas na ng sariling libro o naging bahagi ng ibang palihan.

Ang LIRA ay itinatag ng Pambansang Alagad ng Sining sa Panitikan, si Virgilio Almario (aka Rio Alma), noong 1985. Taun-taon itong nagsasagawa ng palihan para sa mga nagsisimulang makata. Kabilang sa mga nagbibigay-panayam ay ang mga batikang makata tulad nina Mike Coroza, Bobby Anonuevo, Becky Anonuevo, Joey Baquiran, Vim Nadera at iba pa, na mga produkto rin ng LIRA.