PROJECT BACKSPACE

TULAWIKAAN 2008 NOW OPEN!

2008-07-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

LINANGAN SA IMAHEN, RETORIKA, AT ANYO

Institute of Creative Writing (ICW), 2nd floor Bulwagang Rizal,
College of Arts & Letters, UP Diliman, Quezon City
http://www.liraonline.org Email: liraworkshop@gmail.com

Seminar on teaching the national language through Filipino poetry

In commemoration of Buwan ng Wika 2008, a seminar on poetry and the Filipino language will be held on 27 Agosto 2008, Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the TARC (Thomas Aquinas Research Complex) Seminar Rooms 1 and 2, University of Sto. Tomas. Entitled Tulawikaan, the event will feature a series of fora with writers and experts from Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA), an organization of poets writing in the Filipino language established in 1985. The speakers include noted poets and academics Prof. Vim Nadera, Jr. of UP Diliman/UST, Prof. Michael Coroza of the Ateneo de Manila University/UST, Prof. Romulo Baquiran, Jr. and Dr. Lilia Antonio of UP Diliman.

The seminar will focus on poetry as a vehicle for teaching the Filipino language. Among the topics that will be discussed are the history of the Filipino language, syntax, linguistic variety, and alternative approaches and methods for encouraging students’ creativity through literature. It is open to teachers, language professors, researchers, writers, and other scholars of the Filipino language.

The seminar fee is P800 per participant (including seminar kits, certificates, lunch and snacks). A discounted rate of P700 is available to those who pre-register and make their payments on or before August 18. For more details, please contact En Villasis (0922-4596365), Dai Miranda (0926-7135021), or Bebang Siy (3814592) or email pamunuan@liraonline.org.

Tulawikaan is presented by LIRA and the Department of Languages of the University of Sto. Tomas, in celebration of Buwan ng Wika 2008.

RADIO BROADCAST!

2008-05-24T22:24:00.000-07:00

Inaanyayahan ko po ang lahat na makinig sa programang Tabak at Sampagita sa Radio Balintataw ng DZRH. Kasama ko si John Torralba. Pag-uusapan namin ang mga tulang pambata, luma at bago. May mga musika ring kaming pinatugtog na may kaugnayan sa bata, mga awitin ng ASIN at Ugoy ng Duyan, bersyon ni Chin-Chin Gutierrez.

Isang linggo po ito, ngunit kami ay nasa araw ng Miyerkules, 9pm hanggang 930.

"KAILANGAN NATING BUMALIK SA PAGIGING BATA UPANG MAKALIKHA."

Maraming salamat po!

Genaro R. Gojo Cruz

Genaro Cruz was a speaker of the Writers' Guild's Series of Fortunate Events in 2007.

YOU ARE INVITED!!!

2008-04-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

See you guys there!

15th ILIGAN NATIONAL WRITING WORKSHOP NOW OPEN

2008-03-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

The Iligan National Writers Workshop is accepting manuscripts on its 15th year this year.
Fifteen (15) slots, five each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are available for writing fellowships to the INWW.

Applicants are required to submit five poems, or, one short story, or, a one-act play in Filipino, English or in Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Waray (with translations) and Chabacano along with the applicant’s biodata, two 2X2 photos and a certification that his/her work is original. For short stories or plays, please submit a hard copy and a 3.5 diskette with the manuscripts encoded in MS Word 7.0.

Unpublished works are preferred. Writing fellows will be given free board and lodging, honoraria and a travel allowance. Applications must be postmarked on or before April 15, 2008.

No applications or manuscripts will be accepted if sent by fax or e-mail. Applicants are also advised to keep copies of their manuscripts since these will not be returned.

Send all applications to the 15th INWW Director, Christine Godinez-Ortega c/o OVCRE, MSU-IIT, Iligan City. For more information call Pat Cruz tels. (063) 3516131; or e-mail: ovcre-mepc@sulat.msuiit.edu.ph or cherlyadlawan@yahoo.com.

HAIKU CONTEST

2008-03-20T19:07:00.000-07:00

With the success of two preceding contests, the Embassy of Japan, in conjunction with the UST Haiku Group, is holding the third Haiku Contest with the theme “Pinoy Haiku: Mga Taludtod mula kay Inang Daigdig (Verses from Mother Earth).”

The contest is open to all Filipinos living in the Philippines or abroad. The message of the haiku must deal with the appreciation of the environment, respect towards nature, or any observation about the natural world. Contestants may submit a maximum of two entries in either Filipino or English. However, entries written in Filipino or Tagalog must have an English translation. The entry form may be downloaded from the Embassy of Japan website.

Deadline for submission of entries is on June 12, 2008. Entries may be submitted by mail to:

2008 Haiku Contest
Japan information and Cultural Center
Embassy of Japan, 2627 Roxas Boulevard
Pasay City, 1300

Or via fax: (632) 551-5784

Or through e-mail to: jicc-mnl@japanembassy.ph or jiccmanila@yahoo.com
Top three poems and ten honorable mentions will be awarded at the award ceremony, which will be held at the Embassy of Japan in July.

For more information, please contact the Japan information and Cultural Center, Embassy of Japan at (632) 551-5710 or visit the website: http://www.ph.emb-japan.go.jp to download the entry form.

Haiku is a form of poetry that developed in Japan from about 400 years ago. It is a short verse of 17 syllables, divided into units of five, seven, and five syllables. Pinoy haiku has 19 syllables divided into units of three lines having seven, five, and seven syllables each. This fixed-form with rhyming the first and the last lines is ideal for Filipino poetic tradition considering its similarity to tanaga and ambahan in versification.

POETRY CLINIC BY LIRA

2008-03-20T18:17:00.000-07:00

LIRA is now accepting sign-ups for its next poetry clinic. All those who are interested must submit five (5) poems in Filipino along with a short bio-data and one 1×1 ID picture, sent to liraworkshop@gmail.com or dropped off c/o Prof. Vim Nadera at the UP Institute of Creative Writing, 2/F Faculty Center, UP Diliman, 1101 Quezon City.

All submissions should be in on or before April 30, 2008.

The regular clinic period is from June to August and will be held every Saturday and Sunday from 9: 00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.

SALE! SALE! SALE!

2008-03-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

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

IN MEMORIAM: ARTHUR C. CLARKE (1917-2008)

2008-03-18T19:14:00.001-07:00

The achievements of Arthur C. Clarke, unique among his peers, bridge the arts and sciences. His works and his authorship have ranged from scientific discovery to science fiction, from technical application to entertainment, and have made a global impact on the lives of present and future generations.

Arthur C. Clarke is the son of an English farming family, born in the seaside town of Minehead, Somerset, England on December 16, 1917. In 1998, his lifetime work was recognized by H.M. The Queen when he was honored with a Knighthood – formally conferred by Prince Charles in Sri Lanka two years later.

After attending schools in his home county, Arthur Clarke moved to London in 1936 and pursued his early interest in space sciences by joining the British Interplanetary Society. He started to contribute to the BIS Bulletin and began to write science fiction.

As with so many young men at the time, World War II interrupted in 1939 and he joined the RAF, eventually becoming an officer in charge of the first radar talk-down equipment, the Ground Controlled Approach, during its experimental trials. Later, his only non-science-fiction novel, Glide Path, was based on this work. After the war, he returned to London and to the BIS, becoming its president in 1947-50 and again in 1953.

In 1945, a UK periodical magazine “Wireless World” published his landmark technical paper "Extra-terrestrial Relays" in which he first set out the principles of satellite communication with satellites in geostationary orbits - a speculation realized 25 years later. During the evolution of his discovery, he worked with scientists and engineers in the USA in the development of spacecraft and launch systems, and addressed the United Nations during their deliberations on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

Clarke's work, which led to the global satellite systems in use today, brought him numerous honors including the 1982 Marconi International Fellowship, a gold medal of the Franklin Institute, the Vikram Sarabhai Professorship of the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, the Lindbergh Award and a Fellowship of King's College, London. Today, the geostationary orbit at 36,000 kilometers above the equator is named The Clarke Orbit by the International Astronomical Union.

After leaving the RAF in 1946, he resumed his formal studies and was awarded a Fellowship at King's College, London where he obtained first class honors in Physics and Mathematics in 1948.

In 1954, Clarke wrote to Dr. Harry Wexler, then chief of the Scientific Services Division, U.S. Weather Bureau, about satellite applications for weather forecasting. From these communications, a new branch of meteorology was born, and Dr. Wexler became the driving force in using rockets and satellites for meteorological research and operations.

At the same time, Clarke has been the author of many books, articles and papers. The first story he sold professionally was "Rescue Party", written in March 1945 and appearing in Astounding Science in May 1946. He went on to become a prolific writer of science fiction, renowned worldwide and with more than 70 titles to his name. Among his many non-fiction works, “Profiles of the Future” (1962) looked at the probable shape of tomorrow's world and stated his “Three Laws”.

In 1964, he started to work with the noted film producer Stanley Kubrick on a science fiction movie script. Four years later, he shared an Oscar nomination with Kubrick at the Hollywood Academy Awards for the film version of “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Then, in 1985, he published a sequel, “2010: Odyssey Two” and worked with Peter Hyams on the movie version. Their work was done using a Kaypro computer and a modem, linking Arthur in Sri Lanka and Peter Hyams in Los Angeles, leading to a book “The Odyssey File - The Making of 2010.”

In television, Clarke worked alongside Walter Cronkite and Wally Schirra for the CBS coverage of the Apollo 12 and 15 space missions. His thirteen-part TV series Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World in 1981 and Arthur C. Clarke's World of strange Powers in 1984 has been screened in many countries and he has contributed to other TV series about space, such as Walter Cronkite's Universe series in 1981.

Clarke first visited Colombo, Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) in December 1954 and has lived there since 1956 pursuing an enthusiasm for underwater exploration along that coast and on the Great Barrier Reef. In recent years, he has been largely confined to a wheelchair due to post-polio syndrome, but his output as a writer has continued undiminished. He passed away last March 18, 2008. He will be terribly missed.

RICA BOLIPATA WINS AWARD

2008-03-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Article by Arvin Abejo Mangohig

Rica Bolipata-Santos’ Love, Desire, Children, Etc.: Reflections of a Young Wife won this year’s Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award. Published in 2005 by Milflores Publishing, Inc., the book is a collection of essays which Dr. Neil Garcia praised for its “candor, grace and humor.”

At ceremonies held at the UP Diliman Bulwagang Rizal last December 8, Garcia announced the winner, who was congratulated by UP ICW Director Vim Nadera and Atty. Gizela Gonzalez-Montinola. Bolipata-Santos received a P50,000 check and certificate. She delivered a short acceptance speech as her children rejoiced at her success, her youngest son joining her onstage and bowing like a performer, further endearing them to the audience. She described herself as a “closet writer,” talked about the sheer joy of writing as her hand moves across the page, and described her delight when Antonio Hidalgo of Milflores said he was extremely interested in publishing Love.
The award is the only such prize that recognizes literary debuts of Filipino writers and was established in memory of Gonzalo Gonzalez. Previous winners are Elena Sicat, Luna Sicat-Cleto, F.H. Batacan, Sarg Lacuesta, Vince Groyon and Kristian Cordero. This year’s panel of judges was composed of Garcia, Jaime An-Lim and previous winner Vince Groyon.

Below is the transcript from Garcia’s presentation of the winner and other nominees:
"The six finalists for this year’s Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award are:
First, Salamanca, a novel by Dean Alfar. This is the only avowed book of fiction to make it to the short list in what has turned out to be the year of creative nonfiction. A verbal conjuration of the magical realist sort, Salamanca is a campy verbal adventure written in Alfar’s trademark rambunctious and irreverent prose. In typical postmodernist fashion, this fabulation’s impressively scintillant surface—its medium—is quite possibly already the innermost depth of its message."

Second, Barbara-Ann Gamboa Lewis’s Barefoot in Fire: A World War II Childhood. This charmingly illustrated, book-length memoir reads like a compelling little novel, whose narrative carefully imparts to the reader a sense of its precocious narrator’s unfolding life—a life that is by turns impressionable and courageous, vulnerable and steadfast, reckless and prudent. Like other memorable books of the same genre, Lewis’s Barefoot in Fire is an eloquent indictment of the utter evil of war, as well as a moving study of the indomitable human spirit.

Third, Science Solitaire: Essays on Science, Nature, and Becoming Human by Maria Isabel Garcia. This book, possibly the first of its kind in the history of Philippine literary publishing, is an interesting collection of nonfiction essays about science, written in a generous and accessible language. In essay after essay, the author strikes the reader as being at once a naturalist and a philosopher—a student of creation, who intimately participates in the very thing that she observes, and who seeks, in the world’s tangible and mutable forms, the harmony and meaningfulness that affirm our deepest sense of being.

Fourth, Kapwa: the Self in the Other by Katrin De Guia. This beautifully produced and capaciously heavy book emerged out of the multi-talented author’s dissertation in Filipino Psychology. A singular achievement in intelligent fellow-feeling and scholarly sympathy, De Guia’s Kapwa is at once an academic inquiry into the Filipino concepts and rituals of the shared inner self, as well as an intricate interweaving of six, richly textured biographical essays on culture-bearing Filipino artists, whose complex worldviews and lifeways the author painstakingly and passionately brings to light.

Fifth, Helen T. Yap’s From Inside the Berlin Wall. A series of letters to her family back in the Philippines, Yap’s book traces a narrative arc that articulates the “Pinoy abroad” perspective in a way that is remarkably different from the garden variety travelogue, probably because the author actually resided rather than merely toured in the strange and estranging landscape of East Germany, right before the end of the Cold War. This experience afforded Yap the time to piece together her book’s fragmentary but finally singular vision—that of a temporary Filipino exile’s haunting and haunted inner world.

And finally, the sixth finalist and this year’s winner of the coveted Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award is…Love, Desire, Children, Etc.: Reflections of a Young Wife by Rica Bolipata-Santos.

Published in 2005 by Milflores Publishing, Inc., Bolipata-Santos’s first book is a rewarding collection of thirteen thematically unified essays that addresses with uncommon candor, grace, and humor some of life’s more mundane realities and mysteries: love and desire, marriage and children, family and friends, teaching and writing. The author treads the uneven terrain of the quotidian with an open compass, unafraid to confront and scrutinize even her own intimate fears and insecurities and confusions. Again and again, in these luminous little personal narratives, what triumphs is a clear-eyed self-understanding, which is utterly convincing because it is earned at the cost of so much soul-searching and inner struggle. In these provocative and well-shaped essays, Bolipata-Santos (following the words of Peter Walsh from Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway ) has taken hold of fragments of her public and private life and turned them round, slowly, in the light, to discover designs that are finally comprehensible, startling, consoling, and wise.

A deeply celebratory book worthy of the Madrigal-Gonzales Best First Book Award.
Congratulations to all author-finalists, and congratulations to our winner, Rica Bolipata-Santos.

Note: Rica Bolipata-Santos was the very first guest speaker of the Writers Guild's A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS (Writers Workshop Series).

STANZAS OF STILLNESS

2008-01-10T19:23:00.000-08:00

NALALABING HIBLA

Ni Rey Tamayo, Jr.

Minsan ako’y kumubli sa tabing ng ilusyon,
Upang takasan ang nahirating kabiguan.

At ang nagpupumiglas
na luha sa mga talukap ng mata,
ay ‘di ko magawang pigilan sa pagdaloy.

Tanging kong karamay sa aking hirap
Na waring hindi naglilikat, ay ang umid kong tinig
Na humihibik sa pagtangis.

Anupa’t niyayamot ako ng dalamhati,
Nilansag ang buo pulutong ng aking ligaya.

Ang aking mukha ay namamaga sa pagtangis,
at nasa aking mga pilik-mata
ang anino at silo ng kamatayan;

Pilit kong nililimot sa aking isipan,
Ang humuhulagpos na pag-asa
Nang iwan ako ng nalalabing hibla ng buhay.

CANVAS 2008 ROMEO FORBES CHILDREN'S STORYWRITING COMPETITION

2008-01-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year again!

CANVAS invites you to join its 4th Annual Romeo Forbes Storywriting Competition. This year's contest is based on an original untitled oil on canvas painting by Joy Mallari (pictured above - click on the picture to see a larger version).

In addition to receiving P30,000.00 in cash and a trophy, the winning author will also see his/her story rendered and published as a full color children's book in mid-2009.

CONTEST Rules:

1. The 2008 Romeo Forbes Children’s Storywriting Competition is open to all Filipinos.

2. Entries must not have been previously published, and all entrants must warrant the originality of their submitted entries.

3. Writers may submit only one entry, in English or Filipino, which shall be of 2,000 words or less.

4. There is no particular theme, other than the use of this year’s contest piece by artist Joy Mallari as the inspiration or basis for the entry.

5. The CANVAS children’s story writing competition shall be awarded points by a select panel of judges based on the following criteria:

* Originality and Storyline (30%)
* Quality of Writing (30%)
* Imagery (30%)
* X-Factor (Judges’ discretion) (10%)

6. Judging Process.

* CANVAS shall first shortlist the ten (10) best stories, copies of which shall then be forwarded to the CANVAS Fellow.
* The CANVAS Fellow shall then shorten the list further to seven (7) stories, and may provide comments on any or all the stories for consideration by the panel of judges.
* A panel of judges shall collectively choose the winner from the final set of stories.
* If the judges cannot come to a consensus on the winner, they shall take a vote and the entry that gains the most number of votes shall be declared the winner.
* Neither the judges nor the CANVAS fellow will see the entrant's name until the winner is chosen.

7. Entries must be submitted by email, as a Microsoft Word attachment, to storycontest@canvas.ph with the subject heading 2008 ROMEO FORBES CHILDREN’S STORYWRITING COMPETITION. Entrants must include a cover sheet with their name, mailing and email address, and telephone number. Only the story title should appear on all pages of the entry.

8. The deadline for submission of entries is 5:00 p.m. (Manila time), Friday 21 March 2008. Entries received after the deadline, even if sent earlier, will no longer be considered for the competition. CANVAS shall not be responsible for entries which are not received, or which are received after the deadline, due to technical failure or for any other reason whatsoever.

9. Subject to Rule 14 below, by submitting an entry, all entrants thereby agree to authorize CANVAS to post such entries on its website or blog, as CANVAS deems fit, and free from any payments, royalties or fees whatsoever.

10. There shall be only one winner, who shall receive a cash prize of PhP 30,000.00 and a trophy for his/her entry. The winner shall be responsible for all applicable taxes.

The winning writer shall also be entitled to five (5) free copies upon publication of the book.

The winner shall grant and transfer to CANVAS all intellectual property and publication rights to the story, including the right to translate, adapt and/or make modifications thereto. (Please see our short note on why we have this rule.)

It is hereby understood that the cash prize to be awarded to the winner shall include consideration of such intellectual property and publication rights to the story, and the writer shall not be entitled to any other royalties or fees from earnings, if any, that may result from future publication of, derivative works, licensing of, or other transactions on the same.

Except for the right to publish any received entry on its website and/or blog, CANVAS shall not retain any other rights to entries that are not selected as the winner, except where separate agreements are reached with the writers.

11. CANVAS shall exercise full and exclusive editorial and artistic control over the publication of the winning entry and resulting book.

12. While it is the full intention of CANVAS to publish the winning entry as a full-color children’s book, CANVAS reserves the right not to publish the same for any reason whatsoever.

13. The winner of the CANVAS storywriting competition will be announced on or around 21 April, 2008. The winner will also be notified via email on the same announcement date.

14. CANVAS reserves the right not to award the top competition prize in the event that the judges decide that no entry was received that is deserving of the top prize. In such event, however, CANVAS shall have no right whatsoever over all entries that were received; and shall not publish any entry, in its website or in any other venue, without the prior written consent or agreement of the author.

15. The decision of the competition judges shall be final, and no correspondence or inquiries into the same – including requests for comments/feedback on received entries – shall be entertained.

16. Employees of CANVAS, 1/of Gallery and members of their immediate family, as well as the CANVAS Fellow’s immediate family, are disqualified from participating in the competition.

Visit the CANVAS website

SPEND THESE COLD MONTHS OF NOVEMBER - DECEMBER WITH THE WRITERS GUILD!

2007-12-31T01:05:00.000-08:00

September - December 2007

+ REFLECTIONS. Dylan Gozum reviews the Guild's teacher training programs.

+ IN FOCUS // Odie Gementera of the Camera Club of SPi talks about a craft we all love - photography.

+ A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS. The Writers Dream Academy calls it a wrap.

+ REVIEW. Resident cineaste Ed Saludes raves about filmmaker Raya Martin.

+ HARD COPY // The Guild's literary and news magazine finally makes a debut.

+ CULTURE EXPRESS.
{Meet and greet Direk Floy Quintos}
{One of SPi's own stars in New Voice Company's INTO THE WOODS as Rapunzel}

+ BOOK OF THE MONTH
{SOPAS MUNA} October 2007
{TWISTED FLICKS} November 2007
{TWISTED TRAVELS} December 2007

+ STANZAS OF STILLNESS. Rey Tamayo Jr.'s poetry hits where it hurts most.

+

+

FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR

2007-12-30T01:07:00.000-08:00

Teachers all. With Guest Speaker Rita Dela Cruz.

TEACHERS TRAINING: A REFLECTION

by Dylan Y. Gozum

This year marks the second year that the Writers Guild has opened the Writers Workshop Series to public school teachers who are under the supporting embrace of our very own SPi Foundation. The Toastmasters Club, in a fresh bid for a greater sense of purpose, also did a series of workshops with teachers, although in the field that they are known for: public speaking.

For the Guild's part, we focused mainly on starting the teachers on how to write because if there are two things that have started to die in the Philippine Educational System, it's reading and consequently its twin, writing. I have no hard data to back up this claim, but if the results of the annual profiency exams for students are of any indication, it is pretty obvious that something is sorely lacking. The results of the English proficency exams for teachers are also at an all-time low. I had a chat with former Writers Guild contributor, Mahros Abano, who has returned to teaching and she says that the education system is delayed by 20 years. In what terms she didn't specify, but one look at graduates of public schools then and those of today speaks a lot about this gap in the information school children today receive.

I do not blame the teachers. With almost non-existent public libraries, where will they get new information other than what's written in their textbooks? And oh, don't even get me started on the textbooks. It's a tragedy on a scale never before seen in this country. Also, at Php 9,000/month salary, we do not expect teachers to spend a centavo on internet research or at the very least subscribe to magazines.

In our last workshop, our participants were shocked to know that a Php 300-priced book is already "reasonable" considering that most books in the Philippines are usually Php 300 and above. The latest Harry Potter book which came a few months ago was priced at Php 1,400.00 - four times the daily mininum wage of a Metro Manila-based worker. Surely, at their current salaries, public school teachers won't be able to have access to anything new at all, unless they are sent to the annual summer training for teachers in Baguio. My late mother, who worked for Plan International, once described a meeting of English Grammar teachers as "pandemonium, bordering on insanity." It was a meeting of the old versus the new school of Grammar and it took a day to settle differences in the usual grammar practices. I can imagine a lot of egos got bruised that day.

So why writing? Because writing allows a person to use the power of language to express one's thoughts. Filipinos do not relish the idea of speaking formally in public. Unfortunately, neither are we writers or readers. If we can only sing more often (if and when singing becomes our usual mode of communication), maybe we'd get much farther than where we are today. The entry of the texting language doesn't help either. Some say it's not how it's written but how it is expressed. Maybe. Maybe we can do away with basic sentence construction as long as we make ourselves understood. In fact, an office secretary of ours who just left for Dubai emails me in - surprise - SMS language! It was both worrisome and amusing. SMS language has become second nature.

So again, why do we teach writing? Because to be a writer, one also has to be a reader. In fact, one has to be a voracious reader - to quote guest speaker Rita dela Cruz - if one wishes to make a career out of writing. You can say that we are trying to hit two birds with one stone. We may not be able to convert the teachers to a writing career in a workshop or two, at least we can start them on reading. I cross my fingers and hope that their school libraries have books for adults. The classics would be my first requirement. Harry Potter is a no no. Bob Ong, no. Paolo Coelho, only on one's spare time. But for serious readers, one must never miss out on the rich language that classics offer.

Again, why writing? Because knowledge breeds knowledge. It's important - nay, a requirement - for teachers who teach English and Filipino subjects to be writers, too, because what's the use of teaching grammar if one can't use it? Let us teach our teachers teach their students how to harness the power of the written word and use it to advance themselves. The future will be waiting for their well-written job application forms, essays in contests, speeches during family gatherings, or even something as mundane as a Friendster or Facebook testimonial. Use knowledge to fight ignorance which promotes proverty. Use the power of the written word to secure and protect human rights. Use the ability to write to seek redress or earn a promotion at work or to articulate needs, wants, and aspirations. Over and above, use writing as a form of self-expression because through this one can find amusement, fulfillment, or life direction. Writing can be a voice for those who cannot speak out loud.

20 years of backlog can be a daunting thought. I hope that we are doing our own contribution in slowly closing this gap. We owe it to our children.

WRITERS DREAM ACADEMY CALLS IT A WRAP!

2007-12-29T01:57:00.000-08:00

The Second Season of the Writers Guild's Series of Fortunate Events finally ended last November 10, 2007. This wraps up all seven topics for this year's Series.

Guest speaker Bebang Siy (in white dress) with some members of the Guild.

The Series opened with a bang - quite literally - with Popular Literature (Ghost Story & Mini-Mystery) given by Beverly Siy. She is the current president of LIRA, the national group of poets who write in Filipino. Despite the typhoon that was raging during that time, Bebang's fun character gave the workshop its much needed warmth.

Next came Rita dela Cruz's Introduction to Essay Writing (Panimula sa Pagsulat ng Sanaysay) on August 25. This is was the first in the series which was attended by public school teachers from Carmona and Tagaytay, both in the province of Cavite. Their attendance was arranged by our office partner, the SPi Foundation headed by Ms. Lucy Aguila.

Guest speaker Sir Alfredo (in green shirt) and some members of the class.

We were very lucky that our September 1-speaker, Alfredo B. Diaz, was in Manila for his Masteral at the University of the Philippines Diliman and he lost no time in infecting us with his humorous stories during the Humorous Creative Non-Fiction workshop. Mr. Diaz is a professor at the University of the Philippines Visayas which is based in Miag-ao, Iloilo. He also is a member of the Theatre Arts Guild of the University of the Philippines (TAGUPCI). He is one of several authors who have come together to form the anthology entitled My Fair Maladies. A copy of this book can be borrowed from our Readvolution Bookcase B.

Following Mr. Diaz's workshop is the Introduction to Writing Short Stories (Panimula sa Pagsulat ng Maikling Kuwento) last September 22 by Haidee C. Pineda, also of the University of the Philippines Diliman. This is the second topic under the Starter Kit banner and thus was also attended by public school teachers.

Guest speaker Jay Fernando (in dark glasses) and some members of the scriptwriting class.

Last October 26, we were likewise honored to have been given the chance to learn from Ricardo P. Fernando III. At 17, he won First Prize at the 53rd Palanca Literary Awards for his entry on Futuristic Fiction in Filipino entitled "Bagong Developments sa Pagbuo ng Mito ng Lungsod". Mow 23, he currently is a head writer at ABS-CBN. The workshop topic was Scriptwriting for Drama on Television.

Guest Speaker Winnie (last row, 2nd from left) and members of the class.

Rounding up the Starter Kit Series was Wennielyn F. Fajilan's Panimula sa Pagsulat ng Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (Introduction to the Art of Writing Stories for Children) last October 20, 2007. The participants were taught the basics and were given tips on how to engage the children's imagination with exciting stories. Mss. Siy, Fajilan, and dela Cruz are all contributing writers to the anthology entitled SOPAS MUNA (Isang higop sa Mainit na Sabaw ng Buhay). A copy of this book can be borrowed from the Readvolution Bookcase B.

Leah Ruth Racelis of Healthcare smiles as she receives her certificate from Jessica.

Going twisted with Jessica!

And finally, to close the entire Second Season was Jessica Zafra of the TWISTED Series fame. Her topic was The Personal Essay. Ms. Zafra is a three-time Palanca winner for her short stories (Portents, 1991; Bad Boy Robin, Baad, Baad Boy, 1993; and Black, 1994) . Her visit to SPi happened last November 10, 2007. The participants were made to watch the critically-acclaimed Cinemalaya film, ENDO. Take-home messages from the workshop were: read, stop watching television, keep a journal, be open-minded because everything is material, and develop an interest in other art forms, i.e. art, film, etc. Copies of her books are available in the Readvolution Bookcase B.

All in all, the Series saw the attendance of ____ particpants, both from within SPi and from other companies and schools. The Series of Fortunate Events (Writers Workshop Series) is held every year by the Writers Guild of SPi. This year, it opened under the auspices of the Writers Dream Academy and is supervised by Jose Perseus Canivel, the Workshop Manager.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

2007-12-20T00:20:00.000-08:00

On behalf of SPi's Writers Guild, we thank you for your generous donation of books.

We have received the following new titles:

Janet Evanovich – Three to Get Deadly
Janet Evanovich – Four to Score
Janet Evanovich – High Five
Janet Evanovich –Hot Six
Janet Evanovich – Seven Up
Janet Evanovich – Hard Eight
Janet Evanovich –Ten Big Ones
Janet Evanovich – Eleven on Top
Patricia Cornwell – Trace
Sophie Kinsella – Shopaholic / Ties the knot
Sophie Kinsella - Shopaholic and Sister
Carl Hiaasen – Basket Case
Kathleen Woodiwiss – A Season Beyond A Kiss

Your kindness will surely enrich a lot of people.

Thank you!
Maria Pilar R. Manzano
Writers Guild
SPi

THE WRITERS GUILD COMMEMORATES HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK

2007-12-08T05:51:00.000-08:00

Photo source: Clickthecity.com

Muling ipapalabas ang pelikulang TRIBU sa UP Cine Adarna (Film Center) sa ika-8 ng Disyembre 2007, ganap na alas-7 ng gabi.

BACKGROUND: Nagwagi bilang Best Full-length Film ng Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2007, isinisiwalat ng TRIBU ang dahas, rubdob, at salimuot ng Tondo sa pamamagitan ng pagtatanghal ng buhay-gang. Sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng mga artista mula mismo sa mga residente ng Tondo at sa mga kasapi ng gang mula rito, higit na napaigting ang pagpaparanas ng pelikula — mula sa madilim ngunit sa isang banda ay makulay na gulo ng lugar, hanggang sa musika ng rap.

WRITER: Ang TRIBU ay isinulat ni Jim Libiran, na siya ring direktor ng pelikula. Nagwagi rin ito sa kategoryang Full-length Screenplay ng Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature 2006. Para sa tiket at sa karagdagang impormasyon, maaaring itext si Pam Maranca sa 09197971213 o mag-email sa liraworkshop@gmail.com.

P100 ang isang tiket.

POST-SCREENING: Magkakaroon din ng mini-concert ng mga gangster-rapper na mapapanood sa pelikula at isang symposium ukol sa buhay-gang.

Ang pagpapalabas ng Tribu ay bahagi ng Human Rights week celebration sa UP Diliman. Ang film showing na ito ay handog ng UP Cine Adarna at LIRA, isang organisasyon ng mga makatang nagsusulat sa wikang Filipino. Bahagi ng kita ay mapupunta sa pagpapagamot kay Tata Raul Funilas, isang manggagawa mula sa UP at kasapi rin ng LIRA na may karamdaman sa bituka at tiyan.

CULTURE EXPRESS: ARTISTS AS HEROES

2007-11-30T05:44:00.000-08:00

The Amado Hernandez Resource Center in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts present

Mabibili ang ticket sa ticketworld o sa Cultural Center of the Philippines ticket booth. Para sa detalye, tumawag po lamang sa (02)412.0909 o 0916.790.0671.

CULTURE EXPRESS: JUVENAL SANSO AT THE AYALA MUSEUM

2007-11-15T01:41:00.000-08:00

A selection of works by noted Spanish artist Juvenal Sanso will be on display at the Ayala Museum from November 23, 2007 to January 13, 2008. Entrance fee is only PHP 150.00. Free entrance to Ayala Museum members.

Sanso was born in Reus, Catalonia, Spain in 1929 but moved to Manila five years later where his family had a wrought-iron business. He paints in watercolor, acrylic and his favored ink and dry brush medium.

CULTURE EXPRESS: GABI NG PAGPUPUGAY NG MGA PAMBANSANG ALAGAD NG SINING

2007-11-15T01:35:00.000-08:00

Click on photo to enlarge.

Para sa tickets, tumawag lang po sa 4120909 at 09167900671. Mabibili na rin sa Ticketworld.

JESSICA ZAFRA VISITS SPi!

2007-11-10T04:06:00.000-08:00

By Jo Herrera

From what she does to borrowers who won’t return her books to her writing habits, Carlos Palanca awardee and author of the best-seller Twisted series Jessica Zafra dishes on her life, likes, and who she would trade places with.

PinoyCentric: What makes you happy nowadays?

Jessica Zafra: Small things, like an unexpectedly good movie (Sunshine) or a great find in a bargain book bin (Gerontius) or an excellent restaurant no one’s ever heard of (I’m not telling, or else I’ll never get a table).

PC: Are you the type who keeps reading materials in her bathroom? What do you have?

I used to keep magazines in the bathroom (back issues of National Geographic seem to be a favorite among friends), but my cats developed the nasty habit of knocking things into the litterbox.

PC: Which among the books that you’ve written is the most personal? What made it so?

The short story collection, I think. Manananggal Terrorizes Manila. I wrote (or started) many of those stories in college, when I knew I wanted to be a writer, but wasn’t sure anyone would read me. So writing them was like leaping into the void.

PC: How many books have you lent and were never returned? How might you have discouraged this habit of borrowers?

Dozens. I used to get annoyed, then I realized that since I’d already read the books, it didn’t matter. True, I only lend books to friends now, and since I also borrow their books, I have hostages. When I really like a book, I force it on people. Recently I practically force-fed James Salter’s Last Night to a friend.

PC: Are you working on something now? Do you mind sharing what it’s about?

I am working on the second draft of my novel. Like all first novels, it’s a thinly veiled autobiography. I don’t usually do drafts. I don’t enjoy rewrites. If it works, it works, if it doesn’t, throw it away. However, I wrote the first draft from beginning to end during a one-month period of unemployment, so I literally did not know where it was going. Now I’m trying to make sense of it, plugging up the holes in the structure and so on.

PC: Do you have any writing rituals?

It’s easier to write when I’ve spent the whole day doing nothing, or things not related to writing. If I have an early-evening deadline, I’ll go out and watch a movie first, or have a coffee with friends. If I can’t think of anything to write, I take a nap, and when I wake up I usually have something in mind.

I prefer to write longhand. I carry a bunch of notebooks around—one for ideas and bits of information, one for my novel, and one for articles, the stuff that pays the bills. When I type up the drafts, I make corrections. Then I press send and forget about them.

PC: What do you say about critics’ claim that you went commercial and, supposedly, sold out?
I’m a professional writer, meaning I write for a living. I don’t teach, work at a newspaper, or write advertising copy; I support myself entirely by selling articles. Selling! My work is by nature commercial.

I think the readers have over-romanticised my career. Maybe they expect writers to live in a garret and starve. Very charming and nineteenth century. I don’t like suffering, and I avoid it as much as I can.

PC: Is there a character that you identify the most with? Who would that be?

Nah, I contain multitudes.

PC: Would you like to meet my brother? (I’m kidding. You probably won’t, unless you like spending your free time in Vegas . . . every year.) Seriously, how does Mr. Right look to you?

What makes you think he’s not sitting in front of me rolling his eyeballs?

PC: Do you fantasize about having children?

No, I don’t like children. I have to be able to take off at a moment’s notice, and you can’t do that if there are spawn.

PC: How do you spoil your cat?

Treats and toys. The weekly dose of catnip. They’re not very cooperative. I buy them a toy from the pet store, and when they see it they plotz over the box and ignore the toy.

PC: Who was (or is) a very influential person to you?

Teodoro Locsin, Jr. (Teddyboy), my former publisher, has been a major influence. I was somewhat nicer before I started writing for Today. Also, he’s a great believer in the classics, but he’s always on the lookout for a well-written thriller.

PC: Where are the Zafras from, originally?

My parents are from Bicol. I was born and raised in Manila. There’s a town in the Extremadura in Spain called Zafra, complete with medieval castle. Never been there.

PC: What have you learned about yourself in the past few years?

That everything turns out the same whether I get worked up about it or not.

PC: What could you have said to Ewan McGregor, in person?

Fire your agent. Get better career advice.

PC: If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would that be, and well, why?

Charles Darwin on the HMS Beagle, researching what would be the most important book ever written.

PC: What is the song of your life?

“Camelot” from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Editor’s note: Jo Herrera has written for business magazines and taught English and literature at St. Scholastica’s College and De La Salle University in Manila. She has an MA in Creative Writing from UP Diliman. Now based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Jo is doing research on contemporary Philippine culture.

Article reprinted from PINOYCENTRIC.COM.

SHE IS COMING!

2007-11-09T06:22:00.000-08:00

Click on photos to enlarge.

CULTURE EXPRESS: THEATRE

2007-11-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

INTO THE WOODS. The cast includes Angela Padilla (far left, last row) of SPi's Corporate Communications.

Photo by NVC.

The New Voice Company is proud to announce the stellar cast for its upcoming musical INTO THE WOODS, which goes onstage at the Music Museum from November 9 to December 8th.

INTO THE WOODS, with music by Stephen Sondheim and book and lyrics by James Lapine, combines the well-known fairy tales of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood with the story of the Baker and his Wife who desperately want a child. Unfortunately, the Baker and his Wife have been affected by a spell that has left them childless by a witch and must perform various missions involving the characters in the other fairy tales to break the spell. The Baker and his Wife must bring the witch a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. Once the characters have accomplished their goals, however, they learn about the pitfalls of greed and gluttony. Finally, they learn about the need for community and unity and the power of wishes and dreams.

Leading the heavy weight cast of this Tony and Grammy award winning musical are theatre veteran actor Michael Williams - who plays the Baker, and musical theatre star Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as the Baker's Wife - both of whom are the show's catalysts and who drive the story into a magical web of spells and wishes. Lynn Sherman stars as the Witch who sings one of the show's most popular songs - Children Will Listen.

The romantic leads of the musical looking for their "happy ever after" are Cinderella and her Prince charming - played by young rising theatre leading lady Cathy Azanza, and acclaimed theatre actor Jamie Wilson, respectively. Seasoned musical theatre actor John Mulhall plays the other dashing Prince who falls in love with a maiden in a tower.

INTO THE WOODS is about wishing and the sometimes unforeseen consequences of getting your wish, but it's also about the journey through life's experiences and how the young grow up along the way. The "children" of the story are Rapunzel, played by exciting new actress Angela Padilla, Jack in the Beanstalk, played by teen heartthrob Joaqui Valdes, and Little Red Riding Hood, played alternately by Julia Abueva and Crisel Consunji.

Completing the cast are some of the top names in Philippine theatre, television and film. Tommy Abuel plays the Mysterious Man, while some of the country's top actresses - such as Juno Henares and Mads Nicolas, play the Wicked Stepmother and Jack's Mother respectively. Acclaimed dramatic actress Missy Maramara plays the Narrator, while exciting new actresses Mika Margolles and Maita Ponce play the Wicked Stepsister - Lucinda and Florinda. The rest of the cast include Red Concepcion, Amiel Mendoza, Mica Pineda and China Tapia.

The show is directed by NVC Associate Artistic Director Rito Asilo, choreography by Dexter Santos, Set Design by Gino Gonzales, Light Design by Martin Esteva, and Musical Direction by Ceejay Javier. Rossana Abueva is the show's Executive Producer, with Monique Wilson as Artistic Director.

INTO THE WOODS is produced with special licence from Music Theatre International, and is presented in cooperation with Aquabest, Revlon, Dream FM 106, Teriyaki Boy, NU107.5, Sound Design, Burger King, Energizer, Crescent Moon Café and Lanelle Abueva-Fernando Studio Pottery.

h For tickets, show buying, block buying, student and group discounts and sponsorship, call the New Voice Company office on 8966695, 8965497 or 8990630, email nvc@pldtdsl.net or visit http://www.newvoicecompany.com/. Tickets are also available at all Ticketworld outlets (T: 891-9999/ http://www.ticketworld.com.ph/ ).

STANZAS OF STILLNESS

2007-11-07T01:36:00.000-08:00

Tuloy sa Pagtakbo

Darating ang isang pagkakataon
na ating babakahin ang mga luhang
kikitil ng ating pansamantalang kaligayan.

Tayo'y papasok sa isang saligutgot
na daigdig ng kawalang malay; Upang
tungkabin ang ating ulirat.

Ulirat ng kahapon na susubok
ng ating katatagan sa buhay.

Ngunit, ‘di dapat umatras sa laban
O kaya'y tumalikod sa nakaumang
panganib.

Ating harapin ng buong tapang
at sa dakong huli'y tiyak din ang
ating tagumpay.

Patuloy nating takbuhin ang landas
sa ating harapan.
Kahit na marami pang suligi na
nagkalat.

Tuloy lang sa pagtakbo.
Tuloy ang laban.

______
Rey Tamayo Jr. is from ____.

SPi: HOW TO GET HERE

2007-11-04T22:32:00.000-08:00

Welcome to SPi, the home of the Writers Guild! Our complete address is Pascor Drive, Sto. Niño, 1700 Parañaque City. The landmark is Casino Filipino which is just right across the NAIA 1 terminal. Please see map below for directions on how to get here. You can click on the image to enlarge it. Go on. Give it a try! :-)

For visitors coming from

QUEZON CITY, MANDALUYONG, MAKATI, ETC.: Take MRT up to Taft Station, take a bus to Baclaran where FXs bound for Sucat are easily available.

MANILA: FXs bound for Sucat regularly ply Taft Avenue.

CAVITE, LAS PIñAS: Take bus up to Coastal Road. FXs bound for Sucat wait for passengers infront of KFC Coastal Branch.

SUCAT: Well...

CULTURE EXPRESS: THEATRE TALK

2007-10-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

PinoyCentric and Manila Gay Guy, with the help of Gibbs Cadiz, are inviting 20 bloggers to “Theater Talk Atbp,” with multi-awarded writer-director Floy Quintos.

This informal, animated, and interactive chikahan session on theater appreciation will be on October 27, Saturday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the PLDT/Smart Exhibition Hall of the PETA Theater Center on 5 Sunnyside Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.

This is a rare opportunity for bloggers to learn from someone who has had extensive experience in theater, television, show business, and the arts.

{ Mr. Quintos’ professional practice ranges the field, from Ballet Philippines to Kuya Germs, from directing a Vina Morales concert one moment to staging the UST Conservatory of Music’s acclaimed production of Tchaikovsky’s opera “Eugene Onegin” the next. He’s guided the ditzy show-biz talk show “StarTalk” to its 12th year and appears on TV as one of the judges in “Pinoy Pop Superstar,” while also churning out well-written, highly contemporary theater pieces like “Laro” (Schnitzler’s “La Ronde” set in Manila’s gay milieu) or “St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos” (about the export of Filipino tribesmen to the St. Louis World Exposition in 1904). He runs his own art and antiques gallery, even as he’s also one of the most in-demand directors around for corporate shows, product launches and the yearly velada of Assumption alumnae and their like." } By Gibbs Cadiz

This event is free, and we won’t starve you (yes, there’s free merienda and we’ll be raffling off some stuff too!), but we only have slots for 20 bloggers, so head on over to this site and register. (In case the 20 slots have been filled, please register anyway and we’ll try to accommodate you when someone backs out at the last minute.)

Our only condition is that you blog about this experience. We promise it will be priceless. See you there!

Caricature by Richie Mendoza
Poster by Norman Nimer

STORYTELLING SESSION FOR KIDS AT SPi!

2007-10-27T03:24:00.000-07:00

Please click to enlarge image.

BOOK OF THE MONTH // OCTOBER

2007-10-25T04:53:00.000-07:00

SOPAS MUNA!
Isang Higop sa Mainit na Sabaw ng Buhay

Ang Sopas Muna ay isang mangkok ng mga kuwentong sa inyong puso’y magpapataba at magpapalusog ng inyong kaluluwa. Hindi ito isang cookbook. Isa itong koleksiyon ng mga kuwentong pinasarap ng aral ng buhay.

Note: Three of the authors have already visited SPi - Beverly Siy (August 8), Rita dela Cruz (August 25), and Wennielyn F. Fajilan (October 20).

LEARN HOW TO WRITE STORIES FOR CHILDREN!

2007-10-20T21:43:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to enlarge.

IN FOCUS // CAMERA CLUB OF SPi

2007-10-03T01:20:00.000-07:00

Odie Gementera of the Camera Club takes a look at a craft we all love - photography.

On his beginnings as a neophyte photographer //

My first camera was a match box with a hole at a corner and a rubber wheel attached in front to make it look like an SLR. I would put little drawings inside the box and pretend they were pictures that I took. Way, way back when I was still a kid, I already had an interest for capturing images. Little did I know that that match box, combined with unexposed film, can be a pinhole camera that can produce real pictures.

The real camera came when I was already working. The first one was a point-and-shoot with Advantix film. Then came the 2MP digital camera; bigatin na yun noon. Then I went back to film; it was a 35mm SLR camera. After rolls and rolls of film I decided to go for a Digital SLR. There wasn't much of an inspiration when I was just starting; it was more of fascination to
capture good images but now I look up to my maestro, Benjie Rivera, and other digital masters like David LaChapelle and Andrzej Dragan.

On what he felt when his first photo got published //

It was a great feeling seeing my work get published in a newspaper that reaches the entire country. Nationwide agad! It was a photo of a man silhouetted against a colorful hot air balloon. After that was the low key shot of Eileen (a model) that won 1st prize in a photo contest. It was published in Camera & Imaging Magazine first quarter of this year. Then came invitations to shoot amateur models like Carla Samonte and Cherry Ann Kubota (both for FHM), and Precious Adona (Bench Model Search) and few celebrities like Kristine Jaca and Jennifer Lee of Viva Hot Babes. My shot of Jennifer Lee will be published on the next issue of Camera & Imaging together with the article that I contributed.

Just last September 11, I contributed to my maestro's article in Manila Bulletin. The photo of our very own Michelle Aglipay of Journals was used in the article. The photo was actually a product of one of the SPI Camera Club's workshops called "Shooting in Low Light".

On why he decided to organize the Camera Club //

To have people that I can converse with na maiintindihan ako at makasama sa mga photo shoot. Seriously, I wanted to share what I learned and be able to use those skills here at SPI. Actually, one of the club's responsibilities is to document all the activities of the company.

On what he sees is the future of photography in SPi //

How do I see the Camera Club 5 years from now? Somebody will have a 20+ mega pixel camera! I see a lot of potentials in the current roster. We have Roger Ramos, Wowie Tantiangco, Art Salustiano and Jimmy Reyes who are very enthusiastic about the craft. And there's this one employee who is also doing well in photography, 'di lang s'ya maingay tulad ko. His name is Red Dungca of Journals. This guy keeps improving his skills, makati rin kasi ang daliri sa shutter. If you'll see his work, you'll be impressed like I was! These people will also have their work published in the future.

Right now I am trying to equip them with the skills they need so they can also compete with other photographers outside of SPi. I am coordinating with my other club so we can have a joint project to expose them to other photographers. We have finished the first module of the learning session which is Basic Photography. Future lessons will be focused on specialization like Lighting, Portraiture, Food Photography, etc. Who knows, maybe in the future the club will be commissioned to shoot for SPi or PLDT's brochures.

On what he thinks of photography as an art //

Like what I always say in my learning sessions, as a painter creates images with brush and colors, so does a photographer 'paints' with camera and light. If you create something that brings out emotions from the viewer, that is art and photography is no different.

On what he thinks are the qualities a good photographer must have //

Look at the world in a different perspective. An ordinary bench may not strike as a good subject for most of us but if you look at it in a different perspective, add the elements that surround it you can make an interesting image - something that will tell a story, elicit warm feelings, and bring out emotions. Keep on Shooting!

Visit www.spicamera.multiply.com

SPEND THE RAINY (AND LAZY) DAYS WITH THE WRITERS GUILD AND PROJECT BACKSPACE!

2007-08-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

June-August 2007
Issue 4 Volume 2

+ From the Chief Editor. Saying goodbye is never easy.

+ WG Updates

{The Writers Guild Poetry Festival 2007 breaks traditions - and rules.}
{Writers Guild Storytellers provide support to SPi Foundation.}

{TULARAWAN exhibit: A dream come true.}

{READVOLUTION is back with a vengeance.}

{The Writers Dream Academy begins its classes. Enrolment still ongoing!}

+ Personal Essays
{Mahros Abaño of Healthcare faces the prospect of her future being read, but something made her doubt that it was all for real.}
{Rohit Wad of Support meditates on being a superhero - and relishes the idea.}
{Biboy Calleja of Journals brings with him a thousand good memories of his Lola.}

+ Stanzas of Stillness. A fresh voice from Publishing emerges - haunting, moving.

+ Reel Review. The Guild sends its warmest congratulations to Jim Libiran.

We are accepting new members and contributors! To find out how to join or contribute, send us a note at 0927.447.8781 or at spiwritersguild@yahoo.com.ph! All SPi employees from the Philippines and our global offices are welcome!

FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR

2007-08-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

Peanut plant. Photo by D. Gozum

Dear friends and readers,

As I write this, three important members of the Writers Guild will have resigned from the Guild, and two of them from SPi. Our Poetry Editor, Dai Miranda, whose very short term saw the introduction of poetry as our way of opening events and programs, will be going back to her creative roots. She says she misses writing and who are we to curtail creativity? There is evil talk that the post is jinxed, but we digress.

A regular contributor, Mahros Abaño of Healthcare, will have returned to her first love - teaching. She now teaches English to elementary and High school students in her hometown of Laguna.

A leading light in our Storytellers group, Lisa Austria has quit the group to focus on one thing she really wishes to develop - writing. We wish her all the best and offer her our support (and guidance, if need be).

Also, and this came rather belatedly, we also say farewell to Ms. Elaine Kunkle, whose generosity has made possible the establishment of READVOLUTION, our very successful reading project here in SPi.

It is always sad to see friends go. It is always sad to say goodbye. But for every farewell, a welcome comes along with it because we never really stop moving. We just do new things. It is our hope that our friends find themselves in a happier state. We hold in our minds and hearts the fondest memories of our time together.

For us who are left, we are challenged to keep things exciting for the rest of the membership, as well as to continue attracting new blood. We are now entering our second year in office and we have learned a lot from our first year. Here's looking forward to a more exciting year ahead of us!

Cheers!

Dylan
dylangozum@yahoo.com

POWERBOOKS ACTIVITIES AT THE MANILA INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR 2007

2007-08-29T00:06:00.000-07:00

Powerbooks would like to invite you to visit our booth at the 28th Manila International Book Fair! It is the biggest annual book exhibition in the country featuring more than three hundred local and foreign exhibitors. Get to enjoy big discounts on your favorite books and take home special treats from us!

Together with Read or Die and Bookgroove Reading Centre, we have also prepared a series of informative talks and educational workshops.

Schedule of Powerbooks Events (Admission is FREE)

A. READ OR DIE ORGANIZATION
Talk: Philippine Speculative Fiction
Guest Speaker: Dean Alfar
Schedule: August 29 - Wednesday
2:30 – 3:30pm
Function Room B

Talk: Children, Teens and Reading in the Time of IT
Guest Speaker: Zarah Grace Gagatiga
Schedule: August 30- Thursday
3:30 – 4:30pm
Function Room A

BOOKGROVE READING CENTRE
Part 1: Bookgrove Reading Centre: A Lifetime of Learning Through Books
Guest Speaker: Teacher Carmen Sanchez, reading coach

Part 2: Bookgrove's Play Attention Workshop
Guest Speaker: Juariza Aparis, Co-founder

Schedule: August 31 - Friday
3:30 – 4:30pm
Function Room A

Activity: Bookgrove's Storytelling and Activity Hour
Storyteller: Ma. Cristina M. Atayde
Schedule: September 1- Saturday
3:30 – 4:30pm
Activity Area

See you there!

Regards,

Powerbooks Team
Customer Service Hotline: 757-6428-29
Website: www.powerbooks.com.ph
Multiply site: www.powerbooks.multiply.com

WRITERS DREAM ACADEMY OPENS

2007-08-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

The Writers Dream Academy of the Writers Guild is now accepting enrollees to its class offerings this 2007.

A Series of Fortunate Events Writers Workshop Series (Year 2) subjects offered:

A. LEVEL UP!!!

1.) Popular Literature (Ghost Story & Mini-Mystery)
Speaker: Beverly Siy
Date: August 8, 2007
Subject code: GS / MM

2.) Humorous Creative Non-Fiction
Speaker: Alfredo Diaz
Date: September 1, 2007 9AM – 4PM
Subject code: HA

3.) Scriptwriting for Drama on Television
Speaker: Ricardo P. Fernando III
Date: October 6, 2007 2 – 7PM
Subject code: TV

4.) The Personal Essay
Speaker: Jessica Zafra
Date: To be announced (November or December)
Subject code: PE

B.) STARTER KITS (for beginning writers and the plain curious)

1.) Panimula sa Pagsulat ng Sanaysay (Introduction to Essay Writing)
Speaker: Rita T. dela Cruz
Date: August 25, 2007 9AM – 4PM
Subject code: SA

2.) Panimula sa Pagsulat ng Maikling Kuwento (Introduction to the Art of the Short Story)
Speaker: Haidee C. Pineda
Date: September 22, 2007 9AM – 4PM
Subject code: MK

3.) Panimula sa Pagsulat ng Maikling Kuwentong Pambata (Introduction to the Art of Writing Stories for Children)
Speaker: Wennielyn F. Fajilan
Date: October 20, 2007 9AM – 4PM
Subject code: KP

Note:

a.) All sessions will be held at the HR Training Center, SPi Main Building.

b.)Outsiders (non-SPi employees) will be charged Php 125 fee/class. The series is free to all SPi employees.

c.) Attendance to at least any one subject in the list above is required before acceptance to The Personal Essay subject.

Register early! Text (your name)_(class code, email address)_(your Business Unit - if applicable) and send to 0927.447.8781. You can key in multiple subject codes if you are enrolling in more than one class. See you! Enroll now!

READVOLUTION IS BACK!

2007-08-18T03:20:00.000-07:00

After staying in CIS for over two (2) months and in Healthcare before that, the two (2) Readvolution bookcases have finally been moved to the HR foyer area and are now within easy reach of all SPi employees 24/7!

If you wish to borrow books, just ask for the keys from the HR Help Desk, get your book(s) and register the title(s) and other details, i.e. date borrowed, etc., and return the keys. For graveyard and weekend shifters, keys will be left with the guards on duty. Maximum of two (2) books / week only. Php 5.00/book Late Return Penalty applies.

Note: Borrowing begins on Monday, August 20, 2007.

If you wish to receive a copy of the catalogue, please email a request to spiwritersguild@yahoo.com.ph or better yet, please visit our online library courtesy of The Library Thing. Thanks and happy reading!

____________________
Readvolution logo designed by Ana Maria Lopez Lopez

Meanwhile, on related news. This is something you don't want to miss!

Click on photo to enlarge.

TULARAWAN EXHIBIT OPENING & CLUB WEEK 2007 CLOSING

2007-08-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

The Club Week 2007 closed last August 11 with - ironically enough - the opening of the TULARAWAN exhibit, a seminal joint effort of the Writers Guild and OBRA-Camera Club. Several clubs were there as well with well-received performances from one of the newest of the lot - the Performing Arts. Perps Poblador of Toastmasters Club emceed.

The choir opened the program with three songs, including their now famous version of Petula Clark's 1964 hit Downtown, earning them the monicker 'The Downtown Singers'. The Choir Division of the Performing Arts is headed by the bubbly EJ Solera (Journals). Performing Arts is headed by Christine Umali (Journals). Division head for Theater is Angela Padilla (Corporate Communications).

The Writers Guild's special guest, TUGISTA, were also on hand to liven up the evening. Prior to their performance, a video clip from Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho featuring their win at the recent 2007 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival was shown as their introduction.

The Guild expresses its deepest gratitude to Grace Reytiran (CIS) for providing us this clip. Thank you to JP Canivel for facilitating the visit of TUGISTA to SPi.

Shielbert Manuel, the group's de facto leader, takes to the mic.

TUGISTA wowed the crowd with their brand of "rapoetry". The group is currently training under National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario to further hone their craft in writing their songs. They have also released two albums, FYI.

Adding more life to the party are the indefatigable dancers of Performing Arts (Dance Division) headed by Liezel Migriño (Support). They performed 2 dance numbers.

Odie Gementera of Camera Club & Dylan Gozum of the Writers Guild raise the ceremonial ribbon. TULARAWAN is finally open! Thanks to Ms. Molly Crisostomo (Healthcare) for lending us the bow.

TULARAWAN was a concept of the Guild designed specifically with Camera Club in mind. Loosely patterned after ekphrasis, a style of poetry that is written based on photographs available (Greek word 'ek' means out, 'phrasis' means speak; ergo, putting pictures into words or poetic treatment of visual arts - Thanks to JP & Alev for this, Ed.), the exhibit eventually evolved into simply matching available poetry with available photos. Other poetry pieces, however, were written on the spot to accompany photos that just came in. The name of the exhibit is the result of putting together the words TULA (poetry) and LARAWAN (pictures or photos).

Participating members of the Camera Club are Odie Gementera, Maricris Bislumbre, Jimmy Reyes, and Bert Dosayla. Incredibly enough, all are from Journals. :-) Given the opportunity, the exhibit may travel to the 3/F of the SPi Main Building and to the Laguna office.

The exhibit is composed of photographs from the photo bank of the Writers Guild, participated in part by 4 members of the Camera Club. Poetry was provided for by 11 poets from the Writers Guild Collective and several non-Writers Guild SPi employees.

Billy Suarez of SPi Learning Academy, one of the poetry contributors; Perps Poblador, program host for the night; Jeanette Agati of the Performing Arts - Choir Division, and Dylan Gozum of the Writers Guild.

Perps, Dylan, Alev Maniago of CIS, one of the poetry contributors and a resident storyteller of the Guild, Jeanette, Dhang Rondael of HR Employee Relations, and Pia Manzano, VP of the Writers Guild with TUGISTA. If you recall, the group are part of the actors in the 2007 Cinemalaya Best Film Tribu. The rapper-poets also won the Best Actor plume. The film is competing in the 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival as of this writing. Watch the Youtube trailer here.

Here's a list of participating poets and their submitted pieces:

Vanessa Alpeche (Journals)
A Poem to Myself When I Turn 40
Teardrops
The Violence of Stars

Emil Bombita (Legal)
i-Café

WIZE (CIS)
Paalam
Ako Ito
My Angel

Billy Suarez (Support)
Untitled Work (Topic: Smoking & Coffee, 1 stanza)
Abyss of Nothingness
With Bated Breath (Unidentified author; courtesy of B. S.)

Alma Evita Maniago (CIS)
Sa Isang Araw sa Isang Linggo
Tsinelas
Buhay SPi
Various haikus

Jose Perseus Canivel (CIS)
20 Occurrences & other haikus
Naalala Mo, Marl haiku series

Pia Manzano (Support)
Calm Blue Sky (postcard)

Alex de Juan (formerly of Healthcare)
Pobreng Patay
Mutya

Daisyree Miranda (formerly of Journals)
Several haikus
Awit ng Paghihimbing
Holy Weak

Ivy San Diego (Journals)
Lost in a Mask

Vingel Yago (Healthcare)
G.Y. (Alay sa Healthcare)
Various untitled pieces

____________

Special thanks to the Camera Club (http://www.spicamera.multiply.com/), CBRE, Ms. Susan Sy of Journals, and HR Employee Relations for making this event happen!

STANZAS OF STILLNESS: VANESSA ALPECHE IN FOCUS

2007-08-16T04:05:00.000-07:00

Teardrop

I think perhaps I was a teardrop
in some other life;
crystal, fluid, with a rainbow
in each tangential point.

For one second I existed,
heaved one giant breath,
then spilled upon the bowels,
of the brown arid earth.

Through me a splinter of pain
was released into the world;
like light, after the darkness,
dazzling, blinding, then dead.

If you'll ask what I had accomplished
as a tear,
I, ever so humbly,
would only say:

"I once fed the rain."

_________

Vanessa Alpeche is from Publishing, Journals. Teardrop is one of three poetry pieces she submitted for the TULARAWAN exhibit.

CLUB WEEK 2007 OPENS

2007-08-16T01:50:00.000-07:00

Seen in the photo are Greg Alejandro & Jeff Lim representing the Performing Arts (Choir Division), HR Director Ms. Lea Villanueva, Writers Guild Vice President Pia Manzano and Mountaineering Society's Raul Boloron officiating at the ribbon cutting to open the club exhibits at the SPi grounds. A tent was put up to house the exhibit boards which traditionally are placed on the 2/F of the ARF.

Pia shares a laugh with Perps Poblador as she informs everyone of the Guild's lineup of activities for the Club Week. Please enjoy the rest of the photos at Camera Club's Multipy site.

WRITERS GUILD STORYTELLERS OPEN CLUB WEEK 2007

2007-08-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

Some members of the Writers Guild Storytellers were already at it way before the formal opening of Club Week 2007 actually happened. Upon the invitation of the SPi Foundation and through the efforts of Guild Officer JP Canivel, who also is a regular Foundation volunteer, two other storytellers from the Guild joined in amusing and educating students from the St. Hannibal Multilevel School last July 30, 2007.

We commend and thank Biboy Calleja (Journals) and Alev Maniago (CIS) for heeding the Foundation's call for volunteers. Meanwhile enjoy the photos below, courtesy of SPiF's Jenny Estrada! Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

JP Canivel in action.

Biboy Calleja's baptism of fire. This is his first storytelling session outside of SPi. He is the newest member of the Storytellers group of the Guild.

Bakas sa mga mukha ng mga kabataang ito ang tuwa at aliw na dulot ng mga kuwento.

"O Alev, kaya mo pa ba?!"

"Eto, basahin mo. Ay, marunong ka na ba magbasa, bata?"

Class picture! Say "kuwento!" 'Di na kasi uso ang "cheese"!

_____________________________

Special thanks to Ma'am Lucy Agila of the SPi Foundation for this opportunity to be of help!

The Writers Guild Storytellers Group was founded in 2006 as a partner of Readvolution, then known as Project R.E.A.D., to promote reading to the children of SPi employees. Storybooks for children are also available at our bookcases for lending to those who wish to read to their kids at home. All storytellers were trained and certified by the Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines which based at the Museo Pambata. The SPi group is headed by Kathyleen Nogrado (Healthcare).

PISTANG PANITIK 2007

2007-08-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

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.

A SERIES OF FORTUNATE EVENTS KICKS OFF

2007-08-12T06:33:00.000-07:00

The 2nd year of the A Series of Fortunate Events (Writers Workshop Series) opened last August 8, 2007 at the HR Activity Center. Guest speaker was Beverly Siy, fondly called Bebang by her friends in the literary community. She did a workshop on writing Ghost Stories and Mini Mysteries, two of the most widely read topics in the Philippines today.

Owing to the bad weather (Chedeng & Dodong were doing a back-to-back session of their own), attendance was very sparse. In fact, some clubs had to cancel their activities on this day. At any rate, the participants had a wonderful time as their works had the chance to be critiqued personally by Bebang. There really is no dampening the spirit, wit, and gaiety of the speaker herself as she made do with the circumstances at hand.

Bebang is the current President of LIRA, the poets group currently based at the University of the Philippines Creative Writing Center. The fellows of the group train under National Artists like Virgilio Almario, et al. There used to be at least 3 employees from SPi who trained in LIRA. Alma Evita Maniago of CIS is the Guild's scholar to the group this year.

The next session will be on August 25, 2007. The topic will be Panimula sa Pagsulat ng Sanaysay. The guest faculty will be Rita T. dela Cruz. This program is brought to you by the Writers Guild's Writers Dream Academy headed by the Workshop Manager JP Canivel. Please see posters and fliers for details on how to register!

POETRY FESTIVAL EXHIBIT B OPENING ON AUGUST 3

2007-07-31T21:23:00.001-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

POETRY FESTIVAL EXHIBIT C OPENING SOON

2007-07-31T20:58:00.001-07:00

Click on photos to enlarge. Post-it notes will be posted soon.

TRIBU: TRIUMPH OF THE EVERYDAY MAN

2007-07-31T20:54:00.000-07:00

The triumph of Jim Libiran’s TRIBU at the recently concluded 3rd Philippine Independent Film Festival signals the crossing of Philippine cinema from the elitist to one that is mass-based, with ideas influenced and inspired by ordinary lives and projected onto the screen; not for amusement, we hope, but for better understanding of our society which has been wracked for decades by bias, wars, and apathy.

Our only hope is that the interest of writers, directors and cinema in general about the plight of our people, especially that of the poor who compose the majority, is real or else it’d be an exercise in futility. It would a tragedy if the topics in Cinemalaya would just end in the blogosphere or in coffee shops as discourses for the intelligentsia. If cinema is able to make people and systems move in order to effect changes then it has fulfilled its purpose. Only through this can Cinemalaya really live up to its name.

The Writers Guild of SPi sends its warmest congratulations to Jim Libiran and to all our friends from UP LIRA who, we are pretty sure, are currently sharing his joy. We send our congratulations to the participating tribes, and to the entire production crew. Mabuhay po kayong lahat!

TUGISTA, the rapper group in the film (photo above taken at the UP CAL 201 last summer), are our guest performers to close our Poetry Festival 2007. This is sponsored by the Writers Guild, of course.

What: Tara Let’s! An evening of music, rap, & poetry
Where: SPi Night Café, City of Parañaque 6PM

Entrance is free. Coffee, butterscotch cookies and brownies will be served. For non-SPi employees, please register via SMS. Text TUG_(your name)_(email) to 0927.447.8781.

SIONIL! SIONIL! SIONIL!

2007-07-31T20:49:00.000-07:00

Topic: History as Literature
Where: Ortigas Foundation Library
When: The Talk 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

___________________________
ABOUT THE SPEAKER

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. His five-novel Rosales saga consisting of The Pretenders, Tree, My Brother My Executioner, Mass, and Po-on have been published in the United States and translated in various languages in Asia and Europe.

José 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).

TEENS READ, TOO!!!

2007-07-25T23:15:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to enlarge.

SPi POETRY FESTIVAL 2007

2007-07-25T02:12:00.000-07:00

Click on the posters to enlarge!

PERSONAL ESSAY: REFUGE

2007-07-24T02:31:00.000-07:00

By Calleja, F. S.
December 6, 2004

My mother has always been tightly knit with her family. Even after I was born, Lola, my Lola’s sister, and my cousin continued to live with us.

Nonetheless, I was not that close with my real Lola (my mother’s mother) because she was always drunk and minded her own business. She would often go to the store, stay there the whole day, return by 5:00 pm, and then sleep.

But she was very proud of me, saying it was a miracle for her, a worn-out, dark-skinned, probinsyana-looking Waray to have such a good-looking apo (she said that, not me).

She was also extremely generous and easy to please. Sometimes, she took me to the store and bought me anything I wanted. However, I did not really have quality time to spend with her other than that.

On the other hand, I really bonded with Lala Margie (my mother’s aunt, my Lola’s sister, whom I called this way ever since) because we spent a lot of time together. Mama was working in Makati. Papa was always abroad. My cousin, Ate Rowena, was always in school. It also took a long time before I had a brother. So, it makes sense for me to say she influenced me the most.

Lala did not have a place to live before. None of her children made her permanently stay in their homes. That’s the primary reason why Mama wanted her to live with us.

Lala was quite different from my Lola. She did not indulge in drinking, but was obsessed with gambling. I learned how to play solitaire (animan and pituhan) and jueteng through her.

But I wouldn’t care less! I owe a lot more to her. In my preschool years, she always rode with me in the school bus and patiently waited in the playground of our school until dismissal. She always checked if I had neatly-ironed uniforms. At night, she made sure I was asleep before she slept herself. She was actually my refuge… the person I could always rely on.

She was also my “kakampi.” She always defended me. She never spanked me if I couldn’t bring myself to sleep in the afternoon (for some reason, they all wanted me to sleep after Eat Bulaga) and never forced me to eat ampalaya. I think she did spoil me a bit. That’s why I got super close with her.

I remember when she would take me to Binondo, Tondo, or Quiapo to visit her children. I enjoyed riding antique buses in Manila with Lala (we rode those vehicles because she had no money).

Those experiences I missed dearly when she did not come with us to Naga. She said she couldn’t be too far from her children, and she doesn’t know anyone there. So, she lived with her son in Binondo. I tried to convince her to come with us, but her mind was made up.

But it was okay. We always visited her. And, I always gave her money when we visit (as she had no money as usual, which she termed as “zero-zero balance”). There was even a time when she stayed in Naga for two months for a vacation. The important thing is that we never lost contact.

However, the sad news came in 2003 when I learned she died in a road accident. The jeepney she was riding bumped into a truck, which made her fall from her seat and hit her head causing internal hemorrhage. I was devastated. She was a really healthy lady, so I thought death was far away.

We got the chance to visit her grave when we took a vacation in Las Piñas in the summer of 2004.

I don’t know if she realized it, but she had a lasting impact on me. Who I am now is in a way due to her. Some of my life’s first lessons, joys, and experiences were shared with her. I would always treasure her memories. And I hope that through me, whom she treated like a son, Lala’s legacy lives on…

______________________
Biboy Calleja is from Journals. He also is a Storyteller of the Writers Guild.

CULTURE EXPRESS: TRIBU ON CINEMALAYA 2007

2007-07-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

Every night, in the dark nooks and alleyways of this urban jungle, sporadic random violence erupts, waylaying and maiming young lives and youthful dreams. What feeds this brutality? How are lives affected by this vicious cycle? Through the eyes of a 10 year old boy, EBET, we are immersed into the lives of adolescent gangsta leaders. PONGKE, MAKOY and OGOY are head gangstas of three warring street gangs or “Tribes” in Tondo – Thugs Angels, Sacred Brown Tribe, and Diablos, respectively.

During an initiation ritual for neophytes, Thugs Angel members chance upon the blood-bathed body of a murdered SBT member. Though the kids suspect that this is a Diablos hit, Policemen who arrived at the scene arrests a key leader of Thugs Angel and pins the crime on him. MAKOY and his SBT tribe vow revenge. They go about their usual activities while secretly planning to avenge their fallen homeboy. SBT and Thugs Angels form an alliance against Diablos.

The stroke of midnight signals the start of the offensive. SBT stealthily enters DIablos' lair and unleashes their fury. A running battle erupts. Many are wounded, and two are killed – Makoy, and a bystander, Dennis, who happens to be the young brother of PONGKE. It’s Pongke and Thugs Angels’ turn to avenge the death of Dennis. They hunt down Diablos leader, Ogoy, and stabs him to death.

This is a personal story of Tondo (mirrored in many similar communities in the Metropolis) symptomatic of the slow decay of an impoverished society.

TRIBU is currently showing at the 2007 Edition of Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. See more details here.

See the TUGISTA group LIVE in SPi! See them perform their rapoetry on August 10, 2007 at 6PM at the Night Cafe, across Top Dog, during the Closing Ceremonies of the Poetry Festival 2007.

FROM OUR FRIENDS

2007-07-17T01:13:00.001-07:00

Everyone is invited to attend Mga Suliranin ng Panitik Mulang Rehiyon ( The Challenges of Literature from the Regions), a forum brought to you by Linangan sa Imagen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) in cooperation with UST Center for Creative Writing and Studies. The forum will be held at the UST Thomas Aquinas Research Center Seminar Room A on July 21, from 1pm-5pm.

The speakers who will be attending the forum are writers from outside of Manila, like Abdon Balde, Jr. who hails from Bicol, and Jose Bragado who is an Iloko. The forum is free and open to the public.

Certificates will be given to those who will confirm their attendance before the event.

Those interested may course their requests or inquiries through Nanoy at 0918-2442553 or liraworkshop@gmail.com.

PERSONAL ESSAY: EYE SPY WITH MY THIRD EYE

2007-07-13T02:21:00.000-07:00

by Mahros Abaño

When I was in elementary, I used to spend my afternoons at the local public library near the town hall. In it there was this collection of occult books entitled, Encyclopedia of the Occult, the Esoteric and the Supernatural (Stein & Day, New York, 1980). It is a fantastic set of books, 10 in all, filled with stories of all things about ghosts, witchcraft, and all things extraordinary that for a 9-year-old kid will find truly magnificent. I guess my love for the weird was fueled with those trips to the library to finish the entire volume.

One of my favorites among the collection is the volume on psychics and fortunetellers. Of course, this was the first time I’ve heard of Nostradamus or Jeanne Dixon (She claimed to predict the assassination of John F. Kennedy), among others. I find it odd that people can predict the future based on looking at tea leaves, crystal balls, tarot cards or even blank space. As with the ghosts and other supernatural phenomena, it was an exciting read because of the way these psychics presented their predictions. And from my catbird seat, it is all that, a lovely read. Then again, some people are more fanatical about it than I am.

To those living under a rock for years, a psychic is defined by Merriam-Webster.com as, “a person apparently sensitive to nonphysical forces,” while psychic phenomena is defined as, “phenomena that appear to contradict physical laws and suggest the possibility of causation by mental processes (Dictionary.com).” A fortune teller is “one that professes to foretell future events (Merriam-Webster.com).”

Outside the realm of the dusty pages, the psychic phenomena, in my opinion, is all just a set of generalized idea about the complex nature of man weaved into a spectacular yarn of equally-generalized ideas supplanted by the fertile imaginations of the fortuneteller and the person being “read” his or her “future”.

I love talking about myself and hearing about myself as much as the next person and from what I realized, that is the basic premise of this practice, i.e., psychic readings. Case in point, let’s begin with the popular daily horoscopes. The idea of this is that each person according to his date of birth is under a specific sign of the zodiac, which is basically a group of stars. It is one of the oldest practices of looking into someone’s future or even a person’s attitude according to the position of the stars.

In a world filled with billions of people (not counting China because they use the Chinese horoscope, ha ha), how many are under the sign of Libra such as myself? Millions, I suppose. So, I googled my horoscope at Horoscope.com and this was my horoscope for May 25, 2007:

“The truth shall set you free. The problem is, you're not sure you can handle it. Take heart: You're stronger than you know. After you see the reality of the situation, you'll realize your fear was larger than necessary.”

This is somewhat general. I mean, how does that person know that a particular Libran, let’s say myself, is suffering from a particular setback since from the last time I heard, these astute people from horoscope.com are not my friends? So the answer will be, no. Hence, the use of the painfully overwrought, “The truth shall set you free,” maxim to emphasize whatever it is that I might be having issues with whether it would be I am not coming to terms of what to have for dinner or if will I eventually break off my relationship with Brad Pitt since that hag Angelina Jolie is coming between us.

Now, some really firm believer would say that my horoscope means that this is a “sign,” a favorite term among believers of this practice, that I should bring myself to the warm and enlightening embrace of the believers of psychics. Given the fact that it was pointed out that, “fear was larger than necessary,” it may be surmised that I fear what I don’t understand that is why I am criticizing it, which is a moot point by the way. Or the truth that all of these “predictions” are mere play of words and that I should not fear being kicked in the ass by the people who believe in all of this.

Since reading about it is fun, experiencing the phenomena for me is the next step. So one weekend, my friends told me their “suking” psychic is having a “reading” and I agreed to have a “reading” as well. I have been infinitely curious about the whole thing. Not to be converted but to see what really makes psychics tick or what my reading would be like. Would I be pretty or would I be rich? Que sera sera.

This is not my first time to have my fortune told but this is the first time I would be paying to get my fortune told. I am the biggest cheapskate around so doing this is clearly a big thing for me. I psyched (pun intended!) myself that this is for empirical purposes and to see what the fuss was all about.

It was a big disappointment. The “suking” psychic gave what were to be the most general predictions in my life. An example was the very first thing he told me was I should not take a bath at evenings because an illness would befall my person. How, very motherly of him! My mother always tells me that and it’s free.

Then one of the funny moments during the entire reading was when he told me that I am bound to go to a foreign land through the auspices of a relative or friend from that particular country that I am supposed to be headed. Then he asked me if I have a relative or a friend abroad; when I said no, he made a 180-degree turn by saying that a friend whom I have not been in touch for a while will be the one helping me to get a job abroad. Before the reading was over, another turn happened as he said that the company that I am with right now will send me abroad for a seminar or a training. I’ll say, how convenient!

To level off the tarot reading that I have had, I googled “free tarot reading” and I was directed to http://www.usefultrivia.com/astrology/ and I got the following reading:

“This card indicates physical movement in your short-term outlook--departure, absence, flight, emigration, or a change of residence. A dark young man is involved.”

So what does that tell me? Nothing, it turned out. I am particularly disgusted that I could get the same prediction at the click of the mouse. It doesn’t tell me anything extraordinary as well. At least the one I got online has the impending involvement with a “dark young man.”

Suffice to say that my little experiment proves that we all love a good story and it is more enticing when we are the ones starring in it. In the course of our humdrum existence, the idea of a better, far more exciting life in the future is a guiltless pleasure we all indulge in and we grasp it wherever we may find it, even it was just told to us by a pack of cards and an old man with a bag of tales.

_________________________
About the author

Mahros Abaño writes because she was absolutely useless in her Home Economics’ classes; she wishes to learn how to knit a tablecloth in the future, preferably before hell freezes over because of global warming. She used to be from Healthcare, and now had returned to her first love - teaching.

PERSONAL ESSAY: IT'S NOT EASY

2007-06-02T00:49:00.000-07:00

By Rohit Wad

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

For a long time, I've always admired the superheroes in stories and comics, those who leap to the rescue at the first sign of trouble and save the day. More often than not, they tend to lead dual lives, wearing masks at "work," then reverting back to their own selves after the danger is over. It always made me wish that I had superpowers, be it X-ray vision, super-strength, enhanced agility, etc.

I always will admire these superheroes, no matter what my age; doing heroic deeds probably does wonders for one's own conscience, if not ego. However, my view on superheroes has changed somewhat, especially after listening to the song "Superman," by the music group Five for Fighting.

I've come to look at the lives of superheroes differently, at the trials they have to go through everyday. These people have to fight not just to maintain not only peace and justice in their surroundings, but also for the stability of their personal lives, which have been made more complicated because of their newfound powers. It makes me wonder how drastically my life would change, if I were a superhero. For example, new questions would arise.

How will I be able to keep my identity secret? If people knew who I was, how will they behave? Will my friends still be my friends? Will my loved ones be in danger, now that I'm a superhero? Will I be able to watch over everybody 24/7? If I had kids, how will they be treated by others, knowing that their father/mother is a superhero? Do I really want all this responsibility? How can I take a vacation, knowing that there are always people who will need my help, no matter what day or time it is?

The questions probably don't end there, and probably never will. From my point of view, being a superhero will entail not so much rescuing people and saving the day, but answering questions similar to those I just mentioned, and probably a whole lot more questions than that.

On top of that, not all of those questions can be easily answered by anybody, superhero or not. Some of those questions might be answered by actions, and not by words. The rest of those questions might not even have answers at all, and will forever remain questions.

Given all this, the song "Superman" probably speaks a lot more to a superhero's true self than Brandon Routh or Christopher Reeve saving the day on the silverscreen.
William Shakespeare once said that there are three kinds of people, with regards to power. Some are born with power, some gain power on their own, and the remainder have power thrust upon them. I suppose the same thing applies to superheroes.

However, considering all that being a superhero might entail, being Clark Kent instead of Superman doesn't sound like such a bad idea.

About the author
______________________
Rohit Wad was born and raised in the Philippines, but being half-Filipino, half-Indian, he was exposed to Indian culture as well. This was mainly manifested in his frequent childhood indulgences of reading stories from Indian mythology, such as the famous epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Rohit’s love of reading continued to grow, with much of his time being spent in his school library. Fancying himself as a modern-day kid detective, he frequently indulged in Encyclopedia Brown books (by Donald J. Sobol), as well as the occasional Sherlock Holmes book (meerschaum pipe not included). In high school, however, Sherlock Holmes soon retired as science later dominated his literary tastes, Star Trek books becoming his favorite pastime, and with Spock and Captain Kirk “taking command” of his reading interests. Rohit’s personal reading interests at present still include historical fiction, although he occasionally reads general fiction novels, usually by bestselling authors such as Michael Crichton and Tom Clancy.

THESE MONTHS OF APRIL & MAY IN PROJECT BACKSPACE

2007-05-31T00:30:00.000-07:00

(Boracay. Photo by Dylan Gozum)

+ FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR. Remembering the summers of yore. Read more...

+ VOICES. Readers from SPi talk about their favorite books and how these have touched or changed their lives. Read more...

+ ESSAY. Newcomer Biboy Calleja of Journals realizes that he is, finally, an adult. Read more...

+ W.Gimik. Here's a peek at what you missed at the 2007 International Book Day. Read more...

+ CRITIQUE. One of our newest writers, Jacquiline Dy of Journals, debuts with a poetry critique for Women's Month. Read more...

+ TIKIM. Here's enjoying dinner in the most quirky of surroundings. Read more...

+ STANZAS OF STILLNESS. Read more...

+ REEL REVIEW. Resident cineaste Ed Saludes chats with critically-acclaimed film director Jeffrey Jeturian. Read more...

+ REEL REVIEW. Ivy San Diego, a Frank Miller fan, reviews 300. Read more...

+ BOOK TALKS SERIES. Women take over the evening with discussions about love, life and vaginas. Read more...

+ CLUB SPiRIT: SPi Clubs Bulletin. SPi Mountaineering Club brought our Vice President, Pia Manzano, to heights she never knew she'd reach. Here's how she survived to tell the tale. Read more...

+ CLUB SPiRIT: SPi Clubs Bulletin. OBRA's Camera Club holds its very first Shoot Out activity at La Mesa Dam and Park. Here are some samples that simply take the breathe away. Read more...

+ CLUB SPiRIT: SPi Clubs Bulletin. Toastmasters Club of SPi brought in three storms this summer. Read the club's successes in this year's first quarter. Read more...

+ BOOK REVIEW. Mahros Abaño discovers Banana Yoshimoto. Read more...

For comments or suggestions, please email us at spiwritersguild@yahoo.com.ph. Thank you. Our new mobile number is 0927.447.8781. Now, there's no more reason why you can't get in touch with us!

FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR

2007-05-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

Malasag Gardens, Cagayan de Oro. Photo by Dylan Gozum (April 2007)

Dear readers,

Summer holds a very special place in my heart. Summer almost always means travel and methinks I inherited the travel itch from my mother and when I was much younger, we’d always find time to do just that (travel, not itch).

Most memorable among the weird trips we took was the bus ride from Surigao to Pasay City in Luzon aboard a Philtranco bus. This was when PAL was the only airline flying and limited as flights were, most Filipinos would resort to taking the boat or as the case may be, the bus. The thing is, our bus never reached Cagayan de Oro because it was held up somewhere on its last leg in the Visayas so we had to take a bus to Surigao, east of Northern Mindanao, and take our chances there. Since we were not exactly creatures of comfort, we opted to sleep and wait it out on rented folding beds beneath the starry sky until it was announced at dawn that a bus has finally arrived to take us in. Two ferry boat transfers, a kilometric land trip, crash course on several local dialects, and 4 travel days later, we found ourselves sitting on the floor of the Pasay terminal in sheer exhaustion. Guess what? I would do it all over again if I had the chance to.

In high school and early part of college, I would spend summers in Del Monte’s Cawayanon compound in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. It is said that Frankie Miñoza, the Philippines’ legendary male golfer, used to be a caddie here. In fact, on a busy day, you can hear whacks from clubs and balls crashing into the garden outside your window. I loved this place for its solitude where, for the most part, you only hear birds, crickets and the mountain wind rushing through pine and mahogany trees. When not looking for lost balls among the shrubs, I would fish at the nearby lake every Wednesday afternoon. On other days, we’d be picking mangosteen, macopa or sineguelas. We also make trips to the organic garden behind the house (only an expanse of green grass separated us). There, you can pick vegetables straight from the plant and chat a windstorm with the staff.

Equally enjoyable was my habit of watering the plants in midday because you can always create instant rainbows during this time when the sun is at its peak (fine mist against sunlight produce rainbows. Bet you didn’t know that!). The saddest part in this exercise would be finding dead birds. As the wide hall of the house is protected by almost invisible screens, birds would sometimes fly straight into them leading to their eventual demise. There is nothing more poetic than finding dead birds. It’s almost something straight out of a Willem van Aelst painting – a heartbreaking solemn moment.

At any rate, I still cherish summers not just for the thrills but also for the memories that they bring back. I pray that your summers are just as special.

Love,

Dylan

VOICES: THE FAVORITE BOOK(S) OF READERS IN SPi REVEALED !!!

2007-05-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

"Mine is The Little Prince because of its simplicity - simple words, photos, storyline, yet it has the ability to touch one's heart for those who take the time to really read it deeply." - Jacquiline Dy, Journals

"(The) Lord of the Rings (series). well crafted world of make believe., complete with details - language, history, mythology." - Luz Desquitado, Journals

“The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks. One of the most romantic ever on how a man revived and celebrated his love for his wife.” - Christian Arman Arile, Journals

“Biography books because it is the only way to get to know some of the bad and great people who walked on earth. “ - Espie Vitug, Executive Office

"For me, nothing beats (yet) J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter Series. The way she makes twists and turns, and the descriptive words she uses... she makes my imagination go beyond the limits." - Mary Grace Reytiran, Content

"The Summer That Was by Sandra Scoppettone. I lost the book in college because I lent it. Hindi masyadong kilala ang author, but I swear it was a good book and I am still looking for a copy so I can share it to my children! [A good book] is one that has made an impact on you and has somehow influenced your values in life.” - Lisa Austria, Healthcare

"My favorite books are biographies, whether of famous or common people. I learn from them about how to handle the different situations of life." - Rose Sibug, Healthcare

“Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. Of course kasi nai-imagine ko na yung protagonist ay ako tapos ang galing ng pagsulat ng author.” - Kathy Nogrado, Healthcare

"Memoirs of a Geisha [by Arthur Golden]. Kasi ang dami kong natutunan about geishas. I also love Tuesdays with Morrie kasi for every chapter may lesson about life. And of course I super duper love Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. Not all the contents are true. Natutuwa lang ako sa mga theories niya.” - Michelle Guartico, Healthcare

"Books by Nicholas Sparks and Sidney Sheldon. I love to read love stories." - Carol Acebron, Legal

"The Alchemist by (Paolo) Coelho. It is inspirational and moving, not to mention that it's very easy to read. It conveys its message without being overly stylistic." - Biboy Calleja, Journals

"A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. The story makes me smile and then it makes me cry. Nakaka in-love, and the ending is not predictable; unexpected!" - Jomai Torbela, Content

“My favorite book would be Paolo Coelho’s The Alchemist. Its profound message of living your ‘personal legend’ gave me the determination and the drive to keep on pursuing my dreams no matter how hard they may be [to achieve]. It simply gave my life meaning and purpose.” - Carl Martin Jimenez, Journals

"Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt. It didn’t need to use flowery, poetic words to be deep, witty and inspiring. He’s just like casually talking about his childhood.” - Regina Bongat, Healthcare

“The Naughtiest Girl in the School by Enid Blyton. It really got me into reading. I read it noong grade school pa ako. Siguro yung pagkaaliw ko ‘dun sa story I thought I’d find in every book I’d read kaya yun! I like Matilda also. Children’s lit yata ang gusto ko, ha ha!” – Joyce Guevarra, Healthcare

“Welcome to the Monkey House by Kurt Vonnegut. It’s an anthology of short stories. It’s rare to have an anthology in which I find all the stories excellent.” – Mahros Abaño, Healthcare

“When Lightning Strikes. It’s a romance novel. Not actually my favorite, but I like the plot of the story.” – Fem Tipo, Content

“Trivia [books] and almanacs are the best! I also like the Guinness 2007 [issue].” – Joeven Gonzales, Healthcare

“Paborito kong aklat ay Candide ni Voltaire. Kung comics naman, Calvin and Hobbes.” – JP Canivel, Content

"By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paolo Coelho. Cathartic." - Dai Miranda, Journals

"100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's the book that ends with the beginning. Read it!" - Ivy San Diego, Journals

______________________________
READVOLUTION UPDATE:

The two Writers Guild Readvolution Bookcases are now with Content. Bookcase One (B1) is with the Lexis Nexis account (3/F) and Bookcase 2 (B2) is on the 4/F.

Librarians for Content:

JP Canivel (Direct 8558728, Local 20728)
Tina Liwag (0918.508.3855)
Evita Maniago (0919.637.5930)
Mylene Solete

Next stop: Support, July-August 2007

Contact person: Pia Manzano, Readvolution's über-friendly Chief Librarian

SALE! SALE! SALE!

2007-05-21T20:19:00.000-07:00

Click on image to enlarge.

STANZAS OF STILLNESS

2007-05-18T20:03:00.000-07:00

WASTELAND

Brown cat-sized rats walk the wires
as kids paddle through overflowing sewers
with bits and grime and stench of garbage.
Can a generous splash of alcohol counter foot disease?

Pink-faced babies suckle sagging breasts
while their mothers talk of Rosalinda
swaying her voluptuous hips half a world away.
Life is unfair, she is sexy and beautiful.

Caged fighting cocks crow in succession, in tune
with the shouts of shots, hoots and curses
of men fueled by round and square bottles of Ginebra.
Do they ever get sober?

The sari-sari store is crowded again
by pot-bellied smart alecks, with their bloated
heads and benches shaking from sun up to sun down blaming
the government for the never-ending traffic and oil price hikes.
Who seated them anyway?

Life is easy
for them.
These lives ruled by entropy—
spontaneous, ever in disorder—
this is the law of nature.

Their days will come and go
without books, without order
yet they will persist
to chatter of latinas or smoke their cocks,
to feast on alcohol and complain on tax,
as their kids' stomachs growl
for too less food and excessive parasites
thriving in this wasteland.

Why desire to be in control
when worms in time will devour all things:
from garbage to men,
from lifeless to breathing;
when this world is fated to disintegrate,
to crumble to its end?

Why even bother to dream?

By Dai C. Miranda (Journals)

Awit ng Paghimbing

Hiling ko lang ay kamay
na hahawakan ko magdamag
hanggang maiguhit ng bituin
ang mga bukas magaganap.

Isinilang akong payak sa layaw ng mundo
ang tanging tangan ko’y bukas na isip at pagkatao.
Hinubog man akong tila bakal sa tatag
ang pusong ito’y nanatiling sa hangin naglalayag.

Tanging hiling ko lang ay kamay
na kakapitan magdamag
pagkat di hawak ng bituin
ang mga nais kong abutin.

Binaybay ko ang mundong lunod sa anino at tanong
tumahi ng pag-asa’t pumasan ng mga hamon.
Minsan ay may saya, bukal ang init at lambing
ngunit ang pusong pagal sa paglalakbay nagpatangay na sa hangin.

Tanging hiling ko lang ay kamay
na kakapitan magdamag
pagkat di hawak ng bituin
ang mga nais kong abutin.

Sana ang kamay mo ang tangan ko sa magdamag
upang dalawin ng payapa sa paghimbing...
upang yakapin ng payapa sa paghimbing...

Akda ni Dai C. Miranda (Journals)

LOST IN A MASK

Everyone wears a mask
I make my own
Cardboard, scissors, pens
String, glue, sequins
All kept in a wooden box
Locked by a twisted paper clip
Motionless beside my night lamp
I want it within my reach
I make a mask every night
I need it for tomorrow
I need to wear my mask
My intricately designed mask
Today it’s a mixture
Of blue and purple hues
I removed the red feathers
They were too loud, I figured
Replaced them with a subtle pink lace
Outlining my mask
My intricately designed mask
Perhaps they will notice it this time
Or perhaps, just like before
They won’t even have a clue
That I’m part of the masquerade too
No one notices my mask
My intricately designed mask
Loud colors overshadowing me
Protecting me…preserving me
Tonight I’ll make a new one
An intricately designed mask
And be lost in a sundry of colors
Protecting me…preserving me

By Ivy San Diego (Journals)

Tsinelas

Sa paglipas ng bukang-liwayway
dalangin lamang ay wastong patnubay
na sana sa bawat pagdadantay
ng mga paang namumungay
ay hindi magkagutay-gutay.

‘Pagkat sa talampakan ay inialay
yaring katawang kong tinulay
ng mga daliring nangagsihanay.

At sa dapithapong sisilay
ay ipapahinga ang ngalay nang
mga sakong na nangapilay
sa maghapong paglalaro at paglalakbay.

Sa muli mong paghikab at paghimlay
ako ay muli ring maghihintay
sa pagbabalik ng iyong malay
sa pagbitak ng bukangliwayway.

by Alma Evita Maniago (Content)

CLUB SPiRIT: TOASTMASTERS CLUB'S THREE EVENTS IN JUST HALF A YEAR

2007-05-17T21:41:00.000-07:00

by Rohit Wad, TM

The SPi Toastmasters Club has long sought to impress upon the employees of SPi the value of public speaking. In 2007, three significant events in the club’s history have qualified as such: the BOOK TALKS Series, the Speech craft Program and the Ca-ching!: Lance Miller Visit to SPi.

BOOK TALKS, which was a coordinated effort between the SPi Writers Guild and SPi Toastmasters, sought to merge written English (from books) and spoken English (from speeches) together by having SPi employees share their insights and opinions on their favorite books, while on stage.

Snapshots of BOOK TALKS first run last February at the SPi Night Cafe.

Multiple challenges were encountered during the course of the event, which was held every Friday over the course of three months. One of them being is the less-than-expected number of attendees at each scheduled date and venue. The events took place nevertheless, and those who attended—mainly members and affiliates of Writers Guild and Toastmasters—witnessed the value of the insights discussed. The themes of the events included FAMILY, PEOPLE, and WOMEN, with various books from each of the themes forming the core of the discussions.

The Speechcraft Program, like BOOK TALKS, was also an effort of another partnership; this time, with SPi Foundation. The project aims to help public school teachers to hone their public speaking skills. This was done by the teachers attending Toastmasters meetings, with the teachers being the primary participants in those meetings. Their progress was well-noted and significant. According to TM Luz Desquitado, the one who spearheaded this project, the teachers progressed from being shy to “brimming with confidence” after they graduated from the program.

The Toastmasters behind this successful run of Speechcraft, a joint project of Tm with SPi Foundation.

Read CSR (or SPi Foundation) newsletter (June issue) about volunteerism. Toastmasters Club and the Writers Guild were featured. Download here.

The Lance Miller Visit to SPi proved to be worth its weight in gold as it drew in attendees from SPi’s various business units and departments. Lance Miller, a Distinguished Toastmaster and the 2005 World Public Speaking Champion, brought to light his various experiences in public speaking, with humorous speeches being his specialty. One of Lance’s techniques for humorous speaking included his ARC principle (Affinity, Reality, Communication), on which he bases all of his speeches on. It is through this principle that he delivered over 1,000 speeches all over the world, with his visit to SPi being his latest, as well as the first time he has delivered a speech to a Filipino audience.

Pictures of this event to follow.

There's more to come with Toastmasters. Watch for it!

______________________________

About the Correspondent

Rohit Wad, TM is currently the Vice-President for Public Relations of SPi Toastmasters Club. He's with Quality. Do you want to join Toastmasters? Feel free to ask him anytime!

CLUB SPiRIT: The CA-CHING! Primer

2007-05-17T04:11:00.000-07:00

Get a sneak peek of the 2005 World's Public Speaking Champion and of the topic he will talk about on May 17.

by Perps Poblador CC/CL

So who's Lance?

During the club officers training around two years ago, the then-Lieutenant Governor for Marketing (now Lt. Govr. for Education), Gina Mapua DTM facilitated an interesting activity with the audience. Everyone was asked to evaluate the selected speech contestants from the 2005 International Public Speaking Competition that was held in Toronto and later on pick our third, second and first placers. I was able to get all 3, most especially Lance, who's obviously was the best of all. That was the first time I met Lance however; just on screen.

I never thought that I'd really meet this man in person, whom I had put a bet on as the champ during that exercise two years ago. Apparently I wasn't alone in this haze. The day after I sent an e-mail invite to our co-members outside of SPi, some of those we invited even asked us if the rumor is true. We proudly said yes and then they registered right away.

Toastmaster Melissa Lim, who is one of a few we corresponded early on, gave us a brief idea who Lance is. Having met him before in one of his engagements, she attests that Lance is indeed, a highly effective and entertaining speaker yet he has always remained humble and sincere. Melissa is currently in California and she's planning to join Lance's club soon.

Lance Miller has been a Toastmaster since 1992, and for over the last 15 years he has already appeared on over a hundred television and radio programs and delivered more than a thousand speeches in over 20 countries. He has this unique skill of applying learning, persuasion and entertainment to his talks, while consistently conveying messages about integrity, responsibility and honesty.

A native of Indiana and a graduate of Michigan State University, Lance has a wide business experience, having held sales and management posts in companies like Nestle, Anheuser Bush and Katz Media Group and having served as spokesperson to numerous organizations such as the Citizens for an Alternative Tax System, International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, Equita Financial, Loan ToolBox, Robotic Parking, Foundations of Brilliance and Hubbard College of Administration. Currently he's the former Vice President of International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance and the President of The Way to Happiness Foundation in Glendale, California.

Lance also seems adventurous. He has already sat atop peaks of 14 thousand feet, rafted roughest waters, sailed transatlantic, piloted his own aircraft, dived through icy lakes during winter, hitchhiked Europe, and organized marathons for 10 thousand miles in 15 countries already.

I am pretty excited, and anxious at the same time, of meeting him at last!

Why Ca-ching? Why Humor?

We just found out recently that it is not Ca-ching, but rather spelled (or even, pronounced) as cha-chink. We stood corrected by a past news release from NBC that tells about a man from Glendale who won the public speaking championship title. Who else mentioned there? It's no other than Lance Miller!

Ca-ching, cha-chink or ching-ching (whatever), this catchphrase popularized by Lance has not only left funny thoughts about his speech, but he has also passed on his message well. He spoke about the importance of validating others with sincere compliments. His repetition of that catchphrase helped him to drive home the notion of validation on his speech. Amidst all other 9 contestants, Lance showed his natural, witty humor as his striking ace that eventually made him without question, the public speaking champion. His humor skill helped him convey his message and left a good impression to his audience. Using humor effectively in all of our interactions will be the focus of Lance's talk in his visit to SPi.

According to the recent poll reported by Newsweek, 64% of the respondents claimed that poor communication with management is amongst the biggest work-related complaints that in effect impedes work. For Dr. Paul McPhee, author of Health, Healing and the Amuse System: Humor as Survival Training who is also internationally known for his humor research, the important value that humor partakes at work is its ability to lubricate channels of communication. Obviously humor brings many health benefits like stronger immune system, improved cardiovascular health, more sense of control, reduced stress hormones and pain, lesser feelings of stress, anger and anxiety, increased feelings of joy and aliveness and increased emotional intelligence. Yet even at work in particular, humor improves productivity, team building, communication skills, employees' morale and job satisfaction, creativity and problem solving, resilience, and managing conflicts and stress.

As what Dr. Allan Filipowicz, a doctorate graduate in Organizational Behavior from Harvard Business School, emphasized to his dissertation on humor's influence in task-based interaction, humor can be a valuable leadership tool that does not only apply to charismatic leaders for winning over an audience by giving clever remarks and witty anecdotes, but also in small group interactions. Based on observational studies on the use of humor in interactions, humor is highly useful in facilitating communication in interpersonally difficult situations, in relieving stress and in shedding light on underlying group processes. Furthermore, recent research shows that humor is done on interactions using a combination of the following means-humor to conveying information, to generating affect and to drawing attention.

On the other side, it is also important to take note that every culture has its own form of humor in such a way that what finds it humorous in one country is not funny to another. Worse even, it is offensive or discriminating.

Let's see how you can use humor in the workplace. Let's listen to Lance himself!

Special Thanks To

Alan Olmilla DTM, District 75 Governor
We thank him for accepting the proposal of bringing Lance to Manila through SPi TMC, before Lance goes to Cebu for the district's annual convention. His utmost generosity and kindness are just among the few qualities he has shown as a district leader of Toastmasters in the Philippines.

Gina Mapua DTM, Lieutenant Governor for Education We thank her for spreading the news about Lance Miller's visit to SPi through the district's e-newsletter. No question about the integrity of that press release of course! It just came directly from TM Gina herself! She's been ever supportive to SPi TMC, no matter how busy she also is. Her boundless energy and enthusiasm are unparalleled.

Lolet Gabay ATM-S, Area 75 Governor
We thank her for bringing in El Cielito Inn to us! We are highly grateful for her undying support, loyalty and love she gave to our club since the time we met her. She's so much like a mother to us, who would always extend her hands when we need them so. We are still looking forward to having you around in our future endeavors, Madame Lolet!

====================================================================
Our Major Sponsor is El Cielito Inn. Promo Packages!

>> Tie up with Baguio Country Club! When you stay in El Cielito Baguio, you would have similar perks a regular guest of Baguio Country Club also enjoys of! Burn those calories at their gym. Aim for hole-in-one in the club's golf course. Play tennis, billiards, bowling or table tennis. Or swim away at their pool with heaters. For more details, call (074) 443 4846 / (02) 250 6020.

>> Do you want us to do an itinerary for your trip to Baguio? Let us do it for you. Tour around the city? Or how about nature trip? Or learn about organic gardening? Choose now, and we'll take care of the rest. For more details, call (074) 442 8743 / (074) 443 5272 / (02) 250 6020.

>> Enjoy Enchanted Kingdom to sawa and stay in El Cielito Inn-Sta. Rosa overnight! No need to worry about short fun. Stay in El Cielito Inn-Sta. Rosa and we'll take care of your visit to EK. Promo stays until January 2008. For inquiries, call (049) 541 2980 / (02) 520 8471.

Visit the official web site of El Cielito Hotels: http://www.elcielitoinn.com/.
====================================================================

WGimik: INTERNATIONAL BOOK DAY

2007-05-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some choice shots of the Dia del Libro (International Book Day) at the Instituto Cervantes. The Writers Guild would like to thank members who took time off their busy schedules to take part in this global activity. This is the first time it’s happening in the Philippines and we salute the Embassy of Spain for spearheading this mostly European tradition in our setting.

The Writers Guild wishes to remind our readers and members that more than the opportunity to buy books at discounted prices, we are also providing you the chance to experience something different each time. Starting with our trip to the MV Doulos (where over 50 co-employees participated!) and now this, a new aspect in enjoying the world of reading (and books) is always presented for your enjoyment.

Do not look at these activities as mere social events that cater to those who can afford to bust money on books, etc. As good news, whatever we buy during sales are immediately made available for lending to all SPi readers via our two (2) Readvolution bookcases (both are in Content until June 2007). Likewise, attending major book events is like going through a rare experience because the opportunity to do so may never come again. You can always attend and just listen to talks and meet authors. Do it also to prove that there actually is more to what already exists for us, that there is a world outside our usual routine and hangouts, that there is life outside the confines of our office. If books are your passion, never hesitate and join us in our next trip!

Our next major WGimik: The 28th Manila International Book Fair
September 2007, World Trade Center Manila, CCP Complex, Pasay City

Smaller book sales can occur between now and September so stay tuned for dates. No need to buy anything! Just come and enjoy the talks of visiting authors and take part in other activities, i.e. storytelling sessions, etc. Events like these are best enjoyed with family members, i.e. kids!

Are you a member of the Writers Guild Readers Circle yet? Members get automatic invites to events, regular updates on new books available for borrowing, and free shuttle rides to sale venues. Sign up now! Text READ_(your name, email) and send to 0927.447.8781!

Let's go out more often! Enjoy life with us!

Starting 'em young. The Writers Guild has made available several children's books in our bookcases so you can either read to your kids before bedtime or during weekends (talk about bonding!) or you can encourage your kids to read, too! Visit our bookcases now so you can check out our storybooks!

Detail. Facade with logo.

Detail. Facade of the building.

Live music was provided at the lobby.

F. Sionil's wife prepares a table of books and roses for her husband's arrival. In Europe, a rose is given to anyone who buys a book during International Book Day. The same tradition was brought to Manila last April 21.

We stayed until lunchtime to wait for the arrival of 2001 National Artist for Literature Awardee F. Sionil Jose.

Whew, now that's a huge leg of jamon serrano!

Join us again next year!!!

ESSAY: POINT OF NO RETURN

2007-05-16T02:42:00.000-07:00

by Fernando Calleja

Looking through my old files, I saw an old piece of paper with these written on it:

Pikon ka masyado Biboy! Para kang eng-eng!

Excuse me! Hindi noh! How dare you x 2000!

Pikon ka x 5000!

Hindi nga ako pikon! Madaya ka lang talaga!

Hindi ko kasalanan kung magaling ako kay Ken at Ryu. Lapa kasi ang Sakura mo! Lapa si Sakurang pokpok!

He! Neknek mo! Insecure ka lang sakin pangeeeet!

This was a written argument with my friend Myke. It appeared that I was quite irritated with him because I lost a match in Street Fighter EX3.

In high school, we always did that — passing a piece of paper during classes, writing our thoughts, then returning it back to the one who passed it. It just went on and on until either the paper ran out, or we got really angry at each other.

Upon reading it, I just smiled, laughing at myself for being such a childish brat before — having the lowest maturity level compared with anyone, being too obsessed with the kiddy stuff, and being emotionally unstable unto the brink of indulging in verbal fights.

But even if I was like that, and even if I feel that I was really retarded during that time, those were my best years. As bad as it may seem, but it’s true.

Ah. The good-old high school life!

It was then when nobody expected too much from me, when I got excused for not getting the job done, when I didn’t have to be the leader all the time, when I got to meet the weirdest but brightest people, when I had fun in the simplest of things, when I thought studying was fun, and when my best friends were not hard to find. The list just goes on and on. It was when I could be a kid. And that’s something that mattered a lot to me.

But now, it’s just a thing of the past — a memory. Life is a lot different now. I don’t get to do things like that anymore. I am a new being… with a much serious and grown-up image to keep. I’m faced with bigger responsibilities to the point that it overwhelms me. I don’t get to exchange instigating scribbles with anyone anymore, as I should treat everyone professionally. I am now too accountable for any minute action.

It’s not that I don’t see anything good in my present life, where nobody baby talks me anymore or belittles my capacity, but I just want a break from the pressure it brings. Five to nine years ago, life was a lot simpler, a lot easier to carry, and a lot more enjoyable.

It is one of my greatest frustrations to go back in time and repeat high school all over again, but it can’t happen. It’s just physically and contextually impossible.
Seeing that high school note aggravates it. It makes me miss it more.

But looking at it in a different perspective — isn’t it that everybody passes through that anxiety… that desire to go back to the past? I think it’s just natural for people to desire doing things they enjoy again.

However, transcending this yearning for something that would never happen brings me to a point to reflect on: Why do I feel this way? Is there something missing in my life now that makes me want to go back to the past? Is what I am doing now something that I really want to do? Am I becoming the kind of person who I want to become?

It seems that it’s true. Something is missing in my life. I don’t have the right to commit mistakes anymore. I don’t get to enjoy what I am doing. I can’t be a kid. And it hits me right in the face. I’m in the point of no return.

About the author
____________________________
Fernando Calleja is from Journals. He just completed a 2-day Storytelling Training with the Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines as a scholar of the Writers Guild. He is fondly called 'Biboy' by his friends.

CULTURE EXPRESS: TANGHALANG PILIPINO'S 21st SEASON OPENS

2007-05-06T00:43:00.000-07:00

Check here for performance dates.

BOOK TALKS: NORTH POINTS HERE

2007-05-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

by Mahros Abaño

There are things that I know I should be doing. What was it, I have no idea yet; I know I will find it. I just knew it.

While waiting for that time to come, I got my hands on Banana Yoshimoto’s book, N. P. This is a book that I read not because I wanted to read it during that period; it was just the first book that I grabbed when I went to the loo one day. When I was still carrying that book afterwards (I washed my hands, of course), I knew I got myself hooked.

The plot of N.P. is simple. There was this famous writer in exile who killed himself. His ninety-eighth short story, which was entitled N.P. or North Point, was said to be cursed because whoever translated it in Japanese from English would later commit suicide as well. The book fell in the hands of Shoji, Kazami’s boyfriend, who after translating the story also committed suicide.

The story began a few years after Shoji died, and for some reason Kazami got entangled into the lives of the writer’s offspring who were still living in the shadow of their father’s death and his ninety-eighth story; and a mysterious woman who was as passionate with the story as they were.

The simplicity of the narration and tone to which that story was written makes N.P., at first glance lightweight. As the story progresses, I began to see otherwise. Yoshimoto juxtaposes summer to the turmoil that the characters were undergoing, with their past, among themselves and with their own demons. I believe it was not an accident that one of the characters was a psychologist, with all the mania going on around them.

Then of course, there is the connection between the four characters held by a short story that represents all those bittersweet memories.

Also, there were a few controversies, such as incestuous relationships, thrown in for good measure. It was handled with such savoir faire by the author that unless another reader was extra squeamish, will take this turn of a father-daughter, brother-sister sexual relationships with an equal sense of indulgence.

The theme of a May-December affair was recurrent throughout the story. It can be seen as another juxtaposition of hope and the loss of it as was depicted in the life of the characters. Youth is seen a sort of vibrancy, of summer, of life. In the story, these young women, like Kazami, came into the lives of these men like a ray of sunshine but gave not enough hope to them to not take the next bus to the afterlife.

The use of language is another theme of the story. As N.P. revolves around the translation of the ninety-eighth story, there was of course the issue of how language could be both a bridge and as a wall to those who were using it. How one translates his action into words could be either misconstrued by the other because of what words he used and how he used it. It can be seen that metaphorically, Kazami, who works as an English translator, served that duty throughout the course of the book.

It was not just a matter of language per se, but it was how one expresses oneself to another. As man further progressed in the use and facility of the language, there was less communication going on. And this sort of confusion was later on increased because of fear of speaking all together with the characters because the idea of hurting the other looms above them. Here is where Kazami works as the translator for all of them. She might have not succeeded fully with the task; her efforts were did not go for naught.

What I liked and disliked about this book, however, is that the ending was a bit contrived to make up for a happy ending. It was not really that of a happy ending in Disney terms but the author seemed to decide she needs to tie all those loose ends before the story ends. It was still beautifully written although it became too comfortable towards the end.

That being said, I still like N.P. despite its flaws. It was an easy read despite the themes that were tackled throughout the book. Unlike the other Japanese authors that I am fond of, Yoshimoto writes in the manner that hits the target, takes the readers in but would not spit them cruelly out. One would be assured of a relatively happy disposition after reading the book. To which unfortunately some her characters were not.

Readvolution Note: N.P. is available for borrowing from Bookcase 2 (currently in Content).

About the contributor
__________________
Mahros Abano writes because she was absolutely useless in her Home Economics’ classes; she wishes to learn how to knit a tablecloth in the future, preferably before hell freezes over because of global warming. She is from Healthcare.

DIREK CONVERSATIONS WITH JEFFREY JETURIAN

2007-05-03T04:03:00.000-07:00

By Ed Saludes

Two years ago, Cinemanila convened a group of commercial and independent film makers at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Greenbelt 3. Director 1 won a Palme d'Or few years back. Director 2 attended Cannes' film school, Cinefondation. Director 3 made three of the longest Pinoy films in history. Director 4 is a part-time model and a part-time professor in La Salle. Director 5 is a big Susan Roces fan. Director 6 has Igorot ancestors. Director 7 is represented by his live-in partner. Director 8 is the heir to the beauty business empire of his mother. Director 9 loves the name Maximo. Director 10 is known for submitting half of the 400 entries in Cinemalaya.

As the coordinator of the festival, I was tasked by the festival director Tikoy Aguiluz to document that very rare gathering. After the three-hour meeting, I was grinning like Joker between my ears. I have just realized that in a room filled with Filipino film makers, it is easy to determine who are talented or not. It doesn't even require watching their films. You just need to observe how they behave in a group conversation. Those who dominated the discussion and whose voices reverberated on the four corners of the coffee shop are the 'not-so-talented ones'. The 'talented ones' did most of the listening.

One of the talented ones present in that occasion was Jeffrey Jeturian. Direk Jeff to many, he has already done seven films since his critically-acclaimed debut, Sana Pag-ibig Na (Enter Love) which gave the late Nida Blanca Best Actress grand slam honors from major award-giving bodies. For the past seven years, he had gained local and international recognitions for his films such as Tuhog (Larger Than Life) which competed in Venice Film Festival in 2001 and last year's Kubrador (The Bet Collector), the most-awarded Filipino film of 2006.

In spite of his busy sschedule, Direk Jeff granted an interview with the Writers Guild’s Project Backspace at the Bang Café in Tomas Morato ten hours before he left for the 2007 Singapore International Film Festival.

This time, the talented one did most of the talking.

How is life after 'Kubrador'?

Last year was a particularly busy year for me in terms of travel. Because of "Kubrador" (the film has so far been invited to close to 50 international film festivals since it premiered at the 28th Moscow International Film Festival last April 2006), I've been kept busy traveling from one film festival to another where the film has been invited to compete or be exhibited. I was in Moscow, New Delhi, Toronto, Pusan (Korea), Mumbai and for the fourth quarter of last year, was hopping all over Europe (Valladolid, Brussels, Amiens, Tessaloniki, Rome and even Estonia, where I served in the jury of the international film competition) week after week. It was only in the last week of December that I was able to return to Manila, so now I have to work double time to catch up on projects that I've passed up while I was gone and start earning again. I am busy with TV work now, particularly, the TV drama anthology series, "Maalaala Mo Kaya" where I get hired on a semi-regular basis.

Jury member of the competition programme EurAsia Jeffrey Jeturian only seems to laugh on collegue Krzysztof Wierzbicki's threatening gestures. (2006.POFF)

When was it that you first realized that film was your calling?

I was in second year high school in San Beda when Lino Brocka's "Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag" was shown. I saw the film and I was so moved by it that I told myself, "If films have this power to touch people's lives and create such impact on their outlook in life and worldview, then I hope I can be a filmmaker someday, too". That was in 1974 and that someday happened in 1998 when I got to direct my first film, "Sana Pag-ibig Na". It may not be the kind of film that would affect people's worldview, but I'd like to think that with my growth as a filmmaker, I am slowly getting there. *laughs*

What I am sure of though is till now, after seven films (Sana Pag-ibig Na, Pila-Balde, Tuhog, Bridal Shower, Minsan Pa, Bikini Open and Kubrador) I can proudly say that I haven't done a film that I am ashamed of. The first time I realized that directing was the only thing that I want to do was when I was asked by my friend Ellen Ongkeko Marfil to direct one scene in a drama episode she was directing for PETA-Bisyon back in 1996. The scene was very simple: a teenager guy would deposit garbage in the front yard of their house and as he does so, he would catch his older brother (who was asked to leave home by their father days ago because of a misdeed) looking from a distance. No exchange of dialogues, just loaded glances. It was a two-camera set-up for television and though the scene was very simple and required no real directorial calisthenics, nothing can match the high that I felt while "directing" the scene: from blocking the actors to deciding the camera placement to giving orders from the OB van to the two cameramen when to go to a full, medium or close-up shot.

I can even say that that moment was one of the happiest times of my life because I realized that directing was the one and only thing that I wanted to do. Ironically, the night of that same day, my dad, who would have been pleased seeing me fulfill my dreams, passed away. It was all so sudden. He died from aneurysm.

Was film making offered to you on a silver platter or was it a long struggle?

I had to rise from the ranks. From college (UP Broadcast Communications), Marilou Abaya got me to be part of her director's staff for the film "Baby Tsina", starring Vilma Santos, in 1983. I was Production Assistant. Shooting took all of six months to finish, half of which time we weren't getting paid our salaries any more (Talent Fees are "packaged" in shooting films) but that was okay by me because I was learning so much from the experience. I then became Script Continuity (Script Girl or Boy), Art Director, Production Designer, Assistant Director in various films and TV dramas to directors like Maning Borlaza, Leroy Salvador, Eddie Garcia, Chito Rono, Joel Lamangan and others.

Even as a director, I had to start from scratch as my first "directorial" job was the 5-minute TV program, Legal Forum, of Atty. Josabeth Alonso. But even that was providential because years later, in 2004, Atty. Josabeth Alonso went into producing movies and she got me and Armando Lao to collaborate on "Minsan Pa", her initial venture as producer. In 2006, she produced her second film, "Kubrador".

Who, according to you, are the Directors (Pinoy, foreign) whose works are commendable?

I am a fan of Zhang Yimou's earlier works like "Story Of Qiu Jiu", "Raise The Red Lantern", "Road Home", the Iranian director Mahjid Majidi, Pedro Almodovar, who I admire for his ability to make deviant characters look sympathetic and the director of "Y Tu Mama Tambien" (Ed.- Alfonso Cuarón).

Have you opted to make films which do not fall under the category of 'mainstream cinema' because of budget constraints and the frustrations of getting actors?

I've done the films I did because they are the kind of films that I wanted to do, regardless of whether they're mainstream or not. Even in my most commercial films (e.g. Pila-Balde, Tuhog and Bridal Shower), they are not mainstream in the sense that the themes and plots were not formula and that even if the genre was sex, that wasn't the main focus of the films. Pila-Balde was about the struggles of a young woman to have a better life; Tuhog was a satire on sex in Philippine cinema, and Bridal Shower was about the commodification of love in modern life.

You have been critically and popularly acclaimed in your films. How does that make you feel? Satisfied or pressured?

The acclaim that my films have gotten over the years is just an affirmation that what I am doing must be good. They must not, in any way, affect my work. So long as I get to do the kind of films that I want to do, I will keep making films.

Do you feel that film makers in the Philippines, especially those who are here for the love of their art and passion towards their craft, are at a disadvantage (facilities and financial-wise) compared to their counterparts elsewhere?

We are at a disadvantage, budget and technology-wise, but in terms of ideas, skills and talent, we are at par with everyone else. In the end, as in all art forms, it is what you have to say and how effectively you've communicated it that matters.

Tell us more about your next project, Nenok.

It had been shelved due to its sensitive subject matter. We have consulted some lawyers and they advised us that the screenplay might be libelous.

Screen shot of Kubrador. (Filmfestamiens)

What is the significance of Kubrador's victory at Cinemanila 2006?

Kubrador's winning is significant because it is the first time that a Filipino film has won the grand prize in Cinemanila. We didn't think the film had a chance against the other entries, among which was Cannes winner, "The Wind That Shakes the Barley", plus the fact that the competition was on home ground. And then the film was about "jueteng" with a briefer at the start on how money from jueteng has overthrown a president and put to power his successor. Ironically, it was GMA who handed out the trophy to my producer at the awarding rites held in Malacañang.

Best Filipino films of all time?

Maynila Sa Kuko Ng Liwanag, Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?, Burlesk Queen, Kisapmata, Insiang, Batang Westside, and Babae sa Breakwater.

Watch the Youtube trailer here.
_____________________________
Ed Saludes is from Journals.

Readvolution Note:

Babae sa Breakwater (DVD, original) is available for lending to members of the Writers Guild’s Readers Circle. Not a member yet? Text READER_(your name, email address) to 0927.441.8781 and enjoy exclusive privileges now!

WG SCHOLARSHIPS: The A.R.T. of Book-based Storytelling

2007-04-20T02:17:00.000-07:00

Please click on photo to enlarge.

CLUB SPiRIT: SAMPLE PHOTOS FROM CAMERA CLUB'S 1ST SHOOT OUT ACTIVITY IN LA MESA WATERSHED PARK

2007-04-13T02:08:00.000-07:00

If you wish to become a member of the Camera Club of SPi, please email Odie Gementera at o.gementera@spi-bpo.com. For the meantime, enjoy the rest of the photos here.

REEL REVIEW: 300

2007-04-13T01:51:00.000-07:00

Cover of the comic book 300

by Ivy San Diego

It’s very rare that a movie adaptation of a book (or a graphic novel) exceeds the original of artistry of the written literature. 300 is one such rare case where the movie exceeded the reader’s and the audience’s expectations. Director Zack Snyder created a unique exceptional masterpiece in doing this film adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel.

Leonidas, the wise king of Sparta was played by Gerard Butler. Born and raised by the Spartan ideals of honor, duty and glory, Leonidas was a skilled warrior, a loving father and a devoted husband to Queen Gorgo which was played by Lena Headley. When he receives the news that Xerxes’ plans to extend his sovereignty over Sparta through his emissary, King Leonidas adamantly rebuffs this seemingly diplomatic proposal.

Amidst the “bribed” oracle’s objection for Leonidas to go to war, the great king continued to assemble 300 of his finest warriors to face Xerxes and his vast army. This wasn’t about “male ego”; it’s about fighting for freedom and honor. While Leonidas waging war against the Persian army, Queen Gorgo was trying to convince the Spartan council to provide more troops to assist the king and his men.

The graphic fight scenes showed 300 brawny muscular men who fought with dignity to the very end. Seeing an immense army coming at you takes a lot of courage and audacity; the confidence to face death with honor is how Leonidas and the 300 men exhibited the Spartan creed that “Great men are born and bred…”

The graphic novel itself has a simple plot thus the need for a larger-than-life cinematography and Snyder was able to deliver this in a well-crafted picturesque interpretation of Miller’s art. Since the plot lacks the grandeur of Lord of the Rings or the emotional impact of Brave Heart, Snyder used big frames, close-up shots, slow motions and painting-like backgrounds to capture the audience’s imagination.

It is important to note that the actors also gave an outstanding performance. Gerard Butler and Lena Headley exhibited what a true Spartan man and woman is. Their acting was fiery yet controlled. Even the soldiers were fighting with their heart and soul as if it were the last battle they would face that day.

Overall, the movie was excellent. I actually wanted more, it wasn’t a “complete” movie for me but I guess that’s proof that the director and the producer succeeded in expanding the audience’s imagination and for that, it accomplished its purpose in creating a masterpiece.

_____________
Ivy San Diego is from Journals. She is a Frank Miller fan.

2007 NATIONAL WRITING WORKSHOPS NOW OPEN!

2007-04-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to enlarge.

CLUB SPiRIT: SPi MOUNTAINEERING CLUB's FUN CLIMB

2007-04-05T23:03:00.000-07:00

“It’s not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.”

- Sir Edmund Hillary, first man on Mount Everest's peak

The team on Mt. Buntot Palos, February 1, 2007

Enough sleep, they say, is needed before a climb. You’d need the energy. I just realized a few minutes into the “fun” climb that I should have forced myself to sleep the night before, but how could I when the overflowing excitement in every inch of my body wouldn’t allow such sweet sleep.

I’ve been planning on conquering a mountain since my brother bought his first tent (which was ages ago). I was intrigued by his dirty climbing shoes, his long hair and the unmistakable stench of his laundry (dried sweat and dirt embedded in every thread) when he would come home after a climb. My sisters and I dubbed his look the “ermitanyo” look, with a giant mountain pack at his back, a walking stick, his fatigue-style clothing and his long unruly hair.

I wanted to be a physically active person too, to do some things that my small built and weak knees would allow. I started small by trying out simple physical activities like mini-olympics and swimming classes, then went on to try wall climbing, rappelling and knee boarding. It all has been fun! But these are all simple activities so when I saw a teaser for the next climb of the SPi Mountaineering Club, I knew I had to join! I was the only one from the SPi Support Group who braved the climb. Though they said that the activity was just a “fun” climb, I couldn’t care less. I am climbing and nobody and no one is ever going stop me.

Buntot Palos didn’t seem like such a high climb by the looks of it from the bottom of our path but the path is winding and the hard reality struck me a few meters up. Climbing is not an easy thing. I’ve sweat more in the few minutes of climbing then I have ever had in my entire life. I should not have worn jeans and new shoes. I should have brought only the bare necessities and left my extra shirts. I should have brought more water. I could rant on and on but at the end of the day, all the bruises were well worth it!

It was the breathtaking sight of the fields down below that made me forget about my cramping legs and the hot sweat coming out of my pores. The trek up and then down to the hidden waterfalls, watching the log-bearing horses and carabaos, and eating those sumptuous meals are the things that I will never forget. It’s amazing how things so beautiful can be kept alive by nature. If only the pictures could keep the hidden water falls in pristine condition forever, I would have filled my phone with photos of the rainbow across the falls, the surrounding walls of trees and the other wonderful sights.

There are so many things that I would gladly do again. Among them are sitting far from the ledge onto a raging river, falling into the water (when I made a promise never to get my shirt wet), swimming across a small lake and taking a bath under a falls, walking through a half-foot wide path with a canal at one side and the deep ravine on the other (that took some time and self persuasion to achieve). The many pictures that we took of the place will forever be stored in my phone and in my heart.

Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos...

I do not know what makes people want to climb mountains but for me, it’s not just the thrill of facing danger on uneven paths or learning how to do butt-breaks and relying on a walking stick to keep one’s balance. The terrain might be hard and unforgiving for a beginner like me, but every step of the way was an experience worth cherishing and reliving. One day I will be able to compare mountains and paths and elevations, and one day I will be able to really say that I am a mountaineer – finally!

Buntot Palos is my first climb. It will forever be etched in my heart and mind as the first time I conquered a height. I have a list of things to do before I become too old to do anything and now one of them is climbing more mountains; the higher and more mysterious, the better. I have not just conquered a mountain, but I am now slowly overcoming my fear of heights. With that, I’m now dreaming of the next summit I can conquer.

Where is Tarzan when you need him?! The author holding on to a vine. Well, at least that's what it looks like from here. If it's not slippery and scaly, then it must be a vine.

_____________________
Pia Manzano is the Writers Guild’s Vice President and is the Administrative Assistant to the HR Director.

TIKIM: CHAIKOFI (MALL OF ASIA)

2007-04-01T00:21:00.000-07:00

You'd know quirky when you see this place. There's just something so surreal about the concept of CHAIKOFI, one of the first restaurants to open here at SM Mall of Asia. An Filipino original concept with a European twist, CHAIKOFI owes its character from having Filipino and Dutch owners.

Look Ma, flying kettles! The unsual shape of the couches add to the flair.

Nice foodshots on the menu. Very inviting.

A nice touch by every table. Sadly, it's plastic.

Threesome coolsome. Don't know what soup to order? Try this order of Soup Sampler (Php 85). There are 3 demitasse cups of mushroom, pumpkin and tomato soups.

The usual salad. Nothing mind blowing.

This sandwich (Php 95) is filled with kani strips with wasabi mayo with oregano and rosemary.

The chicken was fried with green tea (Php 175) although honestly we don't taste the difference.

Overall, the service was ho-hum (the crew made sure they were nowhere in sight) and the food was nothing extraordinary. Was it the place that made for sensory overload? Or was it the '90s song Bring It Back that made for a groovey time here? Maybe. Too bad the restaurant is now closed, hah! We wouldn't want to venture a guess as to why this happened. Oh well, until our next TIKIM adventure!!!

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

2007-03-30T04:46:00.000-07:00

SPi Camera Club's Odie Gementera (Journals) makes SPi proud when a photo he took was hailed Photo of the Week by Manila Bulletin's Picture Perfect Section (please see March 20, 2007 issue). This was taken during the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga last February.

If you wish to get a print, please contact Odie Gementera at o.gementera@spi-bpo.com. If you have a photo you want us to feature here as Photo of the Week, send us a watermarked copy (.jpg or .gif) at spiwritersguild@yahoo.com.ph. Keep on shooting!

Watch out for sample shots from SPi Camera Club's first Shoot Out activity at the La Mesa Dam last March 10, 2007. Writers Guild Correspondent: Dai Miranda.

BOOK TALKS (March 30, 2007 2nd Edition): WOMEN

2007-03-30T01:35:00.000-07:00

Click on photos to enlarge.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: MANINGNING MICLAT POETRY AWARDS

2007-03-29T03:02:00.000-07:00

THE Maningning Miclat Art Foundation Inc. (MMAFI) is calling on young poets writing in Filipino, English and Chinese to participate in the 2007 Maningning Poetry Competition.

The poetry contest consists of three divisions—Filipino, English and Chinese—is open to all poets, age 28 and below. An entry must consist of at least 8 but not more than 15 poems. Authors may join all the divisions but can submit only 1 entry in every division. All entries should be original in every language and not a translation of another entry.

All entries should be submitted in 4 copies, double-spaced on 8-1/2 by 11 inches bond paper with one-inch margin on all sides and with Arial or Times New Roman size 12 font. Entry should be submitted using pen name only. Real name and pen name should be submitted in a separate sealed envelop together with a bio data, copy of birth certificate and a notarized declaration of originality and authenticity of authorship of the entry.

Entries must be addressed to the Maningning Miclat Art Foundation Inc. (MMAFI), 2nd Floor Mile Long Building, Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, (tel. no. 816-7490 to 91) not later than 5 p.m. of April 17, 2007. Entries sent by mail should be postmarked/invoiced not later than April 3, 2007.

The Maningning Miclat Awards was launched to honor her short but meaningful life and to encourage, recognize and nurture young talents like her. This year's grand winners will receive a P28,000 cash award for each of the three categories, copies of collector's edition of "Voice from the Underworld" and "Beauty for Ashes: Remembering Maningning" as well as the Miclat family journal, Beyond the Great Wall and trophies by the eminent sculptor, Julie Lluch.

Log on to www.maningning.com and email maningningfoundation@gmail.com for more information.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: LINANGAN SA IMAHEN, RETORIKA, AT ANYO (LIRA) NATIONAL POETRY WORKSHOP

2007-03-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Applicants are invited to participate in the upcoming LIRA Poetry Workshop. The Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) is now accepting entries for its annual poetry workshop. The worshop will be held during the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) of June and July 2007 at the College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

National Artist for Literature, Virgilio S. Almario, is the workshop facilitator.

If you are interested, please submit five poems in Filipino together with a short bio-data and a 1x1 picture to:

LIRA Workshop
c/o Dir. Vim Nadera
UP Institute of Creative Writing
2/F Bulwagang Rizal
UP Diliman, 1101 Q.C.

You may also email to liraworkshop@gmail.com before April 30, 2007.

About LIRA

LIRA is an organization of poets writing in Filipino. It conducts annual poetry writing workshops, covering topics from traditional Filipino poetry to post-modernism. From these poetry workshops sprung respected and award-winning poets like Vim Nadera, Romulo Baquiran, Michael Coroza and siblings, Rebecca and Roberto Anonuevo.

LIRA celebrated its 21st anniversary last December 2006. Beverly Siy is its current president. If you're trying to improve your poetry writing, check out the LIRA Poetry Workshop this year!

Note from the Writers Guild: If you need help, please do not hesitate to let us know. Our Poetry Editor Dai Miranda or Workshop Manager JP Canivel would be more than willing to assist you.

POETRY CRITIQUE: REVOLT FROM HYMEN

2007-03-28T03:32:00.000-07:00

HYMEN: Art by Georgia O'keefe

REVOLT FROM HYMEN

O to be free at last, to sleep at last
As infants sleep within the womb of rest!

To stir and stirring find no blackness vast
With passion weighted down upon the breast,

To turn the face this way and that and feel
No kisses festering on it like sores,

To be alone at last, broken the seal
That marks the flesh no better than a whore's!

HYMEN: Mixed media installation by Jehanne-Marie Gavarini

"Revolt from Hymen" and the Feminist Thought

by Jacquiline Dy

The hymen is a fold of mucous membrane the wholeness of which differentiates someone who is a virgin from someone who is not. In Angela Manalang-Gloria's poem, the hymen becomes a symbol for the society's concept of femininity. The persona in the "Revolt from Hymen" can be compared to a woman writer who aims to free herself from the constricting boundaries of the feminine position. The lines "O to be free at last… / To be alone at last" echoes women's pleas for independence from the society's controlling grip and its social constructs. The persona wants to be a woman who is free to write without experiencing the "anxiety of authorship," the "blackness vast / With passion weighted down upon the breast"; a woman who can attempt the pen without worrying whether she has the right to do so; a woman who can express herself, her desires and her story without being ashamed of it.

The kisses on the third stanza are a symbol of patriarchal society's high regard for women who conform to the stereotypical female attributes of purity and passivity. These kisses then turn into sores whenever women, in exchange for social acceptance, confine themselves just to what society constructs them to be. The persona believes that these kisses, just like festering sores, are things that women should not want for themselves. A woman should learn how to "turn [her] face this way and that," to assert herself within the Order and to do her own thing in spite of the condemnation she would probably receive as its result.

The last two lines of the poem lead to the virgin/whore dichotomy. The virgin, whose hymen is still intact, is a symbol for all the women who chose to submit to the standards connected with femininity. The whore, and her broken hymen, meanwhile, comes to stand for everything that the virgin is not—active, aggressive and subversive. Women writers are like whores because both of them transgress the society's concept of femininity. A woman writer ceases to become passive at the moment she is able to create a story of her own. Her writing is a practice that gives her power and yet transmogrifies her. Both of them—the whore and the woman writer—are subversive because they chose to rebel against these stereotypical roles.

The persona in the poem chose to write and free herself despite being labeled a whore than to be a virgin and remain forever muted. The lines "[breaking] the seal / That marks the flesh no better than a whore's" pertains to the process of severing the chains that bind the feminine role to the female body, as well as the deconstruction of the virgin/whore, angel/monster dichotomies to which women are circumscribed, things that the poem "Revolt from Hymen" sought to address.

_________________
Jacquiline Dy is from Journals.

THESE MONTHS OF MARCH & FEBRUARY IN BACKSPACE

2007-03-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

February-March

Issue 2 Volume 2

+ FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR. The Guild President looks back to his discovery of the joys of reading. Read more.

+ EVENTS. The reading project everyone has been waiting for is finally out. Here's a peek at the fabulous launch program you may have failed to attend. Read more.

+ EXCLUSIVE. What is Readvolution all about? What's in it for you? Read more.

+ EVENTS. Here are the photos of the Joint Employee Council-Clubs Planning Session last January 2007. Will the group really make the call of One People, One Voice, One SPi a reality? Abangan! Read more.

+ STANZAS OF STILLNESS. Resident Poet and Storyteller Alev Maniago launches into the deep with more serious - and mature - poetry. Is she ready for LIRA? You be the judge. Read more.

+ BOOK TALKS SERIES. The 1st edition of BOOK TALKS opened last February 28. Here's a look at an evening that was like no other. Read more.

+ WGimik. For those who missed the visit to the M/V Doulos, now there's no reason to say you didn't get to see it. Read more.

+ WGimik. They say charity should begin at home but what if the voices of special children harken? Some of the Writers Guild's storytellers heeded the call. Read more.

+ WRITING CONTEST. The World Bank wants you to win USD 5,000 and 1,000. Here's how to do it. Note: deadline is on March 15! Read more.

+ BOOK REVIEW. Mahros Abaño gives John Grisham a taste of his own medicine. Read more.

+ WGimik. The Writers Guild spends a night with The Pretenders. Read more.

+ CLUB SPiRIT: SPi Clubs Bulletin. Tm President Espie Vitug brings home the bacon. Read more.

Click on photo to enlarge.

FROM THE CHIEF EDITOR

2007-03-14T02:07:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,

It was only months ago when we thought of having some kind of a book borrowing-cum-sharing project among readers in SPi. This eureka moment was brought about by books that are stored at home, lonely in their dust-covered skins begging to be read again. God knows how many times I’ve read Count Tolstoy’s War and Peace (the mere mention of this book usually comes with a standard joke I read from a Time magazine cartoon, but you have to personally ask me about it) and I don’t recall how many times I’ve reread my Amy Tans or Isabel Allendes that I swore never to touch them again while I’m still living. Lately, DVDs have been taking over my life (not in the manner that you are thinking, no) and I admit to having seen books-turned-films even before I read the print version. Talk about a decline. My work schedule has rendered me sluggish and I do not mean just lately. Oh yeah, give and take a few more other reasons for ignoring the alarm clock and going back to sleep only to rush and cuss (in no particular order) when I’m about to be late. How cool is that?!

Lately, I found myself dusting my old books and opening them. As a habit, I always make a note re when and where I acquired a book. I opened one and it said “National Bookstore. Mango Ave. 1998.” A-ha! This book was bought in Cebu. I imagine that it must have been one of those super boring slow Sundays when simply staying at the dormitory could render one catatonic. Mango Avenue, formely Maxilom, is a windy winding avenue of schools, eateries, shops, one old seedy theater (which comes alive only at night) and a large National Bookstore branch across Jollibee. I used to spend my time there when nothing good is showing at the Ayala or SM Cinemas. Living on a pauper’s budget in those days meant hours of tulo-laway moments at titles I can only dream of having. These days, anybody can just enter Powerbooks, grab a book, finish it in one seating, put it back on the shelf and then leave without even having to pay for reading it. Readers in this age and time are so lucky. Back then, my friends and I would put together coins and bills to buy one Jessica Zafra book. Whoever gave more cash would get to keep the book after everyone else has read it. We were so agog over Zafra then. Thank goodness I am so over her now. I do not even read her blog for fear of having to read the same things over and over again but I digress.

Eventually, I found myself a job in my friend’s pseudo-Greek restaurant in Ayala and then I was able to afford to buy books again albeit on a 15-day interval (minimum wage earners cannot afford to be impatient, you know). The modus operandi was if I find a good book and can’t afford it yet, I would hide it in another shelf behind other books where it cannot be found. Come pay day, I would re-claim it, triumphant that my plan worked. The thing is I am not alone. I later found out that many other (poor) readers like me do the same thing. I had to hatch another plan pronto.

When did I start reading? As a kid, naturally, and that’s stating the obvious. When you grow up with an English Literature major-teacher for a mother and a journalist-lawyer for a dad, you cannot afford not to read. No, let me rephrase that. It would be a scandal to not read a book.

In all honesty, even if my life memory started when I was 5 years old, I don’t recall the books of my early childhood (anybody out there who does?!). I did have a favorite compilation of story books before which had Charlotte’s Web, etc. One of my favorite stories then was about this statue of a prince covered in gold leaf who asked a bird (yes, the statue did talk) to peel it all off piece by piece and give it to the poor whom he sees every day from atop his pedestal. It was a very touching story. I also miss reading Tin Tin and Friends, the never-ending adventures of a French boy and his white dog, Snowy, but then again this is a comic book. Does this count?

Since a better part of my elementary days was spent in the public school system, I also discovered the joys of reading from donated Adarna books. For once there was a reason to thank Imelda Marcos for supporting the dreams of one National Artist named Virgilio Almario to produce storybooks for children. I recall lazy afternoons of being cocooned in our dark library with only storybooks to keep me company.

In college, things were different. I had nothing with me but science books and I was then dead set on becoming a physician. I gave up drawing, painted little if at all, never attempted to learn even one musical instrument. I cannot recall reading one novel or such during the first half of my college life. Eventually I got bored and found myself getting lost in the dingy halls of our University library. I discovered a section there which a library assistant later told me was very notorious for midday trysts of the rhythmic kind between campus lovers, much to the chagrin of library assistants, but what struck me as peculiar to this section were volumes upon volumes of classic titles which when opened would make their hapless discoverer sneeze for days on end. That’s when I started a love affair with books by Mark Twain and Charles Dickens, more so on the latter than the former. At least I didn’t have to give the university janitors a reason to be irritated, hah!

If my mother labeled herself a Romantic (the poet Robert Frost, who belonged to that literary period, was her personal favorite), I labeled myself a Dickensian. Being in a Jesuit-run university, I found a real-time link between the perils of Europe’s Industrial Revolution in Dickens’ books to the life of peasants and farmers in Northern Mindanao where my university is based. Looking back, I wish I took on the character of Pip in Dickens’ Great Expectations. He seized the moment and lived his dream. For is this not what books are for? To inspire? To push? To change perspectives? These days, one can only do so much with a busy schedule of running a household, doing business and maintaining a 9-hour job. I am sadly stuck in this routine. I am hitting 32 this 2007 and I am not even halfway there yet when it comes to achieving my life goals.

Was I reading the wrong books? I can’t really tell. Many readers read to escape, ‘di ba? Maybe this is the reason why self-help books aren’t such hits.

Last February, I lost my mother to cancer. She was the main reason why I got a day job instead of pursuing medicine. I recall how I used to frighten myself to sleep with horror stories when I was 11 or thereabouts and Mom would remove my eyeglasses because I have fallen asleep – yet again - with them still on. She also bought me The Hardy Boys because it was the fad back in Don Bosco. I still have them. I miss the many weekend nights we’d sit on the porch and discuss poetry, history, and our life together as mother and son, and how we’d retreat to our books when we run out of things to say. A copy of Robert Frost’s poems stands next to her cremation jar at home – a reminder that she once had “miles to go before I sleep, miles to go before I sleep.” (from Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening) I owe her so much, my mother.

Last March 2, the Writers Guild which I am most unfortunate to be heading at the moment launched Readvolution. This is a reading project designed for readers in SPi. By “designed” we mean a 24-hour access to reading materials. At the onset, the plan was really just to lend our own books to whoever would find them interesting. I brought my Milan Kunderas while Mahros brought her Kafkas and Zukavs in our vain attempt to be haughty (but, thankfully, not pretentious). JP brought out his Adarna storybooks to be used for our storytelling sessions. We simply wanted to share what we read to whoever was interested.

The day Elaine Kunkle, Director of Operations of Content, donated to us a sackful of books, things changed. We thought, oh wow! What do we do with it? In the beginning, book borrowing was done through text messaging. Someone would text me a title, and I’d leave the copy with the guards. Now, with over 150 titles to choose from, bookcases had to be bought and a plan had to be drawn.

Readvolution was born. Two bookcases (B1 and B2) now form the Guild’s little library. Each will stay in a business unit for six weeks before it moves on to another unit. We still are figuring out how to send these to Laguna, Cebu and Dumaguete but we are confident we’d be able to find ways to do it.

Last night, while everyone else were either sleeping soundly at home or hunched over their computers at work, I sneaked into the Journals lobby where the bookcases were left prior to assignment. Looking over the books, I felt that there are many lessons to be learned from the collection. The morning before the launching, I espied some guys poring over my Che Guevarra biography, Compañero. As of this writing, I believe Tikboy of the Mountaineering Society has it. “Idol ko”, he says. I’m happy that finally, people can discover this physician-revolutionary with depth than simply knowing him as a pop icon from shirts, caps and stickers which carry his Andy Warhol-esque images.

And then there are contemporary titles like Dan Brown’s (in)famous Da Vinci Code. I seriously hope readers and the plain curious would pick it up just to discover how much has been left out in that horrible film version. Oh, add to the list Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha which I and my Cebu friends drooled over for years only to be disappointed by the film. Fortuitously enough, the bookcase also carried several Salman Rushdie titles. My favorites are Midnight’s Children and Fury. The former has a funny take on books and their film counterparts. It has a scene between two goats munching on reels of film left on the floor.

Goat 1: “Hmm, this tastes really good!"
Goat 2: “I heard the book is better!”

Priceless! Never fails to make people laugh during dinner parties.

For those born decades after the war, there’s also a chance to sneak a peek into a famous little girl’s diary. Anne Frank’s entries would probably make an eye or two cry among the readers but she can be funny and stubborn, too just like any other girl her age. There’s also a wonderful collection of science fiction stories in Bookcase 2. Isaac Azimov fans will be very delighted.

And then there are the poetry books - love / hatred, life / death, joy / mirth, sadness / glory. Each poem can be the voice everyone wished they had.

Allow me to end this long epistle with an exhortation: Let the books of Readvolution help you discover more about yourselves and the world. Do it while you’re still young and there’s a chance to make things better for yourselves. Read now or forever rue it.

Best regards,

Dylan

March 6, 2007
Parañaque City
SPi

READVOLUTION LAUNCHING (MARCH 2, 2007)

2007-03-09T00:25:00.000-08:00

Last March 2, the Writers Guild of SPi launched its first major project for 2007 - the READVOLUTION. This is a reading project-cum-book club that was born last year and originally was called Project R.E.A.D.

Boosted by donations from Elaine Kunkle, Director of Operations for Contentm, and May Dizon, Manager for Communications, the collection is now 200-titles strong with the entry of more books that were loaned to the project by some SPi employees.

The launch, which was held at the Journals Lobby, was attended by several readers who already joined us during the M/V Doulos visit, as well as Ms. Elaine Kunkle herself who gave a short talk on how she discovered the joys of reading. We are also honored to have with us Ms. Susan Sy whose generosity has allowed us the use of her spacious lobby. Participants were treated to a poetry reading by Project Backspace's Poetry Editor Dai Miranda, as well as a raffle of Bob Ong books (Alamat ng Gubat and Stainless Longganisa) and Volume 1 of the Writers Guild's Music for Readers Series CD. Ms. Kunkle, assisted by Guild President Dylan Gozum, cut the ribbons of the bookcases.

Our own Goddess of Poetry, Dai Miranda, reads a poem by Margaret Atwood entitled The Woman Who Could Not Live With Her Faulty Heart.

The ribbons are cut! Let the borrowing begin!

During the assignment raffle, Readvolution's Bookcase 1 was to be assigned first to Content (how apt!) and Bookcase 2 will be hosted by Healthcare, both to stay in these BUs for 6 weeks. From there, they will move to Journals and Legal. As agreed upon with Ms. Kunkle, her books will also travel to Content in Laguna. SPi employees in Cebu and Dumaguete will also enjoy these books as they will be sent via courier to their areas.

The Guild thanks Ms. Dhang Rondael of Employee Relations, FMG, CBRE, Ms. Susan Sy of Journals for making the launching a success. To Mss. Elaine Kunkle and May Dizon, we are indebted to you forever. May your love for reading and generosity of heart be a shining example to other SPi employees and managers. Maraming salamat po at Mabuhay!

Ms. Kunkle shared how she started to love reading. Behind her are bookcases B1 and B2.

A participant wins a Bob Ong book from the Guild, represented here by Workshop Manager JP Canivel (holding the bowl), Dylan Gozum, President, and Perps Poblador, Blog Manager and host of the program.

"And the winner of a Bob Ong book is...." *drums roll*

Let Readvolution be your friend...

Yum-o! Brownie and butterscotch delights by Pia Manzano, WG Vice President and Readvolution Chief Librarian. For orders... (Hep, bawal nga pala magbenta sa SPi, hehe!)

________________________________

Photos by Odie Gementera of OBRA's Camera Club. Thanks so much! For those interested in joining the Camera Club, please email Odie at o.gementera@spi-bpo.com.

READVOLUTION Q & A

2007-03-08T01:14:00.000-08:00

Click on posters to enlarge.

Q: What is this Readvolution? Is this another one of those spur of the moment, hare-brained monsters on the loose?
A: Readvolution is a reading project that aims to promote reading in the workplace. It also comes with a Readers Circle component wherein you can meet other readers during Fellowship Nights, have book sharings, read poetry, get invited to book sales and launchings, and win prizes like books and Readvolution gift items every month! All you have to do is text your name and e-mail address to 0926.622.3359 (Globe) and we'd take care of the rest.

Q: Do I have to be a member of the Readers Circle in order to borrow books?
A: No. Every Juan can borrow books anytime you want to. However, only members of the Readers Circle can enjoy the benefits listed above (See Q&A1). They will also receive an exclusive pin that reads I AM A READER! (See yellow circle above).

Q: So what if there is a reading project / book club?
A: Most Filipinos do not read, or do not have the luxury to read. The National Book Development Board said that at least 45% of Filipinos haven't read a book in the last six (6) months. Among the top reasons for non-reading include the expense that comes with buying books. Most individuals would rather buy essentials than buy books. The Readvolution project has in its care many books which have been donated or loaned. Now you have a chance to enjoy reading without having to buy books! Just look for the topic that interests you, borrow, and enjoy!

Q: What do I get from this project?
A: Expanding your horizons, for one. Life can be such a bore if it's just a home-work-home routine. Read and you'd discover more of the world! Bring home some storybooks and read to your kids! Isn't that a great way to bond before bedtime? Some of the best things in life do not come with a price tag. Sometimes all it takes is a book to change the way you look at things.

Q: How do I borrow? Do I need to return the book?
A: First, make sure the bookcases are assigned to your BU. That being established, you can contact the assigned Librarians (these are normally posted on the bookcases' glass panels). Next, choose your desired book, sign your name and the date borrowed and leave the Borrower's Card with your friendly Librarian. Enjoy the book. Of course you have to return it, silly. There's a Late Return Charge, by the way. Unreturned books will be charged to your EC Chairperson's account so have a little mercy and return borrowed books promptly.

Q: How do I contribute to making sure this project stays as a permanent fixture here in SPi?

A: Thanks for this question. You can contribute by reading the books made available. Second, you can donate some books if you can spare some. Third, you can promote the project by encouraging your non-reading friends to try some of the titles for starters. You can join the Writers Guild Readers Circle to get updates on books, share your thoughts and win prizes!

BOOK TALKS: BOOKS BY KATHY REICHS

2007-03-08T00:12:00.000-08:00

Kathy Reichs during a lecture

BONE JOUR

By Mahros Abaño

There was a phase in my reading life that I would read a particular author and get all excited, and quicker than you can say “Anne Rice,” I am out the door and hoarding all the books that that author wrote. Then I will be enormously pissed that the rest of his or her stuff stank like three-day-old eggs (you hear me, John Grisham?).

Nevertheless, I never soured at reading genre fiction although this time in a less-obsessive manner. My taste in genre fiction as of late has been leaning towards the macabre and gore category, so it was a blast for me that I have discovered Kathy Reichs. And my obsessive hoarding has begun its vicious cycle once more.

I discovered Ms Reichs while watching the television series, Bones. For all those not familiar with this show, this is a procedural drama in the likes of CSI and Crossing Jordan. I might be hearing a collective groan of disgust, “No, not another show about corpses,” but this is a really good show. Its protagonist is the forensic anthropologist, Temperance Brennan (played by Emily Deschanel), and she helps the FBI (with Special Agent Seeley Booth, played by the hunka hunka burning love, David Boreanaz of Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer fame) identify the bones of the mutilated, burned or long-buried victims who are in need of justice.

The show was based on Kathy Reichs’ main character in her books, Temperance Brennan. Tempe is based on Ms Reichs, as she is also a forensic anthropologist in North Carolina and Canada. She already wrote nine books and I’ve already got my filthy hands on five of them. Ironically, her books are not very famous here, judging that the only book of hers that I have bought at Powerbooks was her third one, Deadly Decisions, and the rest I have scoured from the shelves of local Booksale shops. She was usually compared to Patricia Cornwell who has Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist, as her heroine but since I am reviewing Kathy Reichs, I’ll stick to her bones (pun intended).

Like all genre fiction especially the ones with a recurring protagonist, the plot is basically the same with each of the five books. Her first novel, Deja Dead, is set in Quebec, Canada and tackles a series of grisly murders of women that seemed to not be connected; one of the victims’ skeletons was found in the grounds of an abandoned of a monastery. It turns out there is a serial killer on the loose and it came to the point that Temperance became its next target. She eventually killed him, of course, when he broke into her apartment and she stuck a knife in his eye during the struggle.

One of my least favorite, Fatal Voyage, was about an airline disaster. This is her fourth book and it was set in North Carolina. As she helps identify the remains of the crash victims, she stumbles upon a secret organization of modern-day cannibals who mutilate old people. Like any fiction worth its salt, this secret organization’s members are from very high places so the heroine not only encounters a lot of corpses in the way but also a lot of red tape that almost killed her reputation. This book, as Reichs’ mentioned in her foreword, was inspired by the work she did with the 9/11 attacks. The plane crash was what she meant of course, not the cannibalism, which metaphorically could be seen as that if you watch the news.

Reichs set her next book, Grave Secrets, in Guatemala where Tempe Brennan was commissioned to work for the Historical Society to identify the victims of mass graves, who were killed during a series of rebel cleansing by the Guatemalan government. Of course, there was again an attack of a serial killer who put her victims in septic tanks and she was asked to help solve it.

What is fascinating by Reichs’ writing is that her heroine is not perfect. Sure, she may be smart and gutsy but she is also a recovering alcoholic, a divorcee, a single mom and has a nasty crush on her partner, Agent Andrew Ryan. I am not familiar with how much Kathy Reichs is in Temperance Brennan other than the career profile but it is refreshing to see a character who doesn’t wear Chanel pumps and getting the bad guys.

Another thing that I like about the series is that I don’t have to be a forensic pathologist to get the jargon. Maybe it also is an advantage for this writer that she knows what she’s talking about and can explain it to her readers without making them fall asleep. Stuff like forensic entomology or cranial reconstruction in writing can be really boring but Reichs was able to make it interesting and relevant to her novels. Her character’s continuous pop culture references also help the readers identify with her as being human not just information-spewing machine.

Its not that the novels doesn’t have its faults, it has. Inasmuch as I am enamored with the heroine, there are a lot of times I find her annoying. She gets herself in situations that usually get her into trouble. Reichs makes no bones (pun again intended) in making her heroine transition from a lab habitué to an action hero after a few pages. And sometimes the change of pace is not as fluid as it should. There are a few “how did she do that?” moments and at one point I just wanted to move along.

If the heroine was well-written, sadly, the others were not. Some of them are so stereotypical I have to roll my eyes when they were introduced. Then again, this is a suspense novel, not a Pulitzer Prize winner anyway.

All things aside, I cannot say enough that reading these novels is an enjoyable experience. A nice balance of geekiness and action. A love story that is not sappy. I can’t wait to read my next Kathy Reichs’ book.

1st THEATER EXPERIENCE NIGHT

2007-03-06T03:48:00.000-08:00

The Writers Guild held its first Theater Experience Night at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last February 24, 2007 on the eve of the 21st Anniversary of the EDSA People Power 1.

All writers, officers and members of the Writers Guild Collective (storytellers, etc.) are entitled to one ticket pass to a stage play of their choice once a year. The play this first batch chose was Ang Mga Huwad (The Pretenders), the last in the five-book series called Rosales novels penned by National Artist for Literature Francisco Sionil Jose. The book was adapted for theater by noted playwright Rody Vera, who also did the script for the very first Sionil book to be done on stage, The Mass.

The Mass, which was shown last year during the regular season of Tanghalang Pilipino, was topbilled by actor Yul Servo. This time, The Pretenders had Romnick Sarmienta essaying the lead role of Antonio Samson. The evening turned out to be lucky as Manong Sionil himself was in attendance.

The Pretenders is the last of the series of novels F. Sionil Jose wrote which revolved around a character who hails from the town of Rosales, Antonio Samson, and about his ancestors. The series has three parts: Po-on (or Dusk), Don Vicente (Tree and My Brother, My Executioner) and The Samsons (The Mass and The Pretenders). These books have been translated into 22 languages making Sionil Jose the most widely read Filipino author in the English language. Rich in stinging criticism of the upper class (represented by the high Manila society of the '60s) and exposing the yawning class struggle that is very characteristic of the post-colonial Philippine society, The Pretenders, first published in 1962, is his most popular novel.

A roundtable discussion and reflection was held after the play.

We wish to extend our warmest appreciation to a friend, Rudy Lagman, of The Japan Foundation Manila of the Embassy of Japan for free tickets to the play.

The second batch has chosen to see the 4th staging of Zsa Zsa Zaturnaah, originally written by illustrator, writer and set designer Carlo Vergara. (Note: No schedule is available yet.)

Please visit
www.tanghalangpilipino.com
www.jfmo.org.ph

F. Sionil Jose titles available at the Writers Guild’s Readvolution Book Case 2 (currently in Healthcare):

Gagamba
The Samsons
Viajero
Ermita

STANZAS OF STILLNESS

2007-03-06T03:38:00.000-08:00

Sa Isang Araw Sa Isang Linggo

ni Alma Evita Maniago (Content)

ang sabi Mo, kailangan pa ring magpahinga.
Pinilit kong tupdin ang nasasaad sa kautusan Mo
at nagbubunyi ang diwa sapagkat sumunod sa Iyo.

Sa paglipas nga ng panahon,
dahan-dahang nagbago ang lahat;
pati ang ikot ng mundo'y pumaindayog.
Paano na ang kautusan Mo?
Paano ko tutupdin ang isinasaad nito?

Pagod na ako sa pamamahinga sa itinakdang araw;
kailangan ko pa kasing lumikom ng buhay.
Ano nga ba’ng kailangang ipagtimbang:
ang utos Mo o ang buhay ng aking mga inakay?

Nakasisiguro ako sa paniniwala ko ––
yaon ang di ko maipagpapahinga.
At kahit siguro masuway ko ang isinaad Mo
at di ipagpahinga ang isang mahalagang araw,
sana malirip Mong ako pa ri’y nananambitan
sa araw na ito ng linggo.

CLUB SPiRIT: SPi Tm CLUB PRESIDENT WINS IN AREA 76 INTL SPEECH CONTEST

2007-03-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

by Perps Poblador, CC/CL

“No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.”

Speech contests are annual events in the Toastmasters community during which the best speakers are recognized and their best stories heard.

SPi Toastmasters Club participated in the Joint Area 75 & 76 Speech Contest that was held last March 17, 2006 in the Bureau of Customs in Paranaque City. Club President Espie Vitug won First Place in the International Speech Contest category. Together with her are Toastmasters Rohit Wad and Competent Communicator and Leader (CC/CL) and Past President Raul Escandor who also competed in the Impromptu Speaking and Evaluation Speech Contest categories respectively.

From left to right, starting at the top: 1) Prepared Speech Contest Champ, Tm Espie. 2) Rohit, Espie and Raul as representatives of SPi Tm Club 3) Tm Espie, very proud of her champion medal (puwede ba ito isangla? *giggles*). 4) SPi Tm club-representatives making faces in front of everyone!

Story 1: The Lady Who Brought Home the Bacon

Tm Espie Vitug is one of the charter members of SPi Toastmasters Club back in 2000. Her membership was cut short immediately after leaving SPi to serve a full-time mission to her church. When she got back to SPi by 2004, she reinstated her membership in the club. In 2004 and 2005 she was elected as the club’s Secretary and Treasurer respectively. She was unanimously elected as the Club President by 2006. She’s now aiming to achieve her Competent Communicator and Leader norms before June 30, 2007.

Q: How does it feel to win the toughest yet most prestigious speech contest in Toastmasters Club?
E: It was a huge honor! It was a stiff competition to begin with. I have never been to any speech competitions before. I competed with three good speakers from other corporate clubs namely, Airspeed (our neighboring club), DHL and BOC. I was the last one who spoke so there was lingering nervousness in me all throughout the contest. It’s like there was nothing in my head but air! When my name was called in as the winner, I said, “It was all worth it.” And I said a silent thanks to God.

Q: What were your preparations? In what specific areas do you deemed you still need to improve on in preparation now to the upcoming division speech contest?
E: I draw mutual support from my fellow Toastmasters like Perps, Raul, Rohit and Luz. I also practiced a lot and continuously prayed to God for strength. I was hoping I could conquer my fear and the ideas would flow as smoothly as possible. My end in mind was to inspire the audience through my speech, not to compete with fellow contestants. After the speech contest, our Area Governor advised me to work hard on my facial expressions, body gestures and vocal variety (especially with differentiating characters I imitate!). I totally agree with her. I hope right now that Perps, Rohit, Raul, Luz and the rest of the gang will stick around to help me hone on those specific areas.

Q: What’s your best advice to prepared speech contest wannabes?
E: Prepare. Practice. Pray. Listen to the people as they evaluate you, as they give you feedback. Then, show up in the contest. As the saying goes, “90% of success is just showing up.” Somehow, it is true.

Q: How did Toastmasters help to you?
E: Toastmasters has become an important part in my life. It has changed the way I speak and write in English. Although there are still a lot of things I need to improve on yet without a sheer doubt, Toastmasters has given me the confidence I am expected to have at work. I regularly communicate with our foreign clients and with my English-speaking bosses. Speaking good English is a must. Now I can say, I am a better and more effective communicator than ever before and I owe it all to Toastmasters.

Story 2: The Man Who Bravely Stopped the Jinx

Toastmaster Raul Escandor, CC/CL was also a charter member back in 2000. Since then, he has assumed numerous club positions such as Protocol Officer (then Sergeant-at-Arms), Secretary and Vice-President for Education. His huge break in Toastmasters was in 2005, when he was elected as the Club President. His presidential term was known to everyone as a break to that vicious cycle of resigning club presidents; it was also the turning point when Toastmasters club has got its feet back. Now the Past President, he now serves as a consultant and adviser in the club, while he aims to achieve his Advanced Communicator norm at the same time.

Raul is never new to speech contests. Last 2005, he joined and won the Area 75 Humorous speech contest. This year, he joined the Evaluation speech contest.

Q: You’ve been through a lot of speech contests. What makes this contest different this time?
R: It is my first time to join an evaluation speech contest. And it is also my first time for not witnessing the performance of other contestants. I was the last contestant and had gotten isolated in a room before I came to speak. It would have been more rewarding if I was able to see and listen to the evaluation of my fellow contestants.

Q: In case one encounters a test speaker for evaluation who he thinks he wouldn’t find any areas to improve on, what would be the best evaluation strategy you could advice?
R: I believe there is neither a perfect speech nor a perfect speaker. I can always spot areas of which the speaker may improve on. Actually, you may spot one or two areas. Limit to that number and focus more on your recommendations. Never make your evaluation sound personal by avoiding saying phrases like “I think” or “I believe.”

Story 3: A Novice Who Never Failed Speaking On His Feet

Toastmaster Rohit Wad may be considered a Toastmasters baby, yet he bravely joined the speech contest! Though hesitant at first about joining the club, Rohit joined Toastmasters last year after attending a few club meetings. As he had once said, he liked getting the chance to improve his public speaking skills in front of the people who he knew. Apparently according to him, Toastmasters has not only helped him gain his self-confidence but also applying at work what he has learned in the club, on more than one occasion.

Q: Answering questions on the spot is surely taxing, isn’t it? How did you manage?
R: Answering questions on the spot can either be very easy, or very difficult, depending on the topic being asked. From practice and experience (at the contest), I noted that my main area for improvement wasn’t so much about the topic, but losing my train of thought while speaking. Since you only have two minutes to speak, it was much easier for me to end my speech quickly, so as to minimize my nervousness.

Q: As a first timer in this competition, what did you learn?
R: Considering it was my first time in a speech contest, I felt I did well in the sense that I confirmed what my main area for improvement was, and that was keeping on topic, even if that meant repeating what I was saying.

Division K Speech Contest will be held on April 14 at the Bureau of Customs in Paranaque City. Let us wish Toastmaster Espie the best of luck!

About the Correspondent

___________________________

Perps Poblador, CC/CL is currently the Immediate Past President of SPi Toastmasters Club. She isn’t new to speech contests as she already competed in Impromptu Speaking and Prepared Speech Contests. Now called upon to judge in speech contests for several times, she shares her two-cents' worth to speech contest wannabes. First, prepare, practice and seek feedback from peers. Second, confront your fear. Be aware of what triggers that fear. Find your own way of overcoming it. Lastly, if you win, stay grounded and remain humble. If you lose, keep on learning and improving your speaking skill.

BOOK TALKS (PART 1) FEB 23, 2007

2007-02-28T21:15:00.000-08:00

SPi Night Cafe is born. Physical setup by the Writers Guild. Thanks so much to Ms. Dhang, Ms. Susan Sy, CBRE and FMG!

Tm and Writers Guild logos: Like moths drawn to the flame. Huwag lang sana mapaso!

Dai Miranda, Poetry Editor of Project Backspace, and Ivy San Diego, Contributing Writer, both of Journals, enjoy the night.

Dai Miranda reads Effort at Speech Between Two People by Muriel Rukeyser taken from the compendium 50 Years of American Poetry

Perps Poblador and Billy Suarez of Toastmasters were hosts for the night.

Jeanette Agati of Writers Guild gamely answers questions from Billy regarding the book she just shared (The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho).

Luz Desquitado gave a most heartwarming speech on Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus by Dr. John Gray

Aki Nilooban and EJ Solera of Support and Journals, respectively, warm up the night with loves songs from The Carpenters. Thanks so much guys! Sa uulitin!

So many things to improve on but all's well that ends well.

CLUBS-EMPLOYEE COUNCIL JOINT PLANNING SESSION 2007

2007-02-27T21:55:00.000-08:00

Ms. Pam Belda, ER Manager, gives a situationer.

Noli Galgana of SPILA does the score board.

Laughter galore after a game. What a way to start the day!

Three's a company, four's a...team! Pia, JP, Dylan and Kathyleen (partly hidden) of Writers Guild. Johnny Gonzales, SPILA Manager, looks on.

Charlie's Angels? Espie Vitug, Luz Desquitado and Perps Poblador of Toastmasters.

That's Macrey and Gil of SPi Laguna

Macrey of Laguna discusses plans of Performing Arts

Plans, plans, plans...How many of these will become reality this year? Abangan!

Luz of Toastmasters speaks for her club.

Tikboy of Mountaineering Society discusses his club's lofty ambitions for 2007

"Dito ba? O, dito ba? Dito baaaa? O, dito ba?"

Pia of Writers Guild finds her piece's place

The photo is finally completed!

Sir Raffy Mendiola, Production Manager of Healthcare, shares a laugh with Ms. Lea

Ms. Lea gives her final message to participants

A light moment with Susan Sy, Director of Operations for Journals

All's well that ends well. One People, One Voice, One SPi!

WGimik: VISITING THE M/V DOULOS! (January 23)

2007-02-26T22:24:00.000-08:00

To jumpstart the year 2007 for the Writers Guild, we facilitated a guided visit to the M/V Doulos, then docked at the Manila Harbor, for those who love reading or are simply curious about the world's largest floating bookstore. Trips were made in 2 batches utilizing four vehicles. We were able to bring at least fifty (50) co-employees to see the ship. The others came on their own during the weekend.

Despite the fact the there was general disappointment regarding the very limited titles the ship carried, we came away with the feeling that at least, we were part of this huge event that saw hundreds of people trooping to see this grand old dame of the high seas.

We hope that next time it comes back, we'd be able to enjoy more variety in the titles. Otherwise, there's always the awesome sunset to make up for the lack of better things to read.

Farewell, M/V Doulos! 'Till me we meet again! Vaya con Dios!

"Did you get on board for free, Pia?"

Participants from Healthcare (1st batch).

Participants from Journals (1st batch). Second batch composed of Healthcare and Content. There were at least fifty (50) participants all in all.

The Manila Bay sunset puts up a grand show.

Farewell, dear old lady. See you again next time!

AN INVITATION TO ALL BOOK LOVERS IN SPi!

2007-02-19T19:43:00.000-08:00

Click on image to enlarge. Click on label "Book Talks" to see previous posts on this subject.