THE WRITERS GUILD COMMEMORATES HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK

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

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

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

Click on photo to enlarge.

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

CULTURE EXPRESS: THEATRE

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/ ).

CULTURE EXPRESS: THEATRE TALK

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

CULTURE EXPRESS: TRIBU ON CINEMALAYA 2007

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.

CULTURE EXPRESS: TANGHALANG PILIPINO'S 21st SEASON OPENS

Check here for performance dates.

CULTURE EXPRESS: IMAHE NASYON 2007

IMAHE NASYON... a groundbreaking, conceptual omnibus film by 20 alternative filmmakers who were tasked to present their personal visions on national issues. It is underlined by a conceptual question asked by line producers Jon Red & Carol Bunuan-Red:

"How do you see the past 20 years?"

In 2006, IMAHE NASYON attempts to answer the question. That question also became a thematic and uniting thread across the films, but each film is made of different cinematic genres that is representative of the filmmaker's style, stressing the concept that in spite of individual visions we share the same goal: to depict a truthful image of the nation.

The omnibus project was conceptualized by Jon and Carol in commemoration of Edsa 1, a political revolution that changed their generation forever. It is also a celebration of the struggle and growth of Philippine Independent Cinema which, in essence, is a cultural revolution only now gaining public acceptance.

A unique and common element in IMAHE NASYON is rising Indie actor PING MEDINA who is featured in all the 20 films. He represents the next generation who will play a crucial role in the direction of the nation and its image.

Imahe Nasyon was directed by Poklong Anading, Emman Dela Cruz, Yeye Calderon, Neil Daza, Lav Diaz, Tad Ermitaño, Mes de Guzman, Rox Lee, Topel Lee, Milo Paz, Robert Quebral, Ellen Ramos, Raymond Red, R.A. Rivera, Lyle Sacris, EJ Salcedo, Sig Sanchez, Dennis Empalmado, Ogi Sugatan, and Paolo Villaluna.

IMAHE NASYON will be screened from February 21-27 at the indieSINE Robinson's Galleria.

View YOUTUBE trailer HERE.

CULTURE EXPRESS: EVENTS AROUND THE METRO

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

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

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

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

This groundbreaking seminar will equip literature teachers and drama enthusiasts with the necessary tools to teach drama to high school students. Literatour is in line with the UP ICW’s many projects that spread literature throughout the country. The seminar will have National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera as keynote speaker. Drama veterans Rene O. Villanueva and Amelia Lapena-Bonifacio will deliver their lectures in the afternoon session. Excerpts from the plays of Villanueva and Bonifacio Ilagan will also be performed.

The launch of the Likhaan Book of Drama, co-edited by Villanueva and ICW director Vim Nadera, will be held right after the seminar. The seminar fee of P1,000 already includes a reading kit, lunch and one copy of Likhaan Book of Drama. For more details and registration, please e-mail literatour.icw@gmail.com or call 922-1830. Look for Eva or Vic.


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

LIRA 21: Gabi ng Tula

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

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

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

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

CULTURE EXPRESS

www.superpasyal.blogspot.com

Busy with work and have no time to explore the city? Visit GUTS. GRIT. GUMPTION. and get your daily photo dose of buildings (old and new), dining places (what's hot, what's not?), and more! Come and explore the City of Our Affections - Manila - through the lens of the Guild President Dylan Yap Gozum.

Note: Photos were sharpened for dull monitors.

CULTURE EXPRESS

Culture Express brings our readers from the staid environment of daily office life into the otherwise colorful world that we're sadly missing.

LA PIEL

Portraits by Marlon Despus
Running from Calendario
July 18 - August 31, 2006
18 de julio - 31 de agosto de 2006
Schedule Horario
Tuesday to Saturday, 10 am - 7 pm
Martes a sabado, 10 am - 7 pm
Venue: Sala, Instituto Cervantes Gallery

Fil-American photographer Marlon Despus has been trying to capture people's souls by portraying their skin. Marlon Despus was born in the Philippines of Ilongo and Ivatan heritage. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley where he studied architecture, science, poetry, and where he was trained in photography almost thirty years ago.

Collecting images for this exhibit began in 2005 with the gracious support from a host of volunteers -- including doctors, directors, teachers, politicians, tricycle drivers, models, artists, diplomats -- many coming from Spain, the United States, Australia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Korea, China, India, Japan but mostly from the Philippines.


AY, CARAMBA! SPANISH MOVIES FOR FREE!

If you love Spanish films and don't know where to get your fix, the Instituto Cervantes has a regular film showing every Saturday ath the Salon de Actos in their new building along Kalaw St, Manila (besides the Casino Español). No charge, no questions asked. Just come early as seats are limited.