Tuesday, December 2, 2008

SPACE AND THE BELOVED

Beside you, my perception
of space transforms:
it contracts like a womb,
the whole world excluded
as other faces recede
in the background until
only your visage remains
in my range of vision.

Or it expands like a balloon,
barriers between you
and me broken, the walls
separating us from mankind
collapsing like a house
of cards, as we embrace
the universe in the sphere
of our inclusive affection.


-Ralph Semino Galan

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A Collation of Postcolonial Poems

A collation of postcolonial poems

By A.R.D.S. Bordado

AS "GUESTS" in that faraway home called the English language, Filipino poets have the great burden of having to write in a language where they may feel unwelcome. But At Home in Unhomeliness: An Anthology of Philippine Postcolonial Poetry in English (UST Publishing House, 2007) shows that Filipino writers have not only mastered English, but also built their own home there.

Featuring 82 poems from some of the countries most promising young poets in English, At Home in Unhomeliness has been released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists). Founded by Thomasian man of letters and National Artist F. Sionil Jose, Philippine PEN is the local branch of the International PEN, a worldwide association of writers that upholds freedom of expression and the coming together of various cultures through literature.

At Home is edited by J. Neil C. Garcia, a magna cum laude graduate of UST AB Journalism in 1990. He is a prolific poet and critic.

In his introduction, Garcia notes the desire of postcolonial writers to recover their lost precolonial identities. "Needless to say, language is a crucial issue in postcolonial literature and in the identity politics that underwrites it," he writes. "It simply can't be sidestepped, I suppose: colonized peoples who speak (and write) in the language of colonization necessarily confront the problem of consciousness, and therefore, of identity."

Different themes make up the anthology—personal takes on reality, spirituality and even a pinch of politics. Wanderlust poems such as Jose Wendell Capili's "The Great Australian Landscape" and "Gorilla Bay" show the Filipino sensibility imbibing foreign geography.

The latter poem describes the beauty of the bay: "Gastropods on a drift/ conceive enclosures of/ bubbles shimmering forth,/ polished and white among/ rocks, splashing as spring/ time turns supremely aqua/ marine, even less torrential." Dinah Roma-Sianturi's "Borobudur" infuses vision to Indonesia's famed Buddhist monument: "Up there, you said, is a vision/ not of stupas but of bodies/ circling the void to wake the divine."

Paolo Manalo's "At the Chocolate Kiss" tells of the experiences of young people out on their first date: "You can tell them by the stars in their eyes/ And that uneven spread of baby powder/ On their faces./(…)/She tries to look prettier/ Than she already is. He tries to look. . ./ No, not at her breasts." Jennifer Patricia Cariño's "Residence" tackles mature love: "This residence/ We may lose, but you are where I truly live./ There is a space for you in this body yet."

For poet and UST Professor Ralph Semino Galán, misery is a wellspring for poetry. "Magician" shows the painful art of letting go: "Star-clad, I offer my wounds/ to the universe, faith transforming/ pain into poetry, suffering into song."

The collection reminds readers that language remains a problem in Filipino poetry in English. Whether or not our postcolonial poets have established identity in their works is still a blank page to be filled. According to Garcia, because the upshot of colonization is still unfolding, the search for postcolonial identity has yet to be concluded.

Monday, November 17, 2008

PHILSTAGE Third Quarter Citations

PHLSTAGE Jury Announces Third Quarter GAWAD BUHAY! Citations

Productions by Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), Ballet Philippines and the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) dominated the third quarterly citations of Gawad BUHAY!, the performing arts awards program organized by the Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group (PHILSTAGE).

Tanghalang Pilipino’s Golden Child romped off with a total of twelve citations while Ballet Philippines La Revolucion Filipina and PETA’s Batang Rizal tied with seven citations each.

Winner of the Tony and Obbie Awards in the United States, Golden Child tells the story “of a traditional Chinese family on the cusp of jarring change”. It merited jury citations for outstanding play, stage direction (Loy Arcenas), ensemble performance for its cast, female lead performance in a play (Liesl Batucan, Tina Chilip, Irma Adlawan Maasigan), male lead performance (Arthur Acuǹa), translation (Dennis Marasigan), lighting design (Barbara Tan-tiongco) , sound design (J. Victr Villareal), set design (Loy Arcenas) and costume design (Gino Gonzales).

Ballet Philippines’ La Revolucion Filipina earned seven citations for outstanding dance production, choreography (Agnes Locsin), ensemble performance, male lead performance (Biag Gaongen), lighting design (Katsch SJ Catoy), set design (Mio Infante) and costume design (Victor Ursabia). It tied with PETA’s Batang Rizal which received citations for outstanding play, stage direction (Dudz Terana), ensemble performance, featured performance (Willy Casero), original script (Christine Bellen), libretto and musical direction (Vince De Jesus).

Major citations were garnered by Tanghalang Pilipino’s The Virgn Labfest entries Ellas Inocentes, Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte, Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna, Three Sisters and Pamantasang Hirang. PETA’s Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang and Tosca also figured prominently in the citations list.

Gawad BUHAY!, otherwise known as the PHILSTAGE Awards for the Performing Arts, honors outstanding accomplishments in theater, dance and music among PHILSTAGE member-companies. Quarterly citations, nominations, and winners are juried by an independent panel of performing arts practitioners, critics, academicians and enthusiasts invited or selected by the PHILSTAGE Board of Directors.

“The jury members are required to watch all productions of Philstage members to ensure a fair selection process,” stressed PHILSTAGE President Fernando Josef. The jury meets quarterly for the citations from which will be culled the nominees qualified to vie for the annual award to be announced and honored in fitting ceremonies during the National Arts Month in February 2009.

PHILSTAGE groups together the country's leading and established performing arts companies which include Actors Actors, Inc. (AAI), Ballet Manila (BM), Ballet Philippines (BP), Gantimpala Theater Foundation (GTF), Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Repertory Philippines (REP), Tanghalang Pilipino and the Triumphant Peoples' Evangelical Theater Society (TRUMPETS). It can be reached via email philstage@tri- isys.com.

Following is the complete list of Gawad Buhay! citations for the third quarter of 2008:

OUTSTANDING PLAYS: Tanghalang Pilipino's Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang
Habal- Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte, Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna, Ellas Inocentes, Golden Child, and Three Sisters; and PETA's Batang Rizal

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL PLAY : No citation

OUTSTANDING DANCE PRODUCTION : Ballet Philippines' La Revolucion Filipina

OUTSANDING STAGE DIRECTION : Loy Arcenas (Golden Child), Jose Estrella (Three Sisters), Floy Quintos (Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna), Tuqxs Rutaquio (Ellas Inocentes), and Dudz Terana (Batang Rizal)

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE : Casts of Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang
Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte, Batang Rizal, Ellas Inocentes, Golden Child, La Revolucion Filipina, and Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang,

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE (PLAY) : Shamaine Centenera Buencamino (Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna); Lovely Balili and Jenessa Roque (Ellas Inocentes); and Liesl Batucan, Tina Chilip, and Irma Adlawan Marasigan (Golden Child)

OUTSTANDING MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE (PLAY) : Arthur Acuna (Golden Chil), Joey Paras and Arnold Reyes (Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habalsa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte); and Jonathan Tadioan (Pamantsang Hirang)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE (PLAY) : Willy Casero, (Batang Rizal), and Nor Domingo and Raffy Tejada (tosca)

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE (MUSICAL): No citation

OUTSTANDING MALKE LEAD PERFORMANCE (MUSICAL) : No citation

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE (MUSICAL) : No citation

OUTSTANDING FEMALE LEAD (DANCE) : No citation

OUTSTANDING MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE (DANCE) ; Biag Gaongen (La Revocion Filipina)

OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE : No citation

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT : Christine Bellen’s Batang Rizal, Rogelio Braga’s Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte, Layeta Bucoy’s Ellas Inocentes, and Floy Quintos’ Ang Kalungkutan ng Reytna

OUTSTANDING LIBRETO : Vincent De Jesus (Batang Rizal)

OUTSTANDING ADAPTATION OR TRANSLATION : Dennis Marasigan (Golden Child)

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION : Vincent De Jesus (Batang Rizal)

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY: Agnes Locsin (La Revolucion Filipina)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN : Katsch SJ Catoy (La Revolucion Filipina) and Barbara Tan-tiongco (Golden Child)

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN : J. Victor Villareal (Golden Child) and Shima Takeshi (Tosca)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN : Loy Arcenas (Golden Child), Mel Bernardo (Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang), and Mio Infante (La Revolucion Filipina),

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN : Ron Alfonos (Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang).
Gino Gonzales (Golden Child) and Victor Ursabia (La Revolucion Filipina)

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

TIME AND THE BELOVED

When I am with you
time moves differently
it accelerates
like a bullet train
a speed boat
a jet plane
the surroundings blurring
into a haze of faces
a labyrinth of landmarks
a whirlwind of words
as I focus my attention
on you and you alone.

Or it decelerates
into triple slow motion,
so that a second stretches
and lasts a lifetime,
a gesture takes forever
to accomplish, an utterance
becomes comprehensible
only several centuries after,
and I end up remembering
the timbre of your voice,
the texture of your arms,
the tint of your eyes.


- Ralph Semino Galán

Sunday, October 19, 2008

IPAG Performances: 2nd Half Sked

Ranaw” on extended run

[see Ranaw video trailer]

Cheering audiences have filled to watch IPAG’s latest theatre favorite, “Ranaw: Isang Alamat” (Ranaw: A Legend). The first 17-run series of this dance-musical opened Sept. 13 and closed Sept. 25.

A second 10-run series has been set Nov.10 - 14, at the MSU-IIT Mini Theatre, to accommodate demand from more audiences to watch the play. Drawing from its “matinee” appeal with its “general patronage” content, “Ranaw” attracted the audiences for its compelling music, dance, story, and visuals. The play won in the 1985 Playwriting Contest of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and has received a number of acclamations since its first major tour in the 1980’s.

A Davao City road show is set starting in January 21, 2009.

The dance-music play presents our pre-colonial tribes in turmoil that prophesy our fragmented state today. Dug from the research of the late Dionisio Orellana, the play chronicles the journey of a lesser known Mindanao epic hero Bato Lakungan who traverses triumphs and painful reversals of fortunes in his attempts to unite the North-Central Mindanao tribes. “Ranaw” was produced under an NCCA subsidy. It is set to go on tour in Davao City in the third week of January, 2009.

Poetry to Performance

[watch "Origami" video excerpt]
IPAG offers Tula Tugma sa Dula for the Philippine Arts Festival in 2009. Poems written by some of the leading poets based in the South will be transformed into a multi-media experience. This popularizes poetry to a wider audience as the word transcreating into movement, sound, and color.

Collaborating with our performing artists, choreographers, and composers are wordsmiths whose work will be reshaped: Marge Evasco, Anthony Tan, Ralph Semino Galan, Henry Opulencia, German Gervacio, and Christine Godine-Ortega. It premieres February 11, 2009 at the MSU-IIT Rooftop Theatre in Iligan City .

“Tales” and "Tatlo" continue to delight

[view Tatlo trailer video]

IPAG’s long-running “Tales From Mindanao” and its sequel "Tatlo sa Isa" completed its 1st leg of a national tour last August thrilling Manila as it has done in the last 17 years playing to full houses and captivating audiences. (IPAG estimates this string of dance-music vignettes has fascinated almost a million audiences around the country and the world.)

Davao hosts the 2nd leg which begins in the 3rd week of November. “Tales” and its sequel “Tatlo Sa Isa” are set to hit the provinces of Davao and South Cotabato again this season, and Cagayan de Oro in February, 2009.

Ranaw: Isang Alamat
Nov. 10 – 14, 2008
10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m.
MSU-IIT Mini-Theatre , Iligan City

Tatlo sa Isa
Nov. 18 – 24, 2008
Davao and South Cotabato , various venues

Tales From Mindanao
Nov. 26 – Dec. 5, 2008
Manila schools, various venues

Ranaw: Isang Alamat
Tales From Mindanao
Jan. 21 -24, 2009
Davao City, various venues

Tales From Mindanao
Feb. 5, 2009
XU, Cgn de Oro City

Tula Tugma sa Dula
Feb. 11-13, 2009
7:30 p.m., CASS Rooftop Theatre
MSU-IIT, Iligan City

Ranaw: Isang Alamat
[dates depend on open sked of the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the CCP]

Three People in One Island
International road tour
Spring, last week March – April 2009
U.S. East and West coast

Performance schedules may change without prior notice. Please contact IPAG Marketing for immediate and specific information [09167006209 or +63-4922354, fax: 2232494 email: ipagarts@yahoo. com web: www.msuiit.edu.ph/ipag]

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Winners of the 58th Palanca Awards for Literature

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE 58TH DON CARLOS PALANCA MEMORIAL AWARDS FOR LITERATURE



Filipino Division



Nobela



Norman Wilwayco

Elmo Basangdahon

“Gerilya”

Grand prize, Nobela



MAIKLING KUWENTO



Maria Lucille G. Roxas

“Game Show”

1st prize, Maikling Kuwento



Lemuel E. Garcellano

Oona

“Anghel Kalahig”

2nd prize, Maikling Kuwento



Rommel B. Rodriguez

“Kabagyan”

3rd prize, Maikling Kuwento



MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA



April Jade B. Imson

Pinatola I’ Kilid

“Si Karding at ang Buwaya”

2nd prize, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata



Allan Alberto N. Derain

Alon Darang

“May Tatlong Kurimaw”

3rd prize, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata



SANAYSAY



Jing Panganiban-Mendoza

Sestina Amara

“Ang Pagbabalik ng Prinsesa ng Banyera”

1st prize, Sanaysay



Michael M. Coroza

Harana ng Puso

“Ang Mabuhay Singers at Ako sa Pag-awit At Pag-ibig”

2nd prize, Sanaysay



Eugene Y. Evasco

Latido Del Corazon

“Agaw-Buhay”

3rd prize, Sanaysay



TULA



Mikael de Lara Co

“Ang Iba’t Ibang Ngalan ng Hangin”

1st prize, Tula



Renato L. Santos

“Sari-Saring Salaghati…”

(at good-bye-my-kangkungan)

2nd prize, Tula



Niles Jordan Breis

Maria Socorro Antimonado

“Rubrica” mga lakbay-nilay at

pagbubunyag

3rd prize, Tula



DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO



Floy C. Quintos

Noel Carillon

“Ang Kalungkutan ng mga Reyna”

1st prize, Dulang May Isang Yugto



Debbie Ann Tan

Golden Piat

“Teroristang Labandera”

2nd prize, Dulang May Isang Yugto



Allan B. Lopez

“Masaganang Ekonomiya”

3rd prize, Dulang May Isang Yugto



DULANG PAMPELIKULA



Emmanuel A. Dela Cruz/ Michiko Yamamoto

Setsuko

1434456 “The Singalong Singhs”

1st prize, Dulang Pampelikula



Dennis M. Marasigan

“Joy”

2nd prize, Dulang Pampelikula



Alfred Aloysius L. Adlawan

“Padyak”

3rd prize, Dulang Pampelikula



Kabataan sanaysay



Allen D. Yuarata

“Nang Dumating Si Joe”

3rd prize, Kabataan Sanaysay



Regional Languages Division




MAIKLING KUWENTO - CEBUANO



Macario D. Tiu

Sandino De Jesus

“Tsuru”

1st prize, Maikling Kuwento-Cebuano



Edgar S. Godin

Surealiza Maldoy-on

“Bingo”

2nd prize, Maikling Kuwento-Cebuano



Lilia T. Tio

Antonia

“Sapatos”

3rd prize, Maikling Kuwento-Cebuano



MAIKLING KUWENTO - HILIGAYNON



Leoncio P. Deriada

Ma. Asuncion Magbanua

“Ang Pagbalik sang Babaylan”

1st prize, Maikling Kuwento-Hiligaynon



Alice Tan Gonzales

“Dawata, Anak”

2nd prize,Maikling Kuwento-Hiligaynon



Marcel L. Milliam

Luis Batchoy

“Bitay”

3rd prize, Maikling Kuwento-Hiligaynon



MAIKLING KUWENTO - ILUKO



Danilo B. Antalan

Karissabong

“Dangilen”

1st prize, Maikling Kuwento-Iluko



Ariel S. Tabag

Saniata T. Bannawag

“Littugaw”

2nd prize, Maikling Kuwento-Iluko



Aurelio S. Agcaoili

Alegoria A. Nasudi

“Alegoria Uno”

3rd prize, Maikling Kuwento-Iluko



English Division




Novel



Miguel Syjuco

“Ilustrado”

Grand prize, Novel



SHORT STORY



Ian Rosales Casocot

Tatiana Pedillo

“Things You Don’t Know”

1st prize, Short Story



Tara FT Sering

Tinkerbell

“Good People”

2nd prize, Short Story



Nadine L. Sarreal

Sarah L. Natahan

“Night Sounds”

3rd prize, Short Story



SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN



Celestine Marie G. Trinidad

“The Storyteller and the Giant”

1st prize, Short Story for Children



Kathleen Aton-Osias

“The Mapangarap and the Dream Trees”

3rd prize, Short Story for Children



ESSAY



Jose Claudio B.Guerrero

Headmistress Millie

“Talking to a Fu Dog on a Wedding Afternoon”

1st prize, Essay



Katrina Stuart Santiago

Pregnant Pause

“Mirrors”

2nd prize, Essay



Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz

Bubu Banchi

“Sapay Koma”

3rd prize, Essay



POETRY



Francis C. Macansantos

“Morphic Variations”

1st prize, Poetry



Ana Maria Katigbak

Constance Pendleton

“Sl(e)ights”

2nd prize, Poetry



Marie La Viña

Dee Perez

“The Gospel According to the Blind Man”

3rd prize, Poetry



ONE-ACT PLAY



Maria Clarissa N. Estuar

Bluekessa

“Anybody’s Revolution”

1st prize, One-act Play



Percival Intalan

P. Parker

“Secret Identities”

2nd prize, One-act Play



Joachim Emilio B. Antonio

“Newspaper Dance”

3rd prize, One-act Play



FULL-LENGTH PLAY



Peter Solis Nery

Guglielmo Dellamaggidra

“The Passion of Jovita Fuentes”

1st prize, Full-length Play



Kabataan Essay



Miro Frances D. Capili

“Rated X”

1st prize, Kabataan Essay

Cristina Gratia T. Tantengco

“Things That Lie Beyond The Postcards”

2nd prize, Kabataan Essay

Elfermin M. Mallari, Jr.

“The Roads and Dreams That Meander”

3rd prize, Kabataan Essay



We would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed judges for sharing with us their time and expertise, and for their dedication to the development of Philippine Literature.



Filipino Division




NOBELA

Lualhati T. Bautista, Tagapangulo

Jun Cruz Reyes

Dr. Domingo G. Landicho



DULANG PAMPELIKULA

Roy C. Iglesias, Tagapangulo

Mark A. Meily

Frank G. Rivera



DULANG GANAP ANG HABA

Dr. Ricardo G. Abad, Tagapangulo

Nonilon Queaño

Manuel Buising



DULANG MAY ISANG YUGTO

Rodolfo C. Vera, Tagapangulo

Chris Martinez

Elmer Gatchalian



MAIKLING KUWENTO

Lamberto E. Antonio, Tagapangulo

Dr. Fanny A. Garcia

Levy B. Dela Cruz



MAIKLING KUWENTONG PAMBATA

Ani Rosa S. Almario, Tagapangulo

Augie D. Rivera

Christine S. Bellen



SANAYSAY

Dr. Lilia F. Antonio, Tagapangulo

Roberto T. Añonuevo

Dr. Imelda Pineda-De Castro



TULA

Romulo Baquiran, Jr., Tagapangulo

Rhoderick V. Nuncio

Marra PL. Lanot



English Division



NOVEL

Antonio A. Hidalgo, Chairperson

Dr. Soledad S. Reyes

Shirley O. Lua



FULL-LENGTH PLAY

Malou L. Jacob, Chairperson

Fernando C. Josef

Glen Sevilla Mas



ONE-ACT PLAY

Dr. Jerry C. Respeto, Chairperson

Ronan B. Capinding

Nathaniel Joseph F. De Mesa



SHORT STORY

Charlson L. Ong, Chairperson

Dr. Jose Neil C. Garcia

Vicente Garcia Groyon III



SHORT STORY FOR CHILDREN

Ma. Elena Paterno-Locsin, Chairperson

Zarah C. Gagatiga

Ma. Luisa S. Felix



ESSAY

Karina A. Bolasco, Chairperson

Dr. Nilo L. Rosas

Dr. Ronald Baytan



POETRY

Dr. Marjorie Evasco, Chairperson

Dr. Jaime An Lim

Dr. Cesar Aquino



MAIKLING KUWENTO-CEBUANO

Dr. Teresita G. Maceda, Tagapangulo

Dr. Belen Calingacion

Atty. Manuel Faelnar



MAIKLING KUWENTO-ILUKO

Herminio S. Beltran, Jr., Tagapangulo

Ma. Leonida Fres-Felix

Rufino Rebudal



MAIKLING KUWENTO-HILIGAYNON

Dr. Corazon D. Villareal, Tagapangulo

Dr. Isabel Sebullen

Ms. Ada J. Loredo



KABATAAN SANAYSAY

Ligaya T. Rubin, Tagapangulo

Violeta A. Laraya

Perfecto T. Martin



KABATAAN ESSAY

Dr. Jose Wendell P. Capili, Chairperson

Ralph Semino Galan


Benilda S. Santos

Monday, September 22, 2008

The Perfect Touch Massage Centre

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in our clean air-conditioned space at
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