PALT 50th Anniversary and Convention

PALT 50th Anniversary & Convention on May 27-28 @ Teacher's Camp, Baguio City


Dear Language and Literacy Advocates,


To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the Philippine Association for Language Teaching, Inc. (PALT, Inc.) will hold its National Convention and Seminar-Workshop on May 27-28, 2010 at Teachers Camp, Baguio City. With the theme “Looking Back - Learning Right - Moving Ahead,” this undertaking aims to provide language educators, supervisors, department heads, BPO trainers and teachers the opportunity to keep abreast with current developments in language (English and Filipino) and language teaching.


The Speakers are:

Dr. Thomas Krall (Former Editor, English Teaching Forum)

Dr. Nilda Sunga (Former Professor, Regional English Language Center)

Dr. Ma. Lourdes Tayao (University of the Philippines and University of the East)

Dr. Jovy Peregrino (University of the Philippines)



A registration fee of P 2,800.00 will be charged per participant to defray expenses for the accommodation, food, handouts, certificate, speakers’ fee and kit.



For more information, please contact:

Tel. no. (02) 433-4838, Fax no. (02) 926-6590

Cellphone no. 0917-378-9639 or 0919-453-5428

2009 PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay!

Ballet Philipines dominates 2009 PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay!

With seven major awards, Ballet Philippines’ Neo Filipino emerged as the top winner in the 2009 Gawad Buhay!: The PHILSTAGE Awards for the Performing Arts held on March 26, 2010 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.

A dance trilogy that pays homage to Filipino heritage and cultural diversity, Neo Filipino won the awards for citations for outstanding dance production, ensemble performance in a dance production, female lead performance in dance (Candice Adea), male lead performance in dance (Ronelson Yadao), female featured performance in dance (Marian Faustino for Amada), male featured performance in dance (Lucky Vicentino for Ulaging), adaptation or translation (Alice Reyes for Amada), costume design (Gino Gonzales), and lighting design (Katsch Catoy).

Two musical productions by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta) tied for second place with four awards each. They are Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto and Ismail at Isabel.

The two-hour programme featured excerpts of nominated dance and musical productions performed by Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines, Candice Adea, Joann Co, Sarah Abigail Cruz, Angel Gabriel, Victor Robinson III, and Richardson Yadao.

A distinguished achievement award called Natatanging Gawad Buhay was also conferred to theater icons Zeneida Amador and Celeste Legaspi and corporate supporter Avon Philippines.

PHILSTAGE is the country’s only organization of professional performing arts companies with a regular season programming of repertory development and performance pedagogy training. Its Board of Directors include PETA's Melvin Lee, vice president; Ballet Philippines’ Sandy Hontiveros, secretary; Repertory Philippines Gidget Tolentino, treasurer; Ballet Manila's Susan Macuja, Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s Tony Espejo, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit’sMitch Valdes, TRUMPET's Audie Gemora, and PHILSTAGE Executive Director Elmar Beltran Ingles as members.

The Gawad Buhay jury is composed of Exie Abola, Walter Ang, Gilbert Cadiz, Ronald Elepaño III, Arvin Ello, Ralph Semino Galan. Rolando Inocencio, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Joy Parohinog, Joey Ting, and Basilio Esteban Villaruz.

Below is the complete list of winners:

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Dance Production: The Cast of BP’s Masterworks

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Musical: (Tie) The Casts of PETA’s Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto and Ismail at Isabel

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Play: The Cast of TP’s Madonna Brava ng Mindanao

Outstanding Musical Composition: Vincent de Jesus (PETA’s Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto),

Outstanding Musical Direction: Gerard Salonga (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Set Design: Tuxqs Rutaquio (TP’s Streetcar Named Desire/Flores Para Los Muertos)

Outstanding Costume Design: Gino Gonzales (BP’s Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Lighting Design: Katsch Catoy (BP’s Neo Filipino)

Outstanding Sound Design: Aries Alcayaga (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Adaptation or Translation: Alice Reyes (BP’s Amada in Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Libretto: Vince De Jesus (PETA’s Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto)

Outstanding Original Script: Tony Perez (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Choreography for Play or Musical: Carlon Matobato (PETA’s Ismail at Isabel)

Outstanding Choreography for Dance Production: Augustus Damian III’s Evacuation (BP’s Masterworks)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in Dance: Lucky Vicentino (BP’s Neo Filipino)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in Dance: Marian Faustino (BP’s Neo- Filipino)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Musical: Marvin Ong (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Musical: Liesl Batucan (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Play: Dido Dela Paz (REP’s Portrait of the Artist as Filipino)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Play: Peewee O’Hara (TP’s Mga Mansanas sa Disyerto/Apples from the Desert)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in Dance: Ronelson Yadao (BP’s Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Dance: Candice Adea (BP’s Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical: Audie Gemora (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Musical: Mechu Lauchengco-Yulo (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play: Lex Marcos (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play: Shamaine Centenera Buencamino (TP’s Madonna Brava ng Mindanao)

Outstanding Stage Direction: Nonon Padilla (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Dance Production: BP’s Masterworks

Outstanding Musical Production: PETA’s Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto

Outstanding Play Production: PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR BP's NEO-FILIPINO

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR BALLET PHILIPPINES NEO-FILIPINO 2010

1. What contemporary situations and/or problems are tackled by the eight dance vignettes?
(Elaborate on your answer in 3 to 5 paragraphs.)

2. What particular dance vignette embodies the notion that “dance is a spiritual activity in physical form?” (Elaborate on your answer in 2 to 3 paragraphs.)

3. Among the eight dance vignettes, what is your favorite performance and why? (Elaborate on your answer in 2 to 3 paragraphs.)

Introduction to Drama Preliminary Exam 2009-2010

Regarding Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

Answer the following comprehension questions as articulately and accurately as you can.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

1. Summarize the back story before the play really begins. What actually happens in the play itself? What period of time is covered? How important is setting to this play? In what specific ways?

2. How, exactly, does the chorus function in this play? What is the significance of the chorus being made up of Theban citizens? Which opinions of the chorus are most important to the effects of the play?

3. Characterize Teiresias. How much does the play itself actually tell us about Teiresias? What function does he perform in the plot? In the play’s structure?

4. In what specific ways is the plot of Oedipus Rex tragic?

Choose one of the following writing suggestions and develop it into a three to five page essay.

WRITING SUGGESTIONS:

1. In an essay of about three pages, compare Oedipus at the beginning of the play with Oedipus at the end. Explain the differences in terms of tragic form.

2. Try to recount the events of the play from the point of view of Iokaste. In what sense is the play a tragedy for her? Write a three-page persuasive essay in which you argue that the play is Iokaste’s story.

3. What are the more significant and distinctive elements in the character of Oedipus? In what sense is he responsible for his tragic fate? In what sense is he a victim? How heroic is he? Write a three-page essay appraising Oedipus’s character and assessing his responsibility for the things that befall him.

To be submitted on January 14, 2010. All papers must be written on short bond paper using Times New Roman 12 point font, single space with an empty space between paragraphs.

National Book Development Board November 2009 Activities

This November is all about our talented Pinoy writers, and the publishers of these talented Pinoy writers! Join the NBDB in a month-long celebration of Philippine Book Development Month. If you haven't picked up a Pinoy book recently it's about time you know that ang GALING PINOY, ay dapat BASAHIN!

I. The Writers, Their Works

How to Read… the next generation
A series of readings and intimate talks with young writers in the context of their literary genres and specific works

Venue: Filipinas Heritage Library

1. For poetry (November 10, 9am)
Featuring: Conchitina Cruz, Mikael Co, Mesandel Arguelles, and Joel Toledo
Moderator: Gémino Abad

2. For fiction (November 11, 1pm)
Featuring: Tara FT Sering, Edgar Samar, Dean Alfar, Angelo Lacuesta
Moderator: Jose Dalisay

3. For non-fiction (November 12, 9am)
Featuring: Luis Katigbak, Vlad Gonzales, Rica Bolipata Santos, Louie Cano, Carljoe Javier
Moderator: Antonio Hidalgo

II. Reading Nick Joaquin (November 16, 2009)
A discussion of Nick Joaquin as historian, novelist, poet and his contributions to the literary art form and the Filipino way of life.

1. NJ and his non-fiction
A lecture by fictionist Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo

2. NJ and his poetry
A lecture by poet Afred Yuson

3. Transforming NJ’s works into film
(Lecturer to be announced)

4. A film viewing of NJ’s work turned into a movie
Tentaive Venue: Greenbelt 3's My Cinema

III. Global Pinoy Literature (November 24, 5pm)
Coffee and conversation with three Man Asian Literary Prize winner / finalists Miguel Syjuco, Jose Dalisay, and Alfred Yuson and Gémino Abad, recipient of the Prize Premio Feronia – Citta di Fiano 2009.

Venue: Filipinas Heritage Library, by invitation only
Moderator: Isagani Cruz

IV. El Filibusterismo (November 25, 2009)
A sequel to the reading of Noli Me Tangere, the El Filibusterismo performance reading will be a showcase of talent from different fields of the art as artists and celebrity performers read / perform chapters of this historic and tumultous novel.

Venue: Greenbelt Park

V. Pinoy Story Writing Contest
A month-long story writing contest open to all writers, focusing on specific topics such as Pinoy romance, chick lit, horror fiction, literary fiction. Four winners will be selected and will be awarded P15,000 to be announced during the Books and Art Festival at the Greenbelt Park. Winners also have a chance of being published by Precious Pages, Summit Books, Anvil and PsiCom.

VI. Books and Art Festival (November 23 to 26)
A festival that will showcase the best of Filipino literature and art in one venue. For five days, Greenbelt becomes a haven for artists (literary and visual) and art lovers where they will get to experience this unique mixture of the arts at the heart of the city.

VII. Writing about Philippine Culture, Art, and Food (November 7 to 8 2009)
An overnight adventure for those who want to sample the native culture of Southern Luzon. This will involve a tour to local art galleries, native restaurants, and Ugu Bigyan’s pottery shop.

VIII. Davao Academic Publishing Seminar (November 19 to 21, 2009)
An academic publishing conference for Mindanao-based publishers and universities, with Google’s Erik Hartmann, De La Salle’s Dr. Isagani Cruz, UP Press’ Dr. Luisa Camagay, and ADMU Press’ Maricor Baytion among others.

Venue: Ateneo De Davao University

IX. Tulaan sa Tren 2 launch
The much-loved Tulaan sa Tren is back with more poems and the winners of the Tulaan sa Tren 2 Poetry Contest, judged by no less than the country's top poets National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, Feronia Prize winner Gemino Abad, and Man Asian Literary Prize finalist Krip Yuson.

Venue: The LRT2 Cubao Station, by invitation

For details, visit www.nbdb.gov.ph!


NOTE TO MY STUDENTS AND FRIENDS: I am one of the featured poets of the Tulaan sa Tren 2. Please attend the launch on November 26, 2009 at 2PM... Hope to see you there!

Ballet Philippines' TALES OF THE MANUVU

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Guide Questions for Ballet Philipines "Master

1. How does the first part of the show, composed of five dance vignettes and excerpts from full-lenghth ballets, highlight the vibrant diversity of Philippine culture and society? Among the five dance vignettes/excerpts, what is your favorite and why?

2. In what way does the second part of the show, made up of three dance numbers, exemplify Susan Sontag's idea that in the art form ruled by Terpsichore a transfiguration occurs and that "the dancer is the dance"? How do these three dance numbers embody Merce Cunningham and Lincoln Kirstein's definition of dance as "a spiritual activity in physical form"?