NCCA Calls for Project Proposals

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the country’s leading government agency for arts and culture headed by its chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., encourages cultural and art groups, academic institutions, local arts organizations, non-government organizations involved in culture and arts, and others to submit their project proposals for the NCCA Grants Program for 2013. Deadline is on August 30, 2012.

The priority projects for 2013 has been defined by the 19 national committees under the four subcomissions to include; the National Committee on Architecture and Allied Arts, National Committee on Cinema, National Committee on Dance, National Committee on Dramatic Arts, National Committee on Literary Arts, National Committee on Music, and National Committee on Visual Arts of the Subcommission on the Arts; Northern, Central and Southern Cultural Communities of the Subcommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts; National Committees on Archives, Art Galleries, Libraries and Information Services, Historical Research, Monuments and Sites, Museums under the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage and under the Subcomission on Cultural Dissemination, the National Committees on Cultural Education, Communication and Language and Translation.

“Filipino culture as the wellspring of national and global well being.” - NCCA’s vision in the 21st century captures the aspiration of the arts and culture community shall be the underlying theme of each project to be funded by the NCCA. Furthermore, these project must respond to any of the following outcomes and objectives:

OUTCOME 1: Culture as pillar of sustainable development established

Objectives: a. To develop a heritage-based creative economy

b. To increase regional participation in culture and arts

c. To strengthen creative enterprises of cultural communities towards economic sustainability.

d. To professionalize heritage conservation skills


OUTCOME 2: Creativity and diversity of artistic expression advanced

Objectives: a. Increase awareness, recognition and protection of the traditional arts

b. To enhance the effectiveness of cultural workers in responding to the needs of cultural communities

c. To conduct cultural mapping as a basis for developing cultural industries


OUTCOME 3: Strong sense of nationhood and pride in being Filipino through culture and arts promoted

a. To broaden engagement with other sectors/stakeholders in the development and promotion of culture and arts

b. To increase regional participation in culture and art

c. To harness culture and arts as catalyst for social change especially to underserved and marginalized areas

d. To maximize potential for resource generation

e. To preserve and develop cultural spaces for creative and artistic expressions

f. To improve the level of public awareness and appreciation of traditional culture and the arts

g. To strengthen the capabilities and develop the potentials of cultural workers for Better work performance

h. To preserve and protect cultural and historical heritage

i. To ensure the effective implementation of the National Heritage Act of 2009

j. To increase awareness and valuation of our cultural and historical heritage

k. To professionalize the cultural heritage profession

l. To develop mechanisms for museum sustainability

m.To address problems on vulnerability of tangible heritage to disasters, demolitions,and disappearances

n. To increase the artistic and cultural literacy of Filipinos through the Sagisag Kultura

o. To have a systematic/productive collaboration with LGUs, NGOs, and other agencies in the regions of the Philippines

p. To systematize communication, coordination and collaboration among the committees and within the SCD

q. To develop efficient measures and studies in assessing NCCA performance and committee accountability in projects

Through the National Endowment Fund for Culture and the Arts (NEFCA), the NCCA Grants Program provides support to individuals and organizations in fields that are aligned with the Philippine culture and arts and in accordance with the defined priorities of each of the National Committees. The NCCA provides funds for projects for the promotion, development and conservation of Philippine culture and arts, and it continuously encourage collaborative efforts which provides significant contributions to the realization of the mandate of the NCCA.

Each year, the NCCA Board of Commissioners, in coordination with the four subcommissions, defines its thrusts and priorities anchored on the following major programs: Program for Culture and Developments, Program for the Promotion of Culture and the Arts, Program for Artistic Excellence, Program for Culture and Education, Program for Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Program for Culture and Diplomacy, and Program for Culture and Peace.

Interested individuals or groups can avail of NCCA assistance by submitting a project proposal under the NCCA Competitive Grants, or file a request under the Institutional Programs, namely, NCCA Outreach Program, Resource Person’s Bureau and Technical Assistance Program.

Accomplished project proposals must be submitted to Marichu G. Tellano, Chief, Policy, Plan Formulation and Programming Division (PPFPD), 5th Floor, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), 633 General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, with telephone number (63-2) 527-2192, fax numbers (63-2) 527-2198 and 522-2084, and emails info@ncca.gov.ph and pmd@ncca.gov.ph.

Proposal submission through electronic mail (email) are accepted provided that all project documents are complete and with scanned signature of the official proponent/head of the organization/LGU. Absence of the signature of the proponent shall be considered unofficial.

Proposals must be stamped received by the Policy/Plan Formulation and Programming Division of the NCCA on or before August 30, 2012. Late or incomplete project proposal will not be considered. Only one proposal per proponent can be submitted to NCCA. Copy of the project proposal form may be obtained at the PPFPD office or may be downloaded at this link: http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca/programs/about-ncca-grants-programs.php

For more information, contact NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) head, Rene Sanchez Napenas at (632) 527-2192 or 0928-5081057; or email us at ncca.paio@gmail.com.

PETA and Lampara Storytelling Contest

“Kuwentong Bata, Kuwentistang Bata”,

the 2012 LAMPARA STORY TELLING COMPETITION

Storytelling has been part of every Filipino's life for so long. It is an age-old tradition among Filipinos to pass on information and stories from one person to another. The stories have spread before you even say the saying "spread the word". Along with these stories are values, traditions and a culture that the elders would want to pass on to their children.

Today, the culture of "kwentuhan", storytelling among families and friends are still there. Filipinos do love to tell stories. Stories about their own life, others and things that surround them. It is a way of learning from someone else's experiences, having to live someone else's life vicariously. Storytelling is also a popular tool that teachers use in their lessons and classrooms. Parents also use storytelling as a tool to teach their children values and other things.

In its aim to promote the love for reading among children, Lampara Publishing House Inc., one of the leading children's books publisher in the country partners with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) to bring a new and exciting experience to children storytellers.

LAMPARA AND PETA invites elementary school students to join this year competition. There will be two categories: Category A – Grades 1 to 4 and Category B – Grades 5 – 7. Finals will be held at the Mall of Asia – SMX. Big prizes await this year’s top 3 winners. Registration forms are available at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City and in all Precious Pages outlets. Deadline for registration is on August 7. Register now for a fun experience of learning, creating and telling of different stories!

For more information, please call, Yeyin dela Cruz or Patricia Liwanag at the Kuwentong Bata, Kuwentistang Bata Secretariat at 725-6244, 4100821, thru mobile numbers 09179002665, 09155027740 or email petastorytelling@yahoo.com.

Van Hagen & Van Hagen: Brothers in Art @ NOVA Gallery Manila

NOVA Gallery
presents
The Works of Alex & Han Van Hagen
"Van Hagen & Van Hagen: Brothers in Art"
Opening Night on August 17, 2012 at 6p.m.
Cocktails and Drinks

Exhibition runs from August 17 to Sept 7, 2012.Van Hagen and Van Hagen: Brothers in Art is a sneak peek or small preview for their upcoming exhibition on March 2013 at Shangri-La and The Peninsula Manila which started last 2007. They will be showcasing stunning photographs and exquisite copper etchings.

Supported by the Belo Medical Group, FILA and Moet & Chandon, the event took on a worthy cause as part of the proceeds from the exhibit will benefit the Real Life Foundation; an educational advocacy organization dedicated to serving the poor and improving their lives through educational assistance, leadership development and community service.

As Manila’s most famous society event photographer, Alex captures the faces and memories of glamorous events. In the exhibit, Alex turned his lenses away from famous personalities and events to feature beautiful landscapes, still life and cityscapes that were captured from his travels in Europe and the Philippines.

Now, Alex is into street art photography, it started when he took a photo of the basketball court’s lines and markings which turned out interesting from his view. As for Van Hagen and Van Hagen: Brothers in Art in NOVA Gallery Manila, Alex Van Hagen decided to add street art photography to his new set of works.

On the other hand, Han showed everyone why he is one of Europe’s contemporary masters of copper etching. One of the founders of The Etch-club of The Hague, Han, who was educated at the prestigious Royal Academy for Arts and Design in The Hague, showcased exquisitely detailed, almost photographic, copper etchings of diverse subjects such as birds, sheep, cows and bulls, landscapes and architecture.

Tombs and Tales: A Study Tour of Three Urban Cemeteries in Manila

Tombs and Tales :
A Study Tour of Three Urban Cemeteries in Manila

August 4, 2012, Saturday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost per person: P1,500 for MFPI Members; P1,800 for Non-Members
*Inclusive of bus transport, guided tour, and lunch




The Cemeteria Catolica de la Loma, Cemeterio Municipal de Manila (Manila North Cemetery) and the Chinese Cemetery in Manila house the best examples of funerary architecture in the Philippines. Established during the dying years of the 19th century, they have what are probably the best and richest mausoleums money can buy. Walking through these hallowed grounds, one passes by funerary architectural interpretations in a gamut of styles: Classical Greek, Romanesque, Gothic, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Modern International Style or perhaps Oriental, Egyptian and Post Modern. Aside from the interesting architectural details of tombs, there are many famous personages who are buried within them and many stories to tell about their lives and deaths.

PROPOSED ITINERARY
8:00 am Bus will depart from the parking area in front of Santuario De San Antonio, Forbes Park, Makati
9:00-10:30 am Walking tour of Chinese Cemetery (approx. 1.5 hours) with Mr. Ivan Man Dy
10:00 am-12:00 nn Walking tour of the Cementerio del Norte (approx. 1.5 hours) with Arch. Manolo Noche
12:15 pm Lunch at President Grand Palace Restaurant (approx. 1.5 hours)
1:30-3:00 pm Walking tour of La Loma Cemetery (approx. 1.5 hours) with Arch. Manolo Noche
4:00 pm Estimated time of arrival at Santuario De San Antonio, Forbes Park

For reservations and inquiries, please contact Elvie or Mae at the Museum Foundation of the Philippines office: Tel 404 2685, 697 9509 or 0949 3338211 (Elvie) or 0927 8484680 (Mae).

For more Museum Foundation events and activities please visit our website at http://museumfoundationph.org/news/

Agnes Locsin's PUNO at the PETA Theater Center

TWO INTERNATIONAL DANCE ARTISTS PERFORM IN AGNES LOCSIN'S "PUNO: PANGATLONG GALAW"

MANILA, Philippines - Ugat, Dahon, Puno. Thus is the natural flow of the growth and flourishing of trees. Thus is the flow of Agnes Locsin's Alay Sa Puno series, a tribute to trees, a dirge for their disappearance, and a plea for reforestation.

Award-winning dance artist Gaye Galiluyo takes center stage for PUNO, a concert a deux directed by Agnes Locsin.

This August, the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City will present the third of the series - Puno: Pangatlong Galaw, a one-hour concert a deux directed by Locsin in a collaborative choreography with the inimitable dancers, Gaye Galiluyo and Georgette Sanchez. Following UGAT: Unang Galaw, and DAHON: Ikalawang Galaw, PUNO: Pangatlong Galaw explores the literal, physical and symbolical virtues of the texture of and strength garnered from the trunks that bear the weight of life.

While the first and second solo concerts focused on the common trees around the Philippines, PUNO will focus on the hard and red wood trees found mostly in the vanishing forests of the Philippines. This concert will show the strength of nearly if not already extinct trees like the Apitong, Yakal, Tugas, Kamagong, Mangkono, Bagtikan, trees, along with the lesser known as hard trees like the Caimito, Lechiyas and Bayabas trees. In a collection of solo and duo dances, PUNO will expound on the parallelisms in a fight from extinction and the fight for survival of men, women, and trees.

To give life to this grand vision are dance virtuosos, Gaye Galiluyo and Georgette Sanchez. Both international artists are alumnae of Ballet Philippines where they first crossed paths and trained with Agnes Locsin. Both also garnered awards from competitions. Galiluyo was the First Prize Winner for performance and interpretation of WHICH CLUB? at the 9th International Solo Tanz Theater in 2005 in Germany and a bronze medalist in the Masdanza International Dance Competition in Spain while in 2000, Sanchez won the silver medal in the 9th Paris International Dance Competition, for her performances in Agnes Locsin's September and Alden Lugnasin's Aku.

International dancer Georgette Sanchez displays focus and grace in Agnes Locsin's PUNO

In 1999, Galiluyo moved to Switzerland to dance with Tanztheater Basel. A year later, she then went on to Germany to join the Geissen Dance Company as well as the Irina Pauls Tanztheater. She is currently an independent artist based in Freiburg, Germany but comes home for her mentor's choreographic forays. And so does Sanchez. Sanchez, though currently based in Bacolod, is also a presence in the European dance scene. She danced with ABC Dance Company in Austria and for Tanz Darmstadt in Germany and will join the Tanz Oper in Munich, Germany this August. They were both seen in the Philippines in Locsin's Sayaw, Sabel (2010) and previously in Sayaw LikhANG KIUKOK (2005).

Puno: Pangatlong Galaw will have two performances at the PETA Theater Center on August 1 at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Tickets at P500 (VIP), P350 (Regular), and P220 (Student Price). Contact: 735-6244 or 0916-3090707

PETA Adapts BONA For Stage

PETA Adapts BONA For Stage

by Karmel Lara and Leloi Arcete

MANILA, Philippines - "Bona" re-emerges this August as Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) opens its 45th theater season in retrospect of a film classic that once captivated the hearts of Filipino audiences.

Originally directed by National Artist for Film and one of PETA's founding members Lino Brocka, the film "Bona" is about a young schoolgirl played by Nora Aunor who became a die-hard fan of Gardo, a wannabe actor essayed by Philip Salvador.

Aunor's portrayal of Bona won her the Best Actress Award in the 1980 Gawad Urian Awards. The film written by Cenen Ramones was also an official entry in the 1981 Cannes International Film Festival Director's Fortnight and was cited as one of the "100 Best Films of the World" by The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles.

Set in contemporary Manila, PETA's stage adaptation of "Bona"revolves around Eugene Domingo as a spinster call center agent who becomes a fan of Gino Sanchez (Edgar Allan Guzman), a contestant in the talent search 'Star of Tomorrow'. Blinded by her obsession on Gino, Bona turns her back on everything she values and gives up nearly everything she has. Caught in a quicksand of worship and pity, Bona proves how obsession may overpower love and even lead to a person's demise.

Layeta Bucoy, who wrote the stage adaptation, shares her insight about the difference of the new Bona to the film. "Eugene's Bona is more empowered; she is financially independent and even supports her family. As a fan, she lays claim to empowerment, as she believes that the inclusion of fan votes in a talent search on TV affords her to choose tomorrow's next big star. Since her admiration is also stamped with pity, blinded with altruism, she gives the aspiring star her all," shares Bucoy.

Bucoy also expressed her excitement over Domingo's portrayal of Bona, "I believe she has the stamina, range, and imagination for a physically and emotionally taxing role."

The award-winning TV and film actress is joined by a stellar cast of theater actors: Phil Noble, Joey Paras, Jeff Henson-Dee, She Maala, Olive Nieto, Dudz Teraña, Junevir Tabor, Juliene Mendoza, Raffy Tejada, Jason Barcial, BJ Forbes, and Anna Luna. The stage adaptation is directed by theater stalwart Soxie Topacio.

"Bona" will run from August 24 to September 23 at The PETA Theater Center. For more information, contact 725-6244, 0917-5765400,

www.petatheater.com, www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Nominations Now Open for 2012 Ateneo Art Awards: Sneak Peek

The Ateneo Art Gallery is pleased to announce that it is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Ateneo Art Awards.

Established in 2004 in honor of its founding benefactor Fernando Zobel de Ayala (1924-1984), whose support of young Filipino visual artists left an indelible mark in Philippine art history, the Ateneo Art Awards are given to Filipino visual artists below the age of 36 for outstanding work in an exhibition between 2 May of the previous year and 1 May of the current year.

As the Ateneo Art Awards gears up for a milestone, the ninth year takes the theme “Sneak Peak”. This anticipatory stance as we approach a peak in the history of the awards, serves not as a statement of fact, but a call for introspection. The contemporary Philippine art scene is as dynamic as ever and the world is taking notice. With the overwhelming recognition, we are called back to the core to reminisce, to hope and to work anew.

Nominations are accepted from visual artists, curators, museum and gallery directors, members of the present and former juries, art educators and art writers. Nomination forms are available at the Ateneo Art Gallery, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City; at Casa Gorodo Museum, Cebu City; or from the websitewww.ateneoartgallery.org

From all the nominees, 12 exhibits/ artworks will be shortlisted and on 09 August 2012, 3 will be declared winners. The artists who created the winning exhibitions/ artworks will be invited to apply for the international residency grants funded by the Ateneo Art Gallery and its partner institutions Common Room Networks Foundation in Bandung, Indonesia; Artesan Gallery in Singapore; La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre in Bendigo, Australia; Art Omi in New York; and Liverpool Hope University in Liverpool, UK.

All nominations must be received at the Ateneo Art Gallery before 5pm on 31 May 2012. For more information, please contact Ian Carlo Jaucian at +632 4266488 or mobile +639178878956 or email ijaucian@ateneo.edu. Exhibition of the works of the artists short-listed for the Awards will be at the Grand Atrium of the Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong City from 3 August - 13 August 2012.

The Ateneo Art Awards is presented by the Ateneo Art Gallery, Shangri-La Plaza, Metro Society, Y-style of the Philippine Star, and the New York Art Project, funded by Marcel Crespo.

International Museum Day 2012

Dear Museum Foundation Members and Friends,

Looking for places to cool off in this heat?
To visit the newest museum in town, at a discounted rate? See below.
Do drop by the National Museum's National Art Gallery and Museum of the Filipino People this summer as well!



For more Museum Foundation events and activities please visit our website at http://museumfoundationph.org/news/

Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Power of Convention

Quirky and unconventional, contemporary German design fills the Yuchengco Museum from May 2 – 31, 2012 with a traveling exhibit of interpreted everyday objects. Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Power of Convention features close to 150 objects by predominantly German designers who have approached conventional design in a “somewhat different” way.

Curated by German designer and architect Volker Albus, Somewhat Different also illustrates new perspectives on function, materials, construction, and content references. The bookshelf, the Persian rug, the easy chair—the generic terms for different pieces of furniture conjure up specific images with their structure and decorative use. It is these associations which inspire designers to give objects an unexpected twist, revealing the absurdity of basic, yet somewhat rigid design principles. Quite often such breaks from the norm challenge users to reflect on established notions, triggering a change of paradigm.

Somewhat Different is complemented by the designs of Epoch, a group of young international artists who challenge old concepts and provoke minds to dream of alternative perspectives. Tied together by a common Filipino heritage, Epoch's members—Jinggoy Buensuceso, Martha Cech, Olivia d’Aboville, Daniel Latorre Cruz, Stanley Ruiz, and Wataru Sakuma—introduce new design concepts and allow for the reawakening of the creativity of Filipinos.

Somewhat Different is an exhibit of the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations (IFA) presented in Manila by Goethe-Institut Philippinen in partnership with Yuchengco Museum and Epoch. The exhibit is part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of Goethe-Institut Philippinen.

Yuchengco Museum is located at RCBC Plaza, corner Ayala and Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenues in Makati. Museum hours are from Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (632) 889-1234 or visit www.yuchengcomuseum.org.

"ReStart" by Catherine Jao at Pablo X Gallery

Artist Statement

Catherine Jao is full-time painter currently living in Kyoto, Japan. Her primary genre is oriental ink painting, a painting style which like its sibling art‚ Eastern calligraphy‚ uses a traditional fude brush to apply sumi ink on handmade paper. By synthesizing her own personal and contemporary touch with various medieval and modern influences from Japan and China, she strives to contribute to bringing this Tang Dynasty tradition back to life.

Exhibit Title: ReStart
Exhibit Summary

This exhibition focuses on the personal but universal experience of re-starting‚ beginning anew after a point of crisis. The artist will delve into the various stages, facets, and manifestations of this deeply personal phenomenon, beginning with the experience of crisis and conflict, and then to the stage of complete inner deadlock, and finally to the point of breakthrough, where one is able to overcome one's situation and re-start.

This exhibit will feature oriental ink-paintings, with careful gradations of black sumi-ink calligraphically applied to handmade paper mounted on traditional Japanese shikishi board. Traditional influences from medieval Zen Sumi-e paintings, to early-modern Ukiyo-e from the likes of Katsushika Hokusai, to modern Japanese paintings such as those from Kaburaki Kiyokata and Kayama Matazo, meet a Filipina-Chinese with a contemporary rendition of timeless human narratives.