Summer Photography Workshops at the Filipinas Heritage Library

Summer is the perfect time to relax outdoors. The sky is clear, the sun is shining, and the world is full of color. Naturally, summer is the opportune moment to take bright and vibrant pictures. But to take photographs that are truly stunning, you need to know how to maximize your camera.

This summer, the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL) is offering a series of workshops for photographers of all ages. Kids from 7 to 12 years old can join the Photography for Kids workshop, on May 5, from 9am to 12 noon. Meanwhile, young adults at least 13 years old can join the Photography for Teens Workshop, on May 12 or 19, from 9am to 4pm.

Joey Alvero, a photography instructor for young learners as St. Scholastica’s College, will handle both workshops.

For adults busy with school and work, FHL offers its Digital Photography 101 workshop. Next weekend batch is on May 12 & 19 at 9am to 4pm. Those who prefer weekdays can join the batch on May 22 and 29 at 9am to 4pm.

Professional photographers Estan Cabigas and Dennis Balangue will handle the weekday and weekend sessions of the workshop, respectively.

All workshops are introductory courses on the art of photography, and will be held at Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City (across The Peninsula Manila).

For more details, please call 892-1801, send an SMS to 0917-559-4417, e-mail likha-aralan@ filipinaslibrary.org.ph, or visitwww.filipinaslibrary.org.ph

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PETA and Repertory Philippines Team Up For "Care Divas"

MANILA, Philippines - Manila's pioneer theater groups, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Repertory Philippines are producing the much-awaited encore performances of the hit musical comedy "Care Divas" this coming April 27-29, at Greenbelt, Onstage.

"Care Divas" is a disarmingly funny and candid musical drama about five transgender Overseas Filipino Workers in Israel who work as care givers in the morning and transform into glamorous drag queen performers come night fall. While desperate to make ends meet in another country, they also struggle to search for freedom and acceptance in a foreign land.

The play's theatrical and wickedly funny text, written by award-winning playwright, Liza Magtoto cradles lovely, gentle moments that mull over the lives of the main characters: the kind and loving Chelsea, the often-sarcastic group leader Shai, the ditsy Thalia, the bubbly Kayla and the ill-tempered Jonee.



Vincent de Jesus' musical score leaves audiences humming tunes as it weaves through the narrative. Music and lyrics serve as the other "text" that embodies the romantic-whimsy of this play.

Directed by Maribel Legarda, the creative team behind the show also includes costume designer John Abul, lighting designer Jon Jon Villareal, visual artist and set designer Leo Abaya and contemporary dancer and choreographer Carlon Matobato.



"Care Divas" includes a powerhouse cast of theater actors: PETA artists Melvin Lee, Vincent De Jesus, Phil Noble, Buddy Caramat, Dudz Teraña, Jason Barcial and Eric dela Cruz. Featured guest artists are: Paul Holme, Ricci Chan, Jerald Napoles, Myke Salomon, Angeli Bayani together with Miguel Hidalgo and Dominic Miclat-Janssen.

Veteran actress and Repertory Philippines' Children's Theater Artistic Director, Joy Virata joins the cast as Adara and Sara, roles formerly portrayed by PETA President, Cecilia Garrucho.

Watch "Care Divas" at Greenbelt Onstage this April 27 (8:00PM) 28 & 29 (3:00PM & 8:00PM), 2012. For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at Tel. No. 725-6244, 410-0821 or 0917-5765400,petatheater@gmail.com.

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Within You and Without at Galerie OneWorkshop

Within You and Without at Galerie OneWorkshop
Diana Aviado and Pandy Aviado
A Father and Daughter Joint Exhibition of Digital Art

Diana Aviado's images are extreme close-ups of mushrooms and other earthly growths.She recently attended a workshop by German Photographer, Wolfgang Belwinkel.

Her pictures are about a closer look at our environment, and no matter how small some living things are, they will give you insights about how life is - ten times closer.

Veteran Visual Artist Pandy Aviado's portfolio series of digital art are images of friends done in a style that seems like they're straight from his sketchbooks. They are best described as hybrid art using digital software and all kinds of drawing materials on special papers.

Within You and Without opens on May 3, 2012 at 630pm at Galerie OneWorkshop suite 324LRI Design Plaza Nicanor Garcia St Bel Air II Makati City.

For more details please call 8368799 or email one_workshop@yahoo.com

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The Alcove Photo Gallery: Call For Exhibit Proposals 2012

The Alcove, photography nook of the Filipinas Heritage Library, invites all photographers and camera clubs interested in displaying their artworks to exhibit at the library’s pocket gallery.

The Alcove’s first exhibit, featuring photographs of Philippine churches from the library’s own Retrato collection, was launched during March 7, 2000. Since then, we have featured the works of Mark Gary, Denise Weldon, Nico Sepe, Butch Baluyut, Dennis Balangue, Joel Bondoc, Lester Ledesma, Erik Lacson, Rey Castañeda, and Atom Magadia to name a few. Twelve years later, The Alcove continues to be a preferred exhibition venue by amateur and professional photographers alike.

FHL is a home of Philippine culture. Each month, hundreds of Filipinos and foreigners frequent the library to read books, study documents, appreciate music, join workshops, and attend special events from meetings to parties. These visitors, who appreciate fine art and literature, serve as a captive audience for your photographs, which will be displayed at the library’s ground floor gallery.

Applicants should submit their proposal letter, photographer’s resume, and select sample works to the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue, Ayala Triangle, Makati City. Preferred exhibition schedule, proposed exhibit concept, and relevant contact information must also be included. Proposals may also be emailed to cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org.

Those interested may also call 892-1801, text 0917-5594417, or email cruz.ct@ayalafoundation.org for more details. Guidelines for exhibiting at The Alcove will be sent upon request.

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Origins & Translations: Phil Textile Patterns & Motifs @ Yuchengco Museum

Tradition + Inspiration = Contemporary Revitalized Expressions

Origins & Translations puts together examples of indigenous textiles and clothing from the collections of Floy Quintos and Al Valenciano and a selection of inspired contemporary creations, retranslations, and reinterpretations. Among the artists and designers whose works are featured are:

National Artists for Visual Arts Abdulmari Imao, Arturo Luz, and H.R. Ocampo
Visual artists Ivi Avellana-Cosio, Roberto Feleo, Ricarte Purugganan, and John Frank Sabado
Couturiers Pepito Albert and Inno Sotto
Fashion designers Amina Aranaz-Alunan, JC Buendia, Randy Ortiz, and Lulu Tan-Gan
Costume designer Gino Gonzales and furniture designer Ito Kish
Designer collections Silk Cocoon by Jeannie Goulbourn and Filip + Inna by Lenora CabiliAlso on exhibit are the winning pieces of the winners and semifinalists of the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines’ Weaving the Future Philippine Fashion Design Competition.

For details and group visits, call (632) 889-1234 or emailinfo@yuchengcomuseum.org

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Melvin Lee Teaches PETA's Basic Acting Course

 

MANILA, Philippines – Melvin Lee is one of the most successful actors in the Philippine theater scene today. Critics have distinguished his recent performance as Chelsea in PETA’s “Care Divas” as a “standout” among other performances of this year. He was also superb as Doctor Beau Batoctol, in PETA's "Skin Deep" and as Sabel in Agnes Locsin's "Sayaw Sabel".

When he is not performing on stage, Lee is found shooting commercials as a freelance assistant director in advertising. He also directs plays, concerts and events. Between his many jobs that require him to act and direct, Lee finds time to do what he loves doing – teaching theater.

Lee’s first experience in acting started when he was a young teenager who joined the PETA’s Summer Teen Theater Workshop. After more than twenty years with the company, he is now known to be one of the company’s more illustrious artist-teachers. Every summer, Lee crosses four weeks off his busy calendar to teach in PETA’s Summer Theater Arts Workshop held at the PETA Theater Center in New Manila, Quezon City.

“I continue to teach because if we want to have a continuous flow of new breed of actors they need training and guidance. I was once a young person too, and it’s my turn to give back to the next generation. The workshop also gives me the chance to experiment as a director and it validates my knowledge as a practicing actor”, Lee shares.

This April, Lee is teaching PETA’s Basic Acting Workshop, a course for adults (17 and up) designed to provide basic knowledge, skills and attitudes for budding stage actors. Students, regardless of their experience, are taught through acting games, movement and scene work. The workshop focuses on stage presence, voice projection, movement, character building and analysis, working with a scene partner, and creating their original pieces.

Aside from Basic Acting, PETA also offers other courses like Children’s Theater, Teen Theater, Theater Arts, Creative Musical Theater and Creative Dance Theater. Starting March, Lee is also preparing for his comeback as Chelsea, for the first-ever performance of “Care Divas” at Greenbelt, Onstage this April 27-29, 2012, produced through the partnership of PETA and Repertory Philippines.

For more information regarding PETA’s workshops, contact 725-6244, 410-0821 or 0906-2115003, 0917-5391112 or e-mail petatheater@gmail.com.

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2012 IFC Creative Film Camp

The Philippine Independent Filmmakers Multi-purpose Cooperative (IFC) is having its 2012 IFC Creative Film Camp on April 16-28, 2012 at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig City. 

The workshops geared towards students, educators and film enthusiasts are the following:

Scriptwriting
If you have an idea or story that you want to develop into a screenplay, but you don’t know what to do – this is the workshop for you. This is a basic screenwriting workshop to be handled by Doy del Mundo. Doy’s screenwriting credits include Maynila… Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, Mulanay, Aliwan Paradise, Markova, Pepot Artista, Paglipad ng Anghel. Fee: P6,000

Film Literacy
This seminar explores the art of film. An IFC team will cover the different aspects of filmmaking – production, direction, screenplay, cinematography, production design, sound and editing. Designed for film enthusiasts and teachers. Tapped to join the team are Michael Dagñalan and Maan Asuncion (Isnats, River of Dreams, Layang Bilanggo), Rica Arevalo (ICU Bed #7, Ganap na Babae), Neil Daza (as DOP – LA Vida Rosa, Dekada ’70, Ouija), Paul Morales (Concerto). Fee: P6,000

Directing
This workshop is designed to understand the practical aspects of directing. Paolo Villaluna (Ilusyon, Selda, Walang Hanggang Paalam) will direct the workshop. This is designed for would-be filmmakers. Fee: P6,000

Producing and Marketing
This workshop is designed for both professionals and filmmaking enthusiasts. It will deal with the process of filmmaking from conceptualization to producing to marketing. Screenwriter-Producer Raymond Lee (Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros, Kimmy Dora, Zombadings) will share the experience of his group, UFO Pictures & Origin8 in crossing over to the mainstream. Fee: P4,000

Documentary
The documentary, this workshop will show, is an exciting form of film and filmmaking. Designed for film enthusiasts and teachers, Coreen “Monster” Jimenez (Big Time, Kano) will share her thoughts on the documentary form and her award-winning filmKano. Fee: P6,000

Animation
This is a workshop on 2-D animation. Bring your laptop and learn animation on the spot. Award-winning filmmaker Ramon del Prado and Tuldok Animation Studio will handle the workshop for beginners, old and young alike. Fee: P6,000

For details, please contact mobile +639166580991 (Doy), +639222922732 (Rica) or email indiefilmcoop@gmail.com.

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'Art 2 Art' Bares April Episodes

Film director Cathy Garcia-Molina, hailed as the “Rom-Com Queen” for her string of blockbuster romance comedies, is the featured guest in the first episode of Art 2 Art this April.

Fresh from the recent success of her latest flick, Unofficially Yours, “Direk Cathy” tells Art 2 Art host Lisa Macuja how veteran director Marilou Diaz-Abaya inspired her to seriously consider directing as a profession. Describing herself as a “hopeless romantic,” she also shares the elements that make a movie click with the audience, and how she has coped with her situation as a young widow with two kids.


The episode airs on April 1, 3:30 to 4 p.m., on DZRH (666 khz on the AM band), and can be viewed simultaneously via RHTV on Cablelink Channel 9 and on the Internet through DZRH live streaming. Art 2 Art is produced by the the Manila Broadcasting Company.

On April 8, fashion and celebrity photographer Sara Black drops by and relates how sidelining as a model earlier on helped her to bankroll her own studio and also pursue personal projects such as her own photography book.

On April 15, graphic designer and illustrator Carlo Vergara relates how he created the character Zsazsa Zaturnnah whose exploits have jumped from the comic book pages to a musical play and a movie. Vergara has released the first of the three-part Zaturnnah sequel to mark the 10th anniversary of his famous heroine.

For inquiries about Art 2 Art, please e-mail art2artdzrh@yahoo.com.ph. On Facebook, check out the account Ballerina ng Bayan for updates on Art 2 Art episodes and Ballet Manila performances.

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Filipino Art Chosen for Holy Week in US

In observance of the Holy Week, a classic masterpiece artwork “Christ Carrying the Cross” by renowned Filipino artist Fred DeAsis is on display at St. Alphonsus Ligouri Church of the Archdiocese of Chicago in Prospect Heights, Illinois from April 1 through April 7, 2012.

The life-sized masterpiece of acrylic impasto on wood panel was rendered in European old masters’ classic style and technique. The art piece is the artist’s interpretation of biblical verse John 19:17 -- "Carrying the cross all by himself,he went out to what is called The Place of a Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha."

"Mr. Fred DeAsis' interpretation truly gets to ones inner-self, very touching and inspirational. I can feel Jesus Christ's agony while carrying the cross," said Deacon Cal Blickle of St. Alphosus church. "Masterfully done."

"Kinalabutan po ako at napaiyak 'nung first time na nakita ko ang larawan ng Panginoon (I got goose bumps and tears in my eyes when I first saw the painting of our Lord). Very intense feeling within, hard to describe but I feel the Lord is with me. I did not even know then that it was done by a fellow kababayan. I am so proud," mentioned Dionesia Flores Aquino of Palatine who donated a replica of the art to her hometown church in Tarlac, Philippines.

"Fred's artistic approach of Jesus Christ Carrying the Cross is so touching that some members have tears in their eyes viewing the masterpiece. His piece is the most poignant and inspirational of all the works on display. He is very generous sharing his God-given talent," said T. Frost, Studio at the Creek Art committee executive director.
" We are blessed to know him."

Fred DeAsis is one of the most prolific Filipino American artists in America. He is well known for his traveling cultural art exhibits, workshops, and Philippine ancient art and culture lectures in universities and other learning institutions. He was the recipient of many awards from civic organizations and communities for outstanding achievement in promoting Philippine arts and culture across the country. He is highly respected by his peers from his art creations and by the community for his leadership and untiring activities preserving Philippine arts and culture.

He received the much coveted Presidential Award from the President of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III, for outstanding achievement and service in the field of Arts and Culture. The 2010 CFO international award is given every two years to highly selected individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements on their given field. The awards were presented to 24 recipients from 13 countries.

The traveling religious artwork has been displayed at Christian churches across the country. Popular replicas of the original are available on selected sizes through the artist. He has a studio in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York. More information is available on fdeasis.com and on his Facebook account.

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