SARMÍNG: A Twoman Exhibit

SARMÍNG: A Twoman Exhibit
The Art of Ynna Abuan & Vivian Limpin

Opening on 27 March 2009, 7:00 PM, TaUmbayan Restaurant
40 T. Gener cor. K-1 Streets (near Kamuning Road), Quezon City
Exhibit lasts until 30 April 2009

Sarmíng is the Ilocano word for salamin, or “mirror.” But it could also very well be a portmanteau for “sarisaring tingin” (albeit with an absent “m”).

Various views, varied visions. These two women without formal training and any pretensions in the visual arts paint their stories in contrasting styles. Ynna Abuan’s canvas (or scrap plywood from time to time) is often a playground of playful colors that find restraint in the fantastic figures of women and intricate patterns. On the other hand, gazing into Vivian Limpin’s serene hues is like looking into the horizon – one gets the feeling of witnessing infinity, only that the physical medium hides the rest from your eyes.

Sarmíng is the first time that Abuan’s works are going to be displayed – not that she dreamt or expected it to happen in her lifetime. This exhibit is the latest of Limpin’s many group and solo shows.

The works at Sarmíng might be art for some and fart for others. Outsider art, untrained craft, mere daubs and splashes, or whatever you call it – drop by anyway. Paintings will be the main course and poetry readings the hors d'oeuvre. And while you’re there, sample the menu and have a round of drinks at this new art resto this side of the metro.

THE ARTISTS

Mariane Amor Romina T. Abuan, fondly called Ynna by friends and family, has been painting since 2003 but kept her works a secret except to those close to her. Her main passion is writing verse; she was a Fellow in the 9th UST National Writers Workshop for English Poetry and the 2008 LIRA Filipino Poetry Workshop. She is the newly elected Public Relations Officer of the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) and a founding member of the Dapitdilim Fellowship of Writers. A graduate of BA Philosophy from the University of Santo Tomas, Ynna is finishing her MA in Creative Writing; she has an outstanding bet that she will finish her thesis this year.

Vivian N. Limpin (nicknamed Beng) is an artist that goes by many labels: writer, poet, photographer, painter, filmmaker... and we’re not actually sure that it ends there. She is a graduate of BA Malikhaing Pagsulat sa Filipino from the University of the Philippines. As a wordsmith, Beng has won a Palanca Award and has earned Fellowships to the 22nd UP National Writers Workshop, 19th Cornelio Faigao Writers Workshop, and 2002 LIRA Poetry Workshop. Her films, photos, and paintings have been shown locally and internationally, as well as having snagged their share of awards. Currently, she is the Secretary of the Linangan sa Retorika, Imahen, at Anyo (LIRA) and is a member of the Board of Directors of Tudla Productions, a progressive student video documentary organization.

[Download the PDF version and MS Word version of this press release.]

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Works by Sandra Gfeller, Anthony Palomo at Boston Gallery

Works by Sandra Gfeller, Anthony Palomo at Boston Gallery

Simultaneously on view at Boston Gallery from 21 March to 13 April 2009 are My Silent World, Sandra Fabie-Gfeller's 8th one-woman exhibition, and Resonantia, Anthony Palomo's 9th one-man show. My Silent World will be exhibited at Boston's Main Gallery while Resonantia will be shown at the Upper Gallery.

Gfeller presents recent paintings representing ballet dancers of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, her “visual notebooks” depicting their daily lives and moments in silence; Palomo's show is a reflection on his early works which reference the country's colonial past. The artist also dedicates this exhibition to the memory of the late independent curator Bobi Valenzuela.

The shows open on 21 March, Saturday, 6pm at Boston Gallery, at #72 Boston Street, Cubao, Quezon City, and will be on view up to the 13th of April. For inquiries, please contact the gallery at Tel. No. 7229205.

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Gantimpala Theater Musical Workshop 2009

This long, hot summer is upon us and to make it more worthwhile, especially for the young and young-at-heart, Gantimpala Theater invites teens and young adults to participate and join their annual summer workshop, a glorious tradition considered as the breeding ground of new theater artists.

In the Gantimpala Theater Musical Workshop, which is open to teens and young adults, ages 13 and up, facilitators Roeder Camañag and Onyl Torres, will guide and teach them an integrated class of movement, singing, and acting. The month-long class will have different modules that would prepare the participants for a musical theater production performance. They will also do an original musical production as their culminating piece.

The workshop is slated on April 13 to May 21, MWF classes, from 1-5pm., inside the Rehearsal Hall, Open Air Auditorium Building, in Luneta, Manila. Registration and enrollment opens on March 16 (Monday).

“We are hoping to see you this summer. It is through the summer workshop we discover new talents with the hope of nurturing them to become professional thespian. In their short stay with us, we hope we have instilled with them the discipline and professionalism we are known for and that this workshop experience will start their love affair with the theater,” says Tony Espejo, Artistic Director.

Espejo concludes, “I would like to tell the public that many celebrities have expressed their interest to be part of our productions namely Jericho Rosales, Aiza Marquez, Allan Paule, Gary Lim, Cris Villonco, Francis Ong, China Cojuangco, Kakai Bautista, Tosca Puno and Monica Llamas plus our in house members like Jojit Lorenzo, Kimberly Diaz, Miguel Castro, Adriana Agcaoili Perry Escaño and Roeder Camañag. Thus, I invite everyone to come join us and experience the magic of theater.”


Gantimpala Theater is a 32-year dramatic arts company that produces the Four Classics (Florante at Laura, Kanser, Ibong Adarna, and El Filibusterismo) , and plays made by National Artists for Literature and Theater, children’s musicals, world literature classics, and touring productions.

For more information about Gantimpala Theater’s Summer Workshop, feel free to call 528-0603/536- 5860/ or send an SMS to 0921-528-6308 or email: gantimpalatheater@yahoo.com.ph

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Perya: A Whimiscal Art Exhibit at F*ART

Come One, Come All
to an EXHIBIT
that will thrill and enthrall !

PERYA: A Whimsical Art Exhibit
by Ang INK, Darrel Pobre, Dennis Celestial, Leo Castillo, Lomomanila, Paolo Icasas,
Viva and Happy Andrada

Also join us as we celebrate
F*ART FASHION ART's 2nd Anniversary

With LIVE Performances by
Mike Unson, Romancing Venus,
ANIMA, Tara Tambunting,
and many more!

FREE COCKTAILS
FREE ENTRANCE

Let's Party on Friday, March 27, 6 pm at F*ART
J. Erestain cor. K-1st, Kamuning, QC

Special Thanks to our Sponsors:

Slimmmers World Face & Skin Clinic
Hedgren bags & Travel Gear
One Beauty Center
LAZER XTREME
LA SALLE COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL
UP JMA
FOTO BREW
Goddess

Visit http://happyfart.multiply.com/
or call 412-7311 for more details

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2009 Summer Theater Adventure in CCP

Looking for the best way to spend your summer vacation? Then get ready for an exciting summer adventure with Tanghalang Pilipino!

TANGHALANG PILIPINO is proud to present the 2009 Summer Theater Adventure, a three-week program of various theatrical activities for different age levels designed to develop, hone and explore the dramatic skills and talents of aspiring theater artists. TANGHALANG PILIPINO has been praised by parents and students for the excellent experience and intensive training it imparts on the participants.

This summer, we invite you to let loose your creative potentials, discover the exhilarating world of theater and experience the joy of performing on stage. Tanghalang Pilipino's 2009 Summer Theater Adventure is composed of classes for children, teens and adults facilitated by some of the country's most outstanding thespians and practitioners in the field. The time-tested syllabus for each class is carefully designed, reviewed and revised to provide students with the most up-to-date theater performance techniques and enable them to develop their own style. Kids, teens and adults, can choose from the following courses:

Perform at the CCP! Each workshop culminates in a recital held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines – Tanghalang Huseng Batute. Students, who enroll in the 2009 Summer Theater Adventure, get the chance to be invited to audition or perform in the regular season plays and special shows produced by TANGHALANG PILIPINO. They also get the chance to be seen by talent scouts during the workshop recitals.

Explore the wonderful world of theater, build your performance skills and make friends while enjoying a different adventure this summer. Enroll in TANGHALANG PILIPINO's 2009 Summer Theater Adventure. Call now to apply for discounts.

For schedules, discounts and other inquiries, you may reach TANGHALANG PILIPINO through the following contacts:

Telefax: (02)832-3661
E-mail: ccptanghalan@ yahoo.com

CHILDREN'S THEATER 1
Creative Dramatics for Children (5 – 8 years old)
April 14 – May 5, 2009
16 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
8:00 AM – 12:00 NN
Venue: CCP Silangan Hall
Workshop Fee: PhP 5,500.00
Creative dramatics for children using games, storytelling techniques, movement, music and masks as tools of expression. Participants perform in a showcase production at the end of the course.
INSTRUCTORS: PAOLO O'HARA and TAD TADIOAN

CHILDREN'S THEATER 2
Creative Dramatics for Children (9 – 12 years old)
April 14 – May 5, 2009
16 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
8:00 AM – 12:00 NN
Venue: CCP Multi-Purpose Hall
Workshop Fee: PhP 5,500.00
Creative dramatics for children using games, storytelling techniques, movement, music and masks as tools of expression. Participants perform in a showcase production at the end of the course.
INSTRUCTORS: MARJ LORICO and RIKI BENEDICTO

TEEN THEATER (13 – 16 years old)
April 14 – May 5, 2009
16 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: CCP Multi-Purpose Hall
Workshop Fee: PhP 6,000.00
An introduction to performance skills for young adults, the workshop integrates creative drama, music, writing, movement and visual arts to explore themes concerning the youth. Script analysis and voice for theater are likewise incorporated in the course.
INSTRUCTORS: MCDONELL BOLANOS with KAT CASTILLO (assisting)

MUSICAL THEATER FOR TEENS (13 – 16 years old)
April 14 – May 9, 2009
20 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: CCP Bulwagang Amado Hernandez
Workshop Fee: PhP 7,000.00
Singing, movement and acting classes are synthesized to prepare actors for performance in musical theater productions. A musical recital caps the workshop.
INSTRUCTORS: ROEDER CAMANAG, ONYLL TORRES, TARA CABAERO

BEGINNING ACTING (17 years old & above)
April 14 – May 8, 2009
19 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: CCP Silangan Hall
Workshop Fee: PhP 6,000.00
A practical application of the rudiments of acting, including concentration, spontaneity, improvisation, confidence, body and voice preparation, characterization and script analysis to create a unique and authentic life on stage.
INSTRUCTORS: TESS JAMIAS and IAN LAMONGO

ACTING IN MUSICAL THEATER (17 years old and above)
April 14 – May 9, 2009
20 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: CCP Bulwagang Amado Hernandez
Workshop Fee: PhP 7,000.00
Singing, movement and acting classes are integrated to prepare actors for performance in musical theater productions. A musical recital caps the workshop.
INSTRUCTORS: BONG CABRERA and MIA BOLANOS

REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE TECHNIQUES (18 years old and above)
April 14 – May 5, 2009
17 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: CCP Multi-Purpose Hall
Workshop Fee: PhP 6,500.00
Study and application of skills in movement, voice, text and character analysis and improvisation leading to a group performance. Prior acting experience required.
INSTRUCTOR: DENNIS MARASIGAN with ANNA DEROCA (assisting)

STAGE AND PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT (18 years old and above)
April 14 – May 9, 2009
20 sessions
Tuesday – Saturday
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute
Workshop Fee: PhP6,000.00
Organizing the production, communicating across different disciplines, and keeping everything running smoothly. Learn about the seamless management of the technical as human aspects of a production.
INSTRUCTOR: ED MURILLO

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59th Palanca Awards Now Accepting Entries

59th Palanca Awards Now Accepting Entries
Introduces `Poetry for Children' As New Category

On its 59th year, the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature (Palanca Awards), the country's most prestigious and longest-running literary contest, officially opens on March 1, 2009.

This year, the Palanca Awards announces the introduction of two new categories – Poetry Written for Children in the English Division and Tulang Isinulat Para sa mga Bata in the Filipino division.

In these new categories, envisioned to encourage the development of a body of poetry for young children, an entry must consist of a collection of at least 10 but not more than 15 poems. It may deal with any subject and must be comprehensible within the grade-school reading level of children ages 6-12, but accessible in its oral form by younger children.

The complete regular categories under which participants can submit their entries are: English Division – Short Story, Short Story for Children, Essay, Poetry, Poetry Written for Children, One-act Play, Full-length Play; Filipino Division – Maikling Kuwento, Maikling Kuwentong Pambata, Sanaysay, Tula, Tulang Isinulat Para sa mga Bata, Dulang May Isang Yugto, Dulang Ganap ang Haba, and Dulang Pampelikula; Regional Languages Division – Short Story-Cebuano, Short Story-Hiligaynon and Short Story-Iluko. Each contestant may submit only one entry per category.

Meanwhile, in the Kabataan Division, Palanca Awards' special division for young writers below 18 years old, the Kabataan Essay theme in the English category is "How can the Filipino youth help build a globally competitive nation?" and in the Filipino category "Paano makatutulong ang kabataang Filipino sa pagtataguyod ng isang maunlad na bansa na maihahanay sa mga nangungunang bayan sa buong mundo?"

The literary contest is open to all Filipino (or former Filipino) citizens, except current officers and employees of its organizing body, the Carlos Palanca Foundation, Inc. Contest rules and official entry forms are available at Palanca Awards' official website, www.palancaawards.com.ph.

Entries with complete requirements may be submitted to the Foundation's office at the 6th Floor, One World Square Bldg., 10 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City or may also be entered online through the Palanca Awards website or sent through email at palancaawards@ yahoo.com.

Deadline of submission of entries for this year's awards is midnight of April 30, 2009. Winners will be announced on September 1, 2009.

For further information, you may call telephone number 856-0808.

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YCC Bares Winners of Annual Film Awards for Distinguished Achievement in 2008

YCC bares winners of annual film awards for distinguished achievement in 2008

The Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle formally bares its choices for distinguished achievement in films of the past year. Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Adela” made a clean sweep of all the honors for all the categories of the annual awards.

The gritty dumpsite drama of a grandma awaiting a visit from immediate family members on her 80th birthday was voted Best Film of the Year and conferred recognition for Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Visual Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration and Best Performance for veteran actress Anita Linda in the title role.

Established in 1990, YCC is the academe-based critics group with members coming from various disciplines. Through the years, they have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema constantly bringing into the analysis of film an interdisciplinary approach.

The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not just sound engineering per se but musical score as well.

“Adela’s” clean sweep of YCC awards is the third time for a film to achieve such honor after “Masahista” (2005) and “Inang Yaya” (2006). It won over the only other nominee—Brillante Mendoza’s “Serbis”—in the topmost category. Joining “Serbis” is “Yanggaw” in the roster of nominations for all the three technical categories while nods for Best Screenplay also counted “Imoral”—another Alix megger written by Gerry Gracio—aside from “Serbis” as scripted by Armando Lao. Anita bested nominees in the singular acting category that shows her to be the only female. Said nominees are Paolo Paraiso in “Imoral,” Ronnie Lazaro in “Yanggaw” and Carlo Aquino in “Baler.” “Adela’s” victory also marks the second time for a digital feature to clinch the Best Cinematography and Visual Design prize after “Death in the Land of Encantos ” (2007).

In picking “Adela” for top honors, YCC cited the film’s departure from the usual “catastrophic and sensational depiction of poverty.” Impoverishment is reckoned in terms not only of “economics but also of emotion and imagination.” The here-and-the- now “small sufferings of a senior citizen” living independently are set against “the backdrop of the greater suffering of a nation” plagued by corruption scandals in high places and a social system that generally neglects the welfare of constituents in the margins of society.

Awarding ceremony with forum to follow is slated on Wednesday, 11 March 2009, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at the Pulungang Recto of the Faculty Center in UP Diliman.

A list of complete winners and nominees for this year’s YCC film awards by categories is as follows:

Young Critics Circle Film Desk Awards

19th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2008

Best Film of the Year

Winner: Adela directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. (Bicycle Pictures and Visitfilms; Noel D. Ferrer and Adolfo Alix Jr., Executive Producers; Arleen C. Cuevas, Producer; Maxie Evangelista, Line Producer)

Nominee: Serbis directed by Brillante Mendoza (Centerstage Productions and Swift Productions; Didier Costet, Executive Producer; Ferdinand Lapuz, Producer; Antonio del Rosario and JC Nigado, Supervising Producers; Renato Esguerra, Associate Producer)

Best Screenplay

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Adolfo Alix Jr. and Nick Olanka

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Armando Lao

Imoral (Videoflick; Bicycle Pictures) – Gerry Gracio

Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Albert Banzon, Director of Photography; Adolfo Alix Jr. and Jerome Zamora, Production Designers

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Odyssey Flores, Director of Photography; Carlo Tabije and Benjamin Padero, Production Designers

Yanggaw (Cinema One) – Herman Claraval and Lyle Sacris, Directors of Photography; Donald Camon and Michael N. Español, Production Designers

Best Achievement in Film Editing

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Aleks Castañeda

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Claire Villa-Real

Yanggaw (Cinema One) – Borgy Torre


Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Mark Locsin and Jojo Jacinto, Sound Engineers; Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia , Sound Designers

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Emmanuel Clemente, Sound Engineer; Gian Gianan, Musical Director

Yanggaw (Cinema One) – Joey Santos and Eduardo Velasquez, Sound Engineers; Von de Guzman, Musical Director


Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role

Winner: Anita Linda in Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms)

Nominees:

Paolo Paraiso in Imoral (Videoflick; Bicycle Pictures)

Ronnie Lazaro in Yanggaw (Cinema One)

Carlo Aquino in Baler (Viva Entertainment)

Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle 2008-2009: Dr. Galileo S. Zafra, Dr. Patrick D. Flores, Prof. Eloisa May P. Hernandez, Dr. Gerard R. A. Lico, Nonoy L. Lauzon, Dr. Flaudette May V. Datuin, Eileen C. Legaspi-Ramirez, Romulo P. Baquiran Jr., Noel D. Ferrer, Eli R. Guieb III, Dr. Jerry C. Respeto, Prof. Neil Martial R. Santillan, Jason P. Jacobo.

YCC drew its selection from both regular and non-regular releases comprising the entirety of Philippine cinema output in 2008. Some titles had to be dropped out of consideration if they failed to have a total of three or more screenings before a paying or non-paying audience in any one or more public venues; or if they had already qualified for consideration in the previous year.

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Blacksoup Presents Workshops for Summer 2009

blacksoup presents…
workshops for summer 2009

Storytelling Workshop by Bodjie Pascua
April 23 & 25
10:00 – 4:00 PM
Limited to 10-12 participants only
Workshop Fee: P 1,500

A workshop on the principles and techniques of storytelling. Highly recommended to teachers, parents and librarians. Input will include performance skills, improvisation and interactive skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, analyzing stories to maximize impact on listeners.

BODJIE PASCUA

Attended acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute in New York. He started working for hi BFA degree at the University of Southern California which he eventually obtained from New York University in 1978. At NYU, played the title role in Moliere’s “The Bourgeois Gentleman”. To date, he has appeared in over 100 productions with the Philippines’ top theatre companies. Filipino children perhaps know him best as “Kuya Bodjie” in the TV shows “Batibot”, “Bulilit”, and “Sige, Sali Ka Na!”, and currently as “Tito Luis” in ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Epol-Apple”. He is a consistent nominee for Star Awards’ Best Children’s Show Host, which he has already won twice. He helped conceptualize and produce “Bulilit” (1990 Catholic Mass Media Awards Best Children’s Show) and “Sige, Sali Ka Na!”. He is also a freelance actor for film, TV, radio, and commercials and documentaries, directs, writes, has collaborated with young filmmakers in developing their award-winning short films and has been all over the Philippines as a popular storyteller to children of all ages. Also a Theater, Acting, and Storytelling Teacher/Facilitator , he has designed curricula and /or given classes to numerous groups in the Philippines. He was founding president of Alitaptap Storytellers’ Club at the Museo Pambata and used to sit as a Sectoral Representative for Storytellers at the Philippine Board on Books for Young People.

Drawing and Crafts Workshop by Robert Alejandro
May 7, 2009
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Limited to 10-12 participants only
Workshop fee: P750.00

A session on how to teach drawing and crafts for kids. Input will include drawing and using found objects in creating artworks. Recommended for nursery and elementary school teachers.

Robert Alejandro

Robert has been in the art and design industry for decades. He illustrates and designs for family business “papemelroti”. As an on-camera reporter for Cheche Lazaro’s “The Probe Team”, he was the drawing reporter”, often sketching during the reportage. He also hosted the popular “Art is-kool’, an art show for children. Today, he continues to design freelance for various clients and recently authored and illustrated his first book: Backpacking – Southeast Asia and some parts of China.

Animation Workshop for Kids by Ricky Orellana
May 2, 9, 16, 2009
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Limited to 8-10 participants with age ranging from 7-13 years old
Workshop Fee: P 2,300 including kid’s merienda

Learn the basics of animation using paper and clay in three sessions. Make your drawings and clay figures move!

RICKY ORELLANA

Has worked variously as Director, Film Editor and Art Director on short and feature films and documentaries. He began to make films while studying Architecture at the University of the Santo Tomas, and made experimental films at a workshop by German filmmaker Christoph Janetzko. His representative work is “Sa Maynila” which won Best Documentary award at the 3rd Gawad CCP para sa Aletrnatibong Pelikula at Video in 1989 and Best Documentary at the 8th FAP Student Motion Picture Awards in 1990. He has directed documentary films the National Artist Arturo Rogerio Luz and Lucio San Pedro. He is the founder of Animagination, a network of local independent animators, as well as board member of the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI) He is currently the Archives Head at the Mowelfund Film Institute.

For more information, contact blacksoup at telephone 4398838, email blacksoup2005@ gmail.com or blacksoup_inc@yahoo.com. Or you can visit and register at our shop at blacksoup project artspace + café, shop 61, cubao expo, general romulo avenue, araneta center, cubao, quezon city. Look for the “blue shop”.

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PHILSTAGE’s Gawad Buhay! Nominees Bared, CCP Awards Rites Set on February 18

Ballet Philippines’ productions of New Beginnings and Coppelia romped off with seven major nominations in the fourth quarter citations list released by the jury of the 2008 Gawad Buhay! The PHILSTAGE Awards for the Performing Arts. New Beginnings earned the jury’s nod for outstanding dance production, ensemble performance, choreography (Max Luna III and Alan Hineline), and set design (Gino Gonzales). Coppelia was cited for ensemble performance and set design (Mio Infante).

Tanghalang Pilipino’s Ang Mga Gerilya ng Powell Street earned citations for ensemble performance, male lead performance (Joe Gruta and Dido dela Paz) and featured performance (Mailes Kanapi).

Ballet Manila’s Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang was cited for costume design.

Gawad Buhay! is the first industry awards conferred for outstanding achievements in the performing arts by member-companies of the Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group, Inc. (PHILSTAGE). The PHILSTAGE Board of Directors is composed of Tanghalang Pilipino’s Fernando Josef, president; PETA's Melvin Lee, vice president; Ballet Philippines’ Sandy Hontiveros, secretary; Repertory Philippines Gidget Tolentino, treasurer; Actors Actors’ Leonardo Lim, Ballet Manila's Susan Macuja, Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s Tony Espejo, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit’s Mitch Valdes, TRUMPET's Joel Reyes as Board Members, and PHILSTAGE Executive Director Elmar Beltran Ingles.

While PHILSTAGE administers the awards, the final recipients will be chosen by an independent Jury Panel selected by the PHILSTAGE Board of Directors from a roster of critics, performing artists, cultural researchers and scholars, and the general public.

The public is invited to watch the final awards rites to be held at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) at 7:30 p.m. on February 18, 2009. Invited to present the awards are the country’s foremost theater personalities.

Below is the complete list of nominees:

Outstanding Production of a Play: Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte (Tanghalang Pilipino/Virgin Labfest 4); Batang Rizal (PETA); Ellas Inocentes (Tanghalang Pilipino/Virgin Labfest 4); Golden Child (Tanghalang Pilipino); Hamlet (Repertory Philippines) ; Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna (Tanghalang Pilipino/Virgin Labfest 4); Kudeta (Tanghalang Pilipino); and Three Sisters, A Noh Play (Tanghalang Pilipino/Virgin Labfest 4).

Outstanding Musical Production: Altar Boyz (Repertory Philippines) ; and Skin Deep (PETA).

Outstanding Dance Production: La Revolucion Filipina(Ballet Philippines) ; Latin Heat (Ballet Philippines) ; and New Beginnings (Ballet Philippines) .

Outstanding Stage Direction: Loy Arcenas (Golden Child); Chari Arrespacochaga (Altar Boyz); Nor Domingo (Skin Deep); Jose Estrella (Three Sisters), Floy Quintos (Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna); Floy Quintos (Kudeta); Tuqxs Rutaquio (Ellas Inocentes), and Dudz Teraña (Batang Rizal).

Outstanding Original Choreography: Bam Damian (Latin Heat); Alan Hineline (New Beginnings); Agnes Locsin (La Revolucion Filipina); Alden Lugnasin (Latin Heat); Max Luna III (New Beginnings); and Jason Zamora (Altar Boyz)

Outstanding Original Play: Christine Bellen (Batang Rizal); Rogelio Braga (Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte),

Layeta Bucoy (Ellas Inocentes ); and Floy Quintos (Ang Kalungkutan ng Reytna)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance: Altar Boyz (Repertory Philippines) , Ang Bayot, ang Meranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa Isang Nakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte (Tanghalang Pilipino/Virgin Labfest 4); Ang Mge Gerilya ng Powell Street (Tanghalang Pilipino); Batang Rizal (PETA); Coppelia (Ballet Philippines) ; Ellas Inocentes (Tanghalang Pilipino/Virgin Labfest 4); Golden Child (Tanghalang Pilipino); Hamlet (Repertory Philippines) ; Kudeta (Tanghalang Pilipino); La Revolucion Filipina (Ballet Philippines) ; Latin Heat (Ballet Philippines) ; Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (PETA); New Beginnings (Ballet Philippines) ; and

Skin Deep (PETA)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play: Arthur Acuna (Golden Child); Jose Mari Avellana (Tuesdays with Morrie); Dido de la Paz (Ang Mga Gerilya ng Powell Street); Joe Gruta (Ang Mga Gerilya ng Powell Street); Mario O'Hara (Kudeta); Joey Paras and Arnold Reyes (Ang Bayot, angMeranao, at ang Habal-Habal sa IsangNakababagot na Paghihintay sa Kanto ng Lanao del Norte); and Jonathan Tadioan (Pamantasang Hirang).

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play: Lovely Balili (Ellas Inocentes); Liesl Batucan (Golden Child); Shamaine Centenera Buencamino (Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna); Tina Chilip (Golden Child); Jenessa Roque (Ellas Inocentes); and Irma Adlawan Marasigan (Golden Child)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical: Red Concepcion (Altar Boyz); Juliene Mendoza (EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson); Jett Pangan (EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson); and Robert Seña (Skin Deep)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Musical: Isay Alvarez (Skin Deep); May Bayot (Skin Deep); and Gail Guanlao Billones (Skin Deep);

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Dance Production: Biag Gaongen (La Revolucion Filipina) ; and Biag Gaongen (Latin Heat)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Dance Production: Lisa Macuja Elizalde (Le Corsaire)

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Dance Production: No citation

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play: Riki Benedicto (Kudeta); Bong Cabrera (Kudeta); Willy Casero (Batang Rizal); Nor Domingo (Tosca); Mailes Kanapi (Ang Mga Gerilya ng Powell Street); Raffy Tejada (Tosca) and Cris Villonco (Hamlet);

Outstanding Featured Performance in a Dance Production: Camille Ordinario-Joson (Latin Heat)

Outstanding Original Libretto: Vincent De Jesus (Batang Rizal); and Vincent De Jesus (Skin Deep)

Outstanding Translation/ Adaptation: George de Jesus III (Kudeta); and Dennis Marasigan (Golden Child)

Outstanding Musical Direction: Vincent De Jesus (Batang Rizal); and Jojo Malferrari (Altar Boyz)

Outstanding Set Design: Loy Arcenas (Golden Child); Mel Bernardo (Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang); Gino Gonzales (New Beginnings); Mio Infante (Coppelia); Mio Infante (La Revolucion Filipina); Tuxqs Rutaquio (Kudeta)

Outstanding Costume Design: Ron Alfonso (Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang); Faust Peneyra (Hamlet); Gino Gonzales (Golden Child); Jonathan Janolo (Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang); and Victor Ursabia (La Revolucion Filipina)

Outstanding Lighting Design: Katsch Catoy (La Revolucion Filipina); Martin Esteva (Hamlet); Dennis Marasigan (Kudeta); and Barbi Tan-Tiongco (Golden Child)


Outstanding Sound Design: Janice Dee (Kudeta); Jethro Joaquin (EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson); Jethro Joaquin (Hamlet); Shima Takesi (Tosca); and

Gidget Tolentino (Altar Boyz); and J. Victor Villareal (Golden Child)

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