The Philippines’ National University, the University of the Philippines, will confer the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa upon Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on November 17, 2009 at UP Los Baños for her achievements as a global leader in sustainable rural and agricultural development and in promoting education and science to improve the lives of farming communities in Asia and the world.
Following the footsteps of her father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, she has been promoting the interest of resource-poor farmers in Asia. Through the conferment of the degree, UP recognizes the Princess’s support for research in natural resource management and agricultural science, for the rural development projects of the King as Chair of the Chaipattana Foundation, and for her initiatives in conserving the plant genetic resources of Thailand.
UP also cites the Princess’s involvement in philanthropic organizations and foundations that support education, child nutrition, and the dissemination of knowledge. Her Royal Highness led the establishment of commemorative public libraries in towns and cities in Thailand, the institution of a National Iron Deficiency Disorder Control Program, and the use of remote sensing in natural resource surveys.
Princess Sirindhorn has worked to build educational and academic cooperation with other countries such as China, and is an eminent advocate and supporter of non-profit institutions engaged in research and development, such as the UP Los Baños-based International Rice Research Institute.
Princess Sirindhorn was a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1991. Her honorary degree from UP will be the first from a Philippine university. She had received honorary degrees in Veterinary Medicine, Environmental Science, Regional Development Strategies, Humane Letters, Public Health, Information Technology, Pharmacy, Botany, Agriculture, and Geography, among others from other universities in Thailand, China and Australia, such as Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Chiang Mai, Beijing and Queensland.
The conferment ceremony, hosted by UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco, will be held at the Narra Hall of the Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, UPLB, starting at 8:30 a.m. The UP Board of Regents, the highest governing body of the University, co-chaired by UP President Emerlinda Roman and Commission on Higher Education Chair Emmanuel Angeles, will confer the degree on the popular and well-loved princess. (Jo Florendo Lontoc, UP SIO)
In the midst of Typhoon Pepeng’s powerful downpour, Gerald Lomibao, 23, a resident of Binmaley, a town four hours drive from San Roque Dam, heard the siren. Then barangay tanods rushed by to remind him that the siren meant that the dam was about to release water and Gerald and his family had three hours to evacuate to higher ground.
But in 15 minutes the flood had arrived, creeping steadily higher until the Lomibao family had to flee to an upper floor.“Kinagabihan, lubog na ang ground floor namin," Gerald told GMANews.TV in a phone interview. “Hindi naman po namin maiwan mga gamit namin. Wala rin kaming mapupuntahan dahil napapaligiran kami ng palaisdaan,"
As the worst floods in the history of Pangasinan slowly subside, and residents ponder their ruined homes and property, the inadequacy of warning given by both the dam operators and local governments is only one of the issues spurring outrage from residents, senators, and activists.
Water released from San Roque Dam has been blamed for the massive flooding of many towns and cities in Pangasinan, including Rosales City. GMANews.TV
Pangasinan’s provincial government and Senator Chiz Escudero have threatened to file law suits against the San Roque Power Corporation, which operates the dam along the Agno River, and the National Power Corporation that owns it. Senate hearings began Wednesday morning on the role the dam’s water release played in the flood.
The region received a record amount of rainfall last week, compelling the dam operators to release enormous flows of water that eventually found its way into the homes of the Lomibaos and ten of thousands of Pangasinan residents. Not releasing the water would have risked overflowing and collapsing the dam, a far greater catastrophe.
“With or without the dam, babaha talaga. Basta sa amin, ginawa lang namin ang standard operating procedure," said Romualdo Beltran, the director for Dam, Reservoirs and Waterways Division the National Power Corporation (Napocor), which owns the San Roque Dam. Beltran spoke at a forum on the flood at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus on Tuesday.
Stranded commuters on board passenger buses and and other vehicles wait to be rescued last Friday from the rising flood waters in Carmen town in Pangasinan. AP
Engineering professors at the forum did not question the need to release the water but its timing.
"Why did they have to wait for the water to almost overflow before opening the gates?" Guillermo Tabios III of the National Hydraulic Research Center asked. “Dapat October 4 pa lang, when the waters exceeded 280 meters, nagpakawala na (They should have released water as early as October 4, when the water already exceeded 280 meters)."
Beltran said no one knew that Pepeng would bring a 100 year rain, meaning rainfall that occurs only once every century. The heaviness of the downpour filled up the reservoir so quickly that all six gates of the dam had to be opened.
“Naka-full load na ‘yung planta. Wala talaga kaming magagawa kundi mag-spill and to let the flood flow. Kung iko-contain mo ‘yun, mag-ooverflow," he said.
Trapped residents stay on top of a roof in Carmen town Friday as lingering typhoon 'Pepeng' submerge many portions of Pangasinan. AP
Pangasinan provincial administrator Rafael Baraan, in the midst of relief operations in his still-flooded province, lamented the rate of release.
“Sinabi naman nila na they will release water by Thursday afternoon. Ang sinabi nila, they would release 2,500 cubic meters per second. Pero by 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. Friday, 5,072 cubic meters na ang nire-release nila," Baraan told GMANews.TV in a phone interview.
(They told us they will release water by Thursday afternoon. They said they would release 2,500 cubic meters per second. But by 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. Friday, they were already releasing 5,072 cubic meters of water.)
“Why would they release so much water in so little time?"
It’s that same water that Gerald Lomibao and his family had no time to escape. At the time of this posting Wednesday evening, the Lomibaos and four other families were huddled on the second floor of the Lomibao home, with waist-deep water barely moving on the ground floor.– ANDREO CALONZO and SOPHIA DEDACE, GMANews.TV
You may send donations to the UP College of Arts & Letters New Bldg., between Vargas Museum & Palma Hall, behind Bulwagang Rizal( Faculty Center), University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. Hotline: 09296454102 (Prof. Roselle Pineda).Look for: The Guard on Duty. Operations: 24 hours until Wednesday. You may donate medicines, clothes, blankets, food.
Donations will be distributed by Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.
Photo: REUTERS
Rescuers from the Philippine Navy carry a victim of flash floods caused by Typhoon Ondoy at Provident Village in Marikina City, Metro Manila September 27, 2009.
REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo
Residents sit on a rubber boat as they are evacuated from floodwaters caused by Typhoon Ondoy in Cainta Rizal east of Manila September 27, 2009.
REUTERS/Erik de Castro
A woman wades in floodwaters caused by Typhoon Ondoy in Cainta Rizal east of Manila September 27, 2009.
REUTERS/Erik de Castro
Rescuers evacuate residents from floodwaters caused by Typhoon Ondoy on a rubber boat in Cainta Rizal east of Manila September 27, 2009.
REUTERS/Erik de Castro
Rescuers assist residents from floodwaters caused by Typhoon Ondoy as they board a rubber boat in Cainta Rizal east of Manila September 27, 2009.
REUTERS/Erik de Castro
Residents wade in floodwaters caused by Typhoon Ondoy in Cainta Rizal east of Manila September 27, 2009.
REUTERS/Erik de Castro
A Philippine Air Force aerial shot shows floodwaters caused by continuous rains brought by Typhoon Ondoy in Cainta Rizal, east of Manila September 27, 2009.
REUTERS/Rey Bruna/Philippines Airforce/Handout
A resident wades the floodwaters caused by Typhoon Ondoy in front of an advertising billboard in Cainta Rizal east of Manila September 27, 2009.
MANILA, Philippines -- Kimmy Dora, landed on the number slot among all the movies that came out last September 2. The first solo starrer of comedienne Eugene Domingo, lead the pack of 6 releases, which included four Hollywood and one local films.
“We are very happy to be working with Spring Films and with the outstanding box office performance of Kimmy Dora,” said Wilson Tieng, President of Solar Entertainment Corporation.
As the film’s distributor, Solar Entertainment made sure the movie was available on 90 screens in 89 locations nationwide. With heavy exposure on its’ three TV channels, Jack TV, ETC and 2nd Ave, the film was able to penetrate the AB market as evident on the 10 top performing sites for the film: (1) Glorietta 4 (2) SM Megamall (3) Trinoma Cinemas (4) SM North Edsa (5) SM Mall of Asia (6) Robinsons Place Manila (7) Gateway Cineplex (8) Robinsons Galleria (9) SM San Lazaro (10) Market, Market.
Kimmy Dora is produced by Spring Films and distributed by Solar Entertainment Corporation and is now on it’s second week nationwide screening.
university of the philippines theater arts alumna eugene domingo is KIMMY DORA. KIMMY DORA was written by prizewinning U.P. alumnus chris martinez
university of the philippines college of mass communication student pepe diokno won the orrizonti and the luigi de laurentiis prizes during last night's venice film festival awarding ceremonies.
pepe is the son of UP creative writing professor divina diokno, nephew of UP history professor and former vice president for academic affairs maria serena diokno, and grandson of filipino nationalist and senator jose w. diokno.
Official Awards The 66th Venice International Film Festival ran 2nd to 12th September 2009. The International Juries awarded the following prizes:
Venezia 66 - Golden Lion for best film: Lebanon by Samuel MAOZ (Israel, France, Germany) - Silver Lion for best director: Shirin NESHAT for the film Zanan Bedone Mardan (Women Without Men) (Germany, Austria, France) - Special Jury Prize: Soul Kitchen by Fatih AKIN (Germany) - Coppa Volpi for Best Actor: Colin FIRTH in the film A Single Man by Tom FORD (USA) - Coppa Volpi for Best Actress: Ksenia RAPPOPORT in the film La doppia ora by Giuseppe CAPOTONDI (Italy) - “Marcello Mastroianni” Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress: Jasmine TRINCAin the film Il grande sogno by Michele PLACIDO (Italy) - "Osella" for Best Technical Contribution: Sylvie OLIVÉ for the film Mr. Nobody by Jaco VAN DORMAEL (France) - "Osella" for Best Screenplay: Todd SOLONDZ for the film Life during Wartime by Todd SOLONDZ (USA)
Orizzonti - Orizzonti Prize to Engkwentro by Pepe Diokno (Philippines) - Orizzonti Prize for Best documentary to 1428 by DU Haibin (China) - Special Mention to Aadmi ki aurat aur anya kahaniya (The Man’s Woman and Other Stories) by Amit Dutta (India)
Controcampo Italiano Controcampo Italiano Prize to: Cosmonauta by Susanna NICCHIARELLI (Italy) Kodak will offer to the awarded director 40,000 euros in negative film stock - 35 or 16mm, chosen by the winner - to shoot a new feature film. - Special Mention: Negli occhi by Daniele ANZELLOTTI and Francesco DEL GROSSO (Italy)
Corto Cortissimo (Prizes awarded on 10th September 2009) - Corto Cortissimo Lion for Best Short Film to Eersgeborene (First Born) by Etienne Kallos (South Africa, USA) - Venice Nomination to the European Film Awards 2009 to Sinner by Meni Philip (Israel) - Special Mention to Felicità by Salomé Aleksi (Georgia)
“Luigi De Laurentiis” Award for a Debut Film - Lion of the Future – “Luigi De Laurentiis” Venice Award for a Debut Film to Engkwentro by Pepe DIOKNO (Philippines) - ORIZZONTI as well as a prize of 100,000 USD, donated by Filmauro, to be divided equally between director and producer
Persol 3-D Award for the Best 3-D Stereoscopic Film of the Year (Prize awarded on 11th September 2009) - Persol 3-D Award: The Hole by Joe Dante (USA)
MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 2) Pepe Diokno’s “Engkwentro” won the top honor in the Orizzonti (New Horizons) division of the 66th Venice Film Festival on Saturday, the young independent filmmaker told Inquirer via SMS.
Diokno, 22, who flew to the Italian city for the oldest and one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, received the Luigi De Laurentiis award.
The Orizzonti for Best documentary went to “1428” of Du Haibin from China while Amit Dutta of India got the Special Mention for the entry “Aadmi ki aurat aur anya kahaniya” (The Man’s Woman and Other Stories).
Venice’s Orizzonti section provides a spectrum of new trends in cinema.
A Cinemalaya 2009 finalist, “Engkwentro” was written, directed and produced by Diokno. In was shot handheld style.
“Engkwentro” deals with state-sponsored vigilante killings in the Philippines.
It follows a day in the lives of Richard (Felix Roco) and his brother, Raymond (Daniel Medrana), who find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war. Richard is the leader of Bagong Buwan and Tomas’ archenemy.
Complications arise at a deadly midnight engkwentro (square-off), when Raymond is given the task of killing his older brother.
Meanwhile, Brillante Mendoza’s latest digital movie “Lola”, failed to bag any award in the main competition, said co-producer Ferdy Lapus.
But “Lola”, which tells the story of two grandmothers whose grandsons figured in a crime—one of them is the suspect, and the other one is the victim—merited good reviews from critics, Lapus said.
Israeli Samuel Maoz’s "Lebanon", the story of the first Lebanon war told from inside an Israeli tank, won the Golden Lion. Bayani San Diego, Inquirer Entertainment
SOJOURN: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia Vol. 24/1 (April 2009) Special Focus on "The Most Influential Books of Southeast Asia"
From Hui Yew-Foong, editor
Editor’s Note
The Most Influential Books of Southeast Asian Studies
A brief note is in order to explain this special issue, which is quite unlike most special issues of journals. To mark the 40th Anniversary of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in 2008, the editorial team of SOJOURN decided to come up with a list of “Ten Most Influential Books on Southeast Asia”. The idea seems straightforward, but the discerning will quickly realize that generating such a list is an encounter with controversy at every turn.
We decided to pass the conundrum to our eminent International Advisory Members (IAM). They were each invited to nominate ten books that:
a) have influenced theory formation and/or empirical perceptions in Southeast Asia; b) continue to serve as pivotal reference points for contemporary scholars; and c) transcend the period they were written in.
Most of the IAM responded, some with more than ten nominations, and some with less; and some, with good reason, declined to send in their nominations. Altogether, forty-five books were nominated. Because some books tied in the number of nominations they received, we ended up with a “Top 14” list rather than a “Top 10” list, which has been reproduced below.
Any such list, as mentioned earlier, is bound to be controversial because of the biases involved. There is, first, the bias implicit in the criteria we gave the IAM. For example, we had asked that they nominate books written in English. This seemingly straightforward request already privileges books over other forms of influential publication, and even more controversially, English publications over much excellent scholarship not available in English. (Nevertheless, some IAM still felt compelled to send us nominations of books in non-English languages, which we gladly accepted.) Second, the biases of the IAM would, quite necessarily, be reflected in their choices of books, whether these be due to their training or areas of expertise. Instead of seeing this as a limitation, we see this as an opportunity to tap on a broad base of collective wisdom. Towards this end, we have decided to display the entire nominations list instead of just the most popular ones. To students and scholars of Southeast Asia, we offer this list as a resource.
Needless to say, there are probably methodologically more rigorous ways to go about this. For example, we could have extended the vote to the scholarly community at large. Or, instead of asking for nominations of books, ask for nominations of the most influential scholars, which would bring to the fore an assessment of their oeuvre instead of just one or two books. Nevertheless, with our limited resources, we have decided to initiate this limited first effort as a service to the scholarly community on Southeast Asian Studies. We do not expect everyone, or in fact, anyone, to agree with the entire list. In fact, we would be happier if the list generates debate rather than quiet acquiescence. The verdict, in the end, on which books are the most influential should lie, not with us at SOJOURN, but with the discerning reader.
As a guide to some of the most influential ideas embedded in what has been considered the most influential books, the editorial team has also undertaken, according to individual expertise and inclinations to write review essays on selected books. We regret that not all books can be reviewed, but do hope that what we have lined up would serve as a good introduction. Finally, we would like to thank our IAM, which had graciously offered us the benefit of their collective expertise in the drawing up of this list.
The Most Influential Books of Southeast Asia
Furnivall, J.S. Colonial Policy and Practice: A Comparative Study of Burma and Netherlands India. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1948.
Reid, Anthony. Southeast Asia in the Age of Commerce, 1450–1680. 2 Volumes. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1988–1993.
Scott, James C. The Moral Economy of the Peasant: Rebellion and Subsistence in Southeast Asia. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976.
Anderson, Benedict R.O’G. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. London, New York: Verso, 1991 (1983).
Geertz, Clifford. Agricultural Involution: The Process of Ecological Change in Indonesia. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press, 1963.
Ileto, Reynaldo Clemeña. Pasyon and Revolution: Popular Movements in the Philippines, 1840–1910. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1979.
Leach, Edmund Ronald. Political Systems of Highland Burma: A Study of Kachin Social Structure. London: G. Bell & Sons, Ltd., 1954.
Scott, James C. Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1985.
Geertz, Clifford. The Religion of Java. Glencoe, Ill.: Free Press, 1960.
Kahin, George McTurnan. Nationalism and Revolution in Indonesia. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1952.
Roff, William R. The Origins of Malay Nationalism. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1967.
Leur, J.C. van. Indonesian Trade and Society: Essays in Asian Social and Economic History. The Hague: W. Van Hoeve, 1955.
Wertheim, W.F. Indonesian Society in Transition: A Study of Social Change. Bandung: Sumur Bandung, 1956.
Wertheim, W.F. East-West Parallels: Sociological Approaches to Modern Asia. The Hague: W. Van Hoeve, 1964.
trina pineda tinio, jose wendell capili, mercedes planta and prof. reynaldo ileto at the international association of historians of asia (iaha) conference, hotel intercontinental manila (november 2006)
The Board of Regents, officials, faculty, students, and administrative staff of the University of the Philippines, the National University, send their deepest sympathies to the family of President Corazon C. Aquino. She will always be remembered by a grateful people as a symbol of strength and courage, having stood up to the forces of tyranny, restored democracy, and served the nation honestly, faithfully and well. Other public servants, as well as ordinary Filipinos, would do well to follow her example of simplicity, sincerity, humility, and steadfast commitment. In these trying times, she will be most sorely missed as a unifying force and the nation’s moral compass till the very end.
MANILA, Philippines – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has named seven National Artists for this year, including one of her advisers and pioneers in fashion design and local comic books, Malacañang said.
This years Order of National Artists roster, according to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, include: National Commission on Culture and the Arts executive director Cecille Guidote Alvarez for theater; Manuel Urbano, also known as Manuel Conde, for film and broadcast arts (posthumous); Lazaro Franciso, literature (posthumous); Federico Aguilar Alcuaz, visual arts, painting, sculpture and mixed media; Magno Jose Carlo Caparas, visual arts and film; Francisco “Bobby” Mañoza, architecture; and Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, fashion design.
National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP)
introducing COKE BOLIPATA JULIAN DUQUE
starring RICKY DAVAO CHERRY PIE PICACHE MERYLL SORIANO
Consultant for Scriptwriting ARMANDO LAO
Consultant for Child Psychology PEACHY FERNANDO
Sound Supervision ALLAN MARCELO HILADO
Editor and Sound Design ORLEAN TAN
Colorist JOHN TAN Production Design BIANCA GONZALES
Musical Score JOURDANN O. PETALVER
Musical Direction COKE BOLIPATA
Director of Photography NAP JAMIR
Co-Director and Technical Supervisor MILO ALTO-PAZ
Supervising Producer CYNTHIA PAZ
Executive Producers MARTIN P. MARFIL & ELLEN ONGKEKO-MARFIL
Based on
Froi Medina's Tinig sa Dilim,
2nd prize winner at the Cinemanila 2007 scriptwriting competition.
Screenplay FROILAN MEDINA and RODY VERA
Direction ELLEN ONGKEKO-MARFIL
BOSES
Synopsis:
Rescued by a concerned neighbor from his abusive father, 7-year old Onyok is brought to a shelter for abused children. Amanda, the shelter's owner-founder realizes that Onyok is unable to speak, caused by a physical trauma that damaged his larynx. On the first day of his stay in the shelter he hears the faint sound of a violin being played from far off. This strange but beautiful music that has captivated Onyok's attention comes from Amanda's reclusive brother Ariel, who has turned back on his career as a concert violinist in Manila and came back to the family house bearing a terrible guilt.
This is the beginning of a simple, yet moving friendship between Onyok and Ariel. Ariel's initial cynicism over his sister's commitment to caring for abused children slowly melts when he sees Onyok's intrinsic inclination to the violin. Onyok proves to have inborn talents to the instrument that leads Ariel to teach the mute little boy.
Amanda begins to worry, however, when Ariel begins to push Onyok beyond his limits, leading the boy away from dealing with his own emotional issues as well as straining his new-found friendship with Shirley, a young precocious child in the shelter.
In the course of the film, Ariel's secret guilt over the death of his sweetheart protege is revealed. The question of Ariel's motives about him pushing Onyok's gifted talents to a similar level comes to the fore. Does Ariel really care for Onyok's condition, or is he pushing Onyok to fulfill a shattered dream?
Onyok's abusive father is slowly rehabilitated and the shelter is eventually preparing for a reconciliation between father and son. Ariel realizes that he does not own the child. And their friendship will have to encompass both their individual issues -- hardly similar and yet resonant to both of them.
Nobody knows whether Onyok's reconciliation with an abusive parent will succeed. But one thing has remained inevitably clear: he has regained his voice.
"... specially moving and value-laden film. I was in tears many times, so clean and well told. " - Cheche Lazaro, Broadcast Journalist
"Brilliant Cinema!" - Joel Lamangan, film director
"… your film is one of the best in the four years of Cinemalaya." - Gil Portes,film director
"BOSES will soothe the uneasy, fearful, troubled breast ... The story tackles child abuse, healing, and friendship-without being preachy and didactic. Never has a local movie integrated social advocacy and the promotion of classical music so seamlessly, movingly, and beautifully… movie collaboration at its creative best." - Mario Hernando, Malaya, Urian
"The essence of transforming lives is so meaningful. Coke and Onyok were so natural." - Irene Rada, CCP
"Sobrang galing. It is a must-see!" - Dr. Honey Carandang, Child Psychologist
"The film is made even more compelling by the stirring performances turned in by the boy who plays Onyok, Davao, Picache - and most of all, by Bolipata, who moves us not only with his unexpectedly felt and insightful portrayal but also with his musical performance, which is an overwhelming experience." - Nestor Torre, PDI
”At the premiere night, the audience was not shy in proclaiming its feelings about the movie, both shouting, laughing and crying at various times. In one scene, Ariel attempts to elude Ricky’s character and the audience collectively cheered, some people even rising from their seats! At the back of the hall was a row of foreigners and I wondered what they all thought of this Filipino brand of audience participation.
At the end, a rousing ovation was given the movie (the foreigners had risen, too) and the crowd started to chant Onyok’s name and Julian stood with pride and went onstage. Like Pacquaio at the end of a well-fought match, he stood at the center, crossed his arms and looked straight into the lenses of the cameras that had flocked around him. Standing far away, I knew that the audience recognized genius and was giving it its proper recognition.” – Rica Bolipata, Phil. Star
“ The film has magic.” -Ronald Arguelles, Cinema One
What a contribution to Philippine culture and society! And para na rin kaming lifted to heaven. Thanks for making that film. – Liza Magtoto, playwright
"The moving BOSES offers an emotionally rich, cathartic experience ... This is an intense, heartfelt film brimming with lovely moments," - Gibbs Cadiz, Phil. Daily Inquirer
"Unpretentiously funny, this movie proves that quiet films can be quite riverting ..." - Rome Jorge, Manila Times Lifestyle Editor
"... more than the movie being about how wounded people can be; more than how terrible it is that people who should love us hurt us and can somehow still miraculously redeem themselves; more than the movie being about the ability to heal and the heart to strengthen; more than the movie about being able to let go of people and trusting in what you have taught them; the movie is about how healing can come from art." - Rica Bolipata-Santos, Philippine Star, Columnist
"... has powerful emotional appeal, electrifying musical scenes and intrinsic moral values which raise it several cuts above the average movie." - Rosalinda Orosa, Phil. Star, Columnist
Surprisingly, Bolipata shines as an actor. His warmth and empathy for children, developed through years of teaching, shines through in this film. The man is funny as well. But Duque is even better. To say so much without a word is a command performance." - Rome Jorge, Manila Times Lifestyle Editor
"Your film made me motionless for some time even after watching it.
Its beauty really moved me. Poignant and so powerful, the music comes from theheart.” - Archie de Calma, journalist
"One of the year's most intensely moving film so far, brilliantly acted by the entire cast and directed with great sensitivity..." - Mario Bautista, People's Journal
I love your film . Malaki ang magiging impact niya sa Phil. Society. -Vic Acedillo Jr., filmmaker
1:00 pm on Saturday, 1 August 2009 at U.P. Cine Adarna. tickets at Php 150
Julian Duque will grace the event with a post-screening performance.
for inquiries and tickets please contact- 09277116203
Quantum Films (formerly MLR Films) announces the completion of prizewinning screenwriter Armando "Bing" Lao's directorial debut entitled BIYAHENG LUPA (SOLILOQUY) which stars (in alphabetical order) Archie Adamos, Susan Africa, Jose "Peping" Almojuela, Angel Aquino, Mercedes Cabral, Shamaine Centenera, Julio Diaz, Eugene Domingo, Jess Evardone, Carlo Guevara, Isabella de Leon, Jaclyn Jose, Coco Martin, Allan Paule, Andoy Ranay, Mely Soriano. Written and Directed by Armando Lao. Special thanks to Louie Ocampo.
Quantum Films (formerly MLR Films) announces the completion of prizewinning screenwriter Armando "Bing" Lao's directorial debut entitled BIYAHENG LUPA (SOLILOQUY) which stars (in alphabetical order) Archie Adamos, Susan Africa, Jose "Peping" Almojuela, Angel Aquino, Mercedes Cabral, Shamaine Centenera, Julio Diaz, Eugene Domingo, Jess Evardone, Carlo Guevara, Isabella de Leon, Jaclyn Jose, Coco Martin, Allan Paule, Andoy Ranay, Mely Soriano. Written and Directed by Armando Lao. Special thanks to Louie Ocampo.
UP HOLDS SYSTEM-WIDE CONFERENCE by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo Vice President for Public Affairs University of the Philippines System
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The University of the Philippines marked the beginning of its second century with a UP System-wide Conference named “The Challenge of Being a National University: Looking Toward UP’s Second Century” at the Subic Holiday Villas in Olongapo City last May 20-22.
The conference brought together some of the University’s most brilliant minds and representatives of the different sectors—university officials, centennial fellows, faculty, research staff, non-academic staff, students and alumni, selected by UP’s 7 chancellors and the UP President—and tasked them with taking the first steps in designing what might serve as a blueprint for the University’s next century.
UP President Emerlinda R. Roman’s opening address, “After 100 Years, Where the University?” presented a quick summary of those Centennial Lectures which had focused on an assessment of UP, and invited participants to address the challenges and issues raised. To deserve the title of “National University” granted by its new Charter, UP must now “take a long hard look at ourselves, and answer some tough questions,” she said.
She went on to name some of the questions: “How far and in what ways are we willing to evolve in order to live up to our name as the National University? How do we clarify what is public in the public nature of UP? How does academe best serve the nation? What are the principles and policies to which we will hold fast because they embody our deepest, most important values? How do we hope to effectively pass on these values to our students, many of whom are overwhelmed by the complexity and confusion of the environment they must survive in?”
Keynote Speaker, Professor Randolf David of UP Diliman, sounded a similar note in his speech: “The Burden of Being a National University.”
“As our society moves in the direction of modernity—i.e., in the direction of greater functional differentiation—there is an urgent need for us to rethink and maybe reshape the space we occupy,” David said.
He cautioned against trying to respond to every conceivable challenge because this simply cannot be achieved, and urged instead that the University perform “its work better than any possible alternative at a given moment, and in so doing (solve) a key problem for the larger society of which it is a part.”
David stressed that for a university, “that problem basically revolves around the production, acquisition, and transfer of useful knowledge. To put it bluntly: we hold the franchise on knowledge in our society.”
But recognizing that a great university is expected to produce knowledge that is relevant to society’s needs and graduates who will be leaders of that society, as well as to play a role in the cultural development of the nation, he emphasized the need to “secure our status as a university in the first instance through superior research and instruction;” to “raise the quality of public discourse;” and to produce students who are leaders with a “clear sense of purpose, profound awareness of the basic problems of the country and the world, and a passionate commitment to the national good.”
The Conference was planned and organized by a Program Committee chaired by President Roman, with members University Professor Emeritus Ernesto Domingo, University Professor Emeritus Ramon Santos, Professor Randy David, Dean Noel de Dios, Professor Cynthia Bautista and Vice President for Academic Affairs Amelia P. Guevara.
Among the conference participants were former UP presidents Jose Abueva and Francisco Nemenzo, Faculty Regent Judy Tagiwalo and Staff Regent Clodualdo Cabrera, National Artist and Dean of the UP Diliman College of Arts and Letters Virgilio Almario, National Scientists Dr. Lourdes Cruz, Dr. Ricardo Lantican and Dr. Teodulo Topacio, officials of the UP System, the chancellors of the 7 constituent universities and the CU officials, and most of the UP Centennial Fellows: University Professor Emeritus Dr. Gemino H. Abad, Dr. Jose V. Abueva, Prof. Randolf S. David, Prof. Emmanuel de Dios, Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, University Professor Emeritus Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo, University Professor Emeritus Dr. Cecilia A. Florencio, Prof. Jose M. Magpantay, Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, University Professor Emeritus Dr. Ramon P. Santos, and University Professor Emeritus Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez.
Participants broke up into four groups to discuss key issues raised by Professor David and by the Centennial Lectures, with Dean Marvic Leonen of the College of Law, Dean Aileen Baviera of the Asian Center, Dr. Michael Tan of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, and Dr. Rafael Bondoc of the College of Medicine serving as moderators.
During the plenary session the next day, individual reports by the session chairs and rapporteurs, and a synthesis of the proceedings by Professor Cynthia Bautista of UP Diliman, were presented. President Roman then took over to offer what she called: “A Framework for Facing the Future.”
Taking off from the University’s goals as articulated in its new Charter, and the synthesis of conference discussions presented by Dr. Bautista, she identified four basic tasks: (1) raising the quality of public discourse on national issues; (2) preparing students for leadership responsibilities; (3) securing UP’s status as a research university with rigorous academic standards; and (4) redefining governance to create an enabling environment.
After the conference participants had approved these as the bases for the proposed blueprint for the future, President Roman announced that as soon as the conference proceedings are distributed, she expects the chancellors of UP’s constituent universities to hold their own consultations and/or conferences to put together their reports and action plans addressing the first 3 tasks. The UP System will take care of Task 4.
MANILA, Philippines – Poet and critic Gémino Abad has been named this year’s recipient of Italy’s most coveted literary prize, the Prize Premio Feronia – Citta di Fiano 2009 under the foreign author category. The prize will be conferred on July 11 during the Nomination Ceremony at the historic Castle of Fiano Romano outside Rome.
In a letter from President of the Committee Filippo Bettini, Abad has been requested to personally attend the ceremony to receive his prize, which includes a cash award of 3,600 euros. Abad has also been invited to attend the Italian Festival Mediterranea in Rome.
Abad holds the highest rank of University Professor at the University of the Philippines (UP), and teaches creative writing at the College of Arts and Letters as Professor Emeritus. He also sits on the Board of Advisors of the UP Institute of Creative Writing.
Originally from Cebu, Abad earned his B.A. in English from the University of the Philippines in 1964 and his Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Chicago in 1970. He served UP in various capacities, as secretary of the university, secretary of the Board of Regents, vice president for academic affairs, while teaching English, comparative literature and creative writing. Abad co-founded the Philippine Literary Arts Council (PLAC), which published Caracoa, a poetry journal in English.
Among his many books of poetry and critical essays are Fugitive Emphasis (1973), his first book of poetry; In Another Light (poems and critical essays, 1976); A Formal Approach to Lyric Poetry (critical theory, 1978); The Space Between (poems and critical essays, 1985); Poems and Parables (1988); Index to Filipino Poetry in English, 1905-1950 (with Edna Zapanta Manlapaz, 1988) and State of Play (letter-essays and parables, 1990). He edited landmark anthologies of Filipino poetry in English, among them Man of Earth (1989), A Native Clearing (1993) and A Habit of Shores: Filipino Poetry and Verse from English, ’60s to the ’90s (1999).
The work for he has been cited is In Ordinary Time: Poems, Parables, Poetics (2004), his own selection of his poems and parables from 1973 to 2003. Ten each of these are arranged under six themes which suggest, generally, a possible terrain of signification: Things (“each thing’s special signature”), Words (“not meaning but meaningfulness”), Self (“the imagination, the self’s primary activity, creates our humanity”), Love (“the self’s deepest moral sense”).
Country (“what one’s imagination owes its allegiance to”), and God (“every person’s imagination’s Word”).
“A poetics of the word” runs through a number of poems and parables, and ends with the poet’s essay, “What for Me a Poem Is,” an essential poetics of finding one’s own path through language and making one’s own clearing there.
The Premio Feronia was established 16 years ago by the Associazione Culturale Allegorein and gives awards in four categories: poetry, narrative, criticism and a special award to a foreign author.
Previous winners of the prize include Gunter Grass, John Coetzee, Leroi Jones, Gao Xingjian, Kunwar Narain, Ismail Kadare and Yvonne Vera.
KATRINA ELAINE ALBA and KATRINA LOUISE FRANCISCO, GMANews.TV Article posted May 12, 2009 - 09:50 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Four Philippine schools have made it to the Top 200 Asian Universities list of the Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd. (QS.com) for 2009.
Leading the Philippine schools was the University of the Philippines (UP), which shared No. 63 spot with Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee of India, Osaka City University of Japan and Universitas Gadjah Mada of Indonesia.
De La Salle University (DLSU) was 76th, Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) was 84th, while the University of Santo Tomas (UST) shared 144th spot with Nanjing Agricultural University of China.
Japan had the most number of schools in the list at 58, including 10 in the top 20 ranks.
South Korea was next with 46 universities, of which three were in the top 20, while China had 39, including two in the top 20.
Taiwan had 15; India, 11; Thailand and Indonesia had 8 each; and Malaysia, 6.
Hong Kong also had only six, but four were in the top 20, three of which occupied the 1st, 2nd and 4th slots.
Singapore had only two universities in the list, but both were in the top 20 slots.
Occupying the Top 10 slots were:
1. University of Hong Kong; 2. Chinese University of Hong Kong; 3. University of Tokyo (Japan); 4. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HK); 5. Kyoto University (Japan); 6. Osaka University (Japan); 7. KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (South Korea); 8. Seoul National University, South Korea; 9. Tokyo Institute of Technology (Japan); 10. National University of Singapore (NUS) Singapore and Peking University (China).
Results of the first QS.com survey was officially released on Tuesday.
Managing Director Nunzio Quacquarelli said the results of the Asian University Rankings focus on regionally relevant measures of excellence, with the top performing universities distinguished not only by quality, but also by high productivity of research, compared to their regional peers.
While the Philippine universities were way below the rankings, QS Managing Director Nunzio Quacquarelli had this to say: “Philippines universities have performed well, with high recruiter review scores. These results make study in the Philippines an attractive option for international students studying abroad,"
Quacquarelli said QS based the first ever top Asian universities list on regionally relevant measures of excellence, selecting schools noted not only for quality, but also for high research productivity compared to the institution’s regional peers.
The ranking of Asian universities used to be done yearly by Asiaweek, a Hong Kong-based English newsmagazine, which folded up in December 2001 due to a downturn in advertising revenues.
Subject rankings
When it came to the 2009 Asian university subject rankings, University of the Philippines (UP) rose to the 12th spot under Arts and Humanities, while ADMU, DSLU, and UST got the 19th, 44th, and 55th slots respectively.
Under Life Sciences and Biomedicine, UP was 47th, ADMU was 52nd, DSLU was 79th, and UST was 85th.
The Social Sciences list placed UP as 22nd, ADMU as 28th, DSLU as 51st, and UST as 75th.
In subjects under Information Technology & Engineering, UP ranked 63rd, ADMU was 64th, and DSLU was 79th.
Under Natural Sciences, ADMU took the 24th spot, UP got the 32nd, UST got the 94th, while DSLU placed 97th.
The THE-QS 2008 world’s top 500 universities rankings had raised eyebrows when ADMU overran other Philippine schools in the top 500 list by rising from somewhere between 401st and 500th in 2007 to 254th, edging out UP which ranked 398th in 2007 and fell to 276th the next year.
DLSU and UST ranked 415th and 470th respectively.
UP officials earlier doubted the survey’s credibility, since the organizers refused to disclose where it acquired the data used, thus making the methodology “problematic."
Officials also revealed the “business side" of the survey where QS sold its various services to help universities improve rankings.
On the other hand, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) refused to comment on the rankings, pointing out that Chairman Emmanuel Angeles, who also presides over the UP Board of Regents, was out of the country.
QS research chief Ben Sowter said “the advantage of regional rankings is in the richer picture we can create when comparing universities at a regional rather than global level, through the inclusion of additional factors."
Sowter added that the shift to a regional focus proved to be significant, “The position of institutions in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore was to be expected, but the stronger performance of South Korean institutions in contrast to the world rankings suggests a strength known in the region that has yet to be fully acknowledged globally."
QS.com, which conducted the Times Higher Education-QS University Rankings, is the world’s leading information specialist in the higher education sector. – GMANews.TV
Home-tested specialties By Jose Wendell Capili Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 22:20:00 04/29/2009
MANILA, Philippines – Michele Pantoja tells me she had no plans of going into the food business at all. She had studied marketing and was doing public relations, events planning and marketing for a large group of companies in the retail industry.
But when her mother suddenly passed away two years ago, she didn’t give it a second thought. It seemed only natural that she should pick up where her mother had left off.
So 4th Street Kitchen continues to provide home-tested cooking to its devoted clients.
Michele’s mom, Tita Marie (the late Marie Vita-Pantoja), slipped into the business almost effortlessly. She had been in the garments business and had dabbled in real estate, but cooking had always been something she enjoyed.
When she decided to establish 4th Street Kitchen, she was actually picking up from where her mother-in-law, Ester Lerma-Pantoja, had left off.
Ester was a pioneer, one of the country’s first women journalists in the ’30s and ’40s, and she had passed on to her daughters the determination to be career women. But when they got married and she realized that they knew nothing about keeping house, she decided to set up an unconventional type of school that would help other young women like them.
Thus was Heart and Hearth born in the early ’70s, in the same sprawling New Manila bungalow which now houses 4th Street Kitchen. Heart and Hearth was originally just “a four-week workshop for brides and brides-to-be,” a crash course in the rudiments of cooking (including menu planning, going to market and preparing basic dishes), sewing, making a household budget, infant care, basic home decorating, etc. Eventually it expanded to include social graces (etiquette, entertaining), good grooming, even weaving and jewelry making, and other subjects.
Family recipes When Marie set up her catering business, she realized that even as she was applying what she had learned in culinary school, when planning her menus, she was reaching back to the traditional dishes that her mother-in-law had been serving, using recipes which had been in the family for generations.
Michele says that today, when she sits down at her mother’s desk to fill clients’ orders—whether they be traditional fare (like lengua con setas and paella valenciana, inihaw na liempo and kare-kare) or Asian fusion which was what 4th Street Kitchen has come to be best known for (Vietnamese pomelo and shrimp salad and Thai chicken pandan with mango chutney)—she feels her mom and her lola hovering over her shoulder and smiling at her.
Michele’s personal style—which is reflected in the way she runs the business—is suited to the fast-paced urban lifestyle and the multi-tasking modern young men and women. But she is also continuing a long-established tradition. She does both full catering and food orders.
My own preference is for the Asian Fusion menu, but I’m exploring the Continental, Philippine and Mediterranean as well.
Check out 4th Street Kitchen at http://4thstreetkitchen2008.multiply.com and on Facebook.
May 1, Friday Santiago (1970) Synopsis : Gonzalo was ordered to blow-up a building which was suspected of being a Japanese cache. But he soon finds that the building also housed a number of Filipino civilians, including women and children. He ends up killing all except on girl who he brings to a nearby village. Starring : Fernando Poe, Jr., Dante Rivera, Boots Anson-Roa, Hilda Koronel, Jay Ilagan, Caridad Sanchez, Mildred Ortega, Mary Walter, Ruben Rustia, Lorli Villanueva, Joonee Gamboa, Mario O'Hara Running Time : 123mins.
May 2, Saturday P/X (1982) Synopsis : The story begins with Graves, an American soldier stationed in the Philippines, and Lydia, a Filipina, meeting up and relationship begins. Unfortunately, Graves accidentally kills a young boy while on duty at the American base, and the boy happens to be the little brother of Lydia’s former lover, Sidro, who is a hit man for the top mobster Gomez. Starring: Hilda Koronel, Philip Salvador, Leonard Urso Running Time : 98 mins.
May 4, Monday Palipat-Lipat, Papalit-Palit / Keep On Changing, Keep On Moving (1982) Synopsis : A workaholic career girl unconsciously neglects relationship with her husband. Only to find out, her husband won't be able to give what she needs most. Starring : Dina Bonnevie, Cristopher de Leon, Mark Gil Running : 97 mins.
May 5, Tuesday Pasan Ko ang Daigdig / I Carry the World (1987) Synopsis : Lupe Velez carries the weight of the world in her shoulders. At a young age, she begs around the busy streets of Manila while carrying her crippled mother on her back. Still, Lupe is determined in working hard to live her dream of a better life. Starring : Sharon Cuneta, Tonton Gutierrez, Loretta Marquez, Rey “PJ” Abellana, Mark Gil, Princess Punzalan, Mario Montenegro, Anita Linda, Raoul Aragon, Deborah Sun, Mari-len Martinez, Jimmy Reyes, Joey Luna, Estrella Antonio, Bebot Davao Running time : 130 mins.
May 6, Wednesday Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita / I will Rise and Crush You (1989) Synopsis : Salve is a loving wife to Alfred, an aspiring politician. However, Alfred meets Via and they both set to pursue a political career since Via is from a powerful political family. As they plan a scheme to get rid of Salve, she survives the carnage and takes revenge. Starring : Sharon Cuneta, Cristopher de Leon, Hilda Koronel, Bembol Roco, Mona Lisa, Ruben Rustia, Tom Olivar, William Lorenzo, Tony Tacorda, Jimmy Reyes, Pocholo Montes, Gina Perez, Fred Capulong, Jose Jardinazo, Nanding Josef Running time : 100 mins.
May 7, Thursday Lucia (1992) Synopsis : In a fishing village in Bataan, a tanker caused an oil spill. The oil threatens not just the marine life but the existence of the entire community. Many villagers left the community soon after. Lucia and her family decided to stay in the village but the social forces at play are too strong and Lucia is powerless to stop the disintegration of her family as they are forced into the slums of Manila. Starring : Gina Alajar, Elvira Baldomero, Suzette Ranillo, Lolita Rodriguez Running time : 90 mins.
May 8, Friday Hayop sa Hayop / Beast to Beast (1978) Synopsis : Benjie, Andrew, and Alicia plotted a bank robbery with a wild escape. Benjie and Andrew, leaders of the gang, decided to escape from the authorities with Alicia carrying a large sum of money. Since the incident was all over the papers, they had to cross even the devil’s highway than to surrender and face the death sentence. Starring : Bembol Roco, Hilda Koronel, Phillip Salvador, Paquito Diaz Running time : 98 mins.
May 9, Saturday Kontrobersyal / Controversial (1981) Synopsis : Blinded by the bright lights of show business and sugar-coated promises offered by producer Mers Madsen, Carina Daluz walked toward the path to stardom. Things turned around when her stardom compromised her sanity, corrupted her soul, and stole her innocence. Starring : Gina Alajar, Charo Santos, Philip Salvador Running Time : 115 mins.
May 11, Monday Gumapang Ka sa Lusak / Dirty Affair (1990) Synopsis : The Mayor of Manila has been keeping an affair with a formerly famous local movie star for years. Although his wife has been aware of the secret affair, she went along as long as it didn’t threaten her cushy and powerful position. However, the mayor is coming up for re-election and he’s threatened that his little secret is about to become public property. Starring: Dina Bonnevie, Cristopher de Leon, Eddie Garcia, Charo Santos, Bembol Roco, Allan Paule, Francis Magalona, William Lorenzo, Perla Bautista, Anita Linda, Lucita Soriano, Timmy Diwa Running Time: 115 mins.
May 12, Tuesday Tubog sa Ginto / Dipped in Gold (1971) Synopsis : Tubog sa Ginto is a story of a gay man living in the 70s Manila. He’s married to a beautiful wife and fathers a young man. Almost living a perfect life of financial stability and beautiful family, he is terrified of being outed. Starring : Eddie Garcia, Mario O'Hara, Lolita Rodriguez, Marissa Delgado, Jay Ilagan, Hilda Koronel, Luis Gonzales, Jimmy Morato, Veronica Palileo, Joonee Gamboa, Joe Avelino, Lorli Villanueva Running Time : 122 mins.
May 13, Wednesday Cain & Abel (1982) Synopsis : Ellis and Lorens are quarrelling brothers set to inherit their large ranch from an overbearing mother. Ellis, the older brother, is womanizer who fathers the offspring resulted from his seductions with various housemaids, while remaining married to his wife. The younger brother, Lorens, is also married but he is not as prodigal as his older brother. Events plot to get each brother involved in gangs and threaten their future as it may be shorter than their mother’s. Starring : Cristopher de Leon, Phillip Salvador, Cecile Castillo, Gloria Guinto Running Time : 109 mins.
May 14, Thursday Miguelito, Ang Batang Rebelde / Miguelito, The Rebel Boy (1985) Synopsis : Miguelito “Mike” Herera lives a happy go lucky life. However, his father, Mayor Ven Herera, is preparing his only soon to be his predecessor. Mike’s mother, Auring, has just come out of jail and swore to take her son back. To find the truth, Mike asked his parents about who is his real mother but they refuse to tell the truth. Starring : Aga Muhlach, Nida Blanca, Eddie Garcia, Gloria Romero, Gretchen Barretto, Lisa Lorena, Nadia Montenegro Running Time : 116 mins.
May 15, Friday Ina, Kapatid, Anak / Mother, Sister, Daughter (1979) Synopsis : Pura returns to her hometown to see her ailing father. She is reunited with her half-sister Emilia, who seduced her boyfriend 20 years ago. Her visit opens up old wounds and revives the sibling rivalry between the two. Starring : Charito Solis, Lolita Rodriquez, Rio Locsin, Ric Rodrigo, Laurice Guillen, Raul Aragon, Lorli Villanueva, Manny Ojeda Running Time : 93 mins.
May 16, Saturday Macho Dancer (1989) Synopsis : Pol is a probinsyano who travels to Manila after his gay American GI lover leaves the Philippines. After taking a job as a dancer he quickly becomes a male prostitute in order to survive. He meets Noel, his new roommate, who’s looking for his sister missing in Manila. Pol and Noel short change a corrupt cop on some drug money in hopes of rescuing Noel’s sister from the brothel. Starring : Allan Paule, Daniel Fernando, Jaclyn Rose, Princess Punzalan, William Lorenzo, Timothy Diwa, Angelo Miguel, Johnny Vicar, Lucita Soriano, Joel Lamangan, Bobby Sano, Charlie Catalla Running Time : 133 mins.
May 18, Monday Stardoom (1971) Synopsis : Movie about the movies. An ambitious smother pushes her youngest son into a tragic career in show business. Her son soon decides that he must not be associated with his illiterate mother for fear that his humble and humiliating background be exposed. Starring : Mario O'Hara, Lolita Rodriguez, Eddie Garcia, Caridad Sanchez, Jimmy Morato, Joonee Gamboa, Hilda Koronel, Walter Navarro, Lotis Key, Celeste Legaspi, Tita Muñoz Running Time : 145 mins.
May 19, Tuesday Ina Ka ng Anak Mo / You’re the Mother of Your Child (1979) Synopsis : The story portrays the everyday life of Renata and her daughter Ester, who is married to Luis. Unfortunately, Ester and her mother get into a heated argument resulting to Renata feeling emotional about it. She then confides to Luis about her problems, which results to one night of passionate union. Starring : Nora Aunor, Lolita Rodriguez, Raul Aragon, Lorli Villanueva Running Time : 97 mins.
May 20, Wednesday Angela Markado (1980) Synopsis : The story Angela revolves around a woman named Angela Delmar who, one night, fell into the hands of five men who took turns in raping her. After raping her, each man tattooed her on her back before selling her to a brothel, from which she later on escaped. Upon returning home, she discovered that her friend also suffered the same fate and vowed to take revenge on the men who violated her. Starring : Hilda Koronel, Johnny Delgado, Celia Rodriquez, Rez Cortez, Ruel Vernal, Tonio Gutierrez, Dave Brodett, Raul Aragon, Archie Adamos, Menggie Cobarrubias, Ely Roque Running Time : 100 mins.
May 21, Thursday Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa / Three, Two, One (1974) Synopsis : Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa contains three separate stories. The first one deals with drug addiction in the slums, another deal with a poor mother trying to raise a GI baby, and the last one concerns a spinster who is burdened with a mother to care for. Starring : Anita Linda, Mario O'Hara, Lolita Rodriguez, Hilda Koronel, Jay Ilagan, Mary Walter, Perla Bautista, Bembol Roco, Socrates Topacio, Roger Mariscal, Rolly Papasin, Laurice Guillen Running Time : 129 mins.
May 22, Friday Ang Tatay Kong Nanay / My Father is My Mother (1978) Synopsis : Coring is a gay beautician whose companion Dennis left him for a bar hostess, Mariana. One year later, Dennis comes to his doorstep to deposit a baby boy, presumably his and Mariana’s lovechild. Starring : Philip Salvador, Dolphy, Niño Muhlach, Phillip Salvador Running time : 115 mins.
May 23, Saturday Jaguar (1979) Synopsis : Poldo becomes a security guard in a posh apartment house to help support his family. Trouble arises after he saves resident Sonny from a corrupt nightclub owner’s attack. Soon after Sonny offers Poldo a job to be his bodyguard, Poldo realizes that his new employer publishes porno magazines and just as corrupt as his attacker. Not long after that, Poldo accidentally tangles himself in gang wars and violence. Starring : Philip Salvador, Amy Austria, Menggie Cobarrubias, Anita Linda, Johnny Delgado, Sonny Gaston, Mario Escudero, Jimmy Santos, Jose Cunanan, Fred Param, Nonoy de Guzman, Eddie Gicoso Running time : 123 mins.
May 25, Monday Orapronobis (1989) Synopsis : A social activist is finally released from prison after the fall of the Marcos regime. Unfortunately, ultra-conservative death squads terrorize the island. The activist decides to team up with a radical priest to stop the vengeful vigilantes. Starring : Philip Salvador, Dina Bonnevie, Gina Alajar, Bembol Roco, Ginnie Sobrino, Abbo de la Cruz, Pen Medina, Joel Lamangan, Gerard Bernschein, Ernie Zarate, Jess Ramos, Obby Castaneda Running time : 94 mins.
May 26, Tuesday Bona (1989) Synopsis : Bona is a middle-class schoolgirl who falls in love with an older gigolo. She waits for him while he pursues other women as he assumes he can dump Bona when he’s tired of her. But meek little Bona responds to this arrogance with hell-hath-no-fury violence. Starring : Nora Aunor, Philip Salvador, Rustica Carpio, Venchito Galvez, Marissa Delgado, Nanding Josef, Spanky Manikan, Raquel Montesa Running time : 90 mins.
May 27, Wednesday Bayan Ko : Kapit sa Patalim / My Country : In Desperate Straits (1985) Synopsis : Arturo and his wife, Luz, is both working in a printing press, After Luz becomes pregnant, Aruro asked for a raise in exchange of signing a waiver that he is not part of any Labor Union. Soon after, his friends invited him to a labor union but he refuses; causing his colleagues to treat him as a traitor. When the printing press closed down, Arturo pursued a life of crime just to pay for the medical fees in the hospital where Luz is confined. Starring : Phillip Salvador, Gina Alajar, Claudia Zobel, Raoul Aragon, Rez Cortez, Venchito Galves, Aristo Reyes, Jr., Lorli Villanueva, Gloria Guinto, Lucita Soriano, Joe Taruc, PETA Kalinangan Ensemble, Tanya Shpilevoy, Nomer Son, Bongchi Miraflor, Jess de la Paz, Paquito Diaz, Mona Lisa Running time : 108 mins.
May 28, Thursday Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang / Weighed But Found Wanting (1974) Synopsis : The story of a deranged woman, wanders about in dirty clothes and with mangy hair. Bertong Ketong, a leper, attracts Kuala and takes her to his shack in the cemetery. Junior makes friends with the two, defying his father’s demand to stay away from them. Starring : Cristopher de Leon, Lolita Rodriquez, Eddie Garcia, Lorli Villanueva, Mario O'Hara, Lilia Dizon, Joonee Gamboa, Ernie Zarate, Hilda Koronel, Bey Vito, Laurice Guillen, Jerry O'Hara Running time : 120 mins.
May 29, Friday Insiang (1976) Synopsis : Insiang washes clothing for a living while enduring harassment by her mother. When she is raped by her mother’s lover, she plans on a subtle course of revenge. Starring : Hilda Koronel, Mona Lisa, Rez Cortez, Ruel Vernal, Marlon Ramirez, Nina Lorenzo, Mely Mallari, Carpi Asturias, George Atutubo, Eddie Pagayon, Joe Jardi, Danny Posadas Running time : 95 mins.
May 30, Friday Maynila : Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanang / Manila : In the Claws of Light (1975) Synopsis : Julio is a probinciano who has lost track of his childhood sweetheart Ligaya in the busy streets of Manila. In a major quest, he enters the sprawling metropolis in order to find her. Starring : Hilda Koronel, Lou Salvador, Tommy Abuel Running time : 123 mins.
university of the philippines emeritus professor of speech and drama alejandro jimenez casambre (bse, u.p. diliman, 1949; m.a. speech, ohio state university, 1953; phd speech communication, ohio state university, 1962) passed away yesterday, 12 april 2009 (easter sunday).
he taught the following courses in u.p. diliman: rhetoric, public address, language and ethics, listening, and quantitative research.
he is lying in state at the resurrection chapel, claret school, u.p. village, quezon city.
university of the philippines college of arts and letters dean's office in 1983 (l-r): cora villarivera, assistant to the dean (later dean)/speech communication professor josefina angeles agravante, dean/spanish professor pablo botor, associate dean alejandro casambre and cory villagracia
Due to Philippines claim over the Spratly Islands which China also claims, a Chinese writer by the name of Chip Tsao published a story in the HK Magazine of the Asia City Publishing Group, calling the Philippines a "nation of servants".
Here is the article by Chip in HK Magazine:
The War at Home By Chip Tsao
The Russians sank a Hong Kong freighter last month, killing the seven Chinese seamen onboard. We can live with that-—Lenin and Stalin were once the ideological mentors of all Chinese people. The Japanese planted a flag on Diàoyú Island. That's no big problem-—we Hong Kong Chinese love Japanese cartoons, Hello Kitty, and shopping in Shinjuku, let alone our round-the-clock obsession with karaoke.
But hold on-—even the Filipinos? Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: There are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as US$3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.
As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell everyone of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.
Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 hours a day. With that money, she would pay taxes to her Government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings.
Oh yes. The Government of the Philippines would certainly be wrong if they think we Chinese are prepared to swallow their insult and sit back and lose a Falkland Islands War in the Far East. They may have Barack Obama and the hawkish American military behind them, but we have a hostage in each of our homes in the Mid-Levels or higher. Some of my friends told me they have already declared a state of emergency at home. Their maids have been made to shout 'China, Madam/Sir' loudly whenever they hear the word "Spratly". They say the indoctrination is working as wonderfully as when we used to shout, "Long live Chairman Mao!" at the sight of a portrait of our Great Leader during the Cultural Revolution. I’m not sure if that's going a bit too far, at least for the time being.
We Filipinos are peace-loving people and we don't allow our emotions to get the better of things. Most of all, we have too much class that we will not stoop down the level of Chip Tsao.
The day will come that all of us will become servants to the one and only true master, our Lord Jesus Christ.
MARK UBALDE, GMANews.TV Article posted March 30, 2009 - 11:20 PM
MANILA, Philippines - Chip Tsao would go down in the short-term memory of Filipinos, along with Malu Fernandez and the Desperate Housewives slur as one who demeaned hardworking and often harshly treated Filipinos working abroad.
His comment triggered an uproar in the Philippines, with one lawmaker urging Filipinos to boycott Hong Kong for a year.
It took three days for the publishers and editors of HK Magazine to say sorry for the “politically incorrect" column it ran last March 27 following calls from Manila for an apology.
The infamous column by the “best-selling author" called the Philippines nation of servants and even threatened a Filipino maid of being fired should the Philippines finally take over the disputed Spratly Islands.
Asia City Publishing House, HK Magazine's publisher, with office at 301 Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road in Hong Kong, issued the statement on Monday:
"The publisher and editors of HK Magazine wish to apologize unreservedly for any offense that may have been caused by Chip Tsao’s column dated March 27. HK Magazine has long championed the rights of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. We note that Filipinos have often been unfairly treated in Hong Kong, and that they make an important contribution to this community."
The column had disappeared from the magazine’s Web site as of posting time.
Despite admitting that Tsao’s column was offensive, the publishing company defended that the column was satirical and could be read “in different ways."
“One aspect of satire is that it can be read in different ways. In this particular case, many people have read meanings into this column that were never actually intended."
Tsao wrote in his March 27 column for the HK Magazine that the Philippines has no right to lord over the disputed Spratly Islands because it is "a nation of servants" who shouldn’t “flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter."
China has a long-standing claim over the islands, which lie at the South China Sea.
’Chip’/Cheap shot
A non-government organization assisting migrant Filipino workers on Sunday scored Tsao for his “satirical" tirade on the Philippines.
Former Labor Undersecretary Susan Ople, head of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, said Chip Tsao should be blacklisted as an “undesirable foreign employer" for allegedly using his Filipino house maid as “pawn" in the Spratlys controversy.
This, Ople said, “is already a sign of an unstable, irresponsible and racist employer who resorts to verbal abuse for perceived bilateral and historic infractions."
Ople asked the Philippine Consulate, particularly its Office of the Labor Attaché, to look into the work conditions of “Luisa," the Filipino maid, as she expressed personal concern for her safety and health.
“Luisa deserves a sane and more humane employer while he [Tsao] deserves to clean up his own filth," Ople said.
Soon after, Filipino lawmakers sounded the alarm over the racist column.
In a telephone interview with GMANews.TV on Monday, Foreign Affairs committee chair Cebu City Rep. Antonio Cuenco said he would ask the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to lodge a protest.
"That comment is uncalled for, it's atrocious. We should protest vigorously against this slur against Filipino workers in Hong Kong," Cuenco said.
Likewise, senior deputy minority leader and Parañaque City Rep. Roilo Golez said the DFA should lodge a formal protest over the incident.
In a text message to reporters, Golez also proposed a six-month boycott against Hong Kong by not traveling to the place and not purchasing its products.
"If Filipinos stop going to Hong Kong, their economy would collapse. I propose a six-month, nay a one-year boycott of Hong Kong and let's see what happens to their shops and hotels. We can do without going to HK and HK products," Golez said.
The lawmaker also slammed Tsao by saying "he does not know there are many Hong Kong and multinational companies where key management positions are held by Filipinos."
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) tried to douse the flames by saying that Tsao does not represent the entire Chinese population.
"It's the view of one person and we don't think it is shared by the Hong Kong community and society.... I think we ought to take it as that," DFA spokesperson Ed Malaya said in an interview on radio dzBB.
This was echoed by Center for Migration Advocacy head Ellen Sana: “Will you dignify this? He is not a representative of the Chinese people, not even the Hong Kong-Chinese people."
Nevertheless, Sana disapproved the government turning a deaf ear on the issue, especially since it puts the entire country in a bad light.
“The government should always react, especially since the Philippines is being branded as a nation of maids," she said.
This is not the first time such clamor was heard from Filipinos. Sana recalled that back in the early ‘90s Filipinos protested the inclusion of the term “maid" as an encyclopedia definition of ‘Filipinas.’
“We protested so it didn’t push through," she said.
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde called the article "reprehensible," but said Malacañang will still look into the issue to decide on its response.
Not the first time
Although his name has yet to ring a bell with Filipinos prior to his maid-country remark, this is not Tsao’s first brush with controversy.
In 2005, the columnist drew the ire of Chinese women in Hong Kong over his column entitled, “Have Hong Kong girls stopped looking for Mr White?" where the former BBC reporter described the Caucasian men or “gweilos" left behind by the British “had no choice but to move to dorms on Lamma Island or to rent stone houses that people in Sai Kung used to house pigs."
Tsao warned local women to veer away from these gweilos unless they opted for a one-night stand in a small flat with "a guy who was muscular but did not last long in bed."
"In this day and age you have to be careful when choosing a gweilo. They no longer have cars or property. You might end up stepping on a penniless landmine. It's too much to sacrifice for a passport," he added.
Tsao told the Sunday Morning Post shortly after a public outcry of his column that his article merely reflected his personal observations and those of his friends.
"Hong Kong used to be an international city and English was important. But now we are just like the mainland. We talk about loving the motherland. In today's atmosphere dating a gweilo is like selling out your country," he was quoted in the report as saying.
Despite his magnet for controversy, the HK Magazine did not fire the fiery columnist.
Sana said this could have been a strategy to keep the magazine’s readership. But Luis Teodoro, editor-in-chief of the Philippine Journalism Review and a well respected print columnist, said Tsao clearly violated many ethical standards.
“The paper should police their writers, don’t they have standards?" he told GMANews.TV in an interview.
According to Teodoro, Tsao had an obvious bias and was chauvinistic in his stand on the Spratly issue.
“He should just stop being a journalist, stop calling himself a journalist," Teodoro said.
Teodoro said the current controversy is similar to the Malu Fernandez issue two years ago.
In 2007, the self-confessed diva narrated how she would rather “slash" her wrists than be “trapped in a plane" with any Filipino overseas worker.
“On my way back, I had to bravely take the economy flight once more," Fernandez wrote. “This time I had already resigned myself to being trapped like a sardine in a sardine can with all these OFWs smelling of AXE and Charlie cologne while Jo Malone evaporated into thin air," she said, referring to her expensive perfume brand.
A month after the magazine article was published, Fernandez wrote another column, titled, “Am I being a diva? Or do you lack common sense?" in the Manila Standard Today to answer the negative feedback generated by her first opinion piece.
But instead of pacifying the public, her response further irked the OFW and other sectors. Ultimately, after much pressure from bloggers all over the globe, Fernandez resigned from the magazine. She was re-hired later on.
Teodoro said both Tsao and Fernandez were guilty of being unethical by committing lapses in judgment and making sweeping generalizations.
But Sana said in both cases, the publications must be made accountable for letting their writers’ columns pass without a scratch.
“There should be responsibility of the papers as well," she said. - GMANews.TV
Manila has just claimed sovereignty over the scattered rocks in the South China Sea called the Spratly Islands, complete with a blatant threat from its congress to send gunboats to the South China Sea to defend the islands from China if necessary. This is beyond reproach. The reason: There are more than 130,000 Filipina maids working as US$3,580-a-month cheap labor in Hong Kong. As a nation of servants, you don't flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter.
As a patriotic Chinese man, the news has made my blood boil. I summoned Louisa, my domestic assistant who holds a degree in international politics from the University of Manila, hung a map on the wall, and gave her a harsh lecture. I sternly warned her that if she wants her wages increased next year, she had better tell everyone of her compatriots in Statue Square on Sunday that the entirety of the Spratly Islands belongs to China.
Grimly, I told her that if war breaks out between the Philippines and China, I would have to end her employment and send her straight home, because I would not risk the crime of treason for sponsoring an enemy of the state by paying her to wash my toilet and clean my windows 16 taxes hours a day. With that money, she would pay to her Government, and they would fund a navy to invade our motherland and deeply hurt my feelings. - For full article click this link
MANILA, Philippines - Following calls from Manila for an apology, the Hong Kong based-magazine that ran a column demeaning the Philippines as a country of "slaves" has said sorry for the "politically incorrect column."
Asia City Publishing House, HK Magazine's publisher, with office at 301 Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road in Hong Kong, issued the statement three days after the controversial column came out.
"The publisher and editors of HK Magazine wish to apologize unreservedly for any offense that may have been caused by Chip Tsao’s column dated March 27," the statement read.
"HK Magazine has long championed the rights of Filipinos working in Hong Kong. We note that Filipinos have often been unfairly treated in Hong Kong, and that they make an important contribution to this community," it added.
Despite admitting that Tsao’s column was offensive, the publishing company defended that the column was satirical and could be read “in different ways."
“One aspect of satire is that it can be read in different ways. In this particular case, many people have read meanings into this column that were never actually intended."
Deputy Consul General Kira Danganan earlier demanded an apology from Tsao who had insulted more than 127,000 Filipinos working in Hong Kong as domestic helpers.
“While Mr. Tsao may have intended his column to be a piece of satire, he has miserably miscalculated in this endeavor," Danganan said in a statement on Monday. “Mr. Tsao and Asia Publishing owe the Filipino community in HK a formal apology for the grave disrespect they have shown."
Tsao wrote in his March 27 column for the HK Magazine that the Philippines has no right to lord over the disputed Spratly Islands because it is "a nation of servants" who shouldn’t “ flex your muscles at your master, from whom you earn most of your bread and butter."
China has a long-standing claim over the islands which lie at the South China Sea. - with Mark Joseph Ubalde, GMANews.TV
