...the Taiwan literary awardee

Filipino factory worker to receive second literary award

Chen Cheng-wei and William YenFocus Taiwan

28 September 2019

Taipei, Sept. 28 (CNA) Filipino factory worker Melinda Babaran will collect her second award at the Taiwan Literature Award for Migrants Sunday following her win at last year's awards.

Melinda Babaran / Photo courtesy of Taiwan Literature Award for Migrants

Babaran will be presented with the Choice Award at the 6th Taiwan Literature Award for Migrants award ceremony for a poem titled "Kapirasong Papel," which is written from a man's perspective about facing his wife who has been having an affair while working abroad.

The inspiration for "Kapirasong Papel" came about one day when she was in her dormitory and heard a woman scream at her husband on the telephone because he was having an affair while the woman was working abroad in Taiwan, Babaran said.

But when she started composing the article, she changed the story to the wife committing the affair while overseas, while the husband was at home looking after their family and children, Babaran said.

Babaran said she got the inspiration from her father, who did not betray the marriage and instead concentrated on taking care of the children while her mother was working overseas.

The part in "Kapirasong Papel" that touched her the most was that when the husband discovers his wife's affair, he is on the verge of losing control, but eventually calms down when he hears his child's voice, Babaran said.

Babaran, who lives in Taoyuan, works in a semiconductor factory and has been in Taiwan for 12 years.

Prior to this year's award, Babaran won the Jury Award at the 5th Taiwan Literature Award for Migrants in 2018 for an article titled "Latay sa Laman," in which she expresses her love for her father.

The award ceremony for the 6th Taiwan Literature Award for Migrants will be held Sunday at the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area in Chiayi County.

The awards saw a total of 680 submissions this year and had a total of eight prize winners in nine categories.

...the Singaporean food experience

Singaporean writes book on Filipino food

By Tonette Orejas
Inquirer Central Luzon

 April 1st, 2014

 

PHILIPPINE CUISINE AUTHOR. Singaporean Bryan Koh , 30, has written a three-volume book, “Milk Pig and Violet Gold (Philippine Cookery),” that is arranged according to the three main island groups Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. His inspiration in compiling recipes from Aparri town to Zamboanga City were his Filipino nannies who cooked “pinakbet,” “adobo,” “sinigang” and other Philippine dishes for his family when he was a young boy. PHOTOS BY E.I. REYMOND T. OREJAS/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

ANGELES CITY, Philippines—On Saturday night when Singaporean Bryan Koh launched his book, “Milk Pigs and Violet Gold (Philippine Cookery),” Filipinos, including heritage-food chef Lilian Borromeo, were profuse with thanks.

Their gratitude to the 30-year-old Singaporean was well placed.

Koh must have been the first foreigner to produce a wide compilation of recipes painstakingly gathered from local cooks through meals in public markets, restaurants, carinderia (eateries), cafés and private kitchens from Aparri town in the northern tip of Luzon mainland to Zamboanga City in Mindanao.

Accompanying the recipes were good photographs, light accounts and a helpful glossary and index.

“It’s an authentic snapshot of Filipino cuisine,” Koh told the Inquirer, speaking of his three-volume book that is arranged according to the three main islands of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

It was copublished by Holy Angel University’s Center for Kapampangan Studies (CKS).

Koh remains humble even as his output of four years helps the world’s culinary community understand Filipino food.

“I did not want to come across as an authority. I’m on a journey. I’m just a scribe,” said Koh, a mathematics major from National University of Singapore, the same university where the idea for a Southeast Asian cookbook cropped up before he took up Master of Management in Hospitality at Cornell-Nanyang Institute.

The book’s title comes from what he calls two icons: the lechon de leche (roasted suckling pig) and ube (purple yam).

Inspired by nannies

Koh’s curiosity, later passion, for Filipino food was ignited by his Filipino nannies, Lydia Baltazar of La Union province and Evelyn Mendoza of Laguna province.

“This goes way back, from my yayas (nannies),” he said.

He was 2 years old when Baltazar worked for the Koh household beginning in 1986. She made adobo, sinigang and pinakbet weekly fares, he remembered.

Koh said Baltazar left in 1997 when she reached her 50s and moved to her relatives in Canada.

Mendoza cooked the same meals and introduced more fish dishes as she worked from 1997 until she left for Russia in 2009.

“They were two of the best cooks in the household. It’s a different experience when the cooking comes with care and love. I was fortunate to be exposed to such food,” Koh said.

He said he was grateful to his nannies because they allowed him to cook with them. “They gave me the foundations,” he said.

He honored them by relating how they cooked the family’s favorite meals.

It was when he took an assignment, as a freelance journalist, that he encountered The Farm, a place for wellness in San Benito in Lipa City in Batangas province, in 2008.



“After eating their raw food, I was completely riveted,” Koh said.

That was when he decided that he would write a Southeast Asian cookbook by starting with the Philippines “by learning more, going into the unexplored [cuisine] that few cookbooks pursued and understanding why Philippine food is misunderstood.”

Koh is a patient researcher, said retired advertising creative director Alex Castro.
‘Dinuguan’

“Two years ago, I got an e-mail signed ‘K. Bryan’ who asked for my mom’s recipe for tidtad (dinuguan or blood stew), which had two kinds of blood. He found this out from Ajinomoto’s book, ‘Pinoy Umami on Mekeni’s Meals,’” Castro said.

This, he said, began their friendship.

“[Koh] got around from the kindness of total strangers,” Castro said, pointing out that many Filipinos helped Koh complete his adventure.

 

Robby Tantingco, CKS executive director, said Koh documented the way the late Doreen Fernandez, Ana Besa and Claude Tayag did.

“Thanks for celebrating our cuisine,” Tantingco told Koh.

“He’s no more a stranger to the culinary delights of our country,” Castro said.


 

...the world's top ebook users

Filipinos among top users of world's largest ebook community

            

 philstar.com

January 30, 2014

 

 

 

MANILA, Philippines - Filipinos are the second biggest users of the world's biggest online reading and storytelling platform Wattpad, according to latest data from social media monitor SocialBakers.

Seven million Filipinos visit Wattpad every month, coming second behind Americans and ahead of users from United Kingdom, Vietnam, Canada, Australia, Turkey, India, Germany and Spain.

There are currently 300,000 completed stories coming from Filipinos and the number is growing by 10 percent per month. Twenty-three percent of Wattpad's Android traffic also comes from the Philippines, and when a Filipino user joins Wattpad, 50 of their Facebook friends are already on Wattpad.

Wattpad also said out of the eight users who have more than 100,000 followers, five are Filipinos. The most popular Wattpad user with more than 225,000 followers is a Filipino writer Denny who goes by the Wattpad identity 'HaveYouSeenThisGirL.'

Wattpad co-founder and chief executive officer Allan Lau said HaveYouSeenThisGirL’s Wattpad story, 'The Diary of An Ugly Girl,' is poised to become the Philippines’ best-selling book this year.

Lau said among all genres on Wattpad, Filipinos gravitate toward fan fiction, and celebrity fictions on K-pop and the popular local celebrity tandem of Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo are the most written, read and shared of this genre among the young Filipinos.

“Filipinos are definitely a force to reckon with in social media, including Wattpad’s community. We see higher internet connectivity, smartphone and tablet penetration to drive this growth further,” said Lau, “We hope to be able to enrich the reading experience of more Filipinos and discover and launch more Filipino writers in the years to come.”

 

...the Pinay poet

Filipina poet recognized abroad

 

 

Manila Bulletin

15 June 2013

Caroline Nazareno, Ceri Naz to her friends and followers, is a poet, journalist, public speaker, linguist and educator. She was invited as a featured poet at Vancouver Word On The Street and World Poetry Canada and International. She was likewise an active participant in Poetry Reading at World Poetry Night Out New Westminster, in British Columbia, Canada.

 

 

 

 

Two years ago, World Poetry Canada and International (WPCI) honored Ceri Naz with the "Certificate of Appreciation for the International Peace Festival 2011". WCPI was founded by Ariadne Sawyer, a distinguished published poet and author whose advocacy of promoting world peace through poetry has fostered brotherhood among peoples of all colors, creeds, and races. In the same year, Poetry Around The Globe, an organization headed by Lucia Gorea, Ph.D., an award-winning poet, widely published writer, literary translator and English/ESL professor, presented Ceri Naz with the "Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Poetry" as a World Poet.

World Poetry Canada and International Peace Festival 2013, a prestigious gathering of poets from across all continents, adjudged her "World Poetry Empowered Poet 2013".

Graduating cum laude with the degree of Bachelor of Elementary Education, major in General Science, at Pangasinan State University, Ceri Naz pursued higher studies in journalism, public speaking and leadership. She earned her postgraduate studies in Administration and Supervision at Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, gained her creative writing workshops and trainings at University of the Philippines-Diliman, and storytelling at Philippine Normal University in coordination with the Philippine National Library. She has been a member of Division of Quezon City Schools Press and School Paper Advisers Association.

At Glendale, California, Ceri Naz was co-anchor of Manny Calpito's Hulahok and OTUSA.TV, an internet television. As co-founder of Doc PenPen B. Takipsilim's "2011 "i" Inspire The World Friendship Poetry Event" held in Cloud 9, Antipolo City, Ceri Naz was instrumental in the success of said event.

On 2012, her stirring poem, "where peace can be", was published at the New York-based blogsite of well-known poet, Romeo Dela Valle, and on March 2013 the same poem saw print on World Poetry E-Anthology.

Her poem, "pandora escapes unto my hands", so impressed Haris Adhikari, editor of Misty Mountain Review, an e-magazine based in Nepal, that the latter featured it on May 2012. Another poem, "the song my heart sings", invited the attention of the publisher of KIRAZ HABERTRAK Magazine, the cultural oasis of elite Turkish poets, writers, filmmakers, musicians, and art lovers, and published it on its July 2011 issue.

At the "Leaders & Writers Convergence 2013, Boracay", an event for practising and wannabe writers, Ceri Naz was one of the resource speakers. Currently, she writes for the Philippine Canadian Inquirer, Manila Bulletin and Philippine Star.

 

...the Peter Pan awardee

Filipino children’s book wins Peter Pan Prize

By MST Lifestyle
Posted on Apr. 14, 2013

Adarna House recently announced that the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Sweden has awarded this year’s Peter Pan Prize to Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu!, written by Nanoy Rafael with illustrations by Sergio Bumatay III. The Swedish version was published by Bokförlaget Trasten.

The IBBY Sweden’s citation said that “The Filipino picture book Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu! represents a part of the world not often seen in Swedish publishing for children. The theme, however, is universal: a child getting a younger sibling. The boy Isko’s anxiety about the changes he suspects will take place in his family is expressed by the recurrent cry of ‘Naku, nakuu, nakuuu!’ (roughly ‘My, my, oh my!’).

The illustrations mirror the main character’s apprehension, and visualize his fears in an imaginative and detailed way. Through a changing palette of colours the pictures follow Isko’s mood from anxious bewilderment to the harmonious final page.Here, the mask which Isko has worn throughout the book has been removed, and he seems to have grown into his role of soon-to-be older brother.”

According to their IBBY Sweden website, the Peter Pan Prize was established in 2000 by IBBY Sweden and the Göteborg Book Fair. The prize is awarded annually to a book for children or young adults of high quality in both literary and subject terms, satisfying one or more of the following criteria: by an author previously unpublished or little known in Sweden; from a country, language group or culture with limited representation in Sweden; with content concerning children or young adults in less familiar countries and cultures less familiar to Swedish readers.

Adarna House added that the Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu! has won many awards including: the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) Silver Anniversary Salanga and Alcala Prizes in 2008 for the story and illustrations, and the Encouragement Prize for the 2008 Noma Concours for Children’s Picture Book Illustrations. In 2012, Metrobank Foundation’s Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators chose the book as part of the National Book Development Board’s list of Highly Recommended Supplementary Materials.

Last year’s winner of the Peter Pan Prize was While We Were Out by Ho Baek Lee, and The Arrival by Shaun Tan in 2011.

 

...the cover designer

Pinoy finds 'Purpose' by designing cover of best-selling US book

 

ANDREI MEDINA,

GMA News

June 19, 2012

 

 

 

A 25-year-old Filipino graphic designer in Davao City — Brian Montes — bagged the top prize of a design contest for the cover of the re-issued best-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life" by Christian pastor Rick Warren.

The contest, conducted by talent outsourcing site 99designs, aimed to give the best seller a well-deserved revamp.

Montes received the $3500 (PHP 148,160) cash award for his design, which will be used as the cover of Warren's book.

In an email to GMA News Online, Garrett Sussman, marketing coordinator of  99designs based in San Francisco in the United States, said: “'The Purpose Driven Life' has sold more than 32 million copies around the world."

The book was named as part of the top 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. 

"...For its 10th anniversary in the fall, Warren decided to hold a cover redesign contest on 99designs," he explained.

One of the leading sites of its kind, 99designs is an online marketplace for graphic design work and currently has around 160,000 members.

 

Montes joined 99designs under the screen name ianskey  in 2010 where he focuses in book cover, magazine cover and logo design work with the aim of honing his designing skills.

 

In an email correspondence with 99designs, Montes shared his reason for joining the contest.

 

“The prize amount, of course, got my attention! But I also felt a special connection to the contest. I’m a Christian, and my church held a series of “40 days of purpose” sermons using 'The Purpose Driven Life' as a guide,” he said.

 

“The book inspired me to strengthen my principles in life, so designing a cover for the new edition was personally a very meaningful opportunity for me,” he added.

 

He also humbly admitted that this was his largest earnings so far.

 

“It’s the most I’ve ever received for a project, and I plan to use it to help start my own design business and help my church,” he said.

 

“It’s exciting to think my cover design may be seen in bookstores worldwide and could help Rick Warren’s messages touch more lives. And, of course, I hope it indeed proves eye-catching to a new generation of readers!” he said.
 

The book cover of Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" was designed by Filipino graphic designer Brian Montes. Garrett Sussman

Not just a new cover

The release date of its updated edition “What on Earth Am I Here For? The Purpose Driven Life” is yet to be announced but is expected this year.

 

It will include four additional chapters written by Warren.

 

Aside from a new cover, the bestseller also had its title rearranged to “What on Earth Am I Here For? The Purpose Driven Life” to attract new readers, Zondervan Publishing said.

In an article on the news site Christian Post, Zondervan marketing executive Rich Tatum said, "Some of the titles that appealed to us most were the ones where the title and the subtitle seemed to kind of be a dialogue, a question and answer."

 

The Christian Post said Montes’ success wasn’t just due to his talent, citing that two of the final five entries were submitted by the Filipino designer.

Tatum described Montes as amazing for "his persistence in coming up with different concepts."

 

Tatum also noted how Montes "felt that God had given him the inspiration for the final cover that was picked."

Montes' design features a tree with 40 leaves.

 

Tatum found the 40 leaves a "nice touch" because the book had exactly 40 chapters.

 

However, Montes said he was not even aware that the leaves he drew came up to exactly 40. - VVP, GMA News

...the best magazines in the world

Cebu Pacific magazine among world's best

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 05/09/2012

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – The in-flight magazine of budget carrier Cebu Pacific is among the world’s best airline magazines, according to travel website CNNGo.

 

Cebu Pacific’s magazine, Smile, created by Singapore’s Ink Publishing, was ranked No. 7 in the list, which was released on Wednesday.

“Smile proves in-flights don’t need to pretend to be Esquire or The Economist -- just to capture the spirit of the places they serve,” CNNGo said of the magazine, which earned top marks for its capsule city guides that include slang and breakfast tips from locals.

CNNGo, which called the magazine “a chipper little underdog,” admitted it was surprised that Smile made the cut, but said its “youthful (and authentically Filipino) charm won us over.”

“No great prose, but zest for adventure prevails. In a recent issue, a phrase-based Vietnam guide, a two-woman Southeast Asia travelogue and an alluring snapshot of Cebuano cuisine all had us reaching for our passports,” it said, adding that the magazine is perfect for “fresh-faced backpackers.”

Cebu Pacific is known for its frequent promotions, with air tickets going for as low as one peso (before taxes and other charges are included).

However, CNNGo criticized the airline magazine for its layout, which it said “smacks of a U.S. teen magazine.”




Top pick

The travel website of the global news giant picked Air Canada’s En Route as the world’s best airline magazine.

“An almost ridiculously tricked-out version of the in-flight concept, Air Canada’s mag is oversized, beautifully designed, generally well written and essentially snickering at the competition,” it said of the Canadian magazine.

Open Skies of Emirates (“Savvy, graphic, editorially ambitious and giving every impression of oozing cash, this very Brit-inflected mag wings around most of the competition”) second, while KiaOra of Air New Zealand (“Fun, energetic, colorful with an element of cheek”) was third.

The other magazines that made the Top 12 list are: Sky of the U.S. carrier Delta Airlines, Indwe by SA Express of South Africa, Voyager of the U.K. airline British Midland International, Qantas The Australian Way, KLM’s Holland Herald, Lufthansa Magazin, Go of the U.S. carrier AirTran and Ryanair Magazine

...the Southeast Asian writer's awardee

UP Diliman professor honored in Asian awards in Thailand

 

March 5, 2012

GMA News

 

 

A University of the Philippines (UP) professor — Romulo Baquiran Jr. — was recently honored along with seven other writers at the "33rd Southeast Asian Writers (SEA) Awards" in Bangkok, Thailand.

According to a news release of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the award was presented on February 16 to Baquiran and seven other writers from Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The awardees were selected by their own peers in each of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

Baquiran was chosen by the Writers Union of the Philippines, headed by National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario.

SEA Writers Awards

The SEA Writers Awards was organized in 1979 to honor the Southeast Asian region's creative literary talents.
 
Thai Queen Sirikit presided over the first award presentation ceremony in 1979 until 1983.  

In 1984, Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn took over in presiding the awards ceremony.
 
For this year's event, the award was bestowed by Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana on behalf of her father, the Crown Prince.

Baquiran's accomplishments

Baquiran is an assistant professor at the College of Arts and Letters of UP, Diliman, Quezon City.

The DFA noted that Baquiran has already published two poetry collections:

• "Mga Tula ng Paglusong (Journey Poems)," and
• "Onyx-and a collection of personal essays-Sagad sa Buto (Felt to the Bones)."

The DFA said most of Baquiran's poems won prizes at the Palanca Memorial Award for Literature, a prestigious and popular literary contest in the Philippines.

In 2010, he won a Palanca award for his poetry collection "Parokya" (Village).
 
Baquiran also won the Best Poetry title in the 2004 National Book Award given by the Manila Critics Circle.
 
Meanwhile he also edited the following works:

• "ASEANO: An Anthology of Poems from Southeast Asia," and
• "Urbana and Felisa," a book of essays, which merited a National Book Award nomination in 1996.

 
Aside from poetry writing and teaching, Baquiran also writes film reviews and articles for national dailies.

He is also active in creative writing workshops in and outside the academe.

Other Pinoy SEA awardees

Meanwhile, the DFA noted that several other Philippine writers and poets have received the SEA award, including:

• Nick Joaquin (1980)
• Edilberto Tiempo (1983)
• Virginia Moreno (1984)
• Ricaredo Demetillo (1985)
• Bienvenido Santos (1987)
• Virgilio Almario (1988)
• Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil (1990)
• Dr. Isagani Cruz (1991)
• Dr. Alejandro Roces (1997)
• Felice Prudente Sta. Maria (2001).

 
On the other hand, the list of distinguished writers who have addressed previous SEA awards ceremonies were:
 

• Gore Vidal (1982)
• Sir Peter Ustinov (1987)
• Lord Jeffrey Archer (1993)
• Lord David Puttnam (1999)
• 2001 Nobel Prize Winner in Literature Sir Vidiadhar Surajprasad Naipaul (2000)
• 2010 Nobel Prize Winner in Literature Mr. Mario Vargas Llosa (2002).

- VVP, GMA News

...the comic men

See how Pinoys invaded US comics in the docu 'Illustrated By'

 

By CARMELA G. LAPEÑA,

GMA News February 23, 2012

 

 

You'd be hard-pressed to find a Filipino who doesn't know Superman, Batman, the X-Men and Spider-Man. After all, these superheroes are popular even beyond the comics world they inhabit. They're everywhere—on television, in movies, and merchandise from action figures to underwear.

 

These comic book characters have definitely influenced Pinoys, but few are aware that the influence goes both ways. 

 

Thinking it would be fascinating for audiences to discover just how great an impact Filipinos had on the comics industry, comics fan and aspiring filmmaker Levi Marcelo was inspired to create a documentary on Pinoys whose works were published in American comics.

 

"Superman, Batman, the X-Men, Spider-Man—almost everyone is at least familiar with them, but not many know that Filipinos have drawn the exploits of these and other characters going on several decades now. I think exploring this topic would be a source of great pride for all Filipinos," says Marcelo.

 

It all began in 2005, when Marcelo was working for an OFW newspaper, where she was assigned to write an article on Pinoy comic book artists who were published by big companies like Marvel and DC. "For me, a Pinoy breaking through to work in American comics is the equivalent of a local filmmaker directing a big budget Hollywood film," says Marcelo, who was excited by the opportunity.

 

She got to speak with star artists Leinil Yu and Gerry Alanguilan, and was particularly inspired by Alanguilan's enthusiasm and respect toward the previous generation of artists that originally broke through in the early 70's.

 

"I thought the phenomena of Filipinos being a constant presence in US comics, from the 70's continuing up to today, would make for a fascinating and eye-opening subject for a documentary," says Marcelo, who got to work on her project when it was selected in the Film Development Council of the Philippines' Sineng Pambansa competition.

 

With Alanguilan as co-producer, Marcelo put the film together, featuring artists who have been published abroad, preferably for major companies. She notes that Alanguilan's Philippine Comics Art Museum website has been an integral resource in educating the public on the accomplishments of Filipino comics artists. 

 

The Pinoy comics scene from the 70s onward

 

In her documentary called "Illustrated By," Marcelo follows the evolution of the Pinoy comics scene, from the boom in the 70’s to the creation process of comic books today. She focuses on 12 artists, all of whom currently reside in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Marcelo says she would have wanted to include more artists, like Alex Niño and Whilce Portacio, however the project's scope was limited by budget and time constraints.

 

She interviews legendary comics artists about their lives and experiences working abroad, showcases their artwork, briefly explores the significance of comics in Pinoy culture and history, as well as an in-depth demonstration of the construction and process of creating a modern comic book utilizing the latest techniques and technology.

 

Marcelo shares that she would often be star-struck in the presence of the artists, and worries about missing out on important information or resource persons to interview. On the other hand, working on "Illustrated By" has given her the wonderful opportunity of getting to see the artists work on sketches and actual, soon-to-be-published pages, as well as listening to them explain their craft.

 

"Many of them are somewhat private and would rather have their art speak for themselves, so I greatly appreciate them taking the time to be involved, as well as for their openness, especially in letting my crew invade their homes and work spaces," says Marcelo.

 

The film is currently still in production, but as of now Marcelo lists artists behind comics like "Superman", "Spider-Man", "Star Wars", "Hulk", and "Conan".

 

"Illustrated By" will feature:

• Tony DeZuniga ("Jonah Hex", "Black Orchid"),
• Abe Ocampo ("House of Mystery", "Ghost"),
• Jun Lofamia ("Vampirella", "Black Dynamite"),
• Alfredo Alcala Jr. (father drew "Swamp Thing", "Conan"),
• Gerry Alanguilan ("Superman", "Spider-Man"),
• Harvey Tolibao ("Star Wars", "Green Arrow"),
• Carlo Pagulayan ("Hulk", "Elektra"),
• Wilson Tortosa ("Battle of the Planets"),
• Gilbert Monsanto ("Bayan Knights"),
• Boboy Yonzon ("100 Years of Philippine Komiks and Cartoons"),
• Budjette Tan ("Trese"), and
• Dennis Villegas ("Kenkoy Komiks" collection).

 

"We hope to add a few more names in the next couple of weeks or so, ranging from veteran and modern artists, to informed fans and commentators," she says.

 

Marcelo initially envisioned it as a one-man DIY project, but after being chosen in the Sineng Pambansa competition, the documentary will be premiered in Davao City in June. There will also be screenings in FDCP cinematheques and other venues all over the country. –KG, GMA News

...the freshwater

Fil-Am helps provide fresh drinking water for children in Africa

 

ROSE-AN JESSICA DIOQUINO,

GMA News

February 16, 2012

 

 

By mixing business with social advocacy, a young Filipino-American helps provide fresh drinking water to children in Africa by managing an online writing service.

Ralph Hoffarber, who earned a degree in business administration from the University of Oregon in 2010, is the co-founder of ThirstyTalent.com.

Both in their twenties, Hoffarber and his partner, Kwame Essieh produce resumes, web content, and sales letters for a fee.

“A lot of young professionals struggle with words so we’d like to be their alternative whenever possible,” Hoffarber noted.

ThirstyTalent partnered with GlobalWater.org, to children in Africa, where the lack of safe drinking water is a major problem.

Every writing service accomplished by the ThirstyTalent team gives “at least one gallon of clean purified water… to a child in need,” the website of ThirstyTalent said.

Both ThirstyTalent and GlobalWater are working “to drill wells across rural Africa ensuring safe and easily accessible drinking for a lifetime,” it added. - VVP, GMA News

...the essayist

UP grad wins over P100,000 in intl essay tilt in Japan

January 30, 2012

GMA News

A graduate of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City won Y200,000 (P112,344) for his essay about the vision of a new Japan after last year's devastating magnitude-9 quake and tsunami.

Chiden Balmes won the Prize of Excellence for the Japan Foreign Trade Council Inc. (JFTC) Essay Competition 2011, with his essay topping the 186 entries from 43 countries.

"Balmes was among the top two entries from 186 submissions from 43 countries who joined the essay competition with the theme 'Vision for a New Japan after 3.11,'" the Philippine Embassy in Japan said Monday.

The full text of Balmes’ essay may be accessed at the website of the JFTC.

Balmes topped the 2007 batch of BS Public Administration of the University of the Philippines-Diliman when he graduated magna cum laude.

Balmes is now taking a masters course at the Catholic University of Korea.

The embassy said Balmes’ prize-winning essay earned unanimous praise from JFTC Essay Competition selection committee members for “the clear, structured way in which the author frames his thoughts.”

In his essay, the committee said Balmes “frames his argument by saying that Japan needs to become an ‘innovation superpower’, and compellingly outlines the potential Japan has in three areas: Entrepreneurial Japan; Green Japan; and Global Japan."

The committee also noted Balmes concluded his essay by positioning 3.11 as a major opportunity for Japan to the become the innovation superpower he proposes.

Nicole Brown of Jamaica won the Grand Prize of ¥1 million for her essay titled “Japan v3.11-Reclaiming the Date.”

The awarding ceremonies were held last Jan. 6 in Tokyo, with Balmes being feted for his essay “The Making of New Innovative Japan: Road Map to Great Recovery.”

JFTC was founded in June 1947 as a core private-sector organization in the area of international trade.

It has a nationwide membership of private companies and organizations such as trading companies and organizations, manufacturers, financial institutions, shipping companies, and other companies and organizations with interests in international trade. - VVP, GMA News

...the Olympics of Debate host

Top students of the world converge in Manila for the ‘Olympics of Debate’

INQUIRER.net

Tuesday, December 27th, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—Over 1,000 students from 224 universities in 41 nations have converged in Manila to participate in a nine-day competition that will determine the world’s best debaters.

The event, the 32^nd World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC or Worlds), is hosted by De La Salle University and San Miguel Corporation, starts Tuesday (Dec. 27, 2011) and end Jan. 4, 2012.

Referred to as the “Olympics of Debating’’, the event will have nine elimination rounds to determine, from the 400 registered teams, the top 32 teams which will advance to the penultimate rounds in the British Parliamentary format.

There are separate categories for Public Speaking, English as a Second Language (ESL), and English as a Foreign Language (for countries whose nationals do not usually use English as medium of conversation).

Top judges and debaters in the world, to be headed by DLSU alumna Lucinda Teresa David and Cambridge alumnus debater Sam Block, will be flown in just for the tournament. Five more top debaters and judges representing the different regions will comprise the Adjudication Core to be assisted by La Salle Debate Society’s Julian Bautista and Kurt Gerard See.

In a statement, the organizers said the tournament is not just about debating as participants will be treated to nine nights of various social events aimed at discussion of social issues and cultural exchange. These social events will allow the participants not only to build ties with their contemporaries but also time to unwind after gruelling debates in the morning.

Tuesday and Wednesday have been reserved for registration and briefings. The official debate rounds start on Thursday, Dec. 29.

The elimination rounds will be held in De La Salle University, and the grand finals will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center on Jan. 3, 2012, and will be telecast live over NBN 4.

..the UNESCO essay winner

Filipino wins (Goi Peace Foundation essay contest)

By ELLSON A. QUISMORIO

December 14, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — A 20-year-old nursing student from the Philippines won the top prize in the youth category of the Goi Peace Foundation and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization sponsored International Essay Contest for Young People, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.


Dan Erwin Cruz Bagaporo, senior Nursing student from the University of Sto. Tomas, was given the Ministry of Education award as the top prize. The awarding ceremonies took place in Tokyo last November 19.


In his winning essay titled "Pride in Profession," Bagaporo cited how his volunteer experience in a retirement home in the Philippines helped instill his pride as a nursing student, reinvigorate him in becoming more active in the Red Cross and medical missions, and kindle his interest in research and geriatrics after graduation, among other things.


Bagaporo's victory marked the second time that a Filipino won the youth category of the international essay contest. In 2007, Anna Rose Elicaño won with her essay titled "Amplifying Peace Across Borders."

...the Imprisoned Artist prize finalist

Filipino is finalist in 2011 Imprisoned Artists Prize


By Pablo A. Tariman
The Philippine Star
November 21, 2011

Former UP Collegian editor Ericson Acosta in the Calbayog sub-provincial jail in Western, Samar is visited by only son Emmanuel last Oct. 29| Zoom

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino political prisoner Ericson Acosta — former editor of the UP Collegian and a detainee for 10 months now at the Calbayog, Samar sub-provincial jail — is one of the three finalists in the prestigious 2011 Imprisoned Artist Prize in the Freedom to Create Award Festival in Cape Town, South Africa. Winners were announced yesterday, Nov. 20, at an awards ceremony and concert at the stunning Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens in South Africa.

The finalists in the Main and Artist in Prison categories were chosen out of more than 2,000 nominees from 145 countries by a select jury that included Hollywood actress and filmmaker Daryl Hannah, novelist Salman Rushdie and ballet icon Mikhail Baryshnikov, among others.

The other two finalists are musician Win Maw of Burma and filmmaker Dhondup Wanchen of Tibet.

Win Maw was imprisoned for seven years under emergency regulations from 1996 to 2002 for performing as lead guitarist in the rock group Shwe Thansin, one of Burma’s top bands of the 1990s. He wrote songs in support of Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 1997. He was released from Taunggoo prison in November 2002, but his music remained banned and can only be listened to through exiled broadcasters and online soundfile networks.

Detained filmmaker Dhondup Wanchen of Tibet made a film titled Leaving Fear Behind which has been screened in more than 30 countries worldwide and translated into five languages, including Chinese. The worldwide campaign for his release continues.

Cover of CD recordings of the compositions of Ericson

The finalists for 2011 Freedom to Create Main Prize are Ayat Al-Gormezi (Bahrain), a 20-year-old poet and student at the Faculty of Teachers in Bahrain, who was put on trial for merely expressing her opinion peacefully and openly; Sister Fa (Senegal), one of the most widely recognized female rap artists in Senegal, who has devoted her life’s work to raising awareness on the dangers of female genital mutilation, a practice in theory outlawed by the state but which continues across Africa; and Ramy Essam (Egypt) who spent 18 days in Tahrir Square writing music and performing songs to motivate the protesters, suffering threats and attacks from the military police, but refusing to leave until Mubarak’s regime collapsed.

The Imprisoned Artist Prize is one of the awards given by Freedom to Create, an international award-giving body launched in 2008 to “celebrate the courage and creativity of artists and the positive influence of their work to promote social justice and inspire the human spirit.”

The prize — according to the Freedom To Create website — is given to artists who are incarcerated “because of their courage and creativity in pursuing their art, and the role of their work in highlighting injustice.”

One winner will be awarded $25,000, which will then be utilized in securing the artist’s release and advocacies and campaigns for his or her freedom.

Acosta is an artist, journalist and cultural worker who was arrested by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Feb. 13, 2011 in Barangay Bay-ang, San Jorge, Samar province in the Eastern Visayan region. He faces trumped-up charges of illegal possession of explosives and is currently detained at the Calbayog City sub-provincial jail.

The UP activist’s counsel has filed a Petition for Review of his case before the Philippine government’s Department of Justice (DOJ) last Sept. 1.

Even in jail, Acosta continues to make his art and music heard despite and in spite of the most pressing of circumstances. A raw recording dubbed Prison Sessions featuring Acosta singing his original compositions in jail instantly enjoyed thousands of hits and followers online. He also maintains an online journal, Jailhouse Blog.

Acosta’s supporters — among them National Artists for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and F. Sionil Jose, Philippine Center of International PEN (Poets & Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists), Concerned Artists of the Philippines, University of the Philippines National Writers Workshop fellows, filmmaker Joel Lamangan and Carlitos Siguion Reyna and actors Nanding Josef and Bibeth Orteza — have called on DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima to immediately withdraw fabricated complaints against Acosta.

Launched in 2008, the Freedom to Create Prize is a celebration of the courage and creativity of artists, and the positive influence of their work to promote social justice and inspire the human spirit. The Prize is open to all forms of art, in any creative field and to any individual or group of any gender, religion or nationality.

...the novel that becomes tourism pitch

Pinay's hit int'l novel promotes Boracay

 

08/17/2011

GMA News

A new hit fiction novel by Filipino author Samantha Sotto is turning out to be a tourism pitch for world-famous Boracay Island in Western Visayas.

In a call on the Philippine Embassy to Washington, Sotto said that while her novel "Before Ever After" is set in Europe, Boracay figured prominently the story.

"She informed Philippine ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. that] while the setting of her novel is Europe, the famous island resort of Boracay in the Philippines is an important location in the story," the Philippine Embassy to Washington D.C. said in a news release.

"My being Filipino was definitely a plus. My living overseas was not an issue at all with my publisher," added Sotto, who lives in the Philippines.

Also, she said there are no barriers to Filipino talent and one of her goals in being an author is to raise awareness about the Philippines.

Sotto's fiction novel is published by the prestigious Random House, and was released last August 2. She is the second Filipino after National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose to have her work published by Random House.

"Before Ever After" is a love story that defies the boundaries of time and space. Sotto wrote it at a coffee shop while waiting for her son to get off from school. It is her first work.

For his part, Cuisia expressed pride at Sotto's achievement and urged her to continue with her good work to showcase Filipino talent not just in the US but in many parts of the world, the embassy said.

Sotto said she is already working on a second book. She said she is "80 percent done" with the second book and will be back in the US in October for more promotional events. — KBK, GMA News

...the King Sejong Literary awardee

Tagum City wins 2011 UNESCO literacy award August 15, 2011 Philippine star

MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Tagum City Literacy Coordinating Council as one of the winners of this year’s King Sejong Literacy Prize. The program was cited for its Peace Management Literacy and Continuing Education through Night Market Program. It used peace education activities, literacy teaching, and business entrepreneurship to generate employment for the marginalized sector.  Education Secretary Armin Luistro cited the award showed how literacy can empower people, saying “At the end of the day, literacy gives everyone a fighting chance to a better life.” City Mayor Rey Uy introduced the program, which gave small and medium entrepreneurs the opportunity to sustain their businesses in accordance with an ordinance on the revised code of economic enterprise of the city. The ordinance offered a functional literacy program for the vendors which included lessons on values formation, literacy, health awareness, financial literacy and management, solid waste management and peace education. “One of the most visible effects of these literacy initiatives is that many people visit the night market and roam the city streets without fearing for their lives,” said Uy.

...the novelist Sparks Manila-bound

Nicholas Sparks to visit PHL

By MAUREEN MARIE BELMONTE

August 15, 2011

Manila Bulletin

 

Celebrated novelist Nicholas Sparks tweets in Filipino (Photo courtesy of his Twitter account)

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino fans of “A Walk to Remember” author Nicholas Sparks have a reason to rejoice with his announcement of a forthcoming trip to the Philippines.

“I don't know where my events are, but I'll be in the Philippines on Oct. 27-28th ... and yes, I'll be signing,” posted Sparks on his official Twitter account (@SparksNicholas).

This revelation came after a series of tweets on the various languages that he said that he’s “still learning.”

 

“I'm better at the ‘latin’ languages (spanish, italian, portugese, romanian, french) and okay at northern European languages (German, Dutch).

“I'm not saying I'm fluent ... but I can get around and talk to people in those countries ... with effort on both our parts,” he said.

The novelist of Christian faith, love, tragedy and fate themes mentioned that, “Aside from a bit of Tagalog, my Asian language skills are non-existent. And I'm poor at Arabic (not even good) ... but I like the language.”

However, he did try his hand at composing a message in Filipino, “Aking tiyahin ay mula sa Maynila. Siya itinuro sa akin,” he wrote, which he translated for his non-Filipino followers to mean: “I tried to say that my aunt is from Manila ...she used to talk to me and taught me to say some stuff.”

Having learned the language on his own, he recounted, “My aunt ... she didn't set out to teach me. I just listened to her talk to her mom and her sisters ...”

And being a self-taught Filipino of sort, Sparks wished for his followers “not to be mean.”

“I know I get lots of stuff wrong ... and please, if I see you in Manila, talk slow so I can understand you ... I'm no expert ...” he said.

Sparks is the author of 16 published novels. Six have already been adapted to film, namely the Kevin Costner starrer “Message in a Bottle,” Mandy Moore and Shane West’s film “A Walk to Remember,” and the Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams’ film “The Notebook,” the Richard Gere and Diane Lane starrer “Nights in Rodanthe,” Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried’s “Dear John” and, most recently, Miley Cryus and Liam Hemsworth's “The Last Song.”

While two of his upcoming novels are in various stages of development, the film adaptation of “The Lucky One,” starring Zac Efron, is expected to be released in March or April of 2012. His other novel, "Safe Haven," is expected to begin filming by October, according to his website.

...the novelist

Social media boosts Pinay's maiden novel

08/13/2011

GMA News

 

Filipina author Samantha Sotto has credited social media for the success of her debut novel, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

“Ms. Sotto expressed to the Philippine Consul General in New York, Mario de Leon Jr., how her book ‘suddenly exploded’ in just a few weeks because of the power of social media," the DFA said in a statement.

Sotto gave De Leon a copy of her novel, “Before Ever After," which was launched Aug. 2 by Crown Publishing Group/Random House Inc., according to the DFA.

Sotto is the first Filipina novelist to be published by Crown Publishing Group/Random House Inc.

The DFA said the book has only been released in hard copy and in electronic book (e-book) versions for only a few days. Yet, the public response has already surpassed the publisher’s expectations, it added.

“In terms of page views and website traffic, the video trailer of the book posted on Random House’s website ranked second to former US President George Bush’s ‘Decision Points,’ amazing for a debut novelist," the DFA said.

The publisher has received inquiries about the book from markets like Singapore. It shows the scope and depth of support that a “kababayan" can count on from the Filipino diaspora, according to the DFA

The consulate already organized a book reading and signing activity on Friday for Sotto’s novel. — JE/VS, GMA News

...the Pinoy author

Pinay author breaks into US book market

abs-cbnNEWS.com

08/04/2011

 

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino mom Samantha Sotto wrote her first book, Before Ever After, to kill time while waiting for her son to come out of school.

 

After a year, she sent her story to literary agents abroad and eventually got a deal with Random House, one of biggest publishing houses in the world.

Before Ever After was launched in New York last August 2, and is available in North America through Barnes & Noble and across the globe through Amazon and iBooks.

Currently, the book ranks fourth in Amazon's "Hot New Releases in American Literature."

Bestselling authors in the US had nothing but good things to say about Sotto's first book.

"Before Ever After is one of those books that challenges the natural laws of fiction writing, but in a frisky and highly entertaining way," said Anne Fortier, New York Times bestselling author of Juliet.

"Exquisitely written and inventively told, Before Ever After is a beautiful, moving -- and quite fun -- exploration of what you think you know about your own life," said Melissa Senate, bestselling author of See Jane Date, The Love Goddess' Cooking School and other novels.

In an interview with The Philippine Star, Sotto said she is already "80% done" with her second novel.

She gave this advice to aspiring writers who dreams of being published by Random House: "Stop dreaming and pursue what you want. The amount of creative talent in this country is huge and there is absolutely nothing that is stopping us from showing the world what the Filipino can do."

Meanwhile, Sotto will be at the Philippine Consulate in New York on August 12 to sign copies of her first book.

..the Pinoy Comic world

Pinoys' works showcased in biggest Comic Convention

By Joseph Pimentel

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

07/27/2011

SAN DIEGO, California - For the first time in its history, the country's largest Comic Convention (Comic Con) showcased the Filipino artists behind some of the most popular comic books.

A panel called "The Filipino Invasion" featured the following: 

• Toney Dezuniga, "Jonah Hex" creator; 
• Ernie Chan, DC's cover artist in the mid-seventies;
• Alex Nino, former DC and Marvel artist; and, 
• Gerry Alanguilan, this year's Eisner award nominee, whose credits include X-Men and Superman. 

"It’s about time now to start remembering who these people are and their contributions to the world. For decades now, professional Filipino artists have proven that we can do it,” said Whilce Portacio, who writes and illustrates for DC, Marvel and Image. 

A young Filipino American joined his idols at the "Filipino Invasion" panel. 

Patrick Lindo, an honor student at the Sacred Heart High School in New York, was flown in by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Lindo's left leg was partly amputated to remove a cancerous tumor. It was his wish to attend the Comic Con this year.