It Need Not Be A Whole Sentence

Tale as old as time;
true as it can be;
barely even friends;
then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Is there any line with a complete thought?

None.

The first one uses simile. The second alludes to "tale", but doesn't qualify as a full sentence; neither do the succeeding phrases.

Why then, in this song of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, one understands the poetics of its lyrics?

The answer won't even spin your mind. It's because by implication and insinuation, incomplete libretto is able to transcend and communicate message.

“Adamson University: 75 Touchstones At Year 75”

by Raul Agner (with the writer's permission)

Adamson University turned 75 last year. To mark this Diamond Jubilee, it commissioned a four-figure Jubilee sculpture which now graces the main building’s front yard. It also published and launched a coffee table book entitled Adamson University: 75 Touchstones At Year 75 last February 5, 2007.

As the title suggests, the book gathers 75 stories in the University’s 75 years of existence in one sleek and elegant volume. Each is contained in a spread that is laid out with photographs, digital art, and an accompanying write-up. The first for instance, entitled “The Adamopoulos Odyssey,” is an interesting graphic timeline retracing the journey of school founder George Lucas Adamopoulos from Greece, to Australia (where he changed his name to Adamson) and to the Philippines. Another article, “Adamson-Ozanam Educational Institutions 1964,” presents the turnover of Adamson University to the Congregation of the Mission or the Vincentians. It is illustrated with a huge blown-up photo of George Lucas (president for 32 years) and incoming president Fr. Leandro I. Montañana, C.M., the succeeding president, signing documents with two other representatives witnessing. “AddyoU: Branding Adamson,” “The Evolution of the University Seal,” “Art in the Everyday Campus,” and “Campus Cuisine,” are some of the titles of the other articles in the book.

The book is not written as one continuing narrative, but as a collection of easily digestible stories that are separate from yet related to each other. The reader can therefore start reading anywhere he wants. Written by a team of writers that includes Fr. Gregg L Bañaga, Jr., C.M., Fr. Francis Cruz, C.M., Raul D. Agner, Sharleen P. Banzon, Bianca S. Consunji, and Kannika Claudine D. Peña, the writing style hews close to the techniques of creative nonfiction: fresh, playful, concise, and loaded with information and imagery.

Book designer Manny Chaves, who also acted as editor, did the layout and design. Manny came up with a style that approximates the vibrant rhythms of motion graphics and advertising; really very contemporary. Because it is colorful, generous with breathing space, and balanced all throughout, it is not a boring read. Vintage photos from the University Archives provide defining moments and memories of the School. The photographs of Mar Bustamante, At Maculangan, and Fr. Francis Cruz, and the digital art of Ryan Abela illustrate the pages with an unmistakably sharp and discerning eye.

“Adamson University: 75 Touchstones At Year 75” is available at the University’s bookstore.

On Being Passive

Having a neutral face when walking, not smiling back, and minding one's business are not synonymous to being socially unattached--or to put it simply, a snob. People who appears passive are more often than not those who creates beautiful dynamic inside them.

What About Join The Club?

On a Y-Trip Event (also in collaboration with Yabang Pinoy and other groups), Jokefest for the Dateless, a group went to take part in an advocacy project, for a very small amount of pay. The audience, who were mostly yuppies, were at first passive at the sight of young men jumping into a loud starter music. Paolo, the drummer of the band, tried to break the ice by displaying a monotony-breaching talent, which was beatbox-ing.

Though this writer would rather go for subtle melodies, the intent of Paolo was quite moving. That particular act got crowd more attentive, suddenly paying attention to Join the Club's (JTC) very Pinoy sound.

What this writer likes about the group is their dalisay Tagalog song writing.
Seldom does one find a group who uses profound yet apt Tagalog terms for the lyrics. This commendable command and use of our vernacular (language) say a lot about the group's influence, probably in the academe. At contemporary times, a local group (which I think was recently disbanded) Orange and Lemons also has this kind of writing.

Here's a sampling of their(JTC) music's lyrics

Lunes:
Matatangap ba ako, kung magbabalik sa iyo
Sakit ng sinapit ay please 'wag nang magtampo
Wala man akong nagawa nung unang ika'y nawala
Wala sa hinagap na ako'y mabibigo
Wala sa hinagap na ako'y mabibigo

*Hinagap is quite archaic, but apt for the music flow

Nobela:
Sa isang marikit na alaala’y
Pangitaing kay ganda
Sana nga’y pagbigyan
Na ng tadhana
Bawat sandali na lang...

Sumabay sa biglang pagkabahala’t
Lumabis ang pagtataka
Tunay na pagsintang di alintana
Bawat sandali na lang

*The lyrics really felt like a novel essayed like history

Minsan Pa:
Huwag mong pilitin
na limutin
ang damdaming minsan pa
huwag sabihin
na hindi kayang lampasan
huwag mong sabihin sa sarili
kung hindi na tunay pa
panalangin, sana lang may minsan pa

*Persona appears to be in-denial, a narrative of realism of drama

Mahiwaga:

Mahiwaga ka daw?
Balang araw 'wag nang matatanaw
Ang iyong mga galaw
Sinubukang lumayo sa iyo
Ngunit hindi natuto
Biglang may bumulong

*You must read the whole lyrics of this.

A Remarkable Clip on Band Pupil

"Their music spelled urgency in bold letters, and images of the impending Apocalypse invariably sprang to mind whenever Beautiful Machines was spinning. There was a shade of gloom in their overdriven debut material, but the odd thing is, them seem happy--they probably are--and not the adolescent kind of "happy" that involves a lot of jumping and broken china; theirs is the happiness that could be seen in a man curling up eith a good book, nodding in agreement, laughing with thoughtful reserve, knowing he's living in a better world that any two-dimensional J.D Salinger character."

Source: Pupil: From the Classroom to the Wild,, Aldus Santos, Pulp: Issue No.80, October 2007.

What Women Should Be Grateful For

*When one has a not-so-good-to-hear surname, marrying someone with a prominent last name will immediately solve the problem.
*We are the one, most of the time, being pursued (though feminists don't look for such attention. :)
*We are able to conceive a new life.
*Being makwento is quite understandable especially when around girl friends.
*Growing our hair long won't elicit brows raising.
*If you're a boy-magnet, or at least charming to them, expect a lot of chocolates. :)
*Fathers usually are sweeter to daughters.

Gaby Dela Merced on the cover of Bounce Magazine May-June 2008

(Press Release from Bounce Magazine)

Not just once or twice, but thrice! Get ready to be blown away by race car driver Gaby dela Merced on the cover of BOUNCE Magazine’s May-June edition--our massive “Back-to-School Issue.”

Be one with the “Generation Why?” as students have their questions answered in BOUNCE’s newest advice section headed by its resident advice expert and “campus crasher,” Dr. Joms. A guide on getting job requirements is also featured for those fresh graduates out there.

Moreover, our list of schools goes above the meter as we give you a special on the “Philippine’s Most Wanted” leaders. BOUNCE was able to gather 19 student council presidents from different universities to talk about leadership and responsibility. Features on different school publications and a campus gallery on Far Eastern University come along too!

Off-limelight personalities like Jam Millonado (a 4x4 off-road racer from St. Paul Pasig), Noel Ramsical (a lawyer, published poet, and professor from UP Los Baños) and Sherad Sanchez (an indie filmmaker from Ateneo de Manila) are few of the people who share their passions on life and the paths they have chosen to tread on. Whereas, cover girl Gaby dela Merced bares her inspirations of how to be the best at what she does, and what she’s learned along her journey.

This issue also goes nationalistic with two fashion editorials to commemorate the Philippine Independence Day, as well as features on Pinoy sports, local talents like the Out of Body Special, Astrojuan, and the Boys’ Night Out team of Magic 89.9. The FLASH section also explores techie thriftiness with its bargain computer stores and different businesses you can find online.

If you’re in the mood for a last-day summer getaway, check out our Camiguin and Cagayan de Oro combo! On more serious issues, BOUNCE has got an exclusive on the confessions of a student drug pusher and the pains and smiles of migrating to a different continent.

Spending the last days of summer and getting ready for the first day of school couldn’t seem any more exciting than this. Make sure to grab a copy of BOUNCE Magazine’s 3rd issue in stores all over the archipelago! Log on to http://bouncemag.multiply.com for more updates.

SAiTAi Kind of Music Introduced by Sabado Boy's 1st Album

When a solitary moment hits and there's a clamor for subtle touch of soothing music, the first venture of Paolo Santos, Top Suzara, Jimmy Bondoc, Luke Mejares, DJ Myke, and Mike Chan as a group (they are known as Sabado Boys) should be what the senses seek. Dubbed Sabado Boys (The SAiTAi Album) is an ensemble of some of the distinct voices in the local music industry.

Track list includes wide array of songs for the beloved, all revived--"I Just Can't Let Go", "I'll Still Be Loving You", "So Close", "Sharing The Night Together", "Real Thing", "Time Will Reveal", "We'll Never Have To Say Goodbye", "Sweet Baby", "Baby Come Back", "Stay Awake", "Someone", "Alright", "Four Seasons of Loneliness", "Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko", and "Kyrie Eleison"-- given apt melodic rendition with a whisk of contemporary sound, making both the old and new listeners skip a beat whenever one hums with its music.

Lyrics wise, the selections seem to be for the mature crowd. Though an assortment of different narratives, one may pick story and poetry near his/her own experience. Surely then, one will find himself/herself as one of the personas in the songs.

Be serenaded by our local talents; be influenced by tasteful kind of music; Grab a copy now.

Sabado Boys (The SAiTAi Album) is priced at Php 200. *SAiTAi, according and as popularized by the group, is Filipino slang for rehearsal, aka "ensayo tayo".

UP Writers Club Offers Free Workshop

The UP Writers Club is proud to present its Summer Writing Workshop for Young Adults!

The workshop will be held from May 26 to 30, 9a.m. to 5p.m. everyday at the College of Arts and Letters in the University of the Philippines. Participants will get to explore such genres as Sudden Fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Creative Nonfiction/Online Writing, Poetry, and Comic Book Writing/Screenplay Writing.

Registration is open to all high school students aspiring to be great writers.

Please contact 0921 459 0514 (Bernadete) or 0927 443 2092 (Sierra) or visit http://upwritersclub.wordpress.com for registration details.


Source:http://panitikan.com.ph/newsarchive/monthly/may2008.htm#upwc

The 4th Alitaptap Inter-College Storytelling Competition

The National Library and Alitaptap Storytellers Philippines are inviting all college students to join the Fourth Alitaptap Inter-College Storytelling Competition. Interested parties may register beginning June 9 to July 16, 2008.

There will be a workshop for the participants before the start of the elimination round which be on July 25, 2008, 9:00AM-5:00PM at the National Library Auditorium. The final round will be on July 26, 2008, 1:00PM-4:00PM.

The contest is open to all college students enrolled during the competition period.

For registration and details, please contact Percy or Bing at phone nos. 0917-539-2630, 535-4689 or e-mail at alitaptap_storytellers@yahoo.com

Source: panitikan.com.ph

Audition for Blue Jeans

(Press Release from Gantimpala Theater)

Gantimpala Theater, one of the leading dramatic arts companies in the country today and dubbed as the Pearl of Philippine theater, invites the public to two very special engagements as the long hot summer commences – Blue Jeans, the recital production of the Acting in Musical Theater for Teens, Young Adults Batch 2008, and the one-day only audition in line with the company’s thirty first season.

Blue Jeans is a musical play that will present the forthcoming reunion of the Manila Symphony Glee Club. The story begins with fast rising musical composer Glen (Glen Dacumos) and his loving wife Kay (Kay C. Rivera), visiting their alma mater and paying their respects to former teacher and glee club director Professor Atienza (Jayson Alexis Atienza) who is due for retirement.

As Glen walks on the familiar halls of his former campus, he recollects the good old days with much fondness and the friends that made his high school life more memorable namely his gang composed of Marty (Wilmark Oliver Tabio), one of the Bugoys who likes the arrogant stage manager Joanne (Joan Medalla) and Ace (Alfred Urieta), another Bugoy who secretly adores May (Judy May Judit) who belongs to Pink Ladies clique; Jaypee (John Paolo de Jesus), the campus heart throb who has a social climbing girlfriend Karla (Gian Karla Foronda); the horizontally-challenged Chi (Jesella Criselle Manimbo), James (Jhames Patrick Yabot) and Val (Val Christian Andag) who shares a sacred secret; Kyle (Kyle Victor Jose), the nerd who has his first broken heart courtesy of June (Kristine June David) and Ivan (Ivan David Capili), the child musical prodigy.

The play will feature some of the most popular tunes during the decade of the 80’s. Roeder Camañag is the director. Musical Director is Onyl Torres. The performance is slated on May 24, 7:00p.m., at the Open Air Auditorium in Luneta, Manila .

After the recital, Tony Espejo, Artistic Director announces that, “On May 26, from 2:00p.m. until 8:00p.m., Gantimpala Theater signals the start of its 31st season via a one-day-only audition. It will also be held at the Open Air Auditorium Building . The audition is open to all professional and non-professional actors, male and female, ages 18-45, with pleasing personality. We are requesting those who would audition to bring a short profile and two photographs – close up and whole body.”

He reveals, “We will produce eleven (11) plays during the 2008-2009 season. They are – Florante at Laura, Noli Me Tangere, Ibong Adarna and El Filibusterismo, the four classics; J. Dennis Teodosio’s Sleeping Beauty, a new children’s musical based on the Grimm Brothers famous fairy tale; Rolando Tinio’s A Life in the Slums, the fifth season offering of GTF’s National Artist Production Series; and the touring productions of Boni Ilagan’s Katipunan: Mga Anak ng Bayan, William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero’s Forever; and Teodosio’s Ang Pagong at ang Matsing.”

“We hope that you join us as we celebrate our 31st season. Let us enjoy, learn and experience the magic of Philippine theater,” concludes Espejo.

For more information about the audition and Blue Jeans, please call 528-0603/536-5860, or send an SMS to 0921-528-6308 or write to: gantimpalaproduction@yahoo.com.ph.

Mag Watch: May Edition

Starting this month, we'll be posting our magazine sightings in our local stores. We'll be informing you who and what are on cover. These local magazines are on your favorite magazine and newstands.

For the month of May 2008, here are the following cover boys and girls.

Candy: Sam Concepcion
Cosmopolitan: Iza Calzado
FHM: Precious Adona
Good Housekeeping: Vilma Santos
Marie Claire: Carmina Villaruel
Maxim: Angel Locsin
Meg: Angel Locsin
Metro: Gretchen Barreto
OK!: Jennifer Lopez and her twins
People Asia: Lea Salonga
Preview: KC Concepcion
Smart Parenting: Claudine Baretto and Raymart Santiago with kids
Seventeen: Hayden Panettiere
T3: Iwa Moto
Total Girl: Maja Salvador
Town & Country: Mary Anne Arculli
Uno: Milena Krahulcova
Working Mom: Charlene Gonzales
Yes!: Carmina Villaruel and Zoren Legaspi with kids

Engkantadia, Marimar, and Lobo, now on DVD

I recently visited some of our local record bars and department stores to look for some music CDs and spotted DVD releases of local TV series: Engkantadia (GMA7),Marimar (GMA7 too), and Lobo (ABS-CBN2). These are official DVDs from their respective networks and are released just recently. These ones are the same ones you'll see on TV so there's the station's logo and no commercial breaks.

The magical Engkantadia features Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Karylle, Diana Zubiri, Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Richard Gomez, and Dawn Zulueta. Engkantadia DVDs available are volumes 1 to 8, averaging 15 episodes each.

The Thalia-starrer remake Marimar on the other hand is the series that gave Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes their big breaks. Joining them are Katrina Halili, Manilyn Reynes, Nadine Samonte, Michael V (voice only), Richard Gomez (again), and Bing Loyzaga. Marimar DVDs are up to episodes 30 for now. Marimar is up to volume 3 only, averaging 10 episodes.

Both Engkantadia and Marimar costs P225 per disc. Not bad if you ask me. GMA7's Asian Treasure, Angel Locsin's last GMA7 TV series costs P320 per disc. No price drop for that as of now.

Lobo, the newest of the 3 TV series, only have volumes 1 to 2, averaging 9 episodes each, costing P150 per disc. Lobo showcases the Piolo Pascual-Angel Locsin love team, which their partnership started in promoting a watch and a coffee product.

All these DVDs are region-free so you can play it on any DVD player, even on your computers with DVD drives.

So if you missed some episodes of those shows, or if you just want to adore the actors and actresses, check out your local DVD stores. Remember folks, buy the originals only. It helps the people who created those products, not necessarily the artistas but the small people behind it: the PAs, the cameramen, the propsmen, the makeup artists, the writers, and the whole crew.

People are Talking About:

• KC Concepcion's highly anticipated romantic flick with Richard Gutierrez under Star Cinema
• The comeback small-screen performance of Gabby Concepcion in Maalaala Mo Kaya
• The recently shown movie (When Love Begins) of Aga Muchlach with sultry young actress Anne Curtis
• Marian Rivera's raw but deep portrayal of Dyesebel in GMA 7
• The annulment of Monching and estranged wife Lotlot de Leon
• Kim Chu and Gerald Anderson's "My Girl", originally a Korean TV series
• Regine Velasquez to top-bill "Kim Sam Soon"
• Heart Evangelista's transfer to GMA 7, and her timely breakup with hunk boyfriend Jericho Rosales
• Our own Survivor Philippines to be hosted by Paolo Bediones
• Billy Crawford to host the coming season of Pinoy Dream Academy

Yabang Pinoy: Making Filipinos Proud to be Filipinos

“Nations, whose NATIONALISM is destroyed, are subject to ruin.”

- Muammar al_Qaddafi

Thus quoted by Muammar al Qaddafi; but how can we Filipinos save our sense of nationalism from being totally shattered down into pieces?

Count on the Filipino youth to do the mending of our slowly fading spirit of nationalism and the whole country is sure to find its way up again.

The Filipino youth is oftentimes being viewed by the elders and the society in two ways: either as a hope of the nation or as the disgrace in the country. Nonetheless, the youth often gets the latter perception. Blame it to the growing issues on drug addictions, juvenile delinquencies, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, and the out-of-school trend.

But is that really all that the younger generation of the country could offer?

Enter a group of young Filipino people who want to create a difference in the way we think about the Filipino youth and as a nation--the birth of YABANG PINOY.

Yabang Pinoy started out as a thesis of Maricris Sarino for her college paper. Seeing that such a move could actually help create a difference among the Filipino people, she keyed in the idea to her friends Marge Manalaysay and Patrick Joson. And the rest, as they say, is history. Though the three preferred to be anonymous and opted to be tagged as one of the volunteers, still they cannot deny the fact that they were the fires that burned the flame. They undeniably led the way for the other young Filipino entrepreneurs, artists, and product developers who are all ablaze with innate patriotism in their hearts to actually put their unwavering dream for the Philippines to reality.

And no, this is not just any ordinary youth movement. The Yabang Pinoy moderators and volunteers don’t believe much in expressing themselves through wars and political demonstration. Thus, instead of being armed with protest banners, the Yabang Pinoy group makes use of braided abaca band, which was artistically made by the men and women of Baranggay Ilaya in Muntinlupa City. Abaca is indigenous to the Philippines and known as the strongest natural fiber, and it is for these reasons that the group opted for a symbol made of abaca. This clearly manifests the group’s goal of promoting Filipino pride and making each one of us realized that Filipinos indeed are resilient and exceptional.

Yabang Pinoy campaign further aims to raise awareness and strengthen the Filipinos’ dignity and pride by being proud of the products made in the Philippines. Moreover, the campaign is all about believing in the worth of the Filipino people and what we can do and offer the world.

The group has been around spreading the value of Filipino pride for over two years now. At present, the group has already over 10,000 Filipino members all over the globe who all share in one belief that that one of the major problems in the Philippines is Filipinos doubting their identity as Filipinos—the lack of NATIONAL PRIDE in being a Filipino. In those two years, they had already out up numerous projects and campaigns all aiming to promote and revive the spirit of nationalism among the Filipino people. Aside from donating books and educational materials to various schools in the provinces, Yabang Pinoy’s projects include the Yamang Isip, Yamang Dagat, the Bigkas Pilipinas spoken word album, and the recently concluded and well-celebrated Global Pinoy Bazaar 2007, which was really a tremendous success according to the group.

The Global Pinoy Bazaar was held at the Rockwell NBC Tent in Makati City last October 21, 2007. The said event showcased Filipino products from all over the country to show the world that Filipino creativity and ingenuity is still alive and that we could be very well proud of our own products. The fair also promoted the “PLASTIC FREE” advocacy and encouraged shoppers to bring their own bayong or purchase a Yabang Pinoy bayong. Additional highlight of the fete was the performances of the Bigkas Pilipinas team spearheaded by Kooky Tuason and the awarding of Yabang Pinoy Gapos Lahi, Guhit Pinoy and Likha Pinoy contests.

“The Global Pinoy Bazaar is a one-day fair that brings together both on-the-rise and professional Filipino entrepreneurs who have globally competitive Pinoy products to exhibit,” says Landa Bautista, an active Yabang Pinoy volunteer. “Gusto namin umikot yung concept that if you’re supporting Filipino products, you’re also supporting the Philippines and the Filipinos, and the economy as well.”

The event was undeniably a success as countless people from all walks of life attended and joined the fair. Even well-known celebrities such as KC Concepcion, Lino Cayetano, JM Rodriguez, Mylene Dizon, Paolo Paraiso, and Jeena Lopez among others participated in the said event. Many Pinoy entrepreneurs gathered together, not as competitors to each other, but as a group who strongly believes that Filipino products are definitely at par with that of the other countries’. The major sponsors of the Global Bazaar 2007 were Happee Toothpaste and Splash Corporation, while Digiprint, Binalot, and AIR21 were the minor sponsors. The proceeds of the said event will go to the Children’s Environmental Awareness and Action Foundation (CEAAF) whose thrust is environmental education on the richness of biodiversity in the Philippines.

It was a definitive experience, especially for those people who are somehow losing faith in our country and its people. Global Pinoy Bazaar 2007 was an eye-opener that very well stressed the ideal that yes, Filipinos has really a lot to offer the world.

Now, those who don’t believe in Jose Rizal’s assertion that ‘the youth are the hope of the country’ could very well find their seats at the back and just watch as how these young Filipinos change the direction our country’s taking and move it towards progress and development.

Gone are the days when the youth only thinks about partying and fun. Nowadays, more and more young Filipinos are finding their own place under the sun and trying to create a niche in this world. More and more young Filipinos are becoming aware and sensitive of the happenings in our country. And yes, young as they are, even if they know in their hearts that it’s quite hard to change the world, still they are putting forth their best efforts and making their voices heard in their own way. Indeed, our country had already bid adieu to that era when the voices of the youth are too faint and quiet to be heard. Yabang Pinoy is one great proof of this brave move.

The group admits that it is still a long way before the whole nation will come into realization of our country’s worth, but still, they are willing to endure the years just to bring back that Filipino pride and that love for the Philippines that today’s occurrences and situations are slowly taking away from us. As Landa Bautista, one of Yabang Pinoy’s active volunteer puts it, borrowing the words of Malcolm Cadwell, “we are in the stage of influencing a group of influential people, and hopefully, it’ll trickle down until the last generations of the Filipinos.
As part of the group’s long-term plan, the “Yabang Pinoy” campaign will continuously create innovative projects that will constantly remind and inspire Filipinos to be proud of their nationality and how can this be translated into actions that can make a difference.

As one nation, let us all take pride in our country and ourselves as Filipinos. Ipagmayabang natin na tayo’y Pilipino!




***as published in Illustrado Magazine***