Writers, Artists to Stage "Penitence" on Good Friday

Punta po tayo! Heto ang official PR namin:

Writers, Artists to Stage "Penitence" on Good Friday

Arts and culture groups led by the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) and the LIRA poetry organization will gather at the Plaza Balagtas, Pandacan, Manila on April 2, 2010. The day falls on both Good Friday and the birthday of Francisco Baltazar, popularly known as the revered Filipino poet Balagtas.

Dubbed “Mag-alis ng Dungis ng Bayan: Penitensiya para sa Dangal ng Bayan,” the demonstration will feature writers and artists symbolically cleaning Balagtas’s monument, trading in their pens for brooms and rags. The short program will start at 8:00 A.M. and will end before noon.

National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, a.k.a. the poet Rio Alma will read a proposed cultural agenda for those who are running for office in the May 10 national elections, especially the presidentiables.

The venue, Plaza Balagtas was erected in honor of the greatest Tagalog poet. Born on April 2, 1788, Balagtas penned Florante at Laura, one of the masterpieces of Philippine literature, and lent his name to the art form balagtasan, a debate in extemporaneous verse.

Individual writers, artists, organizations, and members of the media are encouraged to join and cover the demonstration. They should register their participation by contacting the event coordinators, namely Mariane A.R.T. Abuan (0917-9017090), Carla Payongayong (0927-7145539), and Rommel Boquiren (0917-6985037), on or before March 26, 2010.

The organizers

LIRA, or the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo is the premier institute of poets in Filipino. Founded in 1985, the group is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Araw ni Balagtas demonstration is part of LIRA’s year-long celebrations. The current president is Phillip Kimpo Jr.

UMPIL is the largest organization of Filipino writers in the country. Founded in 1974, the organization was known for a time as the Writers Union of the Philippines. The current chairperson is Prof. Victor Emmanuel Carmelo D. Nadera Jr.

* * *

Para sa mga orgs na gusto pang humabol, pakitext lang po ang mga numero sa itaas o kaya'y mag-iwan ng mensahe sa blog post na 'to.

Mag-sign-up din sa Facebook page ng event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109513709065585

Naibalita rin sa Manila Bulletin din ang okasyon (kasama ng launch ng aming Salit Sining art exhibit) at PM (Pang-Masa) tabloid.

Directions to venue:

1) Commute: Bumaba sa UP-PGH. Tawirin ang Taft; malapit sa kanto ng Taft at Philippine Independent Church (Kalye Josefa Llanes Escoda po yata), may mga nakaabang na jeep na "Bayan-Beata." Sumakay at magpababa lang po kayo sa Plaza Balagtas, malapit sa Beata at mga oil depot. May katagalan ang biyahe, mga 20 minuto (pero traffic dati noong bumiyahe kami).

2) Kotse: Hindi namin kabisado ang daan kung may sasakyan, pero mas malapit po iyon sa Quirino Ave. at Nagtahan. (Pls. refer to the above map.)

Taon-taon, Biyernes Santo kami nagbi-Bisita Iglesia ng ama ko. Ngayong linggo, kelangan naming mapaaga ng Huwebes Santo dahil sa 'penitensiya' na 'to, hehe.

Takits!

STS San Fabian: Teaching Poetry + Videoke by the Beach + The Dictator's Resort

Marso 6-7, 2010: Pagtuturo namin ng tula sa mga guro ng San Fabian, Pangasinan na sinundan ng excursion sa PTA Beach Resort. Ginawa ang bakasyunan para sa yumaong pangulong Ferdinand Marcos pero hindi nila nagamit ng kanyang pamilya. Sponsored ng bayaw ni Ynna na si Councilor Andres Justino Abalos ang aming accommodations at pagkain.

Ang STS San Fabian ang 1st leg ng Sining ng Tugma at Sukat 2010 project ng LIRA & NCCA na ginagabayan ko bilang Direktor.

In lieu of the full album, heto muna ang ilang patikim piks mula sa aming trip:

Si sir Mike Coroza ang aming naging tagapanayam sa STS San Fabian. Tatlumpung delegado ang lumahok.

Ynna, STS SanFab local coordinator, with the auburn hair and pink dress.

A teacher presents her tanaga to one of our workshop facilitators & LIRA members, Mikael, for comments.

Evil-looking me. Sinusugod ko ata si Ynna dito e.

Awarding of certificates: Prof. Michael M. Coroza, yours truly as LIRA president, Councilor Andres Justino Abalos, SFNHS Principal Edna Ballesta.

Debbie, Ynna, and Carla belt out the tunes at the videoke by the beach.

Miss Beng 'shoots' the resident goat of the videoke bar, Paloma/Pamela (guys ano na nga uli pangalan niya?!).

The next morning: Mikael, Beng, me, Ynna, Carla, Debbie (Jere took this shot).

The mermaid jumps out of the water, at may mga binti na siya.

The girls (left) apply hot-sand-compress (what the?) to miss Beng's legs, which were stung by jellyfish.

A puppy takes a blissful nap in the shade.

Halo-halo break! Ang tulog na tuta, nasa paanan ng tulog na Jere. Hehe.

Camwhoring at the resort while waiting for Ynna's family to arrive and see us off to Manila.

Goodbye SanFab.

Launch of Our "Salit Sining I" Art Exhibit

Mar. 20, 2010: One of the coolest days ever. Not really because my works were included in this group exhibit, but because the night was just rollickin' fun.

"Salit Sining I" was the first of what would turn out to be a series of three group art exhibits (as of January 2011) by the poets of LIRA. It was my 1st time to exhibit my photos. In contrast, this was Ynna's 3rd time (after SARMING and LAV).

From our press release:

Salit Sining: Wordsmiths Turned Visual Artists



Opening on 20 March 2010, 6:00 PM, TaUmbayan Restaurant
40 T. Gener cor. K-1 Streets (near Kamuning Road), Quezon City
Exhibit lasts until 8 April 2010

Featuring the works of:

Gian Abrahan
Mariane A.R.T. Abuan
Rommel Chester Boquiren
Jeremiah Faustino
Mikael Gallego
Phillip Kimpo Jr.
Vivian N. Limpin
Maria Pamela Maranca
Carla Payongayong
Beverly W. Siy

Poets paint scenes, capture snapshots, and weave worlds with words—most of the time, that is. When they rest their pens for actual brushes and cameras, some of them can cross over from the art of letters to the visual arts.

In Salit Sining, several of these poets demonstrate their talent (or at least, their passion) for their “other arts.” They are all members of the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), the premier organization of poets in Filipino celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. These young men and women have proven their mettle in taming the salita in one way or another; in Salit Sining, they humbly present their capabilities as painters and photographers.

To adapt what we wrote in a previous exhibit of two poet-painters, the works at Salit Sining might be art for some and fart for others. Outsider art, untrained craft, mere daubs and splashes and wayward camera clicks, or whatever you call it—drop by anyway. Visual art will be the main course and poetry readings the appetizers.

Read the artists profiles here.

I borrowed some pics from Ynna's cam, Brendan Goco, and TAuMBAYAN.

This day had a tight schedule: morning meeting with National Artist Virgilio S. Almario at Technohub for our April 2 Balagtas Day rally. Lunch at Jollibee East Ave.-V. Luna before picking up our framed works at Mang Joe's. Then, taking the cab to the exhibit venue, the TAuMBAYAN Restaurant near Kamuning, for a whole afternoon of setting up the works. After the ingress, I had to go home to print the artists' profiles. Then, before the sun went out, I had to rush back to TAuMBAYAN for the exhibit opening. Sakto ang dating ko.

Napuno namin ang resto, at maraming salamat sa suporta ng mga kaibigan, kamag-anak, at kasamang makata sa LIRA. Salit Sining, saksesssssss.


P.S. Hanapin si aydol Eugene Domingo sa piks :P

TV-5 Interviews the Poets of LIRA

Jan. 11, 2010: Ininterbyu kami ng TV-5 para sa palabas na "Talentadong Pinoy" (yep, yung kay Ryan Agoncillo)...pero hindi para tumambling o kumain ng apoy. Supplementary footage lang kami para kay Makatatawanan, isa sa mga astigin ng palabas.

Hiningan sina sir Rio (National Artist Virgilio S. Almario), sir Teo Antonio, sir Michael Coroza, at ako (in my capacity as LIRA prez) ng opinyon tungkol kay Makatatawanan and other related stuff.

Nagbigay din ng maigsing Balagtasan ang sparring partners na sina sir Teo & sir Mike. Bilang pangwakas, nagbigay din ang ilang kabataang makata ng LIRA ng poetry reading (si Gian ang nagbasa at kami ang audience.)

Ang TV5 crew pala ang pumunta sa UP Diliman para sa interview. Siyempre, ginanap namin ang tsikahan sa tahanan ng LIRA sa CAL New Building.

If memory serves me right, our interview was aired the following week. Sayang at di ko nairekord. Sabi ni ma'am Belle ng AFP Library e napanood niya kami, att mukhang hindi naman ako nagkalat. Hehe.

My Works in "Salit Sining: Wordsmiths Turned Visual Artists" Exhibit

There's always a first time for everything: mag-eeksibit ako ng mga retrato simula Marso 20 hanggang Abril 8 sa TAuMBAYAN Restaurant sa may Kamuning. Yey.

Kasama ko ang siyam (at puwede pang madagdagan) na kapwa makata sa LIRA, kabilang si Ynna.

Ang PR ng eksibit:

* * * * *

Salit Sining: Wordsmiths Turned Visual Artists

Opening on 20 March 2010, 6:00 PM, TaUmbayan Restaurant
40 T. Gener cor. K-1 Streets (near Kamuning Road), Quezon City
Exhibit lasts until 8 April 2010

Featuring the works of:

Gian Abrahan
Mariane A.R.T. Abuan
Rommel Chester Boquiren
Jeremiah Faustino
Mikael Gallego
Phillip Kimpo Jr.
Vivian N. Limpin
Maria Pamela Maranca
Carla Payongayong
Beverly W. Siy

Poets paint scenes, capture snapshots, and weave worlds with words—most of the time, that is. When they rest their pens for actual brushes and cameras, some of them can cross over from the art of letters to the visual arts.

In Salit Sining, several of these poets demonstrate their talent (or at least, their passion) for their “other arts.” They are all members of the Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA), the premier organization of poets in Filipino celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. These young men and women have proven their mettle in taming the salita in one way or another; in Salit Sining, they humbly present their capabilities as painters and photographers.

To adapt what we wrote in a previous exhibit of two poet-painters, the works at Salit Sining might be art for some and fart for others. Outsider art, untrained craft, mere daubs and splashes and wayward camera clicks, or whatever you call it—drop by anyway. Visual art will be the main course and poetry readings the appetizers.


THE ARTISTS

Some of the LIRA poets featured in Salit Sining are:

Gian Abrahan was born on 25 August 1989 in Sampaloc, Manila. He is currently taking up BA Film at the University of the Philippines Film Institute. He is an alumnus of Dulaang Sibol and is a member of Cinema Arts Society.



Mariane A.R.T. Abuan ("Ynna" to friends and family) is the Public Relations Officer of LIRA. She has been painting since 2003 but kept her works a secret except to those close to her until 2009, when her paintings were included in two exhibits. Admittedly, she has never thought of exhibiting a photograph until today...because she ran out of new paintings to display.



Rommel Chester "Mel" Boquiren takes pride in his ‘geek’-ness, as he constantly practices his psycho-motor skills be it with the keyboard and mouse or the joystick and buttons. Besides the eventful life as a geek and a literature teacher in PAREF-Northfield, he also finds time to create things his hands could muster, may it be writing, painting, or even crocheting. Currently, he is trying to improve his HoN skills online, where he is known as “mapagkalinga”.



Jeremiah Faustino graduated from FEU-FERN College in 2006 with a degree in Computer Science. He is the illustrator and cover designer of the book "The Freedom Fighters of Northern Luzon: An Untold Story" by the Department of National Defense. His comics collaboration with his brother won the People’s Choice Grand Prize in the 3rd Philippine Graphic Fiction Awards.



As a young artist, Mikael Gallego was first inspired by nude painting. Currently working as a freelance graphic-artist-web-designer-layout-artist. He practices voodoo with his shinigami in Netsite.



Phillip Kimpo Jr. is the President of LIRA and co-author of the book "The Freedom Fighters of Northern Luzon: An Untold Story" by the Department of National Defense. He bought his second-hand DSLR in late 2008 to document literary events; his laziness prevents him from delving into his Nikon D80's intricacies. Visit him at www.phillip.kimpo.ph.



Vivian N. Limpin (nicknamed Beng) is an artist that goes by many labels: writer, poet, photographer, painter, filmmaker...and we’re not actually sure that it ends there. Her films, photos, and paintings have been shown locally and internationally, as well as having snagged their share of awards. Currently, she is the Secretary of LIRA and is a member of the Board of Directors of Tudla Productions, a progressive student video documentary organization.



Carla Payongayong does not own a DSLR Camera yet, she only borrows from her brother or settles on her good old digital point-and-shoot. Her love for photography started during her grandfather's funeral when her father lent her a Canon EF camera. She is currently working as a Promo Producer in ABS-CBN where she gets to do the things she loves most: writing, photography, and video production.



Beverly W. Siy teaches Filipino at the College of Commerce of UST and is the immediate former president of LIRA. She likes to take photos (when there's an available camera) to document her thoughts and observations of a certain place at a certain time. Her son EJ takes better photos than she does.


Maria Pamela Maranca is the former treasurer of LIRA.


HOW TO GET THERE

From Kamuning turn right or left at T. Gener; first corner on your left (K-1st Street) is TaUmbayan. For more info, you can reach us through our exhibit curators, namely Vivian Limpin (09158107898) and Ynna Abuan (09179017090).

* * * * *

Mahahalagang links:

• Facebook page ng exhibit
• Press release, PDF version
• Press release, MS Word version
  

Punta kayo ha. Masarap ang pagkain sa Taumbayan...at siyempre, tomahan night na naman sa launching namin. May magpeperform at magbabasa din ng tula.

Takits!

Lovers of Art & Vegetables Art Exhibit

Nov. 11, 2009: Ynna's works are shown for the 2nd time, this time at the "Lovers of Art and Vegetables / LAV: An Exhibit of Works by Vegetarian Artists" at Conspiracy Bar and Restaurant, Visayas Avenue, Quezon City.

The exhibit was held around 7 months after Ynna's first exhibit ("Sarming"). LAV's roster of artists was:

Mariane A.R. T. Abuan, Cynthia Alexander, Stacey Cook, Ayn dela Cruz, Maureen Gaddi dela Cruz, Vivian N. Limpin, Chris Linag, Maria Kathrina Lorenos, Claire Madarang, Reinald E. Madarang, Heidi Bailon Sarno, Lee Sepe

Did you spot the celebrity? Hehe. Tuwang-tuwa si Ynna sa eksibit na 'to dahil nakasama niya ang idol niyang si Cynthia Alexander. The exhibit ran until December 5, 2009.

Siyempre full-force na naman ang friends & family ni Ynna. Some who weren't present in "Sarming" made it to LAV.

May ilang mahuhusay na retrato dito na kinuha ni pareng Charles gamit ang D80 ko. Humiram din ako ng ilang pics mula sa Facebook ng ngayon ay nakalimutan ko nang tao. Sori at salamat po!

LIRA Poetry Reading at the Rockwell Center

Nov. 7, 2009: The poets of LIRA were invited to read their works for an event of the Asian Eye Institute, National Book Development Board, and the Ayala Foundation, among others, at the Power Plant Mall at the Rockwell Center.

(O di ba, biglang sumosyal ang LIRA.)

Sina LJ at MJ ang kumatawan sa LIRA; di na ako nagbasa at bagkus ay sinamahan ang ibang ka-LIRA sa audience. It's a decision that I quickly learned to regret -- merong free bookstore & eye checkup GCs ang mga nagbasa. (Syet lang.) At least may free dinner at pastry, hehe.

Di na rin kami nagtagal dun dahil medyo may problema si Ynna sa work, kinailangan niyang umuwi kaagad.

Maraming salamat kina g. Glenn Malimban ng NBDB at bb. Dianna Bugnon ng AEI para sa pagkakataon (and the goodies!) :)

LIRA, NCCA to Teach Poetry for Free in the Provinces

Ang press release namin para sa matagal nang inaabangang STS 2010:

LIRA, NCCA to Teach Poetry for Free in the Provinces

The Filipino poetry group Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika, at Anyo (LIRA) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will launch the “Sining ng Tugma at Sukat (STS; Art of Rhyme and Meter) 2010” with the first leg in San Fabian, Pangasinan on March 6, 2010.

The STS is a series of free seminar-workshops on poetry in Filipino, to be held in nine towns across nine provinces of Luzon from March to December 2010. Teachers of Filipino from public high schools are the intended beneficiaries, with LIRA and the NCCA’s local partners determining the composition of each town’s delegates.

The STS is on its second year, with the first edition being held in 2008. In that year, LIRA and the NCCA taught poetry to around 430 delegates in ten towns across Luzon, namely General Trias, Cavite; Dagupan City, Pangasinan; City of Manila; Mauban, Quezon; Subic, Zambales; Taguig City; Quezon City; Pasig City; Angono, Rizal; and Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

This year’s first beneficiary is San Fabian, Pangasinan, with the local government unit and the San Fabian National High School serving as hosts. Prof. Michael M. Coroza of LIRA and Ateneo de Manila University will be the lecturer.

The other, tentative, beneficiaries of STS 2010 are Baguio City, Benguet; Sagada, Mountain Province; Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Lucban, Quezon; Bataan province; the Bicol region; San Antonio, Zambales; and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. Once confirmed, STS local partners will contact the public high school teachers in Filipino from these areas.

The STS 2010 is one of the fifteen projects for LIRA’s year-long 25th anniversary celebrations. Founded in 1985 by the National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (alias Rio Alma), LIRA is the premier institute of poets in Filipino. In pursuance of its mission of enriching and promoting Filipino poetry, the organization holds a yearly five-month-long poetry clinic held for the most part in UP Diliman. The STS 2010 is an effort to bring part of this clinic outside of Metro Manila.

The project directors are Phillip Kimpo Jr., president of LIRA, and Beverly W. Siy, immediate former president and creator of the STS. The overall project coordinators are Mariane A.R.T. Abuan and Deborah Rosalind D. Nieto. To contact the STS team, email them at pamunuan@liraonline.org.

* * * End of press release * * *

Excited na ako.

Noong 2008, isa ako sa mga aktibo sa pagdala ng STS sa mga lalawigan bilang overall project coordinator nito. Pinalad ang LIRA ngayong taon na maaprubahan ang NCCA grant request, kaya heto, round 2 na, at mas malaki na ang challenge sa akin bilang project director.

Magaganda ang alaala ko ng STS 2008, kung saan personal akong nakapunta at tumulong sa STS Dagupan, STS Mauban, STS Subic, at STS Sta. Cruz (di ko pa naaupload ang pics!). Nakakastress pero rewarding ang magturo...at masaya ang mga excursion before & after the event hehe (siempre sariling gastos namin yun, o kaya'y may local sponsor). Kaya naman kinarir ko ang proposal ng LIRA sa NCCA last year.

Gaya ng nakalagay sa PR, sisimulan namin ang STS sa San Fabian, Pangasinan. (Huli akong nakapunta dito noong nag-beach workshop slash videoke kaming Dapitdilim writers, bago ang STS Dagupan noong 2008.) Ang programme ng event:

Sabado madaling araw kami babiyahe pa-norte; Linggo ng gabi naman ang aming balik. Bago ko makalimutan, di magiging kumpleto ang post na 'to kung di ko pasasalamatan ang naunang Pangulo ng LIRA sa akin, si Beverly Siy, na siyang nagsimula ng lahat ng stress na 'to noong nilikha at ipinatupad niya ang konsepto ng STS, hahahaha. Salamat miss Bebang!


*Gawa pala ni Mikael Gallego ang STS poster sa pinakaitaas.