WebSining Digital Art Contest

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WEBSINING DIGITAL ART: CONTESTING TRADITIONS

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To encourage artistic innovations in the intersection of art and
technology, WebSining introduces a new category to the Digital Art
Contest, Software Art. Also, WebSining encourages the use of free
software and non-proprietary file formats for creating and running the
entries. All entries must articulate the theme of WebSining 2007:
"CONTESTING TRADITIONS."


Categories:


[1] Still Digital Image:

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A digital image is a representation of a two-dimensional image as a
finite set of digital values called picture

elements or pixels. Digital images may be created by a variety of input
devices and techniques, such as digital cameras, scanners, coordinate
measuring machines, seismographic profiling, airborne radar, GPS
controllers, etc. Digital images may also be synthesized from non-image
data such as mathematical functions. Suitable submission formats are:
JPEG, GIF, PNG at 72-96dpi and at least 1024x768ppi screen
resolutions.


[2] Digital Animation:

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In a digital animation, moving images are created via the use of
computers as opposed to traditional cell animation where each frame is
drawn by hand. Digital animation may be created by means of 3D computer
graphics or 2D computer graphics, and may be created for output on
computer, or another medium such as video or film. Animation created via
computers combines vector graphics with programmed movement.
Suitable

submission formats must be web-browser viewable such as: Open-source
Flash (FLV), OGG video, Flash Movie, Director Shockwave, QuickTime AVI,
Java applet, and others. Animation sequence must be within 30 seconds
only. A storyboard (in JPEG, GIF, or PNG at 72-96dpi and at least
1024x768ppi screen resolutions) must accompany the entries.


[3] Software Art:

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Software art is the confluence of two very distinct realms:
"software" and "art." Software art is an art form
that uses instruction code, algorithms or rules as its medium. Software
art may be written in C, Java, hypertext markup language, or other
programming or scripting languages, and its aesthetic concerns may also
be drawn from characteristics of software. Suitable formats are: Java
applet, executable, HTML, ascii, and others. Source code must be
submitted with the entries.


Please note that the sending of malicious code is punishable under the
Electronic Commerce Act (RA 8792).


Contest Mechanics:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


1. Contest is open to all Filipino citizens, 16 years old and
above.  Members of the CVA, NCCA Secretariat and competition judges
are disqualified from joining the contest.


2. Contestants may join in the three categories but allowed only one
entry per category.


3. Beginning October 15, 2006, contest entries with Entry Forms must be
submitted via Email to
websining@gmail.com. Entrants
will receive a confirmation receipt of their submissions.


4. Deadline of submission of entries is extended until December 30,
2006.


5. Only original artworks shall be accepted. Awards given to works that
are subsequently proven to be non-original will be revoked/reclaimed
without prejudice to other legal actions.


6. One winner per category will be voted by a panel of two judges with a
final third vote from the results of a public vote through the NCCA
WebSining website
(http://www.ncca.gov.ph). Public
voting will be from January 4-15, 2007. Only one vote per person will be
counted.


7. Special citation awards may also be given by the panel of judges based
on technical innovation or transcending the contest theme.


8. Winners in the Digital Image and Software Art categories will receive
PhP50,000.00 each, and the winner in the Digital Animation category will
receive PhP75,000.00.


9. The decision of the panel of judges shall be final and not subject to
appeal. All entries will be exhibited on the WebSining website and will
be included in the CD Catalogue.


10. Announcement of winners, exhibition and awarding of prizes shall be
in February 2007.


11. All Cash Prizes will be subject to 20% tax. All entries may be used
by the NCCA for purposes it may deem appropriate.


Visit
www.ncca.gov.ph
for contest details. Entry Forms may be downloaded from the NCCA website
or from Korakora Projects
(
http://www.korakora.org/projects/?q=node/203).

Railroading the Cha-Cha

From the e-Mandirigma himself, Mr. Enteng Romano.
Yes, it is disgusting in the way they want to hold on to power...

--------------------------------------------------


It's enough to make you revolt, if not in arms, then in disgust.

I refer, of course, to the proceedings in Congress last night where they shamelessly changed the rules to pave the way for transforming Congress into a constituent assembly (Con-Ass), even without Senate concurrence.

The brazenness by which they are ramming their way towards a parliamentary form of government is the strongest argument against it. These are the very same people who will run parliament - concentrating the powers of both the legislative and the executive in one body, and using their numerical superiority to subvert rules and defy common decency.

Why the rush? So they can schedule a plebiscite that they can cheat through which will in turn serve as basis to cancel the May elections; they're running out of time. So they can defer to the demand of their chief benefactor - GMA, who is scared to death of an opposition dominated Congress after the May elections; she wants the elections cancelled at all cost. So they can extend their own term and stay in power without having to spend for an expensive election. You only have to watch the live coverage for 10 minutes to come to the same conclusion.

It makes me cringe whenever they call each other honorable and gentlemen. It makes me aggravated to see Lagman and Villafuerte inflict their antics upon Congress, instead of attending to their constituencies ravaged by one of the worst calamities that hit our nation in recent times. And it makes me wonder how they can muster the gall to blatantly pervert the law for their own ends, totally oblivious of public opinion and mocking all sensibilities.

The answer is quite simple... we have not raised our voices, not even a whimper, whenever they trampled our democratic processes, each time calibrating it with more impunity when they see no resistance from an
indifferent citizenry.

What, then?

You can opt to keep silent, and watch events pass by. Soon, you'll have parliament. And if that still does not satisfy their lust for power, martial law can not be far behind. Whatever the form, the killings will continue,
our rights trampled even more, and more institutions will be compromised.  If you can live with that, fine.

Or you can rise and declare, "enough is enough". At the very least, you should watch the live coverage on ANC (or TFC, if you're out of the country) and be scandalized with the proceedings. And when you're upset enough with what you're watching, you just might build up the courage to go to the Batasan and proclaim face-to-face with the dishonorable men of Congress your utter disgust.

You can also text your friends to watch ANC or join you at the Batasan, forward this mail to your friends, family, and egroups, write/email your congressman or local priest, or simply tell everyone within your sphere of influence that you will no longer take this sitting down. Enough is enough.

We may not be able to do anything to stop a natural calamity like typhoon Reming. But we can certainly do something to prevent a man-made calamity about to happen.

It's time to step up and be counted.

God bless,

enteng

Be nice to Mother Nature - Recycle!

Start:	Dec 8, '06 08:00a
End:	Dec 8, '06 3:00p
Location:	Goldcrest Parking Lot, Ayala Center, Makati City

If you have junk at home or in the office, maybe it's time to clean up your storage rooms for the holidays and the coming new year, you could go there and sell/dispose the following items at the waste market.

Non-traditional wastes

- Junk electronic and electrical equipment and appliances
- CPU (complete/incomplete/case) and monitors
- Printers, scanners, fax, etc
- Motherboards, PC/telecom cards, printer/med grade boards, harddisk,power/ monitor boards
- Old/obsolete/broken Betamax, VHS, DVD players
- Microwave ovens, toasters
- Electric fans
- Other office and household equipment and appliances
- Used ink/toner printer cartridges, dot matrix ribbon cartridges
- Used acid-lead batteries and rechargeable lamps
- Used/damaged cds, vcds, VHS, betamax and radio cassette tapes
- Busted tivoli (Christmas) lights
- Used oil (for registration - do not bring to the area)
- Styrofoam (polystyrene) and other packaging materials (for donation)
- Cellphone and cellphone batteries (for donation only)

Traditional Waste

- Used paper and cartons (newpapers, komiks, notebooks, reports, old test papers, phone directories, etc)
- Damaged/broken plastic furniture, containers, bottles, etc.
- (anything plastic!)
- Aluminum and tin cans (soda/food cans)

You can also exchange these traditional waste items for new products, such as 5 kilos of cartons can give you 4 rolls of double-ply tissue paper, or 5 kilos of plastics or 1/2 kilo (30 pcs) of aluminum beverage cans can be exchanged for 1 dozen of hangers, and other trading promos that you can avail of.

These events are organized to help promote recycling in the Philippines. Also, by selling your junk or still useful waste to accredited recyclers,we lessen the amount of trash that go directly to landfills or illegal dumping/recycling. What better way to dispose of your junk at the same time help protect our environment.

These events are organized by the host cities in collaboration with the Philippine Business for the Environment, Ayala Foundation, National Solid Waste Management Commission and DENR.

If you have any questions, please call 752-1084/1178 (adel/tin/jess) or 635-3670/2651 (nancy).

DON'T BE A JUNKIE!!! Kick the habit of throwing away still useful materials.

US Scholarships

Gates Millennium Scholars

There are three components of the GMS scholarship nomination process:
(1) A Nominee Personal Information Form to be completed by the student,
(2) A Nominator Form to be completed by a principal, teacher, guidance counselor or other professional educator, and
(3) A Recommender Form to be completed by an adult who is familiar with the Nominee's community service and leadership activities.

Nominations and recommendations from relatives will not be accepted.

Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they:
- Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American
- Are citizens/legal permanent residents or nationals of the United States
- Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- Will be enrolling for the first-time at a U.S. accredited college or university as full time, degree-seeking first year students in the Fall of 2007
- Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities
- Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria. (Eligibility for Federal Pell Grant can only be determined through the submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S.. Department of Education, Feder
- Have all three required forms (Nominee Personal Information Form, Nominator Form, and Recommender Form) completed and submitted by the deadline.

If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Edgar, GMS/APIASF Outreach Coordinator, at
gmsoutreach@apiasf.org or
via phone at (toll free) 1-866-274-4677 ext. 9.


Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

There are two components to the APIASF scholarship nomination process:
(1) a student portion and
(2) the Recommendation form that is to be completed by a principal, teacher, guidance counselor, other professional educator, or an adult is who familiar with the student. Recommendations from relatives will not be accepted.

Both forms must be completed and submitted in the same method. Both the student and his/her recommender must either complete and mail the hard
copy forms or complete and submit the online forms.

Students are eligible to be considered for an APIASF Scholarship if they:
- Are of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the 2000 Census.
- Are U.S. citizens, U.S. Nationals, legal permanent residents, or citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau.
- Are first-time, incoming college students in the Fall of 2007.
- Are enrolled full-time in a two or four-year program at a U.S. accredited college or university in the U.S., Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for the 2007-2008 school year (enrollment is verified in the Spring of 2007). In the Freely Associated States, this includes the community colleges of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau.
- Have a cumulative, unweighted grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the G.E.D. equivalent.

If you have any questions, please contact
Bindi Patel, APIASF
Scholarship Associate, at
bindi@apiasf.org
or via phone at (toll free) 1-877-808-7032.

The deadline of January 12, 2007, 11:59 pm EST for the 2007-2008 Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) and Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) Nomination Processes is fast approaching!

For more information about GMS and/or to start the online nomination process, visit www.gmsp.org.

For more information about APIASF and/or to start the online nomination process, visit www.apiasf.org.

You can also download the nomination materials from the websites.

Materials may be submitted either on-line by January 12, 2007, 11:59 p.m. EST or postmarked on or before January 12, 2007.

New US Citizenship Exam

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/01/washington/01citizen.html?th=&emc=th&pagewanted=print


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December 1, 2006

New Citizens Will Need Deeper Knowledge

By HOLLI
CHMELA


WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 ­ The federal government rolled out a new citizenship
test Thursday to replace an exam that critics say has encouraged
prospective Americans simply to memorize facts, rather than fully
understand the principles of a democracy.


The exam will be assessed in a pilot program in 10 cities beginning early
next year.


Gone are these questions: “How many stripes are there in the flag?”;
“What color are the stripes on the flag?”; “What do the stripes on the
flag represent?”; and the obvious, “What are the colors of our flag?” The
new exam rephrases the questions to focus on what the stripes represent,
asking, “Why do we have 13 stripes on the flag?” or “Why does the flag
have 13 stripes?” (The answer: Because the stripes represent the original
13 colonies).


“Our goal is to inspire immigrants to learn about the civic values of
this nation so that after they take the oath of citizenship they will
participate fully in our great democracy,” said Emilio Gonzalez, director
of the Citizenship and

Immigration Services, which has been working since 2000 to develop a
new test.


The result is 144 questions on civics and history, including 57 rephrased
questions from the current exam. (All the questions are available on the
agency’s Web site, www.uscis.gov).



The exam will be administered in the same way, with an applicant asked to
answer orally 10 questions chosen by the examiner. Six correct answers
are required to pass. According to the citizenship agency, about 600,000
immigrants pass the test and are naturalized each year.


The revised test will be introduced in a pilot program in 10 cities
chosen for their geographic range and high percentage of immigrants.
Applicants will be asked to volunteer to take the pilot exam and will
have the option of taking the current exam if they fail the new
one.


Officials say the goal of the pilot program is to assess the
effectiveness of the exam and refine the exam’s questions or answers.
Before the new test is implemented nationwide in 2008, it will be pared
down to the current number of 100 questions.


The exam will be tested in Albany; Boston; Charleston, S.C.; Denver; El
Paso; Kansas City, Mo.; Miami; San Antonio; Tucson; and Yakima,
Wash.


In developing the revised exam, the agency worked with test development
contractors, history and government scholars and experts in English as a
second language to improve ways to focus on an analytical understanding
of the acceptable answers.


“The current exam did not elicit enough civics knowledge and values we as
Americans hold true,” said Chris Rhatigan, a spokeswoman for the
citizenship agency. “At the end of the test, there was no demonstrable
knowledge that the new citizens were ready to participate in our
government on the federal, state or community level.”


Ellen Mercer, a senior program officer at the U.S. Committee for Refugees
and Immigrants, an advocacy organization that was part of a focus group
about the revisions, said, “The purpose of redesigning the test is to
make it more meaningful ­ and also to update it ­ for the people applying
for U.S. citizenship.”


The current exam has not been changed since 1986. Before that, no
official test existed.


Besides the oral questions, the revised exam, like the 1986 version,
gives applicants three chances to read and write a sentence correctly in
English. But the sentences focus exclusively on civics and history rather
than on a range of topics, and to prepare for the test, applicants will
be given study materials and a civics-based vocabulary list.


Another way the two exams differ is that the new questions will be
weighed by level of difficulty to ensure that each exam tests equivalent
knowledge. How the questions will be weighted will be determined by the
results of the pilot program. Part of the pilot program includes training
test administrators to make the process fairer and more consistent
nationwide.


The

Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Citizenship “has done
everything imaginable to make the test more meaningful, but not more
difficult,” Ms. Mercer said.


Several advocacy organizations are reviewing the exam to determine
whether the level of English is appropriate and whether the civics
questions are understandable.


“We all want to look at the questions carefully to ensure fairness and
compliance of the law,” said Rosalind Gold, a senior director at the
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.


Ms. Gold added that while the citizenship agency had made progress in
ensuring that the exam was administered fairly, “there needs to be
continued improvement in training examiners so they don’t abuse the
discretion they’re given to administer exams.”

The Guidon Photo Contest - Sexuality

Start:	Nov 28, '06 7:00p
End:	Dec 15, '06
Location:	Ateneo de Manila University

The GUIDON
The Official Student Newspaper of the Ateneo de Manila University

Between the lines, Behind the Lens 5

The GUIDON launches its 5th Between the Lines, Behind the Lens contest for photography,graphic design, and essay writing. An annual fundraising project, BTL was born from The GUIDON's thrusts of showcasing journalistic excellence and reaching out beyond the Ateneo community

Photos
1. The theme of the photography competition is "Sexuality."
2. Photographs may be taken using a digital or film camera.
3. A maximum of four (4) photographs per person may be submitted.
4. Entrance fee is PhP50 per photo for students enrolled in any university or college and PhP100 per photo for non-student participants (alumni, faculty).
5. Entries may be monochrome or colored. Only minor enhancements are allowed (sharpening, levels, contrast, and brightness).
6. Photographs should be 8" x 10" or 8" x 12" in size. They should be placed on the back side of a ¼ size illustration board and wrapped in plastic cover.
7. The following details should be written on the upper right hand side of the white side of the illustration board:
a. Title
b. Shutter speed, aperture, ISO rating, camera used
c. Type of film used, if any.
8. The following details should be written on the lower right corner of the illustration board:
a. Your full name, age, university/college
b. Photo club/organization (if any)
c. Email address and mobile phone number
9. Photographs should not have won in any previous competition.
10. Criteria:
a. Creativity……………40%
b. Composition…………40%
c. Relevance to Topic….15%
d. Title…………………...5%
11. There is no restriction on the time the works were created.
12. Contestan€“ ts are responsible for any charge of plagiarism that may arise. Plagiarized entries will not be exhibited.

Judges include:
Jake Verzosa - Philippine renowned photographer
Philip Sison - Professional photographer
Ernie Sarmiento - Chief Photographer, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Entries should be sent to
The GUIDON
Publications Office, Room 206
Gonzaga Hall, Ateneo de Manila University

on or before
December 15, 2006

The Guidon Graphic Design Contest - Gotham City

Start:	Nov 28, '06 7:00p
End:	Dec 15, '06
Location:	Ateneo de Manila University

The GUIDON
The Official Student Newspaper of the Ateneo de Manila University

Between the lines, Behind the Lens 5

The GUIDON launches its 5th Between the Lines, Behind the Lens contest for photography,graphic design, and essay writing. An annual fundraising project, BTL was born from The GUIDON's thrusts of showcasing journalistic excellence and reaching out beyond the Ateneo community

Graphic Design
1. The theme of the graphic design competition is "Gotham City." The fictitious city that is home to Batman, the theme can be described as dark, highly urbanized and cosmopolitan. GothamCity can also be likened to "New York City at night."
2. A maximum of three (3) artworks per person may be submitted.
3. Entrance fee is PhP50 per artwork for students enrolled in any university and PhP100 per artwork for non-student participants (alumni, faculty).
4. Entries may be€“ monochrome or colored.
5. Submit a hard and soft copy of the entry. Submit the soft copy in a CD. Take note of the following format:
a. 8" x 10", CMYK, *.tif
b. The hard copy should be placed on the black side of a 1/8 size illustration board.
c. Indicate the title of the piece, software used, and sources of images on the upper right hand corner of the white side of the illustration board.
d. Write your full name, age, university, graphic design club or organization (if any), email address, and mobile phone number on the lower right corner. All submitted artworks should not have been entered in any previous competition or exhibit.
6. Criteria:
a. Creativity and aesthetics……50%
b. Originality…………………..30%
c. Relevance to the theme……..20%
7. Contestants are responsible for any charge of plagiarism that may arise. Plagiarized entries will not be exhibited.

Judges include:
Clarissa Ines - The GUIDON Graphic Design Editor `04
Med Ramos - Graphic Design Artist, UNICEF
Isabel Kenny - Visual Communication Instructor, Department of Communication, Ateneo de Manila University

Entries should be sent to
The GUIDON
Publications Office, Room 206
Gonzaga Hall, Ateneo de Manila University

on or before
December 15, 2006

The Guidon Explanatory Journalism Contest

Start:	Nov 28, '06 7:00p
End:	Dec 15, '06
Location:	Ateneo de Manila University

The GUIDON
The Official Student Newspaper of the Ateneo de ManilaUniversity

Between the lines, Behind the Lens 5

The GUIDON launches its 5th Between the Lines, Behind the Lens contest for photography,graphic design, and essay writing. An annual fundraising project, BTL was born from The GUIDON's thrusts of showcasing journalistic excellence and reaching out beyond the Ateneo community

Explanatory Journalism

1. Contestants may submit an explanatory article on any topic of their choice.
2. Entries must be printed on an 8 ½ x 11 bond paper, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font, size 12.
3. Each contestant must provide five (5) copies of the article for the BTL Committee and the Board of Judges. They must also provide five (5) copies of each transcript, document, and other reference materials. All of these must be sealed in a short brown envelope labeled with the contestant's pseudonym.
4. Contestants may only write their pseudonyms on the actual entries. A duly accomplished entry form to be provided by The GUIDON must be submitted with the entries. Entry forms should not be included inside the short brown envelope.
5. All sources must be properly cited in the article.
6. Contestants may not submit entries that have been published in any major national daily or that have won in any other competition. They may submit entries that have been published in a school publication.
7. Criteria
a. Completeness of Research….50%
b. Analysis………………...…..30%
c. Originality of Topic…………10%
d. Grammar and Style………….10%
8. Contestants are responsible for any charge of plagiarism that may arise.

Judges include:
Lorna Kalaw-Tirol - Readers' Advocate of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
Bro. Emmanuel Alfonso, SJ - Radio and TV host for Jesuit Communications
Fe Zamora - Reporter, Philippine Daily Inquirer; Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Awardee

Entries should be sent to
The GUIDON
Publications Office, Room 206
Gonzaga Hall, Ateneo de Manila University

on or before
December 15, 2006

The Guidon Essay Contest - A Message to My 10-year Old Self

Start:	Nov 28, '06 7:00p
End:	Dec 15, '06
Location:	Ateneo de Manila University

The GUIDON
The Official Student Newspaper of the Ateneo de ManilaUniversity

Between the lines, Behind the Lens 5

The GUIDON launches its 5th Between the Lines, Behind the Lens contest for photography,graphic design, and essay writing. An annual fundraising project, BTL was born from The GUIDON's thrusts of showcasing journalistic excellence and reaching out beyond the Ateneo community

Essay

1. The theme of the essay-writing competition is "Lessons to My 10-Year-Old-Self."
2. Entries must be printed on an 8 ½ x 11 bond paper, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font, size 12.
3. Each contestant must provide five (5) copies of the essay for the BTL Committee and the Board of Judges. Each copy must be sealed in a short brown envelope labeled with the contestant's pseudonym.
4. Contestants may only write their pseudonyms on the actual entries. A duly accomplished entry form to be provided by The GUIDON must be submitted with the entries. Entry forms should not be included inside the short brown envelope.
5. All reference materials used for the essay must be cited in a separate bibliography page. Contestants are responsible for any charge of plagiarism that may arise.
6. Contestants cannot submit entries that have been previously published or that have won in any essay-writing competition.
7. Criteria
a. Content and Depth………50%
b. Coherence……………….30%
c. Grammar and Style……...20%

Judges include:
Danilo Francisco M. Reyes - Lecturer, Department of English, Ateneo de Manila University
Queena Lee-Chua, PhD - Professor, Department of Psychology and Mathematics, Ateneo de Manila University and Palanca Awardee
Asterio Enrico Gutierrez - Ateneo alumnus and Palanca Awardee

Entries should be sent to
The GUIDON
Publications Office, Room 206
Gonzaga Hall, Ateneo de Manila University

on or before
December 15, 2006

Auditions for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL!

The Asian premiere of the stage adaptation of Disney's "High School Musical," opening in February at the SM Megamall Theatre, has recently announced its creative team and will be having open auditions on Saturday, November 25, 2006.

The creative team will be headed by director Chari Arespacochaga, who recently directed the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "Doubt" starring Cherie Gil and was assistant director for Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" starring KC Concepcion and Karel Marquez for Atlantis Productions. She also directed "Footloose! The Musical" and "Merrily We Roll Along" for Blue Repertory. Also in the creative team are choreographer Daniel Cabrera and musical director Felix Rivera. Disney's "High School Musical" is being presented by Blue Repertory, in cooperation with Cebu-based producer Hendri Go of Little Boy Productions.

Auditions for lead and ensemble roles, will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2006 at 3rd floor Gonzaga Fine Arts Theatre (G306), Gonzaga Building, Ateneo de Manila University, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Those auditioning must be 13 years old and above, and must be able to dance, sing and act. Prepare two Broadway songs and a 2x2 photo. Please contact Andrei at 0915 889 4779 for more information.

"High School Musical" tells the story of a group of teenagers dealing with the issues of popularity, first love, the balance of sports versus the arts, and the value of friends and family. With positive themes like the importance of expressing one's self, believing and following one's dreams, with popular songs such as "Start of Something New," "We're All in This Together," and the mega-hit "Breaking Free", this new family-friendly musical is sure to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

Tickets will go on sale in January at all Ticketworld outlets. Interested sponsors, show and block buyers may contact Hendri at 0917815 5794 or Jill at 0919 360 8974.

Krispy Kreme Opens in Manila!

Start:

Nov 30, '06 08:30a

Krispy Kreme, America’s most loved doughnut, opens in Manila!

On Thursday, Nov. 30, the first Krispy Kreme store opens in Manila, at the City Center, The Fort, Taguig City (at the back of Serendra).

Opening day at a Krispy Kreme store is a fun event and we'd love to have you come by, join in the festivities and experience a Hot Original Glazed fresh off the line

Here are reasons why you families, friends, barkadas, school and church organizations, and everybody should line up before the doors open on Nov. 30 at 8:30 a.m.

You will be among the first to experience the hot doughnut phenomenon and sample Hot Krispy Kreme Original Glazed doughnut.

The first customer to ring the cash register will win a FREE ONE YEAR SUPPLY of Original Glazed doughnut, one dozen per week!

Free limited edition Krispy Kreme original t-shirt for the first 500 customers!

Lots of raffle prizes – SIX MONTHS free doughnuts, THREE MONTHS free doughnuts, and ONE MONTH free doughnuts, for the 2nd up to the 500th customers!

The HOT Light is ON in Manila on November 30.
See you there!

DTI suspends extra Credit Card Charges

DTI Administrative Order No. 10
re: Credit Card Purchases

The Philippine Star , Oct 31, 2006
Business Section , page B-4 SpyBIZ by S.A . Maguire


Consumers who have taken to whipping out credit cards to pay for items could take a breather with the recent issuance of Administrative Order No. 10 by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) . The draft administrative order prohibits the imposition of additional surcharges on products and services purchased through the use of a credit card.

Shops normally display two prices - one for cash payment and another for credit card - for products and services. Retailers normally impose a surcharge of five to 10 percent or more on products or services that will be paid for via credit card, instead of cash.

Under AO 10, shop owners will be required to display only one tag to indicate the price, which is in keeping with Articles 81 to 83 of the Consumer Act . The move has been lauded by Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago who has been battling for the removal of unfair credit card and bank surcharges through House bill 4630 for almost two years. According to the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP), there are now almost five million card-carrying Filipinos.

The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) and the CCAP have been blaming each other for the imposition of the extra charges. According to the PRA, card issuers exact two to three percent of the purchase price as processing fees. Hence, retailers have no choice but to pass on the extra charg to the card holders. CCAP, on the other hand, said it has nothing to do with the extra fees and passed on the blame to the retailers.

Starting Nov. 5, anyone caught violating the DTI order will face up to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to P5,000. A second violation would result in the revocation of the shop's business permit and license.

We encourage the buying public to report violators, this is for the
benefit of everyone.


For inquiries and complaints, you may call DTI Hotline 751-3330 or email:
btrcp@dti.gov.ph
Department of Trade & Industry
Industry & Investments Building
385 Senator Gil Puyat Avenue
Makati
+63 (2) 895 3640

http://www.dti.gov.ph/
http://business.gov.ph/

Experimental Manga Workshop with Lyndon Gregorio

From: Japan Foundation
Subject: Experimental Manga Workshops at the Marikina Shoe Expo

EXPERIMENTAL MANGA WORKSHOPS AT THE MARIKINA SHOE EXPO

The Japan Foundation, Manila, in cooperation with the Future Prospects Art
Space and the Artists Den, presents "Experimental Manga at the Expo", a
series of manga drawing workshops at the Future Prospects Art Space,
Marikina Shoe Expo, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City on November 18, 25,
and December 2, 2006, January 14 and 21, 2007, from 2-5 pm.

Topics to be covered are: 1) Techniques in Expressing Emotions with Drawings
by Lyndon Gregorio; 2) Women, Emotions and Drawing by Joanah Tinio and Syeri
Baet; 3) Exploring Emotions in Children's Books by Ilustrador ng Kabataan;
4) Exploring and Expressing the Darker Emotions by Marius Cornelius
Funtilar; and 5) Alternative Media in Emotional Drawing by Nelz Yumul. The
culminating activity will be an exhibition of the works by the participants
on January 28, 2007 at the Future Prospects Art Space.

Workshops are free but participants are required to bring their own drawing
materials (sketchpad/ paper, colored pens and pencils and, other coloring
materials). Only fifteen slots are available per session, thus, interested
workshop participants are encouraged to call and register their attendance
on or before Friday, November 17. For inquiries and reservations, please
call the Japan Foundation, Manila at tel. no. 811-6155 to 58.

Imelda Marcos to launch gems collection

Posted on Mon, Nov. 06, 2006

Imelda Marcos to launch gems collection

TERESA CEROJANO

Associated Press

Imelda Marcos to launch gems collectionImelda Marcos - notorious for
her extensive shoe collection and eye-popping jewels accrued under her
husband's dictatorship - is launching a jewelry collection using castoffs
from her wardrobe and, she claims, flea market finds.
The full article will be available on the Web for a limited time:

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/15942236.htm
(c) 2006 AP Wire and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.

MANILA, Philippines - Imelda Marcos - notorious for her extensive
shoe collection and eye-popping jewels accrued under her husband's
dictatorship - is launching a jewelry collection using castoffs from her
wardrobe and, she claims, flea market finds.


Marcos, known for her shopping trips to ritzy shops in New York while the
country wallowed in poverty, says she made the pieces from her old
accessories and clothes, mixed with newly bought stones and other
materials.


Her daughter, Rep. Imee Marcos, said that unknown to many people, her
mother shops for trinkets and accessories at flea markets, and keeps
earrings with a missing pair or brooches that have some missing
stones.


Using a glue gun, scissors or pliers, her mother "can combine them
with her vintage items in a way that comes out beautiful," Imee
Marcos told journalists Monday during a promotional photo shoot for
"The Imelda Collection," which is to be launched Nov. 18 in
Manila.


The 77-year-old widow of Ferdinand Marcos reclined on a divan in the
seaside garden of a Manila hotel to pose for photos Monday, modeling
several chunky necklaces, rings and bracelet sets for a brochure of the
collection.


Pointing to a set of matching earrings and brooch made of blue imitation
tiger eye stone she was wearing, she told reporters, "This thing I
wear now is something I recycled."


She said the jewelry collection was the idea of her grandson, Martin
"Borgy" Manotoc, who told her, "You are creating beautiful
things, like jewels from practically garbage."


The first designs are only for jewelry and will "not yet"
include shoes, her daughter said. But an aide said there are plans to
expand the collection to include shoes, clothes and possibly
furniture.


Describing how the collection came to be, the former first lady recalled,
"One day my grandson came to me and said, `Mama Meldy, I would like
to use your collection to tell the world the real Imelda and the spirit
of my grandma.'"


"What we are selling is not something valuable, but ... it is
something invaluable because it's only beauty that can feed the
spirit," she said.


Marcos said the items would be inexpensive, costing from $20 to $100. But
her daughter said prices and details about the collection are still being
ironed out.


"The accessories are just an excuse. It's just a visual and tactile
reminder of this attitude she wishes to share, the Imelda spirit, the
Imelda way and that's what it will represent," Imee Marcos
said.


The jewelry collection is a far cry from the dozens of suitcases of
genuine diamond tiaras, ruby brooches, emerald necklaces and other jewels
the government confiscated from Marcos and which officials plan to
auction off.


The Marcoses have been accused of amassing ill-gotten wealth and were
driven out of the presidential palace by a military-backed nonviolent
"people power" uprising in 1986. The ousted strongman died in
exile in Hawaii three years later.


The government has recovered about $1.6 billion in cash and assets from
the Marcoses and their associates, including Swiss bank deposits now
worth about $680 million.


Ricardo Abcede, a member of a commission recovering the Marcoses' wealth,
said about $4.4 billion worth of assets are tied up in criminal and civil
cases in the Philippines. The total amount of the Marcoses' assets abroad
is unknown.

The Joke's On Him

Good laugh for Women (and guys,
too!!)




 

One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash
his Sweat-shirt. Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he
shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?

"It depends," I replied. "What does it say on your
shirt?"


He yelled back, " University of Oklahoma "


And they say blondes are dumb...


******************************************

A couple is lying in bed. The man says, "I am going to make you the
happiest woman in the world."


The woman replies, "I'll miss you..."


-----------------------------------------------------------

"It's just too hot to wear clothes today," Jack says as he
stepped out of the shower, "honey, what do you think the neighbors
would think if I mowed the lawn like this?"


"Probably that I married you for your money," she replied.



-----------------------------------

Q: What do you call an intelligent, good looking, sensitive man?


A: A rumor


-----------------------------------------------------------

A man and his wife, now in their 60's, were celebrating their 40th
wedding anniversary. On their special day a good fairy came to them and
said that because they had been so good that each one of them could have
one wish.


The wife wished for a trip around the world with her husband. Whoosh!
Immediately she had airline/cruise tickets in her hands.


The man wished for a female companion 30 years younger...
Whoosh...immediately he turned ninety!!!


Gotta love that fairy!


-----------------------------------

Dear Lord,


I pray for Wisdom to understand my man; Love to forgive him; And Patience
for his moods. Because, Lord, if I pray for Strength, I'll beat him to
death.


AMEN


***************************************

Q: What does it mean when a man is in your bed gasping for breath and
calling your name?


A: You did not hold the pillow down long enough.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Q: Why do men whistle when they are sitting on the toilet?


A: It helps them remember which end they need to wipe.


-----------------------------------------------------------

Q: How do you keep your husband from reading your e-mail?


A: Rename the mail folder "Instruction Manuals"

All the books you wanna watch

Start:	Nov 8, '06
End:	Nov 25, '06
Location:	University of the Philippines Film Institute

All the books you wanna watch


Apart from its ongoing screenings for The Banquet starring Ziyi Zhang as opening salvo for the 2nd semester of the current school year, UP Film Institute unveils more films to your heart’s content.


In fitting commemoration of the National Book Month that falls in November, the UP Film Institute presents a string of noteworthy films derived from a variety of literature including classics and contemporary gems as well as bestsellers, cult favorites and true curio pieces. Screening schedule listed accordingly by date, time and title is as follows:

November 2006
Nov 8 Wed
2 & 7 p.m. Kama Sutra
5 p.m. The Pillow Book


Nov 9 Thu
2 p.m. Nowhere in Africa
5 p.m. Maybe Baby (Sex Bomb)
7 p.m. The Misadventures of Margaret (The Story of O)


Nov 11 Sat
5 p.m. Nowhere in Africa
7:30 p.m. Kama Sutra


Nov 13 Mon
2 p.m. Nowhere in Africa
5 p.m. Wide Sargasso Sea
7 p.m. The Lover


Nov 14 Tue
2 p.m. Nowhere in Africa
5 p.m. The Naked Eye (La mirada del otro)
7 p.m. Live Flesh (Carne tremula)

Nov 15 Wed
2 p.m. Five Children and It
5 p.m. Whore (Yo puta)


Nov 16 Thu
2 p.m. Nowhere in Africa
5 p.m. Jan Dara
7 p.m. Whore (Yo puta)


Nov 18 Sat
2 p.m. Jan Dara
5 p.m. Carmen


Nov 20 Mon
2 p.m. Nanny McPhee
5 p.m. Pride & Prejudice
7 p.m. Nanny McPhee


Nov 21 Tue
2 p.m. Pride & Prejudice
5 p.m. The Devil Wears Prada
7 p.m. Pride & Prejudice


Nov 22 Wed
5 p.m. The Keys to the House (Le chiavi di casa)
7 p.m. The Bridge of San Luis Rey


Nov 23 Thu
5 p.m. Fierce People
7 p.m. The Keys to the House (Le chiavi di casa)


Nov 25 Sat
2 p.m. Carmen
5 p.m. The Naked Eye (La mirada del otro)


Please take note also of more offerings for parallel programs all the way to December 2006:
@ THE VIDEOTHEQUE
Nov 10 Fri (@ the Videotheque)
5 p.m. Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag
7 p.m. Angela Markado


Nov 17 Fri (@ the Videotheque)
5 p.m. Bangkang Papel sa Dagat ng Apoy
7 p.m. Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag


Nov 24 Fri (@ the Videotheque)
5 p.m. Daluyong at Habagat
7 p.m. Kumander Alibasbas


Dec 1 Fri (@ the Videotheque)
5 p.m. Batas Militar
7 p.m. Hubad na Gubat


INSTITUTO CERVANTES PRESENTS (Nov 22 Wed 2 p.m.)
Visiting Filmmaker Santiago Loza’s Extraño (Strange)
Tiger Award—2003 Rotterdam International Film Festival
New Cinema Award—2003 Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema
Best First Work—2004 Lima Latin American Film Festival


CINEMA ONE ORIGINALS DIGITAL FILM FESTIVAL 2006
Nov 20 Mon-Nov 30 Thu 2, 5 & 7 p.m.


CINE VERITAS HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL 2006
Dec 5 Tue-Dec 9 Sat 2006
Opening Films: World Premiere of Martyn See’s Speakers Cornered;
Philippine Premiere of Amir Muhammad’s The Last Communist
Main Attractions: S-21: The Khmer Rouge Killing Machine;
Asedillo 35th Anniversary Screening;
The Moises Padilla Story Special Commemorative Screening;
Maicling Pelicula nang Ysang Indio Nacional; Memories of the Sea;
The Silent Natives of Fuga; State of War; Alingawngaw ng mga Punglo;
Rent; Select Student Shorts from CILECT Member Schools and more!


eKsperim[E]nto FESTIVAL OF FILM, VIDEO & NEW MEDIA 2006
Home to the best of the cutting-edge, underground, non-mainstream and counter-mainstream titles from around the world!
Dec 18 Mon-Dec 21 Thu 2, 5 & 7 p.m.


Always watch UP Film Institute screenings and be kept informed of all UP Film Institute’s forthcoming attractions.
Be especially alert of added screenings day by day.
Program is subject to change without prior notice.
For queries, interested parties may call cinema hotline 9263640, 9262722 (telefax).
Or e-mail upfilminstitute@hotmail.com and be most actively part
of the country’s first established online film community.

University of the Philippines Film Institute
(Member, CILECT/International Association of Film and Television Schools)
Plaridel Hall, Ylanan Road, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Tel: 9818500 (UP Trunkline) local 2669, 2670; 9206863 (Telefax)
Cine Adarna, Magsaysay and Osmena Avenues, UP Diliman, Quezon City
Tel: 9818500 (UP Trunkline) local 4286, 4289; 9262722 (Telefax)

looking for call center agents with unique hobbies/sidelines

for those who'd like a share of the limelight. just don't forget to
ask Excel for the details of the articles (what publication, when, etc.)

=)K

From: "Excel Dyquiangco"
Subject: looking for call center agents with unique hobbies/sidelines


Good day.

I am currently writing for a call center magazine and I am looking for call
center agents with unique hobbies or sidelines (like for example, cooking,
having their own businesses at the same time working in a call center,
gardening, teaching....) I will feature you in the magazine.

Please email me privately and if you know anyone who fits the description,
kindly forward this email to him/her.

Thank you very much.

Excel V. Dyquiangco

--
"If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn't brood. I'd
type a little faster.
Isaac Asimov on being a writer

www.freshedition.net
www.lulu.com/content/96573

8th Cinemanila International Film Festival

Start:	Nov 3, '06
End:	Nov 15, '06
Location:	SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 1

NOV. 3 (Mall of Asia Centerstage, Pasay City)
*Tickets will be available at the SM Ticket Counter
Gala Screening of Perhaps Love at 4PM
Opening Films:
Raya Martin's short film
Feature: Michel Gondry's Science of Sleeo at 7:00 PM

NOVEMBER 4 (SATURDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring"
2:00PM "Perhaps Love"
4:30PM "Frostbite"
7:00PM "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring"
9:30PM "Walking on the Wild Side"

NOVEMBER 5 (SUNDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance"
2:00PM "Vera Drake"
4:30PM "Walking on the Wild Side"
7:00PM "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance"
9:30PM "Exiled"

NOVEMBER 6 (MONDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Perhaps Love"
2:00PM "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring"
4:30PM "Frostbite"
7:00PM "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance"
9:30PM "Everlasting Regret"

NOVEMBER 7 (TUESDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Frostbite"
2:00PM "Everlasting Regret"
4:30PM "Vera Drake"
7:00PM special premiere of Eddie Romero's "Faces of Love"
9:30PM "Magic Mirrors"

*additional screenings to follow
*schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

Cinemanila International Film Festival

8TH CINEMANILA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Official website: http://www.cinemanila.com.ph
Official mailing list: http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/cinemanila
Nov. 3 -15, 2006

Venues:
SM Digital Cinemas (Mall of Asia, North Edsa and Megamall) - for the
Digital Lokal and Cine Pambata
Greenbelt 1 Cinema 2 - for the World Cinema Program and Premieres

NOV. 3 (Mall of Asia Centerstage, Pasay City)
*Tickets will be available at the SM Ticket Counter
Gala Screening of Perhaps Love at 4PM
Opening Films:
Raya Martin's short film
Feature: Michel Gondry's Science of Sleeo at 7:00 PM

NOVEMBER 4 (SATURDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring"
2:00PM "Perhaps Love"
4:30PM "Frostbite"
7:00PM "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring"
9:30PM "Walking on the Wild Side"

NOVEMBER 5 (SUNDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance"
2:00PM "Vera Drake"
4:30PM "Walking on the Wild Side"
7:00PM "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance"
9:30PM "Exiled"

NOVEMBER 6 (MONDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Perhaps Love"
2:00PM "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring"
4:30PM "Frostbite"
7:00PM "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance"
9:30PM "Everlasting Regret"

NOVEMBER 7 (TUESDAY); GREENBELT 1 CINEMA 2
11:30AM "Frostbite"
2:00PM "Everlasting Regret"
4:30PM "Vera Drake"
7:00PM special premiere of Eddie Romero's "Faces of Love"
9:30PM "Magic Mirrors"

*additional screenings to follow
*schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

8TH CINEMANILA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
FILMS IN COMPETITION

1. EVERLASTING REGRET / Stanley Kwan (HK-China, 2005) The
film is based on Changhen Ge, a novel by Wang Anyi, about a woman's
turbulent life in 20th century Shanghai, China. The story follows
Qiyao (Maggie Cheung), a legendary and celebrated beauty, from her
pre-Revolution glamour and status to her simpler life as she
struggles to preserve the dignity of her past while surviving the
contestant betrayal by her men. She stands proud and bears witness
to the waves of change in her city from 1947 to 1981, until one wave
finally overwhelms her. The film is a visionary exploration of
history ad personal experience conveyed through a refined aesthetic
and a romantic style that characterized the pre-Communist literature
of Shanghai . Open Prize, Berlin 2005 115 minutes

2. 9th COMPANY / Fyodor Bondarchuk (Finland-Russia-UK, 2005)
The film is
based on a true story of the 9th company during the Soviet invasion
in Afghanistan in the 1980's. 130 minutes

3. CITIZEN DOG / Wisit Sasanatieng (Thailand, 2004) 100 minutes

4. CLIMATES / Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey-France, 2006)
FIPRESCI Prize, Palm D'Or nominee – Cannes 2006) 101 minutes

5. IT'S ONLY TALK / Ryuichi Hiroki (Japan , 2005) FIPRESCI
Prize , Singapore Film Festival 2006 126 minutes

6. SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE / Park Chan-Wook (South Korea,
2005) CinemaAvvenire Award-Best Director, Little Golden Lion –
Venice 2005. Stars Lee Young-Ae (leadstar in the hit Koreanovela
Jewel in the Palace) 112 minutes

7. THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY / Ken Loach (UK-Germany-
Italy-Spain-France-Ireland, 2006) Palme D'Or, Cannes 2006 127
minutes

8. KUBRADOR / Jeffrey Jeturian (Philippines, 2006) 98 minutes

9. HEREMIAS / Lav Diaz (Philippines, 2006) 540 minutes

10. TAKING FATHER HOME / Ying Liang (China, 2006)

BLACK / Sanjay Lheela Bhansali (India, 2005) stars Amitab Bachnan.
Indian version of "The Miracle Worker" 122 minutes

IT'S ONLY TALK / Ryuichi Hiroki (Japan, 2005) FIPRESCI Prize,
Singapore Film Festival 2006 126 minutes

PRINCESS RACCOON / Seijun Suzuki (Japan , 2005) Mechiyo (The
banished prince) falls in love with Tanukihime (Zhang Ziyi as a
princess of raccoon dog disguised to human). This is an Operetta
which includes comedy, singing and dancing, and a love story. 113
minutes

STARFISH HOTEL / John Williams (Japan, 2006) 98 minutes

LITTLE BIRDS / Takeharu Watai (Japan, 2006) There is no easy
solution to the situation in Iraqw. But how often do you hear from
those that really matter in all of this? Takeharu Wati's Little
Birds gives voice to those unheard and ignored by media networks. It
is the recipent of the Human Rights Awards at the 2005 Locarno
International Film Festival. The film takes its titles from the
epitaph on the plank of wood that serves as a makeshift gravestone
for three children who died when their house was destroyed by three
bombs. It reads: "Don't cry dad. We became birds in the sky." 102
minutes

IF YOU WERE ME 2 / Ji Woo Chung, Jin Jang Dong-Won Kim, Kyung-hee
Park Seung-wan Ryoo (South korea , 2006) Omnibus film on human
rights issues 113 minutes

IF YOU WERE ME ANIMA VISION / (omnibus) (Korea, 2005) 70 minutes

SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE / Park Chan-Wook (South Korea, 2005)
CinemaAvvenire Award-Best Director, Little Golden Lion – Venice
2005. Stars Lee Young-Ae (leadstar in the hit Koreanovela Jewel in
the Palace) 112 minutes

SPRING, SUMMER, FALL, WINTER AND SPRING / Kim Ki Duk (South Korea,
2003) A young boy lives in a small floating temple on a beautiful
lake, together with an elderly master who teaches him the ways of
the Buddha. Years later the boy, now a young man, experiences his
sexual awakening with a girl who has come to the temple to be healed
by the master. The youth runs away to the outside world but his lust
turns his life into hell, so he returns to the lake temple to find
spiritual enlightenment. 103 minutes

LOVE CONQUERS ALL / Tan Chui Mui (Netherlands-Malaysia, 2005) 90
minutes

HIGH COST OF LIVING / Leonard Lai (Malaysia, 2006)

CLIMATES / Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey-France, 2006) FIPRESCI Prize,
Palm D'Or nominee – Cannes 2006) 101 minutes

ANGEL'S FALL / Semih Kaplanoglu (Turkey, Greece , 2005) 98 minutes

WILLOW TREE / Majid Majidi (Iran, 2005) 96 minutes

CITIZEN DOG / Wisit Sasanatieng (Thailand, 2004) 100 minutes

SHORT FILMS ABOUT TSUNAMI / Apichatpong Weerasethakul & Christelle
Lheureuz, Pipope Panitchpakdi, Thunska Pansittivorakyl, Sompot
Chidgasornpongsem Suchada Sirithanawuddhi (Thailand, 2005) 114
minutes

SERAMBI / Garin Nugroho, Tonny Timarsanto, Viva Westi, Lianto Lusen
(Indonesia, 2006) Documentary film about the people in Aceh after
the tsunami.

PAPER DOLLS / Tomer Heymann (Usa-Israel-Switzerland, 2006)
Documentary about a group of transvestite Filipinos who emigrate to
Israel to take care of elders at day while on their day off perform
as drag performers in a group called the Paper Dolls . 80 minutes

CHINESE RENAISSANCE PROGRAM
PERHAPS LOVE peter ho-sun chan (HK-Malaysia-China, 2005) Directed
by famous Hong Kong director Peter Chan, and staring by the handsome
Takeshi Kaneshiro ("House of Flying Daggers," "Turn Left Turn
Right"), the talented Zhou Xun ("The Little Chinese Seamstress," "
Beijing Bicycle"), the remarkable singer and actor Jacky Cheung, and
the Korean heartthrob Ji Jin-he. A love triangle develops during the
making of a musical in mainland China. 108 minutes.
EXILED / johnny to (HK, 2006) Golden Lion Nominee: Venice 2006 100
minutes

TWO BY STANLEY KWAN
EVERLASTING REGRET (HK-china, 2005) Open Prize, Berlin 2005
115 minutes
CENTERSTAGE (HK, 1992) Silver Bear – Best Actress, Berlin 1992.
Maggie Cheung portrays the 1930's Chinese actress Ruan Ling Yu 154
minutes

STILL LIFE / Jia Zhangke (China-HK, 2006) Open Prize, Doc-It Award
Venice 2006 108 minutes
PEACOCK / Gu Changwei (China, 2005) Silver Bear – Special Jury
Prize, Berlin 2005 114 minutes
WALKING ON THE WILD SIDE / Han Jie (China, 2005) Tiger Award,
Rotterdam 2006 89 minutes
TAKING FATHER HOME / Ying Liang (China, 2006) 100 minutes
-------------------------------

MAGIC MIRROR / Manoel De Oliveira (Portugal, 2005) Golden Lion
Nominee, Venice 2005 137 minutes

FROSTBITEN / Anders Banke (Sweden, 2006) International Fantasy Film
Award, Fantasporto 2006. Vampires terrorize a city in Norrbotten ,
Sweden . 98 minutes

SCIENCE OF SLEEP / Michel Gondry (USA, 2006) stars Gael garcia
Bernal. Directed by Michel Gondry, director of "Eternal Sunshine of
the Spotless Mind" 105 minutes

THE WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY / Ken Loach (UK-Germany-Italy-Spain-
France-Ireland, 2006) Palme D'Or, Cannes 2006 127 minutes

VERA DRAKE / Mike Leigh (UK-France-New Zealand, 2004) Nominated for
Best Actress, Best Director, Best Screenplay: Academy Awards 2004;
Golden Lion: Venice 2004 125 minutes

9th COMPANY / Fyodor Bondarchuk (Finland-Russia-UK, 2005) The film
is based on a true story of the 9th company during the Soviet
invasion in Afghanistan in the 1980's. Young Soviet Army recruits
are sent from a boot camp into the middle of the war in
Afghanistan . The action is not like a boot camp at all. It is very
bloody and dirty. The 9th company is defending the hill 3234. They
are hopelessly calling for help. But help never comes. "This is war,
you kill, or get killed", says the 9-th company leader Khohol
(Bondarchuk). They believed that they served their country. But two
years later that country ceased to exist. 130 minutes

PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION / Robert Altman (USA, 2006)
Nominated for the Golden Berlin Bear: Berlin 2006. All star cast. It
is celebrity version of Garrison Keillor's radio show. It adds a
slight story of the radio show ending as a new owner (Tommy Lee
Jones) has bought the Fitzgerald theater that the show broadcasts
from and is going to tear it down. Another fantasy element is thrown
in as an angel (Virginia Madsen) stalks the theater to take one of
the performers. Keillor plays the lead character, coincidentally
called GK. Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep play the singing Johnson
Sisters, with Lindsay Lohan as a suicide-obsessed daughter of
Streep. Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly are hilarious as the
slightly off-color singing cowboy duo, Dusty & Lefty. Kevin Kline is
a security guard who tells the story. Maya Rudolph also appears as a
pregnant stage coordinator. 105 minutes

HOLLYWOODLAND / Allen Coultrer (USAm 2006) Nominated for Golden
Lion: Venice 2006. A Detective examines the death of George Reeves,
TV's Superman portrayed by Ben Affleck. Also stars Adrien Brody,
Dianne Lane .

THE ACHIEVERS / Abraham Lim (USA, 2006) 95 minutes

COLMA: THE MUSICAL / Richard Wong (USA, 2006) 119 minutes

SENTENCED HOME / David Grabias, Nicole Newham (USA, 2006) Funded by
the Sundance Documentary Fund and PBS, SENTENCED HOME puts a
never-before-seen face on current U.S. deportation policy. 73
minutes

CLEOPATRA WONG / Bobby A. Suarez (Singapore-Philippines, 1978)
Story about the adventure of a beautiful secret agent (Marie Lee)
Also stars Catched the eye of Quentin Tarantino and has been one of
the inspirations for him to write "Kill Bill" 92 minutes

BAMBOO GODS AND BIONIC BOYS / Andrew Leavold
An overview of the most outrageous moments from the Philippines
prolific B-film industry

PINOY VISION PROGRAM
The first of our showcase programs of new short works highlights
emerging local talents, accented with a pair of works by Filipino
producers who are beginning to make waves on the international
scene. 70 – 90 minutes

AUSTRALIAN INDIES
RAUL: THE TERRIBLE / David Bradbury (Australia, 2006)
Raul Castells. He admires Che's convictions. Raul is a walking,
talking force of Raul, the Terrible (who was born in the city of Che
Guevara ) is a warts-and-all portrait of a man driven to change the
world and a frightening insight into the politics of poverty. 52
minutes
THE ACTRESS / Zak Hilditch (Australia, 2005) 91 minutes
BURKE & WILLS / Matthew Zeremes, Oliver Knorr (Australia , 2005) 74
minutes
EMULSION / Jontahan Ogilvie (Australia, 2005) 85 minutes

IN BETWEEN DAYS / So-yong Kim (USA-Canada-South Korea, 2006)
FIPRESCI Prize: Berlin 2006, Special Jury Prize for So Yong Kim &
Bradley Rust Gray: Sundance 2006

HEREMIAS / Lav Diaz (Philippines, 2006)
Bagged the Special Jury Prize at the recently concluded 20th
Fribourg International Film Festival in Switzerland "Heremias" stars
Ronnie Lazaro as a farmer who fasts for 40 days and nights 540
minutes

KUBRADOR / Jeffrey Jeturian (Philippines, 2006) 98 minutes

YOUNG CINEMA NIGHT
DOCUMENTARIES
DIGITAL LOKAL COMPETITION
BEST OF PINOY DIGITAL FILMS
LINO BROCKA RETROSPECTIVE

PREMIERES: Romeo Candido's Pamana and Mr. Eddie Romero's Faces of
Love

Cine Europa 2006 Screening Time Schedule

November 9, 2006-Thursday, PM
2:40 Karo and the Lord(AT)
4:50 Everybody Famous (Manila Only)(BE1)
7:00 Cinema 1-Karo and the Lord(AT)
7:00 Cinema 3- One way ticket to Mombasa(FI)

November 10, 2006- Friday, PM
1:50 Karo and the Lord(AT)
3:50 Everybody Famous (Manila Only)(BE1)
6:30 One way ticket to Mombasa(FI)
9:00 Simon (NL)

November 11, 2006- Saturday, PM
2:40 Russian Dolls (FR)
4:40 The Miracle of Bern (DE)
6:40 The Dauphin (PT)9:00
Breakfast on Pluto (UK)

November 12, 2006- Sunday, PM
1:50 When the sea rises (BE 2)
4:50 Zelary (CZ)
6:50 Simon (NL)
9:00 Things that make life worth living (ES)

November 13, 2006- Monday, PM
1:30 The Reunion (SE)
3:50 Karo and the Lord(AT)
6:20 Everybody Famous (Manila Only)(BE1)
9:00 One way ticket to Mombasa(FI)

November 14, 2006- Tuesday, PM
2:00 Russian Dolls (FR)
4:45 The Miracle of Bern (DE)
7:00 The Dauphin (PT)
9:00 When the sea rises (BE 2)

November 15, 2006- Wednesday, PM
1:50 Zelary (CZ)
3:50 Simon (NL)
6:50 The Reunion (SE)
9:00 Things that make life worth living (ES)Â

November 16, 2006-Thursday, PM
2:10 Karo and the Lord(AT)
4:40 Everybody Famous (Manila Only)(BE1)
7:00 One way ticket to Mombasa(FI)
9:00 Russian Dolls (FR)

November 17, 2006-Friday, PM
2:00 The Miracle of Bern (DE)
4:15 The Dauphin (PT)
7:00 When the sea rises (BE 2)
9:00 Zelary (CZ)

November 18, 2006, PM
1:40 Simon (NL)
3:50 The Reunion (SE)
6:00 Things that make life worth living (ES)
9:00 Karo and the Lord(AT)

*Cineplex, Shangri-la Plaza Mall
open to public-entrance tickets are for free
first come, first serve basis
no standing room

***********************************************************************

Austria
Karo und der Liebe
Gott
1hr 34 mins

Belgium
Everybody Famous (Manila Only)
1hr 40 mins

Belgium
When the sea rises
1hr 30 mins

Czech Republic
Zelary
2hrs 30mins

Finland
One way ticket to Mombasa
1hr 26mins

France
Russian Dolls
2hrs 5mins

Germany
Das Wunder Von Bern
1hr 58mins

The Netherlands
Simon
1hr 42mins

Portugal
Delfim
1hr 23mins

Spain
Cosas que hacen que la vida valga la pena
1hr 26mins

Sweden
Klassfesten (The Reunion)
1hr 43mins

United Kingdom
Breakfast on Pluto
2hrs 15mins

Lecture on: European Cinema: Cultural Specificities

Details:
Brought to us by the Delegation of European Commission to the
Philippines, The Netherlands Embassy and Embassy of France:

Lecture on: European Cinema: Cultural Specificities
by Dutch Director Eddy Terstall (of the film Simon, entry of The Netherlands)
and French film producer Jean-Michel Dissard

November 9, at 9 A.M., Shangri-La mall
Open to public

[ http://www.filipinowriter.com/cine-europa-2006 ]
http://cineuropa.org/

food, popcorn, chef tony

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

I just had popcorn for dinner...

Ok, so it's not the healthiest dinner I should be having but I wanted to indulge my sweet tooth this once. Besides, it was a pretty good experience.

The popcorn party was held at my friend's house. With my daughter in tow, I headed there knowing fully well that this might well be dinner. I was right.

How could it not be dinner when there were 7 courses in the menu courtsey of Chef Tony? We started with the Original flavor of Caramel. It was a basic sweet popcorn, basically the usual poppers dribbled with sweetness. Then it was Cinnamon, Pesto, White Chocolate Walnut, Light, Parmesan and then Mochachino Almonds.

When it comes to reviewing delectable delights, I always use my daughter as a gauge, as far as sweet teeth are concerned. My tastebuds has gone through a gamut of tastes over the years and I know my preference for salty and sweet stuff. Hers is only 8 years old and still exploring gastronomic adventures.

Her verdict? It's a toss up between the butter and the cheese. At least that's how she says it. Af far as she's concerned Parmesan is cheese, and Light is butter. She has always liked those two flavors in whatever form.

And I agree, though I have a close third in the White Chocolate Walnut.

Thing is, this Chef Tony seems to know how to blend his ingredients in the popcorn well. The cheese wasn't messy. The butter wasn't oily. The walnuts were soft-yet-crunchy (feel your teeth sink into each one). The almonds were not too hard. The aromas wafting out of the tubs as we opened them were enough as appetizers. And the sweetness was just enough for the most part.

I do have some comments on the flavors though. The Pesto was surprisingly good for an off-flavor. It's a pasta taste, definitely, but on the really sweet side. Maybe if it were more salty as most people would expect. Popcorn can be salty too, you know.

Speaking of salty, I kinda missed that over dinner. The traditional popcorn at home is salty buttery. MY daughter and I love it like that. With our respective sweet teeth, Chef Tony's sweet popcorn are good, but will there be saltier flavors too?

There is much to be done about the packaging though. The tubs threatened to spill out the popcorn as we opened them since you'd have to use considerable effort opening each one. And the labels are a bit confusing for the newbie. Yeah, it's color-coordinated but no one but the connoiseurs and the staff know what each color meant. Plus the printing on the lables didn't really take advantage of contrasts. It's a little hard to read what the label says unless you're up close.

On the whole, I enjoyed my popcorn dinner party. So did my daughter. It's not something we really should be doing regularly but the indulgence was worth this one time. We'll keep the popcorn for snacks and movies and thons though.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Short Story: Trapping A Mermaid

Trapping a Mermaid
By Ginnie Faustino-Galgana


Karina had always been a quiet child. She never went out of her way to get attention. Once turned down, she backs off. Once turned away, she stays out of the way.

It is not surprising then that, in many ways, Karina loved being alone. In being alone, she could draw and write to her heart's content. She drew fantastic creatures from the books she had read. Her favorite were mermaids and she often dreamt that she were one, swimming in the oceans, going to many places, exploring sunken treasure troves.

When Karina discovered this new thing called "blogging," she quickly took a liking to it. There on her weblog, she created her character -- Euria -- a sea nymph with the tail of a fish and the upper body of a maiden.

As Euria, Karina created a new world of dangers and wonders. She researched online on the beauties of the deep and used them as reference for her new world -- Djupur, the Icelandic word for "deep" -- where she was the alone and living in the sunken wreckage of a Spanish galleon.

The first entry in her blog she wrote:

Dear Diary, my name is Euria. I'm a mermaid.

I often thought I'm not very pretty. All the paintings I've found in the sunken ships show pink women with golden or black hair, fair skin and wrapped in some kind of skin that they change every so often. Their eyes are blue or dark and their lips are red.

Though I have long hair, it's the shade of seagrass green. When light, shines on it, if there is a light, it reflects various colors of the rainbow. My eyes are purple and my lips are a deep shade of lilac. My nails and scales are the shade of dark bluish green, depending on the light and shadows. I have two fins on my breast and a long exoskeleton-like fin running from my nape down to my tail. And my skin is a soft flesh of the color of light bluish purple.

I live in Djupur, deep in the Pacific. I have everything I desire here -- friends who love me, abundant food and toys to keep me occupied.

I often engaged in treasure hunts with my buddies Manta Ray, Octopus and Plecostumus. Or sometimes, we would try to annoy the old Angler fish at the ravine. He is such an old grumpus, preferring to stay in the dark. Though that bright ball of his is really quite tantalizing. His huge fangs are scary so we try not to irritate him too much.

Octopus is the mischievous one. He gets us in the most troubles. Like, one time, he teased the Electric Eel and scuttled away looking like a sea serpent. It was easy for him because he has camouflage! The rest of us had to hide in the sea weeds.

Manta Ray was the adventurous one and loved exploring. She found the most treasures in our hunts, but they’re all just the glittery stuff. They tarnish in time. I prefer the fascinating paintings of the dry world even if they get destroyed after a while. I chose my Galleon home because it had a lot of jars and plates painted with blue and white and many of those skins people put on and change. I read somewhere that they are called clothes but I never really understood what they are for. Maybe they’re just to make whose women more beautiful.

Wrass is the friendliest. He loves introducing us to other sea creatures. He loves hanging around the whales and the sharks especially when he is hungry.


Such were the adventures of Karina as Euria. They were chronicled in her blog as if she were keeping a diary.

Karina had been living as the virtual Euria for a couple of months already, when she noticed that someone had been visitng her blog often. At first, no messages were left. The other blogger merely visited and perhaps enjoyed reading about the adventures of Euria and her friends.

Curious, Karina checked out the other blogger's profile. He's a guy, about two years her senior. There wasn't much in his information for Karina to go with. All she knew was that he was already working somewhere in Makati. And his blog handle was Marbendill, the Icelandic word for "Merman."

Karina's office was in a Call Center in Ortigas. Her graveyard shift gave her an inverted schedule. As a researcher for an online information portal, Karina never had to talk to anyone. All she had to do was provide answers to questions emailed or sent in via SMS.

To bait Merbendill into saying something, Karina decided to write about Euria's sighting of a lone sailor that she admired. She named this sailor Angelis because he looked like an angel with the sun shining behind him as it set when Euria first saw him.

Dear Diary,

I saw Angelis today. He’s a man who sails on his boat. He hardly ever fishes except maybe to have something to eat. Many times, he tosses back what he caught. Maybe it’s because they’re too young or too small for him. Though he did toss some big fishes too.

Anyway, Angelis is a painter who liked going out to sea to find good images for his works. I looked into the boat and saw some paintings of sea storms, ships and sea creatures. He made some good ones of Mrs. Orca with her calf. And the storms looked very disturbed – all dark and turbulent. They were beautiful!

I think he is beautiful. I like looking at him. But I can’t have him see me. I don’t have golden hair or pink skin or red lips. I will probably just scare him looking the way I do.
I saw him sleep in his cabin. Through the window, there was a small light for the room and it shone on his peaceful face. I wonder what he was dreaming of…

Euria


Merbendill took the bait and started replying to her blogs as Angelis, writing from Angelis's point of view.

Dear Diary,

This is Angelis. I’m not a writer really, but being alone on this painting expedition, I feel I need to express some things, even just in a journal.

I made big headway yesterday on my painting of the Blue Whale. I actually had a sighting. My digicam is filled with pictures of the whale coming up for air. I hope to see a group of them herding in some plankton to eat.

Over the past few days, I have been having this strange feeling of being watched. But for the life of me, I can’t figure out why in the world I would have that feeling being out here all alone. I radioed in to the closest dock and confirmed the great weather for the week and inquired if there would be anyone coming my way. There isn’t any, of course. Still, it is unnerving feeling this way.

Sometimes, I pretend that there is someone with me and I start talking out loud. It’s a good thing I’m all alone here then. People will probably think I’m crazy talking like that.

Angelis


As a response, Karina blogged a bold move by Euria on Angelis.

Dear Diary,

I sneaked into his boat today! It was way too early and he was still asleep. I looked at him and touched his face. His skin is soft! But he has this very short hair on his face that felt really rough. I’ve seen him use a blade on that and they almost disappeared only to come back by the end of the day. One time, he even wounded himself and his blood is red, just like mine!

I had to gasp at the softness of his skin. I think he heard me and he moved his eyes. I’m not sure but I think they opened a little. Oh my heart was pounding! So I swung myself out of his boat and into the sea. As I splashed into the water, I heard him stumbling to get up. I’m never going into that boat again!

Euria

Dear Diary,

I had the most fascinating dream last night. I dreamt that a mermaid came to me. She was a beautiful creature, very curious and not what I had expected.

I wish could see a real mermaid, if they were real. Are they?

Angelis


Dear Diary,

He was talking to himself again today while working on a painting. This time, it felt like he was talking to me.

He said, “Hey there little mermaid. How are you? Have you come to talk to me? I bet you are beautiful just like in the books. They also say you sing with a beautiful voice. Oh boy, I would love to hear you sing. Maybe one day I would.

“When I was a boy, my mother would read me stories about you. She said that there are also bad mermaids that enchant sailors until they sail into their deaths. She also said there are the nice ones like the Little Mermaid, Lorelei. She fell in love with a human prince but he was in love with a human princess. Lorelei gave up her fins to get feet from the Sea Witch but she could not kill the prince to get her fins back. So she turned into sea foam.

“Anyway, I really wish I can meet you one day.” Then he laughed and shook his head.

I almost answered to ask about this Lorelei. She sounded real, but I doubt if there is such a thing as a Sea Witch. We’ve got enough problems with the sharks and eels all over the place.

Still, I think I’ll just scare him. One of the paintings in his cabin is a mermaid and she looks just like the people in the paintings I’ve found except that they had no legs and they’re fish from the waist down – pink skin, red lips, golden hair.

I wonder how they expect their version of the mermaid to breathe under water. We need gills down here. They got noses with the holes pointing down instead of up like the airholes of the whales.

I guess mermaids are not real to them. Boy, would they be surprised!

Euria


Soon, Merbendill started posting blogs that show he had been finding hints of another presence in Angelis’s boat. Euria took this as another kind of adventure for her.

Dear Diary,

Octopus was at it again today. He actually went into his boat and got me one of those shiny things with tines. Later, I heard him shouting “Who the hell got my fork?!”

So, it’s called a fork! I’ve seen him use it on his food. He pierces his food with the tines so he can put it in his mouth without touching it. Why wouldn’t he want to touch his food? Human are weird.

Euria


One day, Merbendill posted only a picture: it was a painting of Euria enjoying the rain on a rock. The caption said it was a painting by Angelis of a mermaid he had dreamed of.

The drawing was beautiful. It moved Karina so much, she sent Merbendill a personal email as Karina and thanked him for a beautiful portrait.

Dear Merbendill,

Thank you for the beautiful portrait of Euria. You made her more beautiful than I had envisioned her. Are you an artist?

Karina
a.k.a. Euria


Dear Karina,

I only based it on your blog. You’re a good writer. I practically saw how she looked like just based on your words. Thank you for inspiring it.

Honestly, it is you I should be thanking for all this. I have been enjoying your blog for a while now. I find it playful and imaginative – a refreshing change to the hectic pace of my office.

Yes, I am an artist. I do freelance work for agencies.

Angelo
a.k.a. Merbendill

That started their correspondences as themselves. Euria and Angelis still continued on the blog, barely missing seeing each other on many occasions. Euria avoided being seen, as Karina maintained that their correspondence and friendship should just remain online. Angelis pursued clues to find Euria as Angelo tried to convince Karina to meet up.


Dear Diary,

I left a painting of a mermaid on his boat today. I made it look like it got washed on board. I rubbed some weeds onto the skin and hair to make her look like she is greenish like me.

He smiled when he saw it and then he brought out that painting of his of me, and he said, “Now, little mermaid, you’ve got a friend to stay with you. And look, you’re both green!” And then he laughed.

I am still amazed at how could remember me in that much detail.

Then he looked out to sea and asked, “O Little Mermaid, are you real?”

Yes, I am, human! But yes, I can’t be real to you. I’m stuff of your fantasies – singing sailors to their death or some such disaster. It’s better this way with you there and me over here.

Euria


Dear Karina,

Are you for real? I would very much like to meet you in person. I want to put a face to the person with such a wonderful imagination.

You know what I think? I think you’re a beautiful person. I know I haven’t seen you yet but beautiful stories like Euria’s can only come from a beautiful mind.

I’m not trying to flatter you or anything. I just believe in what I just said about you being beautiful. And I hope I can make you see that too.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

I don’t think it would be a good idea to meet up. I like being in my own little world, reaching out only occasionally. This little world has room for only one.

Karina


Dear Karina,

Call it a cliché but no man is an island. You can’t go on being cooped up in your little world like that. There are lots more to explore out here in the bigger jungle.

Wait a minute, does “this little world has room for only one” mean that you are already attached?

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

Hahahaha! I’m the only one in my world, believe me. And I would prefer it to remain that way.

Karina


Dear Karina,

Hmmm… aren’t you curious to meet me?

Mind you, I’m no looker. I’m not buff. Far from it. I’m a typical artist-nerd. I don’t even wear anything on my hair. In fact, I have no hair. I used to have crew cut hair because I grew up with that, thanks to my dad. But I have found that no hair far more practical.

How about you? Since you won’t see me, tell me how you look like.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

Ha! I’m not going fall into that trap! But all I’ll say is that there is a lot of me in Euria. Though I have a feeling you already knew that.

BTW, have you heard Julia Fordham? I think she is a wonderful musician. I love her Towerblock. Comfort of Strangers isn’t so bad either. I have a collection of her albums and I would love to have them signed by her when she comes here.

What kind of music do you like?

Karina


Dear Karina,

Ah, Julia Fordham! She is one of my favorites! I even saw her concert when came here. It’s the one where that guy proposed to his girlfriend right before Julia sang Love Moves In Mysterious Ways.

Towerblock, huh? Shows your personality. Don’t tell me, you like Invisible War, too, don’t you? My personal favorite is Porcelain.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

Who doesn’t love Invisible War? I bet your next favorite is Happy Ever After.

Karina


Dear Karina,

Yes, it is! Want to see the JF concert next month?

Angelo


Karina hadn’t watched her favorite singer perform live. Angelo’s offer was quite tempting, but she opted to avoid the topic altogether in the hopes that he would just forget about it.

Karina found herself actually getting more and more curious about Angelo, yet she was afraid that he would not find her to be his liking.

Their letters became more and more interesting as time went on. She found out that he loved reading books as well – fantasy books at that – same kind of music, same type of movies and a few shared interest on TV shows. They shared the same family experience – conservative parents, Catholic schools and siblings who weren’t so bad but had strong personalities. They also both loved the rain.

Dear Angelo,

Rainy days aren’t bad, as many people think. I think it cleanses the earth. It also makes the air cool down into a nice bed-weather.

I love rainy days. The rain helps me sleep better too, for some reason. Sometimes, I would go out in a downpour and walk around. Less people out there and I get natural music too!

Karina


Dear Karina,

Hey, I love rain too! But I bike instead of walk. It’s more of an exercise for me. And I do my biking everytime it rains. So you can say I get more exercise during the rainy season. I hate being out there in the sun—under that scorching heat! So I bike at night during the summer.

I sometimes venture out to Intramuros and take in the feel of the old city. The cobblestone pavement hurts my underside but I can always stand on the pedals. Those big churches are so grand! The old architecture feels romantic for me. The Baluartes, though they have sad histories of being prison cells, are such sturdy edifices – very strong to have withstood the test of hundreds of years.

Where do you go in the rain?

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

I went around Intramuros over the weekend and checked out the stuff you mentioned. It is quite romantic there. I imagined myself dressed like Maria Clara walking around with my parasol in hand, fan tucked on my belt and my train getting dirty on the road.

It must have been so different then when all they had were horses and calesas, and men wore bowl hats and tuxedoes.

I imagined speaking in fluent Spanish as I entered the San Agustin Church. Yes, it was so grand even inside – such faith outpouring from the people letting the church afford such a grandiose spectacle.

I even went in Galleria delas Islas along Gen. Luna St. It’s good to see that local arts is still flourishing in some way.

I saw how you would appreciate the place. Thank you for that (sorta) tour.

Karina


Dear Karina,

See? And you found my favorite places too! Did you know that they’re planning to tear down the Metropolitan Theater right outside the walls? It’s so tragic. They don’t make those kinds of architectural showcases anymore.

Another favorite spot is the mini-forest park behind the theater and the Orchidarium. I like painting there. For a place that right smack in the middle of the city, it seems so peaceful especially with all the plants. Those are places I would like to take someone special to, spend quiet moments and just be ourselves in.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

The Met?! Nooooooo! Sigh.

I’ve been to the park and the Orchidarium. Yes, they are beautiful places. Quiet. So close to nature. When it’s raining, there are less people there too so you can really be yourself.

Karina


Dear Karina,

I think I would enjoy being quiet with you, especially in those special places. I feel like I’ve always known you even when I haven’t met you. Now, when it rains, I find myself smiling because I know you’re liking it too. I cozy up in my bed under the sheets and imagine walking in the park with someone like you.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

Yes, we dream. Many things happen in dreams. We become mermaids and sailors. We become free. We won’t need to deal with anyone except the ones we need to deal with.

Karina


Dear Karina,

You sound so lonely. You aren’t alone, you know. You’ve got Octo, Manta and Wrass. And you’ve got me. I sense that there is something bothering you. I wish I can give you a hug right now, just to let you realize that. I can give really good bear hugs, you know.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

I’ve just received my walking papers from work. They’re downsizing. I guess they got too optimistic about the information portal and over-staffed it. They had to lose some money just to realize that. Anyway, it shouldn’t be hard to find another loner-type job somewhere. Maybe I should try my luck with writing, huh?

Thanks for the hug. It really helped.

Karina


Dear Karina,

There is more of that where it came from. Just holler for more, if you like.

Yes, you should try writing. You’re pretty good at it. My friends and I just set-up a new ad agency and we can definitely use someone with your talent. If you want, I can forward them your resume. Of course, we won’t pay as much as a call center, but it’s good and honest living. Just make sure you can withstand the rat-race of the advertising world.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

As a matter of fact I have submitted my application to an ad agency based in Makati. Thanks for the offer but I’m pretty much ok already.

Karina


Dear Karina,

Wow, you’re really decided on not seeing me at all, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I won’t take that against you. I understand that you’re shy. Just so you know, I’m no monster and I won’t bite…hard. Just kidding. I’m told I’m a nice person and this nice person would love to meet you face-to-face one day.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,

Thanks for understanding. I feel comfortable writing to you and expressing this much on mails but I don’t think I’ll be as comfortable face-to-face. It would be awkward for both of us.

Karina


Dear Karina,

As I said, I understand, but I am still hoping you’d change your mind. You can’t blame a guy from wanting to meet someone as interesting as you.

Angelo


Dear Angelo,
I have an interview tomorrow! Wish me luck!
Karina


Dear Karina,
Best of luck to you! I hope they give you a good deal.
Angelo


As Karina prepared for her job interview, her thoughts were in Djupur. Euria was smitten with Angelis and was seriously considering showing herself to him, so Karina decided to check the blog and found a post by Angelo.

Dear Diary,

I am now sure there are mermaids in the world. I’ve seen her. First it was a dream. I thought she was beautiful. Her shimmering hair caught all the colors of the rainbow under the sun. Her skin glistened. And her scales glimmered, wet as it was.

She has been trying to hide from me but I’ve seen her. I’ve let her believe that she got away each time but I was just trying to make her feel more and more confident about coming closer.

She has been keeping me company. I wouldn’t be surprised if those paintings that get washed up were from her. Same with some of the fishes I eat. And I bet she had something to do with the killer whale the other day while I was about to dive. I saw the dorsal fin coming towards me. Then it went down and disappeared. Later, I saw the dorsal fin moving away from me.

She’s my Angel, guarding me. I want to thank her, at least. But more than anything, I would love to get to know her better. If only she’d let me.

Angelis


So Karina posted her own as well.

Dear Diary,

To reveal myself or not. Should I?

There a million reasons why I should not. Yet, I am drawn to him. I want to know him more. I want to touch him again. I don’t want to be afraid of him. But he is a man. Men kill creatures they do not know.

Euria


At the interview, Karina was ushered into the room of the Creative Director, a certain “Sir Marlo.” Karina was pleasantly surprised to see the office decorated with seascapes and mermaids. Immediately, she felt an affinity to this man.

As a young-looking man with a shaven head entered the room, Karina wondered why he was smiling so broadly. He walked around to sit behind the desk and continued to smile. He looked goofy with such a big smile on his face. Before saying anything, he placed a CD on his player and then Karina heard Julia Fordham on the speakers. This “Sir Marlo” suddenly opened his drawer and took out two concert tickets.

Marlo then wrote on an envelope, put the tickets inside along with his calling card. He handed it to the confused Karina.

Karina read the envelope. It said, “From Angelis to Euria. I’m sorry for trapping you like this but I’ve been wanting to meet you.”

She opened the envelope and read the calling card: Mario Angelo Rodriguez. The two tickets were for Julia Fordham’s concert that weekend.

-30-

Press Release: Pamana Ka Pilipinas

of Chinese Poachers
by Ginnie Faustino-Galgana
Released for Haribon Foundation, March 2002

Fisherfolk leaders felt it was unfair that the Philippine government is giving preferential treatment the illegal poachers from China.

The leaders, who are officers of Pambansang Alyansa ng Maliliit na Mangingisda na Nangangalaga ng Karagatan at Sanktwaryo sa Pilipinas (PAMANA ka sa Pilipinas or PAMANA), expressed this dismay during the launch of Bangka’t Buhay 2002, this year’s celebration of National Fisheries Conservation Month.

Fernando “Tio Andoy” Tiburcio, President of PAMANA KA Sa Pilipinas said, “Ako ho ay isang anak ng Pilipinas na pinarurusahan kung nagkakasala. Hindi ho natin maiiwasan na sumama ang loob namin kung ang ibang tao ay pawawalan lamang kung nagkamali sila, lalo na’t sila’y dayuhan.” (I am a child of the Philippines who gets punished when I do wrong. We can't avoid feeling dismayed when others are let off so easily when they do wrong especially if they are foreginers.)

In their celebration of Bangka’t Buhay 2002, PAMANA is bringing forward issues to the public in an effort to help better the plight of local fisherfolk. Among these is their call for the immediate implementation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order 2000-17 or DAO 17 which helps give small fishers preferential use of their municipal waters. DAO 17 clearly defines the boundaries which enables the local governments to manage and protect their municipal waters.

Tio Andoy compared the Chinese poachers to the three fish wardens or Bantay Dagat from Danao Bay in Masamis Oriental who are languishing in jail, accused of a crime that happened during their watch in the marine Sanctuary. Zaldy Bali-os, Edwin Arapoc and Arthur Tumangub were accused of killing Raymundo Gayola Jr. who was caught with two other fishermen entering the restricted area of the Baliangao Wetland Park in Danao Bay. PAMANA is calling for justice for the three fish wardens.

In a 15-point manifesto, PAMANA outlined key issues that they would like the government to address, including:

§ Provision of support and benefits for the fish wardens;
§ Investigation of officials and law enforcers allegedly involved in anomalies concerning fishing;
§ Establishment of Marine Courts to settle disputes; and
§ The formulation of a law that would award tenure and settlement rights to fisherfolk.

They also expressed concern over the lack of government support in the implementation of the general provisions of Republic Act 8550 or the Fisheries Code. They observed that this was manifested the most in the case of the three Fish Wardens of Danao Bay who did not receive any support from the government when all they did was to help local enforcers protect the marine sanctuary.

To make people aware of these issues, Bangka’t Buhay 2002 is slated to hold various activities in nine bays throughout the country. These activities include fluvial parades, caravans, races and fora. One such activity is a concert by former Haribon Board Member, Joey Ayala in Bolinao, Pangasinan and several symposia discussing the challenges encountered in the conservation of marine protected areas.

For more information, contact PAMANA Secretariat at 4/F Fil-Garcia Towers, Kalayaan Ave. cor. Mayaman St., Teacher’s Village, Quezon City, Tel. No: 436-2756, 435-3208 or 436-4363 loc. 16 or email pamanaka@mozcom.com.