Philippine Speculative Fiction Vol.3 - Call for Submissions

For the writers and wanna-be writer out there, from Dean Francis Alfar:

I am now accepting submissions of short fiction pieces for consideration for the anthology "Philippine Speculative Fiction Vol.3".

Speculative fiction is the literature of wonder that spans the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror and magic realism or falls into the cracks in-between.

1. Only works of speculative fiction will be considered for publication. As works of the imagination, the theme is open and free.

2. Stories must cater to an adult sensibility. However, if you have a Young Adult story that is particularly well-written, send it in.

3. Stories must be written in English.

4. Stories must be authored by Filipinos or those of Philippine ancestry.

5. Preference will be given to original unpublished stories, but previously published stories will also be considered. In the case of previously published material, kindly include the title of the
publishing entity and the publication date. Kindly state also in your cover letter that you have the permission, if necessary, from the original publishing entity to republish your work.

6. First time authors are welcome to submit. In the first two volumes, there was a good mix of established and new authors. Good stories trump literary credentials anytime.

7. No multiple submissions. Each author may submit only one story for consideration.

8. Each story's word count must be no fewer than 2,500 words and no more than 5,000 words.

9. All submissions must be in Rich Text Format (.rtf – save the document as .rft on your word processor) and attached to an email to this address: dean@kestrelimc. com. Submissions received in any other format will be deleted, unread.

10. The subject of your email must read: PSF3 Submission: (title) (word count); where (title) is replaced by the title of your short story, without the parentheses, and (word count) is the word count of your story, without the parentheses. For example - PSF 3 Submission: How My Uncle Brought Home A Diwata 4500.

11. All submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter that includes your name, brief bio, contact information, previous publications (if any).

12. Deadline for submissions is September 15, 2007. After that date, final choices will be made and letters of acceptance or regret sent out via email.

13. Target publishing date is December 2007/January 2008.

14. Compensation for selected stories will be 2 contributor' s copies of the published anthology as well as a share in aggregrate royalties.

Kindly help spread the word. Feel free to cut and paste this on your blogs or e-groups.

Thanks,

Dean

DFA's BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
NEWS RELEASE
18/APR/07


FILIPINO SCIENTISTS ABROAD ASKED TO SERVE HOME THROUGH "BALIK SCIENTIST PROGRAM" (BSP)


The Balik Scientist Program (BSP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is now accepting applications under the New Graduate, Short- and Long-Term Expert Categories for CY 2007. The Balik Scientist Program aims to accelerate the scientific, agro-industrial and economic development of the Philippines by inviting experts in the fields of science and technology who are Filipinos, or foreigners of Filipino descent, to share their expertise in the Philippines.


The DOST is looking to entice about twenty-five (25) scientists to return to the Philippines to assist in the development of the following fields of endeavor: Alternative Fuel; Biotechnology; ICT; Pharmaceutical (Medical/Health Sciences); and Environment, including Disaster Management.


Accepted applicants to the program will be granted certain incentives by the Philippine Government, such as, roundtrip airfare for the applicant and his/her spouse, reimbursement of expenses for the shipment of personal effects, a substantial housing allowance, etc.


Interested applicants may wish to visit the BSP website at www.dost.gov.ph/bsp to download an application form, obtain information on candidates’ qualifications and other requirements. All applications should be sent to:


The Program Office

Balik Scientist Program

c/o Office of the Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer
Department of Science and Technology
Room 206, 2/F DOST Central Office

DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines

- or -

P.O. Box 3596 Manila, Philippines
Or thru Fax No. (632) 837-2940; email: bsp@dost.gov.ph / balikscientist@yahoo.com / mpo@dost.gov.ph

Death comes...

Just after midnight this early morning, an acquaintance died.  He was a beloved teddy bear who was all over the the world of fandom, and among the few who would put his heart and soul for what he loves.

I received the news via email through the NWA network that he was rushed yesterday to teh ER because of a stroke and that there was hemorraging in the brain, that he had surgery and prayers were needed.  Last night, around 9pm, I got a text message about bidding him farewell.  The news was all too clear, there was nothing else to be done but let go, so I offered silent prayers for his soul.

Owing to a rather long day, I hit the sack earlier than usual.  And had the weirdest of dreams:  He was there and telling me to hold on and that everything will be ok.  

For the life of me, I don't know why he would give me such a message.  We were not close.  We were not even on texting terms.  We'd talk when we see each other but that doesn't happen often.  So, why him?  And why me?

I'm still puzzled at this.  

In any case, Ricky, thanks for the message.  It comes at a good time.

=)K

13 Interesting Facts

1.  Belief that the number 13 is unlucky is the most common Western superstition.
2.  Every month has a 13th but no single year has more than three Friday the 13th's and on average there are two.
3.  Months with a Friday the 13th always begin on a Sunday.
4.  It is from the Norse goddess Frigg, or Freyja, that we get Frigg's Day, or Freyja's Day which became the English Friday.
5.  Black abbath's self-titled first album was released in the UK on Friday, February 13, 1970 and I will be listening to it on this Friday the 13th.
6.  In a traditional hangman's noose there are 13 twists of the rope and 13 steps to the gallows.
7.  There is no 13th Avenue in San Francisco, instead Funston Avenue is between 12th and 14th Avenues. There is however a 13 Street. It's covered by the Central Skyway making it one of the darkest and ugliest streets in San Francisco.
8.  In Formula 1, there is no car with the number 13. The number has been removed after two drivers were killed in crashes — both driving cars numbered 13.
9.  According to Dr. Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, more than 80% of high-rises lack a 13th floor.
10. Infamous murderers Charles Manson, Harold Shipman, Frederick West, Saddam Hussein, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne acy, Theodore Bundy, and Jack the Ripper each have 13 letters in their names.
11. Women drivers have a 64% increased chance of death when driving on Friday the 13th.
12. Folklore remedies for triskaidekaphobia include climbing to the top of a mountain or skyscraper and burning all the socks you own that have holes in them. Another is to stand on your head and eat a piece of gristle.
13. According to at least one interpretation of the Mayan calendar the world will end on 13.13.13.13.13.13.13.0.0.0.0 or in the Gregorian calendar, Friday, October 13, 4772.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
The Knights Templar, the Assassins, the Johannite Heresy, and Satanism, FreeMasonryWatch.org
The fear of number 13 and Friday the 13th
How Friday the 13th Works, HowStuffWorks.com
Why Friday the 13th Is Unlucky, About.com
Traffic Deaths and Superstition on Friday the 13th, The American Journal of Psychiatry, Dec. 2002
Friday the 13th Phobia Rooted in Ancient History, National Geographic News, Aug. 2004
Maya Calendar, Wikipedia http://www.hauntedbay.com/history/friday13.shml

Overseas Absentee Voting

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY
NEWS RELEASE
12/APR/07


General Announcement for Overseas Absentee Voting

Voting of all registered overseas absentee voters commences on April 14, 2007 and will end at 3:00pm (Philippine Time) on May 14, 2007.

You may elect 12 Senators and a Party-List Organization/Sector. The Certified List of Official Candidates and Party-List Organizations may be viewed at www.comelec.gov.ph/oav/oav.html.

Please check the 2007 Certified List of Absentee Voters (CLOAV) to see if your name is included in the list.

PERSONAL VOTING

Those registered under the jurisdiction of the following Posts may go to the Philippine Embassy/Consulate or Labor Office to cast their votes:

Riyadh PE (Saudi Arabia)
Jeddah PCG (Saudi Arabia)
POLO Al-khobar (Saudi Arabia)
Dubai PCG (United Arab Emirates)
Hongkong PCG (Hongkong)
POLO Macau (Macau)
Athens PE (Greece)
Saipan PCG (Northern Marianas Islands)
Kuwait PE (Kuwait)
Beijing PE (PROC)
Guangzhou PCG (PROC)
Shanghai PCG (PROC)
Xiamen PCG (PROC)
Hanoi PE (Vietnam)
Tripoli PE (Libya)
Beirut PE (Lebanon)
Vientianne PE (Laos)
Yangon PE (Myanmar)
New Delhi PE (India)
Port Moresby PE (Papua New Guinea)
Amman PE (Jordan)
Manama PE (Bahrain)
Muscat PE (Oman)
Doha PE (Qatar)
Koror PCG (Palau)

Verify the schedule of voting at your respective Posts. If your name is in the CLOAV, bring any identification card bearing your signature and photograph. A voter's ID may be presented for purposes of identification but it is not a requirement for you to be able to vote.

VOTING BY MAIL
Voters who are not residing in the above-mentioned countries and not under the jurisdiction of the cited Posts will vote by mail.

You will receive a mailing/packet envelope that contains the ballot and the envelopes to seal and send/deliver the ballot. It also contains the Certified List of Candidates and Instructions which provides the step-by-step procedures on how you will be able to cast your vote.

Please note that the Outer Envelope should bear your printed name and the signature that you used when you registered as an overseas absentee voter. As well, use only the envelopes provided by the Commission.

Finally, make sure that the accomplished ballot reaches the Post on or before 3:00pm (Philippine Time) on May 14, 2007 to ensure that your votes will be counted.

MODIFIED VOTING BY MAIL
For overseas absentee voters underline jurisdiction of the following Posts, namely:

Rome PE (Italy)
Holy See PE (Italy)
Milan PCG (Italy)

Your mailing/packet envelopes will be sent to these Posts. You may pick them up personally and cast your votes at the Embassy or the Consulate, as the case may be. Check also if the Posts will establish pick-up points where the Post personnel will bring the mailing envelopes to an identified place near the place where you reside.

VOTING BY SEAFARERS
Seafarers may vote at any Post adopting personal voting (see above). Additionally, you can also vote at the following Posts adopting voting by mail.

Caracas PE (Venezuela)
Brussels PE (Belgium)
Ottawa PE (Canada)
Vancouver PCG (Canada)
Hamburg PCG (Germany)
The Hague PE (Netherlands)
Wellington PE (New Zealand)
Stockholm Pe (Sweden)
MECO Kaohsiung (Taiwan)
London PE (United Kingdom)
Los Angeles PCG (USA)
Washington PE (USA)
San Francisco PCG (USA)
Brunei PE (Brunei)
Seoul PE (South Korea)
Singapore PE (Singapore)
Tokyo PE (Japan)
Osaka PCG (Japan)
Canberra PE (Australia)
Sydney PCG (Australia)

From time to time, do check our website for field voting schedules that will be conducted by the Posts concerned. Under this scheme, the Post personnel will be bringing the mailing envelopes to the port or the vessel so that you will be able to vote.


VOTE EARLY AND VOTE WISELY!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reference:

Consul Patricia Ann Paez
Press & Information Officer
E-mail: pvpaez@aol.com
Tel:  202-467-9400

or

Erik Lorenzana
E-mail: rpmail@verizon.net
Tel: 202-467-9432

Pinoy Animated film

Production started October 2005, and after working for more than a year, the script's finalized, the voice recording is done, character designs are complete, the animation is under way and...

THE TEASER IS OUT! Woohoo!

Drop by their site, to check it out:
www.tuldokanimation.com/libingan

Email them at tuldok.support@gmail.com, and don't forget to tell your friends!

ABC 5's 'DOKYU' Student Documentary Competition

ABC 5's "DOKYU" Student Documentary Competition Rules

COMPETITION RULES

DOKYU
Student Documentary Competition

ELIGIBILITY:
* Films/Documentaries must be produced from June 2003 to present by a student/s currently enrolled at the time the production was made
* All entries must not have been aired over national television
* Entries must be in DVD or VCD format, accompanied by an accomplished entry form
* You may secure entry forms from ABC 5 or download at the Files section of http://www.groups. yahoo.com/ group/DOKYU or this egroup
* You may submit it personally or by mail to 762 ABC 5 Quirino Highway Novaliches Quezon City. (Entries with no entry form will not be screened)
* Obtain additional information by calling 9263551 local News & Public Affair or 9377916 or contact Meyor at 0922-9936814

MECHANICS:
* All entries will be pre-screened by the DOKYU circle where the final 20 (or 22) will be selected.
* Upon selection, the filmmaker/s will be advised through phone. He/She will be interviewed as part of the program.
* All entries will be screened by a three-member board of critics.
* The critics will be randomly selected from the academe and broadcast industry. The critics will judge the entries based on content, relevance, direction, scriptwriting, editing and production values which will compose fifty percent (50%) of the total competition criteria.
* The other fifty percent will come from viewers votes via SMS
* Two documentaries per episode will be aired. Voting starts immediately after the program and ends after forty-eight hours. An update based on percentage ranking will be announced over ABC programming from time to time.
* The entry with the highest accumulated votes and critics grade will be judged as the competition winner.

PRIZE:
* Season winner brings home P50,000.00 TAX-FREE and a trophy.
* Non-winners will receive a certificate for being chosen as one of the 20 finalists.

High Tech Homes

A review of sorts on the future of homes in relation to technology.

You scored as Jean Grey

I was hoping for Prof. X but I scored as Jean Grey. Jean Grey is likely the most powerful X-Man. She loves Cyclops very much but she has a soft spot for Wolverine. She's psychic so she can sense how others are feeling and tries to help them. She also has to control her amazing powers or the malevolent Phoenix entity could take control of her and wreak havok. Powers: Telekinetic, Telepathic Jean Grey 80% Emma Frost 75% Nightcrawler 60% Storm 60% Wolverine 60% Beast 60% Rogue 60% Colossus 60% Cyclops 55% Gambit 35% Iceman 25% Most Comprehensive X-Men Personality Quiz 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

[Kasuy!] Echoes

voices in the night
screaming faults
brimming at the tip
molten anger to keep

stealing moments
shallow torments
make believe it's all mine
a few memories at a time

noises of her might
reflecting moats
shutting my lips
holding danger's tips

shadows are there
meadows are nowhere
in her hand is you
in slumber so true

reality hits hard
when i hold your hand
hoping against dreams
hearing only her screams

--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/756 - Release Date: 4/10/2007 10:44 PM

--
Posted By kasuy to Kasuy! at 4/11/2007 09:50:00 AM

Advertorials

Various articles and advertorials published in Rustan's Fresh Magazine in December 2006.

a dot

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

clean paper
pristine white
solitary dot
as if to spite
the pure
the immaculate

mesmerizing presence
taunting me
no other there
but the solitary dot
focused and controlling
holding my attention
never letting go

true power

a woman has power a man can never fathom
she can make him shrivel into a pulp
an unrecognizable mass of a confused phantom
answering in whispers, grunts and an ocassional gulp

a woman can make a man feel he is nothing
he will be wary of all his movements and words
a woman can make a man think she is noting
everything he does or says in his private worlds

a woman can make a man think he cannot do anything
feeling that he is being watched and hawked over
that she knows what he will do, what he is thinking
and make him feel that from her he can never run for cover

on the other hand

a woman can make a man into someone more complete
encourage him to be himself and feel confident
a woman can let him do everything, even compete
with ghosts and real opponents, without feeling spent

do not lose yourself to the fears that hover
a woman can only strike fear to a heart if you let her
rather, let her know that you will never suffer
the indignity of losing what is inside this passionate lover

letting go

if they try to keep you away
if they found ways to stop you--
it's maybe that you gave them a way
that you showed a little too much
and held on to too much in a day.
it was all you had,
not all that bad.
maybe it was all just play
it's done, it's over
there's nothing left to say.

limit for 2008 H-1B visa petitions reached in a single day

SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services says it reached its limit for 2008 H-1B visa petitions in a single day and will not accept any more, to the dismay of technology companies that rely on the visas to hire skilled foreign workers.

The agency began accepting petitions Monday for the fiscal year starting October 1 and said it received about 150,000 applications by mid-afternoon.

The temporary visas are for foreign workers with high-tech skills or in specialty occupations. Congress has mandated that the immigration agency limit the visas granted to 65,000, although the cap does not apply to petitions made on behalf of current H-1B holders, and an additional 20,000 visas can be granted to applicants who hold advanced degrees from U.S.
academic institutions.

The agency said it will use computers to randomly pick visa recipients from the applications received Monday and Tuesday. It will reject the rest of the applications and return the filing fees.

Employers seek H-1B visas on behalf of scientists, engineers, computer programmers and other workers with theoretical or technical expertise. In Microsoft Corp.'s case, about one-third of its 46,000 U.S.-based employees have work visas or are legal permanent residents with green cards, said Ginny Terzano, a spokeswoman for the company.

"We are trying to work with Congress to get the cap increased," Terzano  said. "Our real preference here is that there not be a cap at all."

Compete America, a coalition that includes Microsoft, chip maker Intel Corp., business software company Oracle Corp. and others, voiced its opposition to the visa cap in a statement Tuesday.  "Our broken visa policies for highly educated foreign professionals are not only counterproductive, they are anticompetitive and detrimental to America's long-term economic competitiveness," said Robert Hoffman, an Oracle vice president and co-chairman of Compete America.

Opponents say increasing the visa limit will bring down wages and discourage American youngsters from pursuing tech careers.

New Year Holiday

Start:	Dec 29, '07
End:	Jan 1, '08
Location:	Philippines

New Year Holiday . December 29, Saturday until January 1, Tuesday is another 4 day holiday weekend. It is best that you just take leave during the entire last week of December, starting Dec. 22, so enjoy an almost 12 day holiday!

4 day Christmas holiday

Start:	Dec 22, '07
End:	Dec 25, '07
Location:	Philippines

December 24 (Monday) is declared as a Special non-working day (Proc No. 1211) and December 25 (Tuesday) Christmas Day is a regular holiday. So similar to last year, we have a 4 day Christmas holiday from December 22, Saturday to December 25, Tuesday.

Then, Dec. 29 is also a Holiday, as well as Dec. 31 amd Jan. 1. So, take a leave for Dec. 26-28 and have a 12-day holiday!

4 day weekend in November

Start:	Nov 1, '07
End:	Nov 4, '07
Location:	Philippines

Consider it your Halloween Vacation. Yes, another 4 day weekend without taking a leave. November 1 (Thursday) All Saints' Day is a special holiday and November 2 (Friday) is a Special non-working day (Proc No. 1211).

Long Weekend in August

Start:	Aug 18, '07
End:	Aug 21, '07
Location:	Philippines

Another immovable holiday is Ninoy Aquino Day, August 21, which falls on a Tuesday. Hence, another 4-day weekend this year!

Long Weekend in June

Start:	Jun 9, '07
End:	Jun 11, '07
Location:	Philippines

Since June 12, Independence Day, falls on a Tuesday, the holiday has been declared for Monday, June 11, thus making June 8-11 a 3-day weekend.

It's nice to have a birthday before a holiday.

National Elections

Start:	May 14, '07 01:00a
End:	May 14, '07 5:00p
Location:	Philippines

Time to vote for 11 of the people you want in the Philippine Senate, and various local posts.

It's a 3-day weekend.

First Long Weekend of May

Start:	Apr 28, '07
End:	May 1, '07
Location:	Philippines

May 1 is Labor Day, an immovable holiday (GMA tried but people still celebrated on May 1st). It falls on a Tuesday. If you take a leave for April 30, you'll get 4 days for that weekend.

Longest Weekend

Start:	Apr 4, '07
End:	Apr 9, '07
Location:	Philippines

Holy Wednesday until Bataan Day

Bataan Day falls on a Monday, thereby extending the already long Holy Week holiday by one more day.

A Walk for Education on April 21, 2007

Pathways to Higher Education would like to invite everyone who wants to help raise awareness on the problems of education to join the Educathon:

A Walk for Education on April 21, 2007 (Saturday). Participants will gather at the Marikina Riverbanks at 6:30 am, pass through A. Bonifacio Avenue, and end at the Marikina Sports Center. Registration is only P25.00 which comes with a free Educathon bandana.

At the Marikina Sports Center, a "celebrity walkathon" will be held to help raise funds for Pathways programs which enable deserving but underprivileged students earn their college degrees. Special guest celebrities will try to complete as many rounds as they can around the
track oval in 30 minutes. Participants will buy vote cards at P10.00 each and will vote for who they think will win. These vote cards will also serve as raffle entries so the more votes they cast, the more chances they have of winning special prizes!

We're inviting everyone to join us and make some noise to call attention to the pressing issues of the education sector. Aside from the walkathon, you can also take part in the volunteer fair at the Marikina Sports Center. We've invited NGOs and foundations to set up booths to recruit volunteers for their projects. There will also be a mini-bazaar where Pathways youth groups from all over the country will be selling products from their respective areas. Below is the tentative programme:

6:30-7:00 am Registration and orientation
7:00-8:30 am Walk from Marikina Riverbanks to Marikina Sports Center
8:30-9:00 am Welcome remarks
Ribbon cutting (Volunteer exhibit and Pathways Youth Groups' bazaar)
9:00-10:00 am Celebrity Walkathon
10:30 am -12:00 nn Awarding Ceremonies and Raffle draw
12:00-1:00pm Picnic lunch
1:00-4:00 pm Volunteer fair and Pathways Youth Groups' bazaar


If you would like to know more about the Educathon, please contact Mel or Ira at 9200153 or 4266001 loc. 4044 to 4049. You can also email us at itamis@ateneo.edu or mlavares@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much!

Melissa Lavares
Pathways to Higher Education

Spend Summer learning Production or Acting

Do you
want to further learn about digital video production or probably you want to
become an indie movie actor?

Sinehan Indie Summer Workshops now offers
the Indie Movie Production Workshop and the Indie Movie Acting
Workshop.

The production workshop will teach and guide you to make your
own short video movie plus like what they do abroad, you will get hands on
training in participating in the production of an actual full length movie.
Workshop fee of 7,000 is waived by indie director cris pablo and you only have
to pay the registration fee of P1,700.00. Equipment will be provided by
Sinehan.

For the acting workshop, we are the most affordable and yet we
are the ones who will provide one on one on camera performance assessment every
session for you. you will learn how to project on camera, how to translate your
emotions into actions that may be read or undestood by the audience. Workshop
fee is only P6,000 and we will produce a full length movie for you to act in as
your graduation recital. it will be shown in a commercial cinema
venue.

Sinehan has produced Duda, the first ever full length indie
digital video movie to be shown in a commercial cinema venue in its original
video format. Sinehan has also produced Bathhouse, Bilog, Pitong Dalagita,
Metlogs and currently working  on the movie "Moreno".

Indie
Director-Writer-Producer Cris Pablo will handle all the
workshops.

Contact 09217513819 or call 4369348 for details or
PASS THIS EMAIL TO FRIENDS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED

Halo-halo 2007: A Songwriting + Band Buffet

Halo-halo 2007
A Songwriting + Band Buffet

1. What is the HHS+BB
project?
HHS+BB is a song writing contest.

2. Who can participate in
the HHS+BB project?
HHS+BB project is open to all bands and performing
groups who write their own original song
compositions.

3. What kind of
music genre should be submitted?
HHS+BB will accept all music
genres.

4. Is there a limit of band members in the group?
The
band/group should be more than 1 performer/musician – there is no limit to
the number
of band members.

5. How many songs can be
submitted?
There is no limit of number of entries that can be submitted by
the band.

6. Is it possible that 2 entries coming from the same band
would make it to the semifinals?
In this case, only the highest scored entry
will be qualified to the semifinals.

7. Is there any language
preferred?
Lyrics can be in English, Tagalog, a combination of English and
Tagalog, or in any local dialect.

8. How do we join?

STEP 1
Fill up a registration form and send entry on MP3 format (less than 5MB) on www.storeintheweb.com/halohalo or halohalo.storeintheweb.com. If you don't have an MP3 format to upload, send the Audio CD
or casette tape to Acoustic Underground address: 17 Dalisay Street West
Triangle Homes, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1104.

STEP 2
is to pay the registration fee through any BPI Bank or pay in person at
Acoustic Underground 17 Dalisay St., West Triangle Homes, Quezon City
(from 1-5pm Mon.-Fri.) and look for Lynnel or Tetel. And text TRANSACTION
NO.+ DATE & TIME of deposit + BPI
Branch +NAME+ TITLE OF SONG to
0916.731.4481.

9. When is the deadline for submission?
April 30,
2007.

10. What are the prizes at stake?
Cash prize of Php 30,000.00
and trophy for the grand prize winner; Php 20,000.00 and trophy for
the 2nd prize winner. An album recording for the grand prize winner and a
compilation album for finalists.

11. What are the criteria for
judging?
Commercial Appeal (40%); Performance (30%); Musical and
songwriting artistry, lyrical content
and ingenuity/originality/creativity (30%).

12. How would I know
if my song made it to the semifinals?
The list of semifinalists will be
posted on the website. And all semifinalists will be informed
through
text.

13. What if I have a song and I don’t have a band? Can I ask a
band to perform it?
NO. HHS+BB encourages bands/groups that write their
own songs and perform it.

14. What if I have a song that was recorded but
was not released commercially or sold publicly, can I still submit my
song?
YES, as long as the song was not released commercially (or sold
publicly) as a single or part of an album; published in any website for
download.

15. What if my band/group already performs regularly in a
bar, can we still join?
YES, as long as the band/group doesn’t have
any previous or current contractual commitment with any record
company.

16. What if I perform my own composition alone either with a
guitar or minus one, can I still join?
NO. The minimum number of band
members is 2.

17. Can my band use sample loops or a midi sequencer for
the performance?
NO. All performances should be performed live. But the
use of sampled instruments (eg. violin sounds, horns or brasses) played
through a midi keyboard is acceptable.

18. If we have recorded an
album and sold the album publicly but we are an unsigned group, can we
still join HHS+BB?
YES, you may still join but you cannot submit the
songs from that album.

19. I'm having some problem uploading my MP3 in
your registration page. Can I send it via email instead?

Yes. You may
send it to halohalo2007@gmail.com

Visit:
www.storeintheweb.com/halohalo or halohalo.storeintheweb.com


Sali na po tayo!

Maraming salamat po.

Talents Needed for Facets

Facets is expanding to managing hosts, aspiring actors, solo performers,
vocal groups, dance groups, pop to alternative bands and the like.

If you are interested, or if you know anybody who would be interested,
please put together your portfolio (recorded work/performance if any in CD or
VCD, pictures in CD, hard copies of pictures, and a detailed history of past to
present work).

Bring it to:
Unit 416, Makati Terraces,
3650 Davila Street,
Barangay Tejeros, Makati
(Near Shopwise Pasong Tamo, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Kingswood)

Please spread the word and pass this email around.Thanks!

Chad Arrieta
Facets Models
Unit 416, Makati Terraces,
3650 Davila Street,
Barangay Tejeros, Makati
facetsmodels@gmail.com

Auditions for "High School Musical," open to Trumpets Playshoppers

Auditions for "High School Musical," open to Trumpets
Playshoppers

The country's leading multimedia workshop provider Trumpets Playshop and STAGES are calling all Playshoppers to audition for the most anticipated local staging of the hit Disney musical, "High School Musical," on April 11 (Wed.) and 12 (Thurs.), 6 to 10 p.m., at the

Podium Mall, Ortigas Center.

The audition is open to all past and current Trumpets Playshop students, 14 to 20 years old. Hopefuls must prepare a song (minus one or piano accompaniment) and a dance number. Please bring colored photos.

Trumpets Playshop and STAGES' production of "High School Musical," which will be mounted at the Meralco Theater starting this June, will cast young heartthrob Sam Concepcion as the musical's male lead, TroyBolton. This will be Sam's big stage comeback after the hit "The
Lion,the Witch, and the Wardrobe," which was staged four years ago.

For more information about the auditions, interested block buyers and sponsors, contact STAGES at tel. no. 818-1111 loc. 209.

Disney's "High School Musical" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).