UP Diliman Faculty Follies 2009

(thanks to kate dy and yayo yambao for the pictures)

i promised myself i won't do the follies this year, but i'm glad i changed my mind. i'm a sucker for happy headdresses, and this year's costume made me very, very happy. thanks should go to the creative team headed by prof. jeff giron of the department of art studies who came up with foam headdresses of the characters from the computer game, plants versus zombies.


this is me in our dressing room practicing my sunflower face in front of the mirror.


me with my favorite zombie, fernando, an exchange professor from the department of european languages. to his left is prof. schedar jocson of the department of filipino and philippine literature. next to schedar is jeff giron.


the flowers. me with the old ladies of my home department, the department of english and comparative literature--dr. adel. lucero, our department chair; prof. divina diokno; and dr. chit abayan.


the department of english and comparative literature contingent.


the happy costumed "plants" and schedar posing with our creator, jeff.


last minute choreography changes. i love, love, love the theater arts students who helped us with the choreography, direction, and makeup. these guys kick ass.


the plants with the zombies and the rest of the cast during the break between shows.


me and prof. yayo yambao, a zombie, of the department of art studies sharing carrot cake we bought at chocolate kiss during the break between shows.


at the rehearsal for the finale on the university theater stage about an hour before the start of the first show. at the foreground is prof. errol agustin of the department of european languages as she-wolf. it was he who convinced me to join the follies.


at the end of the second show. up diliman chancellor sergio cao, who also performed at the follies, is the guy in glasses on the right foreground. beside him is college of arts and letters dean elena mirano still wearing her christmas flower face paint.

UP Writers Night 2009

Christmas is always something to look forward to in UP Diliman. And Christmas on campus is not complete without the annual UP Writers Night organized by the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP ICW). This year’s celebration for writers and literature enthusiasts will be held on December 11, 2009, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Balay Kalinaw.

UP Writers Night coordinator, Dr. Mario Miclat, Dean of the UP Asian Center and UP ICW Associate, says the celebration signals the return to the more laidback and low-key gatherings of the 90’s. The decision was made in keeping with the series of calamities that has hit the nation in 2009.

UP Writers Night’s activities for this year include a forum on the best first books of 2007 and 2008, a journal launch, a book donation drive launch, performances by writers and musicians, and an open mic.

The celebration begins with the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award forum at Balay Kalinaw Conference Room C at 5:00 p.m. The forum will honor the four best books published in 2007 and 2008 by first time book authors. These are The El Bimbo Variations by Adam David, The Proxy Eros by Mookie Katigbak, Girl Trouble by Alan Navarra, and Antisipasyon by Victor Dennis T. Nierva. The forum will be participated in by the panel of judges composed of UP Professor Neil Garcia, DLSU Professor David, Bayot, and award-winning poet Angelo Suarez.

At 7:00 p.m. the celebration moves to the second floor of Balay Kalinaw for the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award ceremony. This year’s winner is Adam David for The El Bimbo Variations. David will receive a plaque and a cash prize of P50,000.00 from the Madrigal-Gonzalez family. Best-selling author Vlad Gonzales will perform a selection from David’s winning book.

Likhaan Journal 3 will be launched after the awarding. Likhaan Journal is the refereed journal of contemporary Philippine literature of the UP ICW. Dr. Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, UP Vice President for Public Affairs and UP ICW Fellow, edited this year’s volume. The contributors are Mikael Co, Kristian Cordero, Carlomar Daoana, Karl De Mesa, Chuckberry Pascual, Zosimo Quibilan Jr., Rica Santos, Joel Toledo, Edgardo Maranan, Ana Maria Harper, Dustin Celestino, Frank Cimatu, Joi Barrios, Vlad Gonzales, Butch Guerrero, Sharon Pangilinan, Jun Cruz Reyes, Rommel Rodriguez, Ricardo de Ungria, Eugene Evasco, and National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera. Likhaan Journal 3 is published by the UP ICW and comes out once a year. Previous editors are Jose Y. Dalisay Jr. and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.

Because of the damage caused by typhoon Ondoy on the libraries of many writers, day care centers and public school libraries, the UP ICW is launching Operation Libreng Libro on UP Writers Night. Dr. Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., UP ICW Director, says, “the book donation drive aims to help rebuild the collections lost to the flood.” Guests are encouraged to bring books and cash donations (for the purchase of books) to the event. The books will be distributed after UP Writers Night.

A series of performances by musicians and writers and an open mic complete the evening. Among the performers are Makiling Ensemble, The Batutes, Los Chupacabras, Cel Flores Coscolluela, Babes Alejo with the Nukluz, Mikael Co, Banaue Miclat, and UP Professor Emeritus and UP ICW Adviser Gemino Abad.

Likhaan Journal 3 and the best first books of 2007 and 2008 honored by the Madrigal-Gonzalez Best First Book Award Forum will be available at the UP Press Bookstore on the ground floor of Balay Kalinaw. The bookstore will remain open for the duration of UP Writers Night to allow Christmas shoppers and guests more time to avail of their year-end discount sale.

Balay Kalinaw is at the corner of Guerrero and Dagohoy Streets in UP Diliman, Quezon City. UP Writers Night is open to the public and admission free. For details, contact the UP ICW Secretariat at (02) 9221830.

Adam David Wins Best First Book Award

The Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing is pleased to announce the winner of the 9th Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award. Adam David’s The El Bimbo Variations, a collection of 99 retellings of the first line from the lyrics of the song “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by the Eraserheads, bested three other finalists to win the prize. The book was published by The Youth & Beauty Brigade in 2008.

Described as "one of the most experimental and avant-garde poets of his generation" (The Routledge Concise History of Southeast Asian Writing in English, 2009), David joins the ranks of Angelo Lacuesta, Elen Sicat, Ma. Felisa Batacan, Luna Sicat-Cleto, Vicente Groyon, Kristian Cordero, Rica Bolipata Santos, and Zosimo Quibilan, Jr., whose first books are winners of the prestigious award. David is a zinester, bookmaker, and freelance writer.

(image courtesy of Adam David)

The El Bimbo Variations, along with finalists The Proxy Eros (Anvil Publishing, 2008) by Mookie Katigbak, Girl Trouble (Visual Print Enterprises, 2007) by Alan Navarra, and Antisipasyon (Goldprint Publishing House, 2007) by Victor Dennis T. Nierva, will be honored in a forum on December 11, 5 pm, at the basement of Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman. The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award Forum will feature a discussion of the four best first books in English for 2007 and 2008 and the state of Philippine literature by this year’s panel of judges: UP ICW Fellow and UP Professor J. Neil Garcia, De La Salle University Professor and Literature Department Chairperson David Bayot, and award-winning poet Angelo Suarez. After the forum, the award ceremony will be held at 7 pm at the second floor of Balay Kalinaw. Both events, which are free and open to the public, are part of the annual UP Writers Night.

The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award is given annually to the writer of the best first book within a two-year period. The award alternates between English and Filipino writers. The winner receives a prize of P50,000.00 from the Madrigal Gonzalez family. A forum usually precedes the award ceremony, which coincides with UP Writers Night. The award is administered by the Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing.

For more details, please contact the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing Secretariat at (02) 922-1830.

Best First Books to be Honored

A writer’s first book is cause for celebration, more so if the book happens to be selected as one of the best of its kind. On December 11, 2009, the four best first books in English for 2007 and 2008 will be honored in a forum in UP Diliman. The forum is in line with the conferment of the prestigious Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award to one of the four finalists.

The finalists are The El Bimbo Variations by Adam David, The Proxy Eros by Mookie Katigbak, Girl Trouble by Alan Navarra, and Antisipasyon by Victor Dennis T. Nierva.



The El Bimbo Variations is a collection of 99 retellings of the first line from the lyrics of the song “Ang Huling El Bimbo” by the Eraserheads. David studied in the University of the Philippines, lives in Cubao, Quezon City and is a zinester. He has been a bookmaker by trade since 1999. The El Bimbo Variations was published by The Youth & Beauty Brigade in 2008.



The Proxy Eros is a collection of poems on love, desire, and the act of making. Katigbak resides in Quezon City and is currently taking her PhD at the University of the Philippines. She holds degrees from Ateneo de Manila University and New School University New York. The Proxy Eros was published by Anvil Publishing, Inc. in 2008.



Girl Trouble is a story told in various forms, from short stories and koans to print and billboard layouts and advertising storyboards. Navarra is a graduate of the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod City. Girl Trouble was published by Visual Print Enterprises in 2007.




Antisipasyon asin iba pang rawitdawit sa Bikol asin Ingles is a collection of poems in Bicol with selected translations into English by Marne Kilates and H. Francisco Penones Jr. Nierva resides in Camarines Sur and was born in Naga City. He is currently finishing his MA at the University of the Philippines and is teaching in Ateneo de Naga Univeristy. Antisipasyon was published by Goldprint Publishing House in 2007.

The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award is given annually to the writer of the best first book within a two-year period. The award alternates between English and Filipino writers. The winner receives a prize of P50,000.00 from the Madrigal Gonzalez family. A forum usually precedes the award ceremony, which coincides with UP Writers Night. The award is administered by the Likhaan: University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing.

The award was established in 2001 and the following writers have won. Angelo Lacuesta for Life after X and Other Stories, Elen Sicat for Paghuhunos, Ma. Felisa Batacan for Smaller and Smaller Circles, Luna Sicat-Cleto for Makinilyang Altar, Vicente Groyon for The Sky over Dimas, English, Kristian Cordero for Mga Tulang Tulala, Rica Bolipata Santos for Love, Desire, Children, etc., and Zosimo Quibilan, Jr. for Pagluwas.

This year’s panel of judges is composed of UP ICW Fellow and UP Professor J. Neil Garcia, De La Salle University Professor David Bayot, and award-winning poet Angelo Suarez. The judges will be in the forum to talk about the merits of the four best books.

The Madrigal Gonzalez Best First Book Award Forum will be held at the basement of Balay Kalinaw in UP Diliman at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. The awarding will be held during UP Writers Night at 7 o’clock in the evening at the second floor of Balay Kalinaw. Both events are open to the public and admission free.

For more details, please contact the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing Secretariat at (02) 922-1830.

current reading

i am currently reading bill bryson's a short history of nearly everything. i'm still in the early chapters, but i'm already very pleased. this is the kind of writing i want to be doing. right now i'm appreciating bryson's overwhelming ability to explain such complex things in an entertaining manner. amazing how he can give you the basics of quantum mechanics without taxing your brain.

panahon ng pagluluksa ngayon

love

the past few weeks, many of the people around me have been all about love. some are seeking it, some have found it, some are getting used to it, some are trying to keep it alive, and some are trying to recover it. whatever stage they may be in, they all seem to know what it is. and it seems to control what they do. as someone who has been out of the scene for a long time, i don't think i know it anymore. i wouldn't recognize love if it sits across the table from me. oh, dear.

the green heart above is from an interesting blog on hearts, http://heartaday.wordpress.com.

and here's a poem by w.h. auden i stumbled upon today in a chinese blog.


O Tell Me The Truth About Love


Some say that love's a little boy,
And some say it's a bird,
Some say it makes the world go round,
And some say that's absurd,
And when I asked the man next-door,
Who looked as if he knew,
His wife got very cross indeed,
And said it wouldn't do.


Does it look like a pair of pajamas,
Or the ham in a temperance hotel?
Does its odour remind one of llamas,
Or has it a comforting smell?
Is it prickly to touch as a hedge is,
Or soft as eiderdown fluff?
Is it sharp or quite smooth at the edges?
O tell me the truth about love.


Our history books refer to it
In cryptic little notes,
It's quite a common topic on
The Transatlantic boats;
I've found the subject mentioned in
Accounts of suicides,
And even seen it scribbled on
The backs of railway-guides.


Does it howl like a hungry Alsatian,
Or boom like a military band?
Could one give a first-rate imitation
On a saw or a Steinway Grand?
Is its singing at parties a riot?
Does it only like Classical stuff?
Will it stop when one wants to be quiet?
O tell me the truth about love.


I looked inside the summer-house;
it wasn't ever there:
I tried the Thames at Maidenhead,
And Brighton's bracing air.
I don't know what the blackbird sang,
Or what the tulip said;
But it wasn't in the chicken-run,
Or underneath the bed.


Can it pull extraordinary faces?
Is it usually sick on a swing?
Does it spend all it's time at the races,
Or fiddling with pieces of string?
Has it views of its own about money?
Does it think Patriotism enough?
Are its stories vulgar but funny?
O tell me the truth about love.


When it comes, will it come without warning
Just as I'm picking my nose?
Will it knock on my door in the morning,
Or tread in the bus on my shoes?
Will it come like a change in the weather?
Will its greeting be courteous or rough?
Will it alter my life altogether?
O tell me the truth about love.


W.H. Auden

48th up national writers workshop blog

the 48th up national writers workshop is currently ongoing at the aim - igorot lodge in camp john hay, baguio city. if you want to know what's going on, read blogs by fellows, panelists, and staff, and see the latest pictures, check this out.

Fellows to 48th UP National Writers Workshop Announced

The University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing (UP ICW) announces the fellows to the 48^th UP National Writers Workshop to be held from April 12 to 18 in Camp John Hay, Baguio City. The fellows and associates of the UP ICW selected twelve writers in mid-career to participate in the annual workshop. This year’s workshop director is National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario.

This year’s fellows for English are Angelo Suarez and Carlomar Daoana for Poetry, Felisa Batacan and Dean Francis Alfar for fiction, and Criselda Yabes and Carljoe Javier for creative nonfiction.

Fellows for Filipino are Mikael Co and Ayer Arguelles for tula, Norman Wilwayco and Alvin Yapan for kuwento, and Jing Panganiban and Vladimeir Gonzales for sanaysay.

The workshop panelists are all advisers, fellows, and associates of the ICW. Aside from National Artist Almario, the panelists are National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, ICW director Jose Dalisay, Jr., Gemino Abad, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Neil Garcia, Charlson Ong, Conchitina Cruz, Jun Cruz Reyes, Victor Carmelo Nadera, Rolando Tolentino, Mario Miclat, and Romulo Baquiran, Jr.

Unlike most national writing workshops, the UP National Writers Workshop is only for advanced writers. The UP ICW is the only institution that holds a workshop of this kind in the country. The current workshop format was borne out of the need to address the dearth of venues for writers in mid-career to exchange ideas on their craft and their current literary projects.

Prior to the new format, the UP ICW has held the annual UP National Writers Workshop for the country’s most promising beginning writers since the 1960s. Through the years other writing centers of other universities have instituted their own workshops for beginning writers, thus freeing the UP ICW to address other concerns.

To qualify for the workshop, writers must satisfy the following requirements. (1) must be writers in English or Filipino; (2) must have attended at least one creative writing workshop (national/regional, including the UP National Writers’ Workshops), or earned a degree in Creative Writing/Malikhaing Pagsulat, or won at least one national/international literary award; (3) must have published at least three poems or two short stories or two pieces of creative nonfiction (e.g., essays, memoirs, profiles) in reputable collections or anthologies, journals, magazines (including campus publications), or refereed Internet web magazines, or have had a play staged.

The UP ICW is setting up a blog hub to keep the public abreast of the developments in the workshop. The hub will bring together blogs of the panelists, fellows, and staff. It will also contain more information on the workshop participants. The blog hub is accessible at http://upwritersworkshop09.tk.