Philippine International Cartoons, Comics and Animation (PICCA) Festival 2010

The Philippine International Cartoons, Comics and Animation (PICCA) Festival is all set in inviting members and the public to join the PICCA main event on October 22 to 25, 2010 at the SM City North EDSA.

PICCA will have rundown of activities and showcases like cartoon and comics exhibits, comics drawing contests, animation creation contests, talks by local and foreign guests, book launches, workshops for children, caricature sessions, game demos and animation showing.

PICCA will also hold a trade exhibit and showcase at SM City North Annex. Participants will be comics publishers, content creators, animation studios, mainstream and indie comics artists, gaming producers and multi-media schools. Booths and displays will also be set up in the CyberZone floor.

The four-day event is open to the public except the talks and the showings where PICCA members will have the reserved seats. In addition, PICCA members will be have draw of raffle tickets, awards night party and discounts on special skills training.

The annual event is dedicated to the promotion and enhancement of creative content generation in the Philippines, particularly in the fields of comics, animation and also gaming.

Resource persons will come from the US, Canada, China, Japan, Israel, Singapore, Australia and Pakistan. PICCA members are expected to benefit from the talks.

PICCA is presented by Mango Comics and SM malls. Partners include Japan Foundation, CITEM, Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas, Cosmopolitan International Institute of Technology, Seventoons, UP College of Fine Arts, Creative Media Professionals Guild of Asia and the Pacific, Holy Cow Animation and Design Plus Printers, Panda Travel Service and Derwent Art Supplies.

For details, contact PICCA Secretariat at (632) 403-8681 or log on to www.piccafest.com.

Asian Bird Fair & Philippine Bird Fest

Davao City intensified its bid to become the country’s top eco-tourism destination as it played host to the 1st Asian Bird Fair and 6th Philippine Bird Festival that started September 24 to 26, 2010 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.

Davao City is the first Mindanao city that hosted the two-day Philippine Bird Festival, the country’s premier avian conservation and eco-tourism event. Various cities and provinces in Luzon and Visayas, such as Puerto Princesa, Bataan, Cebu and Quezon City, already have hosted the said annual environmental event.

More than 30 foreign and local bird-watching organizations and thousands of students from all over the region participated in the event. Delegates were welcomed with a fiesta-themed dinner hosted by City Mayor Sara Duterte at Matina Town Square.

Activities, such as lectures, exhibits, film showing, workshop, story-telling, and interactive learning included in the event’s activity.

Various talks and presentations on bird-watching were also presented by the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, Bird Conservation Nepal, Chinese Wild Bird Federation, Borneo Bird Club, World Wildlife Fund, Asian Raptor Research and Conservation Network, Hornbill Research Foundation, Philippine Eagle Foundation, among others. The controversial, Oscar -winning documentary, The Cove, was also shown for the first time in the city.

The festival sought to enrich eco-tourism through bird-watching and promoted the natural and cultural heritage of its host cities. It was also a significant occasion to draw attention to critical environmental preservation issues and find a common ground in protecting the birds in the region.

For further information, contact the Davao Tourism office at (6382)222-1956, telfax (6382)222-1957, email info@davaotourism.com, dabaw_madayaw@yahoo.com or visit the website http://www.davaotourism.com.

First International Dia Del Galeon Festival

The Spanish Galleon Trade, especially active in the years between 1565 and 1815 during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines, is considered as probably the biggest precursor for globalization and world trade.

Just last year, in commemoration of the Galleon trade, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Oct. 8 of every year as Dia Del Galeon (Day of the Galleon), the day in 1565 when the San Pedro Galleon, directed by Fray Urdaneta, reached Acapulco and the same day that Manila-Acapulco trade route was established. This trade route, called the “Tornaviaje” connected Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa and became a conduit for commerce and cultural exchange.

In this spirit, the Baler 400 Steering Committee, led by Sen. Edgardo Angara, the UNESCO International Theater Institute, and the National Commission for Culture and Arts organized the first ever International Dia Del Galeon Festival, which kicked off last Sept. 25 and will last until Oct. 8.

The three-week event was dubbed “History, Heritage, Habitat, and Language: Precursor to Globalization,” was launched in Bohol, succeeded by workshops on the arts and culture, theatrical productions, demonstrations, exhibits and performance, participated in by delegates from the Philippines and other countries with the Galleon Trade experience. A three-day international conference of scholars, historians, and artists was also held, which discussed the historical, political, economic, and cultural impact of the Galleon trade History on contemporary civilizations.

The Viaje del Galeon, a one-week educational trips in various Philippine ports of call during the Galleon Trade, covering Samar, Leyte. Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Northern Mindanao, was the highlight of the festival, with more 250 local and foreign students tracing the galleon route in the Philippines.

Said Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, director general of Dia Del Galeon Festival, “Among the objectives of the festival are to trace its effects as a major influence in world political economy and its repercussions on present day globalization and establish its role in the development of marine sciences and other related areas aside from culture.”

Interest parties my log on to www.facebook.com/diadelgaleon.com or call Ms. Charisse Aquino-Tugade at 527-2192 local 616. For more information, contact the NCCA-Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) at (632) 527-5529, 527-2192 loc. 508, 612 to 615, email at ncca.paio@gmail.com, public_affairs@ncca.gov.ph or visit the NCCA website at www.ncca.gov.ph

Grand Family Association of the Philippines-Youth Group Mooncake Party 2010

The Grand Family Association of the Philippines-Youth Group (GFAPY) opens the Mooncake Party this Sept. 26 to all unmarried Chinese youths from 18 to 40 years old. As part of the Mooncake Festive Celebration, this annual tradition and major event will be held from 1-5 p.m. at 14th floor of Tytana Building, Binondo, Manila.

Ticket price is P350 per head. Snack buffet will be served by Aurea Sky all throughout the event. Only limited slots offered. Interested guests can register at the link found on their Faceboook page. Simply search for "Grand Family Association of the Philippines - (Youth) - Mooncake Party (2010)."

Non-members do not need to make an account to fill up the registration form. Just fill out the required field and click submit. For those who are already registered, you can claim your tickets at the Grand Family Association Office, 14th floor, Tytana Bldg. Binondo, Manila and look for Aaron Lim, Elaine Lim, or Corhiza Lagamayo.

For more information, contact Grand Family Association of the Philippines-Youth Group at (632) 241-0057, 241-0068 or email gfayphils@yahoo.com.

1st Philippine Digital Publishing Conference

With the rise of electronic books, e-readers, and the magnitude of information available on the Internet, fears have arisen that the old-fashioned book might go permanently out of style.

To address this, members of the local publishing industry came together on September 13 and 14 for the country’s first Philippine Digital Publishing Conference at the UP-Ayala Technohub. Entitled “the Future of the Book,” the two-day series of talks covered the changing landscape of publishing, the rise of e-books, and how Filipino readers, writers and publishers can make the best of these changes.

Sponsoring the conference were the National Book Development Board (NBDB), Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP), Filipinas Heritage Library, and Vibal Foundation, Inc.

An exhibit right outside the session hall also featured the evolution of e-readers through the years, from readers on the laptop, up until the recently-released Apple iPad.

Keynote speaker and BDAP president Lirio Sandoval said, “The public and private sector of the Philippine book industry are very much concerned about the future of the book industry in this digital generation, and it affects publishers, book sellers and readers alike.”

“This conference is the latest in many such conferences around the world, asking what the future might hold for [books and traditional publishing],” he said. “Some say the digital age will be the end of the book, others say it will be another chapter in the long and illustrious history of the book.”

For further information, contact Vibal Foundation at (632) 712-9156 to 59 loc 343 to 344, fax (632) 416-8460 or
visit their website at www.vibalfoundation.org.

The Ninth Coconut Festival

The Philippines is one of the leading exporters of coconut in the world. And to continue on promoting and improving this industry, the Ninth Coconut Festival kicked off last Aug. 12-15 at the SM Megatrade Hall at the SM Megamall.

"The best coconut products were presented in the trade fair and exhibits, which was also a celebration and a tribute of honor and thanksgiving for the blessings and benefits derived from the industry to establish a continuing awareness of its [coconut] lasting importance to our national life," said Mr. Oscar G. Garin, president of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).

The celebration was mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 142, Series of 1987, issued by former President Corazon C. Aquino.

The theme "Niyog "Yaman ng Pinoy" highlighted the national magnitude and of the coconut and its industry as one of the major sources of millions of Filipinos" livelihood and sustenance.

The PCA Central Office and regional and provincial offices spearheaded the event that further promoted the coconut as the "Tree of Life," the multitude of products that can be derived from it. The festival also provided a venue for information sharing and trading activities, and lectures and demonstrations on the latest coconut technologies.

For details, please contact the Philippine Coconut Authority Market Development Department at (632)928-4501 locals 412 and 403.

Philippine Real Estate Festival 2010 Grand Exhibit

The 2010 Philippine Real Estate Festival was held last July 29 to 31 at the World Trade Center, carrying the theme "Global Tourism and Real Estate Development - Sunrise Industries for the Philippine Economy."

The Philippine Real Estate Festival (PREF) heeds the call for a showcase of the best real estate properties to invest in as it rallies more than a thousand of the country's biggest and most trusted real estate companies and projects, finance institutions, suppliers, contractors and professionals from all over the country. Moreover, this festival also aims to provide an opportunity and venue for all significant players in real estate and tourism in the Philippines and its global partners and allies to exchange ideas and experiences in the growth and development of real estate and tourism in their respective economies.

Among the participants in the said event were fund providers, managers and investors from the Asean region and international groups, foreign Chamber of Commerce and Industry, business practitioners in the fields of real estate, housing and tourism, professional and trade or industry associations that support the real estate, housing, and tourism industries, government entities, both national and local, whose mandates and spheres of influence affect the growth and development of real estate, housing, and tourism, financing institutions, development corporations, BPO companies, hoteliers and resort operators, travel and tour operators, non-government organizations, schools, and training institutions that aim to develop a critical mass of workers all over the country in globalized tourism and real estate development and management.

The event's keynote address was delivered by his Excellency Benigno C. Aquino III, President of the Philippines. Among the other speakers were: Atty. Karlo Marco P. Estavillo, Vice President of San Miguel Corporation & General Manager of San Miguel Properties; Mr. Iliac Diaz, Founder of My Shelter Foundation; Mr. Antonio Meloto, Founder of Gawad- Kalinga; Atty. Alex Lacson, Organizer of Tuloy Pnoy Movement; and CNN 2009 Hero of the Year, Mr. Efren Penaflorida.

The successful festival was supported by the Department of Tourism, HCG, La Loma Columbaries, Garden of Gethsemane, PAG-IBIG Fund, PSBank, ACSAT, ABS-CBN, Manila Bulletin, PhilippineRealty TV, the Philippine Star, and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

For more info, call (632) 864-0024, 819-2058, 510-3833, 692-0114, email pref_eventsmgt@yahoo.com, or visit http://www.philrealestatefestival.com.

3rd Bagasbas Beach International Eco Arts Festival

The summation of “Art + Environment + Sustainability”, which was the festival’s theme, installed the 3rd Bagasbas Beach International Eco Arts Festival at the Bagasbas Beach, Daet, Camarines Norte last May 30 to June 6, 2010.

Through the initiated efforts of various artists who graced the event, this year’s festival aimed to provide creative learning through four media for the Daet community. The first medium was the installation art, where found items from host communities and bamboo are used to create sculptural installations along the Bagasbas Beach in Daet, Camarines Norte, one of certain actions that might embellish the place’s title as the 60th Surfing and Kite Surfing Destination in the World. Video presentations listed as second. This was where artists showed their video works in spaces in and around the town of Daet. Third on the dossier is the public furniture design for the campus of the Our Lady of Lourdes College. Finally, the final media were economic upliftment seminars where communities will take part in economic enhancement programs from the business community and government technical institutions.

This year’s festival also hoped to provide communities an approach to uplift their lives through a connection with internationally significant artists, and to help them realize that solutions to economic and environmental problems can be met by community cooperation and harnessing simple creativity.

Some of the national and international artists who attended the event were Filipino artist Irma Lacorte who taught her host community Brgy. Mangcamagong in Basud how to make ‘puso’, which she used to create her artwork “Taub-Hubas” that illustrated the changes of the tide, from low to high tide; Artist Chung Ho Chak, from Hongkong-China, who epitomized the simple yet colorful life of the people in his host community, Daet and the Our Lady of Lourdes College, through his “Heart” artwork; and, Norwegian artist Stuart Frost who was amazed with the abundance of natural materials that can be found in Daet, and believed that the people of Daet can generate renewable energy from the wind from simply using bamboo and other indigenous materials - “generate power in places where there is no access”.

The project is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation.

For more information on the event, contact the Our Lady of Lourdes College Foundation at (6354) 721-1368, (63917) 464-4034, email bbieaf@yahoo.com or visit http://www.bbieaf.org/.

The Third Pinoy Organic Festival

Advocates of the organic culture showcased a host of different products and technologies in the Third Pinoy Organic Festival held at the AANI Herbal Garden and Livelihood Center at the Quezon Memorial Circle last May 28–30.

The event was also held as a celebration of the passage of the Philippine Organic Agriculture Law (RA 10068), expected to give a boost to the efforts of various groups in promoting and supporting organic farming and gardening.

One of the major highlights of the festival was a trade fair, which featured various organic products currently available in the market, including fresh and processed farm produce. Several seminars were also conducted and a public forum was slated on the second day to discuss RA 10068.

Speakers for three-day event included Senator Miguel Zubiri, who is also the guest of honor and speaker and the principal author of the Organic Agriculture Law, discussed “The Opportunities and Challenges of the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010,” as well as the budget allocation that will go together with the passage of the law.

Representatives Proceso Alacala of Quezon, Ibrahim Mitra of Palawan, and Leonardo Montemayor of the ABA Party List and Federation of Free Farmers, and Sec. Bernie Fondevilla helmed the public discussion regarding RA 10068.

Mr. Raymond Rubia, Mr. Jun Catan (of Mapecon), and representatives from Amway and Costales Nature’s Farm (Majayjay, Laguna) served as the panel for a discussion on organic and natural fertilizers, vermiculture, vermicast in organic agricultural production, and organic liquid fertilizers.

Organic livestock production, meanwhile, was discussed by an expert from the Laguna Organic Farm, followed by a discussion by Ms. Teresa Saniano about integrated organic rice systems.

Aside from the discussions and seminars, organic farming projects such as The Villegas Organic and Hobby Farm in Malvar, Batangas; the Leonie Agri Corporation, an Organic Certification Center of the Philippines certified farm; the Platinum Island Farm in Tanay, Rizal; and the Santuario de la Natividad Farm, Inc., were also presented.

For more information, contact Ms. Desiree Segovia at 0918-8001728 or 0905-3422265 for more information. You can also get in-touch with Ms. Rhoda Galos at 497-2755. Visit their website at http://www.pinoyorganics.com. 

Bike Festival Asia 2010

Filipino bikers from all over the country will again push pedals during the Bike Festival Asia 2010 to be held on May 21 – 22, 2010 at Terrazas de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu, Batangas.

The event aims to boost tourism in Southern Luzon and promote wellness and active lifestyle. This annual event is co-presented by the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) (formerly Philippine Tourism Authority).

Competition is open to all bikers age 18 - 55 years old. Interested participants may register at L.E.N. Plus Inc., Unit F, Lower Ground Floor, CT. Center Building, 520 Shaw Blvd., cor. Old Wack Wack St., Mandaluyong City. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon barbeque will be provided for all registered participants. Registration starts on May 10 to May 17, 2010.

For more information, contact L.E.N. Plus, Inc., at (632) 532-9443 or email lenplus@pldtdsl.net.

7th Annual Puerto Galera Reggae Festival

Pinoy Reggae legends once again gathered at the 7th Annual Puerto Galera Reggae Festival at Encenada Beach Resort in Puerto Galera last May 1, 2010.

One of those who took the “riddims” was the Tropical Depression which is also an annual band performer in the event. Tropical Depression, the band which popularized “Kapayapaan”, is spearheaded by founder and band leader Papadom, who is also the lead vocals and riddim guitar, and his longtime musical partner, Bong on lead guitar, together with Lala and Arlene on back-up vocals. The band has marked their legendary beat through headlining several concerts nationwide. They perform in the clubs, music festivals, in high profile shows, up to benefit concerts. But above all, they truly had the “Tropical Depression Infectious Island Riddim” that pumped up the enjoyment especially of the reggae festival’s visitors while enjoying beach football, windsurfing, barbeque, and a lot more until midnight.

Other Reggae bands and guests that joined the festival were Cocojam, the band which popularized “Lakambini” and “Ulap”, Turtle Club, Cool Laki, Grassroots, Kapis, Herb Culture, Wicked Tarsiers and one of the Pinoy great guitarist, Jun Lopito.

The 7th Annual Puerto Galera Reggae Festival is sponsored by Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), PEPSI, Globe Telecom, URC, San Miguel Beer, Starboard Philippines, The Provincial Tourism Office of Calapan City, Mayor’s Office Puerto Galera, Jam 88.3 and NU107.

For more information, contact (02) 3326746, 0928-247-2642, 0923-467-7394, 0916-354-3259.

BIPA on its 4th Dragon Boat Fest in Bora

The 4th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival sailed last April 22-24 along the inviting blue waters of Boracay island. Twenty local and visiting teams competed in the 500 meter races with the Philippine Army winning the men’s, Hong Kong based Stormy Dragon topping the women’s, and the Fleet Marine ending up on top of the mixed class.

The festival program includes welcome cocktails and opening ceremony with the parade of teams and the traditional dotting of the “eye of the dragon” and a most enjoyable awards dinner and farewell party for all participants.

Boracay Island Paddlers’ Association (BIPA) organized the 1st Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival in 2007 and since then the races become an annual event.

Nenette Aguirra-Graf, BIPA President, noted that they consider the Team CamSur, last edition’s big winner, as a machine on how it dominates all their opponents. She also stressed that Team CamSur is out of the game this year.

This successful event was organized by the BIPA, presented by the Department of Tourism in cooperation with the Municipality of Malay, the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, and the Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center. It was also supported by Smart, Manny O. Wines, Sea Air, Zest Air, and Fairways and Bluewater Golf and Country Club, with Manila Standard as one of the media partners.

Manila Hosts ASEAN Cultural Festival

The Philippines, declared as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)  as its Cultural Capital for 2010 and 2011, hosted the fourth installment of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Culture and Arts and the Sixth Senior Officials Meeting for Culture and Arts (SOMCA) last March 22–26 in Clark, Angeles City, Pampanga.

Along with these meetings, the Philippines also hosted the Fourth ASEAN Festival of Arts (AFA), focused on promoting ASEAN’s common identity and cultural diversity, enhancing cultural heritage and tourism, and strengthening ties among ASEAN members.

Carried by its theme “The Best of the ASRAN: From Ancestral Roots to New Artistic Routes of Expression Mobilizing Cultural Diversity for the UN-MDG,” the Fourth AFA highlighted the creativity and also fostered the exchange of ideas of the best artists from ASEAN countires.

The Philippines, in its part, restaged “Baler sa Puso Ko,” an original zarzuela, with libretto by Isagani Cruz and music by Lutgardo Labad.

Also featured in the festival were film showings, workshops, poetry readings, and book launchings at the Nayong Pilipino sa Clark Expo, plus performances from choral groups, dance troupes, drum and bugle corps, Aeta police scholars, lantern bearers, kite flyers, athletes, Kaddang tumblers, Angono papier-mache giants, and hot balloons.

For more details, contact National Commission for Culture and the Arts Public Affairs and Information Office and PIAF Media Director at 527-5529, 09285081057, 09275582656 or email ncca.paio@gmail.com. You could also visit their websites at www.ncca.gov.ph. and www.piaf-ncca.com.

First Folk Healing Fest in Siquijor

The province of Siquijor hosted the First Folk Healing Festival last April 8 at the Mt.Bandilaan in Cantabon, Siquijor, Siquijor.

The festival is part of the development program for the Bandilaan Mountain Resort which aims boost the island’s tourism industry and counters the negative impressions of Siquijor as an “Islands of Sorcerers.” It showcased alternative and traditional healing methods indigenous to Siquijor including: Pangalap, a gathering of various herbs for seven Fridays during the Lenten Season; Pag-Adlep, it is when the gathered herbs are chopped; the Herbal Preparation or “Cooking” by the Cantabon Healers and Herbalist group; and Folk Healing.

Msgr. Candelario Catubig opened the event with a Holy Mass. Ribbon cutting and blessing of the mountain resort followed after the Mass.

Siquijor Governor Orlando “Shane” Fua Jr. shared in his welcome message the beauty, solitude, and peace prevailing in the province. He also projected the increase in tourist visits because of the added attraction brought about by the Festival and the mountain resort.

Moreover, he also cited the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army and Reservists’ ole in ensuring peace and order in Siquijor, and the Barangay Tanods’ task of keeping the cleanliness of the island.

Aside from the Festival, attendees were also entertained by local serenaders, a demonstrations of the Zipline Adventure by Tribu Walog Mountaineers Club, and exploring the beautiful sceneries Cantabon Cave.

Arts and Music Festival celebrated

The MCO Foundation (Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation) inspired everyone to “Celebrate Life through Arts and Music” on its Chamber Music Festival at the Insular Life Auditorium, Makati last March 5, 12, 19 and 27, 2010.

The festival serenades the attendees with beautiful music performed by some of the country’s most sought-after musicians today. It, specifically, featured on the first day a performance of Ernest Chausson’s Concerto for Piano, Violin, and String Quartet, and Robert Schumann’s Piano Trio no. 2 as part of a tribute to Robert Schumann’s Centennial Celebration. Artists are pianist Mary Anne Espina, violinist Gina Medina, and cellist Anjo Inacay, and the St. Scholasticas String Quartet.

The March 12 concert, on the other hand, featured guitarist Ruben Reyes and collaborating piano, double bass and percussion players, in works by diverse composers including Alexandre Tansman and Claude Bolling. 

On March 19, moreover, featured chamber performances of opera excerpts by Mozart, Offenbach, Verdi, Bellini, performed by soprano Camille Lopez Molina, soprano Jennifer Uy, tenor Randy Gilongo and bass-baritone Noel Azcona with pianist Peter Porticos.

For the festival-ender on March 27, singing actress Nenen Espina and guest artists present melodies from the American Songbook, including works by Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers.

The MCO Foundation Secretariat can be contacted at 750-0768.

2nd Autofest at the Festival Mall

Brand new cars and motorcycles from the biggest automobile manufacturers in the country participated in the 2nd Grand Autofest last March 15-21 at the Festival Supermall in Alabang.

Included in the parade of wheels are established and trusted names in the car industry which includes Chevrolet, Honda Cars Alabang, Hyundai Alabang, Isuzu Alabang, Suzuki, Advance Auto Vision, Mitsubishi Motors, and Norkis.

The successful event is in partnership with the Business Mirror, Kotse.Com, Speed, Automobile Association of the Philippines, and the Festival Supermall. Organizer of the event is CA Exhibits (Catherine, 6879099/6872384/6381351).

Women in the Forefront in the 19th International Women’s Film Festival

The University of the Philippines Film Institute (UPFI), together with the South African Embassy in Manila, presented the 19th International Women’s Film Festival at the UPFI Cine Adarna last March 9–11.

Carried by the theme “Claiming Spaces for Women’s Voices,” the festival opened with a screening of “Courting Justice,” an intimate portrayal of the lives of women making up 18% of South Africa’s judiciary during the post-apartheid era. It underlined their multiple roles as members of the judiciary, as women, and as South African citizens.

Courting Justice, an internationally acclaimed award-winning film, was directed by Ms. Jane Thandi Lipman and produced by Ms. Bridget Pickering, who was the guest of honor of the festival.

UP President Ms. Emerlinda Roman opened the ceremony with a speech, commending how women have “made full use of the cinema as a platform for their personal and social concerns” and the way women have helped “raise the standards of film making over the years.”

The UPFI also invited several speakers from the academe to discuss how women have claimed their voices in different forms of mass media. Among the roster of the distinguished speakers were Dr. Guy Claudio, Dr. Odine de Guzman, Dr. Judy Taguivalo, Prof. Roselle Rivera, Atty. Joji Alonso, Prof. Brian Bantugan, and Ms. Bridget Pickering herself. A roundtable discussion, also with Ms. Pickering, was held at the afternoon of the first day.

Also a highlight of the festival was the conferment of the Diwata Award to Ms. Gina Pareño, lead star of “Kubrador,” and Director Olivia Lamasan. The Diwata Award aims to recognize women who have made great strides in filmmaking and who have propelled women's issues and concerns in film.

The program was attended by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and UP officials including Vice President for Development Armin Sarthou, festival director, UP Open University Chancellor Grace Javier Alfonso, UPD Chancellor Sergio Cao, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Elizabeth L. Enriquez, UPFI Director Eduardo J. Lejano, and UPD College of Mass Communication (CMC) Dean Roland B. Tolentino. South African Ambassador, Pieter Vermeulen, and his wife, Chrisna; Shri Yogendra Kumar from the Indian Embassy; and Fernando Miguel from the Angolan Embassy also graced the event.

Other distinguished films screened during the festival include “Serbis” by Brillante Mendoza, “In My Life” and “Sana Maulit Muli” by Olivia Lamasan, “Kubrador” by Jeffrey Jeturian, as well as new films by women students.

Interested parties may get in touch with Mr. Nonoy Lauzon at (632) 926-3640 for more information about the festival.

CHED to Hold First Academic and Cultural Festival

To encourage students in promoting academic excellence, culture and arts in the country, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Dr. Emmanuel Angeles said the commission will hold its first ever Academic and Cultural Festival to be held from March 1 to 5, 2010 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Dr. Angeles said if the event will be successful, he plans to take it to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Education Council and make it an annual event for promoting culture and arts in the region.

“We will gather all the best performing students in each country that will represent their schools in the competition. It will be a chance for different educational institutions to market themselves as well as promote academic excellence in their country,” he said.

“We want to hone the students’ talents and competencies in a healthy, physically and intellectually-stimulating environment and developing the students’ discipline, hard work, and love for the country and his fellowmen," he added.

The first-time festival is an endeavor of CHED and the National Association of Higher Education Institutions (NAHEI), an umbrella organization of the Regional Association of Higher Education Institutions (RAHEI).

Dr. Angeles pointed that the would-be annual festival will provide public and private college students a chance to compete in various events in the areas of academics and culture.

For academic competitions, students will battle with their minds in the impromptu speech, oration, poetry interpretation, story telling, debate, science, math and computer quizzes.

On the other hand, cultural competitions will include awit saya (vocal solo and vocal duet), sayawitan (choir), tipa at tugtugan (solo instrument), likhawit (song writing), sayaw Pinoy (Philippine creative folk and ethnic dance), and ginoo at binibining pamantasan (pageant).

The CHED chairman said 17 regions in the country will participate in the event. Around 819 student representatives will compete for the cultural category while some 221 will compete for the academic events.

“We believe that this kind of competition brings out the best in every contestant. That is why we will strictly monitor the qualification of each contestant, including the grades. No one with failing grades would be allowed to join the competition even if they have the talent and skills,” he said.

For more information about the event, contact the Commission on Higher Education at (632) 687-13-17, 637-35-71, email info@ched.gov.ph or visit their website at http://www.ched.gov.ph/.

JFM Stages 2010 Nihongo Fiesta at Mall of Asia

Immerse yourself into the fascinating world of Japanese culture on February 27, 2010, as the Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) and SM Mall of Asia, hold the 2010 Nihongo Fiesta at the SM Mall of Asia Cinema and Main Mall Atrium.

The annual festival, which promotes international cultural and arts exchange between Japan and the Philippines, will include a highly-anticipated Nihongo speech contest, a fun and hip Japanese and Filipino Street Fashion Exhibit and Contest, and an exciting J-Rock (Japanese rock) Concert.

Filipino students and professionals who want to show off their linguistic skills in Nihongo are invited to join the 37th Nihongo Speech Contest and get a chance to win an all-expense paid week-long study tour in Japan. In line with JFM’s objective of promoting cultural exchange through Japanese Language Education, participants are required to deliver their own original compositions on a subject of their choice. High School Nihongo beginners, on the other hand, can participate in the 2nd Nihongo Quiz Bee for High School Students to showcase their knowledge in Japanese language and culture. Both contests will be held in Cinema 2 of Mall of Asia; from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Aside from showcasing the Japanese language, the Nihongo Fiesta will also put on display the stylish and edgy characters that descend the streets of Tokyo in the Japanese and Filipino Street Fashion Exhibit and Contest. The trendy Tokyoites are captured in a photo exhibition along with Manila’s very own interpretation of street fashion through the watchful eyes of Filipino fashion designer and style blogger Cecile Zamora Van Straten, and curated by Team Manila. Guests are invited to express their individuality, dress up in their street style best, and turn the hallways of Mall of Asia into urban center catwalks on February 27. Roving “style scouts” will choose the best dressed and the winner will take home a cash prize and Japanese fashion products. The Japanese and Filipino Street Fashion Exhibit and Contest will run from February 22 to 28 in the Main Mall Atrium of SM Mall of Asia.

Finally, cap off the Nihongo Fiesta festivities in the evening with fantastic music and dancing at the J-Rock Concert featuring the influential Japanese punk-pop-rock band Shonen Knife. Fresh from their US tour, the all-female group, which has gained a worldwide cult following, will rock out with the country’s all-male dunk (dance and punk) band, Pedicab in a one-night only free concert at Mall of Asia’s San Miguel by the Bay from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

The 2010 Nihongo Fiesta is supported by the following media partners: Manila Bulletin, NU 107 and ClicktheCity.com.

Admission is free to all 2010 Nihongo Fiesta events. For inquiries, contact the JFM at (632) 811-6155 or email email@jfmo.org.ph or visit their website at www.jfmo.org.ph.

Ballooning Goes To New Heights at 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Hot air balloons paint the sky once again for the 15^th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF). This dazzling event will be staged at the Clarkfield Economic Zone in Pampanga on February 11-14, 2010.

The PIHABF is an annual event featuring balloons from all over the world. Over the years, it has become a convention of sorts including aerosports and other aviation-related pursuits.

Tagged as the “Weekend of Everything That Flies”, viewers will be treated to a spectacular air show featuring regular and special-shaped hot air balloons coming from all over the world. Other activities include skydiving exhibitions, paragliding, aerobatics, airplane and helicopter flybys, balloon-bursting competitions, professional kite flying, remote control aircraft displays and a whole lot more! There will also be ground activities like food courts and fly markets, car exhibitions, army aircraft and gear displays, aviation schools exhibits, photo contests and other exciting events. It’s definitely a treat for the whole family.

The 15th PIHABF will also stage the 2010 Aviation Awards, which aims to recognize several outstanding people who exemplify the highest standards of flying and service, or have made extraordinary contributions to the aerospace industry in the year 2009. The recipients of the 2010 Aviation Awards will be honored at the awards ceremony and dinner scheduled on February 13, 2010.

The 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is sponsored by United Parcel Service (UPS), Krukspec Tactical Gear, Marquee Mall, Asian Air Safari, Angeles City Four Wheelers Club http://216.55.144.142/ac, DSV Logistics, Caltex, Cebu Pacific Air, Circus Aircraft, Global Gateway Logistics City, Yellow Cab Pizza, Ayala Malls, Recreational Outdoor Exchange (R.O.X.), Clark Development Corporation, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, Air Force City, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Philippine National Police.

For more information and a detailed schedule of activities, contact Asian Air Safari at (632) 384-0085, (63927) 340-4994 or visit the event website at http://www.philballoonfest.net.