ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL AT SHANG CINEPLEX!

I am in LOVE with International Film Festivals. My love for it started when I used to sleep over at UPFI. Now as an alumna, I mark my calendar and always make sure that I can go back to UPFI to watch Film Fests.

Oh, by the way, there is a "pattern" for this. A festival starts somewhere in Makati or Mandaluyong then last tour will be at Diliman-my Mecca!. That is why I have never missed a festival. It comes to me closer from home.Although I have always been grateful to Shang Cineplex in Shaw. Another strategy is, fall in line 2 or an hour before the schedule even if it abruptly changes based on whatever reasons they never disclosed! But I know why, since I used to be an organizer for Direk T.Aguiluz' Cinemanila!

I was aware of the Asian Film Festival, organized by Asia Society Philippine Foundation Inc., which started this May 17 till today. I intended not to go TONIGHT because of another event but , let's see how I can manage my Monday! The first time films from other parts of Asia are Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, together with local faves Korea and Japan.

Dinig Sana Kita is our country's entry and a big opener this 17th. This is a DRAMA drama and a one-of-a-kind LOVE STORY between a deaf boy and a troubled rocker girl. AHEM!

Another entry is Halaw. It is a narrative adventure of an illiterate Badjao and his daughter as they illegally cross the border of Malaysia and Philippines.

Days have passed but hey, here is the schedule of the free screenings of all these films at the Shang Cineplex in Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong, from May 17 to 21, 2012 as;

May 17 Thursday

Philippines: Dinig Sana Kita (8PM)
Running time: 88 minutes

May 18 Friday

Indonesia: 3 DOA 3 CINTA (12:30PM)
Running time: 114 minutes)

Vietnam: The Guava House (3PM)
Running time: 100 minutes

Laos: Only Love (5:30PM)
Running time: 125 minutes

China: Forever Enthralled (8PM)
Running time: 138 minutes

May 19 Saturday

Sri Lanka: Agni Dahaya (12:30PM)
Running time: 119 minutes

Indonesia: Laskar Pelangi (3PM)
Running time: 125 minutes

Japan: Wanko - The Story of Me, My Family, and My Dog (5:30PM)
Running time: 123 minutes

Korea: Hwang Jin Yi (8PM)
Running time: 141 minutes

May 20 Sunday

Vietnam: Nostalgia for Countryland (12:30PM)
Running time: 116 minutes

Japan: Eclair (3PM)
Running time: 107 minutes

Korea: Speedy Scandal (5:30PM)
Running time: 108 minutes

China: The Founding of a Republic (8PM)
Running time: 140 minutes

so for TODAY, May 21 Monday, they say RELAX and watch a movie. Not for me, I'd RUN to SHANG from Manila for aone GREAT Badjao story... (If only I could go back biking . grrrr!)

China: Glittering Day (12:30PM)
Running time: 95 minutes

Sri Lanka: Deewari (3PM)
Running time: 124 minutes

Indonesia: Jakarta Maghrib (5:30PM)
Running time: 72 minutes

Philippines: Halaw (8PM)
Running time: 75 minutes

Tara!

Kita kits!

“Mamayog: the Music of Samaon Sulaiman” at the NCCA TODAY

Who is he?



He is Samaon Sulaiman,"Manlilikha ng Bayan" (National Living Treasure), conferred in 1993 for keeping the traditional Maguindanao kutyapi music against all threats of modernity. He is one MASTER FOLK ARTIST in accordance with Republic Act No. 7355. And he indeed dedicated his skills "to nourish traditional crafts threatened by extinction."

Manlilikha ng Bayan Samaon Sulaiman, master of the Maguindanaon musical instrument kutyapi died a year ago. I was not able to watch his performance at Conspiracy. I was not even present for meet and greet nor get togethers but TODAY, on the ocassion of his first death anniversary, I AM ATTENDING!

The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will launch TODAY “Mamayog: the Music of Samaon Sulaiman” at the NCCA Tanghalang Leandro V. Locsin. They say this is "a set of audio recordings and a 300-page book containing transcriptions of these recordings and a monograph about the Maguindanaon kutyapi, published by the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan Secretariat."

But my 6-year old son asked me, "Mum,what is kutyapi? To which I answered, " yun nakasabit sa bahay nila Tito RMI sa Antipolo..Papa and I used to strum it hijo depende kung anong mood mo, anak." Then I asked him, "Teka, haven't you seen Tito Diwa and Manong Joey strum it, have you?"..

THIS IS one of the many KUTYAPI!

The kutyapi is a two-stringed plucked lute made of wood, one string for the melody, one for the drone. Eight frets originally held in place placed on the neck of the lute by a sticky rubbery substance, propolis, produced by honey bees to repair damages and openings in the hive. The lute is decorated with floral motives; the tail is carved to represent a stylised crocodile head. And is one of the most technically demanding and difficult to master among Filipino musical instruments. Usually the size would be in dimensions: length: 152 cm., width: 11,5 cm.

The instrument is common to the Ethnic group Maranao located at the West Central Mindanao (muslim south). Similar instruments are played as:

-kudyapi (Tagbanua )
- Kutyapi, Kutiapi (Maguindanaon),
-Kotyapi (Maranao),
-Kotapi (Subanon),
-Fegereng (Tiruray),
-Faglong, Fuglung,kudlung, SE Mindanao
-Kudyapi (Bukidnon and Tagbanua),
-Hegelong (T’boli)
-Kuglong, Kadlong, Kudlong or Kudlung (Manobo, Mansaka, Mandaya, Bagobo and Central Mindanao)
-Kusyapi (Palawan)

And then there's Manong Joey Ayala and Conspiracy.

But when you are a purist like me, I like to meet a T'Boli, Manobo and other Lumad groups, Bagobo, the Maguindanao and Maranao, or then again, maybe, an ethnicity in you?

And if you ask me what the link is? It's all about Pilipino Pride and HERITAGE!

As A FAN and a friend of Diwa de Leon, who is part of Makiling Ensemble, he plays the hegalong with modernity and gusto! He is the son of Dr. Felipe de Leon who I first met at Diwa's birthday celebration and as a "Tito" he once gave me an advice re my dedication to Prof. Edru Abraham's Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi).

Going back to kutyapi, which I consider Pilipino Pride and HERITAGE, let me share parts of Dr. de Leon's interview from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/7929/master-of-filipino-2-string-lute-dies ...

“With his creative gifts in enriching the playing techniques, styles, sonic and melodic repertoire of the instrument, [Sulaiman’s] crowd-drawing performances here and in foreign lands, and his dedication in imparting his skills to the Maguindanaon youth, he has immensely enhanced the appreciation of his chosen instrument and contributed in no small measure to the strengthening of Filipino musical heritage,” the NCCA said in a statement.

NCCA Chair Felipe de Leon Jr. said Samaon was “a great loss to the country.”

“He was truly one of the shining lights in the non-Western musical heritage of old Philippines. It will be hard to develop another one like him,” De Leon said.

By the way, check http://www.ncca.gov.ph/aboutncca/announcements/announcement.php?i=5868 for the memorabilia exhibit for National Artist Felipe Padilla de Leon -Tito, Sinag and Diwa's roots....

ESPASYO, SOUND ART and CENTELLA ETHEREA: MY CELESTIAL SPHERES!

Do you know how my so called selective amnesia works?

I never knew the exact stories nor asked details about it. But as a FAN and a friend, I knew them both because we would do open jams during SOUND ART FESTIVALS. From the defunct Surrounded by Water in Ortigas to Tado's bday at Cubao, to an art gallery at Kalayaan QC and to UP AIT in Diliman.

Oh, and yes, to my Mecca- Khavn Dela Cruz's Oracafe! It was a hit hub during the 9O's. And when I created Gooda Garam Productions with mah husband and friend Claring, I asked Elemento to perform there too with the list you see on this ticket/poster. Good thing this was captured by Beybeh Beybeh's vocalist and now Master/ Yogist Leif Losinio.

I remember Khavn, in his most humble and coolest way approved of the idea but was worried about the stage's gigantic mirror. I wrapped it with Manila Paper so that "the" Lirio Salvador, Elemento's frontman, could paint while performing ( SOUND ART nga eh!). And when a stroke hit the mirror surface, Lirio, after the performance just assured him " Pare, water based naman yan." Peace Khavn! And Opo, Kinuskos ko ang buong salamin at hindi yung nalampasan lang!

Then where else? What other links? Aha, McDo Philcoa french fries, then Chaitanya chanting and Japa Beads, then after 13 years French Fries again with Savor the Now education at Bside, then my no appearance at their Album Launch, then his Hit and Run Survival. They have survived MORTALITY's challenge!

Today, I would be firmer in supporting their Gallery- ESPASYO. I never knew it was theirs. I was sooo pre occupied with the BPO industry ( but not anymore because I'm into Cultural works now, yipee!) that I never cared what's happening in the SOUND ART SCENE and that they do EXIST . I told Jon and Mean recently," Tara BUHAYIN natin ang ESPASYO....."

Fortunately, my passion was indeed re-affirmed because my stint with Centella Etherea proved I was a PIONEER of the SOUND ART too. Those were days with Roger, Earl, and NC. Don't you dare say I wasn't. Hoy nasa PULP kami!!! See this man!

And yep, more than the GOTH Buzz nights, our vocalist, Francis Reyes is back in Manila for a short stay. He is spreading the "scene" at Brooklyn for so many years now with his band Dinner and Dinuguan. If I would be a spoiler, I'd say, " Francia,kami na lang ang Dinuguan with Puto kapag European Tour na niyo!"

Going back,I would like to share Mary Ann Jimenez-Salvador's post for the 26th..

Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue
celebrates 3rd Anniversary

The Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue will be celebrating its 3rd year anniversary on May 26, 2012, 6pm – onwards at the Espasyo office located at Congressional Road, Brgy. Sta. Fe, Dasmariñas City.

For the last three years, Espasyo Siningdikato creatiVEnue has been served as an abode for the creative souls. It has become an alternative venue that showcases artistic output, allows exchange of ideas and provides opportunity to learn art. By implementing various projects, activities and events with local and international flavors, Espasyo has also been helping in bridging the gap between the artists and local community. Moreover, it has also been functioning as an umbrella organization that gathers selected artistic groups in Cavite such as Tanghalang Pascual Poblete, Grupo Ocho, Cavite Young Writers Association, De La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company, Papermonster Press, and a group of Graffiti artists.

Since its establishment in 2009, Espasyo Siningdikato has organized a total of 28 visual art exhibitions, an international symposium and music festival, a city-wide children’s art workshops, several art lectures and hands-on workshops, and three (3) theme-based national art and environmental festivals. Three of its members represented the group in National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ national and regional art fora. It has also forged membership and linkages with several educational institutions as well as government and non-governmental organizations.

Espasyo’s advocacy to propagate art in the community continued with this year’s theme “Sibol: Pag-usbong ng bagong sandata”. The theme focuses in honing and nurturing new breed of artists who will become weapons for the cultural empowerment of their respective community. At the end of the year, Espasyo hopes to accomplish two flagship projects: the NCCA sponsored “Punla-Sining: After School Scholarship Program for the Underprivileged Children of Barangay Sta. Fe and San Nicolas in Dasmariñas City” and “Outsider Artists Exhibition Assistantship Program.” Espasyo, through its founder Lirio Salvador, an avant garde artist/musician also aims to inspire other artists to continuously develop their artistry by creating innovative art works, exploring other artistic possibilities and sharing knowledge and creativity.

Highlights of this year’s celebration include: EXIST Homecoming: a sound art exhibition; performance art by Danny Sillada, Vim Nadera, Irma Lacorte, TUPADA and Tadtaran Duo; poetry reading by Papermonster Press and Cavite Young Writers Association; contemporary moves by Tanghalang Pascual Poblete; Poi Dance by Art Ayson and musical performances by Espasyo in-house musicians which include Lakbay-Lahi, Elemento, Ferrond, Gentle Universe, and Cosmopolitan Smoke Stab. A special section will be dedicated to 3yRs. It features a photo exhibit of Espasyo people and events in the past. The group will also be launching a compilation of three-minute limited edition sound art/audio collage in CD format. Art raffle will also be drawn during the event.

The event is free.

For inquiries, please contact Mary Ann (0927-308-4130), Jonjie (09054178180) and Stan (09174735480).

I hope I can attend because I may be flying in from Shang for my lolos' bday celebration.

To MeAn and my Tatang Lirio, sige, KAPIT lang ng mahigpit. Hawak kamay...

MABUHAY TAYONG LAHAT!

Kalampagan na!