Tag: November 30, 2010

CELEBRATING a dozen Inkblots, fellows again gathered to hear experts pass on their grains of wisdom regarding the industry’s pressing issues.

The annual tradition of the Varsitarian continues as it reminds young journalists of their duty to uphold the truth in journalism in a three-day seminar held at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium last October 18 to 20.

Lawyer and Philippine Star columnist Jose Sison encouraged over 300 fellows, consisting of student journalists and publications advisers, to “write about the truth” while maintaining sensibility and sensitivity in certain matters.

PAINTER Romulo Olazo and sculptor Ramon Olazo, two of the country’s most respected senior visual artists, joined forces in Olazo/Orlin, a tandem exhibit held last November 13 to 28 at the ArtistSpace gallery of the Ayala Museum.

Both are alumni of the old UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts alumni, where the sculptor finished Architecture and the painter took up Fine Arts. But aside from their educational lineage, the two are joined by their artistic experimentations. As noted by art critic Cid Reyes, the two artists are “Virtuosos of Light.”

“Both Olazo’s and Orlina’s works seem lighted from within, thus their strong spiritual resonances,” said Reyes. “Their show is a glowing optical experience.”

STUDENTS’ CHOICE OF DRAMA ANTHOLOGY/ DRAMA MINI-SERIES/ FOREIGN SOAP OPERA

A good dramatic show blends all the technical elements of television in order to depict realistically and critically the human condition, its struggles, its highs and lows. Christian dimensions are intrinsic in such a meaningful depiction. Therefore, between technical excellence and significant content, the latter should carry more weight.

THE NEW wave of local primetime television shows targets younger audiences. But their content—whether subliminal or outright—may not really be appropriate for viewers of all ages.

FOR FRENCH-CANADIAN Dominican priest Fr. Gaston Petit, O.P., in the beginning was the Word—along with scribbles and crayola.

“I learned to create art even before I learned to walk,” Petit said. “I always scribbled and did things at a very early age, but the point is, I kept on scribbling. Usually every child scribbles, but they stop. I did not stop.”

He recalled that during his childhood, there were only a few means of entertainment so he would often amuse himself by drawing the cartoons he would see on the newspaper.

However, as he grew older, he felt that he had a religious calling and he eventually entered the Dominican order. He said that priesthood is a vocation and it came first before he thought of becoming an artist.

FACEBOOK is perhaps one of the biggest and most popular social networking websites in the world. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg, today’s youngest billionaire, it has reached almost 16 million users—and counting—in the Philippines alone.

But as the film, The Social Network, shows, Zuckerberg’s climb to the top is not exactly a case of good social relations.

Directed by David Fincher, the movie revolves around the socially inept and computer programming prodigy Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), and his legal disputes with other Harvard University students who want to have a piece of the corporate cake.

INSPIRED from the hit American TV series, “Glee”, the musical group Kilos Kabataan staged a musical play titled “Klik” at the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation Grand Theatre in Parañaque City last October 16.

The event took its musical references from pop music to convey each of the character’s emotions. They performed Cindy Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” and Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out,” among others.

The musical aims to demonstrate the dichotomy of the girl’s experiences as they either live a life of morality or otherwise. Some of the girls wounded up as a teenage mom, drug dependent and victim of sex scandals. On the other hand, some became a successful nurse, teacher and even lawyer, among others.

TWO STUDENTS from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) emerged as winners in the calendar category of Shell National Students Art Competition. Last year, only one Thomasian won in the contest and it is under the same category.

Aside from the two first place winners, five other students from UST also bagged awards from the sculpture and digital fine arts category.

Winning calendars

The calendar, “Isang watawat, isang ugat” by Raymond Ignacio, is a collage of pictures forming the Philippine flag. The photos that composed the artwork depicted sceneries and sights around the Philippines.

RAMON Orlina, Joe Datuin and Eduardo Castrillo showed their sculpting proficiency in glass, stainless steel and metal, respectively, in Tres, held at the Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City last October 25 to 31.

The exhibit, presented by the Atelier Alumni Association in collaboration with the College of Fine Arts and Design, Office for Alumni Relations and Reseach Cluster for Culture, Education and Social Issues, is the third of an exhibition series titled Artistang Tomasino Ako!, which revives the pride of the UST Alumni and students as a part of the countdown for the Quadricentennial celebration.

“The uniqueness of this event is the mere fact that we have gathered a powerhouse,” Johnny Hubilla, president of Atelier Alumni Relations, proudly remarked.

PHILIPPINE Literature has taken the first step in its campaign to encourage writing in the country and be recognized worldwide with its first international literary festival.

Local and international literary icons, as well as teachers, students, and book enthusiasts gathered in the country’s first Manila International Literary Festival held on November 18 to 20 at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila in Makati City. The three-day event, Lit Out Loud (LOL), was organized by the National Book Development Board (NBDB). It featured various seminars and workshops on creating a worthy literary work.

SIMULA ngayong semestre, hindi lamang mga Tomasinong nasa mababa at mataas na paaralan ang magbibigay-pugay sa ating watawat matapos lumabas ang circular mula sa Office of the Secretary General na naglalayong magkaroon ng flag-raising ceremony tuwing Lunes ng umaga.

Gaganapin sa Arch of the Centuries, pangungunahan ng bawat kolehiyo ang programa na binubuo ng Quadricentennial prayer, pag-awit ng Lupang Hinirang, Panatang Makabayan, at University hymn.

Marami ang nagtataka kung bakit ngayon lamang ito ipinatupad sa Unibersidad. Sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, ang flag-raising ceremony ay ginagawa tuwing Lunes ng umaga para sa mga mag-aaral sa kolehiyo, samantalang sa Ateneo de Manila University naman ay araw-araw itong ginagawa.