Tag: October 6, 2009

NANG minsang atasan ako ng aming patnugot na magsulat ng maikling kuwento, halos pitong beses ko itong iniwasto bago pumasa sa kaniyang panlasa. Sa tuwing ibinabalik sa akin ang aking artikulo, hindi ko malaman kung ano ba ang dapat kong gawin upang mapaganda ito. Pakiramdam ko, laging mali ang ginagawa ko. Para bang wala akong ikinaunlad simula noong unang beses akong magsulat sa kabila ng patuloy na paggabay sa akin ng aking patnugot. Naisip ko tuloy na marahil, hindi ito para sa akin.

Kaya naman hanggang ngayon, hindi pa rin ako lubos na makapaniwala na isa ako sa mga estudyanteng napili para sa ika-limang Varsitarian Fiction Workshop. Isang malaking pribilehiyo para sa akin ang makaharap ang mga premyadong kuwentista na sina Jun Cruz Reyes, Eros Atalia at Abdon Balde, Jr. Bago kasi lumabas ang resulta ng Fiction Workshop, iniisip ko nang iwanan ang pagsusulat. Hindi ko kasi gusto ang paulit-ulit na pagwawasto ng artikulo.

SA MAHIGIT 50 taon ng Ramon Magsaysay Award, limang Tomasino na ang nakatanggap sa tinaguriang Nobel Prize ng Asya: sina Francisco Sionil Jose, Bienvenido Lumbera, Nick Joaquin, Eugenia Duran Apostol, at Washington SyCip.

Bilang pag-alala sa dating pangulo ng Pilipinas, iginagawad ang prestihiyosong parangal sa mga mamamayan na ginagamit ang kanilang talento para tugunan ang iba’t-ibang mga isyung may kinalaman sa pag-unlad ng lipunan.

The “Koreanovelas,” as soap opera from South Korea are known in the Philippines, seem to have gained a spot in the Filipinos’ hearts (and local primetime TV), with quirky and addictive shows like Endless Love, Full House, My Girl and Princess Hours. In fact, these foreign hits have become so popular that television stations are banking on remakes of Only You and Stairway to Heaven to be their current meal tickets. But can the features that define these drama series survive in the Filipino setting?

ONLY YOU: Kitchen drama

The original series was first shown in the Philippines through ABS-CBN and it quickly gained a following.

SENIORS from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management paid homage to two of man’s most loved delights — coffee and ice cream.

Held last September 16 at the Palasyo de Maynila in Roxas Boulevard, Fahrenheit: Degrees of Euphoric Temptations featured entrepreneurs who made it big in the local coffee and ice cream industries such as Pacita Juan of the Philippine Coffee Board and Gilbert Jose of Creamline Ice Cream. They tackled everything about coffee and ice cream, from the food’s history to possible business opportunities here and abroad.

Quite fittingly, the image used for the event was fire and ice, which symbolized the two contrasting temperatures of coffee and ice cream.

Aside from a free-tasting of different kinds of coffee and ice cream and a demo on how to make ice cream with liquid nitrogen (by Chef Johann Santos of Zenses Neo-Shanghai Cuisine), another highlight of the event was a photo exhibit by UST students.

Care for an encore of High School Musical?

Teen-oriented television station JackTV recently held an event at the RCBC Plaza last September 10 to officially kick-off their newest prime time series, Glee.

The show, which airs every Monday at 8 p.m., tackles high school life and the struggles one faces in finding a group to fit in. Unlike High School Musical, Glee appeals to viewers with its realistic situations and focus on character development.

The story revolves around a teacher who tries to relive his glory days in high school by reforming the defunct glee club, which currently is a cesspool for losers. In an effort to boost the club’s image and membership, the teacher blackmails a football jock with a beautiful singing voice into joining the club. Along the way, the club faces several challenges which test each member’s resolve to survive the harsh environment of high school.

THE CAMPUS was abuzz over Bola ni Totoy, the latest play-cum-variety show by Mediartrix, staged at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium last September 22 and 23. But did the show deliver?

Directed by Khristofferson Yusi and Gladys Pagdato, and written by Cherry Mae Poblete, Bola tackled the consequences of bad decision-making by blunder-prone college guy Amber.

In the story, he finds a talking Magic 8 Ball which can make all the hard choices for him. In time, his dependence on the ball leads him to Alexa, his would-be college sweetheart, but this comes not without consequences. Ambert will discover the dark side of letting others choose for him.

The play’s saving grace was probably its humor, partly due to the odd characters, from the ostentatiously obese socialite Fatty, to Pillow, a closet homosexual flirting with his male buddies.

A VETERAN sculptor now teaching in UST has bagged the prestigious Metrobank Prize for Achievement in Sculpture during the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence competition last September 9.

Glass sculptor Noell El Farol, who teaches at the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD), won the award, which recognizes the excellence of mid-career sculptors.

El Farol teaches Materials and Graphics at the CFAD. He previously taught the same subject at the University of the Philippines. Aside from sculpting, El Farol is also known as an installation artist, printmaker, and painter. His works have been recognized outside the country.

El Farol began exhibiting his works in 1978 and has since done 13 solo and more than 50 group exhibitions.

TIME for the mentors to shine.

Faculty members of the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) showcased their individual strengths as artists in a group exhibit at the UST Museum last August 25.

An on-and-off tradition, Sikad, CFAD! featured a variety of artworks which ranged from intricate paintings to sharp photography.

CFAD Dean Cynthia Loza said the exhibit served as a special “bonding moment for the faculty members.”

“This is to show the camaraderie between our professors. We are trying to revive and bring out the closeness of the faculty members in order to ensure a productive academic year,” she told the Varsitarian.

She said the opportunity for the mentors to showcase their works to the University audience would also help in their development as artists.