Paintings and sculptures of contemporary Cebuano artists were featured in the art exhibit, dubbed Contemporary Cebu, which opened last Jan. 4 at the Cebu City Museum.

The exhibit, which is curated by JV Castro, is designed to bring national attention to contemporary Cebuano artists and their works. It is open to the public until Jan. 31.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, during the opening ceremonies, lauded the initiative undertaken to make the exhibit possible, saying it is a way to recognize Cebuano talents in visual arts as well as to promote the Cebu City Museum.

The Alternative Contemporary Art Studio, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), and The Grove by Rockwell, partnered together to launch this annual exhibit. The first exhibit was held in June 2011 in Manila at the Ateneo de Manila University and Picasso Boutique Hotel.

This year’s Contemporary Cebu art exhibit features the works of Palmy Pe-Tudtud, Marvin Natural, Kidlat of the Junks Collective, Karl Roque, Sio Montera, Ritchie Quijano, and Tito Cuevas. Russ Ligtas will give Butoh performances on Jan. 12 and 13.

“It is an exhibition that features some of the finest artists we have in Cebu. All the works in the exhibit are done by Cebuano artists who specialize in contemporary works, meaning the portrayal of subjects are different. In a way, we want to promote Cebu in a different light,” Castro said.

Dennis “Sio” Montera, one of the participating artists shared the inspiration and stories behind his paintings.

“My art is more on expression of the things that have been relevant in my life—happiness, sadness, loss of loved one, any life experience. For me, the best way I can communicate or deal with my emotions is to paint. It is more likely the reflection of a current situation of my life. It’s like a diary, mirroring what is happening around me,” he said.

Alternative Contemporary Art Studio and RAFI have been partners since Contemporary Cebu’s inception in 2011. This year, they took in The Grove by Rockwell as a major partner. The other sponsors of the exhibit are the Cebu City Government, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission of Cebu City, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Blue Shield Risk Management, Gothong Southern, Michelangelo Pizzeria, and Hola España.

“Contemporary Cebu is a good opportunity for introducing the Cebuano audience to contemporary arts and for them to be familiar who the Cebuano contemporary visual artists are,” said Dr. Jocelyn Gerra, executive director of Culture and Heritage of RAFI. (Hannah Reoma/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. intern)

CEBU, Philippines – Philippine wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) and Cebu-based website MyCebu.ph have partnered to deliver information on tourism and heritage sites to mobile phones and tablets through quick response or QR code scanning.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with the Department of Tourism Central Visayas.

Smart and MyCebu.ph will place special markers on tourism and heritage sites all over Cebu.

The markers will contain a snipper of information about the site and a QR code that, when scanned, will be open an article about the landmark. To be able to laod the information, users must be connected and they must have a QR reader in their devices. Most phone platforms offer free QR code scanners in their respective application markets.

The project is set for launch at historic Barangay Pari-an Cebu City today. Smart and MyCebu.ph also announced the immediate availability of a free electronic guidebook to the Sinulog for the iPad, Iphone, Kindle, Android tablets and phones and other smartphones and ereader brands. The guidebook will be offered for free downlaod at the airport, Ayala Center Cebu, hotels, restuarants and other tourism establishment in Cebu. It will also be given away at the officers of the DOT and the Sinulog Foundation.

MyCebu.ph Founder Marlen Limpag with an epub version of "A Guide To Cebu 2012"

Smart and MyCebu.ph also launched “A Guide To Cebu 2012,” an electronic guidebook on Cebu. Get Guide to Cebu 2011. The guidebook will be sold on Amazon and other online bookstores but will also be mad available for free downlaod at the airport, Ayala Center Cebu, hotels and other locations frequented by tourists.

The Sinulog guidebook is available for downlaod starting today. A Guide To Cebu 2012, however, will be made available for download in January in time for the Sinulog.

For the launch, Smart and MyCebu.ph will take guests on a short heritage walk in Paria-an to demonstrate the viewing of information through QR code scanning.

The highlight of the tour will be the display of the San Juan Bautista Parish Church through a QR code marker at the chapel that is built on where the church used to stand. The parish church is described by historic records as the most opulent in Cebu. It was torn down in the late 1970s during a conflict between the Pari-an community leader and a Spanish priest.

The project showcases journalism that takes takes full advantage of new technology to deliver information to people,” said Marlen Limpag, MyCebu.ph editor,” With the project, people are able to read on their phone or tablet about historic events right at where these happened.”

Limpag stressed, however, that the project isn’t purely historical or heritage.” Tourists can also get tips on how to get the most of their stay right at the tourist spot they are visiting.”

“This is a very exciting project for us. We are not only promoting tourism here in Cebu, we also get to work with passionate people from MyCebu.ph, DOT, Sinulog Foundation, local bloggers and local community leaders in helping preserve these heritage sites by raising awareness through Internet and communications technologies.” said Atty. Maria Jane C. Paredes, senior manager for Public Affairs Group, Smart.

The group will also showcase video clips linked to the QR codes in select tourism and heritage areas.

The capitalize on social networking to help spread word on the country’s tourism sites, the articles loaded by the system are plugged into various social networks like Facebook, Google+, Twitter and even location-based services like FourSquare. They can then “Like” or tweet about the place.

“Filipinos are very social in nature. We can use social media to our advantage to help encourage more tourists to visit Cebu and the rest of the country. This initiative in Cebu is just the start of something bigger for us. We plan to bring this nationwide in support of the DOT and the various local government units.” added Paredes.

But while the system makes use of QR scanning, Limpag said they are looking forward to using technologies like NFC or near field communication to deliver data in the future.

“We think QR code scanning is transitory. We look forward to using NFC to simplify delivery of information and we are happy to have partnered with Smart, which pionered the use of the NFC as well as other leading wireless technologies in the Philippines,” Limpag said.

The QR code project will be pioneered in Pari-an and downtown Cebu City. Smart and MyCebu.ph, however, will work to expand the system to cover important tourism and historical sites in Cebu.

I

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) won the “Quill Award of Merit for communication management: economic, social, and environmental development” for its Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines.

At the same time, the “Tree of the Month”, which comes out in The Freeman twice a month, is a finalist under the writing category of the communication skills division of the Quill Awards.

RAFI Executive Committee Chair Ma. Cristina Aboitiz, RAFI Chief Operating Officer Dominica Cua, RAFI Deputy Director for Operations Amaya Aboitiz, RAFI’s Integrated Development Executive Director Rowena Bandola-Alensonorin, and RAFI Communications Officer Haidee Palapar received the two awards during the 10th Philippine Quill Awards held last Nov. 18 at Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila, Quezon City.

They were joined by Lucky Malicay, news editor of The Freeman.

“The awards are indicators that RAFI has achieved that competitive advantage in terms of pushing its programs and advocacies forward through communication, given RAFI’s appropriate skills and systems. Also, they serve as a challenge for RAFI to continuously raise the bars so that the Foundation will continue to be effective in delivering its brand promise and reach the highest mark of excellence,” Alensonorin said.

Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines is the environmental initiative under the GREENIN Philippines (Generation REdemption and Expansion of Natural resources INitiatives in the Philippines) Program of RAFI, which engages the general public to participate in a simultaneous running and planting of native tree species throughout the province of Cebu.

Held last June 25, 2011, the event aimed to raise public awareness in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation among local government leaders and in forging local and national government commitment to action as well as encourage multiple partnerships in caring for the environment.

It was participated by 55,372 participants from across Cebu Province who collectively planted 239,580 native tree seedlings in more than 115 hectares of land. These figures are beyond RAFI’s targets that was set at 20,000 participants, 100,000 native tree seedlings, and 56 hectares.

On the other hand, Tree of the Month is a bi-monthly section that comes out in The Freeman twice a month with the aim of educating the public on the various native trees species and encouraging their propagation.

The advocacy is shared by The Freeman.

The Story of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative in shaping the big picture of change

Larissa Tausa, a community education teacher 14 years ago, remembers it well.

Three years before she formally joined this “coop” from the sleepy town of Pinamungajan, Larissa is well acquainted with Lamac. For them, this small barangay organization is a sign of hope, perseverance and growth.

“We have heard so many things from this organization,” she tells me in an informal dialogue. “One thing that struck me to join is how it had improved the lives of its members,” Larissa adds.

Fast forward, Larissa is currently one of the strong testament of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative’s (LMPC) growth and success. It had not only changed Larissa’s perspective in the value of  saving and social work, it had also personally helped her become one of the most trusted managers of the organization. Larissa currently heads the a team of socially-oriented individuals, serving the LMPC membership in Cebu City.

Eva Tanudra, now 23, use to recall how LMPC planned projects to motivated her family to save.

“When I was a teenager member, we are encouraged to save, join events and gatherings – to show off, and take part in any community activity. Every event you join, you get incentives,” Eva discloses. It becomes natural to youth members of the organization to be actively involved in any community-related activities.

“When we save, we get insured,” she further adds. “In times of financial constraints, the family can always approach LMPC for emergency loans at very low interest rates,” Lisa further ads.

Just by merely saving few pesos, her family was able to loan an amount to purchase a farm land her family has tilled for many years. Eva’s family now proudly owns a half-hectare of agricultural land in Pinamungajan.

Larissa and Eva are just some of the individuals who’s lives have been changed forever by LMPC.

THE BEGINNINGS

LMPC’s beginning and growth resembles the strength of a pure spring from the hilltop rushing down the countryside.

To those who are not familiar, Lamac is a far-flung barangay in Cebu.

The goal of this organization composed of around 70 farmers was simple: start store that can provide the families basic needs. To start the operation, these farmers gave Php 50.00 and raised a total of Php 3,500.00. With the help of the Local Government and Community Development (DLGCD),  ”Lamac Samahang Nayon” began in 1973.

The organization, stirred by volunteer leaders, paved way for a more unified community in this small barangay. “Bayanihan” was the coined values which lead them to numerous awards and recognition as an outstanding “Samahang Nayon” in both regional and national competitions awarded by the government.

It was in 1992, with the help of another (NGO of professionals) called Barangay Lamac’s Organization for Management Systems, Inc (BLOMEs), when the organization was finally structured and strengthened as a full-pledged cooperative and renamed as Lamac Multi-Purpose cooperative (LMPC). Staff with well-trained and dedicated leaders, the coop reaped awards after awards. Money prizes strengthening the organization’s coffers and finally making it into the list of outstanding organizations and cooperatives in the Philippines.

THE GROWTH

LMPC’s growth is phenomenal.

Searching the worldwide web, one would appreciate the geographical location of Lamac, Pinamungahan. It is a far-flung barangay 14 kilometers from the town proper. Pinamungahan is also 42 kilometers from Cebu City.

A manual titled “How to form a Cooperative” published by the Cooperative Development Authority in 2000 describes LMPC’s beginning:

Lamac is a poor village in Pinamungajan, Cebu. In the past, this barangay had no roads, electricity, transportation and water system. The people living here were very poor.

Also, in the same document the success of LMPC is compressed into these few lines:

Through unity, faith and hard work, the members of this cooperative were able to make their lives better and contribute to their community’s progress. Today, the cooperative has its own office, bakery, pharmacy, and rice and corn mill. It was awarded as one of the three most outstanding cooperatives by the Land Bank of the Philippines in 1995.

LMPC has 18 branches in the Visayas.

Checking the portfolio, LMPC started with barely 70 farmer members and Php 3,500.00 (USD 70.00) capital build up (CBU). Now this same organization that started from a far flung barangay in 1973, now has 18 branches in the Visayas with more than 51,000 members, 570.6 Million assets and employing more than 200 individuals.

In its list of assets in Lamac, LMPC owns two-story building/office, bakery, pharmacy, rice, corn mill, water refilling station, a grocery store and the now famous Hidden Valley Resort.

Its newest building built in 2007 is a three-storey building that stands proud in the tired-looking street of Ibarra in Cebu City. The Cebu City branch has an office, a social hall, a roof-top area, a dormitory of 40-beds and a 10-unit internet cafe.

The Land Banck of the Philippines award in 1995 is only one of around 35 regional and national awards the organization has reaped in its 38 years of history.

In 2000, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc (RAFI) awarded to LMPC the Most Outstanding Institution in its first RAFI Triennial Awards. RAFI Triennial Awards recognizes individuals and institutions in Visayas and Mindanao that go the extra mile in bringing about change and in enhancing the quality of life of various groups and communities.

THE COMMON COOP PROBLEMS

In a comprehensive research done by Professor Jorge V Sibal, consolidating more than 80 previous researches which assessed the growth and development of coops including the studies done by Emmanuel Velasco, the Cooperative Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (CFPI), and Leandro Rola (1989), the following are identified as the common problems of the cooperative movement:

1. lack of education and training
2. lack of capital
3. inadequate volume of business
4. lack of loyal membership support
5. vested interest and graft and corruption among coop leaders
6. weak leadership and mismanagement
7.  lack of government support

As a result, Professor Sibals report further declares that “only 23,836 or 30 percent of the 78,611 registered coops in 2009 are reporting/operating.”

While most cooperatives suffer these problems, LMPC is improving the images of the coop by the way it had been governed and managed.

LMPC SUCCESS FACTORS

While problems plague the remaining 70% of the coops in the Philippines, LMPC continues to inspire other cooperatives by acting as a “big brother”.

General Manager Elena Limocon, disclaimed however in an interview, that organizations are created equal. Each one is unique and has its own set of best practices to implement. To Ms. Limocon, as experience dictates, these factors contribute to LMPC’s continued success, which they openly share to others:

1. UNDERSTANDING AND ALIGNMENT TO THE VISION AND MISSION. Ms. Limocon emphasized the value of understanding the organizations mission annd vision. “It is with this [vision and mission] that the management, membership and leadership should align.”

Full Disclosure Columnist Fidel O. Abalos made this comment in August 24, 2009 issue of  THE FREEMAN :

“All these achievements anchored on LMPC’s more pronounced vision and mission as well as its core values which goes by the acronym, LOVE, for Loyalty, Oneness, Valor and Empathy.”

2. LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
In 2006, Landbank acting President and CEO Gilda Pico commended LMPC and its General Manager during the 8th National Co-op Leaders’ Summit:

“…Ms. Elena Limocon, general manager of the Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, located in central Cebu province. Elena is the typical shy “probinsyana,’ who is very simple in words and deeds. But despite being unassuming, this Community Health graduate, has steered LMPC to becoming the lifeblood of the town of Pinamungajan.

Her business acumen, which she cultivated on the job along with her openness to new learnings are considered by many as among Elena’s positive traits that sustained the co-op”s success. The co-op’s credit, savings, and entrepreneurial services have stimulated economic activities in Lamac and in the process opened up more livelihood opportunities for the people. Through LMPC, the locals now have a chance to lead better and more comfortable lives equipped with access roads, public infrastructures and basis services. The co-op now even owns a mountain-side resort the first ever in Lamac.”

3. SOUND AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT. Management provides structure and system for the organization to follow. It is proper management that everyone that works for the organization receive its due compensation.

Ms. Limocon tells, “During the first 18 years of the organizations existence everyone that worked for the organization works for free. As the organization grew and earn, we see that importance of proper compensation to our directors and  employees working in behalf of LMPC in the communities we serve. Now, salary is paid to employees and dividend is given to our members.”

4. TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT. Policy formulation should be in place to avoid nepotism and favoritism, according to Ms. Limocon. “Transparency builds trust between members and management.” For the past years, it is a tradition of Lamac to present the financial statement and operation status every year. At an annual general assembly, plans are also shared to its members. “We can even show them our books anytime they want to see it,” Ms. Limocon attests.

5. DYNAMIC, ACTIVE AND EMPOWERED MEMBERSHIP. “Our membership fuels our existence,” says Ms. Limocon. She further ads, memberships knowledge about the coop and its operations is critical in ensuring membership participation in initiated activities.

“For us one-day orientation is a must,” she adds.

Its membership strength can be attributed to the coops well-organized and planned incentive program in acknowledging members. Becoming an LMPC member will not only provide a member an avenue to save and earn as much as 8% interest. Each member with savings more than Php 100.00 and in good standing can loan amounts according to the lenght of their membership and the amount deposited in the cooperative. Aside from this, each member can have as much as Php 120.000.00 worth of murtuary benefits.

Empowered membership is always providing an answer to the question “Kumusta na Sila?” (How are they.)

“Everytime we ask them, we see more areas we can possibly address. The more concerned the management is in addressing the memberships needs, the more proactive these members are in participating, ” the GM adds.

It reminds me of John Maxwell’s line: “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

6. ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT. Gen. George Patton once said: “Success is how you bounce after you hit bottom”. So did LMPC. It had gone through financial and leadership unstability. From its former structure and entity as Lamac Samahang Nayon, the organizations “opportunity seeking” mode led the transformation of the organization into a full-pledged cooperative and renamed it as Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative under the Management of Barangay Lamac Organization on Management Effectiveness System Inc. (BLOMES Inc.) — an organization of concerned professionals.

It is in its better half that the coop leaders and members were empowered to become opportunity spotters. When the organization saw the need of new roads, the organization lobbied for support from the local government unit. To assist its farmers, a rise and corn mill was built. To house thousands of Filipinos in Lakbay Aral and for internal cooperative events of LMPC, Hidden Valley Resort was built. These are just some of many testimonials to the coops spirit.

“We don’t see problems. We always see opportunity,” Ms. Limocon humbly tells.

LMPC's Hidden Valley Resort

 THE FUTURE

Looking back, all Larissa can do is smile with pride on how far the cooperative she joined years ago had grown. While serving as branch head of the LMPC office in Cebu City, she never fails to explore areas where LMPC can help its immediate community.

Eva, on her own, also admits that even though she is still in college, she is determined to serve the cooperative and her community, to also help others as LMPC has helped them.

“Change is inevitable, yet the best way to predict it is to create it”,  says Peter Drucker .

Taking the lead from LMPC, empowered people, empowers community. Empowered communities can empower other communities, by example. No wonder, LMPC branches is currently available in 18 key towns and cities in the Visayas. It’s influence and impact is like fresh spring water from the mountains rushing down the countryside and cities, quenching the Filipino’s thirst for progress.

• Sibal, Jorge. The Philippine Cooperative Movement: Problems and Prospects (1986 – present)

• Pico, Gilda E. “Establishing the Brand for Philippine Cooperatives thru Quality Leadership”

• https://www.landbank.com/msgarchdetails.asp?id=50. December 15, 2011.date accessed

• How to form a Cooperative <http://eskwelanaga.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/how-to-form-a-cooperative.pdf>

• Fajardo, F.R. and F. P. Abella. Cooperatives. 4th ed. Manila. Rex Bookstore, Inc., 1999.

• Cooperative Development Authority. 2000. December 12, 2011, date accessed.

• Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative Website <http://www.lamacmpc.org> 2011. December 12, 2011. date accessed.

• LMPC 2010 19th General Assembly Magazine.

Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) President Roberto Aboitiz (second from right) led the groundbreaking of the new Kool Adventure Camp of RAFI in Barangay Consumoroy, Balamban, Cebu. With him are (L-R) Cebu Provincial Board Member Alex Binghay, Balamban Mayor Ace Binghay, and Ben Azel Ponio, president of BSP & Company Inc., the main contractor for the construction of the KAC site. (Inset) RAFI Chief Operating Officer Dominica B. Chua (with microphone) explained to partners, campers, and RAFI employees the different features of the camp through its scaled model.

Balamban, Cebu – After more than a decade of running camps with the youth and other sectors, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) saw the importance of taking adventure to greater heights through the creation of the Philippines’ pioneer outdoor education center.

RAFI officially broke ground on its Kool Adventure Camp (KAC) site at Barangay Cansumoroy, Balamban, Cebu last Mar. 26.

The 10-hectare campsite is seen as the first outdoor experiential center in the Philippines. It will house outdoor high and low challenge courses, indoor challenge courses, corporate conference halls, training halls, trekking trails, dining & kitchen facilities, tent areas, youth bunks and corporate cabins.

KAC will also feature the High Element Challenge Cluster, a challenge course that combines both low initiatives and high ropes courses in one. The campsite also includes an Iconic Structure, a multi-face, multi-element high challenge ropes course.

“This is where we will grow and multiply the program,” RAFI President Roberto E. Aboitiz said during the groundbreaking ceremony, referring to the ongoing KAC program of RAFI.

The construction of the campsite started on June 2010 under the supervision of the Aboitiz Construction Group Inc.-Metaphil Division. Construction is carried out by BSP Construction, Inc.

The design of the entire camp site was completed through the collaborative ideas of architect Estela G.D. Lopez of EGD Lopez and Partners for the site development design, architect Socorro Atega for the landscape design, and architect Ed Gallego of Gallego Architects for the architectural design.

KAC, launched in 1999, is an adventure-based education program that provides youth and adults with learning and development opportunities through experiential education. Its program offerings, which seek to build character, develop competence, and inspire active citizenship among its participants, include youth adventure camps, adventure training and consulting, corporate adventure workshops, land and sea leadership expeditions, urban backpacking, games and initiatives, and trainer’s training, among others.

“We have a 10-year-old program that deals with the hearts and minds of the youth in the Philippines. We have graduated close to 8,000 campers. What we promise is that those who will attend our program will never be the same again. You may come into the program with different backgrounds but when you graduate from our program, you will be enthusiastic, you will engage in various activities, and you will become leaders of tomorrow,” Aboitiz said.

KAC is one of the programs under RAFI’s Leadership & Citizenship focus area, one of the five focus areas of RAFI where future leaders are nurtured to prepare them to effect change. Its other focus areas are Integrated Development, Micro-finance & Entrepreneurship, Culture & Heritage, and Education.

KAC is an organization member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology-USA and Association for Experiential Education-USA.

For more information about KAC, please call 418-7234 local 207 and look for Daphne Dia or visit www.rafi.org.ph.

The career of ROBERTO M.A. ROBLES (b. 1957) spans thirty years, during which time he has exhibited in the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, Australia, France, and the U.S.A. A Retrospective is an important milestone in an artist”s career – a time to look back over their work and give due credit, but more importantly, to define their place within art history. It is an honor granted to only few artists, and recognizes their immense contribution to the culture of a nation.

This retrospective titled, Saluysoy, which literally means “an eternal spring / where the stream starts in the Southern Tagalog dialect, captures the spirit of Roberto M.A.Robles” abstract sculptures and paintings and offers a point from which we too can grow in our appreciation of his unique language of abstraction. Showing at the Ateneo Art Gallery through 23 April 2011, the exhibition has been curated by the international art writer Gina Fairley, and has been organized in collaboration with Galleria Duemila, Inc.

The retrospective includes 80 artworks by this outstanding artist, from large outdoor sculptures to intimate assemblages from Robles” early career. What makes this exhibition different from most survey exhibitions is that one third of the artworks have never been exhibited publicly before. They are rare treasures from the artist”s archive shown for the first time by Ateneo Art Gallery, and broaden our understanding of this complex and mature artist.

The curator has designed the exhibition to take viewers on a journey – one that starts as a “Sculpture Walkâ€� in the gardens surrounding the Rizal Library Special Collections Building, and then moves through the various genres of Robles art making, from his boxed assemblages that won him the prestigious Grand Prize for Mixed Media in the Art Association of the Philippines Open Art Competition in 1986, to his pure minimal paintings and sculptures often referred to as embracing a Zen aesthetic, to Robles” bright abstractions that excite through their playful use of color, gesture and material. It is a diverse and surprising journey. As the curator says, “The exhibition leads viewers to a place where they can consider their own definitions of beauty and meditations on nature. It is both humbling and energizing.

Saluysoy promises to be an extremely sensitive and thought provoking exhibition.

What sets Roberto M.A Robles work apart from the many artists of his generation is his embrace of experimental techniques – to constantly search for new visual languages by using unconventional materials such as cardboard, thread and jute; in the blending of industrial painting with acrylic, oil and oriental ink washes or the notion of 3-dimensional drawing in his stone sculptures, deceivingly simple in their forms they are technically very difficult pieces, some taking up to a year to sculpt. Robles is a Master of many mediums with unbelievable focus.

Often perceived as raw or “unfinished”, the art of Roberto M.A Robles has a lot to teach us. He is probably one of the least understood artists of our times, despite inspiring a generation of younger artists. This exhibition offers an opportunity to unravel the enigma and to better understand the place he holds within the tenants of Philippine Abstraction.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a catalogue published with the assistance of Vibal Foundation. The opening reception will include a program of talks and performances of traditional Korean and Japanese musicians. All are welcome.

The Ateneo Art Gallery is located in the Second Level of Rizal Library Special Collections Building, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Gallery hours: 8am-7:30pm on weekdays | 8am-6:00pm on Saturdays.

For more information, please contact:

Ian Carlo Jaucian
Landline : +63 2 426 6488
Website : http://gallery.ateneo.edu/

Cebu Blogger Society 3rd Anniversary Poster

While the world celebrates the Heart Day, officially on the 14th of February annually, the Cebu Blogger’s made a remarkable feat on the same day three years ago – the birth of Cebu Blogger’s Society.

Not only has it changed the Philippine’s blogging scene by being, perhaps, the first SEC-registered blogging group with more than a hundred strong members promoting Cebu through blogs, it also continues to play its social development role by initializing efforts to educate Cebu (and the world) about the power of blogging for business and social change.

PINOYWORLD salutes its founders and movers (a.k.a. Members) for making the 3rd year possible. For CBS members, don’t forget to be there on February 19, 2011 (Saturday) at around 3:00-6:00 PM at PAGCOR, Casino Filipino Cebu, Parkmall, North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Philippines.

PINOYWORLD is a proud member of CEBU BLOGGER’S SOCIETY.

Dance with Ballet Philippines Flyer

A yearly tradition among young dance students, professionals, teachers and choreographers, the CCP Summer Dance Workshop offers classes in Baby Ballet, Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Hip Hop, Creative Movement, Improvisation and Dance Composition. Lectures on topics such as Pedagogy, Stagecraft and Dance History are also offered. Over 50 Metro Manila and Provincial scholarships are available through auditions beginning mid-March 2011. This six-week dance intensive culminates with performances at the CCP Main Theater (May 21 & 22, 2011).

Instructors (about 20):
The members and alumni of Ballet Philippines such as Noordin Jumalon, Nonoy Froilan, Victor Ursabia, Gina Katigbak-Garcia

Age Limit of Participants: 4-years-old to professional levels.

Upon enrolment bring: cash/check payment (payable to Ballet Philippines), 1 piece 1×1 ID picture (2 pcs. for new students), medical certificate (for new students only), photocopy of birth certificate (for new Baby Ballet students only).

*Full Course inclusive of Classical, Contemporary and Lecture Series
10% discount on tuition fees available until March 31, 2011.

Schedule of Classes*:

• Baby Ballet-A TThS 9-10am
• BB-B WFS 10-11am
• BB-C TWF 1-2pm
• Pre-beginners I-A TThS 8-9am
• PBI-B WF 2-3pm
• PBII-A TTh 10-11am F 9-10am
• PBII-B WS 11-12nn F 12-1pm
• Philippine Ballet Syllabus-I TThF 11-12nn
• PBS-II WFS 8-9am
• Adult Elementary Ballet TThS 3-4:30pm
• Basic Boys Class TThS 7:30-8:30am
• Children’s Ballet-I TTh 11-12:30pm S 9-10:30am
• CB-II WF 2:30-4pm S 1-2:30pm
• CB-III Basic Pointe TThS 8:30-10am
• Intermediate Ballet WF 1-2:30pm S 10-11:30am
• Advanced Ballet TTh 2:30-4:30pm
• Basic Partnering TTh 10-11am
• Intermediate Partnering TTh 4:30-5:30pm
• Hip Hop Kids WF 3-4:30pm
• Hip Hop Teens WF 1-2:30pm
• Children’s Contemporary and Creative Movement WF 9-10:30am
• Adult Elementary Contemporary TTh 1-2:30pm S 11:30-1pm
• Intermediate Contemporary WF 10:30-12nn

*Schedule of classes is subject to change.

Scholarship Auditions:
12 March 2011
1-2pm CCPDS Scholars ages 9 to 13 only, and Male Scholarship Program for boys up to age 20 with any dance background
2-3pm Girls and boys in Intermediate and Advanced levels

6 April 2011 3pm (provincial applicants only)
Girls ages 9 and up with ballet background, and boys ages 9 and up with any dance background. Dance teachers (ballet and/or contemporary) and choreographers may also avail of the scholarship through the audition.

All auditions will be held at the CCP Rehearsal Hall.

Applicants are required to submit 2 pcs. 1×1 ID picture, dance resume, registration form and audition fee of Php100 prior to the audition.

Last day for enrolment: 26 April 2011

For more information, contact:

4th Floor Cultural Center of the Philippines,
CCP Complex, Roxas
Blvd., Pasay City 1307
Tel: (632) 832-3689
Fax: (632) 833-3244, (632) 551-0144
Email: rubylee.gomez@balletphilippines.org
Office Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm

Walang Hiya…Literature Taking Risks Toward Liberatory Practice is edited by Lolan Buhain Sevilla and Roseli Ilana and published by Carayan Press, Walang Hiya…Literature Taking Risks Toward Liberatory Practice is a groundbreaking collection of poetry and short fiction by today’s most established and anticipated Filipino and Filipino-American Writers. Walang Hiya, a term traditionally used to shame has been reclaimed through this body of work to examine the taboo in our communities with fresh, honest and unflinching voices.

Educators and community groups can also use the collection as a tool in the classroom. Walang Hiya…Literature Taking Risks Toward Liberatory Practice features a study guide to creatively explore the themes of migration, identity and empowerment.

Walang Hiya Contributors: Adrien Salazar, Aimee Suzara, Aldrich Sabac, Amalia Bueno, David Maduli, Dionisio Velasco, Edene Matutina, Eileen Tabios, Ellen-Rae Cachola, Elsa Valmidiano, Emily Lawsin, Grace Talusan, Jen Palmares Meadows, Jenny C. Lares, Joan Iva Cube, Kristen Sajonas, Laurel Fantauzzo, Lolan Buhain Sevilla, Melanie Dulfo, Melissa Reyes, Michael Janairo, Michelle Ferrer, Niki Escobar, Paul Ocampo, Pippi Prado, Rachel Gray, Regie Cabico, Ricco Villanueva Siasoco, Roseli Ilano, Thomas Paras, Tina Bartolome. Artwork by Arlene Rodrigo and Aimee Espiritu

1st Halo halo Indie Film Festival Poster

The stage is set for the 1st Halo-halo Indie Film Festival.

Here are the basic guidelines  as posted via Cine_Guild2006 YahooGroups:

1. Open to all filmmakers- amateurs, students, professionals
2. ANYTHING GOES: open to all genres of digital film even animation and music videos are welcome
3. NO PARTICIPATION FEE. Though there will be an event ticket worth P100 with 1 free beer. Selected participants will have two (2) complimentary tickets.
4. Film/ video shall only be maximum of 10mins and in digital format only. To be submitted on mpeg-3, mpeg-4, .avi formats only.
5. We shall only allow videos/films by Filipino producers/directors
6. Proof of ownership of the film/video might be needed (a waiver shall be signed).
7. Send your entries with your complete name and brief filmmaking background, producer and director names, synopsis and genre classification at maskay_project@yahoo.com
8. Deadline of Submission: FEBRUARY 25, 2011, FRIDAY
9. There will be a screening of videos by MaSKay officers. This is to ensure that guidelines are being followed.
10. An e-mail will be sent to confirm your participation together with other important reminders for participants.

For more information, email your inquiries to Maskay Projects <maskay_project@yahoo.com>.