The Philippine Online Chronicles

This week in arts and culture:

What you may have missed and what’s still to come, including a graphics festival, scientific discourse through improvised comedy, and the chance to watch frequently overlooked local films.

Filipino high school student features in Japanese arts festival

July 29 - August 2, Ueno Royal Museum, Tokyo, Japan

A 15-year-old Filipino student won a special prize at the recently-concluded 11th International High School Arts Festival in Tokyo, Japan. This was the Philippines’ first time to participate in the international competition, which is sponsored annually by the International Foundation for Arts and Culture of Japan (IFAC).

Edwin Marzan Bergaño Jr. of Baguio City National High School, won the Special Prize to International Artist with his painting The Other Side of Myself. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), his piece was chosen by a panel of judges headed by Philippine Ambassador Domingo L. Siazon Jr. as the best Philippine artwork.

The other participants from the Philippines were high school students John Lauren Bacay, Stepfani Ann Almazan, John Paul Aro, Mahaysha Kitma, Kyle Vizcarra, Ray Martin Yodong, Eric John Rodriguez and Marvin Bacinillo.

Their paintings were displayed alongside works by high school students from Japan, Myanmar, Ireland, Laos, Vietnam, Egypt, Cambodia, China, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Australia, and the United Kingdom at the Ueno Royal Museum from July 29 to August 2.

Graphika Manila brings color to SMX

August 7, SMX Convention Center

The Graphika Manila International Multimedia Design Conference brought together the best in the country’s graphics scene on August 7 at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

According to the event’s website, “Graphika Manila is classified as an International Multimedia Design Conference... a creative symposium with speakers from different fields of the creative arts. The conference focuses on the creative side of design, rather than technology.”

“Since the very first conference in 2006, Graphika Manila has been one of the most influential multimedia art events in the country and has been instrumental in bringing in some of the industry's most respected professionals as well as world-renowned companies,” it says.

The Philippine Star adds that the event has “attracted over 5,000 design students and professionals,” since 2006. Past speakers have included representatives from local graphics phenoms like Team Manila and Adobo Magazine, and international names like Pixar Animation Studio and Industrial Light and Magic.

This year’s event alone attracted more than 2,000 arts and design aficionados.

Café Scientifique goes “un-scientifique”

August 7, 4pm, Tensile Tent, Bonifacio High Street

The latest Café Scientifique event was a humorous exploration of “what the world would be like without science.”

Comedy group SPIT (Silly People’s Improv Theater) took a look at the common fascination for urban legends, unproven claims, and superstitions, with witty audience-participative skits at the Tensile Tent on Bonifacio High Street.

The event was presented in partnership with the Mind Museum, the first world-class science museum in the Philippines, which will formally open in 2011.

Café Scientifique is a global movement seeking to encourage scientific discourse in non-academic settings.

According to the Café Scientifique blog, “Cafe Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and
technology. Meetings have taken place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context.”

“The first Cafes Scientifiques in the UK were held in Leeds in 1998. From there, cafes gradually spread across the country. Currently, some forty or so cafes meet regularly to hear scientists or writers on science talk about their work and discuss it with diverse audiences,” it adds. “Cafe Scientifique is a forum for debating science issues, not a shop window for science. We are committed to promoting public engagement with science and to making science accountable.”

CafeSci Manila events are free and open to the public, with sessions moderated by Mitzi Borromeo.

Submissions wanted for the Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium

Until October 24

The Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium is now open for submissions until October 24.

According to the QBCCC Facebook page, the 80-page indie comics anthology “[a]ims to kick your butt every time you read it by providing you entertaining yet substantial comic book story goodness.”

Although there isn’t a theme for the next issue, the editors suggest applicants try non-linear storytelling for their submissions.

Dealings, pitches and submissions can be made through ajora_metalanger@yahoo.com or maasimto@yahoo.com.

100 years of Manansala art celebrated at SM

In celebration of the 100^th birth anniversary of National Artist Vicente Manansala, an exhibit of reproductions of his paintings is making the rounds in SM malls around the country.

According to Malaya, “The exhibit highlights the ongoing collaboration of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila and SM to bring art closer to people. It will give Filipinos of all ages an insight into Manansala’s art, his story, his philosophy, and his vision, which all remain an inexhaustible source of national pride and inspiration.”

The exhibit is currently in SM Megamall Building A. It will move to SM City North EDSA on August 13.

Manansala was active in the movement towards modernism in Philippine art in the 1950s.

“While celebrating traditional scenes like farmers planting rice, menfolk huddled in cockfighting, or children playing sungka or luksong tinik, he and fellow modern artists also began painting harsh urban realities like shanties, beggars, traffic, and rice shortages,” adds Malaya. “Manansala would be identified with his own painting style called transparent cubism, an enduring influence on so many Filipino artists until now.”

Michael Madsen in Manila

August 12

American actor Michael Madsen will be dropping by the Philippines on August 12 to promote the indie science-fiction thriller Outrage, which was directed by Filipino-American auteur Ace Cruz. Madsen stars as the film’s antagonist, a sadistic former military sniper.

Alongside Madsen, Outrage also stars Michael Berryman (Hills Have Eyes, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Natasha Lyonne (American Pie, Slums of Beverly Hills), Cruz and newcomer Pauly D.

According to Cruz, Madsen is excited about going to the Philippines.

“He also wants to hit the beaches while here so we will surely be bringing him to Boracay,” he said.

Cruz and Madsen will be attending the film’s red carpet premiere at SM Megamall Cinema 10 on August 14.

The 52-year-old actor is best known for playing villains like Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs, and Budd in Tarantino’s Kill Bill vols. 1 and 2. Madsen has also played supporting roles in movies like Sin City and the James Bond flick Die Another Day.

SOFIA presents Overlooked Films, Underrated Filmmakers

August 14, 2010 - January 15, 2011,  2:00 - 5:00 p.m., Tanghalang Manuel Conde, CCP

The Society of Filipino Archivists for Film (SOFIA) presents Overlooked Films, Underrated Filmmakers, a film festival that delves into the murky corners of local cinema’s near century-old recesses to showcase works that might have otherwise be lost to history.

“Of the roughly 8,000 plus full-length films produced in the first century of local cinema, many have been irretrievably lost, rendering moot the judgment as to their artistic merits,” says the group. “Just as bad are the forgotten status of numerous talented filmmakers from way back, whose best works and once promising careers have fallen off the radar film history.”

“This film series aims to re-assess certain films and filmmakers, by taking a second look at their unjustly neglected bodies of work, and even restore a few reputations in the process. This will help to expand the repertoire of Philippine cinema, by going beyond the programming of the usual auteurs and masterpiece titles. There will be much to discover, and rediscover, by rounding up not the usual suspects.”

All films will be screened at the Tanghalang Manuel Conde, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., with the following lineup:

August 14, 2010

Krimen: Kayo Ang Humatol (1974) directed by Jun Raquiza

September 11, 2010

Masquerade (1967) directed by Danny Zialcita

October 9, 2010

Kasal o Sakal (1964) directed by Efren Reyes & Johnny Reyes

November 13, 2010

Ito Ang Pilipino (1966) directed by Cesar Gallardo

December 11, 2010

Gaano Kita Kamahal (1993) directed by Butch Perez

January 15, 2011

Waray-Waray (1954) directed by F.H. Constantino

SOFIA, which “[identifies] specific needs for the retrieval and restoration of endangered films” was founded in 1993.

“Without funds, much less its own office and archiving facilities, the group members were fueled simply by their passion for film and their resolve to preserve the film heritage of the country,” says a statement from the group.

If you want your event or activity to appear on the weekly round-up, just e-mail F Tan at F.Tan.At.Metakritiko@gmail.com

QBCCC logo taken from the group’s Facebook page.