Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting

New KUTING Officers

2008-07-04T14:12:00.000+08:00

KUTING voted a new set of officers for 2008-20010. The new members of the Executive Board are the following:

PRESIDENT: GLENDA "BONG" ORIS
VICE PRESIDENT: LALAINE AQUINO
SECRETARY: LIWLIWA MALABED
TREASURER: ELINE SANTOS
PRO: ZARAH GAGATIGA

Congratulations!

Lara Saguisag's SCBWI Sponsored Talk

2008-01-03T13:51:00.001+08:00

SCBWI Philasia presents
Lara Saguisag on "The Filipino Child and Filipino Children's Literature"
When : 6 to 8 pm Monday 2008 January 7
Where : Fully Booked, Bonifacio HIgh Street, The Fort At The Forum on the 4th level, right on top of Starbucks
Host : Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators

Lara Saguisag will explore notions of childhood and "Filipino-ness" in Philippine literature for children, and will focus on locally published books. She will talk about different elements of the book, such as style, subject choice, book covers, and even cost of books, and see how texts and illustrations reveal our conception of children as subjects and readers.

Bio : Lara Saguisag's most recent book is Children of Two Seasons: Poems for Young People (Anvil). She
also co-edited Nine Supernatural Stories (UP Press) with April Yap. Her poems for children received the 2006 New School Writing Program Chapbook Series Award. She is a Presidential Fellow at Rutgers University, where she is completing her PhD in Childhood Studies. She is a founding member of KUTING (Kwentista ng Mga Tsikiting), a group of writers for children.

This event is open to SCBWI members and non-members, published or unpublished writers or illustrators for children or young adults, and those who have a keen interest in children's literature.

Fee : P100, for SCBWI members P80. Limited seats, first come first served. Come early, browse through the store and immerse yourself in books beforehand!

For details, contact :
Beaulah Taguiwalo or
Dominique Torres (Nikki) < nikkigtorres@ yahoo.com>

KUTING Workshop: The Art of the Magic Weavers

2007-12-26T00:51:00.001+08:00

Resource persons are: Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Prof. Heidi Abad and Ms. Lara Saguisag.

Dr. Gatmaitan, TOYM and Palanca Hall of Fame awardee will talk about the life of a writer whose audience are children and young adults. Though glamourized and sometimes, sanitized, writing for children is not what it seems to be. Learn from "Tito Dok's" experiences as he recounts his humble beginnings as reader and writer for children. Indeed, the road to Palanca glory is not strewn with rose petals.

Prof. Heidi Abad will provide a basic lecture on the writing process and how it can be practically applied on writing for children. She will also share her expertise and experience as writer, teacher and judge in many story writing contests that may fuel one's desire to take on the challenging but exciting task of weaving magic for the young reader.

Ms. Lara Saguisag will show participants the bedrock of poetry writing for children. Be prepared as she wield ryhme and reason to weave a tapestry of magical words in free verse and metered poems.

There will also be a Writers' Rigodon where in participants will get the chance to interact with KUTING writers who have published a children's book or two. It's like speed dating but with writers for children this time. Ask questions and discuss issues with KUTING writers as they in return, interface with more mature readers and other professionals.

This shall be held on January 12, 2008, at Room 204, College of Education,
Benitez Hall at U.P. Diliman. Workshop Fee: Php1,000.

For details, pls. contact AGAY (09178116961) or ZARAH
(09209602884) or email them at the ff. addresses:
zarah.gagatiga@ gmail.com/ allanera@yahoo. com.

KUTING Christmas Party @ the Rivera's

2007-12-22T21:19:00.000+08:00

15 KUTINGs came yesterday for the annual Christmas Party at Mike and Augie Rivera's place in Cubao. The traffic was real bad, but it did not prevent fifteen members to attend the party. Special guest, Jomike Tejido, who is the newly elected president of Ang INK dropped by.

From L-R: Liwa Malabed; Nono Pardales; Mike & Augie Rivera; Pepper (Astrid's BF); Bong Oris; Nix Nicolas; Laliane Aquino; Cynthia Villafranca; Jomike Tejido; Raissa Rivera-Falgui; Rhandee Gralitos and Hiedi Abad. Seated L-R: Don Gonzales; Astrid Tobias; Luis Gatmaitan; Lara Saguisag; Zarah Gagatiga; Dang Bagas & Agay Llanera.

Remembering Rene

2007-12-10T18:28:00.002+08:00

Augie Rivera's stirring eulogy for Rene Villanueva delivered last night at Sanctuarium during the tribute by people in the Children's Literature industry.

ANG BONGGANG-BONGGANG SI RENE!
NI AUGIE RIVERA
9 DECEMBER 2007
SANCTUARIUM

MARAMI NA SA INYO ANG NAGBIGAY PAPURI KAY RENE BILANG “MABUTING GURO… MABUTING KAIBIGAN… MABUTING MENTOR…” PERO KUNG KAYO AY TAGA-BATIBOT, AT NAKATRABAHO N’YO SIYA, NAGING BOSS, AT NAKASAMA SA OPISINA NANG HALOS PITONG ARAW SA ISANG LINGGO, AT SA KASO KO, SA LOOB NG HALOS PITONG TAON… MEDYO KAILANGAN MO YATANG MAGHAGILAP NG IBA PANG ADJECTIVE BUKOD SA “MABUTI”.

ISA ‘YAN SA MGA NATUTUHAN KO KAY RENE: KUNG MAGLALARAWAN KA, HINDI UUBRA ANG PANGKARANIWAN LANG. AT KUNG MANG-OOKRAY KA RIN LANG, GAWIN MO NA NANG BONGGANG-BONGGA!

KAY RENE KO UNANG NARINIG NA PUWEDENG ILARAWAN ANG ISANG TAO NA “MUKHANG-LANGIB.” O KAYA’Y “MUKHANG PUSIT!” AT HIGIT SA LAHAT, “MUKHANG PUSIT NA DE-LATA!” BIRUIN N’YO, PUSIT KA NA NGA, HINDI KA PA FRESH… PROCESSED AT MAY PRESERVATIVES KA PA!

KUNG SASABUNIN MO RIN LANG ANG IYONG STAFF, GAWIN MO NA ITO NANG BONGGANG-BONGGA! SIGAWAN, BULYAWAN, MURA-MURAHIN, ALIPUSTAHIN, ITULAK-TULAK SA HAGDAN… AT HINDI PO MGA EKSENA NI CELIA RODRIGUEZ ANG AKING INILALARAWAN. AT ALAM ‘YAN NG ILANG HENERASYON NG MGA TAGA-BATIBOT NA NA-EXPERIENCE IYON, AT NAPILITANG MAG-RESIGN DAHIL HINDI NA KINAYA ANG ATING LOLA!

PERO, IN FAIRNESS KAY RENE, TUWING MATATAPOS NIYA AKONG SABUNIN NOON, (AT MAY PANAHONG PATI SI ELMER,) HIHINGIN NIYA ANG OPINYON KO SA BUHOK NIYANG BAGONG-TINA NG BERDE, ASUL O VIOLET. MATAPOS NIYA AKONG SIGAW-SIGAWAN, LALAPIT ‘YAN PAGSAPIT NG HAPON AT SASABIHING: “TARA! MERYENDA TAYO! O KAYA, TARA! NOOD TAYO NG SINE! O TARA! INUMAN!”

DECEMBER 1992 NANG ALUKIN AKO NI RENE NOON NA MAGING FULL-TIME STAFF WRITER NIYA SA “BATIBOT,” WALA PA AKONG KAMUWANG-MUWANG NOON SA PAGSUSULAT PARA SA CHILDREN’S TELEVISION. FIRST IMPRESSION KO NGA: SUS! MADALI LANG ISULAT ‘YAN! LAKING-SESAME STREET YATA AKO! (ACTUALLY, MAS CONCERN KONG MAKITA IN PERSON SI PONG PAGONG AT ANG IBA PANG MGA MUPPETS NG SHOW.) PERO NANG MAGSIMULA NA ANG TRABAHO, NA-REALIZE KONG HINDI PALA ITO MADALI.

MADUGO ANG MGA NAGING UNANG PAGTATANGKA KO SA PAGSUSULAT. GRABE KUNG KUMATAY SI RENE NG MGA ISKRIP! KUNG WRITER KANG MAHINA ANG LOOB, LUHAAN, DUGUAN AT GULA-GULANIT KANG PUPULUTIN SA MAY KANAL SA 821 EDSA, PAG PINA-REVISE NIYA ANG ISKRIP MO! HALIMBAWA, ANG 5-PAGE SCRIPT KO, IKO-CROSS OUT NIYA ANG 1ST PAGE, AND 2ND PAGE, AT SAKA HAHATULAN NG KANIYANG RED PILOT PEN NA: “DITO, DITO KA SA
PAGE 3 MAGSISIMULA!” (SA MGA UNANG ATTEMPTS NAMAN NI ELMER BILANG STAFF WRITER, MAY PAGKAKATAONG ISINOLI NI RENE ANG SCRIPT NIYA NA WALANG KAHIT ANONG MARKA KUNDI: “PANGIT!”

PERO JEDI NANG MAITUTURING SI RENE SA LARANGAN NG SCRIPTWRITING FOR CHILDREN’S TV, NA WALA NAMANG FORMAL EDUCATION NOON, AT HANGGANG NGAYON. KAYA NAKINIG LANG AKO SA MGA SINASABI NIYA, NAGSULAT AT NATUTO.

ARAW-ARAW NA GINAWA NG DIYOS, SASABIHAN AKO NI RENE: “O BIGYAN MO AKO NG SAMPUNG PUPPET SEGMENTS. SAMPUNG LIMBO SEGMENTS…SAMPUNG PALAISIPAN… SAMPUNG STORYTELLING… SAMPUNG TUTULA-TULA… “ AT KUNG ANO-ANO PA, NA PARANG UMOORDER LANG SA MCDONALD’S!

(PERO, NAGPAPASALAMAT PA RIN AKO. DAHIL KUNG HINDI NIYA PINATULAAN SA AKIN ANG LAHAT NG GULAY, HINDI KO MAIISIP NA WALA PALA ANG ‘AMPALAYA’ SA KANTANG BAHAY-KUBO, AT HINDI KO SANA NAISULAT ANG UNA KONG LIBRO.)

DAHIL SA DISIPLINANG IPINATAW, ESTE, ITINURO NI RENE, UNTI-UNTI AKONG NASANAY SA PAGBUBUO NG MGA KUWENTO. AT ALAM KONG NAHULI KO NA NGA ANG “BATIBOT STATE OF MIND” NANG HINDI PA NATATAPOS ANG 1993 AY IPINUTONG NA NIYA SA AKIN ANG KORONA NIYANG “HEAD WRITER” NA SUOT-SUOT NIYA MULA PA NOONG UNANG KUMANDIRIT SINA PONG PAGONG AT KIKO MATSING.

SABI NI RENE SA AKIN: “IT TAKES SOME KIND OF MADNESS PARA MAG-SURVIVE KA SA CHILDREN’S TELEVISION.” PALAGAY KO, GANUNDIN ANG KAILANGANG MADNESS PARA LUBOS MONG MAUNAWAAN AT MA-APPRECIATE SI RENE.

NAA-AMAZE AKO SA INYONG MGA NAKAPAGSASABING “MENTOR” N’YO SI RENE. PERO AKO, NAGPAPASALAMAT NA AKO NA, MULA NANG UNA KAMING MAGKAKILALA, MAS NARAMDAMAN KONG ‘COLLEAGUE’ AT ‘KAIBIGAN’ NA ANG TURING NG LOLA KO SA AKIN.

NAAALALA KO, ISANG PASKO, BINIGYAN AKO NI RENE NG LIBRO NG MGA TULA, NA ANG DEDICATION:

KAY AUGIE—
NA NAKILALA KO BILANG MANDUDULA,
NA NGAYON AY NASA KUWENTONG PAMBATA—
NAILIGAW BA KITA?
BAHALA KA NA SA BUHAY MO!
MERRY KRISMAS!

RENE

HINDI MO AKO NAILIGAW, RENE. TULAD NI HANSEL, KUSA KONG KINAIN ANG MGA INIWAN MONG PIRASO NG TINAPAY, KAYA NAPADPAD AKO SA MAKULAY AT MARIKIT NA MUNDONG ITO.

NGAYON, NAIS KONG MAGPASALAMAT SA IYO. HINDI KO ITATANGGI NA MALAKING IMPLUWENSIYA AT INSPIRASYON KA SA AKIN BILANG ISANG MANUNULAT NG KUWENTONG-PAMBATA.

PALAAM NA, BONGGANG-BONGGANG RENE! KASAMA MO NA NGAYON DIYAN SI STA. BUTSIKI!

TURUAN MO ANG MGA ANGHEL KUNG PAANO MAGTIKWAS NG KILAY.

TURUAN MO ANG MGA ANGHEL NA MANG-OKRAY HABANG KUMAKANDIRIT.

AT KASTIGUHIN MO ANG MGA ANGHEL SA LANGIT… NA MAHILIG MAG-BATIBOT! ☺

KUTING Induction of New Members

2007-08-30T13:28:00.001+08:00

Group photo from the induction of new members last August 26, 2007, Sunday at A Different Bookstore, Serendra.

Seated (L-R) Raisa Rivera-Falgui; Ace Elgar (KUTING VP); Zarah Gagatiga (KUTING President) and Becky Bravo (KUTING Treasurer). Standing (L-R) Astrid Tobias; Lalaine Aquino; Dr. Luis Gatmatian (TOYM Awardee and Palanca Hal of Famer); Don Gonzalez; Robin Rivero; Cynthia Villafranca; Eline Santos; Tin Paita and Carla Pacis (founding member and 1st President). Photo courtesy of Chito Bauzon of A Different Bookstore.

Induction of New Members 2007

2007-08-25T10:31:00.000+08:00

After months of general assemblies, meetings, mini-worshops, activties, a fund raising project and a writing workshop, seven new members will be inducted to the Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting tomorrow. Dr. Luis Gatmaitan will share an inspirational message to the new members. See you there!

Induction of New KUTING Members
August 26, 2007 at 2PM to 4PM
A Different Bookstore, Serendra
High Street, The Fort Global City
Taguig City

The 33d National Writers Congress

2007-08-22T09:15:00.000+08:00

The Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL) would like to invite writers and lovers of literature in its 33rd National Writers Congress to be held at the Pulungang Recto, College of Arts and Letters Faculty Center , University of the Philippines , Diliman, Quezon City on August 25 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. With the theme “Literature and Writers’ Welfare,” Senator Francis Pangilinan will speak about his legislative vision for literature. Other agenda are recent developments in intellectual property rights, and the model for a collective management group responsible for collecting royalties. Four noted writers will also receive the prestigious Gawad Pambansang Alagad.

A general election of the new set of UMPIL Board of Directors will be held afterwards. For inquiries, please call Vim or Joey at nos. 922-1830.

2007 PBBY Salanga Prize

2007-08-15T07:46:00.000+08:00

For those interested to join the Salanga, please follow this link to the The 2007 Salanga Prize .

Happy writing!

National Book Awards 2006

2007-08-15T06:35:00.000+08:00

Congratulations to Becky Bravo and Astrid Tobias! Both are finalist for the National Book Award 2006, Children's Literature Category. Kudos to Carla Pacis as well for recieveing a citation for her work on "Juan Luna: Patriot & Painter", an Ayala Foundation Book Project.

Probees Workshop & NCBD 2007

2007-07-20T07:41:00.000+08:00

Some updates and "going ons" concerning KUTINGs:

Don Gonzalez wrote his views on the KUTING Probees Workshop last June 2, 2007 at the Adarna House Showroom. Go here for the link. KUTINGs were also present at the CCP last July 17, 2007, Tuesday for the celebration of the National Children's Book Day. Again, Don has loads of pictures in his blog. View them here.

Ifugao Epic for Kids by Astrid Tobias

2007-05-03T16:57:00.000+08:00

Two new children's books have been published by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to teach children about the Ifugao epic, Hudhud.

Pumbakhayon and Halikpon are retellings of two episodes from the epic which is usually chanted by the Ifugao people in Cordillera while harvesting rice. Both books are written by Mae Astrid Tobias, with illustrations by Jose Miguel Tejido, and translated into Ifugao by Maribelle Bimohya.

Pumbakhayon is the story of how the mythical figure Pumbakhayon passed on the different epics to the Ifugao people. Halikpon, on the other hand, is the love story of Bugan and Aliguyon.

“This book on tales of the Ifugao Chant, Hudhud, is designed for the child so that he will grow into the adult person that is envisioned to be steeped in the culture of his people, the Ifugao,” says anthropologist Dr. Jesus Peralta in his foreword. Dr. Peralta is the Project Director of Safeguarding and Transmission of the Hudhud Chants of Ifugao, a three-year project of the NCCA to promote awareness and appreciation of Ifugao heritage.

NCCA will distribute free copies of the books to Ifugao schoolchildren.
For more information, please contact Cecil or Min, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), 633 General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. Tel. No. 527-4434 or 527-2192.

Guidelines Manuscript Submission (Probees Workshop)

2007-04-13T12:05:00.000+08:00

Important dates to remember:
1.Garage Sale - April 28 (whole day)
Marist Village, Marikina City

2. Submission of Manuscripts - May 1 to 6, 2007

3. Manuscript Workshop - May 26 at Xavier School
8 AM to 6 PM

Here are the Manuscript Guidelines:
1) Probees can submit EITHER prose pieces or poems.

2) If submitting PROSE (fiction/non-fiction),
manuscripts must not exceed 10 pages, (double
space, pls.)

3) If submitting POETRY, the manuscript must contain
4 poems (single space, pls.)

4) If submitting A STORY in VERSE, manuscripts must
not exceed 8 pages. (single space, pls.)

5) Probees who want to submit a play/TV script must
consult with the memcom, as we are not certain if
we will be able to invite enough panelists who are
qualified to critique plays/scripts.

6) Please use Arial font, 12 pt. and observe 1"
margins on all sides.

7) Please number your pages.

8) Make sure that your name does not appear anywhere
on the manuscript.

9) Email a copy of your manuscript (soft copy) to
acelgar@gmail.com. I am the only one who is
supposed to know who wrote which manuscript.

10) Submit 3 hard copies of the manuscript, along
with a diskette/cd in MS Word format. Submit all
these in a brown manila envelope. On the outside
of the envelope, write your name and the title of
your piece.

9) You may drop off the hard copy of your manuscripts
at the Ateneo Grade School (or snail mail it, if
this is more comfortable for you). Label it as
follows:
FOR: MRS. ACE ELGAR
Grade 6 Class Teacher
David Hall
Ateneo Grade School,
Ateneo De Manila University
Loyola Heights, Q.C.

10) You may also drop it off at this home address:
#71 Maningning St., Teachers Village, Q.C.
Label it in the same way so you can be sure I
will get it. This is my in-laws' home address
and I can easily get it from them.

11) All in all, you will give me 4 copies of your
manuscript - 1 soft copy and 3 hard copies. The
hard copies will be distributed to the panelists.

Writing Opps!

2007-04-10T12:40:00.000+08:00

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

This is a call for submissions of short stories for an anthology tentatively titled, GROWING UP FILIPINO II – Stories for Young Adults. The book will be edited by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard and will be published by both Anvil and PALH. Contributors will receive copies of the book as compensation for the use of their work.

The manuscript should be approximately 8-10 pages long, typed, double-spaced (approximately 1,800-2,300 words). This should be emailed to CBrainard@aol. com.
You may also send it by air mail to:

Cecilia Brainard
c/o PALH
PO Box 5099
Santa Monica, CA 90409
USA

This book project is a follow-up of an earlier short story collection entitled Growing Up Filipino: Stories for Young Adults (published by PALH 2002, and Anvil).

Deadline for submission is August 1, 2007. Early submissions are welcome. Please send us your bio (approx. 150 words) in people-friendly narrative form.

ABOUT THE EDITOR: Cecilia Manguerra Brainard is the author/editor of over a dozen books. She has a website at www.ceciliabrainard .com

6th Barlaya Writing for Young Adults Workshop

The 6th Barlaya Writing for Young Adults Workshop, sponsored by Adarna House and the Filipinas Heritage Library, shall be held on September 6 and 7, 2007. Ten fellows shall be chosen on the basis of their literary work.

Guidelines for prospective Barlaya fellows:

The workshop is open to all Filipino citizens.

All submissions must consist of a) 2 sample chapters (not more than
20 pages); b) a story synopsis (not more than 3 pages in length) that
includes details regarding the plot, characters, and any special
twists the story might have; and, c) a 1-page bio-data of the author.

Submissions may be in Filipino or English.

All submissions must target readers within the age range of 12-18
years old.

All submissions should be typewritten on short bond paper,
double-spaced.

All submissions must be original and unpublished. If the entry has
won an award, please indicate this on the first page of the entry.

Four (4) copies of each entry should be submitted, enclosed in 1
long, brown envelope. The envelope should be labeled with the author's
name as well the phrase, "Submission for the 6th Barlaya Writing for
Young Adults Workshop."

Prospective fellows may send in more than one (1) entry.

All entries must be sent through snail mail or parcel service to
Adarna House, 2nd Floor, FSS Building, 20 Scout Tuason St. corner
Scout Castor St., Quezon City.

All entries must be received by Adarna House no later than 5:00
p.m., on July 2, 2007.

Successful fellows shall be notified by August 17, 2007.

Submissions that are not chosen for the workshop, must be claimed no
later than September 21, 2007, from Adarna House, after which they
will no longer be the responsibility of the organizers.

GA last February 24

2007-03-05T07:56:00.000+08:00

Don Gonzales has written about the February 24 GA of KUTING at Dang Bagas' pad. Click here for the comprehensive post. Enjoy looking at the pictures too!

Tamarraw Writing for Children Conference and Workshop

2007-02-06T19:24:00.000+08:00

Tamaraw writeshop for children's lit calls for fellowship applications

THE Tamaraw Writeshop for Children's Literature calls for applications to a 12-day writing fellowship to its second national writeshop to be held in Iloilo City.
As its target tradition, the writeshop tours around the country as part of its objective of enrichment of regional cultures and literatures. Thus, this year, the writeshop goes to Iloilo with three fellowships open for Hiligaynon or Kiniray-a languages.
Fifteen fellowships are open nationwide. Applicants may send entries in English, Filipino, or Hiligaynon. Entries written in Hiligaynon/Kiniray- a must bear Filipino or English translation.
Applicants must submit the following:
(1) two unpublished short stories for children;
(2) one copy of each story plus digital file (12-point, Times-New-Roman font, double-spaced in 8.5x11 bond paper with one inch margin all sides); (
3) cover letter address to the writeshop director;
(4) two 2x2 recent colored photo; and
(5) applicantâ€™s bionote with complete contact information.

The fellows will undergo series of lectures and writing sessions based on the syllabus designed by their respective mentors. The two-week activity will primarily work on the objective of finishing a writing project which is the main target output. A first national conference on Philippine children's literature will also be held side by side the writeshop. Deadline for submission is February 15, 2007. The same is the postmark date for entries that will be sent through mail. Email submissions are accepted with the entry and necessary documents as attached files wynion@gmail.com;
tamaraw-writeshop@yahoo.com

A special transportation arrangement shall be extended to writing fellows.

Send applications to:
Prof. Winton Lou G. Ynion
Director
Tamaraw Writeshop for Childrenâ€™s Literature
c/o Office of the Dean, Institute of Arts and Sciences
Far Eastern University
Nicanor Reyes Street, Manila.

Call for Papers to the first Tamaraw conference on Philippine children's lit

The Tamaraw Conference on Philippine Children's Literature invites applications from scholars who are engaged in research on children's literature to attend the First Conference on Philippine Children's Literature on April 9-10, 2007.

Scholars working on children's literature are invited to submit abstracts based either on work in progress that is at an advanced stage, or on completed work. The conference is an unprecedented opportunity to interact and exchange ideas with researchers and writers from all over the country as well as chosen panelists, experts, and fellows to the Second Tamaraw Writeshop for Children's Literature.

Registration expenses will be covered by the organizing committee for those whose abstracts are accepted for presentation. Other travel costs shall be at the presenter's end. Applicants should submit a 200-word abstract of their paper no later than 10 February 2007. Successful applicants will be notified by 25 February 2007. The abstract must clarify the substantive issue which your paper will address.. Please include your name, institutional affiliation, email address and other contact information.

Those selected have to submit full-length papers, of around 5,000 words in length, by 5 March 2007. Please send abstracts to tamaraw-conference@ gmail.com. Contact Person: Winton Lou G. Ynion Emails: wynion@gmail. com, wintonlouynion@ yahoo.com

Book Launch: Agay Llanera's Sol

2007-02-05T17:08:00.000+08:00

On March 20, 2007 at the Ayala Museum, Agay Llanera, KUTING Secretary, will launch her second book, Sol via CANVAS. Illustrations by Farley del Rosario.

Read the story and the details of the launch here.

Congrats, Agay! KUTING is proud of you!

UP Likhaan's Writing Forum

2007-02-02T08:01:00.000+08:00

I got this invita via email today. Thanks to Gloria Evangelista.

In its endless pursuit for excellence in the literary arts, the Likhaan: UP Institute of Creative Writing felicitously presents “Tatlong Panayam” which showcases three of the country’s most respected writers talking about their respective genres. On January 25, Prof. Jun Cruz Reyes will talk about his writing process in “May Kuwento ang Tula,” on February 9, Prof. Rene O. Villanueva will lecture on writing for children in “Saan Nagpupunta ang Araw Kung Gabi?” and on March 9, Prof. Charlson Ong will talk about fiction in “Writing the “Other” in Philippine Literature.”

In this regard, may we invite you attend on Rene Villanueva’s lecture on February 9, Friday, 2:00 p.m. at Claro M. Recto, Faculty Center.

Plans plans and more plans

2007-01-28T19:56:00.000+08:00

Last GA proved to be a very productive meeting with a lof the members and probees attending. Special thanks to Perpi for the house and the juice and the hospitality and to Zara for the cake. We had a lot to talk about such as the Singapore experience of Lalaine, the Children and Media workshop I will be conducting for Kuting on Feb and March, the probee requirements for manuscript workshops, contests and workshops to attend and latest gossips about the members.

Next month I will be conducting a workshop on Children and Media and will have a video showing as well as give some techiniques in mapping storylines and scripts. I have some of the videos with me and at KNN and I have some handouts to reproduce.

For February we will also have a manuscript workshop and I also volunteered so that I can revise for Canvas. I haven't received any comments yet from Augie or Heidi so I might as well give a copy to the org and get their comments. I hope I win.

There is also the Bagets and the super mega launch of the Kuting individual titles. Hopefully by March or April. UP Press is going to have theirs on Feb and we will be part of it as well. Sales are doing well and we hope that teachers will require their students to read them.

Lalaine is also requiring her students to organize a children's literature conference and we would be invited. I hope to talk or to react. The Educ people are always nice and accomodating. I had a talk with them twice last year and I had fun showing them old photographs in a powerpoint presentation. They treated me to lunch at the Old Spaghetti House. Augie and Cynthia and Heidi were also there.

We have planned out most of the year up to October. We are also planning a tie up with the Dumaguete people to have children's workshop and go to Dumaguete. That's very exciting and I wouldn't miss it for the world. I have never been to Dumaguete and I'd love to see the place and the people and eat their food. Ian is a good friend of Kuting and has always been active in supporting our goals.

So other stuff to watch out for : Teatrong Mulat and Kuting partnership, Kuting merchandising, more books by Kuting members, and the Palancas.

New award

2007-01-25T19:09:00.000+08:00

We just got news that Lara Saguisag was cited for her poetry in a recent contest and her work will become a chapbook available soon. This is great news for us especially since Lara is in New York struggling to succeed in the competitive publishing industry. All of us wish to have a book published by Scholastic or Simon and Shuster and Penguin. This is one wonderful step for Lara and all the writers who ever wish to make it. It's an inspiration. This means it is truly possible. Now, it's time to write.

New year, new look

2007-01-23T18:29:00.000+08:00

For the new year, I though we should tweak out look for the blog. There are so many things to celebrate this year. We have our new book, Bagets: An Anthology of Short Stories for Young Adults. We also have the individual books by our members -- Becky Bravo, Agay Llanera, and Astrid Tobias. There are also the awards we received care of our members and the contest we are going to enter and win. So much is ahead of us and I hope you will stay tune because the future is bright.

Pictures from Christmas Party 2006

2007-01-18T08:45:00.000+08:00

This is so late. But as the saying goes, better late than never.

From L-R: Raisa, Heidi, Carla, Augie, Me, Don, Dang, Nono and Astrid. Fresh from Europe, Astrid, who sported a short haircut looked so Euro-Rock!

Mr. Congeniality, Luis "Tito Doc" Gatmaitan with KUTING newbie Don Gonzalez

Rhandee Garlitos came fashionably late. He wa sin time for the White Elephant though.

Jomike Tejido, Mr. Congeniality Runner Up, was our special guest.

With my KUTING inaanak, Don Gonzalez. He won the 2nd Romeo Forbes Prize 2006 for his story, Ang Batang Maraming Bawal.

BAGETS : An Anthology of Filipino Young Adult Fiction

2007-01-17T12:36:00.000+08:00

KUTING's first anthology of short fiction for young adults (age 13-19). Available at the UP Press Bookstore. Edited by Carla Pacis (English) & Eugene Evasco (Filipno). Cover design by May Tobias-Papa. Php 150.00.

Probees Welcomed to KUTING

2006-11-26T11:41:00.000+08:00

Seven of the eight probee members of KUTING attended yesterday' General Assembly at the Raya School. Nono Pardalis, Liwliwa Malabed, Lalaine Aquino, Cristine Rivero, Cristine Paita, Anna Cabrera and Lalaine Aquino were welcomed by senior and founding members.

Thanks to Tito Doc Luis Gatmaitan, Carla Pacis, Augie Rivera and Perpi Alipon-Tiongson. Likewise, to Ani Almarion for lending us the venue for free.

November GA

2006-11-24T23:14:00.000+08:00

KUTING General Assembly @ The Raya School
# 73 Scout Limbaga, Quezon City
9.00 a.m. - 11.00 a.m.

KUTING will welcome its probee members of 2006.

Eline Santos. Liwliwa Malabed. Don Gonzales. Lalaine Aquino. Cristine Paita. Cristine Rivero. Anna Cabrera. Miles Pardalis.

Guidelines for recruiting new members

2006-10-10T09:43:00.000+08:00

1. Kuting will open a maximum of 10 slots and a
minimum of 6 slots to sponsored applicants.

2. Any active Kuting member may sponsor applicants
who are willing to commit themselves to the
organization.

3. Should you have anyone in mind, please send her
resume to acelgar@yahoo.com or email them to
Zarah. We will accommodate apllicants on a first
come first served basis.

4. There is no tedious screening process required to
qualify as an applicant. We trust that the Kuting
members will only sponsor those who really want to
write for children (with or withoutr experience)
and are willing to devote their time for the
organization.

5. To become full pledged Kuting members the
applicants must attend at least 6 GAs (6 months),
participate in at least 3 special events/projects
of the organization and submit an unpublished,
original manuscript for workshop. After completing
all these, they will be inducted as new members of
Kuting.

6. Deadline for expressing your intention to sponsor
an applicant is by October 15, 2006. Hopefully the
sponsored applicants will be able to join us
during the October GA.

Thank you and happy recruiting!

Reflections On Red Pictures

2006-07-24T09:13:00.000+08:00

Click here and here for the pictures. Will post more in the coming days.

Enjoy them!

ROR Online

2006-07-17T13:10:00.000+08:00

The sculputes looks fantastic online. The poetry, superb!

Friday, July 21, 2006
Ayala Museum
6.00 p.m.

Bring friends and family.

KUTING-CANVAS Exibit

2006-07-11T10:45:00.000+08:00

CANVAS presents

REFLECTIONS ON RED
a one-man show by Michael Cacnio

with stories and poems by
Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING)
(Featuring the works of Becky Bravo, Godfrey T. Dancel, Raissa Rivera-Falgui, Zarah Gagatiga, Rhandee Garlitos, Agay Llanera, Carla M. Pacis, Augie Rivera, Lara Saguisag, Mae Astrid Tobias, Cynthia Villafranca, Germaine Yia) Works are edited by Heidi Emily Eusebio-Abad.

Opening cocktails: July 21, Friday, 6:00pm,
at the Ayala Museum, Makati City
Exhibit runs til August 3.

Lara's home...but only for a week or so

2006-02-10T08:50:00.000+08:00

Guess who is back? Lara Saguisag!

She's taken a leave from graduate studies at Hollins University in Virginia and while she's here, she'll be doing a lecture series on writing poetry for children. The first one will be for SCBWI and its patrons. This will be at Figaro's, Greenbelt 3 on Monday, 6:00 pm February 13, 2006. A booktalk follows after her presentation. This event is open to all who are interested on writing for children, book lovers and advocates of literacy.

The following day, Valentine's day, she'll be in DLSU at 2:40 pm. On Thursday, February 16, 2006, she'll be in the UP Diliman. Her lecture there will start at 2 pm.

I will be seeing her on Monday, but aside from that, KUTING will also have a dinner with her on Wednesday, February 15, 2006. It's also KUTING's general assembly so I'm hoping to see members whom I have not met and chatted for months. There will be exciting news and updates to discuss and I bet, Lara has so many things to share given her experiences studying Children's Literature at Hollins.

KUTING Christmas Party 2005

2005-12-14T10:57:00.000+08:00

Originally posted in The Coffee Goddess

KUTING had its annual Christmas Party at the Rivera's new residence in Cubao. Mike Rivera, Augie's better half cooked delicious seafood pasta. There were only eight KUTINGs present - Me, Astrid, Augie (of course!), Agay, Tito Doc, Cynthia, Dang and Heidi.

Masaya kami dahil nanalo si Nene! Merry Christmas!
Counter clockwise - Augie(Kapuso), Dang (Kapamilya), Astrid, Cynthia, Heidi, Tito Doc and Me.

Heidi: Hotdog lang yang hawak n'yo!

Heidi: Naubos na ang mga hotdog nyo, ako, may pincers pa!

Papa Augie and Mama Mike...aaaawwww...

Augie: Nasan ang "palaman"? Hmm...
Dang: Yay! Gift checks!
Cynthia: Green towel, green cologne, green hairbush...basta kay Zarah galing, puro green!
Astrid: Di kaya Lasalista si Zarah sa kanyang past life?
Heidi: Vietnam Rose inspired ba ito, Dang?

Final round of exchange gift ala white elephant.
Zarah: Sino yung nakakuha ng Vietnam Rose?

Till next Christmas!

Elias Dakila Storywriting Competition

2005-12-01T07:39:00.000+08:00

Elias Dakila Competition for Children's Storywriting on Environment
and Culture Contest Rules

1. The Elias Dakila Competition for Children's Storywriting on
Environment and Culture is open to all Filipinos.
2. Entries must not have been previously published, and all entrants
must warrant the
originality of their submitted entries.
3. Writers may submit only one entry, in English or Filipino, which
shall be of 800 words or less. Entries that exceed this limit shall
automatically be disqualified.
4. The objective of this contest is to come out with interesting,
original and uplifting stories celebrating the environment and/or
culture of the Philippines. Each entry must be based on, or inspired
by the contest piece below, an illustration specially rendered for
the
contest by INK member Sergio Bumatay III.
5. The story must be suitable for a 32- to 36- page read-aloud book.
6. Entries shall be evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Relevance to Environmental/Cultural Theme (30%)
• Character Development (30%)
• Quality of Writing & Suitability for 6 to 8 year old children (30%)
• X-Factor (Judges' discretion) (10%)
7. CANVAS shall shortlist the five to ten best stories from which a
panel of judges shall
collectively choose the final winner. If the judges cannot come to a
consensus on the
winner, they shall take a vote and the entry that gains the most
number of votes shall be
declared the winner. Judges shall not see the entrant's name until
winner is chosen.
8. Entries must be submitted by email, as a Microsoft Word
attachment, to
canvas.ph@gmail.com with the subject heading ELIAS DAKILA STORY
COMPETITION. Entrants must include a cover sheet with their name,
mailing and email
address, and telephone number. Only the story title should appear on
all pages of the
entry.
9. The deadline for submission of entries is 5:00 p.m. (Manila
time), 31 January 2006.
Entries received after the deadline, even if sent earlier, will no
longer be considered for
the competition.
10. CANVAS and INK shall not be responsible for entries which are
not received, or which are received after the deadline, due to
technical failure or for any other reason
whatsoever.
11. By submitting an entry, all entrants thereby agree to authorize
CANVAS and INK to post such entries on its website, as they deem
fit, and free from any payments, royalties or fees whatsoever.
12. There shall be only one winner, who shall receive a cash prize
of PhP 25,000.00 for
his/her entry. The winner shall be responsible for all applicable
taxes.
13. There is no guaranty of publication, but the winning writer
shall also be entitled to five (5) free copies in the event of
publication.
14. The winner shall grant and transfer to CANVAS all intellectual
property and publication rights to the story, including any
translations, adaptations or modifications thereto. It is therefore
understood that the cash prize to be awarded to the winner shall
include consideration of such intellectual property and publication
rights to the story, and the writer shall not be entitled to any
other royalties or fees from earnings, if any, that may result from
future publication of, licensing of, or other transactions on the
same.
15. CANVAS shall not retain any rights to entries that are not
selected as the winner, but
may enter into separate agreements with other writers for the
publishing rights to their
entries.
16. CANVAS shall exercise full and exclusive editorial and artistic
control over the
publication of the book.
17. While, it is the full intention of CANVAS to publish the winning
entry as a full-color
children's book, CANVAS reserves the right not to publish the same
for any reason
whatsoever.
18. The winner of the CANVAS storywriting competition will be
announced in February
2006 on the CANVAS website (www.canvas.ph). The winner will also be
notified via
email on the same announcement date.
19. CANVAS reserves the right not to award the top competition prize
in the event that the judges decide that no entry was received that
is deserving of the top prize. In such event, however, CANVAS shall
have no right whatsoever over all entries that were received; and
shall not publish any entry, in its website or in any other venue,
without the prior written consent or agreement of the author.
20. The decision of the competition judges shall be final, and no
correspondence or inquiries into the same – including requests for
comments/feedback on entries – shall be
entertained.
21. Employees and members of CANVAS and INK, and members of their
immediate family, are disqualified from participating in the
competition.

2005-10-24T16:23:00.000+08:00

Filipino Writer (dot) Com

2005-10-05T07:23:00.000+08:00

Isn't it fantastic how the Internet works!? I got this interesting web site (read title) from my list of recent referrers from my library blog. Go check it out! Our workshop is featured there!

Click here.

2005-09-29T10:05:00.000+08:00

Read the winning stories
It is fascinating to see how a single painting can inspire diverse and unique stories that children and adults can enjoy alike. See for yourself! Below are four of the very best as selected by our panel of judges, downloadable as pdf files.

WINNER: "The Rocking Horse" by Becky Bravo

THE BEST OF THE REST:

"Si Ninjang Kabayo at ang Ermitanyong Kalbo" ni Andrea Lazaro
"Treasures I have Known" by Raissa Claire Rivera
"Sol" by Anna Cristina Llanera

Also listen to a radio interview of Carla Pacis and Augie Rivera on Wed, Oct 5, 2005 on DZFE Kalikasan Vigilante with hosts Emily Marcelo and Vic Milan.

2005-09-27T16:45:00.000+08:00

Kwentista ng mga Tsikiting (KUTING), the premier organization of Filipino writers for children, in cooperation with Phoenix Educational Systems Inc., will be conducting a workshop on

WRITING for CHILDREN

at the

5th flr. Robinson’s Galleria Corporate Center, Ortigas, Pasig City on October 22, 2005 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Workshop topics and speakers are the following

Why write for kids? Why not?!

Dr. Luis Gatmaitan MD

Palanca Hall of Fame Winner and TOYM Awardee

Writing for Kids : Labor and Love

Carla Pacis

Palanca Winner and Manila Critics’ National Book Awardee

Rhyme and Reason : Writing Poetry for Kids

Heidi Eusebio-Abad

Published Writer and Professor of Creative Writing & Children’s Literature

University of the Philippines, Diliman

Workshop fee costs Php 1,000.00 inclusive of snacks, lunch and workshop kit. A 15% discount will be given to early registrations on or before October 15, 2005.

For reservations and inquiries contact 09164340167/09209602884/723-0481 loc 424

Or email eruannie@yahoo.com /pinktikbalang@yahoo.com

2005-09-15T15:31:00.000+08:00

Congratulations to Kuting members who won in the recent CANVAS' first annual children's storywriting competition:

Grand prize winner:
Becky Bravo, "The Rocking Horse."

Honorable mention:
Raissa Claire U. Rivera, "Treasures I Have Known"
Agay Llanera, "Sol".

The panel of judges was composed of Gigo Alampay (Executive Director of CANVAS), and multi-awarded children's story writers Carla Pacis and Augie Rivera.

2005-09-14T10:02:00.000+08:00

SITA & RAMA: PAPET RAMAYANA

If you think puppet shows are 'just for kids', you're definitely wrong. To prove this, come and watch Teatrong Mulat's SITA & RAMA: PAPET RAMAYANA this Sept. 16 (7pm), Sept 17 & 18 (10 am & 2pm), Guerrero Theater, 2/f Palma Hall, U.P. Diliman.

As critic Isagani Cruz commented, SITA & RAMA:PAPET RAMAYANA "shows how far we have come in puppet theatre."

The play showcases the highly sophisticated puppets & sets designed by Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio, the lilting melodies by Joey Ayala and Cynthia Alexander and the innovative direction by Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete.

The brother and sister team of Cynthia Alexander and Joey Ayala who composed and arranged the melodies for the lyrics of the songs of Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio are being featured together in one CD for the first time! Sita & Rama CDs will be on sale during the 3-day re-staging.

Schools, college groups, students and theatre aficionados who wish to watch a sophisticated puppet show, discover the beauty of the Indian classic, while listening to the music of Cynthia Alexander and Joey Ayala, can avail of discounted tickets by calling 921-9773 or 0918-903-2040 (Ami) Tickets will also be available at the gate.

Adarna 2005 Storybooks and Silver Editions Book Launching

2005-09-12T11:18:00.000+08:00

Adarna House will have a book launching of their 2005 Storybooks and Silver Editions on Sept 17, Saturday, 2-4pm, Powerbooks Live, Greenbelt. Among the titles to be launched are the silver editions (or the 10th anniversary edition) of some of the Kuting members including Ang Alamat ng Ampalaya by Augie Rivera and Papel de Liha by Ompong Remigio and the reissued titles Tiger on the Wall by Annette Flores-Garcia and Manik Buangsi and The Love of Lam-ang by Virgilio Almario.

Call for entries for the 2006 PBBY-Salanga Prize

2005-09-09T11:59:00.000+08:00

Call for entries for the 2006 PBBY-Salanga Prize

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2006 PBBY-Salanga Prize. The contest is co-sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and The National Library. The winner will be given P25,000.00, a gold medal, and an opportunity to be published. Prizes will be awarded in an appropriate ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children's Book Day on July 18, 2006.

Contest Rules:

1. The contest is open to all Filipino citizens except those who are related to any PBBY member up to the third degree of consanguinity.
2. Stories should be intended for children aged 6 to 12 years old. The plot and the sequence must be capable of sustaining an illustrated book of 28 to 32 pages.
3. Entries may be in Filipino or English.
4. Entries must be in hard copy, double-spaced, on short bond paper. Maximum length is five (5) pages.
5. A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.
6. Each entry must be signed by a pen name only. Five (5) copies of each entry should be placed in an envelope, on the face of which only the pen name of the contestant should appear.
7. Together with each entry, contestants must submit a second envelope, on the face of which the pen name shall appear. This must contain the contestant's full name, address, contact numbers, a short literary background, and a notarized certification from the author, vouching for the originality of the entry and for the freedom of the organizers from any liability arising from the infringement of copyright in case of publication, and affirming that the entry or any variant thereof has a) never been published nor b) won any other contest i.e. that it has never won 1st, 2nd, 3rd, honorable mention in any other contest or otherwise been awarded a medal, a citation, or included in a publicized list of meritorious entries to a literary contest.
8. All entries must be sent through snail mail to the PBBY Secretariat, c/o Adarna House, Inc., Room 102, JGS Building, 30 Scout Tuazon St., Quezon City.
9. All entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat no later than 5:00 p.m., October 28, 2005.
10. Winners will be announced no later than November 25, 2005. Non-winning entries may be claimed at the PBBY Secretariat until December 16, 2005.

The winning story will be the basis for the 2005 PBBY-Alcala Prize. For more details, interested parties may contact the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, at Room 102, JGS Building, 30 Scout Tuazon St., Quezon City, Telefax 372-3548 or email pbby@adarna.com

2005-09-09T10:00:00.000+08:00

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