Pasko ng Komiks
From Read or Die:
As part of the U.P. College of Arts and Letters “Linggo ng KAL†event on December 6-14, the U.P . Likhaan: Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW) and Read or Die sponsor Pasko ng Komiks or PASKOM symposium on December 11 (Tues), 9am at the Pulungang Claro M. Recto, College of Arts and Letters, UP Diliman, Quezon City. PASKOM will discuss the relevance of comics arts in contemporary Filipino life. Four related topics, which foreground new perpectives on a growing popular arts tradition, will be discussed, namely “Komiks in Philippine Culture and History,†“The Study and Collection of Komiks,†“Women in Komiks,†and “Creating Komiks.â€Read more about this ongoing event here.
News Bits
- Charles has posted a summary and MP3 of the latest LitCritters session here.
- Kenneth has posted pics and details of some events, among which are the NWA5 writers forum and the Manila LitCritters meetup. Visit the PGS blog for more.
- Speaking of Kenneth, his short story "House 1.0" is now out on The Town Drunk. Go read!
- Andrew Drilon's Kare-Kare Komiks has been featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Congrats, Andrew!
- Read or Die announces its plans for the first series of Write Or Die: Writers Write lecture workshops. The purpose of the workshop is to promote the UP Gawad Centennial Likhaan 2008, a special literary prize sponsored by the University of the Philippines.
Non-professional and non-academic writers are encouraged to submit their work for consideration to the Gawad Likhaan. For more information, see this page.
- Related to Write or Die: Writers who wish to have their chapter excerpts from their novel-length manuscripts critiqued by Charlson Ong and Jun Cruz Reyes should submit their excerpt to readordie.ph@gmail.com on or before November 8 (for Jun Cruz Reyes) and November 18 (for Charlson Ong).
A maximum of 5 manuscripts will be discussed. For more details, see this page.
- This is not related to spec fic, but still something that may interest Tagalog essay writers:
Bilang paghahanda sa darating na kapaskuhan ay magsisimula nang tumanggap ang patnugutan ng mga lathalaing napapanahon sa okasyong darating. Tatanggap at bibigyang halaga rin ang mga lathalaing tumatalakay sa Edukasyon, Sining at Kultura at artikulo hinggil sa Wika na makapaghahatid impormasyon sa mga mambabasa. Mangyari lamang na lakipan ng mga larawan ng talakayin ang bawat artikulo, 4 na pahina, double space, at ipadala sa liwayway_manilabulletin@yahoo.com. Lakipan din ng maikling detalye ng manunulat, kanyang larawan at propesyon kasama ang maikling impormasyon hinggil sa kanyang tagumpay na nakamit sa larangan ng pagsusulat. Kapag napili at nalathala sa Liwayway, kinakailangang nagtataglay ang sumulat ng valid ID at TIN number upang matanggap ang kaukulang kabayaran sa bawat artikulo. Maaari ring ipadala sa koreo ang akda sa: Managing Editor, Liwayway Department, 2nd floor, Manila Bulletin Bldg., Muralla Street, Intramuros, Manila.
On that note, would anyone know if Liwayway still accepts fiction contributions? I've emailed them asking if any of their magazines (Liwayway, Bannawag, Bisaya and Hiligaynon) still accept fiction, especially spec fic. I certainly hope I didn't breach protocol by doing so. Updates, if any, will be posted here.
NWA5 Writers Forum
Attended the NWA5 forum as promised. Was only able to get away with two poor-quality pictures. I'm sure others have gotten better.
Comics and Manga Day 2007, and a Question
Gotten from Komiks.ph:
Still related to komiks, I have a question: Is it still correct to say Philippine speculative fiction is a "young" genre, when we have been printing fantastic stories for over a century - although mostly in komiks form, not in prose form? Are our komiks traditions and literary traditions so distant from each other that we can't draw any relationships? Or is a literary tradition that spans a little over 100 years still considered "young"? I'm just wondering. It doesn't seem like many modern fictionists in the Philippines like to build on what our predecessors have made, at least not our predecessors in komiks. And classic fantastic komiks were also largely influenced by foreign lore and literature, like our current writings. There are a lot of parallels, I think... In short, I'm asking if when we say "the history of Philippine speculative fiction," we should also discuss speculative fiction in the form of komiks? Or should we stick to prose only?
Saturday, October 20, 2007 1pm-6pm Powerbooks, SM MEGAMALL FREE ENTRANCE! featuring artists in the field of comics and manga. - panel discussions - signings and autographs with the artists - sketching - raffle prizes - comics and art lectures - portfolio reviews - art shows and exhibits - drawing exhibition - and much more!Read more about it here.
Still related to komiks, I have a question: Is it still correct to say Philippine speculative fiction is a "young" genre, when we have been printing fantastic stories for over a century - although mostly in komiks form, not in prose form? Are our komiks traditions and literary traditions so distant from each other that we can't draw any relationships? Or is a literary tradition that spans a little over 100 years still considered "young"? I'm just wondering. It doesn't seem like many modern fictionists in the Philippines like to build on what our predecessors have made, at least not our predecessors in komiks. And classic fantastic komiks were also largely influenced by foreign lore and literature, like our current writings. There are a lot of parallels, I think... In short, I'm asking if when we say "the history of Philippine speculative fiction," we should also discuss speculative fiction in the form of komiks? Or should we stick to prose only?
New Worlds 5: The 5th Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention
via the Bibliophile Stalker:
The New Worlds Alliance presents New Worlds 5: The 5th Philippine Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention October 27, 2007 Glorietta Activity Center http://www.newworlds.phVisit the official website of the New Worlds Alliance for details and updates.
RX 93.1 Spotlight on the Manila International Book Fair, Philippine Speculative Fiction, and Read or Die
Charles has posted a recording of the RX 93.1 interview of Dean Alfar of the LitCritters, Kristin Mandigma of Read or Die, Gwen Galvez of Anvil Publishing, and Blooey Singson of the Manila International Book Fair.
He's also posted transcripts of some excerpts from the interview. Thanks, Charles!
Please note, Kristin Mandigma of Read or Die is going to be on radio again tonight at Jam 88.3, 9-10 PM. She will be reading some poetry and promoting the Manila Book Fair.
Speculative Fiction Discussion at the Manila Book Fair
Tomorrow is the start of the 2007 Manila Book Fair. There's a lot to look forward to! Among them is the talk on Philippine Speculative Fiction, which is to be given by the LitCritters panel in Function Room B, at 2:30 PM.
I hope to be there :) Not as a panelist, of course, but as just another face in the crowd.
Philippine Spec Fic-Related Manila Book Fair Events
From the Read or Die blog:
The Filipino is no stranger to wonder and the fantastic. Join multi-awarded fictionist Dean Francis Alfar and the LitCritters as they discuss the emergence and growth of Philippine Speculative Fiction on August 29, 2007 at the 28th Manila International Book Fair . Fantasy, science fiction, horror and the literature of the imagination are alive and here to stay. The event will take place at Function Room A of the World Trade Center from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM and is sponsored by Powerbooks.And just because it bears a repost: Indie publishers from the Philippines are welcome - nay, invited! - to sell their work at the book fair.
With the cooperation of the Book Development Association Of The Philippines and the National Book Development Board, Read Or Die is inviting independent and small press publishers to sell their books (including comics, folios, magazines and chapbooks) at the 28th Manila International Book Fair. All merchandise will be consigned at the booths of the National Book Development Board. This is the first time that indie publishers will be selling as a group at the Book Fair so we hope that you’ll take advantage of this opportunity. The Book Fair routinely attracts at least 50,000 people on its five-day run.There is no selling fee, although there are some conditions. Read more at Ang Bagong Libro. All this and more make this year's Manila Book Fair an event not to be missed!
Collaborative Work: Heart
Randy Valiente, a very talented artist and advocate of Philippine Komiks, has posted about a collaborative work that Mia Sereno (scribe and artist extraordinaire) and I are participating in. I hope it's OK for me to repost the teaser illustration that he made for it in this blog, because I think Randy and Mia's art is well worth promoting:
Mia is a good online friend, and a firm advocate of literacy in the Philippines. She is also a member of Read or Die, a Philippines-based literacy group I've mentioned on this blog not a few times.
I'm very honored that Mia and Randy took an interest in my fiction, and I'm really looking forward to when it'll be out for distribution. We're planning to make it available for the 28th Manila International Book Fair, so please do attend!
Randy has also mentioned a press conference of "big" komiks publishers who will be present at the National Center for Culture and the Arts Building at 12 noon this July 26. Tune in to his blog for details!
Mia is a good online friend, and a firm advocate of literacy in the Philippines. She is also a member of Read or Die, a Philippines-based literacy group I've mentioned on this blog not a few times.
I'm very honored that Mia and Randy took an interest in my fiction, and I'm really looking forward to when it'll be out for distribution. We're planning to make it available for the 28th Manila International Book Fair, so please do attend!
Randy has also mentioned a press conference of "big" komiks publishers who will be present at the National Center for Culture and the Arts Building at 12 noon this July 26. Tune in to his blog for details! New Worlds Transformed Starts Today!
This is a very late announcement, my apologies. The New Worlds Alliance, an organization of fan groups focused mostly on fantasy, science fiction and horror, has launched the New Worlds Transformed convention. The convention will run from July 9-15 and will include a costume parade (+ a cosplay competition), Harry Potter Day (check out related contests, btw!), a Story Creation Game and much more!
Admission is free, so drop by and have fun! Here's how to get there.