Arts & Culture Roundup: filmmakers on human rights, Cynthia ...

Filmmakers receive grant to make short films on human rights

Thirteen filmmakers were chosen by the Dakila Artist Collective to receive ALAB Short Filmmaking Grants for their human rights-themed short films.

"By granting 13 filmmakers the opportunity to wield their vision into a reality, Active Vista hopes to at the very least make a dent by challenging its audiences to change the way they look at things with hope that maybe the things they look at may eventually change. Perhaps, one viewer at a time,"?Dakila vice president Noel Cabangon said.

The finalists chosen from 57 applicants and who will be showcasing their work at the Active Vista human rights film festival include: De La Salle University ? College of Saint Benilde?s Ron Segismundo for children?s rights, University of the Philippines ? Diliman?s Rowena Sanchez for right to basic social Services, APFI?s Richard Coronel for Extrajudicial Killings, Torture and Enforced Disappearances, University of the East?s John Gonzales for human trafficking, Far Eastern University?s Nica Santiago for right to health, freelance editor Che Villanueva for right to freedom of expression, animator Zara Terrado for environment and climate change, Lanao Barangay councilor Hidaya Macarandes for peace, Philippine Deaf Resource Center Executive Director Dr. Liza Martinez for persons with disabilities, independent filmmaker Jet Leyco for peace, director Victor Villanueva for persons with disabilities and Muslim Transgender Woman and STRAP member Brigitte Salvatore for gender rights.

Dakila Executive Director Leni Velasco said, "Their fresh takes and innovative approaches to advocacy films contribute greatly into mainstreaming human rights into the consciousness of the Filipino public. The 13 issues tackled in these short films are the priority issues that our government needs to address, especially now that our nation is set to elect a new batch of leaders in 2013.?

Cabangon said, "We have no illusion that a human rights film festival like Active Vista can change society. Even Lino Brocka's 'Orapronobis' failed to stop human rights violations after EDSA? but they "aspire to spark some change by daring filmmakers and advocates to get out of their comfort zones to make films that grab you by the collar, make you see the reality that surrounds you and move you into action."

The festival is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Movies that Matter, The Asia Foundation and the Australian AID.

Cynthia Alexander?s send-off

Friends and supporters flocked to see Cynthia Alexander on her last performance in the Philippines before finally migrating to the United States.

The last of ?The Send-Off Series,? the farewell concert left Conspiracy Caf? filled to the brim, with many left to stand outside in the garden. At one point, Alexander asked people inside to move outside so that the others outside could have a chance to watch a set but according to Inquirer, no one seemed to want to give up their spot.

Johnny Alegre, Alexander?s bandmate at Humanfolk said, ?Cynthia?s words and music have won the hearts and minds of a very loyal fan base, as you see, and that will continue to grow. Her powers as a singer-songwriter and musician are phenomenal.?

Earlier this month, it was reported that Alexander was leaving with her family to pursue a career in the United States.

?I think I?m ready for change, and new challenges,? she said.

Radioman and musician Francis Brew pointed out that while an award-winning artist/multi-instrumentalist, Alexander has had limited local support.

Brew wrote, ?With Cynthia leaving, I can?t help but think about the hysteria surrounding American Idol also-ran Jessica Sanchez, a Filipino-Mexican American. Her lineage had us all waving the flag of Pinoy pride. We lionized her as ?our own.? Like the half-Pinoy contestants before her whose names we?ve forgotten, we want Jessica to come ?home? so we can bask in her glory. Meanwhile, homegrown geniuses like Cynthia Alexander are leaving home.?

Among Alexander?s most popular songs include ?Comfort In Your Strangeness? and ?Motorbykle.?

Rizalpabeto

Visual artist Elmer Borlongan and poet Vim Nadera collaborated on ?Rizalpabeto? an exhibition commemorating national hero Jose Rizal?s 150^th birth anniversary through the alphabet.

Nadera made a poem for every letter of the alphabet while Borlongan interpreted it through the traditional letras y figures, a Filipino art form popular during the Spanish colonization.

For ?Rizalpabeto,? Borlongan used technology through an iPad to sketch and paint each letter.

Part of the collection was first exhibited in ManilArt 2011 where it became an instant hit. It is now part of Manila Contemporary?s ?Through the Looking Glass: Jose Rizal.?

A project of the Center for Art, New Ventures and Sustainable Development (Canvas), the series will be published as a children?s book this month.

For more information email info@canvas.ph or text/call 0927-3084175.

Virgin Labfest 8

Already on its 8^th year, the theater festival Virgin Labfest is set to open on June 26 with one full-length and several one-act plays.

Getting its name from the concept of featuring ?untried, untested, unpublished and unstaged? plays from both young and old playwrights, this year?s festival includes the full-length play ?Totong Hilot? by J. Dennis Teodosio, one-act plays "Isa Pang Soap Opera" by Reuel Molina Aguila, "Digital Divide" by Ricardo Novenario, "High Stakes" by Marianne Mixkaela Z. Villalon, "Ang Unang Regla ni John" by Em Mendez, "Hayop" by Mar Anthony Dela Cruz, "Alejandro" by Chuckberry Pascual, "Pagsubli" by Aizel Cabilan, "Symposium" by U Eliserio and Maynard Manansala, and "Mga Kuneho" by Guelan Luarca.

In a statement, the Cultural Center of the Philippine said, "Now on its eighth year, the Virgin Labfest has earned a solid reputation for its exciting and provocative line-up of one-act plays from playwrights both young and old.?

The Virgin Labfest is a yearly project of the CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino and Writer?s Bloc, Inc.

The magic three from last year?s festival to be showcased this year is Rae Red?s ?Kawala,? Floy Quintos? ?Evening at the Opera,? and Ricardo Novenario?s ?Kafatiran.?

Tickets to the festival cost P300. It will be held from June 27 to July 18 at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute with 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. shows. The schedule may be downloaded from the CCP website.

academy of country music awards brad paisley zac brown band aubrey born to run pranks pregnancy test