Shameless Plugs: ABC-5′s “Dokyu” Now a Student Competition

(from a write-up by Jocelyn Dimaculangan)

After a brief hiatus, ABC-5 News & Public Affairs launches a brand new season of its landmark program Dokyu this May. This TV program has been highly acclaimed for providing start-up incentives as well as an exhibition platform for independent documentary filmmakers, both professionals and amateurs/students.

For its brand new season, there will be a lot of changes starting with the concept of the show. Dokyu will now be a competition program, with different levels or categories. For the first season, the competition will be in the student category, and will be similar to the Gawad Cultural Center of the Philippines, Urian and Catholic Mass Media Awards. The winning documentary will receive a tax-free cash prize of P50,000 and a trophy.

Shameless Plugs: Auditions for “Pilipinas Circa 1907″

Tanghalang Pilipino announces the first of its auditions for its 21st Theater Season of Power Plays. On May 8, 9 and 10, 2007, the search is on for the cast of PILIPINAS CIRCA 1907, the company’s season opener. Auditions for this Philippine zarzuela will be held at the Bulwagang Amado Hernandez, Upper Ground Floor, Tanghalang Pambansa, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.

Philippine Idol Updates: Mau’s First Major Concert…in Lucena

The first Philippine Idol Mau Marcelo will be having her first major concert in her hometown, Lucena City. Her concert is entitled “On My Own” and it will be held tomorrow, April 21, at Sentro Pastoral in Isabang.

Shameless Plugs: Make Filipinos a Part of On The Lot

The filmmaker reality competition On The Lot is about to choose its 16 finalists and they need to put an Asian candidate or two in the fray.

And what better Asian should they choose but a Filipino.

Paolo Dy, a Cebuano director/ cinematographer/ screenwriter now based in Manila, is asking for your support for him to be part of this momentous competition. His short film, “QWERTY,” is one of the highest reviewed Asian entries in On The Lot’s website.

Watch his film on the site and give it a 5-star review. The more positive reviews, the higher the chances of him making into the top 16.

Remember that the winner of On The Lot would have a $1-million Dreamworks development deal.

Here’s a youtube clip of QWERTY:

Shameless Plugs: Contemporary Dance Scholarships Up for Grabs!

Once again, 15 slots of partial to full scholarship is waiting to be awarded to successful applicants.

Dancing Wounded – Contemporary Dance Commune unlocks again this summer “The 2nd Tao Of The Contemporary Dancer”, a launchpad for solo and duo dance. This program brings together in one platform four dance and body disciplines: classical ballet and yoga combined with 2 other paths in dancing – release technique and partnering, all converging into a composition class.

This is open not only to dancers but also to individuals with a strong affinity to movement and dance as well as for those with a significant background in the performing arts.

Shameless Plugs: Wanna be a Hollywood Director?

The search for the next great Hollywood director begins!

On The Lot is a groundbreaking new show from legendary director Steven Spielberg and reality TV mastermind Mark Burnett. It pits 16 aspiring filmmakers from all over the world against one another for a US$1-million film development deal at DreamWorks!

Find out if you have what it takes to become a big-time Hollywood film director by sending in your application and you could be one of the 16 finalists. But be quick, you only have until Friday, February 16, 2007 to apply.

Shameless Plugs: Win a Date with Mark Herras

Goddess, this could be your dream come true!

Animax celebrates Valentine’s Day with an opportunity to meet new friends and probably a new celebrity date! Join Love is in the Air, the biggest speed dating event in the Philippines!

You could win yourself a date with the hottest celebrities like Mark Herras, Will Devaughn, Luke Jickain, Maike Evers, Aiza Marquez, and Isabel Oli. (Just place your cursor on the links to view the pics.)

And while you’re doing your rounds in speed dating, catch live performances from Pupil, Calla Lily, All Stars, and Amber Rowley.

Love is in the Air also has fun activities in store for couples.  So fill yourself with love on February 10, 2007 (Saturday) at Music Hall in SM Mall of Asia from 2 to 7 p.m.

To join the speed dating rounds, register yourself online before February 7, 2007.

Shameless Plugs: PETA’s “Belong Puti”

Philippine Educational Theater Association invites all Pinoy theater fanatics to watch “Belong Puti,” a Filipino translation of National Artist for Theater Leon Ma. Guerrero’s last unproduced play, “The Woman with a White Veil.”

It is also the return of Nonon Padilla to the director’s chair after a five-year hiatus. One of the most respected theater directors, Padilla–who happens to be the playwright’s nephew–is a former PETA Artistic Director and founding member of Tanghalang Pilipino, Cultural Center of the Philippines’ resident theater company. His previous works both here and abroad include “Biyaheng Timog,” “Paglipas ng Dilim,” “Ilustrado: Ang Buhay ni Rizal,” and Rolando Tinio’s Filipino translation of “The Merchant of Venice.”

Belong Puti features stalwarts of the stage Mario O’Hara, CB Garrucho, Lou Veloso and Sherry Lara with Vicenta Ello-Alaban, Sherlyn Mae Cuare, Upeng Galang-Fernandez, Joan Orendain, Miles Pasamanero, Carme Sanchez and Sonia Valenciano. Production design is by National Artist Salvador Bernal, Lighting Design by Shoko Matsumoto and Music Design by Dodjie Fernandez.

Catch it onstage on February 9, 16, 23 and March 2 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm; and on February 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and March 3-4 at 10am and 3pm at the PETA Theater Center located at #5 Sunnyside Drive, New Manila, Quezon City (behind the QC Sports Club along E. Rodriguez Avenue).

For reservations, contact the PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at 725-6244, 721-8604, mobile number 0917-8154567, 0918-9354166, email mpr@petatheater. com. You can also now subscribe to the official PETA newsletter and keep yourself updated on the latest happenings in PETA. Just log on to www.petatheater. com and register.

Shameless Plugs: Auditions para sa Avenue Q

Lahat tayo ay may mga pangarap.  At kung pangarap mo’ng maging akteur pero wiz mo lyka ma-Q-long sa isang Bahay ni Kuya for 100 days, o masyado ka nang makyonda para magpakyut sa Starstruck, baka heto ang fara sa iyo.

Isa sa mga paboga ng Atlantis Productions sa kanilang theater season ngayon taon ay ang local production ng Avenue Q.  Opo, ang kilalang Broadway musical na kumabog ever sa Wicked bilang “Best in Musical” sa Tony Awards Pageant Night ay magkakaroon na ng Manila run.

Kung ikaw ay isang aspiring musical akteur (o aktriz) na may galing sa pagkanta at pagsayaw, puwes idedma na ang pagsayaw.  Maghanda ng 16 bars ng isang piyesa mula sa musical at kailangang redi ever ka sa pagsing sa iba’t ibang voses.  Natural, magpapapet ka kasi.

Shameless Plugs: Indie Sine Itech

Sa mga baklang buwisit sa mga entry ng Metro Manila Film Festival last Christmas, basa na mga teh!

Ngayon ang second day fara sa Bagong Agos Independent Film Festival na gaganapin until January 24, 2007. Sugod na mga chupatid sa Cinema 8 ng Robinson’s Galleria (oo mga teh, the home of the human ahas na lumamon kay Alice Dixson).

Unang pasabog ng festival kahapon ay ang “Huling Balyan ng Buhi” na kinoronahang “Best in Picture” noong Cinema One Originals pageant last year. Ang story nitech ay tungkol sa endangered na Buhi Tribe sa Mindanao, kung saan ang kanilang babaylan na si Idang ay nakagawa ng isang milagrong Katoliko: ang stigmata. Dahil sa milagrong itech, nagkadagulo-gulo ang buhay ng tribo sa kung papaano nila papanatilihin ang kanilang tradisyon at religion.

The movie na itech ay shot entirely in North Cotabato at pinabibidahan ng actor-con-restaurateur na si Bembol Roco.