PIA Develops Strategic Communications Curriculum for PMA

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) explore areas of cooperation on developing a curriculum on communication and public information for the Academy.

In a meeting, PIA Director-General Harold Clavite presented the Agency’s programs and services, capabilities and networks anchored on the Philippine Information Highway, a flagship program of PIA that can be of help to the PMA.

He discussed two proposals- a short-term module on strategic communications and a curriculum on the National Strategy Management Program Major in Strategic Communications.

Clavite, who is also a board member of the Philippine Army’s multi-sector advisory board (MSAB), expressed his intent of institutionalizing the ongoing engagements of PIA with the military’s civil military operations across the country. The engagement of PIA and the Philippine Army was likewise strengthened in the information management and strategic communications support group of Task Force Bangon Marawi, headed by Clavite.

Dr. Joey Alagaran, head of the PIA’s Policy and Communication Research Division detailed the 54-hour course outline as to theories, concepts, processes and practices of Strategic Communications including national security administration.

On the proposed BS National Strategy Management Program, Alagaran identified the curriculum’s objectives to develop the cadets communication creativity, critical thinking and collaborative skill; equip them with decision making/implementation capabilities and engagement on Strategic Communications and integrate the knowledge and skills and discipline from their military program.

PMA Dean of Academics B/Gen. Cheston Valencerina cited the need for collaboration saying that communication is “winning the war by not firing a bullet.”

Clavite further emphasized the need for future military officers to be adept with the latest trends in strategic communications and multimedia strategies in the advent of increased usage of the internet and new media platforms.

Further exchanges of ideas and inputs ensued between the Academy’s faculty members and PIA regional heads present in the meeting.
Witnessed by Asst. Supt B/Gen. Nestor Florence DC Rayos and Commandant B/Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, the tie-up is hoped to be realized with the forging of a PIA-PMA Memorandum of Understanding this year.

PUP SLP to Show Reimagined Verison of 'Rody Vera's Ang Unang Aswang'

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Sustaining and further bettering its passion and service for arts, culture, and the people, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory (PUP SLP or Polyrep) is set to showcase their 39th theater season opener production titled 'Ang Unang Aswang' by the renowned playwright, Rody Vera, and to be directed by Marcus Belisario, this coming August 2019 at Tanghalang PUP.

Polyrep creates a theme or framework to synthesize its works every theatrical season, and for this 39th season, the formulated theme is called Nena.'

Nena comes from the Spanish word 'NAY-nah' that is usually being used as term of endearment just like love or sweetheart in the English language. It is the innocent essence of colonization and decolonization in our country, it as well transitive, and liberating as an art.

There will be four phases for Nena: 1. Kaakuhan, 2. Kamalayan, 3. Kasarinlan, and 4. Kalikasan. The 'Ang Unang Aswang' production will stand for the first phase of Nena which is 'Kaakuhan.'

(Read more about Nena and its four phases: https://www.facebook.com/169928869695635/posts/2358443670844133/)

The 'Kaakuhan' phase with 'Ang Unang Aswang' as its production, aims to dig and discover our missing history. To find and heal the wound caused by the lost sense of identity.

Furthermore, 'Ang Unang Aswang' wants viewers and audiences to be critical and question things, particularly about the morals and standards.

The show's synopsis is as follows: A night when the moon is in full, on a desert, a new born baby swallowed a heart of a banana tree. As the time passed by, the baby has grown with the help of a dog, cat and a wild pig who stands as her mother. Away from the city, the girl lives happily until she encounters a man that will change his life. The man will introduce to her both love and pain. It is a story of love, failure, abuse and pretentions. To raise questions and open discourse about morality, truth, and judgement is the challenge.

Although 'Ang Unang Aswang' has been staged many times by different theater companies in distinct ways, including Polyrep's version last 2016 as part of 35th theater season, current PUP SLP will recreate and revitalize the story in another level. Marcus Belisario, the director, highlighted the reimagination of this 'Ang Unang Aswang,' that will have a surprise because of its 'never seen before' factor.




Footnote:

About Us:

Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory, also known as "Polyrep," is the resident theater organization of the Polytechnic University under the University Center for Culture and the Arts, celebrating 39 years of artistic excellence.

Tanghalang Ateneo to Open 41st Season with Dolorosa on April 15-31 at the Doreen Black Box

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola

Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, will kick off its 41st season, "Écriture

Féminine | Sulat-Babae: The Women's Season," this August with a full-length

version of Peter Zaragoza Mayshle’s Dolorosa.

Multihyphenate Jenny Jamora (33 Variations, Every Brilliant Thing) will direct the

material, which was originally a one-act play and part of the Virgin Labfest 14 staged

readings last year.

Set in three periods of Philippine history, Dolorosa tells the story of a family whose

devotion arms the women to face the tides of historical change. During the Spanish

occupation, a wooden statue of the Mater Dolorosa, crafted by a master sculptor from

Paete, Laguna, is mysteriously lost. In the Japanese era, Pilar, the sculptor’s

granddaughter, discovers her powers of astral projection and is visited in an

apparition by the Sorrowful Mother, tasking her to search for the missing statue.




Decades later, on Good Friday, Pilar’s three daughters reunite to piece together the

rediscovered statue, while anxiously waiting for the arrival of their estranged

mother, who has spent fifteen years in America for strange reasons difficult to

understand.

Boasting a predominantly female cast, Dolorosa attempts to reconcile the relations of

family, nationalism, sexuality, and faith; exploring the definition of womanhood

amidst the changing tides of history — ever tenacious, often misconstrued.

Comedienne and film/theatre actress Bibeth Orteza plays the role of Pilar in her 70s,

who has mysteriously returned to her daughters after a fifteen year disappearance.

Ron Capinding plays the role of Mariano, a native of Paete during the Spanish

occupation, and sculptor of the Mater Dolorosa from whom the play takes its name.

Claudia Enriquez doubles as Elena, Mariano’s wife who goes on to join the growing

Filipino rebellion, and Claudia, the oldest of Pilar’s three daughters.

Rainbow Gutierrez doubles as Victoria, Pilar’s mother during the Japanese

occupation, and Alicia, the second of Pilar’s daughters.

Zoë de Ocampo doubles as Pilar, a twelve year old during the Japanese occupation,

and Juliana, the youngest of Pilar’s daughters.

AJ Umali plays Padre Galiano; Mariano’s sponsor for the crafting of the Dolorosa,

Pablo; Pilar’s father, and Tasyo; an arbularyo.

Sabrina Basilio plays Chedeng, a subversive during the Spanish occupation, and

Mitring, a market vendor during the Japanese occupation.

Dani Capinding, Francesca Dela Cruz, Kat Dizon, Kim Donato, and Shaun Ocrisma

play the five Marys, respectively representing different titles of the Holy Mother.

Tanghalang Ateneo’s Zarya Almocera, Darl Alba, Nicole Chua, and Mekaella




Mendoza complete the cast as members of the ensemble.

The artistic team is completed by production designers Ben Padero and Carlo Tabije

(Heneral Luna, Siargao), movement designer Jomelle Era (Desaparesidos), lighting

designer D Cortezano (Desaparesidos, Marisol), sound designer Arvy Dimaculangan

(Desaparesidos, Every Brilliant Thing), graphic designer Zoë de Ocampo (Alpha Kappa

Omega, Stop Kiss), photographer Jojit Lorenzo, vocal coaches Robin Aronson and

Rachael Swartz, and dramaturg and current Ateneo Creative Writing major Elise

Ofilada.

The show will go onstage at the Doreen Black Box (Areté, Ateneo de Manila

University) from August 15 to August 31, 2019, from Thursday to Saturday.

Thursday and Friday shows will be at 7:30PM, while Saturday shows will be at

2:30PM and 7:30PM.

For ticket details and other inquiries, contact Heinrich Catan at 0923 081 9919.

Connect with Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media

networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_ Instagram:

www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo

#DolorosaTA #TA41 #ÉcritureFéminine #TheWomensSeason