National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera (Photo courtesy of lumbera.ph)
National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera (Photo courtesy of lumbera.ph)

The family of National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera issued this statement this morning:

At around 6am, a group of men was seen taking photos of and asking information regarding National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera’s house in a subdivision in Quezon City. One of them was approached and apprehended by subdivision security officers. His companions fled as the man was being questioned. The man was found to be an enlisted AFP intelligence personnel and upon inspection of his military ID was identified as Corporal Guerrero Hannival Mosura Mondido of the Marines.

Artists and writers are revolted by President Arroyo’s proclamation of seven new national artists for this year.

The Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) did not mince words and blamed Arroyo’s “moribund, decadent politics” for spoiling the National Artist selection this year. The group singled out Cecile Guidote Alvarez who is presidential adviser for culture and chair of one of the agencies involved in the selection for now having  delicadeza.

Francis Magalona is dead. He succumbed to leukemia this morning at the Medical City hospital.

Vic Sotto, host of noontime show Eat Bulaga where Magalona was a cast member, made the announcement during the program.


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Magalona’s family is expected to announce the details of the wake and funeral arrangements shortly.

What can a vintage Polaroid camera impressively do now that everyone seems to have a digicam or a camfone or even a DSLR to boot?

How about this:

This work of art was actually made using a Polaroid camera plus some nifty manipulations, making it look like a painting. The original of this work will be among several to be presented in an exhibit dubbed “Old Magic” at One Workshop, Chino Roces cor. Sabio St., Makati City starting 7:00 pm tonight.

Attention, Professional Heckler and other Batanguenos. The classic balisong has been “reincarnated”.

Nicknamed BaliYo, the US company Spyderco’s “reincarnation” of the balisong is actually “a new concept in pens. It provides safe unlimited creative motion anytime, anywhere, even while sitting. 100% U.S.A. Made using high-performance materials and manufacturing,” according to the official product website.

Rick Astley was sooooo hit many years ago. At Manila Science, we have a friend who idolizes him so much that he was always ready to smash the face of anyone who dares insult Rick Astley or any of his songs.

Sadly, that friend is now in the States and missed Rick Astley’s recent concert in Manila. Not only that, he missed seeing Roderick Paulate singing with Rick Astley on the same stage!

View the video at the jump!

By ANTHONY IAN CRUZ
Malaya
February 20, 2008

Tirador,” a digital movie about the life and survival of small-time crooks, bagged the Caligari Film Prize at the 58th Berlinale International Film Festival held February 7 to 17.

“Tirador,” directed by Brillante “Dante” Mendoza, is the first Filipino film to be screened in the Berlin Forum where new or unconventional films come together and find an audience known for its enthusiasm and discerning cinematic eye.