chat

chat silayan succumbed to colon cancer and i couldn’t get myself to sleep. she was only 46.

she caught my attention the very moment she became a popular runner-up to miss universe at sejong cultural center in seoul, korea.

some years later, i met chat briefly during my first and only gig as a pre-med student. she was featured to judge a school pageant. i had been deglamorized to lead judges like chat, dumaguete-bred model matea leah tagle and designer renee salud to their appointed seating places. when i brought her to the judges’ aisle, chat silayan smiled and said thanks. after that, i grew even more delirious over chat silayan. she appeared vivacious and charming.

in 1980, miss universe pageant wasn’t shown live on philippine tv. bb. pilipinas had not been doing well overseas but for melanie marquez’s victory as miss international in tokyo the year before. there was political turmoil in the philippine countryside. filipino women were also beginning to see empowerment beyond pageantry and the usual domestic chores.

still, chat silayan’s 3rd runner up finish made it to the headlines of marcos-controlled newspapers such as the daily express, the times journal, bulletin today, metro manila times and the evening post. she had surely landed on the cover of sunday supplements and women's magazines. gma channel 7 finally aired the much-delayed telecast of miss universe days after chat flew back to manila.

many filipinos can still remember how chat glided through it all. during the swimsuit competition, she commanded sejong with playful arms long before miss venezuela and miriam quiambao. she enthralled the audience to scream “happy birthday rosario!” while being interviewed by pageant host bob barker. then she responded by uttering a native korean phrase, kamsahamnida! (thanks very much), for which she was wildly cheered on. but chat made her biggest splash in pageant history by scoring heavily during the evening gown parade. she was wearing renee salud’s skillfully-crafted serpentina gown. fully-beaded in baby blue, she descended sejong’s stage like royalty. she turned heads and mesmerized everybody. the judges were even more impressed, chat's scores climbed up steadily. she placed second to the front-runner, shawn nichols weatherly of the united states.

weatherly has been confined to oblivion after miss universe and a season opposite david hasselhoff in baywatch. but the impact of chat silayan’s performance at miss universe stays in perfect shape. in fact, many pageant hopefuls, debutantes, actresses, socialites and other celebrities have been frequently immortalized in silayaneque serpentinas. chat's graceful collaboration with renee salud must have contributed to such persistence.

during the mid 1990s, i was fortunate enough to obtain a research fellowship from the korean government. immediately after my arrival at kimpo airport, i rushed to sejong cultural center to relive the glory of chat. it was pure exhilaration to kiss the steps of sejong cultural center. to my mind, chat has brought honors to the country by placing in the top 5. so did hajji alejandro, ryan cayabyab, freddie aguilar, snaffu rigor, lester demetillo, leah navarro, nonong pedero, something special, aniano montano, eugene villaruz, louie reyes, tillie moreno, jun latonio, celeste legaspi and willy cruz before and after. aside from chat, filipino artists have been triumphant during successive editions of the now-defunct world popular music festival at sejong. it was just so rightful to pay homage to philippine victories there.

it’s rather unfortunate that i wouldn’t even get to see chat ever again. even as i got to know many of her friends and acquaintances. in fact, it was chat’s bb. pilipinas contemporary, lampel potenciano (miss young international runner-up, entrepreneur and nonfiction writer), who first relayed the sad news to me only minutes after chat had passed on. in a way, i have been touched by chat silayan because of such pleasant associations.

suddenly, i remember chat’s impressive debut opposite national artist fernando poe jr. in "ang maestro". soon after making that film, chat became the co-emcee of eddie ilarde and bobby ledesma in suerte sa siete, student canteen and discorama. she sang beautifully with other luminaries in seeing stars with joe quirino. she produced la salud filipina, a fashion tribute to filipiniana. she took so many other noteworthy film and tv assignments. she even got to host her own dramatic anthology. but true love beckoned. god and family became her top priorities. miss universe laureate chat silayan would rather live peacefully away from the klieg lights.

surrounded by mostly poor and lower middle class neighbors in sampaloc as an impressionable thirteen year old, it was joyful to see chat put the philippines back on some kind of track. chat silayan did whatever she can to make people remember her country. sliding through my family's black and white tv screen almost three decades ago, chat has inspired me to develop an interest in moving across the world and doing my best to encourage others through my professional growth and experiences.

i'll never get to be as popular as chat silayan. but i can still be an instrument to do my country proud.

sejong cultural center in seoul, korea

the 1980 miss universe top 5 at sejong cultural center in seoul, korea (l-r): delyse nottle of new zealand (3rd); linda gallagher of scotland (2nd); maria rosario rivera silayan of the philippines (4th); shawn nichols weatherly of south carolina, u.s.a.; (miss universe 1980); and eva brigitta anderson of sweden (5th)

chat silayan and the rest of the 1980 miss universe top 5 with popular american game show host bob barker

maria rosario rivera silayan-bailon

(1959-2006)

(an earlier version of this narrative appeared on page A2-2, in the lifestyle section of the philippine daily inquirer, dated 1 may 2006)

2006 international conference on religious festivals in s.e. asia

In celebration of its commencement, the academic program Southeast Asian Text, Ritual, and Performance (SEATRiP) of the University of California, Riverside will organize a conference entitled, “Religious Festival in Contemporary Southeast Asia,” on February 16-18, 2007 in Riverside.

The conference will explore festivals as embodied narratives in which the connections between religion and nationalism, globality and locality, tourism and politics are drawn, urgent issues that invite careful unfoldings in Southeast Asian Studies today.

Our ideas for this conference are steered by two complementary assumptions. Firstly, religious festivals are pivotal events in the life of a local community, no matter how heterogeneous itself. Secondly, in spite of its differences, Southeast Asia is tied together by certain commonalities, and a discussion of religious festivals could make a substantial contribution to determining these commonalities.

In order to make the conference lively and focused—to be commemorated by the publication of a volume of interconnected essays—participants are invited to address some of the following issues and questions:

· Religious festivals are concentrated moments of communality and expressions of a community’s faith. However they are also a means of empowering political and economic networks. What is the nature of the intersection of the sacred and the secular in religious festivals celebrated in Southeast Asia today?

· Increasingly inherent to religious festivals are the concerns of the tourist industry: religious festivals are actively employed for tourist consumption. In this process of touristification, issues of authenticity, locality, and heritage have become more prominent, but also more problematic.

· Religious festivals often foreground narratives of various sorts, which are stories
of origins and beginnings. Performative activities such as dancing, singing, chanting, procession, and theatrical presentations, i.e the central elements in every festival, are embodiments of these narratives, evoking those very beginnings in a continuous cycle. How do these embodiments occur?

· Religious festivals are extraordinary occasions in which, among many other things, gender is played out and displayed in public. How are festivals gendered in contemporary Southeast Asia?

· Festivals are by nature repetitive, and repetitions are by definition a process of similarities and differentiations. A discussion of any festival necessarily implies articulation and a distinct interest in shifts and changes over time.

Kindly email your title and abstract (not to exceed 2 pages, double spaced), no later than 15 July 2006 to:

Dr. Patrick Alcedo
Program for Southeast Asian Studies
Department of Comparative Literature and Foreign Languages
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
patrick.alcedo@ucr.edu

If you have additional questions and concerns, please do not hesitate to contact him.

Conference Organizers and Editors

Patrick Alcedo, PhD (UC Riverside)

Hendrik M.J. Maier, PhD (Leiden)

Sally Ann Ness, PhD (Washington)

2006 national philippine studies conference at the university of san agustin, iloilo city

PHILIPPINE STUDIES ASSOCIATION, Inc.
5th National Philippine Studies Conference

Hosted by:

University of San Agustin, Iloilo City
September 7-8, 2006

Sponsored by:

University of San Agustin

Venue:

Punta Villa Resort, Iloilo City

Convener:

John Iremil E. Teodoro
Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Institute
Coordinating Center for Research and Publications

On 7-8 September 2006, the Philippine Studies Association, Inc., in cooperation with University of San Agustin, Iloilo City, will hold its 5th National Philippine Studies at the Punta Villa Resort, Iloilo City.

The theme of the Conference is “The Environment in the Philippines,” which is intended to cover broad multi-disciplinal perspectives and approaches to the issues associated with the general theme.

The pertinent sub-themes to be considered for paper presentations include the following: Reviewing the Concept of Environment; Managing the Natural Environment; Documenting Ecological History; Developing Ecotourism; Representing the Environment in Art and Other Cultural Expressions; Politics, Government, and Environment; and Population Growth and Environmental Consequences.

Registration fee: Php 3,000 each participant to cover full board and lodging per participant on quadruple sharing for two nights (September 7-8) and conference kit with bag. For triple sharing, the registration fee is Php 3,250 each participant and for double sharing Php 3,500 each participant. The charges also include full board and lodging for two nights and the conference kit with bag.

For live-out participants, registration fee is Php 1,500 each participant to cover the conference kit and bag, snacks and lunch for two days. Breakfast and dinners (except for sponsored dinners) will be the responsibility of participants. Conference papers can be ordered for duplication at participants’ cost.

Please confirm participation and reservation by June 30, 2006.

Please contact John Iremil Teodoro for information on other accommodations in Iloilo City.

Mailing Address: Philippine Studies Association, Inc.
40 Matiwasay Street, UP Village
Diliman, Quezon City 1101

For inquires, please contact the following:

John Iremil E. Teodoro

iremil@usa.edu.ph

Mobile: (+63) 9173051491

Tomasito T. Talledo

tomastalledo@yahoo.com
Mobile: (+63) 9205950059

Bernardita R. Churchill

nitachurchill@hotmail.com
Fax: (+63)(2) 926-1347

Francis A. Gealogo

fgealogo@ateneo.edu

Mobile: (+63)9216999417

call for submission: caracoa 2006

from joel toledo: Caracoa, the official literary publication of the Philippine Literary Arts Council (PLAC) and the longest-running journal of poetry in English in Asia, is now accepting submissions for Caracoa 2006. The return of Caracoa marks the 25th anniversary of the PLAC. It will be the first Caracoa anthology to come out in almost ten years. There is no specific theme for this issue. Those interested should submit two unpublished poems in English via email (word attachment only) thru caracoa2006@yahoo.com. Deadline for submission is May 15, 2006.

Those submitting should include their contact info and a brief bio-data.

Caracoa 2006 will showcase the works of 20 to 25 poets and will be guest edited by Lourd de Veyra and Joel Toledo along with a group of other poets writing in English. Caracoa 2006 is targeted for publication this coming June (not September as originally posted), and will be the first in what is envisioned to be a semi-annual publication of the journal.

lourd de veyra

joel toledo

About PLAC

PLAC or Philippine Literary Arts Council was founded in September 1981 by prominent English-language poets Gémino H. Abad, Cirilo F. Bautista, Alfrredo Navarro Salanga, Ricardo M. de Ungria and Alfred A. Yuson. The group edited and published Caracoa: The Poetry Journal of the Philippine Literary Arts Council, until it became a regular quarterly by the mid-1980s, with funding and administrative support provided by British businessman and writer Michael Adams.

Intermittent funding led to sporadic release in the 1990s, until the heretofore last issue, Caracoa 96, theme-titled "Heroes & History," which came out in 1996 as part of the start of the Philippine Centennial celebration. It was actually the 27th issue of the poetry journal published within a span of 15 years.

PLAC members

By then PLAC had expanded its membership to include notable fictionists in English, so that its roster of membership read as follows. Honorary Fellows: Carlos A. Angeles, Franz Arcellana, Tita Lacambra Ayala, Erwin E. Castillo, Ricaredo Demetillo, Ophelia A. Dimalanta, NVM Gonzalez, Edna Z. Manlapaz, Bienvenido N. Santos, Edith L. Tiempo and Emmanuel Torres.

Associate Fellows: Cesar Ruiz Aquino, Juaniyo Arcellana, Ma. Luisa Aguilar B. Cariño, Fidelito C. Cortes, Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., Simeon Dumdum Jr., Marjorie Evasco, Felix Fojas, Eric Gamalinda, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Marne Kilates, Susan Lara, Clovis Nazareno, Charlson L. Ong, Danton Remoto, Ramon C. Sunico, Cesare A.X. Syjuco, Ma. Fatima V. Lim-Wilson and Ruel S. de Vera.

The Founding Fellows still comprise the Board of Trustees, with the exception of the late Freddie Salanga. Outstanding thematic issues of Caracoa have included: Caracoa 1 featuring early works by PLAC's founders; Caracoa 3: Nine Women Poets (October 1983: Bing Caballero, Ma. Fe Rhodora A. Espinosa, Ma. Linda Felipe, Fanny Haydee B. Llego, Priscilla C. Supnet Macansantos, Ma. Annella Manalo, Grace R. Monte de Ramos and Marjorie E. Pernia); Caracoa 4: New Voices (July 1984: Ramon Bautista, Fidelito Cortes, Francis C. Macansantos, Clovis Nazareno, R. Torres Pandan, Victor Jose Peñaranda and Ernesto Superal Yee); Caracoa 5: Sub Versu -- An Anthology of Poetry in Protest (November 1984); Caracoa 6: Eros -- Poems of Love and Desire (February 1985); Caracoa 7: Breaktext -- Poems Dancing on Their Heads (May 1985); Caracoa 8: Genius Loci: Poetry of Place (August 1985); Caracoa 9: Meta -- Of God, Death & Beyond (November 1985); Caracoa 10: R+A+D+I+O (February 1986, featuring the first poetry collection of Ricardo M. de Ungria); Caracoa 11: Coup d'EDSA -- Poems on Freedom (May 1986); Caracoa 15: Ex Patria; Caracoa 17: Women of Letters (January 1988); Caracoa 20: In Memoriam: Alfrredo Navarro Salanga (November 1988); Caracoa 22: GAIA: Versecology -- In Celebration of Earth Day 1990; Caracoa 24: Flipside -- Poems on America (January 1991); and Caracoa 26/95: Gaudeamus (1995: A Collection for the 1990s of New Voices, Award-Winning Poems & Recent Works by Established poets).

Caracoa

The caracoa was a war vessel plying the waters off Mindanao and the Moluccas in the 16th century. The rowers stayed close to the hull, while the warriors stood with their spears on a platform. The poet sat alone at the far end of the boat, manning the rudder. He was neither rower nor warrior, yet he decided where the prow should point. His own thoughts knifed through the immense sea of his solitude, though the waters kept him company. In him was rower and warrior; he himself was a double-decked vessel of grace and irony. He was far back, yet he provided direction. At times the caracoa lost its way. No matter. The sea would still be there, and the shoals would still be duly recorded.

solitude and kinship

writers have certain ways of dealing with solitude.

i've been working on the last few transcripts of my dvd camera interviews with writers across southeast asia and australia. i'm currently on merlinda bobis. i was particularly moved when merlin said that she had decided to write at age 10 primarily to overcome a deprivation. merlin felt the impulse to become a painter but her parents could not afford to buy her paint, brush and paper. bereft of equipment, merlin decided to paint with words instead.

what merlin did was strategic. out of adversity, the most sensitive person writes.

suddenly, i remember franz arcellana during my first years as a college teacher. we used to take short walks around diliman after our classes in the late 80s. he often spoke with authority pointing out the few trees he had grown. he even asked me to look after a tree he had planted behind the faculty center parking lot.

years later, i could not possibly turn my back on franz. or his tree. when i supervised the construction of the new arts building, i did everything to keep architects, engineers and contractors away from THAT tree. his favorite tree held on. it survives to this very day.

i was naturally thrilled when franz became national artist. but when i dropped by his class to congratulate him, i ended up saying the wrong things. wouldn’t it be deplorable to be disposed of at the libingan ng mga bayani?, i asked.

franz simply shrugged his shoulders. i see discomfort in his eyes. i must have embarrassed him.

realizing my clumsiness, i promptly apologized to franz. instead of showing further signs of irritation, he gave me a pat. i’ve always been alone, he replied. then he turned around, drifted back to his room and faded away.

perhaps ophie dimalanta was right some twenty years ago when she discussed the greatness of writers like dostoyevsky and tolstoy. throughout her lecture, ophie underscored how easily we get to share some affinity with writers who make us feel alone. because we are happily sad when we do so

it is 4:51 a.m. in canberra. throughout this entire maze at coombs, i have been the only one writing. it feels good to remember ophie, merlin, franz. there is warmth and certitude throughout this kinship.

with merlinda bobis in canberra

franz arcellana in diliman

ophelia dimalanta with edith tiempo in iowa

poets against empire: an anthology of contemporary filipino poetry in the age of globalization

Editors: Joi Barrios, Fidelito C. Cortes and Nerissa Balce

POETS AGAINST EMPIRE is a multi-lingual anthology of contemporary Filipino poems in English and in Filipino vernaculars (Tagalog, Ilokano, Hiligaynon,Bisaya etc. in translation) on the violence and vagaries of globalization including poverty, underemployment, exploitation, forced migration, dislocation, war, and the lived experiences of Filipina/o workers, migrants and the undocumented around the globe. We seek poems that depict Filipino global experiences and realities - the dreams, desires, fears and nightmares of Filipinos who live in the homeland or those forced to leave it. The collection will feature poems by Filipino writers and poets living in the Philippines or wherever the diaspora has taken them. We welcome contributions from new and established writers, in any of our national or regional languages. While we might consider some previously published works, the editors will give preference to new poems.

Submissions should be created as Word documents, sent as JPEG or PDF files.

Contributors must send the following:
1) A brief paragraph on the author
2) Poem(s)

Poems that will be chosen for publication in the anthology will be announced in October 1, 2006.

Deadline for submissions: July 1, 2006

E-mail for submissions: desarapen@gmail.com

Maria Nerissa S. Balce
Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature
Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
409 Herter Hall
161 President's Drive
Amherst, MA 01003-9312
O: 413-545-0832

tita vicky huntley

a few days ago, tita vicky passed away after a long bout with cancer. she died fully aware of how she was deeply cared for. at calvary hospital, her closest family members and friends took turns in looking after her. in particular, tita melinda tria-kerkvliet and tita medina pawley were frequently by her side, always cheering her on. when tita vicky moved on, hundreds of people turned up for her final rites at st. joseph’s church in o’connor. this year’s pabasa at lydia pattugalan’s residence is particularly meaningful because many of us are commemorating lent for the first time without tita vicky.

i have seen how tita vicky kicked herself into the upliftment of many philippine lives in canberra. unfailingly, she picked up students to and from toad hall during philippine studies group (p.s.g.) lectures. the evening before each lecture, she would prepare something ilocano for the potluck eating sessions. she would be the first one to whip up an extra dish during possibilities of a food shortage. she was always ready to impart strength and confidence to desolate-looking filipinos adjusting to the slow turn of events in canberra. she was mother hen, auntie, sister, cheerleader and grand alalay to many of us here.

i miss tita vicky because there are very few people of her kind in this world. she didn’t seek the limelight and she didn’t take herself seriously. but perpetually, she was always thinking about initiatives in order to uplift the state of things around her without causing too much fanfare.

i have been fortunate to witness replications of tita vicky elsewhere. many of these replications involved filipino women. just like tita vicky, these women were always ready to serve their families, friends and communities with intensity and commitment.

but i always remember tita vicky because she was uniquely devoted as tito doug's wife, breadwinner to her immediate family back in pangasinan, sister to tita melinda and tita medina and surrogate mother to many pinoy students here in canberra. in style, she has asserted the specificities of her subject-position as a filipino-australian woman.

a class act. that's my tita vicky.

pabasa in canberra

lydia pattugalan (in orange vest), past president of the philippine-australian senior citizens organization of canberra (pascoc), pabasa pioneer and organizer,

with members of the filipino-australian community in canberra

(9 april 2006)

writers' manifesto of unity on freedom of expression

(Prepared by the Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, March 2006)

Kapag malubha na ang init, sumasabog din ang bulkanPag labis ang pagkadustay naninigid din ang langgam;At ang bayan, kahit munti, kung inip na sa karimlanSa talim ng isang tabak hinahanap ang liwayway!

-“Bonifacio” by Amado Hernandez

We are writers belonging to various organizations, publications, academic institutions, and artist formations, or simply individuals, who manifest our commitment to the full realization of the freedom of expression.

The practice of writing in our country is a witness of history. Since literacy has only been enjoyed by the majority of the people in less than a hundred years, much of writing has focused on dealing with immediate demands. We often write when we fill out record forms, we write when we study, we study in school for a better future; we struggle for a better future in our daily living.

But the significance of writing is communicating with the widest audience possible concerning the most important issues of the day. There are many examples in our history: the 19th century ilustrado propaganda movement in Spain, the activists' second propaganda movement in the 60s and 70s detailing society's ills and offering concrete solutions, the mosquito press during the Marcos dictatorship, and the many exposes on graft, corruption, and conspiracy of the present.

Writing is inscribing reality. Writing is speaking truth to action.

Writers now are troubled by the suppression of the freedom of the press along with the freedom of assembly and speech. We maintain that our commitment to writing is our right as an individual that must never be violated by any entity. We believe that our right to write corresponds with the people's right to know. With the people, we fight all forms of harassment, surveillance, confiscation of materials, arrests, detention, and killings done in the name of protecting whatever interests that run opposed to the writer's freedom to express.

As writers, we strongly manifest the struggle for the people's hard-earned freedom of expression.

Individuals

Abigail Taguba Bengwayan, Cordillera Peoples Alliance
Aida Santos, Akdang Bayan
Ainne Francisco Dela Cruz
Alexander Martin Remollino, Bulatlat Online Magazine
Alice G. Guillermo
Allan Lopez
Amabelle Plaza-Laminero, Davao City, Women Feature's Service
Amante del Mundo, UP Manila
Angelo B. Ancheta

Anna Unson Price, Manila Bulletin
Aquiles Z. Zonio, PDI/Sunstar-Gensan
Arah Jell Badayos, ABS CBN
Ariel Borlongan
Armando Malay Jr., UP Diliman
Arnold Padilla, IBON Foundation
Arvin T. Ello, DLSU-Manila/ Art Association of the Philippines
Aubrey Aspi, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Aubrey Makilan, Bulatlat
Audrey Beltran
Aurora Veronika, LAMIKMIK KOLUM Abante-Tonite
Aurora Yumul
Ave Perez Jacob, PUP
Aya Jallorina
Ayn Frances dela Cruz
Babes Alejo
Benrey Densing
Bernard Gutierrez, BURN! Express, Indiemagazine/Vinyard
Bernice Roldan
Bernie Ramos, Buhay Manggagawa Radio Program
Beverly W. Siy
Bienvenido Lumbera, CAP
Bishop Bert Calang Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Bonifacio Ilagan, CAP
Boom Enriquez
Bor Ocampo
Carl Parungo
Carla M. Pacis
Carlos Manansala
Carolina S. Malay
Chari Lucero
Charlie S. Veric
Charlson Ong
Clarissa V. Militante
Corazon Amaya-Canete, Kisapmata Multi-Media Productions
D. L. Mondelo, Bulatlat Online Magazine, Pinoy Abrod Ngayon (Amsterdam)
Danilo A. Arao, Bulatlat Online Magazine
David Dizon, www.abs-cbnNEWS.com
Delia D. Aguilar
Dennis Espada
Dennis Marasigan
Dennis S. Aguinaldo
Desiree Caluza, Philippine Daily Inquirer/NUJP
Dino Manrique, Publisher, Filipino Writer.com
Edberto Villegas, UP Manila Department of Arts and Communication
Ederic Eder, Tinig.com
Ellen Tordesillas
Eloise Lee, Filipino Community Center, San Francisco, CA. U.S.A.
Emong de Borja
Epifano San Juan, Jr., Philippine Cultural Studies Center, USA
Ernanie Rafael, LIRA, Pinoy Poets
Ernesto S. Yee, Dumaguete Literary Arts
Fe P. Koons, Diaryo Pilipino, Carson, CA, U.SA.
Frank Cimatu
Gari Lazaro
Gelacio Guillermo
Gemino H. Abad, Phillippine Literary Arts Council
Genaro R. Gojo Cruz
Gerry Albert Corpuz, Bulatlat Online Magazine
Gerry Baldo, The Daily Tribune
Gerry S. Rubio, Virac, Catanduanes
Glenis Teresa C. Balangue
Greg T. Fabros, Titser ng Bayan Column
Harthwell C. Capistrano, The News Express
Henri Rose Cimatu
Herminio Beltran,CCP, Literature Department
Hilda Rosca Nartea, Silangan Shimbun
Ilang-Ilang Quijano, Pinoy Weekly
Imelda Aznar
Ina Alleco R. Silverio, Hong Kong News
Inday Espina-Varona, NUJP; Phil. Graphic
Inshallah P. Montero, PHSA
Iskho F. Lopez
Jaime Manuel Flores, UP Manila Dept of Arts & Communication
James Gabrillo
Jan Philippe V. Carpio, Linao Films
Jaydee Revolta
Jeffrey Arellano Cabusao
Jennifer del Rosario-Malonzo, IBON Foundation
Jimmy Doming
Jimuel C. Naval
Joan Dairo, GMANews.TV
Joaquin T. Taduran. JR
Joe Galvez
Joe Torres, NUJP
Joel M. Toledo
Joel Saracho, Tbak
Joey Salanio (KAPITBISIG GERMANY)
John Francis C. Losaria, UP CINEMA / UP Sining at Lipunan
John Marasigan
Joi Barrios, BAYAN Women's Desk
Jonar Sabilano, Matanglawin (AdMU)
Jonna Baldres
Jorly B. Belisario PUP Journalism Circle
Jose Cosido, CEGP
Jose Dalisay Jr.
Jose Dennis C. Teodosio
Jose F. Lacaba
Jose Jaime Espina , Article 3 Alliance, Negros Occidental
Jose Maria Sison, International Network for Philippine Studies, Utrecht, TheNetherlands
Jose Ogatis, UP Manila Dept of Arts & Communication
Jose Valencia , BALITA (Greece and Cyprus)
Jose Wendell Capili
JPaul Manzanilla, UP Manila Dept of Arts & Communication
Julie L. Po
Jun Cruz Reyes, Institute of Creative Writing - UP Diliman
Juniel Tumampos, CEGP BUKIDNON
Kapi Capistrano
Karl Fredrick M. Castro, UP Sining at Lipunan, Tinig ng Plaridel UP
Karl G.Ombion, PanayNews; Bulatlat News online
Kenneth Roland A. Guda, Pinoy Weekly
Laarni Ilagan
Lei Garcia, CONTAK Philippines
Lilia Quindoza Santiago
Lisa C. Ito, Anakpawis Party List
Liza Magtoto
Lolito R. Go Jr.
Lorina M. Javier
Lourd de Veyra
Lucy Mae San Pablo Burns, Critical Filipino/Studies Collective, LA
Mac Ramirez - MIGRANTE Youth
Mae Ann Yazon, Buhay Manggagawa Radio Program
Malaya V. Verdan, PUP Journalism Circle
Manuel C. Zacarias, NCR Secondary School Paper Advisers' Assn.
Manuel L. Quezon III, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Mao Hermitanio, KMU Public Info Dept.
Marby Villaceran
Maricel P. Montero
Maricristh Magaling, KMU Public Information Office
Mario Bautista
Mario Miclat
Marjorie Evasco, Creative Writing Foundation
Mark A.V. Funcion
Mark Angeles
Marlene C. Francia, MiaManila
Marrz Saludez Balaoro
Mary Joanne Bustinera
MC Gonzales
Mela Castillo - Antonio Zumel Center for Press Freedom
Melvin C. Gascon, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Melvin Mapa, Art Dir., ACE SAATCHI & SAATCHI
Merce Planta
Merpu P. Roa, Filipino Express, New York, USA
Michael Ian LomongoMichaelangelo Sotero
Migs Villanueva
Mila D. Aguilar
Minnie F. Lopez, SENTRA, KATHA
Mykel Andrada, Departmant of Filipino, UP Diliman
Ninotchka Rosca, GABRIELA International Network
Noel Sales Barcelona, Pinoy Weekly
Ofelia A. Cantor
Paolo Manalo
Patrocinio V. Villafuerte, PNU
Paul M. Gutierrez, Journal Group
Presto Suyat, KMU Public Info Dept.
Ramon Guillermo, CONTEND
Ramon Nepomuceno Orbeta, TINTADOS/ Z publishing
Randy P. Valiente
Raul Funilas, LIRA
Raymund Villanueva
Recah Trinidad, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Reginald Jamir Brotonel, Hong Kong News
Renato Mabilin, Southern Tagalog Exposure
Rene Villanueva
Rep. Satur Ocampo, Bayan Muna Partylist
Resty Odon
Rev. Fr. Francisco R. Albano, Ilagan, Isabela
Rhea Claire Madarang, Pinoypoets
Rica Palis ARTIST, Inc.
Richard B. Ernacio PUP Journalism Circle
Richard R. Gappi
Robert De Castro, Bayan Muna Partylist
Rodelen C.Paccial, dagyangpulong writers group, Iloilo City
Rodne R. Galicha, Romblon
Rody Vera, The Writers Bloc-- Philippines
Roel Hoang Manipon,The Daily Tribune
Rolando Tolentino, UP Diliman
Romeo Ayson Zetazate
Romulo Baquiran
Ronald A. Atilano
Ronalyn Olea, BAYAN
Ronnie M. Halos, Pilipino Star NGAYON
Rorie R. Fajardo
Rowena Paraan, NUJP/Philippine Graphic magazine
Roy Vives Anunciacion, INQUIRER LIBRE
Ruth Cervantes, Karapatan
Santiago Villafania, Ulupan-Pangasinan
Sig Barros-Sanchez
Soc Jose, CAP
Soliman Agulto Santos, Pinoy Weekly,
Sonny E. Fernandez, Exec. Prod., Sentro, ABC 5
Susan S. Lara, Creative Writing Foundation, Inc.
Tess Galapon, Sining Lila Gabriela
Tyrone Velez, Bulatlat Online Magazine, davaotoday.com
Vic Billones III
Villamor Visaya Jr., PDI,The Valley Times, Isabela
Vim Nadera
Vincent Jan Cruz Rubio
Vincent Michael Borneo, Bayan Muna
Virgilio Rivas
Virginia M. Villanueva
Vlad Gonzales
Wilma Abad
Zosimo Quibilan

Organizations

Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, Inc. (AVHRC)
Aniban ng mga Manunulat at Artista para sa Demokrasya (AMADO)
Antonio Zumel Center for Press Freedom, Committee DEFEND
Buhay Manggagawa Radio Program
Bulatlat Online Magazine
Campus Press Photographers of the Philippines (CPPP), INC.
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP)
Cultural Studies Center
Kapisanan ng mga Mandudula sa Marikina
Kilometer 64
Musikang Bayan
National Union Of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP)
Ngayon na Bayan!
Peoples Chorale
Pinoy Weekly
Sining Bugkos
Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan (Sinagbayan)
Southern Tagalog Exposure (STEx)
Tan-aw Multimedia Collective, Northern Media and Information Network, Inc.