Your Chance to Participate in our Outdoor Banner Project

So here's an idea - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FILIPINO? Send us your answer - in either English or Filipino - in 30 words or less, and if we like it, we'll include it in some of the banners that will line the UP Academic Oval in June 2009, and which will eventually be converted into tote bags that will be sold for charity. (If you have no idea about what we're talking about, scroll down to our previous entry, or else, click here.)

All we can offer is proper attribution, so be sure to state your name as you would want it to appear on the banner, if ever.

You'll still own all rights to your words - but by submitting an entry, you give us royalty-free permission to display your words on the banners, on our website and for a book that we may publish on the artworks and words that were part of the banner exhibit.

So think about it, put it into words, email us at info@canvas.ph on or before May 15, 2009 - and be part of this unique and exciting show!

An Update on our Park and Banner Projects

Our Pacific Rim Park Project is definitely a go… 25 students from China, South Korea, the United States, Russia, Mexico and of course the Philippines are converging in Manila on May 3 and head off to Palawan on May 5. We will launch the park in Puerto Princesa on Saturday, May 30. We don’t know what it will look like yet, but we’re going to have a blast finding out!

To celebrate the opening, we’re finally realizing our outdoor banner idea - the one that started this blog in the first place - also on March 30. Just to give you a refresher, as part of CANVAS’ Looking for Juan program, we are organizing a group exhibit and are asking artists to produce original works on the theme of “What It Means to Be Filipino.” But we will also use the images to produce large tarpaulin banners that will then be exhibited in a public park or space (definitely now in Puerto Princesa on May 30, and in UP to line the Academic Oval with the banners in June just in time for opening of classes and Independence Day), so that people can also walk, enjoy and reflect upon them in a non-intimidating and relaxed environment.

After the end of the outdoor exhibit, if our talks go well, we hope to take the banners and bring them to TrasheBolsas, a livelihood project that provides advice and assistance to poor local communities to transform used tarps into unique, strong, durable bags that would then be sold for charity. We’ve identified Padyak, a UP Mountaineers-led organization that promotes cycling and environmentalism in UP, as our main beneficiary for this project.

As for the original works, those that are submitted early or in time will be showcased on May 12 at the CCP. So far, participating artists include Daniel Aligaen, Mark Arcamo, Ral Arogante, Anton Balao, Jeho Bitangcor, Plet Bolipata, Malyn Bonayog, Elmer Borlongan, Serj Bumatay, Michael Cacnio, Buen Calubayan, Jef Carnay, Marika Constantino, Dansoy Coquilla, Don Dalmacio, Kawayan de Guia, Kidlat de Guia, Crisanto De Leon, Maan De Loyola, Farley del Rosario, Anthony Fermin, Tina Fernandez, Karen Flores, Emmanuel Garibay, Sajid Imao, Agang Maganda, Josue Mangrobang, Lotsu Manes, Roel Obemio, Jay Pacena II, Anthony Palomo, Jucar Raquepo, Iggy Rodriguez, Kirby Roxas, Mark Salvatus, CJ Tanedo, Rodel Tapaya, Daniel Tayona, Wesley Valenzuela, Ian Valladarez and some 20-30 students from the UP College of Fine Arts.

But we’re still inviting, waiting to hear and accepting more works from other artists and writers (so we can present their words on the Filipino identity on some of the banners as well), and those other works will be exhibited in various other venues in June as well. We hope to have gathered at least 100 participants by then.

It's all very very exciting!

* Submitted works by Josue Mangrobang, Daniel Aligaen, Mark Arcamo and Anton Balao.

Tune in/Watch: “Earth Facts and Tales: Share and Publish Them”

Have you ever dreamed of writing a book but do not know where and how to start? If so, this episode of Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! is for you.

Do you have some important information and stories on the environment—changes that you have observed, programs and projects that you are involved in, best practices that can be models for others, and similar information that can make others appreciate the environment and protect it? If so, this episode is for you.

Do you want children to read and enjoy books on earth facts and tales so that they may understand and appreciate global warming, pollution, recycling, and other similar topics that will encourage them to help make our planet a better place? If so, this episode is for you—and them.

Tune in or watch Kalikasan, Kaunlaran! (KK!) on March 25, 2009, Wednesday, 6:30-7:30 PM, at DZRH-AM radio (666 in Metro Manila, other kHz nationwide), TV (Ch. 9 in Metro Manila, other cable TV channels nationwide), & Internet (http://dzrh.tripod.com or http://dzrh.prepys.com).

Guests are: TOWNS Awardee Karina Bolasco, Publishing Manager, Anvil, and Daniel Palma Tayona, Creative Director, CANVAS. Dr. Cora Claudio, President, EARTH Institute Asia, will moderate the discussion in conversational Tagalog-English.

Join the contests, campaigns & projects of EARTH/KK! To join all, register as a KK! listener by texting 2299: earthyour message.

KK! co-producers are EARTH Inst. Asia & DZRH, with the support of Unilever, Unilab, Manila Water, Pilipinas Shell, FERN, Inc., Toby's Sports, Delbros Supply Chain Solutions, Yehey.Com, MAP, & Brahma Kumaris, & with the cooperation of GREEN Army, PFST, TOWNS, PBE, AIJC, PEIA, DENR, MabuhayRadio, SanibLakas, & various egroups & environment-caring groups/individuals.

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2. Join the EARTHnetwork for Sustainable Living —a network of producers, sellers, & consumers of eco-products. This was successfully launched at the Eco-Products International Fair 2009, which was held on March 19-22, 2009 in the SMX Convention Center. Noted environmentalist Odette Alcantara has this to say on the EARTHnetwork Booth: “This is the best booth in this Fair!”

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3. Attend the free briefing on the EARTHnetwork: a) In Metro Manila: Saturday, March 28, 2008, 1-5 PM, Penthouse, Professional Tower Building, corner EDSA & Boni Ave. or b) In Baguio: Monday, March 30, 2009, 1-5 PM, Veniz Hotel, No. 1 Abanao St. Pls forward this invitation to others who want to earn more while caring for the environment.

Inquiries: 671-3266, 0917-829-1718, earthinstitute@gmail.com.

Lights Off on the 28th at 8:30pm!!!

Yet another chance to cast a vote that matters! Go out, enjoy the moonlight and vote on March 28!

Finally, A Chance to Vote for Someone Who Actually Matters

From Good News Pilipinas:

A 27-year-old Filipino worker who grew up near the slums of Cavite has been named a “CNN Hero” as part of the news network’s program honoring ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary feats around the world.

Efren Peñaflorida Jr., who organized Dynamic Teen Co. as a teenager to bring education to unschooled and neglected street children, was featured on CNN’s Larry King Live last Friday, March 5.

Born to Efren Sr., a tricycle driver, and Lucila Geronimo, a housewife, Peñaflorida grew up near the city’s open dump, where he played and swam near the garbage.

Although he was harassed and threatened by gangs that terrorized his school, Penaflorida realized early on that many less fortunate children didn’t have his opportunity to go to school.

At 16, he recruited three high school friends to go to the slums on Saturdays to teach younger kids. The group, which began as a club to keep students from joining gangs and notorious fraternities that were thriving on campus, has become a 10,000-strong volunteer force that has tutored some 1,500 children from the slums.

Peñaflorida teaches at a private school in Cavite City and still accompanies volunteers to the slums every Saturday.

Peñaflorida is the third of about 32 CNN Heroes to be unveiled this year.

A blue ribbon panel will then select the top 10 CNN Heroes before the public selects the “CNN Hero of the Year” by voting at the CNN Heroes site (www.CNN.com/Heroes).

At a year-end gala, CNN will honor the 10 heroes and reveal the “CNN Hero of the Year,” who will receive $100,000.

Learn more about Efren and his amazing work by clicking here.

Art in the Park on Saturday, March 14!

Join us again at Art in the Park, the biannual art fair organized by the Museum Foundation of the Philippines in cooperation with Barangay Bel Air and Security Bank MasterCard that transforms a section of the park into an outdoor museum.

Galleries, independent art spaces, and art groups from all over Metro Manila come together allowing market goers and art aficionados to take a peek into what is happening in Manila’s very active art scene. With prices of paintings, photographs, sculpture and fine art prints pegged at a maximum of P20,000, it is a treat for both experienced collectors and first time art buyers.

CANVAS will be there with new prints (including Liza Flores' whimsical and enchanting works for The Star Thrower, one of which is shown below), our award winning books and other merchandise inspired by images from great young artists.

See you there!

October Sky by Liza Flores (2009)
Signed Limited Edition Giclee Print on Textured Fine Art Paper
with Handpainted Glow in the Dark Highlights
15.5”x9” (Edition size: 25)

Earth Tales is Off and Running!

CANVAS just sent another children's book off and running! :-) It's a collection of three very short environmental stories, and in keeping with International Women's Day (March 8 - our launch date), was illustrated by three Filipina artists.

Liza Flores (on the right) did the artworks for The Star Thrower. You can read the story, and view her artworks here.


In the picture above, Plet Bolipata wows a young fan. Plet's artworks for The Hummingbird can be seen here.

We missed our third artist, Ivee Olivares-Mellor (who is based in the UK), at the opening. Ivee rendered the artworks for The King and the Royal Trees, the only story in the collection whose origin is known. In the picture above, CANVAS director Delan Robillos reads a message sent by author Paul Aird, who generously shared the rights to his story with CANVAS.

Hazelle Preclaro of Wordlab School gave a wonderful reading for the kids. Wordlab is a nonprofit that enables children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities to develop into successful learners. Learn more about Wordlab here.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Earth Tales will help fund the projects of TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation's Service) Foundation. Pictured above is TOWNS president Lorna Kapunan who also spoke at the book launch.


Finally, some shameless plugs:

Earth Tales may be purchased at 1/of Gallery in Serendra and will soon be available in most major bookstores in Metro Manila. You can also place your orders by emailing info@canvas.ph.

An e-book version of Earth Tales will also be made available for free downloading soon on our website. Watch out for it!

Merchandise based on some images from the book may also be purchased online at CANVAS Downstream. Proceeds from the sales of these giftware help to support CANVAS efforts to promote Philippine art, culture and the environment.

ANOTHER BOOK LAUNCH - CANVAS EARTH TALES