EXCLUSIVE: THE SCARIEST APOCALYPTIC NOVEL IN THE WORLD, WRITTEN BY A FILIPINO OCCULTIST!

Here’s the trailer of the upcoming 2012 horror novel by Filipino exorcist Demogargon Saatbarmald (pronounced as: de-moh-gar-dzhon sa-bohr-moh) to be released in the first month of 2012. The novel is dubbed as “The scariest novel since Bram Stoker’s Dracula”, although it is not a vampire novel, according to the source of Pinoy Panitikan. It is written in Esperanto and translated to Filipino by ghost writer Harry S. Parker.

It will be a self-published novel.

Some scoop from reliable sources: The novel will be controversial as it tackles about demonology and pornography.

FLASH: BOB ONG TO RELEASE HIS NEW 8TH BOOK THIS 2010!

After Kapitan Sino became a bestselling book last year, Bob Ong released another bestseller! The book is entitled “Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan”.

 

"Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan" cover

Review from BebePhase (Click here to visit the blog)

It’s kind of hard to talk about this book without comparing it to the previous books of Bob Ong, but let me try to focus on this particular one only. Bob Ong wrote ABNKKBSNPLAKO, Bakit Baligtad Magbasa ang Mga Pilipino, Alamat ng Gubat, Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas, Stainless Longganisa, MacArthur, at Kapitan Sino. I do salute Bob Ong’s ability to engage the young ones in reading. I believed he touched a certain niche of readers, and those readers kept on following his every book release, even hound the publisher for his next book – yes, that includes me.

After reading his 8th book, I have this feeling that this book was “pre-overrated.” There were too much hype that readers tend to have their opinions influenced, when in fact the book wasn’t that wonderful. I am a Bob Ong fan, don’t get me wrong. I believe in his school of thought when it comes to writing stories, and he’s such a quotable writer – but let me clarify that all those quotes flying around Facebook pages are not all his.

This is his first horror-suspense book, and I know he intend not to confine himself on the same genre of stories, but not leaving his usual conversational style of narration. His 7 other books have different story formats, and topics, which I really enjoyed.

Anyway, let’s go back the book. The book is about Galo, his journal, and of course Mama Susan. A first-person narrative, or should I say a narrative based on Galo’s journal – which he writes due to his class requirement. Based on his journal, Galo is a college student, with a dysfunctional family, and lives with his adoptive Aunt, and was eventually sent to province. He stayed with his grandmother, and met various people with characters that played an important role in his journey in meeting Mama Susan.

The book has the same appeal as his other books – witty, funny, realistic and very Filipino.  His book is engaging in terms of his writing style, and it’s never hard to comprehend since he did converse in colloquial tagalog, not to mention the book wasn’t that thick in pages. Students who had experiences in writing journal just because their teachers required them so can really relate on Galo’s frustrations, while some who has a dysfunctional relationship with their relatives can understand what he is going through.

As I read the book, I find it “nakakainip” in terms of its horror aspect, especially when I was halfway to the back cover and I haven’t found the climax of the story, which I believe is with Mama Susan’s “appearance”. I was waiting for “Mama Susan” to be introduced, so I can start scaring myself, but it took a while for her to come out.

I think the book wasn’t really a horror-suspense story. There may be some aspects of “suspense” but not how I think it should be. I was expecting a book being told in a horror-suspense style from cover to cover.  The description wasn’t that really scary, or maybe because I got carried away with Galo’s ”cool” character. The book is good, but not how I want a horror-suspense should be. But of course, I know I am not the only reader to be considered.

Just like any Bob Ong book’s it has a message that wasn’t specifically written within the pages. I could tell that some political and religious aspect was discussed as Mama Susan cursed Galo on his wrong doings. There are religious issues being opened, and for sure readers started to look within themselves for some reflection.

Anyhow, no matter what my review about this book, I will still be buying Ong’s next book. I’m still a fan, after all.

WINNERS OF 2009 DON CARLOS PALANCA AWARDS IN LITERATURE ANNOUNCED!

WINNERS OF 59TH DON CARLOS PALANCA MEMORIAL AWARDS IN LITERATURE!

by Philstar

The Carlos Palanca Foundation announced yesterday 55 winners in this year’s Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature as well as the newest members of the Hall of Fame of the prestigious prize.

The 2009 Palanca Hall of Fame awardees are essayist Reuel Molina Aguila and poet Eugene Evasco, both professors at the University of the Philippines.

Aguila won his fifth first prize for his piece “Ngunit Wala Akong Litrato Noong Nasa Kolehiyo Ako” under the Sanaysay (essay in Filipino) category.

Evasco also received his fifth first prize for “May Tiyanak Sa Loob Ng Aking Bag” under the newly introduced category, Tulang Isinulat Para Sa Mga Bata (poetry for children).

The Palanca Hall of Fame is the distinction given to winners in the literary competition who have won five first prizes in the annual awards, and who, at the same time, have consistently met the critical standards of the various boards of judges, and have maintained a reputation in literary circles worthy of peer recognition.

The foundation said 62 percent of this year’s awardees are first time winners.

National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera was also conferred the Palanca Awards Gawad Dangal ng Lahi during the gala ceremonies held at The Peninsula Hotel Manila in Makati City.

Established in 1950 to honor Don Carlos Palanca Sr., the country’s most prestigious and longest-running literary contest “aims to help develop Philippine literature for writers to craft their most outstanding literary work; to be a treasury of the Philippines’ literary gems from our gifted writers; and to assist in its dissemination to the public, especially the students.”

The complete list of winners in the 59th Palanca awards:

Filipino Division

Dulang May Isang Yugto

1st – Layeta P. Bucoy (Doc Resurreccion: Gagamutin ang Bayan)

2nd – Liza C. Magtoto (Paigan)

3rd – Jose Dennis C. Teodosio (Asunto)

Sanaysay

1st – Reuel Molina Aguila (Ngunit Wala Akong Litrato Noong Nasa Kolehiyo Ako)

2nd – Jing Panganiban-Mendoza (Kumander)

3rd – Domingo G. Landicho, PhD (Kamay)

Tulang Isinulat para sa mga Bata

1st – Eugene Y. Evasco (May Tiyanak sa Loob ng Aking Bag)

2nd – Jesus M. Santiago (Kuwentong Matanda, Bersong Bata)

3rd – Michael M. Coroza (Munting Daigdig ng Dalit at Awit)

Kabataan Essay

1st – Axcel L. Trinidad (Si Ate Elsa, Si Aling Carmen, at Ako Laban sa mga Nangungunang Bansa sa Mundo)

2nd – Johanna Rose E. Calisin (Nagkakaisang Isip, Damdamin at Lakas)

3rd – Maya Victoria S. Rojas (Humabol Ka, Pilipino!)

Dulang Ganap ang Haba

1st – Rodolfo C. Vera (Ismail at Isabel)

2nd – Reuel Molina Aguila (Sa Kanto ng Wakas at Katotohanan Ext.)

3rd – Sir Anril P. Tiatco (Miss Dulce Extranjera)

Maikling Kuwento (Short Story)

1st – No Winner

2nd – Rogelio Braga (“MGA”)

3rd – Jimmuel C. Naval (Ang Kamatayan ng Isang Linggo)

Tula

1st – Reagan R. Maiquez (Ilang Sandali Makalipas ang Huling Araw ng Mundo)

2nd – Alwynn C. Javier (Yaong Pakpak na Binunot sa Akin)

3rd – Charles B. Tuvilla (Sambutil na Daigdig sa Ilalim ng Pilik)

Maikling Kuwentong Pambata

1st – Genaro R. Gojo Cruz (Mahabang-mahabang-mahaba)

2nd – Michael M. Coroza (Ang mga Kahon ni Kalon)

3rd – Milagros B. Gonzales (Ang Nanay Kong Lola)

Dulang Pampelikula

1st – Seymour Barros Sanchez & Christian M. Lacuesta (Hiwaga)

2nd – Jerry B. Gracio (Muli)

3rd – Enrique Ramos (Moonlight Over Baler)

Regional Division

Short Story – Cebuano

1st – Corazon M. Almerino (Sugmat)

2nd – Richel G. Dorotan (Biyahe)

3rd – Ferdinand L. Balino (Mga Mananap sa Kagabhion)

Short Story – Hiligaynon

1st – Ferdinand L. Balino (Kanamit Gid Sang Arroz Valenciana)

2nd – Alice Tan Gonzales (Baha)

3rd – Joselito Vladimir D. Perez (Ang Santo Intiero)

Short Story – Iluko

1st – Danilo B. Antalan (Vigan)

2nd – Ariel S. Tabag (Dagiti Ayup Iti Bantay Quimmallugong)

3rd – Reynaldo A. Duque (Ti Kararua Ni Roman Catolico, Mannaniw, Nga Immulog Iti Impierno)

English Division

Full-length Play

1st – No Winner

2nd – No Winner

3rd – Floy C. Quintos (Fake)

One–act Play

1st – No Winner

2nd – No Winner

3rd – Violet B. Lucasi (Balangao)

Kabataan Essay

1st – Cristina Gratia T. Tantengco (The Benefits of Selflessness)

2nd – Vincen Gregory Y. Yu (Dreams and Pastures)

3rd – Angelita A. Bombarda (On Being Filipino: A Citizen to the World)

Poetry

1st – Vincenz Serrano (The Collapse of What Separates Us)

2nd – Eliza A. Victoria (Reportage)

3rd – Mark Anthony R. Cayanan (Placelessness: Poems from a Series)

Poetry Written for Children

1st – Edgardo B. Maranan (The Google Song & Other Rhymes for Children)

2nd – Heidi Emily Eusebio Abad (Child of Earth Poems)

3rd – H. Francisco V. Penones Jr. (Turtle and Other Poems for Children)

Short Story

1st – Sigfredo R. Iñigo (Home of the Sierra Madre)

2nd – Anne Lagamayo (Mr. & Mrs. Reyes and the Polka-dotted Sofa)

3rd – Luis Katigbak (Dear Distance)

Short Story for Children

1st – Kathleen Aton-Osias (Apolinario and the Name Trader)

2nd – Edgardo B. Maranan (The Artist of the Cave)

3rd – Paolo Gabriel V. Chikiamco (Dear Mr. Supremo)

Essay

1st – Edgardo B. Maranan (A Passage Through the Storm)

2nd – Erlinda Enriquez Panlilio (Saying Goodbye to the House)

3rd – Maria Teresa P. Garcia (Sweet of the Earth)

Hall of Fame Awards for 2009

Reuel Molina Aguila

1992- “How I Spent My Summer Vacation o Kung Papaano Ko Ipinaliwanag Sa Aking Mga Anak Ang Pagkatalo Ng Aking Kandidato Sa Nakaraang Eleksyon,” Sanaysay

1993- “May Katulong Sa Aking Sopas,” Sanaysay

2001- “Ampalaya,” Futuristic Fiction-Filipino

2005- “Baligho (Ikatlo sa Trilohiya),” Dulang Ganap Ang Haba

2009- “Ngunit Wala Akong Litrato Noong Nasa Kolehiyo Ako,” Sanaysay

Eugene Y. Evasco

2000- “Ang Maisisilid Sa Pandama,” Tula

2000- “Hilong Talilong,” Maikling Kuwentong Pambata

2001- “Mga Pilat Sa Pilak,” Sanaysay

2005- “Tag-Araw Ng Mga Ibong Hilaga,” Maikling Kuwentong  Pambata

2009- “May Tiyanak Sa Loob Ng Aking Bag,” Tulang Isinulat Para Sa Mga Bata

BOB ONG’S KAPITAN SINO UPDATES: GRAB YOUR COPY NOW AT THE NEAREST BOOKSTORES!

THERE IS SOMETHING STRANGE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Naunahan na naman ang mga pulis sa pagtugis sa mga holdaper ng isang jewelry shop. Bago noon, may iba na ring nakahuli sa isang carnaper; sumaklolo sa mga taong nasa itaas ng nasusunog na building; nagligtas sa sanggol na hinostage ng ama; tumulong para makatawid sa kalsada ang isang matanda; tumiklo sa mga miyembro ng Akyat-Bahay; sumagip sa mag-anak na tinangay ng tubig-baha; nag-landing nang maayos sa isang Boeing 747 na nasiraan ng engine; at nagpasabog sa isang higanteng robot. Pero sino ang taong ‘yon? Maililigtas nya ba sila Aling Baby? At ano nga ba talaga ang sabon ng mga artista?

KAPITAN SINO

Ang pinakabagong superhero noon.
Mas matibay pa sa orig.
Sa mas mahabang panahon.

KAPITAN SINO
ni Bob Ong
ISBN: 978-9710-54501-8
168 pages, paperback
Filipiniana, FICTION
Suggested Retail Price: P175.00

*NOW available in Pandayan Bookshop branches 05.13.09
Powerbooks: Trinoma, SM Megamall, Shangri-la, Glorietta & Greenbelt 05.15.09

**UPDATE as of 05.19.09
Now in selected National Bookstore branches
Best to call your branches to inquire of the book’s availability.
Konting pasensiya lang po at mahina ang kalaban.
We’re hoping to reach all branches nationwide before the month ends.

**Now available in: (as of 05.25.09)
Fully Booked branches
Merriam&Webster Kalookan branch
101 Boutique (UPLB)
Newsies Books & Magazines (Gaisano Mall, Butuan City)
Divisoria.com (for international orders)

Next week in:
Sunlife Bookstore (Lucena City)

Call For Submissions – Philippine Speculative Fiction V

Details:

Editors Nikki Alfar and Vin Simbulan are now accepting submissions of short fiction pieces for consideration for the anthology “PHILIPPINE SPECULATIVE FICTION V“.

Speculative fiction is the literature of wonder that spans the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror and magic realism or falls into the cracks in-between.

1. Only works of speculative fiction will be considered for publication. As works of the imagination, the theme is open and free.

2. Stories must cater to an adult sensibility. However, if you have a Young Adult story that is particularly well-written, send it in.

3. Stories must be written in English.

4. Stories must be authored by Filipinos or those of Philippine ancestry.

5. Preference will be given to original unpublished stories, but previously published stories will also be considered. In the case of previously published material, kindly include the title of the publishing entity and the publication date. Kindly state also in your cover letter that you have the permission, if necessary, from the original publishing entity to republish your work.

6. First time authors are welcome to submit. In the first four volumes, we had a  good mix of established and new authors. Good stories trump literary credentials anytime.

7. No multiple submissions. Each author may submit only one story for consideration.

8. Each story’s word count must be no fewer than 1,500 words and no more than 7,500 words.

9. All submissions must be in Rich Text Format (.rtf – save the document as .rft on your word processor) and attached to an email to this address: nikkialfar@gmail.com. Submissions received in any other format will be deleted, unread.

10. The subject of your email must read: PSF5 Submission: (title) (word count); where (title) is replaced by the title of your short story, without the parentheses, and (word count) is the word count of your story, without the parentheses. For example – PSF5 Submission: Meeting Makiling 4500.

11. All submissions must be accompanied by a cover letter that includes your name, brief bio, contact information, previous publications (if any). Introduce yourself.

12. Deadline for submissions is October 15, 2009. After that date, final choices will be made and letters of acceptance or regret sent out via email. Target publishing date is February 2010.

14. Compensation for selected stories will be 2 contributor’s copies of the published anthology as well as a share in aggregrate royalties.

Kindly help spread the word. Feel free to cut and paste or link to this on your blogs or e-groups.

Thanks,

Nikki Alfar

Vin Simbulan

Dean Francis Alfar

Panitikan News: Bob Ong to release his new book this May 1, 2009

After hundreds of thousands of BobOng books being published and sold in the Philippines, Bob Ong, a reknown anonymous writer comes out with his new book to be released on May 1, 2009, cpurtesy of his publisher, Visual Print Enterprise.

According to the teaser made by Visprint Enterprise, Bob Ong’s new book might be a short fiction about a new Filipino Superhero. Yet, the publisher released no other information about Bob Ong’s new book.

Visitors of Visprint Enterprise official website watched the embedded YouTube video about the teaser of Bob Ong’s new book. They noticed that it emphasizes a new Filipino Superhero of the new century together with the word “Sino”.

Meanwhile, Visprint Enterprise guaranteed to the Bob Ong fans that the new book will be entertaining, bound with moral lessons. Bob Ong’s trademark will remain, said one of the Visprint staff.

Or watch the teaser by clicking here.

Can’t wait?

2008 Don Carlos Palanca Awards in Literature Winners!!!

TIME IS RUNNING FAST and only few days left before the announcement of winners of the 2008 edition of Palanca awards. Philippines’ one of the respectable and inspiring writer, Mr. Dean Francis Alfar, made an icing lists of the new cream of the crop. Pinoy Panitikan wants to congratulate this years winners.

This is a partial list of Palanca Awards 2008 winners courtesy of Mr. Dean Alfar (http://deanalfar.blogspot.com/2008/08/carlos-palanca-award-winners-2008.html)

Novel, Filipino
Grand Prize – Norman Wilwayco

Novel, English
Grand Prize – Miguel Syjuco

Short Story, English
1st – Ian Rosales Casocot
2nd – Tara FT Sering

Short Story for Children, English
1st – Celestine Trinidad
2nd – no award given
3rd – Kate Aton-Osias

Poetry, English
1st – Francis Macansantos
2nd – Mookie Katigbak
3rd – Marie La Viña

Essay, English
1st – Butch Guerrero
2nd – Ina Stuart Santiago

One-Act Play, English
2nd – Percival Intalan

Poetry, Filipino
1st – Mikael Co

Short Story for Children, Filipino
1st – no award given
2nd – April Imson
3rd – Allan Derain

Essay, Filipino
1st – Jing Panganiban-Mendoza
2nd – Michael M. Coroza

Short Story, Filipino
3rd – Rommel Rodriguez

One-Act Play, Filipino
1st – Floy Quintos

For more info and updates, just visit Mr. Dean Alfar’s blog or stay in touch with Pinoy Panitikan.

Congratulations to the winners!

4th Muralla Writing Contest in Letran: Deadline of submission is on July 16 or 31, 2008!

TO ALL LETRANITES:

IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS IN WRITING AND SHOW WHAT YOU’VE GOT!

The Lance, the official student publication of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, now launches the prestigious 4th Muralla Literary Awards with the theme “SPLIT ENDS”. Any Letranites with special talent in writing can voice out their emotions and feelings through SHORT STORIES, POEMS AND ESSAYS. Interested parties may send their entries to: eic.thelance@gmail.com

Show your talent, Letranites! Aim high! Be discovered in the field of writing!

The deadline of submission of entries, according to The Lance is either July 16 (aacording to the posters) or July 31 (according to the published material), 2008.

Good luck!

Submission for 2008 Palanca Awards is now closed; Wait for announcement of winners on September 1, 2008

THE SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES FOR 2008 DON CARLOS PALANCA AWARDS in literature is now officially closed last April 30, 2008. Thousands of literary entries the foundation received from different parts of the Philippines and some parts of the world. Many writer hopefuls will try their luck to achieve the prestigious literary award in the Philippines. Many who joined the awards are first time writers, and some are already veteran. But the most icy part of the awards is the Hall of Fame Award, where the foundation awards best writers who got 5 1st prize awards in the CPMA. Some of Hall of Fame Awardees are Jun Lana, a well-known script writer for movies. Best known of his works is the script entitled “Cariño Brutal” who became box office in the Philippine Cinema during the ’90’s.

Other known Palanca Awardee is Eros Atalia, who already published a book, with courtesy of Visual Print Enterprise (for more info: visit http://visprint.net for details).

Many newbie writers also joined this year. Harry S. Parker, a Pinoy-Frenchman, joined this year with his entry “Por Ti Podria Morir (I Will Die For You) in short story category – English Division. Demogargon Saatbarmald, a student of Colegio de San Juan de Letran also joined the awards with his entry “Desperate Virgin and other Poems” (Poetry category – English Division). Others are: Jason Capaluerga (Night Shadow, short story, english); Marissa Bernardez (Queen of the Night, short story, english); Greg Mariano (Isang Pangako, short story, filipino); Fatima Buencamino (Good Days in April, poetry, english) and many others.

To all participants in this year CPMA, just cross your fingers, pray, wait for the announcement, and to those who will win, a heartwarming congratulations!

GAWAD LIKHAAN NOW EXTENDED!!!

TAKEN FROM Panitikan.com.ph

The deadline for submission of entries to Gawad Likhaan: The University of the Philippines Centennial Literary Prize has been extended to April 30, 2008, Wednesday, at 5 p.m.

Gawad Likhaan was created by the UP Centennial Commission to celebrate the University’s 100th year. It is administered by Likhaan: The UP Institute of Creative Writing (UP-ICW).

There are six awards, each one worth Php 200,000, for original, book-length works in English or Filipino in three categories: the novel or short story collection; poetry collection; and full-length work or collection of creative nonfiction or sanaysay.

The competition is open to all Filipino citizens (including Filipinos holding dual citizenship), except for members of the UP-ICW and its staff.

Only one prize per category will be awarded. Authors may submit only one entry per category. Works which have already been awarded a prize in other contests are not eligible. Subject or theme is open.

The complete rules are available at the UP-ICW office in UP Diliman. They have also been uploaded at Likhaan’s website, http://upd.edu.ph/~icw/ and http://panitikan.com.ph, the Philippine literary portal hosted by the Institute.

All entries to the contest are to be submitted to the Board of Judges, Likhaan: The UP Institute of Creative Writing, Faculty Center, UP Diliman. The names of the winners and the members of the board of judges will be announced towards the end of June 2008.