To speak English, maybe in London
April 9, 2007 | 12:00am
The English Speaking Union-Philippines chapter has selected two student representatives for the ESU International Public Speaking Competition to be held in London from May 14 to 17.
Coordinated by the UP Debate Society last Saturday at UP Diliman, in conjunction with the annual Philippine Intercollegiate Debating Championship, the local contest actually produced three winners, including a high school student.
Earning the top slot was Weber Amores, 20 years old, and an Architecture student at Far Eastern University. He will be ESU-Phil’s lead representative to the London competition that draws as many as 60 participants from over 35 countries.
Since an ESU member-chapter can field a maximum of two delegates, Sarah Kristine Alanzalon of Malate Catholic High School, who surprisingly placed second despite her tender age of 15, may also represent the Philippines. She actually turns 16 later this month, thus meeting the age requirement, which is from 16 to 20.
That she gained the judges’ nod is certainly no fluke. Early last February, Sarah topped the Voice of the Youth impromptu speaking contest organized by Rotary Club District 3810 together with the Department of Education, with Allied Banking Corporation as sponsor.
Named as an alternate after placing third was 19-year-old UP Diliman Psychology student Samantha Ann Tirthdas.
The contestants spoke for five minutes on the theme "Dynamic World." On the judging panel were ESU-Phil chair Ambassador Cesar Bautista, our former envoy to the Court of St. James, who was instrumental in organizing the Philippines chapter; this writer who serves as ESU-Phil vice president; guest judges Prof. Zenaida Martinez of FEU and Edgardo Maranan, prizewinning poet and writer who just returned home after years of serving as information officer at the Philippine embassy in London; and our previous representatives to the ESU IPSC: Ryan Buenafe, Kevin Punzalan and Celine Guinto.
Apart from these three, four other Philippine students have competed in London since 2002 when ESU-Phil first sent a contestant, with Patricia Evangelista of UP Diliman copping the grand prize in 2004.
Pilipinas Shell traditionally supports the Philippine representation in the ESU International Public Speaking Competition. Other officers of the Philippines chapter which gained formal entry into the ESU only over a year ago are Dr. Butch Dalisay of UP as president, Dr. Marlu Vilches of Ateneo as secretary, writer-editor Erlinda Panlilio as treasurer, and Atty. Katrina Legarda as corporate secretary.
At a recent meeting attended by Her Majesty’s Ambassador Peter Beckingham, various plans of action were discussed to help promote and enhance the use of English, including the possibility of organizing a video-conference debate between a Philippine university team and one from Hong Kong or Singapore.
We were also delighted to hear from the British Council representative, David Hopkinson, that it has been doing its part in disseminating English-teaching programs. Arranged for local broadcast, for instance, was the "English by Radio" program co-sponsored by BBC World Service, in partnership with Radyo ng Bayan and the DepEd.
Here we help disseminate the following information provided by Ms. Jennifer Domingo of the British Council Philippines:
"The objective of the project is to provide a practical English-language-assisted ‘learning-through-listening’ program that would be broadcast around the country for use by schools.
"Using the English language curriculum of the DepEd, three radio programs have been initially produced. They are: 1) ALPHABETICUS  designed for Elementary learners (ages 6-8)  a program that includes songs and simple interactive English exercises, and is transmitted over Radyo Ng Bayan at 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. every Tuesday; 2) E-CLUB  designed for early high school learners (ages 11-12)  includes conversation and comprehension exercises, carried at the same time slot every Thursday; 3) E-CLUB Storyland  designed for early high school learners (ages 11-12)  includes conversation and comprehension exercises, on broadcast every Friday."
Launched at the ambassador’s residence last August, the English by Radio project features materials that are now utilized by e-PLDT Ventus for the implementation of its English Day Outreach Programs for 2007. Last month, the country’s biggest radio network, the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), began to air English by Radio through its Radyo Natin network.
Future programs will include the E-Club 2: for later high school, with conversation, stories, quizzes and comprehension; Adventures in English: short stories and comprehension exercises; Working English: for those wanting English practice for their work; and Follow Us: English conversation and repetition only  a lesson that concentrates on good pronunciation.
The BC Philippines hopes to re-launch the project in June with DepED’s support, so that the program can be integrated into public elementary and secondary schools’ daily English instruction.
Per Ms. Domingo: "We are also hoping to partner with other radio stations to increase our area of coverage. We are looking for volunteer radio talents, scriptwriters and creative ideas! Should you have further questions, please feel free to contact Nadine Jacinto-Alberto, consultant/director, English by Radio, third floor, Ventures I Bldg., 7849 Makati Ave. corner Gen. Luna St., Makati City, tel. nos. 899-3324." One may also log in at www.englishbyradio.com.ph.
Our good friend Vicente L. Rafael, or Vince, distinguished author and unarguably our finest literary scholar in the United States, just added another bright feather to his groaning cap with his recent selection as the 2007 Grant Goodman Prize awardee.
The biennial prize (more or less) is awarded by the Philippine Studies Group of the Association of Asian Studies "for substantial contributions to Philippine historical studies over a considerable period."
"It’s a nice little honor," Vince informs us, "and so much of the work I do of course draws from your own and the writings of other Pinoys both here and in the diaspora. So it’s an award that I can only share with friends as well as family."
The citation reads:
"Vicente Leuterio Rafael has pursued the study of Philippine history, broadly conceived, and in so doing has broadened notions of what historical studies might encompass. Using intellectual tools from literary studies, communication theory, and the social sciences, he has explored the colonial and post-colonial in the Philippines and its diaspora.
"Beginning with his 1984 Cornell doctoral dissertation, which ascribed new meaning to the notion of translation in the conversion enterprise of Spanish missionaries in a Tagalog context, Rafael’s scholarship has broken ground in such areas as interpretation of documentary photography, study of messianic politics, border studies, Filipino nationalism and effects of technology on popular culture.
"His insider/outsider perspective on Filipino life in America reconnects the diaspora to its origins, as it extends the reach and view of what is included in Philippine historical studies. In these and in other ways, Rafael embodies the qualities of the creative historian and teacher in the best tradition of the Grant Goodman Award."
Established in 1990, the lifetime achievement award "is open to all scholars across academic disciplines, providing their work is innovative and incorporates an historical perspective."
The prize was endowed by a gift from Professor Grant Goodman, who’s considered a good friend of Philippine studies. He led a rather interesting life before joining academe. He accompanied Gen. Douglas Macarthur in the liberation of the Philippines, and served with the US occupation forces in Tokyo. He learned Japanese, took advantage of the GI Bill, went to graduate school and started writing on the history of Japan-Philippines relations.
Goodman became a specialist in Tokugawa intellectual history and Japan’s cultural relations with South and Southeast Asia since the Meiji Period. He has been a visiting professor in a good number of universities in Asia (including UP) and Europe, and eventually became Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Kansas. He has written, edited or co-edited 15 books and published over 60 scholarly articles.
The awards ceremony was conducted on March 23 at the Association for Asian Studies annual convention, which was held in Boston this year. But Vince couldn’t make it.
He writes further: "There’s a very modest cash award, enough to buy me about two weeks’ worth of groceries, so it’s more symbolic than anything else. Nothing like the Templeton Prize for the arts and sciences (recently awarded to the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor), which is the largest one in these parts: $1.5 million, far more than the MacArthur ‘genius’ awards (which are worth about $500,000). Anyway, the company for the Goodman Prize is good (Resil Mojares et. al.) so I’m not complaining."
Past winners include John N. Schumacher, SJ in 1994, John A. Larkin in 1996, Resil B. Mojares in 1996, and Alfred McCoy in 2000. The current prize committee members are Patricio N. Abinales, Roger J. Bresnahan, and John A. Larkin.
Congrats, Vince! Blow-out naman ng one week’s worth of groceries!
Coordinated by the UP Debate Society last Saturday at UP Diliman, in conjunction with the annual Philippine Intercollegiate Debating Championship, the local contest actually produced three winners, including a high school student.
Earning the top slot was Weber Amores, 20 years old, and an Architecture student at Far Eastern University. He will be ESU-Phil’s lead representative to the London competition that draws as many as 60 participants from over 35 countries.
Since an ESU member-chapter can field a maximum of two delegates, Sarah Kristine Alanzalon of Malate Catholic High School, who surprisingly placed second despite her tender age of 15, may also represent the Philippines. She actually turns 16 later this month, thus meeting the age requirement, which is from 16 to 20.
That she gained the judges’ nod is certainly no fluke. Early last February, Sarah topped the Voice of the Youth impromptu speaking contest organized by Rotary Club District 3810 together with the Department of Education, with Allied Banking Corporation as sponsor.
Named as an alternate after placing third was 19-year-old UP Diliman Psychology student Samantha Ann Tirthdas.
The contestants spoke for five minutes on the theme "Dynamic World." On the judging panel were ESU-Phil chair Ambassador Cesar Bautista, our former envoy to the Court of St. James, who was instrumental in organizing the Philippines chapter; this writer who serves as ESU-Phil vice president; guest judges Prof. Zenaida Martinez of FEU and Edgardo Maranan, prizewinning poet and writer who just returned home after years of serving as information officer at the Philippine embassy in London; and our previous representatives to the ESU IPSC: Ryan Buenafe, Kevin Punzalan and Celine Guinto.
Apart from these three, four other Philippine students have competed in London since 2002 when ESU-Phil first sent a contestant, with Patricia Evangelista of UP Diliman copping the grand prize in 2004.
Pilipinas Shell traditionally supports the Philippine representation in the ESU International Public Speaking Competition. Other officers of the Philippines chapter which gained formal entry into the ESU only over a year ago are Dr. Butch Dalisay of UP as president, Dr. Marlu Vilches of Ateneo as secretary, writer-editor Erlinda Panlilio as treasurer, and Atty. Katrina Legarda as corporate secretary.
At a recent meeting attended by Her Majesty’s Ambassador Peter Beckingham, various plans of action were discussed to help promote and enhance the use of English, including the possibility of organizing a video-conference debate between a Philippine university team and one from Hong Kong or Singapore.
We were also delighted to hear from the British Council representative, David Hopkinson, that it has been doing its part in disseminating English-teaching programs. Arranged for local broadcast, for instance, was the "English by Radio" program co-sponsored by BBC World Service, in partnership with Radyo ng Bayan and the DepEd.
Here we help disseminate the following information provided by Ms. Jennifer Domingo of the British Council Philippines:
"The objective of the project is to provide a practical English-language-assisted ‘learning-through-listening’ program that would be broadcast around the country for use by schools.
"Using the English language curriculum of the DepEd, three radio programs have been initially produced. They are: 1) ALPHABETICUS  designed for Elementary learners (ages 6-8)  a program that includes songs and simple interactive English exercises, and is transmitted over Radyo Ng Bayan at 10:45 to 11:00 a.m. every Tuesday; 2) E-CLUB  designed for early high school learners (ages 11-12)  includes conversation and comprehension exercises, carried at the same time slot every Thursday; 3) E-CLUB Storyland  designed for early high school learners (ages 11-12)  includes conversation and comprehension exercises, on broadcast every Friday."
Launched at the ambassador’s residence last August, the English by Radio project features materials that are now utilized by e-PLDT Ventus for the implementation of its English Day Outreach Programs for 2007. Last month, the country’s biggest radio network, the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), began to air English by Radio through its Radyo Natin network.
Future programs will include the E-Club 2: for later high school, with conversation, stories, quizzes and comprehension; Adventures in English: short stories and comprehension exercises; Working English: for those wanting English practice for their work; and Follow Us: English conversation and repetition only  a lesson that concentrates on good pronunciation.
The BC Philippines hopes to re-launch the project in June with DepED’s support, so that the program can be integrated into public elementary and secondary schools’ daily English instruction.
Per Ms. Domingo: "We are also hoping to partner with other radio stations to increase our area of coverage. We are looking for volunteer radio talents, scriptwriters and creative ideas! Should you have further questions, please feel free to contact Nadine Jacinto-Alberto, consultant/director, English by Radio, third floor, Ventures I Bldg., 7849 Makati Ave. corner Gen. Luna St., Makati City, tel. nos. 899-3324." One may also log in at www.englishbyradio.com.ph.
Our good friend Vicente L. Rafael, or Vince, distinguished author and unarguably our finest literary scholar in the United States, just added another bright feather to his groaning cap with his recent selection as the 2007 Grant Goodman Prize awardee.
The biennial prize (more or less) is awarded by the Philippine Studies Group of the Association of Asian Studies "for substantial contributions to Philippine historical studies over a considerable period."
"It’s a nice little honor," Vince informs us, "and so much of the work I do of course draws from your own and the writings of other Pinoys both here and in the diaspora. So it’s an award that I can only share with friends as well as family."
The citation reads:
"Vicente Leuterio Rafael has pursued the study of Philippine history, broadly conceived, and in so doing has broadened notions of what historical studies might encompass. Using intellectual tools from literary studies, communication theory, and the social sciences, he has explored the colonial and post-colonial in the Philippines and its diaspora.
"Beginning with his 1984 Cornell doctoral dissertation, which ascribed new meaning to the notion of translation in the conversion enterprise of Spanish missionaries in a Tagalog context, Rafael’s scholarship has broken ground in such areas as interpretation of documentary photography, study of messianic politics, border studies, Filipino nationalism and effects of technology on popular culture.
"His insider/outsider perspective on Filipino life in America reconnects the diaspora to its origins, as it extends the reach and view of what is included in Philippine historical studies. In these and in other ways, Rafael embodies the qualities of the creative historian and teacher in the best tradition of the Grant Goodman Award."
Established in 1990, the lifetime achievement award "is open to all scholars across academic disciplines, providing their work is innovative and incorporates an historical perspective."
The prize was endowed by a gift from Professor Grant Goodman, who’s considered a good friend of Philippine studies. He led a rather interesting life before joining academe. He accompanied Gen. Douglas Macarthur in the liberation of the Philippines, and served with the US occupation forces in Tokyo. He learned Japanese, took advantage of the GI Bill, went to graduate school and started writing on the history of Japan-Philippines relations.
Goodman became a specialist in Tokugawa intellectual history and Japan’s cultural relations with South and Southeast Asia since the Meiji Period. He has been a visiting professor in a good number of universities in Asia (including UP) and Europe, and eventually became Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Kansas. He has written, edited or co-edited 15 books and published over 60 scholarly articles.
The awards ceremony was conducted on March 23 at the Association for Asian Studies annual convention, which was held in Boston this year. But Vince couldn’t make it.
He writes further: "There’s a very modest cash award, enough to buy me about two weeks’ worth of groceries, so it’s more symbolic than anything else. Nothing like the Templeton Prize for the arts and sciences (recently awarded to the Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor), which is the largest one in these parts: $1.5 million, far more than the MacArthur ‘genius’ awards (which are worth about $500,000). Anyway, the company for the Goodman Prize is good (Resil Mojares et. al.) so I’m not complaining."
Past winners include John N. Schumacher, SJ in 1994, John A. Larkin in 1996, Resil B. Mojares in 1996, and Alfred McCoy in 2000. The current prize committee members are Patricio N. Abinales, Roger J. Bresnahan, and John A. Larkin.
Congrats, Vince! Blow-out naman ng one week’s worth of groceries!
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