last time we checked: Christine Bellen

CHRISTINE with former student and now fellow ateneo teacher
and industry colleague--comic book creator and artist ELBERT OR

the last time we checked, CHRISTINE S. BELLEN is sort of oic/head honcho at the Filipino Department at the Ateneo. she also just finished writing BATANG RIZAL for PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association).

BATANG RIZAL tells of sixth-grader Pepito who accidentally breaks the head of a statue of the young Jose Rizal, given to the school by the City Mayor as a gift during the Buwan ng Wika celebrations. Pepito has a week to return the statue, and when he mournfully goes to the storeroom to check on it, he finds himself in Calamba, the hero’s hometown.

The play takes the audience from the present to the past, to a time when Jose Rizal was a boy called Pepe, and then back again to Pepito's time as the two boys experience life in each other’s era. Along the way, they discover that patriotism and heroism can be found even in an ordinary child’s heart.

This 40th Theater Season offering is directed by Dudz Terana, with music by Vince de Jesus and animation by Don Salubayba and the Anino Shadow Collective. Batang Rizal runs July 19-August 25 at the Tanghalang PETA-Phinma of the PETA Theater, with performances at 10:00 am and 3pm.

The play features Ron Alfonso, Nex Agustin, JK Anicoche, Glecy Atienza, Bernah Bernardo, Joan Bugcat, Nar Cabico, Willy Casero, Abner Delina, Mary Ann Espinosa, Neomi Gonzales, JV Katipunan, Patricia Liwanag, Shé Maala, Carlon Matobato, Kitchie Pagaspas, Norbs Portales, Ian Segarra and Gold Villar. Set design is by Bobot Lota, Costume by Ron Ryan Alfonso.

For inquiries and ticket reservations, call the PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at 7256244, 4100821 to 22, 0918-9354166, 0917-8154567. E-mail mpr@petatheater.com or petampro@yahoo.com, or visit www.petatheater.com. Season subscriptions are also available for only PhP1,000.

christine, star-struck

ANVIL JULY AUTHOR CHRISTINE S. BELLEN hobnobs with personalities: (top left) she joins the young singing group SugarPop and anvil's ani vh. (top right) she joins actress Manilyn Reynes and young Paolo Salas at the press conference for GMA-7's Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang tv series.

(above) she lines up to get National Artist F. Sionil Jose's autograph and throws away any hint of shyness when she asked to be photographed with him at the first Read-or-Die Convention, February 2007.

The Lola Basyang Gang

Meet one of Christine S. Bellen’s creative posses


Ang Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang ni Severino Reyes series of picture books for children gave Anvil important recognition from the book industry, including a Special Citation from the Manila Critics Circle and inspired other individuals and groups to adapt the stories made famous by an unforgettable character lovingly called Lola Basyang into other creative endeavors like a theatrical play and a television program.

This project brought together Anvil and a talented young writer, Christine S. Bellen, who in turn, introduced us to a truly original and creative force of children’s book illustrators. Here they are

Frances “Panch” C. Alcaraz is an award-winning artist who wrote and illustrated The Lost Necklace and Broken Eggs that were published in Japan and translated into different languages. For the Lola Basyang picture book series of Anvil, she illustrated Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin, Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon, and the forthcoming Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya. She currently teaches at the Ateneo. Visit her website: www.panchinyourhead.tk

Liza A. Flores has already illustrated eight books, including the award-winning Chenelyn! Chenelyn! She was president of the premier group of Philippine children’s book illustrators, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan (Ang I.N.K.) from 2004 to 2006. She illustrated Ang Prinsipeng Mahaba ang Ilong, the forthcoming Sultan Saif, and Rosamistica, which was a finalist in the Gintong Aklat Awards. Liza now manages a design studio called Studio Dialogo. Visit her website: www.liza.ph

Hubert B. Fucio won the 2003 PBBY-Alcala Illustrator’s Prize for Sandosenang Kuya. He also illustrated Si Pagong at si Matsing. He loves illustrating children’s art for the Learn and Play Preschool. Hubert also plays the guitar and teaches a youth choir. The forthcoming Anting-Anting is the first Lola Basyang book he’s illustrated for Anvil. He’s also the illustrator of a forthcoming collection of children’s verses by Lara Saguisag.

Albert E. Gamos is a book designer and illustrator. He was recognized in 1992 by the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) for his contribution to children’s literature. His illustrations for the book, Pandaguan, The First Man Who Died, won as runner-up in the 9th Noma Concours for Picture Book Illustrations in Japan. For Anvil’s Lola Basyang series, he illustrated Ang Plautin ni Periking, Si Pandakotyong and the forthcoming Ang Palasyo ng mga Duwende.

Ruben “Totet” De Jesus is one of the founding members and later president of Ang I.N.K. His book, Ang Mahiyaing Manok, won an Encouragement Prize in the 2000 Noma Concours in Japan as well as runner-up at the New York Showcase Exhibition of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Another book, Ang mga Anak ng Araw, won for him an Encouragement Prize at the 2002 Noma Concours. He illustrated Ang Alamat ng Lamok, Ang Prinsipeng Duwag and the forthcoming Ang Pitong Tanga for Anvil’s Lola Basyang books. He is a faculty member of the UP College of Fine Arts and is currently the chairman of the PBBY.

Elbert T. Or graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the Ateneo where he currently teaches. He is a member of Ang I.N.K. and the creator of the comic books Siglo: Freedom, Cherry Blossom High, Cast and Two Color Truth, among others. He illustrated Ang Parusa ng Duwende and Ang Binibining Tumalo sa Hari for Anvil’s Lola Basyang series. Visit his blog: best viewed with eyes wide open