Bulwagan ng Dangal opens to the public

President Roman leads opening of the exhibit hall (photo credits: The Diliman UP Date Online)

The Bulwagan ng Dangal (Hall of Honor) is the newest and largest exhibition hall in the University of the Philippines Diliman. Located at the basement of the Gonzalez Hall (University Library), it was inaugurated on 18 June 2009, the 101st Foundation Day of the University. In a brief program, University Librarian Prof. SALVACION M. ARLANTE welcomed the guests while Office of the Initiatives for Culture and the Arts (OICA) Director Prof. RUBEN DEFEO described a brief background of this endeavor. UP President EMERLINDA ROMAN, UP Diliman Chancellor SERGIO CAO and National Artists VIRGILIO ALMARIO and NAPOLEON ABUEVA, together with former UP president Dr. EMANUEL SORIANO and Regent NELIA GONZALEZ untied the ceremonial ribbon, marking the opening of the Bulwagan.

With the opening of the Bulwagan, Prof. Arlante noted that “In the modern concept, the university now has a library, an archives and a museum all in one place.” Its central location further emphasizes its focal presence as the geographic and cultural heart of the university. Dr. GERARD LICO, the Campus Architect and professor at the College of Architecture designed the basement of the Gonzalez Hall to serve its new purpose as an exhibit space.

The inaugural exhibit Pag-asa ng Bayan (photo credits: Ms. Ching Omega)

The inaugural exhibit Pag-asa ng Bayan (Hope of the Nation) showcases the expansive and diverse art collection of the University. The works of eight National Artists adorn the halls of the Bulwagan: Fernando Amorsolo, Guillermo Tolentino, Vicente Manansala, Abdulmari Asia Imao, Napoleon Abueva, Ben Cabrera, Hernando Ocampo and Jose Joya. Also included are the works of eminent artists Onib Olmedo, Santiago Bose, Dominador Castañeda, Ofelia Gelvezon Tequi, Neil Doloricon and Rock Drilon, among others. Prof. Defeo and Prof. PATRICK FLORES of the Department of Art Studies are the co-curators of this exhibit.

In addition to the artworks, also included are some items from the University’s archival collection: framed photograph of Florentino Collantes (Filipino poet and the second Hari ng Balagtasan, after Jose Corazon de Jesus) and his family; the portrait of Hermogenes Ilagan (The Father of Philippine Theatre); and the manuscript and illustrations by Guillermo Tolentino for his book Ang Wika at Baybaying Tagalog, published in 1937.

The provenance of some artworks in the Collection cannot be documented; they have just been with the University for so long some of them have been hanging for years unnoticed or ignored in the halls of buildings. Case in point: some guests at the inauguration were surprised at the Hernando Ocampo artwork in the University Library Collection, only to realize that it has been hanging at the Filipiniana Books Reading room since the 1990s. This exhibit is their time to shine and be noticed once again. Some are donated by the artists themselves, most are given by students, alumni, faculty and friends of the university, thereby enhancing not just the art collection, but the intellectual and artistic legacy of UP.

The opening of the Bulwagan promises a platform to showcase the works of up and coming artists; it is also hoped that this venture will encourage more artists to donate some of their works, and for donors to bequeath their collection to further enrich the cultural and artistic landscape of the university. – ECLagrama

 

ABAP opens 13th Philippine Academic Book Fair 2009

Prof. Arlante with the ABAP Officials

Now known as the Academic Booksellers Association of the Philippines (formerly, the Association of Booksellers for the Academe and the Professions), the association kicked off this year’s book fair with the theme — The Filipino booksellers: responding to academic & information needs in the midst of global challenges.

Atty. Tamano

Prof. Arlante

The opening ceremonies were held last June 23rd at the Megatrade Hall I of the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. To formally inaugurate the exhibit, guests of honors Atty. ADEL TAMANO, President of the Association of Local Colleges and Universities (ALCU) and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), and UPD University Librarian Prof. SALVACION ARLANTE led the ribbon cutting ceremony. A short program later followed at the main seminar room of the exhibit hall. Atty. Tamano talked about the importance of the reading culture today and how instrumental the booksellers are to address this issue. Meanwhile, Prof. Arlante shared about the UP Library experience with booksellers and how they have welcomingly bridged for the needs of the Library. The state of the ABAP and of the industry in toto was highlighted by ABAP President Mr. LINO DAGUS. Mr. NOEL CABANGON graced the occasion as well and serenaded the audience with his inspiring compositions.

This year’s fair features 43 exhibitors in the book publishing/bookselling industry in the country. It is a perfect venue for librarians, students, professionals and book buffs to take advantage of this event, as books are offered at fair price. The five-day fair will run from June 23 to 27, 10AM-8PM at the Megatrade Hall I, 5th level Mega B, SM Megamall. – CMAbrigo

 

University Librarian Salvacion Arlante ushers opening of the 4th CSWCD Library Book Fair

February 2009 — The College of Social Work and Community Development celebrated its College Week from 17-21 February 2009. The opening program was held at the CSWCD Library reading room on 17 February 2009, with the following activities: 1) Presentation of the Doctor in Social Development Program; 2) Launching of the CSWCD Journal; 3) Turn-Over of the CBCRM Materials; 4) Opening of the 4th CSWCD Library Book Fair; and 5) Opening of the Exhibits of Field Instruction Program. The opening program was attended by Chancellor SERGIO S. CAO, Dr. MANUEL F. BONIFACIO, Ms. LUZ L. RODRIGUEZ, the CSWCD Dean and faculty, staff and students, Prof. SALVACION M. ARLANTE, as well as a number of head librarians from the Diliman unit libraries.

Prof. Arlante leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 4th CSWCD Library Book Fair

Prof. Arlante led the ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the opening of the 4th CSWCD Library Book Fair. The college dean, Dr. AMARYLLIS T. TORRES, assisted the university librarian in the cutting of ribbons. The Library had organized the CSWCD Book Fair since 2005 as its participation in the celebration of the college week. For the year 2009, there were seven local book dealers that participated in this said book fair namely: Belview Co., Inc., CD Books International, Inc., C & E Publishing, Inc., EDCA Publishing and Distributing, Corp., Goodwill Book Store, Ibon Foundation, and Linar Educational Materials.

Prof. Arlante awarding the Certificate of Appreciation to Mr. Allan Vera, CBCRM Resource Center

Mr. Vera turning over the CBCRM Resource Center Book Collection to the CSWCD Library

During the turn-over ceremony held on the same date and venue, Dean Amar Torres received the CBCRM library materials from Mr. ALLAN VERA, coordinator of the CBCRM Resource Center. Prof. Arlante, on the other hand, had awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the CBCRM Resource Center for donating books and other information sources, as well as book shelves to the CSWCD Library. The opening program was followed by a sumptuous lunch held at the Atrium of the CSWCD Building. –L. Dela Cruz

 

Thematic Exhibit at the CSWCD Library

Peace and Conflict Studies

Disaster management in the Philippines

CSWCD Librarian Leonnie Dela Cruz

 

For the third quarter of the year 2008, the CSWCD Library had showcased a thematic exhibit as per request of the college dean, Dr. Amaryllis T. Torres. From July to August, the new acquisitions of the library from January to June 2008, had been displayed. Quotes related to love of books, reading and libraries had been highlighted in this exhibit.

Reading materials about natural disasters, emergency management and relevant materials were culled out from the general collection and were displayed to form the exhibit on Disaster Management in the Philippines. Partner organizations like the National Disaster Coordinating Council and the PAG-ASA were visited to solicit for their publications. These materials were displayed in the library for the months of September to October 2008.

Peace and Conflict Studies was our current topic for the library’s third thematic exhibit which will run from November to December 2008. The Office of the Presidential Advisory on Peace Process (OPPAP) located at the Ortigas Complex, Pasig City was visited by the CSWCD librarian and staff to solicit book donations relevant to this subject area. –LDela Cruz