BATANG BALER | Baler, Aurora, Philippines

The Art of Johann L. Bitancor

joseph — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:47:54 +0000

Before devoting himself full-time into painting, Jose Johann L. Bitancor has been a seasoned Visualizer/Graphic designer in the Philippines. As a designer, his practice ranged from exhibition designs to Advertising and Promotional materials for several Communications and Marketing Firms.

Upon his migration to the U.S. in 2003, he sought to further increase his knowledge and enrolled at the University of Memphis in 2004, during which he was also granted a scholarship at the Memphis College of Art in 2006. Very recently, his longtime passion for sculpture produced several works in wood. Coupled with relentless experimentation with materials, his works now include textural abstractions based on everyday life’s experiences.

A graduate of Fine Arts from Far Eastern University in 1996, Bitancor has exhibited his works in 50th Manila F.A.M.E. International-October 2009, World Trade Center, Manila, Philippines, Fiesta Resort Guam, Tumon Guam-November 12- 14, 2009 and Art in the Park, Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village Makati-Feb. 27, 2010 among others.

He was an active member of the Baler Art Group and 901 Creatives.com based in Memphis Tennessee.

Johann’s website: http://johannartworks.webs.com/

More of Johann’s artworks:

Batangbaler @ iBlog 6

joseph — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:49:05 +0000

iBlog 6: The 6th Philippine Blogging Summit is the biggest blogging event in the country. I’ve been to 2 previous iBlog events as an observer and this year I will be one of the speakers. Heck, it’s still more than a month to go and I’m already nervous. I may be an instructor by profession but I still fear talking to a large crowd outside my territory. But this is a great chance to share my blogging experience to a national audience, so i will not let this pass.

My slot is on the second day (April 17) at 3:15 to 3:35 pm, right smack siesta time where most of the audience would be sleepy and looking at the exit door, which is good for me. My topic is about the Impact of Blogging to the Community aka How Not to Earn Money Online. This is just basically sharing my experience as a 10-year blogging veteran and how this website makes an impact to the Balerian and Auroran community. With my presentation, I hope some people in the audience would be inspired to blog about the small place on earth they call home and even though it is not financially rewarding, the emotional and personal benefits are more fulfilling.

iBlog 6 will be on April 16 and 17, 2010 at the Malcolm Theater, UP College of Law, UP Diliman, from 8 am to 5 pm. If you’re interested to attend, you can register here for FREE.

Please go to the event website for details and schedule.

Exhibits

joseph — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 01:58:46 +0000

You might want to check out these exhibits.

Art in the Park. February 27, 2010. 2pm to 11pm. Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City. The art fair will feature works by Balerian brothers Jeho and Johann Bitancor.

Korea-Philippine Art Exhibit 2010. GSIS Museo ng Sining, Pasay City. Exhibit opening on February 26, 2010 at 6:00 PM. Among the Philippine artists who will have their artworks in the exhibit are Roy Buen and Vincent Christopher Gonzales from Baler.

Baler, Aurora: The Exhibit. Bulwagan ng Dangal, UP Diliman’s University Heritage Museum. February 15 – March 31. The exhibit is “is largely an ethnographic exhibit that foregrounds the town of Baler in Aurora, Quezon. Curated by Prof. Rubén D.F. Defeo.”

For the exhibit, the siege of Baler is chosen because of its impact in the life of the people of Baler. A major area of the Bulwagan simulates the Baler church interior where the action took place. A looped version of the documentary film on the siege of Baler entitled Los Ultimos de Filipinos is screened on a set schedule everyday of the exhibit.

The exhibit also presents the community of Ilongot through vintage photographs of this fast vanishing traditions.

A special segment of the exhibit focuses on the various creative ways where Baler is depicted in art. A formal presentation, this section features diverse artworks that portray musings on Baler by artists from the UP College of Fine Arts like Leo Abaya and Denes Dasco. The installative sitework of Junyee uses coco coir and other materials extracted from the coconut tree, thus providing an apt preview of the current state of industries in Baler. (http://www.upd.edu.ph/~updinfo/whatsup/)

Vargas Collects History. “To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippine Commonwealth, the University of the Philippines Jorge B. Vargas Museum presents a satellite exhibition that creates a dialogue with Bulwagan ng Dangal’s exhibition on President Manuel L. Quezon and his origins, the humble town of Baler, and explores the history of the collecting practice of Vargas.” Memorabilia Exhibition opens February 23 at the 3F Galleries of The Vargas Museum (http://www.upd.edu.ph/~updinfo/whatsup/)

Aurora Day 2010 Updates

joseph — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:00:25 +0000

I will post most of this year’s Aurora Day Celebration events on the Batangbaler Facebook Page. I will also link updates in this post for those who don’t have Facebook accounts.

This year marks the 31st Foundation Anniversary of Aurora Province. Keeping to the spirit of using BAC initialed theme, this year’s theme is Aurora: Booming Amidst global economic Crisis. The schedule of events are posted here.

February 19, 2010. Aurora Day 2010 Parade and Anniversary Program. Photos from Donna Friginal (FB). Photos from the Aurora Province Page (FB). Photos from Ymay Calugtong (FB).

February 18, 2010. Street Dancing Competition (Photos by Ymay Calugtong FB) People’s Party and Fireworks display at the Sabang Beach, featuring Siakol and Callalilly. The Concert photos are here. Video of Fireworks display.

February 17, 2010. Karera ng Kalabaw at Baler Central School (photos from Donna Friginal FB). Bb. Aurora Coronation Night. Video of Jonathan Urbano’s performance. AVP of Bb. Aurora Activities.

February 16, 2010. Basketball with the Stars at the Sentro Baler.

February 15, 2010.Drum and Lyre Competition (photos by Ymay Calugtong FB) Bb. Aurora 2010 Talent Night. Talents Video Clip.

February 14-19. Araw ng Pagkilala. Tourism and Trade Fair. Batangbaler Photos. Photos by Arwin Soriano (FB). Photos from Aurora Province (FB) . Photos from Donna Friginal (FB). Aurora Inter-Agency Sportsfest Awarding – Photos from Aurora Province (FB)

February 11-14. Aurora Surfing Challenge. Photos from Arwin Soriano (Facebook)

February 8, 2010. The Aurora Inter-Agency Sportsfest opens. A parade was held from Quezon Park to the Provincial Capitol. The highlight of the day was the Cheerdance Competition. The results: Green Team (Deped) – Champion, Violet Team (Provincial Government of Aurora) – 2nd and Black Team (Maria Aurora LGU) – 3rd. The muse and escort of the Violet Team won the Mr. & Ms. Sportsfest awards. The pictures of the parade from the Aurora Province FB Page . The pictures of the opening program and the Cheerdance competition.

Leona Paula Ranillo Santicruz from San Luis is Bb. Aurora 2010

joseph — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:00:28 +0000

Leona Paula Ranillo Santicruz is this year’s Bb. Aurora. Leona is 18 years old from Brgy. Nonong Sr. She is studying at the Lyceum of the Philippines University and taking up BS International Relations major in Diplomacy. Her parents are Reynaldo Santicruz and Sylvia Ranillo.

First Runner-up (left in picture) is Billy Jean Dulay Aliño from Dilasag. Billy Jean is taking up BSHRM at the Aurora State College of Technology. Her parents are Dante Aliño and Rita Dulay.

2nd Runner-up is (right in picture) Mary Hariet Kristine Esteves Vargas from Casiguran. She’s 19 years old and studies at STI College in Quezon City taking up BSIT. Her parents are Juanito and Marife Vargas.

This is the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW that a beauty from San Luis was crowned as Bb. Aurora.

Bb. Aurora 2010 – Headshots

joseph — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 23:35:35 +0000

See the Aurora Day 2010 updates at the Batangbaler Facebook page.

Click on the picture below to see the headshot pictures of the Bb. Aurora candidates. the Coronation night will be tonight, 7:00 PM at the Sentro Baler (Baler Sports Complex).

Binibining Aurora 2010 Candidates

joseph — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:30:58 +0000

The candidates of the Binibining Aurora 2010. The Talent Night will be on February 15 at the Capitol Grounds and the Coronation Night will be on February 17 at the Sentro Baler (Baler Sports Complex).

Candidate No. 1 – Ms. Leona Paula Ranillo Santicruz from San Luis.

Candidate No. 2 – Ms. Jamie Galban Gonzales from Baler

Candidate No. 3 – Ms. Rose Ann Mariano Baoy from Dinalungan.

Candidate No. 4 – Ms. Camille Vergara Abarnas from Dingalan.

Candidate No. 5 – Ms. Princess Joy Esperanza Padre from Dipaculao.

Candidate No. 6 – Ms. Ma. Luisa Dasillo Sanchez from Maria Aurora.

Candidate No. 7 – Ms. Billy Jean Dulay Alinio from Dilasag.

Candidate No. 8 – Ms. Mary Hariet Kristine Esteves Vargas from Casiguran.

MLQ Memorial Lodge No. 262 – Public Installation of Officers

joseph — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 04:52:12 +0000

The Manuel L. Quezon Memorial Lodge No. 262 of the Free and Accepted Masons held its 28th Public Installation of Officers on February 6, 2010 at the Mount Carmel College covered court. VW Rodel T. Matias, PDDGM served as the installing officer. Hon. William C. Medrano (Ganano Lodge 313), Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education was the Guest of Honor and Speaker.

The elected and appointed officers for the Masonic Year 6010 A.L./ 2010 A.D. were WB Antonio D. Bolivar III (Worshipful Master), Bro. Benjamin T. Hulipas (Senior Warden), Bro. Emilio T. Hulipas (Junior Warden), Bro. Ariel G. Espinosa (Treasurer), Bro. Fortunato Ortiz Jr. (Secretary), Bro. Alfredo M. Ocampo Jr. (Asst. Secretary), VW Eduardo M. Yambot, PDGL (Auditor), Bro. Michael R. Pineda (Chaplain), Bro. Jovito D. Flores Jr. (Marshall), Bro. Ferdinand M. Feraren (Senior Deacon), Bro. Artemio Q. Valenzuela Jr (Junior Deacon), Bro. Neil Dexter P. Tolentino (Orator), WB Daniel L. Duaso, PM (Lecturer), Bro. Isaias A. Noveras Jr. (Organist), Bro. Moises S. Dumandal (ALmoner), Bro. Leandro A. Novilla (Senior Steward), Bro. Romeo Q. Dacanay (Junior Steward), WB Noel DV. Vedad, PM (Tyler) and VW Eduardo M. Yambot, PDGL (Harmony Officer).

Click here to see more photos