TIGblogs - VOICEMASTER's TIGBlog http://choyg8.tigblog.org/ What's on the minds of young leaders from around the globe? en-us Meet the voice actors of Dayo http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/567537
By Michael Kho Lim, Contributor

12/22/2008

Cutting Edge Productions, the local production outfit behind the first full-length digital animated feature Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia, pools together the finest voice talents in the Philippine entertainment industry to give personality to the film’s animated characters.

Dayo (Wanderer) is a heartwarming story about Bubuy (voiced by Nash Aguas), an 11-year-old boy from Antipolo, who goes on a journey to save his beloved grandparents abducted into Elementalia, fantasy land thriving with strange flora and fauna and home to several enchanted creatures of Philippine mythology.

Bubuy then meets Anna Manananggirl (voiced by Katrina Legaspi), a young and energetic manananggal (a winged creature that can separate her torso from her lower body) with a special fondness for all things human except to eat them. The two live out an adventure full of wild, will-testing and comical experiences all over Elementalia — from enormous waterfalls heaving with gravity-defying merfolk, to the breathtaking crystal cave dwelling of colorful alitubi (fairies), to a magnificent old tree that is home to a motherly kapre (hairy giant), and finally to a majestic mountain protected by a big pack of hungry aswangs (ghoul).

Though this is Nash and Katrina’s first animation voicing experience, they did not have difficulty recording for their roles. It was fun for them. “I really enjoyed doing the voice of Bubuy,” says Nash gleefully. “I was very happy when I learned that I got the part, because it was different from what I usually do on TV. My favorite part is when I meet Anna for the first time and she brings me to Elementalia.” Nash adds that he felt as if he was just playing rather than working in the recording studio.

On the other hand, Hopia, as Katrina is fondly called, loves the scene where she was introducing the beautiful underworld of Elementalia to Bubuy. “It felt like I was just welcoming Bubuy to my house,” she expresses. "I also like the flying scene because I’ve always dreamt of flying. I’m so excited to see the whole movie already.”

Even though the cast was not able to have any visual support during the recording, director Robert Quilao was there to visualize for them. “the screenplay on hand, the actors are called in the studio to record their respective dialog,” Robert describes. “This is when I briefed them on the mood and tone of the scene and directed them as to how the dialogs are to be delivered. The challenge for me as the director is to paint a vivid picture of what’s happening in the scene for the actors to act and deliver their lines accordingly.”

Robert also didn’t have a hard time directing the voice talents since almost all of them are seasoned actors and directors. “There was practically no need for a workshop,” he continues. “The most we were able to do was brief them about the story and the characters that they will be playing on the day that they were called to record in the studio. Even Nash and Hopia did not have a hard time internalizing their characters.”

Since schedule is a major concern for many of the voice artists, the creative team had to work around their availability. It was also rather difficult to gather all of them together and record the scenes that would require them to interact.

In most of these situations, Robert would act as the stand in and throw the lines of the characters during the recording session to create a natural dialog flow. “Although later on, we just played back the good takes of the characters that we had previously recorded for the one that we are currently recording," Robert explains. "These recordings are then edited together to create a cohesive dialog."

Painting more color and amusement to Dayo are its supporting cast. The creative team already had talents in mind when they were working on the characters and script.

Even before the controversial Pokwang was labeled as an aswang (ghoul or vampire) look-alike, the Dayo team already thought that she would fit the role of Vicky, the nanny manananggal of Anna. One would notice that the character sketch is loosely based on her. “I didn’t have to do any major voice adjustments for the role,” says Pokwang. “I didn’t have to lower or make my voice higher. I think I was just being my cool kalog self that’s why I had so much fun arguing with the role of Toti in Dayo.”

Cutting Edge originally had news anchor Mike Enriquez to do the voice of Toti, one of Anna’s bodyguards. The team, however, had to get someone who can mimic the famous newsman, veteran voice actor Pocholo Gonzales. “It’s really better if all of us could record together and interact in the studio,” Pocholo states. “But since this is not possible most of the time, it’s up to the talent how he will approach or respond to the pre-recorded lines thrown to him.” It was a challenge for him to react to Vicky’s lines, he relates, since Pokwang had many ad-libs and her role is somewhat a very talkative character. Backed by 13 years of voice acting experience, Pocholo also reveals that he is also behind the voice of Hal-lan, the anti-hero in Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia.

Anna’s second bodyguard, who has an unusual hearing impairment, is named Jo and voiced by famed comedian Gabe Mercado.

Perhaps one of the most challenging character portrayals would be the role of Narsi, the narcissistic cool rocker tikbalang (the underworld creature with the head of a horse and the body of a human). The Dayo team initially thought of Pepe Smith for the role, but due to his unavailability, there was no better versatile actor to do this than Michael V. “I prepare for every role that I play,” the comedian declares. “Even if I had previously done a horse voice for Enteng Kabisote 3, my role here is totally different.”

Playing the role of Lolo Nano, the cute resident sage of Elementalia, is no other than multi-awarded actor and director Peque Gallaga. “I accepted the offer of doing Lolo Nano simply because it’s something new and wonderful,” admits Peque. “But honestly, I had really a difficult time doing the role. Since he is supposed to be the wisest in Elementalia and has to impart words of wisdom, most of my lines are really long. That’s why I had to do many takes for most of my scenes.” Peque also shares that he played with three character pegs when he was studying for the character of Lolo Nano. He had in mind Yoda of Star Wars, Pilosopong Tasyo of Noli Me Tangere, and Jun Urbano’s role in Magic Temple, the film he co-directed with Lore Reyes.

Nova Villa is Lola Nita, Bubuy’s caring grandmother, who nags her husband Lolo Meong a lot. “I had to do some voice adjustments for the role,” Nova claims. “Since the character is about 75 years old, I had to make my voice a little husky and sound old. This is more challenging for me as an actor because I have to deliver my character without using any facial expression, but only through my voice."

Nova is proud and happy to be a part of the project. She also points out that the story is very moving and her character is easy to relate to. “Lola Nita is a happy grandmother and has a good sense of humor. She is actually like a comedian myself.” There was a time during their recording that Nova couldn’t immediately record her part because she cried at the scene played back for her. "It was the scene when Bubuy thought that we were already dead. He cried and cried, and I could just feel the pain he was going through that it made me cry, too.”

Dayo also features the voices of Trinidad as Lolo Meong, Bubuy’s grandfather who shares the kid’s penchant for flying. Delgado joins in as Carpio, Anna’s dad who is Elementalia’s head guardian. And completing Dayo’s dream cast is distinguished actor and director Guillen playing a dual role of the kapre (the motherly cigar-smoking giant) and diwata/bruha, the enchanting fairy with an evil alter ego.

Dayo sa Mundo ng Elementalia is an official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and is co-presented by Frootees, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog and Mister Donut. The film is also supported by Ascorbic Acid Ceelin, Crispy Fry Breading Mix, Enervon Bright Brand, Timezone, Fuji YKL, Inquirer.net, Yehey.com, ClicktheCity.com, Animation Council of the Philippines, Toon Boom, Wacom, Woodpecker Studio and New Media.

For more information, visit the official movie Web site at www.dayomovie.com.]]> Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:03:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/567537 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 HAPPY 2008! BE GREAT IN 2008! http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/319323 ]]> Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:01:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/319323 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 A THOUSAND VOICES http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/241179 -JEN TAGASA
-ED RAMOS

It’s not just about doing the voices anymore. For voice talents executives Pocholo Gonzales and Brian Ligsay, it is sustaining a craft that has been around before television, and nurturing future voices to be heard.

Mel Blanc was a god, and long after to exist, Blanc’s voice will live on-in Bugs Bunny, in Daffy Duck, in Elmer Fudd, and every other Looney creature in that animation of our youth. Brian Ligsay, marketing director and COO, and Pocholo Gonzales, managing director and CEO of Creativoices Productions, the country’s first voice production, school and management for voice over talents, might just replicate that legacy.

“I’ve done thousands of voice overs,” says Gonzales, who has over ten years of experience as a radio talent. And it all started when then five-year old Gonzales would listen to radio dramas like Gabi ng Lagim, which he says fueled his imagination and sparked in him the idea of capturing attention with a mere shift in one’s vocal characteristic. In high school, Gonzales recalls, he would mimic his teacher’s voices, which quickly got him the class clown status. In college, unfortunately, Gonzales didn’t make it to Mass Communications because the quota had already been filled. So, he had to settle for Creative Writing, where literary greats like Nick Joaquin and NVM Gonzales were teachers. Ironically, the written word wasn’t exactly one of his strengths.

“Nakita mo ‘yung importansya… ‘yung hirap. Sulat ka ng sulat. Eh, wala namang buhay ‘yun! Gusto kong magsalita.”

Gonzales came up with a sound solution – shift courses. He found his salvation in Speech Communication, were he reveled in exercises that would be his defining moments, particularly in extemporaneous speech. Gonzales recounts he had to make up descriptions about things that were available in class, off the top of his head – perhaps pens, or plants or even the desk. Even the oral exams whereby students who’d fallen prey to the dastardly but saving phrase of the “speechless,” the annoying “uhmmm,” got point deductions whenever it was uttered during a speech in class. Gonzales, being the cunning speaker that he is, made use of dramatic pauses and rueful silences when his mind would blank out during a speech, instead of polluting the air with the wicked, “uhmmm.”

Once freed from the confines of the university, Gonzales took to auditioning for a slot on the radio show anchored by Joey Galvez and May Catherine Valle, called, Radyo-Radyo, where some 2,000 people auditioned. And DZMM picked him. He was 17 at the time. To date Gonzales has done voice imitations of FPJ, Micheal V., Mike Enriquez, Marc Logan, and even Inday Garutay.

Meanwhile, Ligsay has over 12 years of experience as professional voice-actor and host for various events. Ligsay’s résumé includes animation features like Zoids (Cartoon Network), games like Terra Wars, TV adverts like Frontier Call for Globe Japan, numerous telenovelas for ABS-CBN and a barrage of other voice over work. Both have recently finished voice acting for the first Pinoy animated film called Libingan from Tuldok Animation Studios.

While the voices from your childhood barely had any semblance of training and some type of rigid discipline when it came to maintaining that modulated voice on-air (in fact, some veterans swear by the smoking and drinking and nightly carousing as effective voice enhancers) the new talents these days prefer to preserve their main source of livelihood by not drinking (too much), and not partying (too much). Ligsay does mention that drinking ginger tea evidently constricts one’s vocal cords, so they stay away from that.

Gonzales informs us that a voice actor (particularly for radio dramas and dubbed telenovelas) must be able to read faster, with the mind working faster than the mouth. He says, “So that when you speak, the lines, you already know how to feel it, you’re already that character. Plus, you should read the script before dubbing so you already know where the story is going.”

If you’re seriously thinking about taking on another career, or making a complete change of how you make money, these professionals emphasize that a voice talent must not be conscious of the environment. If one is too aware of one’s environment the likelihood of acting out a character with supreme confidence, in a booth with people watching and listening, is going to be nil. “You can’t be shy,” Gonzales and Ligsay say. Gonzales effectively demonstrates this all throughout the conversation by going into different voices and giving us samples of old radio drama acting technique, also known as “overacting.” Though essentially, what comes off as overacting in normal performance platforms (like movies or TV), is necessary for radio dramas because sometimes there are drastic shits in emotions. Gonzales masterfully demonstrates this by voicing the character of a young man who has just won a basketball game with a booming, enthusiastic voice. Suddenly he finds out that his father just died, and Gonzales quickly shifts his voice to that of lament, sobbing and wailing. It’s just something else.

But duo isn’t just around to dispense little known tricks of the trade, and share there expertise on the art. There is a greater cause to be pushed, for the greater good. Gonzales, who has studied voice acting in the USA, remarks that while there is a wealth of good animation in the country, the voices behind them are lifeless and sometimes are lacking in technique, or character. This is at CreatiVoices for those aspiring to become voice actors, dubbers or do voice over work. Apart form training future talents, Gonzales and Ligsay concern themselves with professionalizing an industry that has long suffered shady contracts and substandard fees. Both reveal how some talents, out of need to get the job, blindly sign a blank contract. A lot don’t even get their talent fees, or sometimes have to endure delayed payments. Gonzales adds he hasn’t even gotten his fee for a TV advert he did several months back. It is an age-old practice that CreatiVoices is trying to deal with by looking out for their artists.

With a pool of highly trained voice talents, and a goal to make the industry better, voice acting, or dubbing will hopefully no longer be just heard in the background. In time, Gonzales and Ligsay hope to create a heritage of an exceptional body work (including archiving various voice recordings), and help build an industry that respects its talents.]]> Sun, 12 Aug 2007 00:58:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/241179 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 CreatiVoices Announces its New Schedule for VoiceWorx! http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/240191

CreatiVoices Announces its New Schedule for VoiceWorx!

After the successful campaign and overwhelming response to the voice acting workshop, CreatiVoices announces its new schedule for the next VoiceWorx classes. The said workshop offers newbie’s and enthusiasts to learn the craft and maybe jumpstart their career in Voice acting and dubbing.

“It’s more than I expected,” says Kish, one student who took the voice acting classes because of his hobby for anime. “Kinakabahan ako, na nakakatuwa.. ganun pala kahirap yun, pero napag-aaralan! (I was nervous and happy at the same time.. it’s that difficult, but you can learn it),” adds Patrick, who learned his new found abilities with his voice. The students had their first dubbing experience as early as the 4th session of the seminar. In one occasion they we’re even sent to other recording studios for audition opportunities, maximizing their potential as a voice talent.

Voice acting is an art, and with voiceworx the class had actual hands-on training, they work with the microphone on real recording sessions. “Gusto natin matuto din silang mag-sulat for Dubbing, (We want them to also learn about translation for dubbing),” Neil Tolentino says. The known Director-Writer for Telenovela adds it is important that dubbers not only know how to act, but to know how to say their lines properly for television audiences. Tolentino teaches in one of the session for the workshop and assign the trainees in actual dubbing sessions at ABS-CBN.

Neil Tolentino teaches them what to write for acting

Neil Tolentino teaches them what to write for acting

Aside from the theoretical applications of the art, they learned of the importance of a craft that has sustained commercials for TV and Radio, including radio dramas/stories handed over for generations. Danny Mandia, a veteran actor-director for dubbing and theater exclaims, “This is the best venue to learn about voice acting and dubbing, you just can’t jump into it without learning the basics… Kung hindi, hindi ka mapapansin at hindi ka makakakuha ng trabaho dito, lalo na kung baguhan ka. (If not, you won’t be noticed, and you will not be able to land a job in this field especially if you’re just starting)” Mandia adds his expertise to the seminar, by sharing his experiences and actual dubbing practices – known in the industry as the “Father of all dubbers,” as many would call him.

Danny Mandia mentors them on dubbing

Danny Mandia mentors them on dubbing

“Gustong gusto ko si Sir Alexx (I like Sir Alexx the best)”, says Michael one of the students who had experiences of difficulty communicating his feelings. He adds that voice acting really helped him develop self-confidence, he is now able to talk more casually and confidently, auditioning roles for telenovela and even animation. “Importante sa lahat yung puso sa performance (It is the heart which is the most important in a performance),” comments Alexx Agcaoili. Hailing from theater and born leader in the industry of dubbing, Agacaoili examines each of the talent’s potential and harnesses their creativity to bring them into character in a performance. His works include directorial for tagalized versions of Inu Yasha, Fruits Basket, GI Joe, Duel Masters, RAVE Master, Mobile Suit Gundam, Rouruni Kenshin, and hundreds of others, including the role of Sanchai’s father in the popular series Meteor Garden being shown in GMA7.

students do the MOVE under Alex Agacaoili’s (not shown here) session

Joy takes cue from Alexx Agacoili (right) on delivering lines with your body

“But that’s not all voiceovers do,” says Brian Ligsay, Director for VoiceWorx. “Voice actors can also do AVPs, live events, narration, audio book, podcasting, telephony prompts, multimedia, internet application and so much more.. “ he adds. CreatiVoices aims to bridge producers and voiceovers in the Philippines by providing a venue for outsourcing talents.

Brian Ligsay directs at VoiceWorx

“With more than 200 Voiceovers talents, we can be sure our client gets the best voice for the project,” comments Pocholo Gonzales, co-founder of CreatiVoices Productions. This month the dynamic duo is featured in FUDGE Magazine, talking about their aims to professionalize an industry with the help of bright new talents. CreatiVoices have also been recently featured in Jessica Soho Reports, Y SPEAK, RPN NEWS, Kabuhayang Swak na Swak and 100 % Pinoy.

Pocholo Gonzales being interviewed at Jessica Soho Reports

The new VoiceWorx classes open this September 8, 2007, and as expected there will be a flock of inquiries and reservations for a tight 10-student per class. It runs for 8 sessions, about 2-3 hours each every Saturday. There is a morning and afternoon class to choose from. The seminar fee is only Php 8,000 for two months, you can do a reservation fee of P1,000 to guarantee your seat and pay half of the seminar fee on September 8. The balance you can pay on the 4th session, which is after 1 month of training.

Students dub at ABS-CBN

The gang wait for their turn at the mic at ABS-CBN

Two directors at work - Neil Tolentino on console, and Brian Ligsay

behind the mic at ABS-CBN


For more pictures, videos and more details you can visit their website at: www.creativoices.com, or call them up at 729-7274 during office hours, you can also email: brianligsay@creativoices.com, or creativoices@gmail.com

Hurry now and join VoiceWorx! – Basic Voiceacting and Dubbing Workshop. You too can learn and benefit from the art of voice acting!

To Register Visit CREATIVOICES PRODUCTIONS

]]> Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:08:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/240191 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 Creating Money out of Voices. http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/237841
Much has been said about the skills and talent one must posses to entertain anyone with their voice. Some of us for years, have adored cartoons, anime and telenovela without noticing the most important factor in the show – the voice actor. Many of us dream to take part in a role that will define a popular koreanovela or anime series in television.

So what do you do, to find your way into the business of voice acting? How do you even start auditioning for the roles? What can you do to make your voice silly and make a living out of it. Fortunately there’s an easy and effective way to learn this.

From the creators of the Philippine Center for Voice Acting that gave you the first International-based Voice Over Acting Clinic.. CreatiVoices Productions present: VoiceWorx! Basic Voice Acting Workshop.

The seminar features some of the Philippine’s best Voice Actors converging into one comprehensive and targeted VO seminar for the voice actor at heart, enthusiasts and those who wish to explore their potential in the arts.

It covers 8 intensive sessions about 2-3 hours each on the art of voice acting, managing your vocal investment, characterization, trade history, and skills and techniques to jumpstart your career in voiceovers. This seminar highlights dubbing for anime and telenovela, taught by leading experts in the field of Television Dubbing.

Participating in this workshop is the father of Dubbing in the Philippines, Danny Mandia who teaches voice acting for dubbers, his direction and supervision includes some of the most beloved animated films in Filipino including, Inuyasha, Zenki, Dog of Flanders, B’Tx, Rorouni Kenshin, Starship Operators, Capricorn, Saber Marionette, and hundreds of others.. Industry experts say you cannot be a “real” dubber without passing through Manny’s direction.

Also appearing in the workshop is Alexx Agcaoili, the very talented voice actor and Director for Filipino anime productions like, Fruits Basket, Rave Master, Mobile Suit Gundam, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Beast Machines, Supergals, Babel 1 and 2, Green Rose, and many more. Taking the role of Dr. Smith in the original Filipino Voltes V and Sanosuke Kagara in Samurai X (Rorouni Kenshin). His contribution to the workshop will be in direct supervision of the recording process and applications of voice acting.

The two is teamed up with writer and translator for television, Neil Tolentino. A well known veteran writer in the industry of dubbing. He will cover familiarity with translation, writing skills and techniques for anime and telenovela. As he says, “You should not only know how to act, but to write what you’re supposed to act..” Directing in Fortune Quest L, and Saber Marionnet J to X, is just a few of the hundreds of animes and telenovelas he has helped become a success.

Leading the seminar is veteran Voice Performer Brian Mathew Ligsay, who started out as a deejay when he was just 16. Now turning 29, he is the Marketing Director and Chief Operating Officer of CreatiVoices Productions, a company with a platoon of 200 Voice over talents at their disposal. He adds, “ Voice acting is an art.. it’s a passion. You speak by heart and you work by heart..” He has done thousands of voiceover jobs for narrations, live events, AVPs, the internet, original animation, gaming, multi-media, radio and television dubbing. Credited to his work in anime is his role in the animated series BECK wherein he took 18 character roles in the show. Brian is also a director, producer and writer for original content.

Pocholo Gonzales steps in as the moderator of the group - a multi-awarded voice talent who outlasts the number of voices he can make. Whenever you hear a Mike Enriquez, Mark Logan, Babalu, FVR, Erap, Juan Flavier sound alike on radio, expect that to be Pocholo. He can do more than 100 voices at any given time and is the CEO and Managing Director of CreatiVoices Productions. Saying, “This seminar is a US-based Voice Over training workshop, localized to fit the Filipino Market..” His exposure to Commercials for Radio and Television provides an extensive source of industry norms and practices one must understand in order to break into the business.

The Workshop which is limited to 10 students per class and starts this June 16, for the regular classes which is held once a week for 8 Saturdays. Pilot classes start on June 18, which compresses the entire workshop to about 1 session per day, Mondays to Fridays, so you can finish the seminar in 8 consecutive days. Both offer the same content, but they recommend you take the regular classes if you are just starting in the industry.

“Whatever your skills are, voice acting can help you out...” Ligsay adds. “Any form of verbal communication can be effectively delivered with the use of voice acting. If you constantly work and meet people, write scripts for events, engage in sales or you just want to boost your speaking performance... then this workshop is a must.”

Enthusiasts can call 729-7274 for registration, drop by at their office at the 3rd flr Left Wing (Lightblue bldg) 1745 Dian St Palanan Makati City. You can visit their website at www.creativoices.com or email brian@creativoices.com for details about this exciting event. But hurry, time and seminar slots are running out.


What is a Voice-Over?
“ A voice over is any recording or performance by one or more unseen voices for the purpose of communicating a message” – James Alburger. Any message you hear without seeing the

performer is considered to be voice-over. This means voice-over is all around us! Whether you are listening to the radio, watching movies or television, dining at your fast food restaurant or riding the rail transit, voice-overs can be heard!

Is doing Voice-overs hard?
Voice-overs can actually be done by anyone! And it’s a very rewarding job indeed. A lot of Voice Talents are being paid to play and many professional voice-overs get their kick out of the industry just by enjoying what they do. Anybody can do a voice-over, but not everybody can do voice acting.


]]> Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:19:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/237841 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 The Hope of the Voice Acting Industry http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/237839
“With great talent comes great responsibilities,” as evidently seen on the works of Pocholo Gonzales CEO of Creativoices Productions. This man of action is using his experiences and theories to shoulder the fortification of the voice acting commerce.
Born with a vision, a chap with enormous passion on the field he truly belongs advocates the strengthening of the voice talent industry. At an early age of 12, Pocholo already visualized himself as a voice talent; he promised himself the glamour of radio by being firm on his dream to be heard by millions of people. Completely aware on how voice actors of before failed to make the profession a legitimate industry, he aimed to take the trade notches higher.

Filipinos are known for their talent, bearing powerful vocal chords that has been available ever since the era of zarzuela to radio drama. But the golden voice was turned into a cheap commodity.

Since then voice talents are taken for granted, now being paid by 80 php per script recording compared to its former price of 500 and 300 php, considering that voice acting has long been running as an entertainment and information channel and is still a necessity in the given scenes.

male voice talentfemale voice talent
A Blend of Voice and Technology

Adept voice control, latest technology and the best entrepreneurial skills, all combined for a business not only designed for profit but also as haven for voice talents, was started byPocholo with Chiz Escudero Pocholo Gonzales, CEO of Creativoices Productions.

“Nagstart ako sa zero, wala akong pera ang naging puhunan ko lang boses ko.”(I started with nothing, the only asset I have is my voice.) But this field is the CEO’s first love so he braved the odds and turned his talent into a more serious business.

Through adequate skills and natural talent he operated a company dedicated for voice acting. “We started 2005, pero ang first name of our company is Univoicesal Productions. I was inspired kasi by Universal Studios pero short-lived siya so we created Creativoices Productions.” (We started in 2005 but the company was first named as Univoicesal Productions, because I was inspired with Universal Studios but it was short-lived so we recreated it as Creativoices Production,) he shared.

He recalled that, “Nagsimula kami sa maliit, recording muna sa bahay tapos nagkaroon din ng sariling recording studio at as of now I have 200 voice talents sa record.” (We started small, recording our projects at home until we had our own recording studio and as of now I have 200 voice talents in record.)

With a mission at hand, he prepared himself by taking the proper education. He took up a Bachelor Degree in Speech Communications and Masters Degree in Broadcast Communication at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. To flourish his skills even more he attended Voice Acting Lessons in Hollywood, mastering the art of voice acting in its various forms such as radio drama, dubbing, voice over for commercial, AVP and Narration.

He branded himself as the Voice master having the talent and the knowledge that will carry the future of this small-scale industry into greener pastures.

Pocholo is lobbying a blend of talent and technology, making use of the latest gadgets to enhance the voice industry. He is the spearhead of a now best selling service – the podcast, a revolutionary method of sending voice-over information via the Internet. Derived from its root words Ipod and Broadcast, Podcast resembles a radio program available in the Internet.

The company’s operations serve as a host that protects the rights of voice talents while ensuring not only the needed quality but to as much as possible exceed the studioclient’s expectations on voice services. With this, the company earned big clients from different industries such as politicians who used the podcast for its electoral campaign; (Election 2007, a tie up with inquirer.net is an example of Podcast) Advertising companies for voice over on commercials, TV and Radio companies for radio drama and dubbings and many other.

Standing solely in the market as voice providers, the company patterned its business from international voice over standards. There are many recording studios in the Philippines but only Creativoices focus on the welfare of voice artists.

Heroic Voice

Voice acting is not a dying industry; in fact just like celebrities flaunting their beauty in the screen, these talented people whose voices echo through the TV, radio and every other medium, should also have their share of the limelight for they are also stars on their own right.

The number of foreign shows that are turned into Tagalog broadcasting and Anime’s that swept the screens of today is a proof that Voice Acting is then and still an imperative part of entertainment. Therefore voice artists are also big players in the industry.

For the implementation of his plans, Gonzales established an institution that will serve aspocholo sanctuary for voice talents. “Why not create something for the industry,” he shared as he unravels his mission of founding Creativoices Productions. “Basically this is my passion, my first love, it has been here ever since but the craft was not professionalize.” So the young CEO took it upon himself to make his talent a better vocation. His small voice is his armor to continue the legacy of voice acting as he strives to change the future of other budding talents.

Creativoices for Pocholo conveys a lot of meaning, “Creating Voices, creative voices or the voice of creativity. So the company’s function is to focus on voice acting as an art,” he added. By establishing the company, Pocholo aims to address the individualism among voice artists. “Kasi dito sa Pilipinas ang problema ng voice talents, kanya kanyang diskarte kaya walang tintawag na market value. Kahit na anong galing ng isang voice talent Kung wala kang entity, pwede kang ibagsak ng malalaking kumpanya.” (The problem with Filipino Voice talents is that they work individually, therefore losing their market value. No matter how good you are if you don’t have an entity, big companies could easily turn you down.)

Next Generation of Creativoices

“Sound can be visualized and imagined a thousand ways so casting imagination to its listeners, that’s the wonder of voice over work,” shared by Pocholo also a Director of Hero TV and the youngest board member of the Animation Council of the Philippines.

Combing the flair for innovative voice acting and entrepreneurial skills, Creativoices is growing by leaps and bounds, “I keep on studying researching and discovering new trends” revealed by the voice actor as the secret components of a successful business.

Creativoices has been a part of E-services Philippines a fair designed by the Center for International Trade Exposition and Missions for IT companies in two years and by joining such exhibits the CEO is dreaming to make the Philippines the center of Voice over industry in Asia like call center or BPO in principle.

Envisioning the future of the company, Pocholo shared his plans, “Plan ko mag venture in the future sa another entity na related like video. Gusto ko din kasi ng mga video documentaries.” (I’m planning to venture into another entity that is related to audio projects like video because I am fond of video documentaries as well.) The company’s focus is on the artistry of being a voice talent; and because of technology nothing is impossible on producing the best audiovisuals giving limitless possibilities to their listeners and viewers.

For more information on Creativoices Productions log on to www.creativoices.com.
]]> Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:17:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/237839 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 ANGARA NG BUHAY PODCAST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/237837 Seer of See Sierra BOOK ABOUT ED
Senator Ed Angara proposed a mandatory health insurance program for Filipino children.
Watch Video Presentation
English: High | Low
Filipino: High | Low

Senator Edgardo J. Angara, the longest serving senator in the post-EDSA Senate, began his political career when he was elected as one of the youngest delegates to the 1971 Constitutional Convention.

A year later he founded what would become one of the country's top law firms known by the initials ACCRA . Honing his skills while practicing, Angara was eventually elected as president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) in 1979, an indication of his rise to prominence in the legal profession.

In recognition of his internationalist views and pragmatism, he was chosen in 1980 as founding president of the ASEAN Law Association, an organization that seeks to harmonize laws in the region and promote a common focus on key issues and policies.

But it was his tenure as president of UP from 1981-1987 where he made his mark after gaining the respect of students and faculty for his professionalism and determination to make the state university attain its true status as the premiere educational center in the country.

He rallied alumni in the country and abroad to pool their resources for various projects to mark UP's diamond jubilee in 1983, including the creation of additional professorial chairs and faculty grants. Through his efforts, the liberal arts curriculum was strengthened, a seven-year honors medical curriculum installed, humanities and science were energized, and a multi-campus university organization was instituted.

In essence, the whole UP system was reorganized to make it more efficient and attuned to the changing times.

He defended the state university's tradition of dissent and fiscal autonomy, while maintaining its reputation for academic excellence. He established stronger links with the business community and alumni organizations, raising the biggest faculty endowment in the university. It came as no surprise then that despite being a political neophyte in the 1987 senatorial elections, he placed in the top five.

By this time, he had established a reputation as a resolute reformer and firm leader, winning praise for his non-confrontational stance on contentious domestic and international issues, while building consensus at the same time.

The same reputation enabled him as Senate President (1993-1995) and as senator (1987-1998, 2001-present) to get through the legislative gridlock that stood between the Legislative and Executive branches of government. He made a difference in the lives of others by pushing for the passage of laws on arts and culture, agriculture, education, good governance, health and social welfare.

As chairman of the Congressional Commission on Education, Angara sponsored laws that resulted in the creation of the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skill Development Authority, both of which enabled the Department of Education to focus on its main concern - basic education.

He also sponsored the Free High School Act that ensured secondary education even for the poorest; the Senior Citizens Act (or The Angara Law) that allowed the elderly to avail of substantial discounts when buying medicine or riding public transport; the National Health Insurance Act, or PHILHEALTH, that provided insurance to every citizen; the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE), the biggest scholarship program.

Under his Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (AFMA), farmers and fisher folk benefited from improved seeds and plant materials, better irrigation, better financing and market access.

He authored the Magna Carta for Public Health Workers and was the principal author of the laws that created the new National Museum and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

As secretary of agriculture (1999-2001), he had the opportunity to implement his own creation, AFMA.

He oversaw an improvement of food production programs and support services that led to a bigger harvest of rice, a development that underscored the drive to attain self-sufficiency. Overall, the agricultural sector saw a growth rate of three percent since 2000, compared with a 1.2 percent growth over the past two decades.

He served as executive secretary (2001), albeit briefly, during the presidency of Joseph Estrada, and oversaw the peaceful transition of power after the second people power revolution.

As Philippine National Bank chairman (1998-1999), he made the bank a major player in the domestic financial market.
Senator Edgardo J. Angara
Senator Edgardo J. Angara

Upon assuming the leadership of LDP, the dominant opposition party, he began to quietly transform the party into formidable institution bent on effecting change in the political and economic infrastructure of the country, like decentralizing the national government and removing barriers that hinder the entry of foreign investment.

Today, he is overseeing a number of important legislative measures, like the Bio-fuels Act that aims to lessen dependence on imported oil and promote increased usage of renewable energy, and the Political Party Development and Campaign Finance Reform Act that seeks to make political parties ideology-based organizations and true instruments of change.

A recipient of the Commandeur dans l'ordre des Palmes citation from France , Angara was also director of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption in 2002

As a further testament to his international experience, he was elected last year as charter president of the Southeast Asia Parliamentarians Against Corruption. Not coincidentally, Angara was the author of the Procurement Reform Act, the biggest anti-corruption law in Philippine history, as well as the father of the Ombudsman Law.

It has not been easy scaling the ladder of corporate law, the academe and politics and becoming one of the country's top public leaders, but Angara has impressed his peers.

Sen. Angara is married to the former Gloria Manalang, past chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines , and has four children. His son, Juan Edgardo, currently represents his home province of Aurora , while daughter Anna is a trained museum curator. Another daughter, Katerina, is completing her arts studies, while the youngest, Alexandra, is graduating with an economics degree from the London School of Economics in the UK.]]> Sun, 29 Jul 2007 21:04:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/237837 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 VOICE ACTING AND DUBBING Workshop this JUNE!! http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/213535 VOICE ACTING AND DUBBING Workshop this JUNE!!


CreatiVoices is happy to announce it's new and dynamic VOICEWORX!!

1. Learn the skills and techniques to develop vocal

artistry behind the mic.

2. Develop and remember character voices like you've never imagined possible.


3. Meet industry icons on voice acting, you get only professional voice-overs teaching you what you need to know to get started.

4. One-on-one intensive training. 1:10 students per class.

5. Lessons in dubbing/recording by Dubbing Directors from HERO TV and ABS-CBN

Instructors: Danny Mandia, Alexxx Agcaoili, Neil Ericson Tolentino, Pocholo Gonzales and Brian Ligsay


6. Actual studio recording and mock auditions

7. You learn how to jump start your career and market your voice!

Ever

yone is invited to join our upcoming voice-acting seminar this Summer, starting June 16, 2007. Learn to develop your voice and boost your confidence today.


Voiceworx schedules:


Regular Classes:
Once a week, every Saturdays.
Starting June 16, 2007

Class A:
Sessions 1,2,3 10:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 4,5,6 9:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 7 8 10:00am – 12:00nn

Class B:
Sessions 1,2,3 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Sessions 4,5,6 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Sessions 7 amp; 8 2:00pm – 4:00pm

PILOT Classes
Mondays – Fridays, except weekends

Starting June 18, 2007

Class 1:
Sessions 1,2,3 10:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 4,5,6 9:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 7 8 10:00am – 12:00nn

Class 2:
Sessions 1,2,3 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Sessions 4,5,6 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Sessions 7 amp; 8 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Call our hotline today!

729-7274 or email us your contact details at:

brian@creativoices.com
or drop by at the :

3rd flr Left Wing 1745 Light blue building Dian St., Bgy Palanan Makati City

DETAILS -

What is a Voice-Over?
“ A voice over is any recording or performance by one or more unseen voices for the purpose of communicating a message” – James Alburger. Any message you hear without seeing the

performer is considered to be voice-over. This means voice-over is all around us! Whether you are listening to the radio, watching movies or television, dining at your fast food restaurant or riding the rail transit, voice-overs can be heard!

Is doing Voice-overs hard?
Voice-overs can actually be done by anyone! And it’s a very rewarding job indeed. A lot of Voice Talents are being paid to play and many professional voice-overs get their kick out of the industry just by enjoying what they do. Anybody can do a voice-over, but not everybody can do voice acting.

So what is Voice Acting?
Voice acting is an art. And like all other art forms it has tools and techniques which must be mastered in order for you to succeed in the level of success you want to deserve. Its about finding the kid in you. It requires dedication and passion for doing Voice-over jobs, and lots of patience to master the skills.

True, not everyone can do voice acting, but anybody can benefit from learning how it works. In fact, many of the students in Creativoices Clinic don’t pursue voice-over jobs, but need the voice acting skills to further themselves in their chosen field.

How do I benefit from Voice Acting lessons?
If you want to break into the world of voice-overs, then voice acting is a must for you. By knowing how to express yourself properly, you can create real and believable characters for commercials, narrations, radio drama and most especially animation. With voice acting you can liven up a conversation and get the attention you want, whether its on a business or a personal level. If you or your job requires you to:
- Communicate with other people on the same or higher business level.
- Prepare Scripts, Write-ups or Citations for Productions
- Talk to customers or clients and close business deals fast and efficient.
- Constantly talk to other people and associates by way of declamation, speech or impromptu performance.
- Or maybe you love to sing, host or perform for an audience.
- Express yourself in a creative and entertaining manner.

Who can do Voice-Acting?
Anyone who needs to talk can communicate better when he/she uses voice acting techniques. Which means that even salespersons, promodizers, carpenters, engineers, attorneys, teachers, draftsmen, doctors, nurses, utility personnel, front desk officers, etc.. can learn voice acting, and benefit from expressing or communicating properly and creatively, with their peers.

What is Creativoices Clinic?
Creativoices Clinic is one of the departments of Creativoices Productions – the premier voice over solutions provider in the country. And it is now offering the Creative Voice Acting Workshop, the only one of its kind in the Philippines today. There are many voice acting schools abroad and many Voice talents offering “experience” based teaching, but none offers a detailed and thorough application and training by book and modules like Creativoices Clinic.

What do I expect from the training?
In Creative Voice Acting Workshop, you’ll get:
1. Personalized, one on one voice coaching and training throughout the workshop - from real and credible Voice Acting Professionals
2. Information you need to know to become a successful voice actor and communicator.
3. Create real and believable characters from within you and learn how to bring them back when needed.
4. Training materials and assignments to keep you at pace with the workshop and rapidly develop your voice acting skills.
5. Professional Critiques to hear and identify your voice qualities and problems.
6. Knowledge on how to self-market and promote your talent, professionally.

How does it work?
The workshop lasts for about 2 intensive hours each session, once a week. There are 3 training modules divided into 8 sessions and categories:
Session 1: The Voice That Works
Session 2: Starting Over – What it takes to be a voice talent
Session 3: Accents, Dictions, Variety, Articulation and Movement
Session 4: Creating interesting and unique character voices
Session 5: Developing skills for listening and responding in scripts. Working with single voice copies.
Session 6: Working with dialogue and multi-voice copies.
Session 7: Fine tuning your performance, and learning how to market yourself.
Session 8: Mock Auditions with Critique board and Q A forum

How do I apply?
You can visit our website or email: brian@creativoices.com with the heading: CREATIVOICES CLINIC. Add the following contact information:
Name:
Address:
Landline:
Mobile nos:
E-mail:
And send us the email to receive a confirmation link and downloadable form from the internet. Our staff will also call you soon, so you can ask more about the workshop, especially about the referral program.

How much does it cost?
For the whole program the total cost is Php 8,000 only. 50% down payment and the remaining balance on the 4th session. It includes fees for the instructor, venue and training materials. A one time, non-refundable reservation fee of Php 1000.00 will guarantee your seat. Students may also take advantage of the referral program.

What is the referral program?
For a limited time only, students can now avail of this special program. Please review the terms and conditions carefully.
1. Applicants must be 18 years old and above and residing in the Philippines.
2. Application forms for the referral program must be fully completed.
3. Only Workshop students may apply for the referral program.
4. Applicants will get Php 1,000 per successful referral.
5. Incentives may be in form of cash or deferred through the candidate’s course. Which means if you get 8 successful referrals, you study the whole program for FREE.
6. Incentives can only be claimed if the referrals has paid in full.
7. There are no limits to referrals, and students may still avail of the program even after the course.
8. Creativoices Productions reserves the right to terminate any referral program anytime.
Schedule of Training and Workshop
Start of Classes will be on June 16, 2007 (Saturday) and every Saturday thereof:
1st class – 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
2nd class – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

*PILOT CLASS - 1st come, first serve basis


Limited slots remaining. Interested parties may e-mail: brian@creativoices.com or visit our website: www.creativoices.com. You can also checkout our web blog at: http://creativoices.blogspot.com

]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:06:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/213535 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 VOICE ACTING AND DUBBING Workshop this JUNE!! http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/213537


CreatiVoices is happy to announce it's new and dynamic VOICEWORX!!

1. Learn the skills and techniques to develop vocal

artistry behind the mic.

2. Develop and remember character voices like you've never imagined possible.


3. Meet industry icons on voice acting, you get only professional voice-overs teaching you what you need to know to get started.

4. One-on-one intensive training. 1:10 students per class.

5. Lessons in dubbing/recording by Dubbing Directors from HERO TV and ABS-CBN

Instructors: Danny Mandia, Alexxx Agcaoili, Neil Ericson Tolentino, Pocholo Gonzales and Brian Ligsay


6. Actual studio recording and mock auditions

7. You learn how to jump start your career and market your voice!

Ever

yone is invited to join our upcoming voice-acting seminar this Summer, starting June 16, 2007. Learn to develop your voice and boost your confidence today.


Voiceworx schedules:


Regular Classes:
Once a week, every Saturdays.
Starting June 16, 2007

Class A:
Sessions 1,2,3 10:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 4,5,6 9:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 7 8 10:00am – 12:00nn

Class B:
Sessions 1,2,3 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Sessions 4,5,6 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Sessions 7 8 2:00pm – 4:00pm

PILOT Classes
Mondays – Fridays, except weekends

Starting June 18, 2007

Class 1:
Sessions 1,2,3 10:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 4,5,6 9:00am – 12:00nn
Sessions 7 8 10:00am – 12:00nn

Class 2:
Sessions 1,2,3 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Sessions 4,5,6 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Sessions 7 8 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Call our hotline today!

729-7274 or email us your contact details at:

brian@creativoices.com
or drop by at the :

3rd flr Left Wing 1745 Light blue building Dian St., Bgy Palanan Makati City

DETAILS -

What is a Voice-Over?
“ A voice over is any recording or performance by one or more unseen voices for the purpose of communicating a message” – James Alburger. Any message you hear without seeing the

performer is considered to be voice-over. This means voice-over is all around us! Whether you are listening to the radio, watching movies or television, dining at your fast food restaurant or riding the rail transit, voice-overs can be heard!

Is doing Voice-overs hard?
Voice-overs can actually be done by anyone! And it’s a very rewarding job indeed. A lot of Voice Talents are being paid to play and many professional voice-overs get their kick out of the industry just by enjoying what they do. Anybody can do a voice-over, but not everybody can do voice acting.

So what is Voice Acting?
Voice acting is an art. And like all other art forms it has tools and techniques which must be mastered in order for you to succeed in the level of success you want to deserve. Its about finding the kid in you. It requires dedication and passion for doing Voice-over jobs, and lots of patience to master the skills.

True, not everyone can do voice acting, but anybody can benefit from learning how it works. In fact, many of the students in Creativoices Clinic don’t pursue voice-over jobs, but need the voice acting skills to further themselves in their chosen field.

How do I benefit from Voice Acting lessons?
If you want to break into the world of voice-overs, then voice acting is a must for you. By knowing how to express yourself properly, you can create real and believable characters for commercials, narrations, radio drama and most especially animation. With voice acting you can liven up a conversation and get the attention you want, whether its on a business or a personal level. If you or your job requires you to:
- Communicate with other people on the same or higher business level.
- Prepare Scripts, Write-ups or Citations for Productions
- Talk to customers or clients and close business deals fast and efficient.
- Constantly talk to other people and associates by way of declamation, speech or impromptu performance.
- Or maybe you love to sing, host or perform for an audience.
- Express yourself in a creative and entertaining manner.

Who can do Voice-Acting?
Anyone who needs to talk can communicate better when he/she uses voice acting techniques. Which means that even salespersons, promodizers, carpenters, engineers, attorneys, teachers, draftsmen, doctors, nurses, utility personnel, front desk officers, etc.. can learn voice acting, and benefit from expressing or communicating properly and creatively, with their peers.

What is Creativoices Clinic?
Creativoices Clinic is one of the departments of Creativoices Productions – the premier voice over solutions provider in the country. And it is now offering the Creative Voice Acting Workshop, the only one of its kind in the Philippines today. There are many voice acting schools abroad and many Voice talents offering “experience” based teaching, but none offers a detailed and thorough application and training by book and modules like Creativoices Clinic.

What do I expect from the training?
In Creative Voice Acting Workshop, you’ll get:
1. Personalized, one on one voice coaching and training throughout the workshop - from real and credible Voice Acting Professionals
2. Information you need to know to become a successful voice actor and communicator.
3. Create real and believable characters from within you and learn how to bring them back when needed.
4. Training materials and assignments to keep you at pace with the workshop and rapidly develop your voice acting skills.
5. Professional Critiques to hear and identify your voice qualities and problems.
6. Knowledge on how to self-market and promote your talent, professionally.

How does it work?
The workshop lasts for about 2 intensive hours each session, once a week. There are 3 training modules divided into 8 sessions and categories:
Session 1: The Voice That Works
Session 2: Starting Over – What it takes to be a voice talent
Session 3: Accents, Dictions, Variety, Articulation and Movement
Session 4: Creating interesting and unique character voices
Session 5: Developing skills for listening and responding in scripts. Working with single voice copies.
Session 6: Working with dialogue and multi-voice copies.
Session 7: Fine tuning your performance, and learning how to market yourself.
Session 8: Mock Auditions with Critique board and Q A forum

How do I apply?
You can visit our website or email: brian@creativoices.com with the heading: CREATIVOICES CLINIC. Add the following contact information:
Name:
Address:
Landline:
Mobile nos:
E-mail:
And send us the email to receive a confirmation link and downloadable form from the internet. Our staff will also call you soon, so you can ask more about the workshop, especially about the referral program.

How much does it cost?
For the whole program the total cost is Php 8,000 only. 50% down payment and the remaining balance on the 4th session. It includes fees for the instructor, venue and training materials. A one time, non-refundable reservation fee of Php 1000.00 will guarantee your seat. Students may also take advantage of the referral program.

What is the referral program?
For a limited time only, students can now avail of this special program. Please review the terms and conditions carefully.
1. Applicants must be 18 years old and above and residing in the Philippines.
2. Application forms for the referral program must be fully completed.
3. Only Workshop students may apply for the referral program.
4. Applicants will get Php 1,000 per successful referral.
5. Incentives may be in form of cash or deferred through the candidate’s course. Which means if you get 8 successful referrals, you study the whole program for FREE.
6. Incentives can only be claimed if the referrals has paid in full.
7. There are no limits to referrals, and students may still avail of the program even after the course.
8. Creativoices Productions reserves the right to terminate any referral program anytime.
Schedule of Training and Workshop
Start of Classes will be on June 16, 2007 (Saturday) and every Saturday thereof:
1st class – 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
2nd class – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

*PILOT CLASS - 1st come, first serve basis


Limited slots remaining. Interested parties may e-mail: brian@creativoices.com or visit our website: www.creativoices.com. You can also checkout our web blog at: http://creativoices.blogspot.com]]> Sat, 02 Jun 2007 12:06:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/213537 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 Filipino voice talents find their way into gaming http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/42598

By Erwin Oliva
INQ7.net
Last updated 09:33pm (Mla time) 07/21/2006


Former radio disc jockey turned professional voice talent Brian Ligsay never imagined becoming the voice of a virtual character in a PC game.

With luck, Luis Manalac, founder of a local game development company Ladyluck Digital Media Inc., spotted him hosting an event in Manila. He was then invited to become one of the voices in a PC game now known as Terra Wars: NY Invasion.

"It was the first time that I did a voice of a three-dimensional computer game," said Ligsay who is also marketing director and chief operating officer of Creative Voices.

Ligsay has been a professional voice talent since 1997. He also produces, writes scripts, and recruits other voice talents for television, radio, advertising, audio books, animation, and recently, gaming.

Established in November 2005, Creative Voices has over 200 voice talents here and abroad. Still, Ligsay said the local voice talent industry is a "young" industry.

His recent job with LadyLuck Digital Media showed, however, that there is a potential market for local professional voice talents in gaming.

The "voice work" in Terra Wars: NY Invasion took at least five days to finish, Ligsay said. This included recording, editing and sound direction. The recording process took at least two to three hours to finish, he added.

Because of their experience in doing voice in animation, Creative Voices was hired to contribute more to make the game experience better, he said.

The company eventually directed two known television hosts Mike Enriquez and Vicky Morales, both from GMA Network Inc., to do voices for two major characters in the PC game.

"They had so much fun," Ligsay said, recalling his experience with Enriquez and Morales.

Creative Voices managing director and chief executive officer Pocholo Gonzales was also part of the Terra Wars: NY Invasion's pool of voice talents.

Voice talents in the Philppines can earn decent money if they diversify, Ligsay said.

For gaming, voice talents can earn between 10,000 to 20,000 pesos per character for an entire game, he said. This is relatively lower than what local voice talents earn from radio, television, commercials, and voice-over jobs.



Copyright 2006 INQ7.net. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://technology.inq7.net/infotech/infotech/view_article.php?article_id=11095]]> Mon, 28 Aug 2006 20:46:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/42598 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 YOUTH PODCAST HALLOWEEN SPECIAL http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/31457
HAPPY HALLOWEEN



From the creators of podworx comes an episode that is mind-boggling, spine tingling and head rattling this season of the dead. Featuring a real live Dracula, 2 dead hosts, zombie guests, and hair-raising sound effects, you’ll swear to hate your mom for turning on that old radio program..

This is Unicast… Episode 2

The Podcast especially designed for Voice Artists in the Philippines.. with the latest trends and the hottest tips, including insights on what’s happening inside and out the voice market. This episode highlights the Halloween season with two new segments..

Wiretapped.. Intimate and revealing conversations with interesting people of the Generation I. Featuring Janette Toral, the mother of Philippine E-commerce Law Republict Act 8792. She’s here and she’s wiretapped!

Our next new segment is a celebration of the Halloween Spookfest, with Podquest you can now learn more about must-listened to podcasts from all over the world!

This episode’s Podquest is recommended by the Unicast team for those of the weak of the heart.

Podquest.. In search for the next big thing in podcasting. The journey begins here…

Podcasting unlike no other!… Stay tuned for more high-tech podcasts only from… PODWORX!

VISIT www.podworx.blogspot.com]]> Thu, 03 Nov 2005 22:55:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/31457 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 PODWORX! UNICAST EPISODE 2 "HALLOWEEN SPECIAL" http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/32878 ]]> Sat, 29 Oct 2005 07:25:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/32878 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 YOUTH PODCAST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/30613
Basically, the main purpose of this is to hear the voice of the youth around the world literally. As in, in audio form. So this would like be a radio program in podcasting form. Anyone who are inclined with audio production, we are open for your help and suggestion. Thank you very much.

Please email youthcast@gmail.com


JOIN THE PROJECT BY CLICKING THIS:

I need a leader for this

http://projects.takingitglobal.org/youthcast



YOUTH PODCAST

What is a Podcast?
Podcasting is a new trend, and there are a lot of people who haven't heard of it or don't know exactly what it is. Basically, podcasting is like blogging, but with audio. ("Blogging," which stands for "web logging," means maintaining a web-based journal).

Podcasting s a combination of:

* a new capability for listeners not only to download an audio file (MP3) from the internet, but to subscribe to receive future audio files from the same source or "channel," and
* a growing trend of amateur DJs creating their own "radio shows" as giant MP3 files published on the internet, including both music and talk.

Podcasting is very significant for independent music for several reasons. First, it has fueled the rise of amateur DJs who are helping ordinary consumers discover music that they might never otherwise hear on the radio, These amateur DJs help level the playing field for all musicians.

Second, podcasting also allows consumers to "subscribe to a band" and receive future material (or messages) from that band -- just as if the band had their own radio station.

Third, podcasting addresses a new generation of youth - "Generation i" - who don't own radios or CD players, but who own computers and iPods. For this new generation, podcasting is what FM radio has been to past generations.
A Podcast is audio content available for automatic download and playback on portable devices such as Apple iPods. The great benefit of a Podcasts is you don’t have to check the website everytime you want to hear new music. It will be waiting for you on your computer and sync up to your digital music player when you connect it!

There are a growing number of free or inexpensive programs that make it easy to automatically detect new audio content and automatically retrieve it.
How to subscribe to our Podcast.

We recommend you use iPodder or iTunes to subscribe to our podcast. But there are many programs out there that you are welcome to use.
To subscribe, you would copy paste the RSS feed:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/youthcast

into the program, and then it should do the rest for you.]]> Sun, 09 Oct 2005 10:45:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/30613 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 PODWORX! UNICAST EPISODE 1 The Professional Podcasting Service of Univoicesal Productions PODWORX! UNICAST EPISODE 1 The Profes http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/30610 PODWORX! UNICAST EPISODE 1 The Professional Podcasting Service of Univoicesal Productions

This is your ultimate guide to what’s happening in the world of voice-over in the Philippines. News, interviews, the hottest trends, tips about voice acting, and how to make it in the business. It’s your way to stay informed and get connected in the voice-over marketplace. Univoicesal Productions welcomes you to our official podcast.. Thank you for tuning in… Listen up, and listen well. This is UNICAST.. Episode One.

UNICAST EPISODE 1


How do I subscribe to a podcast...?
How do I subscribe to a podcast...?
Podcasting has become very popular, especially now that iTunes has a podcast directory, over night podcasting has become mainstream.
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All this is possible with the magic of a thing called a RSS feed. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. All you do is copy/paste our RSS path into iTunes or other RSS reader, and you are subscribed. Nothing else to do but listen and enjoy.
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http://feeds.feedburner.com/podworx]]> Sun, 09 Oct 2005 08:27:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/30610 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 PODWORX! PODCASTING http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/30608
PODWORX! UNICAST EPISODE 1 The Professional Podcasting Service of Univoicesal Productions

This is your ultimate guide to what’s happening in the world of voice-over in the Philippines. News, interviews, the hottest trends, tips about voice acting, and how to make it in the business. It’s your way to stay informed and get connected in the voice-over marketplace. Univoicesal Productions welcomes you to our official podcast.. Thank you for tuning in… Listen up, and listen well. This is UNICAST.. Episode One.

UNICAST EPISODE 1]]> Sun, 09 Oct 2005 07:57:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/30608 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 PODWORX! UNICAST Episode 1 "The Podcasting Service of Univoicesal Productions" http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/32879 ]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2005 08:49:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/32879 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 PODWORX! UNICAST Episode 1 "The Podcasting Service of Creativoices Productions" http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/35545 ]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2005 08:49:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/35545 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 Podcasting Voiceovers Found At Univoicesal.com http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/34938
Podcasting Voiceovers Found At Univoicesal.com




Podcasters and business professionals can now find the perfect voice for their podcasts at Univoicesal.com.. Find announcers, imaging talent, and podcast host voices quickly and for free. By working with the voice talent agency directly, clients receive rapid turnaround time and cost-effective pricing.


OCTOBER 2005 MAKATI – MAKATI – Univoicesal Productions
(http://www.univoicesal.com), for all your voice recording needs, is a busy hub of podcast voiceover activity, ready exceed the expectations of indie podcasters, organizations, and corporations looking for a signature voice to host and or provide imaging for their podcast. Using the Univoicesal Productions proprietary voiceover job posting software, podcasters will be able to find, audition, and hire voiceover talent within a matter of minutes. This valuable podcasting tool organizes responses online with demos and quotes from a variety of qualified talent while sorting and promptly identifying talents that are most suited to their needs and that vocally match the overall vision of the podcast.


Recent industries searching for podcasting voices at www.univoicesal.com include the medical, educational, and technology sectors. These companies have realized the benefits and convenience of outsourcing their podcast voiceovers, often hiring more than one talent at a time for their recordings. Examples of podcasting voice roles include a professor style voice, hostess, customer testimonials, sidekicks, announcers, and various comical and cartoon-like voice characters.


A strong majority of the voiceover talents at the site have extensive background in broadcast radio and television. We are providing podcasting voices for long-term clients and gaining more business at the univoicesal.com site, building new relationships with studio producers, corporations, and independent podcasters. A number of univoicesal.com talent host our own podcasts, syndicated through podcast aggregators such as Apple iTunes, iPodderX, and Odeo.
Company Managing Director says, "Big business is embracing a new way to launch their ideas and instantly execute marketing strategies. Companies are often surprised at just how easy it is to find a voice that will bring their marketing to the next level through podcasting."
Companies can post a job and receive a bevy of voice talent responses within minutes of posting their voiceover job. Posting a podcasting job at www.univoicesal.com is free of charge.
To learn more about posting your podcasting job, click here:


# # #
Media Contact: UNIVOICESAL PRODUCTIONS
+632-8934080
info@univoicesal.com

Company Information: http://www.univoicesal.com


Listen to NEW PODWORX!! AD]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2005 05:39:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/34938 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 Podcasting Voiceovers Found At creativoices.com http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/35546
Podcasting Voiceovers Found At www.creativoices.com




Podcasters and business professionals can now find the perfect voice for their podcasts at www.creativoices.com.. Find announcers, imaging talent, and podcast host voices quickly and for free. By working with the voice talent agency directly, clients receive rapid turnaround time and cost-effective pricing.


NOVEMBER 2005 MAKATI – MAKATI – Creativoices Productions
(http://www.creativoices.com), for all your voice recording needs, is a busy hub of podcast voiceover activity, ready exceed the expectations of indie podcasters, organizations, and corporations looking for a signature voice to host and or provide imaging for their podcast. Using the Creativoices Productions proprietary voiceover job posting software, podcasters will be able to find, audition, and hire voiceover talent within a matter of minutes. This valuable podcasting tool organizes responses online with demos and quotes from a variety of qualified talent while sorting and promptly identifying talents that are most suited to their needs and that vocally match the overall vision of the podcast.


Recent industries searching for podcasting voices at www.creativoices.com include the medical, educational, and technology sectors. These companies have realized the benefits and convenience of outsourcing their podcast voiceovers, often hiring more than one talent at a time for their recordings. Examples of podcasting voice roles include a professor style voice, hostess, customer testimonials, sidekicks, announcers, and various comical and cartoon-like voice characters.


A strong majority of the voiceover talents at the site have extensive background in broadcast radio and television. We are providing podcasting voices for long-term clients and gaining more business at the creativoices.com site, building new relationships with studio producers, corporations, and independent podcasters. A number of creativoices.com talent host our own podcasts, syndicated through podcast aggregators such as Apple iTunes, iPodderX, and Odeo.
Company Managing Director says, "Big business is embracing a new way to launch their ideas and instantly execute marketing strategies. Companies are often surprised at just how easy it is to find a voice that will bring their marketing to the next level through podcasting."
Companies can post a job and receive a bevy of voice talent responses within minutes of posting their voiceover job. Posting a podcasting job at www.creativoices.com is free of charge.
To learn more about posting your podcasting job, click here:


# # #
Media Contact: CREATIVOICESL PRODUCTIONS
+639062611079
info@creativoices.com

Company Information: http://www.creativoices.com


Listen to NEW PODWORX!! AD]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2005 05:39:00 EDT http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/35546 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK: http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/23399 Empowering the Youth from Cyberspace to the Airwaves!

A convergence of technological extremes - that is one way to describe the efforts of a group of young individuals dedicated in reaching out and recharging what potentially is the most powerful force of the country, the Filipino Youth. Voice of the Youth (VOTY) Network, in its mission of empowering the youth, has gone back to its roots to conquer both cyberspace and the airwaves in the name of youth service.

Soaring Online!

While so many young people has been spending significant amount of time, money and energy in the Internet with online games and cyber-autographs, VOTY for several years has been reaching out to thousands to provide useful information and opportunities that young people should become aware of. The fact that the Internet provides an infinite wealth of these opportunities had long been motivated 25 year-old, Pocholo Gonzales, founder of the internationally recognized and award winning organization. Through VOTY these milestones are shared to the Filipino youth.
He believes that the youth should realize that the right use of technology could provide them opportunities that would make them literally go to places and become involved in once in a lifetime activities. Take it from someone who, despite coming from humble beginnings, has gone to more than twenty countries around the world because of international youth events that are widely circulated in the Internet. Take note, these travels are for free.
All of these youth affairs in and out of the country are made available online through the continuously evolving VOTY website, www.voty.org and the e-groups that have been reaching thousands of email accounts around the world. More to that, the website also provides services offered by VOTY and its partner international and local organizations. It is also a venue where young people could voice – out their concerns to the society and VOTY addresses these concerns by providing real actions.
Even if there is 11.8 million Internet users in the country at present and the figure is expected to double in the coming years, still millions of young people in the country have not been introduced to computers. However, cellular phones have undeniably penetrated almost everyone from all walks of life, especially now that access is getting as cheap as it gets. Internet services even provide technically free SMS and MMS services. Not to be left out, VOTY once again infuses youth empowerment to mobile technology. This is through the VOTY Power Groups. Simply by typing ENTER VOTY and sending to 2213 makes one already a cyber-member, receiving updates on youth events. It’s another innovation indeed from a technologically driven group of young idealists.

Soaring On - Air!

Innovator, pioneer and responsible risk taker, VOTY returns to an industry that younger generation somehow turned away from all these years. It’s the AM Radio - the broadcast medium that started it all yet still prevails as the most affordable and accessible… not to mention still being at the frontline of journalism. At the face of the triumph of highly commercialized FM and “MTV generation”, who would’ve thought that a group of ordinary students and yuppies just bursting with bright ideas regularly flock inside a small radio booth in Quezon City? For one hour every Saturday noon, young people make a pro-active noise on the airwaves in a radio program dubbed as “Lakas – Kabataan, Tinig Kabataan: RECHARGED” or LKTKR aired over DZME 1530kHz. LKTKR in fact is the on – air version of the VOTY website.
Taking the challenge of reintroducing AM Radio to young people, what could be more effective than putting them on the spotlight, or in this case a microphone that could be heard nationwide? Though not as perky or thrilling than being a celebrity wannabe on TV or a DJ on FM, it’s an equal delight to witness how passionate young people could get when they want to be taken seriously.
As media focus more in trivial if not in bad news, young people that truly makes sense in society has been receiving less exposure than what they truly deserve. It would take a long process of psychological and cultural transformation to divert young people’s attention away from apathy and turn towards nation building. However, as long as VOTY successfully scouts for these individuals and youth organizations to recognize and maximize what’s innate, there’s really a silver lining ahead.
Denouncing absurd and nonsense debates, topics on VOICE OUT segment revolves around youth empowerment and advocacy, while special guests for BILIB KAMI SA’YO are inspiring youth leaders and achievers, even celebrities that truly goes beyond making cute faces. JOIN KAYO DITO is just overflowing with worthwhile youth events and RIBYU SA RADYO puts the sense in entertainment and trends. But the major difference with LKTKR is that it has more actions than talk, making you realize that good things really do happen in the country and it’s all because of the YOUTH.
Imagine all of these high-tech efforts out of pure volunteerism. Now, youth service has never been “cooler”.
VOTY remains a firm believer that the YOUTH is the HOPE of the country not only for the FUTURE but the PRESENT as well. Service, action, volunteerism, and advocacy mobilized by technology and media… this is the Voice of the Youth Network - inspiring, informing, involving and empowering! The commitment goes on and the possibilities are as infinite as both the airwaves and cyberspace combined.


]]> Sat, 02 Apr 2005 15:03:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/23399 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 YOUTH POWER 2005 http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/21698
Warm Greetings!

In response to the challenges that the Filipino youth are facing
today, the Next Step Events Planner in partnership with the
Philippine Youth Sphere Group of Networks is holding the Premier
Youth Event of the Year dubbed as YOUTH POWER 2005 Conference and
Expo. This is happening on February 4-5 at the World Trade Center.

The event highlights plenary sessions that will talk about the Value
of Education, Leadership, Community Development, ICT and Digital
Opportunities, Politics and Governance, Entrepreneurship, Career in
Media. Also in the conference are different academic tilt that
include interpretative song and dance competitions, essay writing
contest,modern-cultural dance Fest, debate and barkada challenge.

For the expo, we are expecting more than 20,000 visitors and at least
50 donors to exhibit. This will be a strategic venue for the youth to
directly interact with corporate personnel of different companies and
a place to get closer to employers.

Pre-registration is required. So plese download the application form
at www.youthpower.tk and send it back to us via email
youthpower2005@gmail.com

Should you have any questions, please call us at 8130148 or via fax
8939996.

Let everyone know about this event. PLease pass the message to as
many
people as you know. Its high time that we realize our vital role in
nation building. Let us establish a connection now...

Since registration is for FREE, we expect you to see you there!

--
VOICE OF THE YOUTH NETWORK
National Projects Committee
Unit 1207 Cityland Herrera Tower
V. A. Rufino St., Salcedo Village
Makati City 1220 Philippines
Email: youthpowe2005@gmail.com
Mobile: +639173375760
Fax: (632) 8939996
]]> Thu, 13 Jan 2005 23:42:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/21698 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 Kabataan, Ano ka ba naman? http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/21246
Kabataan, ano ka ba naman?
Sa tuwina'y aking katanungan
Di mo ba naiisip ang kahihinatnan
Kung kaya't nagkikibit balikat ka na lang.

Kabataan, ano ka ba naman?
Di mo ba nababatid ika'y kailangan
Sa araw ng bukas ng ating inang bayan
Maaari bang mag isip ka naman.

Kabataan, ano ka ba naman?
Ang simbahay ginagawa mo na lang tambayan
Ang konsensya mo ba'y tuluyan ng natabunan
Gumalang ka naman at nang ika'y biyayaan.

Kabataan, ano ka ba naman?
Bisyo, alak at mga kalaswaan
Ang iyong tanging sinasaluduhan
Sana'y minsa'y mamulat ka naman.

Kabataan, ano ka ba naman?
Di mo ba napapansin ang iyong kapaligiran
tapon dito't wala ka man lang pakundangan
di ba maaring tumulong ka man lang.

Kabataan, ano ka ba naman?
Di mo ba napapansin ang iyong mga magulang
Na naghihirap upang ika'y igapang
Sana nama'y gumising ka naman.

Kabataan, maari bang ika'ylumaban?
Alang-alang na rin sayong kinabukasan
Upang hindi maging palaboy sa lansangan
Na marapat ihanay sa mabubuti't iginagalang.

Kabataan, ibahin ang nakasanayan
Upang tao'y hindi ka layuan
Sa kanila'y ipakitang mayroon kang kalakasan
Na marapat tularan ng sususnod na kamalayan.




]]> Wed, 22 Dec 2004 07:37:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/21246 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 Oriental Mindoro Youth Action Forum: A Step in Making a Difference http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/21163




Inspire.Inform. Empower. Involve.



Three ‘incredible’ men stepped in the island of Oriental Mindoro to establish a chapter of Voice of the Youth (VOTY) Network and Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines (NCJP) at the Divine Word College of Calapan Gym, Calapan City, November 18, 2004.



The event was dubbed “Oriental Mindoro Youth Action Forum.”



Youth serving youth. Voice of the Youth Network (VOTY) is an organization aiming to empower the Filipino youth and tell the world that the youth has a voice that should be heard.

Emilson A. Goco, Regional Task Force Convenor of the National Youth Commission-National Youth Parliament-MIMAROPA, was inspired by the organizations’ goals and principles. With the help of technology, he invited the noble founder of VOTY, Pocholo “Choy” Gonzales to establish a chapter in Oriental Mindoro.



Together with Rommel Brillantes, Provincial Chairman of VOTY Quirino Province Chapter and Al Ian Barcelona, one of VOTY Directors, they selflessly accepted the invitation without expecting for fee and extravagant accommodation. They did not mind the bad weather, instead struggled the typhoon Unding just to reach Calapan City.

Being hospitable hosts, the organizers of the forum, Ruel D. Quinzon, Provincial Youth Development Council Chairman; Rene M. Colocar, DWCC Research, Planning and External Affairs Coordinator, Kathlene Cyrele Cuyas, Or. Mindoro SK Federation President; Emilson A. Goco, NYP Regional Convenor; Larsie Mañibo, Polytechnic College of Calapan Student Council President; Leiffrey Z. Gargullo, The DWCC Gazette Editor-in-Chief; Racquel G. Garcia, The DWCC Gazette Associate Editor and Harvey Pinohermoso of DeMolay, welcomed the three in a casual and simple party.



They enlivened the night with their inspiring yet humorous stories and jokes. Choy, Ian and Rommel said that they are also ordinary young people who enjoy parties and recreations. What made them extraordinary was their genuine intention of serving the youth.



Mission Accomplished. Two hundred fifty (250) Mindoreño youth filled the DWCC Gymnasium on the next day, November 19. They came from different secondary and tertiary schools in Oriental Mindoro but gathered for a cause…for a mission.



“The world is small and life is short. Touch your fellow youth’s heart and feel the spirit within you,” says the noble founder of VOTY, Choy.



He also said that VOTY was created for the youth and to serve the youth because he believes that the meaningful youth participation is about recognizing and nurturing the strengths, interests and abilities of young people by providing them with real opportunities to become involved in decisions that offers young people a chance to develop important decision-making and problem-solving skills, develop meaningful relationships and bolster self-esteem.



Rommel, on the other hand, inspired the participants more by sharing his unforgettable memories and the grandiose opportunities he experienced in VOTY.



In addition, Ian gave emphasis to the present situation of the youth, how they deal with the deteriorated society and their involvement to some unwanted activities. But youth organizations such as VOTY and NCJP can make a difference though they cannot totally stop the youngsters from doing such awful things.



He also introduced the Network of Campus Journalists of the Philippines (NCJP) which is founded by an awarded young journalist, Lloyd Luna. He stressed the organization’s goals and objectives and its activities.



Ian and Choy tickled the audience with their talents as they imitated past presidents such as FVR, Erap and GMA and also famous personalities like FPJ and Miriam Defensor Santiago that undoubtedly spiced up the event more.



The event was highlighted by the election of officers of the Chapter. Emilson A. Goco was appointed as the VOTY Chairman while Leiffrey Z. Gargullo was elected as the NCJP Chairman.



The forum aims not only to establish network in Oriental Mindoro but also to promote awareness of the present situation of the society, which the youth currently faces, that needs to be saved and changed.



The success of the affair could be seen in the faces of the participants as they walked out the gymnasium.

The sparks in their eyes say that they were inspired.

The smile on their lips says that they were informed.

The wave of their hands as they bid goodbye to the speakers and organizers says that they were involved.



The experience was really memorable especially for the speakers (Choy, Ian and Rommel). They were trapped in the island because of the typhoon and they were not able to go on the day of the scheduled departure.

Works were pending.

Meetings were postponed.

And angry girlfriend. (Right Kuya Choy?)

But still, these did not matter. The mission was accomplished anyway! Definitely, that was an unforgettable trip.



Beginning the action. The establishment of the chapter of the two organizations in Oriental Mindoro is just a beginning. After the successful yet tiring forum, the group talked about their plans and projects for the future. This is not just a beginning but the intensity of the flame burning inside their hearts will keep on growing and nothing can stop them.



What make these two organizations different from the others is its non-political inclination and the sincere heart for the youth. The enumerable awards they received here and abroad proved that the two youth groups really act.



We can always make a difference.

Whoever you are.

No matter how far you came from.

The threat of the dreaded society is scary and the world needs you.

Let your voice be heard.

Keep inspiring, informing, empowering and involving the Filipino youth.





VOTY-NCJP-ORIENTAL MINDORO CHAPTER

]]> Fri, 17 Dec 2004 14:33:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/21163 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 Hear us, young people! http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/20811 By Saleema Devi Refran, 2bU! correspondent
Inquirer News Service







WISDOM comes with age. In this year's "Generation Why 3: Linking the Barangay to the Global Village" seminar, 2bU! asked these men and women what they would like to impart to today's youth.

I want to encourage the youth to find themselves, because identity and self-knowledge makes life worth living.-Grace Nono, singer and producer

Don't lose hope. Dapat makita nila na may pag-asa pa. Ang dami pa nilang pwedeng gawin. Sayang kasi (if ever, since) the youth can change society.-Ivan Mayrina, broadcast journalist

It's one thing to get independence, it's another thing to know what to do with that independence.-Ambeth Ocampo, National Historic Institute, chairperson

Mahalin ninyo ang sarili niyo, mahalin ninyo ang bansa niyo, mahalin ninyo ang dugo niyo, ang pagiging Pilipino. Kung hindi niyo mamahalin ang inyong identity o kultura, wala nang magmamahal diyan.-Kara David, broadcast journalist

The youth of today can right the wrongs and undo the mess we're facing now. This is a golden opportunity to be the best generation this country has ever seen.-Francis Pangilinan, senator and founder, Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations

Spirituality. When we have the strength from a higher power, we will not be discouraged, no matter what the odds are.-Francis M, performer

You may have a lot of it, now but you must think about how you use your time. If you can value your time, you will probably enjoy your life more.-Mon Isberto, Smart Communications

Drive. Yung mentality of not following the normal career path, and using the opportunities brought about by technologies.-Niel Dagondon, director and producer, Anino Entertainment

Take on the responsibility of bringing things to new heights. Because if you don't, nobody will.-Mon Lizardo, INQ7.net

To be passionate about the things they do, to know the issues around them, to read about the issues, to empower themselves and not just sit on the sidelines, but to go out there and make a difference.-Celine Madamba, Strategic Marketing, Philippine Daily Inquirer




]]> Fri, 26 Nov 2004 07:20:00 EST http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/20811 14.6438889 121.037514.6438889121.0375 BATA-BATA ANO ANG IYONG GINAGAWA? http://choyg8.tigblog.org/post/20805
(Kid, kid… What’s up?)

Child Rights, Issues and Advocacy

LKTKR EPISODE


VOICE OUT:


November 20, 2004 is the 15th anniversary of the international adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child or CRC. It’s just the perfect time to talk about Children’s Rights, Issues and Advocacy. And the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the pioneer of child advocacy and international watchdog of the protection of kids’ rights, is just about the perfect organization to help us with the discussion.


UNICEF


Mr. Dale Rutstein, Communications Officer of UNICEF in Manila graced us with a phone interview although in such short notice. According to Dale, UNICEF started working here in the Philippines in 1947, after World War II, as a temporary program to meet the needs of children who were affected by the war. UNICEF became permanent quickly because the United Nations realized the need for an organization to protect the rights of children and help their development all over the world. He assures that UNICEF will stay in the country for a long time, working in health, education, child protection and advocacy.

UNICEF is only working on so-called third worlds countries; their funds and programs are dedicated towards the countries where there are no public resources to meet and protect all these rights. The organization collaborates closely with the government. Dale says that UNICEF exists at the good gracious of the government as they continue to work with NGO’s and different sectors.


Child Rights


The rights of children could be categorized in four principles, mainly Survival, Protection, Development and Participation. Dale explains that Survival basically means that children should not die, being at the most vulnerable time or stage of life. There is a need to look very carefully and provide all the services, and support to keep children healthy before and after birth, in their first vulnerable months and years. Development refers to education, growth and all the things that help them develop. The child should receive access to a family, shelter, good food and education. Protection refers to all the things needed to shield children from abuse, exploitation, neglect and discrimination. Dale laments that millions of children in the world are still not given protection from all of these.


Media Impact


UNICEF is the only UN agency that has a dedicated staff working with the media and communication in every country. Dale says that UNICEF takes media work seriously because "people need to be reminded often and loudly that children are here, children need support and special care". Although we all love children, we often forget that, we have to go beyond and do more to protect the child. Even in your own family, it could be a burden because we tend to take care of yourself first. "We need many voices, speaking up and reminding people about that."

Realizing the importance of media, TV, radio and the broadcast industry, UNICEF for many years has been training kids to develop skills in broadcasting, in doing radio and video programs. However, Dale finds that although the training is great and is developing skills to kids, there is no outlet for them and no one sees what they do. Mr. Dale Rutstein, along with the people of UNICEF decided to produce a TV program made by kids for kids. It is Kabataan News Network (KNN), which is shown every Saturday, 10AM at ABC 5 with replays at Tuesdays 4PM and over NBN (Sundays, 4PM) and Nickelodeon, the first Filipino – produced kids show on the Cable TV channel. KNN has a bureau of kids from all over the country from Sagada to Saranggani. Dale says that they really wanted to show the lives of ordinary kids because as children look on the media, they see their own lives and realize what they could become. "It’s helping kids to think big." Several of the kids are taking mass communications in universities, some wants to become lawyers while others look at it as a way of getting involved in more social causes.

"It’s inevitable that when kids have a powerful experience at a young age, it does tend to mold them".


PRESSING CHALLENGE


In the Philippines, the most serious and most alarming problem Children’s Rights Violation is the lack of comprehensive juvenile justice system. "It’s hard to believe that in the country, there is no distinct system of legal justice that looks at child offenders." Children who commit a crime or accused of committing a crime are treated like adults. Kids today who are arrested for a crime are detained with adults and tried like adults, which is a violation of the International Convention on the Rights of a Child. These kids need special treatment.

UNICEF is starting an advocacy campaign on juvenile justice. They’re trying to promote passage of the Comprehensive Juvenile Justice Bill on Congress. The people should push lawmakers to pass this bill because it is an outrage that there is no law that protects the rights of children in the court or jail. Oftentimes, these kids commit very small crimes but they are jailed with adults where they experience and suffer abuse and tremendous torture. These children will never have a chance to overcome those trauma and these makes them criminals.

One of the aspects of the bill is community diversion. This essentially means that a child who commits an offense is, first of all, never really arrested or detained. The child is brought back to the community, in a system organized by the baranggay to cope with the situation. The child should work or receive some kind of community-based training or opportunity. The main goal or principle is to divert all child cases away from the court, away from jail. It takes a village or baranggay to help these kids stay away from anti-social behavior because they usually lack the supervision of parents.

Even with cases where kids commit heinous crimes, there should be a special type of detention that suits the needs of children.

Two previous congresses have already failed in passing of the bill. Children in jail really have no support, they don’t have expensive lobbyist and they are at the lowest position in society. There are other louder voices than the needs of these children.

"Lack of funding for the implementation of the proposed law should not be a deterrent. At least we have to start with the law."


Regarding Foster care, however, UNICEF considers it as a last resort for kids to be taken away and to be deprived of their natural rights for parents. Unless in very extreme situations where the family is very dysfunctional and could lead to extreme danger for the child. Kids are sometimes just whisked away from their home too quickly. But the country is doing a good job with that regard.

This is just one of the very serious problems Filipino kids face in the country. We still have issues on child labor, trafficking, prostitution, and malnutrition.

"It’s sad that with all the riches and wealth the country has, it doesn’t go and spread around, there are too many children who are deprived."


PHILIPPINE KIDS


With his experience in working with so many kids from different countries, Dale realizes the ways children are the same are much more than the way than they’re different.

"I’m a firm believer that there is only one country in the world and mankind is the citizen of that one country."

However, Dale observers that Filipino kids are generally very resilient, always looking on the bright side of life, obedient and respectful to elders, energetic and enthusiastic.

"Even with the awareness of poverty and lack of material things, kids move on and do the best they can."


KIDS PARTICIPATION RIGHTS


UNICEF stresses that they work for the Children in the Philippines and not for the Filipino Child. Dale explains that there are a lot of young people and children in the country who don’t feel they are really welcome in the Philippines. These are the children in Mindanao, the indigenous kids or from different ethnic groups. They want to get across the notion of the diversity of young people, they all have the right to be here, and they need to be embraced and recognized.

"It’s really important for children of the Philippines to feel like they have a role to play for the development of the country, and that they have the right and the place to play and do that role."

Some people consider kids participation as a radical new vision of young people. We often think that children are small, weak, and not as intelligent and they need to get education and to grow up.

"They’re considered as human beings in waiting. In a nutshell, that is why deprivation of children’s rights exists. We need to say to people that Children are NOT the FUTURE, they’re the PRESENT".

We don’t wait for children to play they role and we need to let them play that role now. UNICEF found in many parts of the world that when you actually listen to kids, you learn things you never knew and you get a perspective on things that adults are not capable of having.

"With two million kids being born every year in the country, we should let them fall off the cracks."


Well, that’s how interesting our talk with UNICEF spokesperson Mr. Dale Rutstein went. And what’s more interesting is the brewing partnership between LKTKR and UNICEF with their Child advocacy. Although, technically, international community defines children as anyone below 18 years of age while the youth as anyone from, 15 to 25 years old. But as Mr. Rutstein put it, "the advocacy should not stop at the 18th birthday."

Expect us to guest hosts of KNN and the young people behind it soon in our succeeding programs!


Anyway, what other child issues did Ma. Gisella Orinion (my sole partner for the day – she did very well) and I talked about?


First, the incredible hoax of Faye Nicole B. San Juan, 12 year old student from St. James School with her Mother, Catherine San Juan winning the International Science Quiz Net. 19-yr old writer Patricia Chanco Evangelista, among major newspapers and TV networks and even US were mislead and believed all the lies. There was no contest and they never went to Australia. Bread of Life Ministries already issued a public apology.

Hopefully, this would serve as a lesson to everyone. Although the story got everyone fooled, the child should not be condemned. But this would not stop LKTKR in our advocacy to give recognition to the young people who give honor to the country in "small and big ways."


Second, Philip Ivan Gines, 7-year-old boy of Cavite, recently died of leukemia. He is one of the patients that young actress Maybelyn dela Cruz is handling for the Kythe Foundation, where she volunteers to entertain cancer – patient kids. Our prayers go for the family and for Maybelyn who apparently has been affected with the child’s passing. Although, Philip lost the fight for life, he made all the people around him special in his short stay.


Third, A 6-grade student in Metro Manila is first honor of his class this grading period. Controversy arises when school policy that a transferee should not be accepted or should be disqualified for 1st to 3rd honors. His achievement is at the brink of being thrown out by the administration although things could still turn around.


Also, AIDS Society of the Philippines, through Project Coordinator Bong Yap, shared with us their practice of protecting the rights of the child in their programs through the "ethical guidelines in AIDS investigation." The child of an HIV patient should not be interviewed about the disease without proper guidelines or parental consent.

This is their underlying principle of "as early as in the womb, kids already have their right."


JOIN KA DITO:

THINK POSITIVE: AIDS AWARENESS CONCERT, SPREAD THE NEWS, STOP THE DISEASE at the PICC Plenary Hall, Pasay City. November 23, 2004.

Pocholo Gonzales and Al Ian Barcelona were not with us because they’re in Mindoro where they inspired, informed, involved and empowered new 300 VOTY members.


RIBYU SA RADYO:


Recommended Movie: Magnifico, played by Jiro Manio (winning major international awards for the past 2 years) – truly one of the best movies in Philippine Cinema.

TV:

Bu-bu cha-cha (dubbed by Choy); Blue’s Clues
Recommended Books for Kids:

Nancy Drew detective stories, Calvin and Hobbes, Hardy Boys, Tintin Adventures, Bryan Learns His Lesson

Songs:

Masdan Mo Ang Mga Bata - Asin

RIBYU SA RADYO:


Everything that a child sees and does is a reflection of the reality and the situation of the society. If they experience abuse and their rights are not being protected, this would surely create an impact on their lives and ultimately in the country’s development.


Peace - Out - DJ Emsie

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