Militant legislators in the House of Representatives are pushing for a full-blown investigation into “the oil companies

CEGP demands public apology from Arroyo, ‘moratorium on violent dispersals, harassment’

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) today said that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’ s latest statement calling for a freeze in tuition hikes vindicates students’ protests.

The CEGP said in light of Arroyo’s recent statement, students who have endured violent dispersals, harassment and violations of students’ rights to assemble and freely express themselves on tuition and other education-related issues deserve no less than a public apology from schools administrators, authorities and the President herself. Read the full story

In celebration of Philippines – Japan Friendship Month, the Japan Foundation, Manila, in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the UP Film Institute presents a glimpse of the Japanese culture in Eiga Sai ’08.

This year’s offering brings together 5 contemporary, 1 classical and 2 animae/manga films in 35mm format that would surely amuse Japanese film enthusiasts and the general public as well. An invitational screening of We Shall Overcome Someday (Pacchigi) by director Kazuyuki Izutsu will be held on July 8, 2008 (Tuesday) at 7:00 p.m. at the Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 3, Edsa, Mandaluyong City.

The film story tells about the situation during the 1960′s in Japan, the romance between a Japanese and an ethnic North Korean high school student, the sets of cultural differences intertwined by love and passion conquering its boundaries, which is torn by the realities of issues of life that still prevails. Likewise, it deals with music, sexual liberation, freedom and about doing what you want. We Shall Overcome Someday was ranked as the best Japanese film by the venerable Kinema Junpo in 2005.

Other films to be featured are Linda Linda Linda (Rinda Rinda Rinda, 2005, directed by Nobuhiro Yamashita), Canary (Kanaria , 2004, directed by Akihiko Shiota), Hanging Garden (Kuchu teien, 2005, directed by Toshiaki Toyoda), A Stranger of Mine (Unmei ja nai hito, 2004, directed by Kenji Uchida), and Juvenile Jungle (Kurutta Kajitsu, 1956, directed by Ko Nakahira).

In line with the celebration, the J-Pop Anime Matsuri to be hosted by the Embassy of Japan will be held on July 26 and 27 and the event includes the preview screenings of Chibi Maruko Chan (1990, written by Momoko Sakura) and The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Toki o Kakeru Shoujo, 2001, directed by Mamoru Hosoda), a multi-awarded animae film that received the Grand Prize Award in the animation division of the 2006 Japan Media Arts Festival and the Special Distinction for Feature Film Awards at France 31st Annecy International Film Festival in June 2007.

All films will be shown with English subtitles. Screening venues are at the Shangri-La Plaza Cinema 3 (July 8 to 13, 26 & 27), CCP Dream Theater (August 7 to 10), and UP Film Institute (August 11 to 14 & 16). ADMISSION IS FREE. For detailed screening schedules and inquiries, please check the Japan Foundation, Manila website: www.jfmo.org. ph or call the JFM telephone numbers 811-6155 to 58.

The search is on for the next students and scholars of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

The learning institution, formally established in 2004, is an autonomous graduate school of the National University of Singapore, considered among the top 25 universities in the world based on surveys.

The school has inherited a rich legacy left by its predecessor Public Policy Programme set up in 1992 and developed in partnership with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University .

Its student population boasts of international leaders from various fields, including government officials, military officers and even non-government organization personnel.

As its name implies, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy aims to provide opportunities for the education and training of the next generation of Asian policy-makers and leaders to raise the standards of governance throughout the region, and in the process improve the lives of the people and contribute to the transformation of Asia and the world.

The school offers three master degree programs in Public Policy, Public Administration and Public Management.

It also offers a wide range of customized executive programs and has trained over 1,000 public sector professionals since its establishment in 2004.

According to Stavros Yiannouka, vice dean for executive education and development, their institution is a vibrant place for the exchange of ideas with a diverse student population and faculty.

A majority of students are from China and India , and a number from other Asian countries like Indonesia , Pakistan , the Philippines , Bangladesh , Kazakhstan , Mongolia and Korea . There are also students from Africa and the United States .