Lola Sela talks about the importance of radio drama during the awarding ceremony of Gawad Plaridel at UP Film Institute on 20 July 2011. She also impressed the audience with her different voices. JOSHUA MARK DALUPANG

By Florence May Jose

A lola is now part of the prestigious list of Gawad Plaridel awardees.

After being chosen by the panel of judges, Lola Sela – Eloisa Cruz Canlas in real life – was recognized Wednesday as one of the most outstanding figures in Philippine radio.

Professor Arminda Santiago, head of the Gawad Plaridel screening committee, said that the board chose her over three other nominees due to her all-encompassing experience in local radio, be it drama or news.

Lola Sela is a self-taught talent. She said that she used to practice alone in forests, vocalizing and holding her breath to improve her vocal skills.

Today, after reaping the benefits of the hard work she has invested, Lola Sela shares her skills with the community. She is currently one of the heads of Tanghalang Parisukat, a training center that educates people on the importance of theater, radio, television and print media in building a peaceful community. She also conducts training sessions that help participants improve their voice capabilities.

Aside from talent, Lola Sela said it is also important to be skillful if one wants to leave a mark in the industry. “Dapat maabilidad ka. Madiskarte (You have to be crafty and resourceful),” she said.

Her past experiences also let her apply the life lessons of efficiency and patience to her craft today.

Like a typical grandmother, Lola Sela is a loud and animated storyteller, with many tales and lessons to share with the young. But above all, like a typical grandmother, this lola does it out of love for the craft and for the next generation.

From left: Independent filmmaker and Gawad Plaridel 2009 awardee Kidlat Tahimik, UP President Alfredo Pascual, Gawad Plaridel 2011 awardee Eloisa “Lola Sela” Canlas and Chancellor Caesar Saloma. JOSHUA MARK DALUPANG

By Hajilyn Javier

Radio drama pioneer Eloisa Cruz-Canlas, the 2011 Gawad Plaridel Awardee, urged media students to be fearless in their work and to never forget their obligation to the country.

“Maging matapang sa pagsasabi ng katotohanan. Huwag kayong matakot. Alamin natin ang totoo at i-broadcast natin (Be brave in speaking the truth. Do not be afraid. Let us discover the truth and broadcast it),” Canlas said at the awarding ceremony Wednesday at the University of the Philippines Film Institute.

Canlas, known as Lola Sela Bungangera in her radio program, also said, “Paglingkuran natin ang ating bayan with a clear conscience – now na! Sapagkat pag pinabayaan natin ang ating bayan, sinong magdudusa? Tayo pa rin (Let us serve our country with a clear conscience – right now! Because if we will abandon our country, who will suffer? It will still be us).”

Taking on the tones of a little girl, an impish young boy, a toothless old woman and even a chicken and goat, Canlas demonstrated her talent in radio drama, the field for which she was well-known. She even sang “Bayan Ko” in four different voices as part of her lecture.

She encouraged the youth to support radio drama – which, Canlas said, was her “first love” - and continue its legacy.

“Ang drama ay buhay ng tao (Drama is the life of man),” Canlas said. “Kayo ay magsikap upang huwag mawala ang drama sa radyo. Ayokong ito ay mamatay. Ito ay propesyong di manakaw kailanman (You must persevere so radio drama would not fade away. I do not want it to die. It is a profession that cannot ever be stolen).”

Students from different universities attend the awarding ceremony of Gawad Plaridel 2011 on July 20. The award was given to radio drama veteran Lola Sela. MICHELLE ANGELICA SORIANO

Canlas is the seventh recipient of the Gawad Plaridel, the highest honor given to media practitioners by the UP College of Mass Communication.

UP President Alfredo Pascual, UP Diliman Chancellor Cesar Saloma, CMC Dean Roland Tolention and Journalism professor Luis Teodoro were all present to award Canlas the Gawad Plaridel.

Eric de Guia, popularly known as Kidlat Tahimik, the 2009 Gawad Plaridel Awardee for Independent Film, was also present to support the Gawad Plaridel and Canlas.

Photo courtesy of the Gawad Plaridel screening committee.

By Florence May Jose

For her extensive experience in the field of radio and her advocacy to help the poor, Eloisa Cruz Canlas or “Lola Sela” has been named Gawad Plaridel awardee this year.

“Kapag gumagawa ka pala ng mabuti nang walang hinihintay na kapalit, mayroon at mayroong makakakita ‘non (If you do good things without hoping for anything in return, someone will definitely appreciate that),” Canlas said.

The 65-year old radio drama veteran, radio script writer, director, producer and host is popularly known as “Lola Sela Bungangera.” She said she got her moniker from DZRH owner Frederico Elizalde.

Canlas currently voices her own program “Lola Sela Bungangera with the Senior Citizen and Livelihood Program” at her home network DZRH.  She said she focuses on senior citizens because she wants to help the ones abandoned by their family.

“Kaya ko din ito nagawa because I love my parents (I also did this because I love my parents),” she added.

Two other radio programs featuring Canlas as Lola Sela are aired by the Radyo Natin Network and by DWJJ Cabanatuan City. Lola Sela also appears in “Pondahan”, a segment in UNTV’s early morning show, “Good Morning Kuya.”

Canlas is also the current executive producer of dzIQ Radyo Inquirer’s “Drama sa Nuebe Nubenta.”

Prof. Arminda Santiago, head of the Gawad Plaridel panel, said Canlas was chosen over three other nominees because of her numerous contributions in the radio industry. Santiago also noted her experience in radio journalism and her advocacy of helping senior citizens.

This year’s panel of judged includes Far East Broadcasting Corporation (FEBC-Philippines) president Dan Cura, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility Deputy Director Luis Teodoro, Broadcast Communication Chair Prof. Rosa Maria Feliciano and 2007 Gawad Plaridel awardee for TV CheChe Lazaro.

The Gawad Plaridel bestows honor to outstanding media practitioners in print, radio, television, film and new media. The Gawad Plaridel awardees receive a trophy sculpted by National Artist for Sculpture Napoleon Abueva and a P100,000 cash prize.

Canlas will be awarded on July 20 Wednesday at the Cine Adarna of the UP Film Institute. She will also have a short lecture alongside the ceremony.

Aside from Tahimik’s non-commercial contributions to the local cinema, the multi-awarded filmmaker was selected for introducing Philippine independent films to an international audience, according to a statement by the College of Mass Communication (CMC) Office of Extension and External Relations.

Best known for his 1977 film Mabangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmare) which won the Berlin Film Festival international film critics prize, Tahimik inspired local filmmakers to listen to their “inner dwarf”, the statement added.

Named after La Solidaridad editor Marcelo del Pilar’s nom de plume, the CMC-established award annually honors Philippine media practitioners “whose professional integrity and commitment to public service are reflected in his or her exemplary achievements in print, film, radio, television or the new media.”

Tahimik is 6^th to join the ranks of previous UP Gawad Plaridel recipients: Eugenia Duran-Apostol for print journalism in 2004, Vilma Santos for film in 2005, the late Fidela “Tiya Dely” Magpayo for radio in 2006, Cecilia “Che-che” Lazaro for television in 2007, and Pachico A. Seares for community journalism in 2008.

Tahimik will receive the Gawad Plaridel, sculpted by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, on July 10, 2 pm at the UP Film Institute. He will then lecture on independent filmmaking.