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Speaker to discuss Filipino culture history today

To continue this year’s theme of “faces of the Valley, our wealth and diversity,” the Friends of the Madden Library program will have Ronald Dangaran discuss “The Origins and Traditions of the Local Filipino Community,” a lecture dedicated to the history and background of the Filipino culture. The event will take place in the Madden Library on Friday at 6 p.m.

Dangaran has been involved in the educational system since 1955, when he started as an elementary school teacher for the Fresno Unified School District. At age 71, he is the program director for educational learning at Alliant International University in Fresno.

In 1990, the Filipino American Educators Association of California awarded Dangaran the Outstanding Achievement Award.

When asked what motivates him to be involved with the Filipino community, Dangaran said, “we share our culture, our history and traditions. This is what makes our society.”

A admission of $2 will be charged at the door for non-members of the program; $1 for students. For more information, call program coordinator Kellie Willis at 278-5790.

Veteran television director to teach workshop Saturday

To help increase its popularity, the B# (B-sharp) Video Club will have Howard Ritter, a veteran freelance director, teach a workshop for anyone interested in video production and acting for television.

The event will be held Saturday in Speech Arts Room 172 (Studio A) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s really open to the public,” said Bryan Harley, president of B#. “Regardless of your major, if you have any interest in video production or aspiration to be an actor, the workshop is an opportunity.”

Harley said Ritter will present a “complicated” sitcom-style scene he developed and participants will have a chance to play roles in front of the camera, as well as behind it. The scene involves fast-paced movements with cameras and actors running in different directions.

Ritter has spent 30 years in the television industry. His credits include directing episodes of “General Hospital,” “Night Court” and “That’s My Bush.” He was also the video coordinator for CSU Summer Arts in 2003.

“A lot of the acting on campus is in theater,” Harley said. “So a lot of the actors don’t have real experience in front of the camera. This is an opportunity to work on a TV show that could be made in L.A., with a high-stress environment and with lots going on.”

There is a charge of $5 to cover lunch. For more information, contact Harley at [email protected].

Former professor to speak at graduate symposium Saturday

Author and former Fresno State professor Victor Davis Hanson will talk about “War in a Classical Context” at the seventh annual graduate student symposium on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

The free event, hosted by the Fresno State History Graduate Student Association, will take place in the University Business Center. For more information, call the history department at 278-2153.

Please send event details at least two days in advance, no later than 5 p.m. For more information, contact features editor Chhun Sun at [email protected] or 278-2556.