Converting string to date with Velocity Template Language in Liferay 6 GA2

Question

I'm having trouble converting a string to a date object in a Liferay 6 GA2 web content template.

I've tried my hand using the tools available ( Access Objects in Liferay )

I've even tried importing Java classes like:

#set ($foo = "2012-12-06")
#set ($bar = $portal.getClass().forName('java.text.SimpleDateFormat'))
$bar.parse($foo)

Nothing has worked so far. Any ideas?

TIA

Answer 1

#set($foo="20121206")
#set($format=$dateUtil.getISOFormat($foo))
$format.parse($foo)