Thursday, April 28, 2011

Filipino Librarian: Mary Ann Jimenez-Salvador

One delightful thing about attending conferences like this one of PAARL's is that I get to meet and catch up with friends from college and the profession at large. The experience offers professional growth and updating as well as linkages and networking opportunities.

Last night at dinner, I met friends from the Philippine Normal University and we were engaged in delightful conversations on life, love and librarianship. I met once more my college friend, Mary Ann Jimenez-Salvador who is a successful librarian at De La Salle University, Dasmarinas Cavite having initiated Philippine cultural projects for the university's Filipiniana Collection and Services. Our bonding session continued way into the night as she became my room mate. 

Me-ann, as she is known among friends is likewise pursuing her passion in art education, cultural studies and outreach projects. She has conducted workshops and art education sessions for the CCP and other organizations. A native of Quezon Province, she is currently helping a college in her hometown set up a library. Me-ann is married to sound artist and jazz musician Lirio Salvador whose sound art masterpieces has been exhibited in New York and Singapore.


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Library Infotainment/Edutainment

I'm waiting for boarding time to my flight to Roxas City at 9.30 AM. I'll be joining the PAARL 's Summer Conference on Library Tourism and Hospitality as resource speaker on the topic of Library Infotainment/Edutainment. I have to admit that, so far, this topic is the most challenging topic I need to cover in my history as facilitator, resource person and lecturer on LIS (Library and Information Services). I enjoyed working on the module despite several revisions though. It's going to be fun, I hope.

For now, here is one of the three videos I will be using tomorrow. Its Arizona State University's the Library Minute. It's short, sweet and substantial. It's a perfect example of library infotainment/edutainment.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Winners of the 2011 Alcala Prize

Congratulations to Yasmin Doctor for winning the 2011 Alcala Prize. She will be awarded the medal and cash prize along with Eugene Evasco (Salanga Prize 2011) on 19 July 2011 during the National Children's Book Day celebration. Below is her winning illustration to Evasco's story, Rizaldy


Honorable mention goes to Jonathan Ranolla and Leo Agtuca. Their works are posted below respectively. Thanks to Ani Almario and Liza Flores for the graphics. View more of the winning artworks in PBBY website.

A sample of Jonathan Ranolla's interpretation of Evasco's story, Rizaldy

Leo Agtuca's samples of his rendition of Rizaldy by Eugene Evasco



Sunday, April 24, 2011

CCP Batang Sining: Teachers' Impressions

Impressions from participants of the Batang Sining Workshop for Teachers in Mauban, Quezon conducted last 11-15 April 2011. These were delivered during the Culminating and Closing Ceremonies at Mauban South Elementary School.

Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat!

For the past five days of our workshop, I could say that this has been the best workshop I experienced in my 17 years of teaching. Why did I say the best? Kase po, napakaswerte natin at napakagaling ng ating mga trainors. They are very approachable and charming. Sobrang galing ng chemistry nila! Dr. Gatmaitan, Ma’am Zarah, Sir Hermie at Tita Bing, salamat po!

Considering that the workshop ran for five days, I thought that it would be a stressful and work related workshop. Pero, hindi pala. The activities were enjoyable and at the same time, we learned so much. Marami kaming ma-iaaply sa pang-araw araw na pagtuturo. Sana po ay ipagpatuloy n gaming mga punong bayan ang ganitong mga uri ng workshop or pagsasanay dahil para din ito sa kabataan ng Mauban! Maraming Salamat Po!

-- Yolanda P. Mancenido
Mauban North Elementary School
Region IV-A Calabarzon
DepEd Quezon

At first, there was a feeling of uncertainty. I was undecided whether to go here of not because I want to take a rest after a year of teaching. But when I heard the facilitators introduced on the first day, I was impressed. As days go by, I was impressed with the activities of the workshop too. It has been a fruitful five days! The workshop was not boring. It was not the kind of workshop where in speakers would lecture on theories and provide bright ideas with no actual application at all.

Isa po sa paborito kong gawain ay ang T-shirt art dahil, marami palang paraan para makilala ang isang bata o mag-aaral. Paborito ko rin ang Music Art dahil nakapag-express ako ng sarili ng walang limitasyon.

The Batang Sining worlshop improved me, not just as a teacher, but as a person as well. I learned to socialize with others. I learned a lot of activities that can be done in the classroom. Sana maulit muli and Batang Sining ditto sa Mauban.

To Dr. Gatmaitan, Ma’am Zarah, Sir Hermie and Ate Bing, your skills and talents, your views and the way you speak, the manner you give comments and feedback – talagang nakaka-inspire! All of you are incredibly exceptional! From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much!

-- Liezl D. de los Santos
Mauban North Elementary School
Region IV-A Calabarzon
DepEd Quezon



One participant was so inspired, she made a poem on her experience of the Batang Sining workshop. Thanks to Teacher Ingket for the poem. Luis and I read the poem during the awarding of certificates/diploma. 

Saturday, April 23, 2011

World Book Day 2011

Today is World Book Day!

Thanks to PaperTigers who blogged the link via The Book Chook. Though I am not reading any book at the moment, I thought about the books I have read the past three months - Beastly, Linger, The Cellist of Sarajevo, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (and oh, the reviews I need to write for these plus the Book Drum contest I need to finish next week!), The Amulet Books 1-3, Masterpiece and GP Taylor's Doppelganger. What a list, huh! I am so proud of myself for having read nine books in the last three months. And there are three more books set aside for reading in the next quarter.

For more information on World Book Day, go to the link and explore the site. It's very British but note that the event began with a UNESCO proclamation as part of its literacy campaign. There's loads to discover from the Brits and how they celebrate World Book Day so head on to the link. You might just realize how we share some things in common with them.

Picture! Picture!


Note: Taken inside the Metro Rail Transit (MRT). It's rare to find a reading person in the MRT.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Online Retreat 2011: The Fugitives of Lent

Fr. Johnny Go SJ has set up an online retreat for Lent entitled, The Fugitives of Lent. He does this every year since, if I am not mistaken, 2007 and it has become a tradition.

It does not replace the actual retreat but enhances one's encounter with God. Click the link to go to the site.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Day 3, 4 and 5 of CCP Batang Sining at Mauban Quezon

On the third day of Batang Sining, my camera had a major, major accident and I could no longer transfer photos to the MacBook. Good thing I have my iPod ready to capture those moments of learning and discovery. I have uploaded most of the photos in my FB account so I'll just breeze through highlights of the remaining three days of the workshop.


CCP Batang Sining was made possible by Mauban's Tourism Office with the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Department of Education and the local government of Mauban, Quezon. Super thanks to Ms. Anie Calleja, tourism officer and a true blue Maubanin, for making this possible. It was a memorable experience for me. I was with great company - Hermie Beltran, Bing Tresvalles and, friend and colleague (in the writing industry that is) Luis "Tito Dok" Gatmaitan were all experienced Batang Sining facilitators and speakers. The participants were amazing! They were naturally talented, spontaneous and very sincere! I learned a lot from their use of the Filipino language. Maubanins have, in fact, their own Tagalog-English Dictionary. The town is situated at the edge of Quezon province but they have a rich culture to call their own.



Day three and four activities consisted of puppetry, buri weaving, book making,  human art activity and storytelling. On the fifth day, participants practiced on their group presentations for the culminating activity in the afternoon. It was a fruitful and fun workshop indeed! 

Here are photos and stories on the last three days of the CCP Batang Sining workshop.



Teacher Isa concentrates on the illustrations of the book she is making. I think, this was the most challenging activity since it involved several cognitive skills at the same time. But the teachers delivered and much to our delight, a good number of teacher made books discussed the culture and traditions of Mauban. Mayor Dingdong Llamas was impressed when he saw these books on display during the culminating activity.


Teachers gamely sculpted their way into living and breathing human sculptures. They worked in pairs in the first round and then in groups. We had to emphasize the relevance of this art form as a visual art. More than trust and confidence at the hands of the sculptor there are basic concepts to consider when making this art form. Balance, synchronicity and concept. Then again, Filipinos in general are natural storytellers. Their art works have stories to tell.


We know about tandem telling, right? Here's a trio reading aloud Luis Gatmaitan's book on pregnancy and anticipation of a sibling. Naku, May Baby sa Tiyan ni Mommy was illustrated by Pepper Roxas.


One of the puppet shows I loved during the workshop was Unang Araw sa Eskwelahan by Group Alis-is. It tells of the first day experience of children in school. The puppets were made by teachers and they wrote a script for the show. The group was proclaimed one of the top four puppet shows so they had the opportunity to regale the mayor who watched the whole event from start to finish!



Here are two panel boards that display and showcase the art works, puppets and books made by the teachers. Hopefully, the teachers will be able to infuse their craft with more art and aesthetics as well as, use the art techniques we shared in the classroom.


The very supportive mayor of Mauban, Mayor Dingdong Llamas. He was never short of good things to say to his constituents, to us, guests and visitors and to his staff who worked hard to make the CCP Batang Sining a success! More power to Mauban! More power to all Maubanins!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Batang Sining Day 2 - Tableau, Puppetry and Music Art

SMART Network in Mauban, Quezon is a big disappointment. The signal is so slow I could not post photos of the CCP Batang Sining workshop. I could still blog though, so I should still be thankful.

Day 2 of the workshop had been a combination of visual and performing arts. Teachers were game in the tableau-dramatization activity and were so engrossed in making their very own puppets out of recycled materials. After lunch, they followed their feelings and gut feel by doing art work on illustration board. Thanks to music! The teachers produced abstract art ala Picaso.

Towards the end of the afternoon, teachers were practicing their puppet show presentations for tomorrow. Needless to say, they had fun! Art is magic! 

Monday, April 11, 2011

Live Blogging: Batang Sining - Group Games & T-shirt Art (Day 1)

Right after the ceremonial opening of Batang Sining, Luis and I moved to unlock the meaning of Batang Sining so that teachers could further connect their context on the workshop's objectives. We then explained the many benefits of arts and culture; how it can enrich teaching strategies;  transform one's self confidence; and build character. Hopefully, they would be able to pass on to their students the many activities designed for creative expression.

To perk up the big group, we did some group dynamics that allowed participants to speak and know each other. When we asked for volunteers to share, five teachers eagerly went to the stage and shared! Now, the teachers are working on their t-shirt art activity.

The activity prompts them to describe themselves and their qualities that they are proud of. They are making designs on the shirt that highlight their talents and hobbies. They're all engaged! It's snack time but they would not leave their working tables. Later, we will ask them to present their work of art! 

Live Blogging: CCP Batang Sining @ Mauban Quezon 2011

The opening ceremony of CCP's Batang Sining (Child of Art and Culture) at Mauban, Quezon has begun. Mayor Fernando Q. Llamas has given his opening remarks and now, Mr. Hermie Beltran is giving an introduction on cultural identity and the brief history of Batang Sining. Dr. Luis Gatmaitan MD is the lead facilitator while I will be the assisting facilitator of the week long arts and culture workshop. 

This year, the workshop is focused on creative expression in the visual and performing arts as well as literature. In previous years, children age 8 and above attend the workshop. This time around, CCP and the local government unit (LGU) of Mauban, Quezon decided to have a creative expression workshop for teachers. This way, teachers who care and look after children will be first hand models of creative expression and will initiate the continuous development of the creative process.

Ms. Anie Calleja, Tourism officer has been the most generous and accommodating host. She made sure that we're well fed and happy. She introduced us to the mayor and stakeholders of the town. Will blog more on the events and activities of the day.



Thursday, April 7, 2011

Live Blogging: Early Readers Online

Sigh.

Our presentation's done!

The Early Readers Online is a Community and Service project of high school students in Beacon Academy, Laguna. Students wrote and illustrated stories for kids age 5-7. These illustrated stories underwent an editing process and coaching-mentoring sessions by teachers who make up the team of facilitators. Once the stories were revised and final copies were made, the stories were uploaded to the website where members of the community can read, download, print and translate them.

Here's how to access the stories:

a. Go to Beacon Academy Mail - mail.beaconacademy.ph
b. Username - guest
c. Password - beaconacademy
d. Go to "SITES"
e. Click EARLY READERS
f. View the stories

Feel free to translate any of the stories in your mother tongue. Send your translations to library@beaconacademy.ph. Feedback is welcome as well.

Live Blogging: With LDR, Philippine Children's Literature Champion

It's not every day that I get to see and chat with Lina Diaz de Rivera (LDR). She's my teacher and mentor in graduate school at the UP Diliman. I remember her well and her discriminating taste when it comes to literature.

In some ways, she's an influence in my pursuance to dwell deeper into the word of children's literature and Young Adult literature. What an engaging conversation we had this morning! Sadly, I could not attend her session because, my presentation on the Early Readers Online project coincides with her session on the Enduring Relevance of Rizal's The Monkey and the Tortoise.

LDR, is an honorary awardee of the PBBY for her pioneering work in teaching children's literature.

Live Blogging: RAP Summer Conference 2011

It's the second day of RAP's (Reading Association of the Philippines) Summer Conference at Bayview Park Hotel. The morning kicked off as usual. Nothing eventful. But Dr. Serena Diokno's plenary presentation turned the tables around. Her lecture on Socio-Historical Ages and Literacy Context was substantial and engaging! Here are some notes I took down from her presentation and lecture.

Disciplinary Literacy = Learning in the diagonal 
History is not a mere collection of facts. Historical accounts are not produced in a vacuum. 
HISTORIAN - with context - with author - many voices - the past is reconstructed - evidences are used. But for the student, it is the opposite.

Halfway through, I was mesmerized that I no longer cared jotting down notes. I listened to her and I felt my head balloon with possibilities and hypothesis on the writing and reading of historical texts. Of course, the issue on textbook production was mentioned. It prompted questions from the floor.

The second plenary speaker has ended his lecture. Mr. Jose Maria Policarpio of Diwa Learning Systems, Inc. talked about technology and how it changes literacy and literacy behavior.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

2nd National Children's Book Award Postponed

Yes. You read this post's title correctly.

PBBY and NBDB are postponing this year's National Children's Book Award due to the low turn out of books published last year. While NBDB had a press release via Business World last month, PBBY board member Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz wrote about the postponement of the NCBA this year. Here's an excerpt from the full article on the conduct of the NCBA after every two years.

The 2nd NCBA would have reviewed all books published in 2010. Unfortunately, the current body of published titles with only about 34 titles does not appear to warrant a yearly competition for now. It was therefore decided that the NCBA be held on alternate years until the publishing situation brightens. Details for the nomination period for the 2012 NCBA will be announced at the National Children’s Book Day ceremonies on the third Tuesday of July. 

Read the full article, Books that hurt -- and heal in the Inquirer where in books for bibliotherapy are further identified as well as the promising prospect of new titles of Rizaliana for children.

Picture! Picture!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Literacy Through the Ages

Here is an invite from the Reading Association of the Philippines - 

Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP) is pleased to invite you to its Annual National Convention to be held at Bayview Park Hotel, 1118 Roxas Boulevard corner United Nations Avenue, Manila on April 6 to 8, 2011.   It will be a gathering of reading teachers, professors, and specialists in Filipino and English, focusing on the theme “Literacy through the Ages”.  The convention aims to be an avenue for sharing best practices and research on literacy in relation to the following strands:  Reading Ages and Reading Development; Socio-Historical Ages and Literacy Contexts; Technological Ages: How Technology Changes Literacy and Literacy Behavior; and Ages of the Reading Teacher Professional Development : From Novice to Expert. Plenary speakers include International Reading Association (IRA) Board Member Dr. Maryann Manning; former Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Language Center (RELC) - Singapore Language Specialist. Dr. Melchor Tatlonghari;  internationally published historian Dr. Ma. Serena Diokno, and British Council Philippines Program Manager Mr. Jansen Mayor. Concurrent session presenters include specialists from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo De Manila University, De La Salle University, and Philippine Normal University;  Palanca award winning writers; and teachers from both public and private schools. Please pass to those who might be interested.
I will be attending the conference as presenter for a paper on technology use in literacy instruction. Hope to meet friends and colleagues there! 

Saturday, April 2, 2011

My Story Our World

We are surrounded with news. Some are good. Some are bad. 

Our world is full of stories. Some are good. Some are bad.


Rachelle Escaravage and James Connolly choose to tell the good stories of this world and drum up positive news to people from Timbuktu, to Nepal, to practically all over the globe. Armed with big back packs and even bigger courage, they flew in to Manila last week to film Sambat Trust's charity-advocacy project in Tanauan, Batangas. According to the duo, this project has been the most fun and easy given the warmth and hospitality they got from their Filipino host.


They visited two libraries that Sambat Trust spear headed to establish and interviewed the people behind the project. They met Ms. Ergoe Tinio, Marketing Associate of Adarna House and talked about the status of literacy and publishing in the Philippines today. The duo learned about the book-matching grant that Scholastic Book Fairs Philippines have been organizing when they met Ms. Enoy Feriol of Scholastic Book Fairs Philippines. At the end of their four day stay, Rachelle and James had six hours of footage and taped interviews to edit and compress into a quick five minute video that would showcase Sambat Trust's journey of helping underprivileged kids have a library of that they can call their own in their school and community.  

It's been an honor to witness how these two professional journalists work! Listening to Rachelle interview the teachers, students, principals and people from the children's book publishing industry was an edifying experience. From the many travels they have made in the past years, they have been touched by so many inspiring stories. Their role is to pass it on. 

Visit their site, My Story Our World for samples of the web videos they've done so far.
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