The 29th NCBD @ Museo Pambata

Russel Molina accepts the 2012 Salanga Prize

After months of preparation, the PBBY has concluded the 29th NCBD celebration at Museo Pambata. The Salanga and Alcala Prizes were awarded to Russell Molina and Hubert Fucio respectively. Honorable mentions: Dang Bagas and Jun Matias for the Salanga and Jonathan Ranilla and Aldy Aguirre were given their plaques as well. Tarie Sabido was inducted as new board representative for book bloggers/book reviewers and I did a tandem telling of Anong Gupit Natin Ngayon, the winning Salanga of 2012, with Abs de Lina of Batibot. Museo Pambata people, Nina Lim Yuson, Maricel "Mamu" Montero and Noreen "Tich" Parafina were such warm hosts. The PBY Secretariat and staff were so efficient, as always, that this year's 29th NCBD was indeed a humorously successful affair.

Teacher Dina Ocampo gave a brilliant keynote on language, reading and mother tongue. It was a keynote where in everyone meaningfully derived nuggets of learning on the use of one's mother tongue. Indeed, language plays a great role in reading and writing development as well as the context. The intermission number by The Minstrels of Hope was a delight.

The Minstrels of Hope

I met old friends - CLAPI, Librarians from Manila and the National Library of the Philippines, Neni SR Cruz who is now Chairman of the National Book Development Board, and finally, met Honey de Peralta and Paolo Chikiamco in person. I was also able to touch base with my former grad school professor, Lina Diaz de Rivera who gave me a copy of her recent book, Teaching Filipino Novels, published by Anvil.

Thank you to those who celebrated NCBD in their schools and learning communities: Teacher Jerson Capuyan of St. La School, Rochelle Siverio, Cynthia Sumagaysay Del Rosario, OMF-Hiyas Publication to mention a few. In the coming days, I will post pictures you sent and activities you had with your kids.

Until next NCBD! Magbasa sa Sariling Wika!