Cebu, the Second Time Around

Cebu had been kind. The PBBY workshop we had last July 20, 2013 at San Jose Recolletos was well attended by teachers and librarians. The participants were all game! Cebuanos and Cebuanas do know how to "perform" and participate in the activities that they went home with new ideas, affirmed of the literacy and library programs they do in their school, and relearned a thing or two on basic book reviewing.

One highlight for me was meeting Nancy Cudis, book blogger from Cebu. You'll find her in the blogosphere viaMemoriter. She has lots of good stuff there especially on Filipiniana and Philippine Literature.

I like Cebu because it's the kind of city that breathes. We stayed in the capitol yet, I did not feel the humidity I normally feel in urban areas. It is unique in its own way. I have to say that its uniqueness is found in the food locally served and produced there. Their lechon, I ate two kinds, is tastier than the ones I eat here in Manila. Zubuchon is still the best for me since the meat is well cooked and tastes of spices used permeate the pork's fiber (I don't know what they use but it is so savory!). At the airport, we bought cane juice and tablea chocolate while waiting for boarding.

Here's hoping I get to visit Cebu again. And stay there a bit longer to see the sites, museums and libraries included, and to hit the beach.

Storytelling and Information Literacy Seminar-Workshop

I was at De La Salle Zobel twice last week!

Presenting my two new books, My Daddy! My One and Only! and A Tale of Two Dreams

I was there for a storytelling session with grade one students on July 15, a Monday. It was also the opening of DLSZ's celebration of National Children's Book Day (though they have a week long program of activities for all grade school students). I have been to the Primary Grades library several times but every time I'm there I see something new. This year, the librarians had enclosed an area for storytelling session complete with pillows and carpet. Mr. Jay Diola, the librarian assigned in the Primary Grades library made sure that every session with the grade one students were in order.

Then on Friday, July 19, I was back again at DLSZ for the MUNPARLAS seminar on Information Literacy. Thanks to Eric Ramos, librarian of the University of Perpetual Help for this wonderful write up.

I gave an assignment to the the participants at the end of my workshop. The first five school librarians who can submit an Information Literacy lesson plan will be given a free copy of my new book, A Tale of Two Dreams. The deadline for this is on July 31, 2013. I have received one lesson plan from a participant. Will post her lesson plan, and reveal her identity, in the blog next week.

I am waiting for four more.

A matrix of IL skills and lesson plan basics @ the IL seminar-workshop by MUNPARLAS

Filipino Librarian: Martin Julius V. Perez

This July, the blog's featured Filipino Librarian is Mr. Martin Julius V. Perez. He is a graduate of BLIS from UP Diliman and is currently pursuing MLIS in the same university. He works in Far Eastern University.

a. What's your lib story? Describe how you made the choice of majoring in LIS and what college life was like for you as a LIS major. You can cite challenging stories and success stories while studying the course.

My lib story in 2 words: fate and choice.

Way back in high school, working as a librarian wasn't part of my dreams and plans. I can't even see myself working as one - sitting in the library counter and shelving the books that the students used, but rather I want to become a psychologist who interprets personalities of people. While filling out the application form for the UPCAT, I chose Bachelor of Science in Psychology as my first choice, and randomly, the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) as my second choice, for these reasons: BLIS is a non-quota course (as they say), it has the word "information" (maybe interesting!) and, yeah, I just really wanted to study in UP Diliman. To cut the story short, I passed the UPCAT and got accepted for the BLIS degree and enrolled for it. I was one of those "original" UPCAT passers for that academic year in the School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS), meaning after high school, BLIS is our first course in UP. Not still convinced in pursing it, I told myself that I will just shift out of SLIS after a year (a common practice among "original" UPCAT passers) to pursue Psychology. 

Things went different against my plans and my expectations. My image of librarianship and of librarians changed as I'm studying the course. I learned to like (and later love) this profession. The neighborhood-like environment and the opportunities for LIS professionals (that I learned in my LIS 51 subject - Introduction to LIS) made me decide to stay in SLIS and pursue the course. I joined a college-based student organization, the UP Future Library and Information Professionals of the Philippines (UP FLIPP), which also greatly influenced me to stay in LIS and advocate for the promotion of this profession. Through the UP FLIPP too, I was given the opportunity to become a student leader and this experience really honed my ideals and potentials to serve and to dream to become a leader of this profession someday. From there on, I chose to pursue, excel and contribute to LIS.

As an LIS student in UP, life was both awesome and challenging. Awesome, that you know you're getting the best training from the oldest and best LIS school in the Philippines, wherein you have the chance to meet some of the best professors and mentors in the field, and that you almost know everyone in the SLIS community, since a few are pursuing it. I was able to take this opportunity to give my best and excel in this field as a student. On the other hand, challenging, that you have to always answer and explain, even to your friends, questions and comments like: "so, you want to become a librarian, why?" "what do librarians do?" "so you have to study just to lend books?" "ay may ganyan pala" and many others. There were times, when people outside the college, including some friends, would remark that LIS is just an easy course and so I have to point out subjects like classification and cataloging, and share LIS jargon.

b. What has been the greatest challenge you've faced so far as a licensed and working librarian? Why do you say it's a challenge?

I have started my first formal employment in 2011, not a very long time ago, when I joined the Far Eastern University as a library assistant, and later as a librarian. As a neophyte in this arena, I could say that the greatest challenge I’ve faced and currently facing is integrating myself to the profession, at the same time proving & making myself worthy to be called a librarian or an LIS professional in the country. I think this is the same dilemma that most of the new LIS graduates or newly licensed librarians are now facing. 

I found it a challenge because for me it is like entering a profession of established professionals with expectations to meet, advocacies and virtues to nurture and uphold. It is a challenge between myself and the profession, because for me working as a librarian is not just finishing the degree, not just passing the licensure examination and not just getting a library work nor about money matters or pure career thingy, but rather growing with the profession – contributing to its development and leaving (positive and lasting) a mark. I believe I will be facing more challenges as I grow in this profession and I accept the challenge!

c. What is your area of expertise in LIS?

As a young librarian who has just started my career in LIS, I can say that I still don’t have that established “expertise” in the field. Probably, I can consider library research as the closest, and which I love to do.

Instead, I will just share my areas of interest in LIS. My present work and experience in the Far Eastern University Library is driving my interest to academic librarianship and its aspects. Aside from this, I have lots of areas (yeah many!) of interest in LIS namely: archives and records management, library education, local studies centers, Filipiniana, rare books and special collections, information literacy, digitization, digital libraries and repositories, law librarianship and international librarianship among others! Well I don’t know which of them will be my “future” expertise, but I’m sure I’ll be pursuing specialization in one or two or three of them or even merge some. J

d. What do you think are the requirements and preparations necessary for becoming an LIS professional?

Aside from finishing your formal education - LIS degree in either your bachelor's or master's, and successfully passing PRC's licensure examination for librarians, I think to be become an (effective) LIS professional, you should also have that interest, will and passion for service. Since librarianship is truly a service-oriented profession, when you join it, you must keep in mind that you may not became that very rich, in terms of money. Rewards in other forms may come to your path and sometimes they are unexpectedly.

Since the profession is continually evolving and moving forward, love for learning and continuous growth is also an essential trait that an aspiring one should possess. Also, experience is one of the greatest mentors who can mold and help you become an effective LIS professional, and so do as a real mentor, in real life situations, who could be your professor, superior, friend or colleague. I significantly attribute what I have now in the profession to my real life mentors. Thanks to them!

e. What rewards have you reaped from being an LIS professional?

Rewards? Well, you will easily get a job (most of the time)! Librarians and LIS professionals are in demand! Joining this profession also opened a lot of doors and windows of opportunities for me. In that span of time, I experienced stupendous things for me at this point of my life. I was given the chance to meet and befriend awesome people including scholars LIS professionals, and prominent personalities, to conduct and collaborate doing researches and write papers, as well as present them in conferences / seminars and, believe it or not, to travel to places here and abroad. One of the most memorable was my first attendance to the IFLA World Library and Information Congress 2012 in Helsinki, Finland. I never thought it would be a dream come true for a neophyte like me, who have just entered the profession.

Aside from these, the respect, and simple gestures & words of gratitude that I’m receiving from library users whom I have helped are also worth mentioning, plus those from my friends and colleagues who appreciated what I’ve done. It gives me the feeling that I’m not just working but also helping and serving others through my chosen profession. After all, that’s why I'm proud and enjoying to be a librarian! J

MUNPARLAS Presentation on Information Literacy Services

Il services & teaching programs munparlas from Zarah Gagatiga

My Author Visit in PAREF Woodrose

Thank you very  much to librarian Gay Reyes of PAREF Woodrose for inviting me last July 12 as librarian and published author. I had a wonderful time sharing with grade school students of Woodrose my books, the creative process of writing integrating it with the Big 6, an Information Literacy model. I had two sessions: one for grades 3 and 4, and another for grades 5 and 6. I prepared two different presentations.

The girls asked a variety of questions. They were smart and articulate. One grade 6 student asked how much I make as a published writer. I answered by giving her, with all honesty, the percentage I get from the total sales of my honorarium. They thought it was pretty small. So I quickly added that the reward for writing is not always measured by percentages and honorarium.

Sorry girls, I'm not JK Rowling.

At lunch time, I stayed a bit at the Woodrose library. It was small, cozy and snug. There, I signed autographs for eager grades 5 and 6 students who patiently lined up for a message of inspiration and my initials. Yes, I felt like a rock star.

Info Lit Session in PAREF Woodrose Grs. 3 & 4

Integrating the Big 6 (Info Lit Model) with Writing

Here's the presentation I did for PAREF Woodrose's grades 5 and 6 students when I did a session on Information Literacy and the writing process last July 12, 2013.

Woodrose big6 writing(1) from Zarah Gagatiga

PBBY Chair's Report: 2009 - 2013

A Harvest of Children's Books

It is a day after the 30th NCBD and I find myself marveling at the front page of the Inquirer. 

Now here's the list of new children's books the industry has offered readers young and old. These books were presented and launched during the 30th NCBD at the CCP yesterday.

Ncbd new titles.doc from Zarah Gagatiga

Today is the 30th NCBD!

We go back to the where it all began!

The folk tale “The Monkey and the Tortoise” popularized by Dr. Jose Rizal was first published in Trubner's Record July 1889 issue. It was originally drawn in the scrapbook of Paz Pardo de Tavera when Rizal stayed in Paris France in December 1885.

The National Library of the Philippines holds a copy of the folktale complete with English translations. The book was done by Austin Craig and was published in 1912. It has a copy of the original also published in Austin Craig's “Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal Philippine Patriot : A Study of the Growth of Free Ideas in the Trans-Pacific American Territory” published in 1913.argc

Many thanks to National Library of the Philippines (NLP) librarian, Ann Rosette Crelencia for sending this press release on Rizal's The Monkey and the Tortoise, currently on display in the Rare Book Section of the NLP.

NCBD Countdown Day 3: The Author of the Month is MJ Tumamac

Author of the month this July is none other than Salanga Prize winner, MJ Tumamac. MJ teaches at Raya School and is currently Secretary of KUTING, the premiere organization of Filipino writers for chidlren.

1. The title of your winning story is Ngumiti si Andoy. Can you give us a gist or summary?

“Ngumiti si Andoy” is about the encounter of a boy with a moving and talking statue of Andres B. Andres B. shares to the boy a piece of his life. As Andres B. narrates his life, he is saddened because he misses his siblings and his wife. To make Andres B. happy, the boy volunteers to draw Andres B.’s loved ones. The boy’s gift makes Andres B. smile.

                  
2. Being a Salanga entry, and Bonifacio themed at that, describe the preparations you made for writing the story?

I revisited some books about Andres B.’s life and works. Realizing that there are a lot of unverified biographies about Andres B., I selected which information to include and speculated on some. Many facts about Andres B.’s life in the story are not integral (though important) and may easily be changed as contentions and new studies may arise. (For instance, most sources say that Andres B. got orphaned by the age of 19, but some say 14 and in between.)

3. Where are your stories and poems published? 

I rarely write stories and have never published one. I mostly write poetry and some of my poems are anthologized in online and print collections. Most of them are written for children. I have yet to publish my own poetry collection/book.

4. Where do you see yourself ten years from now in Philippine Children's Lit?

I hope to continue in fostering Philippine Children’s Literature by writing stories and poems, reading books by Filipinos, promoting literacy, and studying it. My main goal, though, is to publish or help in publishing more poetry books for children since there are only a few of them.

5. What is your message to aspiring writers out there?

 
It is not enough to just write. Study the field you are entering to know, basically, what were already written and what should be written.

Tips on Celebrating the 30th NCBD

Are you preparing your book list for your reading child this NCBD? Have you prepared a book fair and storytelling session in your school and library? If yes, you're well on your way to celebrating the 30th NCBD. But here are more activities you can do to celebrate the event:

a. Get posters of the 30th NCBD from the PBBY Secretariat and distribute them to friends, schools, barangay hall and day care centers.

b. Visit the PBBY website and check the list of published Salanga-Alcala books. How many do you have in your collection?

c. If you are an inspiring writer for children and young adult,  join a writing group like KUTING.

d. If you're an art enthusiast, visit the Ang INK exhibit, Curious Buffet, in Cubao.

e. If you are a chidlren's lit advocate, teacher or librarian, attend the CLAPI seminar.

f. Invite the winners of this year's Salanga and Alacala in your school, library and classroom.

g. Watch out for this year's new books for children and young adults. I will post the list/PPT. in the blog. I hear there are good and interesting titles! Get a copy. Buy from the bookstore or the publisher.

h. For librarians: set up a book display in the library on Rizal and Bonifacio. Rizal because NCBD commemorates the publication of The Monkey and the Turtle in Trubner's Oriental Record in London. Bonifacio because it is his 150th birth year/anniversary.

i. For academic and research librarians: Promote and publicize theses and studies on Philippine Children's Literature. Make the abstracts available to the public.

j. Watch Sandosenang Sapatos in CCP.

More activities to post in the next few day!

NCBD Countdown Day 7: Promoting the 30th NCBD on Radio

For the past two Wednesdays, last week and this week, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and I were on air promoting the 30th National Children's Book Day.

On July 2, we were guests in DZUP 1602 LIBRADIO: Librarian sa Radio in UP Diliman's MassComm complex. It was my second guesting in the show and while the librarian DJs were happy to see me again, they were thrilled to have Dr. Gatmaitan in the show. The typical Pinoys, we had picture taking before going on air.

Dr. Gatmaitan was the perfect radio guest! His experience in DZAS' Doctors On Air came into play. He was spontaneous and very natural. The gracious guest that he was, he affirmed and appreciated the UP librarian DJs for doing such a good job on their radio show.

Librarians are COOL! Librarians rock! Librarians rule!

And because we had a good time with librarian DJs of DZUP, we did another radio gig over at DZAS yesterday.  Formerly in Valenzuela, the new DZAS station was on the penthouse of One Corporate Center in Ortigas. The show, Family Matters, airing every Wednesday from 9.30AM-11AM gladly interviewed us in the show. Heidi Sampang and Ate Marie were wonderful conversationalists. I was touched when at the end of the show, Ate Marie offered a prayer for PBBY. God bless!

Here's hoping that through radio shows, NCBD is made known to all Filipino families in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Big 6 Lesson: The Story of the Bright Bird

Bright Bird from Cathy Oxley

Source note: This was created by Brian Armour at Redlands College to teach students the principles behind the Big6 research process.

NCBD Countdown Day 8: NCBD Round Up 2005 - 2012

It's only eight more days to go to the 30th NCBD. Here's a round up of past NCBDs beginning on the year I took my oath as board representative for librarians.

The 22nd NCBD at the CCP with Rio Alma as inducting officer. The Salanga Prize went to Nikki Dy-Liaco for her story, The Yellow Paper Clip with Bright Purple Spots. The Alcala Prize was given to Meann Nicodime. It was in 22nd NCBD when I took my oath.

The 23rd NCBD at the National Library of the Philippines was graced by Prof. Ambeth Ocampo as guest speaker. I remember presenting the new titles of children's books published that year.

Butch Dalisay was the guest speaker during the 24th NCBD at the CCP. I blogged about Mr. Dalisay's speech here. He had a well stocked library and a very good reading program when he was young.

In 2008, during the 25th NCBD, I was absent. I did, however, blogged Totet de Jesus' chairman's report a year after.

PBBY celebrated the 26th NCBD in Marikina in 2009!

In 2010, PBBY awarded Raymond Falgui the Salanga for his collection of poems for children. Aldy Aguirre won the Alcala that year. Young Adult writer, Candy Gourlay was the guest speaker during the 27th NCBD.

The 28th NCBD in 2011 was full Rizaliana. Eugene Evasco won the Salanga and Yasmin Doctor, the Alcala. We had Prof. Ambeth Ocampo again as guest speaker. Evasco's Rizaldy was launched in the RAP Convention in Dapitan that year.

Last year's 29th NCBD was the most fun yet. We celebrated at Museo Pambata where Russell Molina (Salanga) and Hubert Fucio (Alcala) collected their second awards from PBBY.

And so, things are shaping up for this year's 30th NCBD. Celebrate books! Celebrate kids and teens! Celebrate reading!

Celebrate NCBD: PBBY Seminar-Workshop in Cebu

July 16 is the 30th National Children's Book Day. As part of its celebration, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), in partnership with Adarna House and University of San Jose- Recoletos, invites public and private school teachers and librarians to Basa, Mga Kapatid! A Free Seminar on Library Activities and Book Reviewing. The seminar will be held from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on July 20, 2013 (Saturday) at AV - Room, Saint Ezekiel Moreno Bldg., University of San Jose-Recoletos,  Basak Campus, Basak Pardo, Cebu City.

Speaking at the seminar will be outgoing PBBY Chair Zarah Gagatiga and incoming PBBY chair Tarie Sabido.

Zarah Gagatiga is a teacher librarian at Beacon Academy, she used to be the coordinator of Xavier School's Grade School Learning Resource Center and is formerly President of Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting  (KUTING). She co-authored a book entitled Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories published by Libraries Unlimited in 2011.  She is also an accreditor for Instructional Media for the PAASCU and has been conducting lectures and workshops on library services and storytelling in Singapore, Thailand, and Hongkong.

With an MA in English Studies from the University of the Philippines, Tarie Sabido has taught English and professional oral communication in universities such as Ateneo de Manila and De la Salle. She currently designs and develops materials for teaching English as a foreign language for goFLUENT Resources Development. She also blogs about children’s and young adult books.  Most of her blog reviews on Into the Wardrobe, Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind, and Color Online give focus and importance to Asian books.

PBBY on Air via DZUP 1602, LIBRADIO: Librarians sa Radyo

Celebrate NCBD: A Curious Buffet

A CURIOUS BUFFET
Ang I.N.K. Group Exhibit
About the Exhibit:
Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan presents an exhibition inspired by the kitchen.

Pots and pans, teacups and spoons are the stuff of the everyday and the normal. We use our kitchenware and utensils almost unthinkingly - picking them up, using them, washing them down over and over again. Kitchen and table utensils are the tools of our daily domestic routines and are steeped in the matter-of-factness of life. Spoons and teapots can be some of the most unremarkable things in the world. Utilitarian and ordinary as they are, one may think that they are far removed from the wonder of the visual arts.

But art can exist in everyday things. In this exhibit, Ang Ilustrador ng Kabataan aims to juxtapose the common kitchen utensil with the magic of art. Factory made utensils give way to artworks made with hands. The artworks on display will use kitchen items and utensils as starting points for sculptures and paintings. Objects that were originally intended for cooking and eating will be reassembled, recombined, repainted and transformed to items for pure visual enjoyment.

In the end, when all the artworks are assembled, the intention is to create a collection of desserts and treats of a different sort for both the eye and the mind.

Details:
Post (formerly PABLO) Cubao X
Exhibit Opening: June 29, 2013/ Saturday/ 6pm
Exhibit runs until July 13, 2013.

 

* Lifted from Xi Zuq's Nook.