The 4th Annual Story Writing Workshop of Lampara Books

Aside from the book launching and book buying events I had last MIBF (Manila International Book Fair), I also facilitated a story writing workshop sponsored by my publisher, Lampara Books.

Lampara has been conducting the workshop since 2011. This is 4th writing workshop for its patrons and avid readers. I have been participating as its facilitator for three straight years now. In my first year, I only had a 40 minute talk on writing stories for kids. In the second year, I was given an hour and a half to do a mini-workshop. This year, I had two hours of input session and a workshop. As always, it was a pleasure to meet new friends, young and old.


I was even interviewed by young writers from Palanan Elementary School. Dave and Camille are six graders who attended the workshop. They are campus journalists for the school paper.

Joining me in the workshop as facilitator was Eugene Evasco, Palanca Hall of Fame Awardee.

I opened the workshop with a brief introduction on the trends and themes prevalent in Philippine Children's Literature today; the National Children's Book Awards; why the NCBA should be taken seriously; the first Kids' Choice Award; and implications of all these to writers of children's stories. To immerse the participants in children's books, I had them read it. They reviewed the books following the 10 Values of Children's Literature by Ruth Clarkson. There was sharing of output in small group and big group discussions.

When Eugene Evasco came up the stage, he provided an array of different exercises for writing stories. Many of his exercises were pre-writing activities; language techniques; strategies for character and plot development.

It was an enriching afternoon! We had eighty participants and they filled the room with their interest and enthusiasm. Here's hoping we would have more writers to write for children.

Library Serye: Ang Umiibig ng Tunay ay Kayang Maghintay Ep 1 Part 3

"Let's call it a day." Sabi ni Miguel as sarili.

Inikot ni Miguel ang reading area para kolektahin ang mga aklat na hindi naibalik sa tamang kinalalagyan. Pinatay niya ang pihitan ng mga air conditioning system pati na ang mga ilaw. Maliban sa opisina ni Ms. G na nagtatrabaho pa, iniwan nyang bukas ang ilaw at ang pinaka malapit na aircon. Sumilip sya sa glass window ng opisina ng kanyang boss. Kumatok sa pinto at nagpaalam.

"Uuwi na po ako, Ms. Guzman. Naiayos ko na po ang mga book reservations para bukas." Bilin niya sa librarian.

"May parokyano ka pa sa counter. Yung suki natin." Sagot nito sa kanya.

Si Kate.

Dalidaling bumalik si Miguel sa circulation counter. Ayaw niyang itong paghintayin. Hindi pa man sya nakakapwesto sa counter ay nagsalita na si Kate.

"Hihiramin ko ang mga na ito." Sabi nito sa kanya na nakangiti.

Inisa-isa ni Miguel ang mga aklat na ipasok sa database. Kabisado na niya ang buong pangalan ni Kate, ang kurso nito at student ID. Hindi na sya nagtaka pa sa mga aklat na hinihiram nito. Psychology ni Carandang, Economics ni Sicat at Walong Diwata ng Pagkahulog ni Egay Samar. Yung huli ay sigurado sya na para sa leisurely reading. Pinagpatongpatong niya ang mga aklat sa harap ni Kate.

"Lahat ba ng nagtatrabaho sa library tahimik?" Tanong ni Kate.

Napatingin lamang si Miguel kay Kate. Naghahanap siya ng tamang salita na isasagot sa kanyang tanong.

Confirmed. Sabi ni Kate sa sarili. Suplado nga. O baka naman bakla? Hindi e.

Pansin ni Miguel ang biglang pagiwas ni Kate. Lumayo siya ng ilang hakbang sa counter at nawala ang ngiti nito sa mga labi.

"Carla!" Sigaw ni Miguel.

"My name is Kate." Sambit nito.

"I know. I know you." Bawi ni Miguel. "Sophomore, BS Pol Sci. ID No 2014-3560."

Napatawa Si Kate ng malakas. Hindi nya alam kung bakit, pero ang cute at ang funny ng sitwaysson.

"Si Carla yung student assistant sa umaga. Maingay yun. Ako, tahimik lang talaga, ako." Habol pa ni Miguel.

"OK lang ang tahimik. Thank you." Sagot niya habang kinukuha ang mga aklat sa counter at isa-isang nilalagay sa book bag.

"Available na ang mga books na pina-reserve mo. Eto na."

"Wow! Salamat!"

"Paborito mo si Beverly Wico Siy."

Tumango siya habang nakatitig kay Miguel. Ngayon lang niya napansin ang mga mata ni Miguel ay kulay tsokolate. Makapal ang kilay at pilik at may katangusan ang ilong.

"Isang aklat pa lang niya ang nababasa ko. Ikaw, naka tatlo na."

"Nakakatuwang basahin Si Bebang e. Ramdam ko na totoo siyang magsulat."

"Ramdam ko rin yun."

"Sa palagay ko mahalaga yun."

"Yung nakakarandam?"

Natawa na naman Si Kate. At sa kung anong dahilan, alam ni Miguel na may nagawa siyang tama.

"Mahalaga yung katotohanan."

Napabuntong hininga si Miguel. "Kung hindi mo mamasamain, ako na ang magdadala ng mga aklat na hiniram mo. Mabibigat."

"I would appreciate that."

Pinatay ni Miguel ang computer at sabay sila ni Kate na lumabas ng aklatan.

Library Serye: Ang Umiibig na Tunay ay Kayang Maghintay Ep 1 Part 2

Kinse minuto na lang, magsasara na ang aklatan. Babalik na sa dorm si Kate at muli siyang babalik sa aklatan. Bukas, kailangan mahiram na niya ang mga aklat na kailangan niyang basahin para sa Philo subject ngayong semestre. Kung bakit kase naubos ang oras niya sa paglilinis ng drawings niya sa laptop hindi naman siya enrolled sa art class. Naisip niya ang kanyang ama na umaasang magtatapos siya ng Political Science upang ituloy ito sa kursong law. Pwede ko pa naman yata makausap si Dad, isip niya habang nagliligpit ng mga gamit.

"Miguel, ang mga aklat na ito ay para kay Kate." Bigkas ni Ms. G. "May reservation siya sa OPAC at napaaga ang pagbalik ng dating nanghiram."

"Si Kate po? Kilala nyo siya?" Gulat na sabi ni Miguel.

"Miguel naman...pati ikaw kilala ko." Tumalikod si Ms. G na may ngiti sa mga labi.

Palapit na si Kate sa circulation counter at napatingin sa kanya ang student assistant. Kilala niya ito sa mukha lamang. Pero alam niyang Miguel ang kanyang pangalan. Ano pa ang silbi ng mga malalaki nilang IDs? May tuwang nararamdaman Si Kate sa tuwing magpapasalamat siya kay Miguel. Tatango lang ito sa kanya at babalik muli sa kanyang gawain. Gusto sana niyang magpakilala pero, nagaalinlangan siya. What's the point? Kung yung thank you ko nga, halos hindi niya sagutin ng welcome. Ireklamo ko kaya ito sa librarian? May pagkasuplado. Then again, what's the point? Isip niya sa sarili.

Library Serye: Ang Umiibig ng Tunay ay Kayang Maghintay Ep1 Part 1

Episode 1 Part 1: Ibinaba ni Kate ang kanyang bag sa baggage counter. Dala ang kanyang lumang laptop, notebook at ballpens, pumasok siya ng aklatan. Diretso siyang pumunta sa paborito niyang sulok ng aklatan kung saan may malambot na sofa, malamig na aircon at tanawing kaayaaya. Malapit ito sa bintana, tanaw ang mga puno at ang mini-park sa loob ng kanilang kolehiyo.
Dito sa maliit na sulok ng aklatan nakakamtan ni Kate ang katahimikan at ang oras para lumikha. Binuksan niya ang kanyang laptop at hinanap niya sa folder ang bago niyang art project. Kailangan pang pakinisin. Mayamaya, mag-aaral na siya at sa natitirang oras bago siya umuwi sa dorm, hihiramin niya ang bagong aklat ni Beverly Wico Siy.

Sampung minuto bago mag alas-kwatro ng hapon, pinalamig na ni Miguel ang reading room ng aklatan kung saan siya ang naka-assign na student assistant. Sa loob ng tatlong oras, siya ang bantay ng reading room na ito ng aklatan na may apat na palapag. Inihanda na rin niya ang mga bagong aklat nina Egay Samar, Beverly Wico Siy at Bob Ong. Bilin rin ni Ms. Guzman na ihanay sa estante ang mga gawa nina Merlinda Bobis, Nick Joaquin at iba pang mga manunulat na hindi binabasa ng mga mag-aaral nila sa kolehiyo. Ano kaya kung mag suggest ako kay Ms. G ng isang open mic at literary reading isang hapon?, tanong ni Miguel sa sarili. Isang paraan upang mahikayat ang mga mag-aaral na magbasa.

Habang abala si Miguel sa paghahanda ng aklatan para sa kanyang shift, alam niyang dumating na si Kate. May halimuyak ng rosas ang hudyat ng kanyang presensya. Isang bagay na hindi maunawaan ni Miguel kung saan galing at kung ano ang pinagmulan. Pero sigurado siya na sa loob ng tatlong oras, babantayan niya ang aklatan at si Kate. Hihintayin niya itong manghiram ng aklat bago umalis. Matipid na ngiti lamang ang kaya niyang isukli sa pasasalamat nito sa kanya. Bakit hindi ko makuhang magsalita sa harap niya, isip ni Miguel. Isinilid niya ang namumuong inis sa sarili at bumalik sa mga bilin na trabaho ni Ms. G.

Dear School Librarian In Action: Mga Kuwentong Pambata na Taglay ang Saya at May Kakayanang Mapagbago ang Ating Lipunan

Noong Lunes, Setyembre 21, 2015, pinadalhan ako ni Augie Ebreo ng ganitong tanong:
 

Mga programa at hanay ng kwentong Pilipinong pambanta na kayang maghasik ng kulturang Pilipino ayon sa panlasa ng kasalukuyang panahon at paano po ilalapat ito ng may diin subalit may saya na kayang magpakilos ng pagbabago ng ating lipunan?

Bago pa man ako nagbigay kay Augie ng sagot, tinanong ko muna kung para saan ang pangangalangan niya ng mga aklat pambata na may kakayanang makapagbago ng ating lipunan. Gagawa pala siya ng isang storytelling program kung saan ang mga bata at kabataan ang mag-aaral ng kuwento upang ipalabas ito sa isang puppet show. Subalit, may iba pang pakay si Augie. Ito ay ang pagnanais niya na "makapaglahad ng kwentong umuugnay sa kasalukuyang takbo ng mga pangyayari ng kasalukuyang panahon. May kapangyarihan po kasi ang kwento na magbuo at magwasak o magporma ng ugali ng isang tao. Mga kwentong radikal pero mahinahaon pa rin ang dating sa mga bata na di magtutulak sa marahas na kaisipan".

Narito ang sagot ko sa kanya.

Active non-violence ba ang stand na gusto mong iparating? Kase, limitado ang printed book at fiction pero, pwede ka gumamit ng biographies nina Gandhi, Edith Stein at Martin Luther King. Gawan mo ito ng script o short play, musical o puppet show. Pwede mo rin gamitin ang Modern Day Heroes ng The Bookmark.

Baka makatulong rin sa iyo ang folklore. Mamimili ka lang talaga ng kuwento na may concept at theme ng Justice, Peace at Integrity. Halimbawa, ang Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears ni Veena Aardema. Isang African Folk Tale ito. Yung Alamat ng Ampalaya (Adarna House) ni Augie Rivera, social justice ang tema ng alamat. Ang parusa sa magnanakaw na Ampalaya ay ang nakuha niyang lahat ng lasa, kulay at ganda kaya siya ay naging mapait. Yung Alamat ng Lamok (Anvil), ni Christine Bellen, kuwento ng paglilinis. Kailangan linisin natin ang sarili, ang kapaligiran at ang bayan para matalo natin ang salot ng lipunan. Ang mensahe ng kuwento ay kalinisan at katapangan. Dapat may tapang tayong maglinis muna ng sarili para maalagaan natin ang kapaligiran at hindi tayo masakop ng mga maduduming higante.

 

Pwede rin ang The Greediest of Rajahs and the Whitest of Clouds (Adarna House) ni Honoel Ibardolaza. Tungkol sa isang sakim at corrupt na rajah. Makamit niya ang parusa dahil sa kanyang kasakiman. Basahin mo rin ang Pilandok series, lalo na yung tungkol kay Datu Usman (Adarna House). Ang mensahe nito ay napapanahon. Kailangang maging kritikal sa pag-iisip upang hindi maloko ng mga sakim na pinuno. Ang kuwento ni Ingolok (Cacho Publishing), ni Rene Villanueva, tungkol sa mga aliens na kain lang ng kain hangang sa kapaligiran na nila ang kinakain nila. Naubos ang kanilang planeta.

Napukaw ni Augie Ebreo ang aking atensyon na mag-isip at maghanap pa ng mga aklat pambata na may tema ng pagbabago para sa ating lipunan. Abangan ang ikalawang post, sapagkat, may susunod pa!

AKLATAN 2015 Workshop

The 36th MIBF Moments and Highlights

Photo with Luis Gatmaitan MD has become an MIBF tradition.

We came. We bought books. We had fun!

That is what book fairs are all about. There were good discounts on books in the Anvil and National Bookstore booths. For my library purchases, I had 20% off from Adarna House and Anvil Publishing. Even my books at the Lampara House booth were at a discounted price. Apart from this, the MIBF was a time to touch base with friends in the industry.

Augie Rivera's Alamat ng Ampalaya turns 20 this year and its bitter taste is as strong as ever. He also has a Martial Law story book, Isang Harding Papel, sold during the fair. Your library must definitely acquire it! Mailin Paterno and Ompong Remigio are both back from a long hiatus. Paterno's Mang Andoy's Signs is creating quite a stir from writer friends, earning good reviews from peers and friends in Philippine Children's Literature. Remigio's Bruhaha-Bruhihi is still a best seller after all these years. Meeting her in person was for me, a moment indeed! She was bold and large! As bold and as large as the stories she has written. I have told Bruhaha-Bruhihi many times in read aloud sessions and storytelling time and once, I put up a shadow puppet play of the book to preschoolers. Her stories are a lot of fun!

Bagay na bagay itong planner na ito sa akin!

I also managed to snag Tahanan's Chorva Planner. Rhandee Garlitos' finger prints are all over! These are perfect Christmas give-aways to friends and colleagues at work. How could you go wrong with your plans for the week with the opening Araw-arawin ang Ariba!? And you end your week with this: Rarampa na lola moh! Gay lingo may be an invention to hide meaning at the same time, assert gay pride, but its witty and humorous play on language makes it accessible to everyone.

My books, excluding the 12 stories in the STARS Kinder package

My comic book and graphic novel purchases included Russel Molina's and Ian Sta. Maria's Sixty Six and Piko, an anthology by enthusiastic and prolific comic book creators in the country today headed by Manix Abrera. Sixty Six is amazing! When is part two coming out?! Speaking of sequels, I am excited to read the next adventures of Momoy Lulumboy and Janus Silang. Soon. Very soon!

Lastly, I had my moment as an author in the MIBF when two of our books, My Daddy! My One and Only (Jomike Tejido, illustrator) and Dear Nanay (Liza Flores, illustrator) were sold out! The sales team of Lampara had to collect copies from nearby branches of Precious Pages Bookstore outside SMX to replenish. On Saturday, I was signing for Tale of Two Dreams (Bernadette Solina Wolf, illustrator) and Big Sister, our new book with Ruben "Totet" De Jesus as illustrator. It was a great experience collaborating with these talented artists of Ang INK!

This inspires me to write! More!

My "Big" Sisters

On September 18, 2015, our new book, Big Sister (Lampara Books, 2015) will be launched at the 36th Manila International Book Fair along with twenty four titles of new children's books, The venue for the launch is at the stage area where the Lampara Books' booth is close by. Ruben "Totet" De Jesus is the illustrator whom I have entrusted to render the visual narrative of my story.

Working with Totet was a lot of fun! When he showed me the studies, I knew he would give "Ate" an attitude and character that matched my implied descriptions. It took us a year and a few months to finish the book, but the time spent was worth it. Totet dedicated the book to his sisters. Since I am sister-less, I dedicated the book to my sisters in friendship.

Tarie Sabido, PBBY President, is my sister in the Philippine Children's Book industry. We always take selfies when we see each other, which is not very often. But when we do, apart from selfies, we weave dreams for the industry.

Dianne De Las Casas, my co-author for Tales From the 7,000 Ilses: Filipino Folk Stories, is my "big" sister. She showed me how to turn dreams into reality. I miss her so much since she lives in New Orleans, LA, USA. I still dream of visiting her in the states one day.

And of course, there's Mona Dy, who sadly I do not have a selfie or photo on file. But, our friendship just about describes the photo above: good food, art and culture, a common love for coffee, books and conversations. We spent a weekend in Baguio last November, 2014 and I sure look forward to seeing her soon.

So, I ask you, dear reader, who is your big sister and what makes her special? Send me an answer and you get a free copy of our new book. 

Bonding Moments Through Books and Reading Part 2 of 2

Matthew's favorite book is My Daddy! My One and Only!

Chris Matthew Isada is growing up reading!
 
His mom, Mel, started him early by introducing age appropriate books even before he started school. Now in kindergarten, Matthew enjoys school and shows confidence in speaking and socially relating to his classmates. Indeed, when kids grow up with books and parents are there to support literacy learning, they are more able to face new challenges with in the family and in their communities.

In this short interview, Matthew tells us his responses to My Daddy! My One and Only! (Lampara Books, 2013) and his favorite things to do with his parents.

What is your favorite part in the book, My Daddy! My One and Only!?
 
I like this one! (Pointing to the page where the elephants are in the classroom.) Maybe because he already goes to school as kindergarten. 

What name did you give the little elephant?
 
The elephant's name is Matthew, mommy! (smiling) 

What activities do you like to do with Mom and Dad?

I like to go out on weekends, like going to Papa Jesus house (church). I like eating, playing, singing, going to a relative's house, watching tv/shows, taking pictures, sharing stories and silly jokes.

Surrounded by love! Surrounded with books!

Bonding Moments Through Books and Reading Part 1 of 2

Tito and Mel Isada on their wedding day.

Mommy Mel Isada is based in the US. She and her husband, Tito, are raising a young reader, their son Matthew. Mel lends us this interview sharing her experience of living in the US but remaining a Filipino at heart. What's more, she tells us why reading is an important part of Matthew's development. Matthew has started preschool and Mel provides him with books they both love to read.

Why invest on books?

I know books can help my son to love reading at an early age and continue the love for it and live with it as part of his daily life. Reading books also is a bonding moment for me and Matthew! It is here where I can see him relate to the real world and find his way to create his own world. 

Describe the challenges of a Filipino family living in the US, particularly, your role as mother to Matthew.
 
As a first time mom in a foreign country, every day is a BIG challenge to face. It needs a lot of mother's love to be able to always put my best foot forward to make my son give the best in him and use it the right way with a touch of Filipino way. It is very fulfilling to see his milestones which includes the use of PO and OPO and kissing of the hand to elders. It is a wonderful feeling that Matthew relates his experiences in his country of origin as he talks in Tagalog like telling his kalesa ride, the tricycle, jeepney and the kaskaserong (fast and rowdy) bus! It is always fun when he sings in the house. 

Pusong Pinoy pa rin!

Ask him to sing a song and he will give you songs from TFC (The Filipino Channel) teleseryes. We never miss to eat Filipino foods. Matthew loves paksiw, adobo, pansit. I read him stories and one of his favorites is the book entitled My Daddy, My One and Only by a Filipino author, Zarah Gagatiga. He would bring it in the car as we go to school for me to read it to him. I read both the English and then the Tagalog version. By the way, if you happen to bring him at Seafood City (Filipino Store) at the veggies section, he can tell you the different veggies while singing Bahay Kubo (in tune). 

It's not a piece of cake raising a kid in US but I'm ready to give it all with the support of my loving husband, Tito. It is very important to us, as parents, to inculcate in Matthew's young mind and heart, until he lives on his own, that he is a Filipino. 

What are Matthew's favorite books?
 
I started reading to him Thomas and his Friends. Thomas (the train) is his first favorite character. I also read Curious George (series). Jack and the Beanstalk, Peter Pan and The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Lately, after our vacation from the Philippines, I started reading My Daddy, My One and Only and Ang Barumbadong Bus.

Part 2 of this post is Matthew's interview on the books he loves to read! 

Tito, Mel and Matthew on vacation in the Philippines.

 

Taking Stock: My Published Books for Chidren and the Young at Heart

My Daddy My One and Only from Zarah Gagatiga

Filipino Readers' Choice Award 2015

Two weeks ago, The Filipino Readers' Choice Awards (FRCA) was launched online. Lifting this paragraph from the official website, it explains what the FRCA is all about:

The Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards returns for its third year, engaging the Filipino reading public in honoring their favorite Philippine-published titles. An initiative of the Filipino Book Bloggers Group, the Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards debuted at the 2nd Filipino Reader Conference in 2012, and was established to develop awareness and appreciation of Philippine literature, recognize the reader’s role in creating the meaning and experience of a literary work, and give the readers a voice in the Philippine book industry.

In past blog posts about the FRCA, I encouraged librarians to take part in this online reading campaign by looking at the list of books that readers nominate in the awards; check their collection if they have the titles posted online; consider acquiring the titles; and reading the ones they find interesting.

This year, I am most keen at inviting librarian friends to vote for my book, Dear Nanay (Lampara Books, 2014), if they have read it and liked it. This is a first for me and yes, I will not deny it, I am thrilled to the bone for the book to be nominated in the Children's Picture Book category.  So, if you haven't read Dear Nanay yet, I hope you can get a copy. Read it and if you like it, go to this FRCA Voting page.

Thank you in advance!

My three books will all be available in the Manila International Book Fair 2015 at the Lampara Books' Booth

 

Let Us Weave Magic!

Events of Lampara Books at the 2015 MIBF

A Promising Future for the Philippine LIS Professionals

With Library and Information Science students of PUP and UE

Early in August, the Araneta Boulevard Consortium of Libraries organized a forum on Information Literacy and the K-12 Curriculum. I was their resource speaker for half the day. It was held at the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Araneta, Cubao Campus. There I met new friends from the LIS profession, old ones and students of LIS from PUP and UE.

What struck me, once again, was the consortium's dedication to provide continuing professional growth activities for its members and the students that study LIS in their schools. How apt that, just recently, I have had the pleasure of being with LAQUEP and CLASS. These two LIS organizations in the Southern Tagalaog Region are making their own contribution in their respective provinces. Then came the good news of the approval of the continuing education program by the BFL with a passing of a law in the senate to boot! Are these signs that Philippine LIS is gearing up for ASEAN Integration? I look forward to attending the PLAI Congress this coming November 2015 because theme this year is that - ASEAN Integration.

Well, it's trending. Actually.

Another thing that I took notice during my presentation was the answer given to me by two different participants. I was at the point when I presented a blank schematic web of a library with the leading question: WHAT IS YOUR LIBRARY CONCEPT?

A librarian who has seen the seasons replied that the library is a storehouse of knowledge. A LIS student replied that the library is a place for innovation, inspiration and influence. Both answers are correct, to my opinion. Libraries remain places where knowledge is created and communicated. Containing this knowledge with in the community is not the be all and end all of libraries. This is something the young LIS student knows. Libraries offer spaces for innovation. Libraries run programs that inspire. Libraries, when built well in its physical, intellectual and virtual structures, can influence a society to think, act and make informed decisions. Such lofty ideals and rhetoric.

It is time to look for best practices.

Book Launch: Big Sister

Totet de Jesus' squiggles strikes again!

This is one of my favorite illustrations in our new book, Big Sister (Lampara House, 2015). If you have not heard about it yet, the book is a collaborative work with Ruben "Totet" de Jesus. We will launch the book on September 18, 2015 at 3PM right after the Lampara Storytelling Contest. The venue will be at the stage area of the SMX, Mall of Asia. This event is in the program of the 2015 Manila International Book Fair.

Mr. de Jesus and I will be available for book signing at 5-6PM in the same area.

On September 19, 2015, Saturday Palanca awardee and Hall of Famer Eugene Evasco and I will be conducting a writing workshop at Meeting Room 4 in SMX, Mall of Asia. This is part and parcel of Lampara Books' book fair program. The writing workshop will start at 1PM.

Entrance to the workshop would be a receipt of your purchases from Lampara Books. See you at the MIBF! The fair begins on September 16, 2015 and will end on September 20, 2015.