Isang Harding Papel A Martial Law Musical: Interview With Nanoy Rafael (2 of 2)

Basahin ang e-poster para sa info tungkol sa musical

Narito ang part 2 ng interbyu kay Nanoy Rafael na nagsalin at nag-adapt ng Isang Harding Papel (Rivera, Joson, Adarna House 2015) bilang isang musical. Mababasa ang part 1 sa link na ito.

Sa part 2 ng interbyu, ibinahagi ni Nanoy Rafael ang malikhaing proseso ng pagsasalin ng orihinal na materyal ni Augie Rivera. Nakakatuwa ring malaman na kasama ni Nanoy ang kanyang mga co-teachers at kanilang mga mag-aaral sa Raya School sa paglikha ng musical na ito.

3. May mga piling mag-aaral ng Raya ang nakasama ninyo sa paglikha. Kumusta naman sila katrabaho?

Sa unang run, buong Grade 8 namin ang tumulong sa produksiyon. Bahagi na rin ng pagtuturo namin sa kanila kung paano ba magpatakbo ng isang produksiyon, para may mga taon na sila na mag-isa ang gagawa nito. Epektibong motibasyon ang agency, ‘yung bibigyan ka ng kalayaan na lumikha o gawin ang isang bagay ayon sa naiisip mo. Kaya naging ganado rin talaga ang mga estudyante sa paggawa. Sila ang bumuo ng marami sa props, ng marketing materials. May mga nasa logistics rin na tumulong magpatakbo ng backstage. At siyempre, mayroon rin akong mga katuwang sa pagsusulat.

May isang pangyayari na hindi ko makakalimutan kasama ang mga estudyante. Mga ilang araw pagkatapos ng eleksiyon, nagkita-kita kami para tapusin ang first draft ng script. Naaalala siguro ninyo na noong mga unang araw ng bilangan, lamang si Bongbong Marcos sa pagka-bise. Kabado kaming nag-uuusap, natatawa na sa kaba. Alam ng mga batang ito na noong panahon ng rehimeng Marcos, nakulong ang mga sumulat laban sa gobyerno. Natortyur ang iba. Nawala ang iba. Pinaslang ang iba. Kaya binibiro nila ako na “Hala, teacher, baka makulong ka!” Gumaganti naman ako ng “Bakit ako lang? Kasama kaya kayo.” Araw iyon na puno ng masasamang biro, at ang bilang sa eleksiyon ang pinakamasamang biro sa lahat.

Pero nagseryoso ako at tinanong sila kung gusto pa ba nilang ituloy ang pagsusulat kung sakaling manalo nga si Marcos bilang bise. Sinabi ko na maiintindihan ko kung hindi, at walang problema kung ganoon. Pero sumagot silang “Sige lang, tuloy lang!” nang walang pag-aatubili. Kaya saludo ako kina Cacy Abadeza, Sofia Baybay, Izzi dela Cruz,  at Ella Francia—mga katuwang sa pagsulat at mga nagbigay rin ng tapang sa akin na ituloy ang dula.

Isang eksena sa dulang Isang Harding Papel A Martial Law Musical

4. Ano ang nauna, musika o libretto?

May magandang dynamic kami ni Teacher Thea Tolentino (ang composer) sa paggawa ng mga kanta. Nauuna parati ang lyrics (at ang sitwasyon na kasama nito). Tapos mag-uusap kami ni Thea kung ano ba ang kuwento, ano ang bagay na lapat dito. 

Pero hindi pa buo ang libretto/script kapag ibinibigay ko kay Thea ang natatapos naming mga lyrics. May mga eksena na wala pang kanta, pero tapos na ni Thea na lapatan ng musika ang iba. Kaya rin marami-rami sa mga naisulat naming kanta ang naimpluwensiyahan rin ng nauna nang treatment sa musika.

Halimbawa, ang pinakanauna kong naisulat ay ang dalawang Oyayi. Kanta ito ni nanay habang pinapatulog si Jenny, at kanta ni Jenny habang pinapatulog ang sarili niya. Naisulat ko ito bandang Nobyembre. Bandang Disyembre noong narinig ko ang lapat dito ni Thea. Pagkatapos noon, saka ko naisulat ang titular song na Isang Harding Papel, kasi nagkaroon na ako ng idea kung paano ang “feel” dapat nito. 

5. Ano ang paborito mong eksena sa Hardin? Bakit ito ang paborito mo?

Ang hirap! Sige, lilimitahan ko sa dalawa.

Ang una ay ang Bagong Lipunan spoof. Paborito ko ito kasi ito yata ang pinakamasaya naming naisulat, at siguro pinaka-subversive rin. Paulit-ulit naming pinakikinggan ng writing team ang Bagong Lipunan, tapos nag-iisip lang kami kung paano bababuyin ng mga bata ang lyrics nito, sa paraang parang bata talaga. Ang dami naming ibinato sa isa’t isa na nakakatawa, kaya ang hirap ring tapusin. Pero ang pinakadumikit ay noong may kumanta ng “Mabahong ulam” kapalit ng “May bagong silang.” Tapos dere-deretso na naming naisulat. Kaya halimbawa, ‘yung “May bagong silang / May bago nang buhay / Bagong bansa...” naging “Mabahong ulam / Mabaho ang laman / Amoy paa...” Ang immature lang, di ba! Pero ganoon naman talaga noong bata tayo, kung ano-anong pambababoy ang ginagawa natin sa mga kanta. Tapos kapag napanood rin ninyo ito sa stage, dahil mga Grade 1 ang nasa eksena, bagay na bagay. Awtentikong awtentiko.

Si Jenny, ang kanyang ina at lola

‘Yung ikalawang eksena na paborito ko ay ang torture scene. Wala ito sa script, at nagugulat pa rin ako na kayang ilagay ang ganitong sitwasyon at panatiliing pambata pa rin ang dula. Pero nagawa ni Direk Nor! Gustong-gusto ko ito kasi hindi ito metaporiko, na siyang madalas nating takbuhan kapag may gusto tayong ipaliwanag sa bata na sa tingin natin ay masyadong mabigat para sa kanila. Tahas ito, at mabigat pa rin (dahil mabigat naman talaga ang realidad na ito), pero mauunawaan ng bata. Nirerespeto ng eksenang ito ang kakayahan ng batang umunawa at magproseso, na magkaroon ng komplikadong mga damdamin at naiisip.

Si Nanoy Rafael ay isang manunulat, tagasalin, at guro. Nagwagi ang libro nila ni Serj Bumatay na "Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu!" ng Peter Pan Prize mula sa IBBY-Sweden. Ilan sa mga isinalin niya patungong Filipino ay ang "Book Uncle and Me" ni Uma Krishnaswami, at ang "A Christmas Carol" ni Charles Dickens. Kasalukuyan siyang nagtuturo sa Raya School ng Filipino at Araling Panlipunan.

Isang Harding Papel A Martial Law Musical: Interview with Nanoy Rafael (1 of 2)

Ang Isang Harding Papel (Adarna House, 2015) ay unang nalathala bilang isang aklat pambata nina Augie Rivera, manunulat, at Rommel Joson, illustrador. Napapanahon ang paglabas ng aklat na ito. Ang mga kuwentong personal na galing sa mas malaking mapa ng kasaysayan ay hindi dapat malimutan. Maaring kathang isip ang kuwento ni Jenny at ng kanyang ina noong panahon ng Martial Law, subalit, nasasalamin sa kanilang salaysay ang kuwento ng mga ordinaryong pamilya na naging biktima ng kalupitan at abuso ng mga taong may kapangyarihan noong panahong iyon.

Ang mga pangyayari sa ating buhay at sa lipunan ay may malaking kinalaman sa paghulma ng ating pagkatao.

Ang Raya School ay magkakaroon ng isang musical base sa kuwentong pambatang ito. Ang Isang Harding Papel a Martial Law Musical ay ipapalabas sa AFP Theater sa Biernes, February 10, 2017. Narito ang isang panayam kay Nanoy Rafael na nag-adapt ng kuwento sa pormang musikal. Narito ang unag bahagi ng inerbyu kay Nanoy Rafael.

1. Bakit Isang Harding Papel?

Siguro madalas na iniiisip ng mga tao na pinili naming gawing musical ang Isang Harding Papel bilang tugon sa kasalukuyang mga nangyayari. Pero ang totoo, hindi ko inasahan na magiging napapanahon ito. Nobyembre 2015 ko sinimulang isulat ang outline at mga kanta ng musical, at noon ay malayo sa hinagap ko na may tsansa pala na maging bise presidente ang isang Marcos, o na malilibing ang dating diktador sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, o na magiging karaniwan pala ang paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao.

Noong panahon na iyon, sobrang simple lang ng dahilan kung bakit ito ang pinili namin. Kada taon ay nagsasadula kami ng panitikang pambata para sa Hinabing Haraya, ang taunang dulang pampaaralan ng Raya School. Para sa 2016, naisip naming mabuti kung isa sa EDSA books ang gamitin namin, lalo na at ika-30 taon ng EDSA People Power.

Pero siguro, may kaunting politikal na dahilan kung bakit ko rin pinili ang Isang Harding Papel. naitampok kasi ni Augie Rivera sa libro niya na ang bida sa salaysay ng Batas Militar ay ang karaniwang tao. Sila ang nagdurusa, nagpupursigi, umaasa, at nagsisikap magpatuloy sa buhay sa kabila ng ligalig. Walang malalaking personalidad bilang bayani; ang bayani ay ang nanay na nabilanggo, ang anak na naghintay, at ang lola na nag-alaga sa kaniya. 

Ipinapakita sa atin ng Isang Harding Papel ni Augie na ang EDSA People Power ay pagmamay-ari ng lahat ng taong nakiisa at nakikiisa dito, at hindi ng iilan lang. Hindi ito makatwirang gawing brand ng anumang organisasyon. Kaya kung may mas malalim na motibasyon ako noong Nobyembre 2015 sa pagsasadula ng Isang Harding Papel, marahil ito ay ang pagpapaalala sa mga tao na sa kanila ang EDSA People Power.

2. Saan nagsimula ang lahat? Bago pa man ma-stage ang Hardin, anong mga pangyayari o proseso ang pinagdaanan mo at ng iyong mga kagrupo sa paghahanda ng musical?

Isa itong dulang pampaaralan, at buong Raya School talaga ang nagsikap para buuin ito. Pinagtulungan ng mga teachers, mga estudyante, mga staff, mga magulang ang stage design, props, music, choreography, sound engineering—halos lahat ng kayang maisip na kailangan para tumakbo ang isang dula. Kahit si Direk Nor Domingo, magulang siya ng Raya.

Ngayong ikalawang run, tinutulungan na kami ni Boni Juan para sa set and stage requirements. Mayroon na rin kaming tulong mula sa mga professional choreographers and acting coaches na sina Gio Gahol at Norbs Portales. Medyo level up kompara sa una.

Abangan ang part 2 ng interbyu sa blog sa blog sa mga darating na araw.

Call for Entries: The PBBY Alcala Illustrator's Prize 2017

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2017 PBBY-Alcala Prize.

The winner shall be given a cash prize of P25,000.00, a gold medal, and an opportunity to be published. Prizes will be awarded in an appropriate ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children’s Book Day on July 18, 2017.

Contest Rules

1. The contest is open to all Filipino citizens except those who are related to any PBBY member up to the third degree of consanguinity.
2. Entries must be based on the 2017 PBBY-Salanga Prize winning story, Dalawa Kami ni Lola  by Genaro Gojo Cruz. A copy of this story may be requested from the PBBY Secretariat or downloaded from the PBBY website.
3. All entries must be original unpublished illustrations that have not won in any previous contest.
4. All entries must consist of three (3) illustrations that are of the same size and medium. Entries do not have to be based on consecutive spreads/parts of the text.
5. A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.
6. Each entry must be signed by a pen name only, preferably on a small piece of paper pasted on the back of each artwork.  Entries with a signature or any identifying marks are automatically disqualified.
7. Together with each entry, contestants must submit a separate envelope, on the face of which only the pen name of the contestant shall appear.  The envelope must contain the contestant’s full name, address, contact numbers, short description of background, and notarized certification vouching for the originality of the entry and for the freedom of the organizers from any liability arising from the infringement of copyright in case of publication.
8. All entries must be sent to the PBBY Secretariat, c/o Adarna House, 109 Scout Fernandez cor. Scout Torillo Sts., Quezon City by April 28, 2017. Entries may be submitted in person or by courier service.
9. Winners will be announced no later than June 19, 2017.  Non-winning entries must be claimed no later than August 7, 2017 after which they will no longer be the responsibility of the organizers.

For more details, interested parties may contact PBBY by calling +632 3526765 local 203 or emailing pbby [at] adarna.com.ph.

World Read Aloud Day 2017

It's World Read Aloud Day on February 16, 2017!

This year's theme is Read Aloud. Change the World! When you visit the website, make sure that you click on the freebies. There is a downloadable PDF of the picture book, New Day, New Friends (by C. Alexander London, Ying-Hwa- Hu, illustrator) which can be used as the read aloud story during the launching of the World Read Aloud Day in your learning community. There is an activity kit in the conduct of  World Read Aloud Day 2017  celebration, and this is free as well.

Looking back, here are selected blog posts I made in celebration of World Read Aloud Day 2017.

A blog carnival on reading, books and reading aloud

Where my kids and I talked about books

In 2012, I posted a video of me reading aloud Lizard's Rock by George Shannon

Where Zoe read aloud one of the books in the I Spy series

LitWorld, the proponent of World Read Aloud Day, has cute posters every year to drum up the celebration

Visit the website and join this literacy initiative. Other than getting the freebies, campaign for books and reading. Change the world!

My 2016 In Retrospect: Engagements as Resource Speaker and Workshop Facilitator

My first appearance as workshop facilitator will be at the National Training - Workshop on Storytelling, Arts & Crafts and New Library Services on February 1-3, 2017 at the Manila Grand Opera Hotel, Sta. Cruz, Manila. I will be running a whole day workshop on Design Thinking for Librarians. More on this in future posts, so, do watch out for it. If you wish to know what it is all about, do attend the training workshop. See you there!

Getting the invitation last month made me look at the talks and workshops I did in 2016. Sharing this list with you, my dear readers! Do click the links for my PPT and some reflections on the sessions I ran with colleagues, friends and peers.

January

Let's Talk About Books! And Reading
UP FLIPP: New Professionals Series
Insights gained from the 2016 UP FLIPP New Professionals Series

February
 
Organizing LIbrary Resources for the Makati DepEd Library Hub
PPT, side stories and reflections from the Makati Library Hub Workshop
Bakit May Children's Books sa Isang High School Library
What I Forgot to Say in the PH Children's Lit Forum: Developing the Library Collection, Library Consortium in the Age of K-12 and Children's Literature

April

PPT on GLOCAL Trends and Challenges in Library Services
The Library Customer Journey Map
PASLI Conference: Work Life Balance PPT
PASLI Conference: Creating Professional Learning Network

 May

PPT for PNULISSA Annual Confernece: Stiking the Balance The Changing Landscape of Collection Development
Video of PPT for Striking the Balance Talk

July

Read and Take Flight Talk at the ABAP Book Fair
PPT Read and Take Flight: Reading as Survival Skill
Awaken the Force: Digital Library Services for Kids and Teens

September

Aklatan 2016: Reading as Tool for Lifelong Learning
Likha Pambata Workshop 2016

October

PPT: Be Heard! Be a Blogger!
Bibliotherapy 101 at the Quezon City Public Library
ASEAN School Library Workshop in Indonesia: PPT on PH Kids Lit (remote presentation)
Effective Librarianship @ Work: Reference Services
Online PPT: UtellStory My Author Talk in Brent International School Manila

November

Author Visit at Brent International School Manila
Insights and Tips for Librarians in Hosting Author Visits

So there! What a productive year it was! Looking forward to 2017!

A New Book Project for 2017: Of Boys and Basketball

Early this month, I did an inventory of writing projects that I need to finish this first quarter of the year. I am excited for all of them as I am working with wonderful illustrators. One of them is Mr. Jonathan Ranola.

He sent me one of his studies for our story about boys and basketball.

I will be posting updates of my book project in the blog which will include snippets of our collaborative work.

Filipino Librarians in Media (TV, Internet and Films) Part 3 of 3

To contnue, this is part 3 of the Filipino Librarian in Media series. Part 1 is here, where it all began. Part 2 is where I replied to her query on research on the perception of Filipinos on librarians

 

Portrayals of Librarians in Filipino TV and Media 

The stereotype of how boring librarians are prevents representation, good or not, in TV and Media. I mean, who would be interested to know the life of a librarian? 

 

But, we do lead interesting lives! 

 

Prof. Igor Cabbab is a revered yoyo master. Mary Ann Jimenez-Salvador, married to the musician and avantgarde artist Lirio Salvador, is an art museum owner in Cavite. Melchor Cichon is a librarian and poet who writes in his mother tongue. But no one looks at them closely. Maybe, because, librarians, especially the work we do is concerned with culture, art, setting up knowledge systems and tech infrastructures, and community development. Who would be interested to put all those things on mainstream TV? 

In this day and age of ALDUB; where a politician gets votes, and wins (!) because of a long time running afternoon TV; and formulaic telenovelas, who would chose to watch a show for geeks and nerds? I find myself stereotyping others. But, aren't librarians part of this community of geeks and nerds? 

Thinking, creativity, critical thinking. Nobody wants them on national mainstream TV.

Teaching Resources and Readers' Guide: Rebel Of the Sands

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton (Viking, 2016) is one of the books that Zoe and I read last year that really got us so excited that we can't wait for the next book. The good news is, Traitor to the Throne, the second book in the series will be out in March 2017. I have placed my advance order on Amazon!

While I wait for its release and launching, here are resources for readers, young and old, that may help bridge the long wait for book 2. The curated list of links may also serve as teaching resources for upper middle grades to high school levels. May these materials be of assistance to book discussion groups, school librarians, teachers and parents who are developing units for the classroom or in a homeschooling learning environment.

Book Reviews

The Guradian: Linda Buckley-Archer's Review
My Review of Rebel of the Sands This has spoilers, so think before you click.
Kirkus Review of Rebel of the Sands
Nice Gearls Read Books: Review of Rebel of the Sands

Recommended Writing Activity

After reading the book, ask the reader to write his or her own thoughts and feelings about it. The write up doesn't need to be a long  book report or review. Start simply with two questions: what you liked and what you didn't like about the book. If these questions are too broad, make a handout that identifies the character, plot, theme, setting, problem and solution. Have the reader fill this out. Save this up in a journal. This can be used as a guide for the reader during book talks or book discussion sessions.

Building and Developing Context

Check these links out for context building. These short readings, infographics and images may help in comprehension before reading, during reading and after reading the book.

The world building in Rebel of the Sands is akin to that of Middle Eastern geography and history. Review maps, a sultanate's hierarchy and middle eastern mythology.

Middle East Geography 
Middle East and Islamic Photographs
Infographic: Sultanate of Oman
Arabian Mythology: Jinn
Mythology of Rebel of the Sands

Themes: Freedom and Revolutions

Two themes that Zoe and I talked about after reading the book were freedom and revolution. Amani wishes to be free from her uncle's cruelty while Jin dreams of sailing away from the desert and turn his back on the revolution. And so we asked ourselves:

What does it mean to be free? Are revolutions worth dying for? To what extent is a revolution relevant, personally and collectively? When do you fight and defend the self and the motherland?

Where we found some answers, but reading them prompted us to ask for more questions.

The Philosophy of Freedom Groundwork for the reader to explore ideas on freedom and its many aspects and consqeuences.
History Today: Waves of Revolution A historical perspective that leads the reader to see patterns and cycles in humanity's social struggles to be free and its quest for power.
Inside Revolution: Why do revolutions happen? This is my favorite, so far, because this was made by a grade 10 student as a Personal Project. Being a school project, the author notes his references and provides a background on his interest about the Syrian crisis. Revolutions, real or fictionalized, have an impact in the lives of young people.
BBC News looks at Freedom's many forms and manifestations  an interesting video that can spark deeper and more comprehensive discussions on freedom.

Suggested activities to expand and extend the experience of the themes freedom and revolution


* Poetry - write poems that celebrate freedom or lament the lack of it
* Picture Collage or Photo Exhibit - create a collage or a photo exhibit on the effects and consequences of revolutions
* Music and movement - stage concerts where kids can sing or dance to express one's freedom; watch a play or musical that touches on these themes
* Curate articles and commentary discussing current events that affect our freedom
* Long term writing project: Choose a revolution that happened in the Philippines and investigate its success or failure.

Recommended Readings 

Fiction
 
A Tale of Two Cities / by Dickens, Charles   New York : Pocket Books, 2004

Kangkong 1896 / by Alabado, Ceres S.C.   Quezon City Philippines : New Day Publisher, 2006

Doctor Zhivago / by Ponti, Carlo,|d1912-2007   Burbank, CA : Distributed by Warner Home Video, 2010

The astonishing life of Octavian Nothing, traitor to the nation : The Pox Party, Volume 1 / by Anderson, M. T.   Cambridge, Mass. : Candlewick Press, c2006-2008

In the shadow of the banyan / by Ratner, Vaddey.   New York : Simon & Schuster, 2012  

Animal farm / by Orwell, George,   New York : A Signet Classic, 1996 

All woman and springtime : To survive the journey to freedom, all they have is each other / by Jones, B.W.   London : Phoenix, 2013 

The silver dream / by Gaiman, Neil.   New York, NY : Harper Teen, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers, 2013 

Anthem / by Rand, Ayn.   New York : Dutton, 2005

All woman and springtime : To survive the journey to freedom, all they have is each other / by Jones, B.W.   London : Phoenix, 2013  

Non-Fiction 

Tales from EDSA : Stories of the Revolution / by Cruz, Neni Sta. Romana   Pasig Philippines : Anvil Publishing Inc, 2009

Silent Spring : The classic that launched the environmental movement / by Carson, Rachel   Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 2002, c1962   

How Apple Inc. changed the world : Revolutionary Companies / by O Grady, Jason D.   Fort Mumbai India : Jaico Publishing House, 2010

The Evils of Revolution : What is liberty without wisdom and without virtue? / by Burke, Edmund   London : Penguin Books, 2008

The Great Political Theories, from French revolution to modern times : from French revolution to modern times   New York USA : Harperperennial Modernclassics, 2008   

Air power : the men, machines, and ideas that revolutionized war, from Kitty Hawk to Iraq / by Budiansky, Stephen.   New York, N.Y. : Penguin Books, 2005

Inside WikiLeaks : my time with Julian Assange at the world`s most dangerous website / by Domscheit-Berg, Daniel.   New York : Crown, c2011

Escape from camp 14 : one man`s remarkable odyssey from North Korea to freedom in the West / by Harden, Blaine.   New York : Penguin Books, 2013, c2012
 
Long walk to freedom, the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. : the autobiography of Nelson Mandela. / by Mandela, Nelson,   Boston : Back Bay Books, 2008 

Freedom from fear / by Kennedy, David M.   New York : Oxford University Press, c2005  

Filipino Librarians in Media (TV, Internet and Films) Part 2 of 3

My answer to Ms. Joscon Singh's inquiry on the perception of Filipinos on Filipino Librarians:

On the librarian stereotype and the perceptions of Filipinos about them

I do not know of any survey or research about how Filipinos see librarians. But, there have been movies in the past that type cast librarians as the boring, conservative and old fashioned "manangs" in the academe. Two movies come to mind. In My Life (Star Cinema, Floy Quintos) where Vilma Santos portrays the masungit and boring librarian. I think I wrote a review of the movie in my blog. Let me go back to it and I will send you the link. Are you still interested? The other movie is Radio Romance (Star Movies, circa 90s) where Jelli de Belen played a bespectacled librarian in search of love. Yes, she found it in the arms of Paolo Abrera.

Sadly, I do not follow local TV so I have nothing to tell you about this. There are Filipino Librarians who've appeared on TV as themselves. Dr. Von Totanes who is in Japan right now for a research grant, a librarian from UST who joined a game show (Von would know as he wrote about her in his blog The Filipino Librarian), Hon. Lourdes David of the Board for Librarians, former PLAI Presidnet Elvira Lapus and yours truly. 

Von joined a game show back in 2009, Game Ka Na Ba as hosted by Kris Aquino. He blogged about this too. Mrs. David, Ms. Lapus and myself have been interviewed on UNTV about our work and the National Book and Library Services Month (Ms. Lapus). UNTV has a YouTube Channel, which you can view. 

I have posted in my blog my interview in UNTV. Other than being a librarian, I talked about my books and the advocacy I pursue in that segment. I also appear regularly as a panelist of Ang Pinaka, a pop culture show over at GMA News. Last year, I have done two episodes: one is about the Top 10 Words of 2016 and one about Pinoy Words that Made it to the Oxford Dictionary. Like UNTV, they have a YouTube channel and a page on Facebook.

I don't know if this information is helpful to your research, but this is first hand, personal information. I think it still needs verification. As for impact or effect, I do not know how to measure our TV appearances or media exposure. I do get followers in my social media accounts and somehow, they keep me inspired to continue blogging, writing and being seen on social media. The responsibility to put a good face, one that is credible and integral to the status and growth of Filipino librarians today rests heavily on my shoulders.

Back-to-Back Winner for 2017 PBBY-Salanga Prize

The official press release reads:

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People declared Genaro Gojo Cruz as the grand prize winner of the 2017 PBBY-Salanga Prize. Gojo Cruz bagged the Salanga prize with his story Dalawa Kami ni Lola, a story about a child and his grandmother.

This is Gojo Cruz’s second grand prize win. Gojo Cruz, a children’s book author and professor, won the grand prize last year. For his win, Gojo Cruz will receive 25,000 pesos and a medal.

Gojo Cruz’s story, Pamilya Papel was also declared honorable mention alongside Imelda Estrella’s story, May Lihim ang Dagat.

Winners will be awarded during the celebration of the National Children’s Book Day on July 18, 2017.

For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat at telephone number 352-6765 loc. 203 or e-mail pbby@adarna.com.ph.

Congratulations to Mr. Genaro Gojo Cruz and Ms. Imelda Estrella!

Filipino Librarians in Media (TV, Internet and Films)

I received this inquiry from Joan Jocson-Singh, Head of Technical Services of the Leonard Lief Library of Lehman College, New York.

I'm looking to see if Librarians in Media (TV, Internet, Film or Art) affect how Filipinos see Librarians in the Philippines. Do you know if any surveys have been done in the Philippines like this about perception? Or if there are prominant TV shows that feature Librarians in the Philippines?

If there has not been many TV portrayals or illustrations of Filipinos, might you be able to answer why that is?

I am throwing this out there for readers of the blog to help Ms. Jocson-Singh. I will blog my reply in a few days.

Authors of the Month: John Couret and Dianne de Las Casas

This January, the blog is featuring not just one author, but two! Here is my interview with John Couret and Dianne de Las Casas on their new book, Captain Deadeye: The Bully Shark. 

Why use a pirate as John's alter ego to cope with and combat bullying issues? Aren't pirates bullies in the first place?

John: John becomes a pirate because, in his imagination, a pirate is a person that no one can bully.  As a victim of bullying in the real world, John has no control. When he becomes captain of his own ship, he is able to control the direction in which he wishes to go.

The cool thing about a children's book is that you can create your own reality. Our pirate solves his conflicts without violence. Captain Deadeye uses creative means to stand up to bullying.

Dianne: As a child, John Couret was bullied because of his lazy eyes and called "Deadeye John." When John and I discussed writing an anti-bully book, his life experience of being bullied became the inspiration for the title character. I thought that "Deadeye" sounded like a pirate name and John came up with "Captain" so "Captain Deadeye" was born! During the course of our research, we also discovered that a "Deadeye" was a part of a ship! It was a sign!

Captain Deadeye becomes Master of the Seven Seas. In our anti-bullying program, we teach kids to become masters of the 7 C's to stand up to bullying. They are: Courage, Compassion, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Community, Choices, and Change.

We actually drew the concept of the book on a napkin in a bookstore! Anchors away!

For Dianne: What makes Captain Deadeye  different from the other characters you have created?

Captain Deadeye: The Bully Shark is my first chapter book. My other children's books are picture books and most of them are folktale remixes. Captain Deadeye is a character that John and I believe is bigger than both of us. We believe so wholeheartedly in our anti-bullying initiative, "Stop Bullying! Be a Lifesaver!" We know Captain Deadeye has the power to make a huge splash in the world!

For John: How much of John Couret is in John/Captain Deadeye?

While Deadeye John/Captain Deadeye is a fictional character, there is a lot of my truth in him. As a kid many years ago in Brooklyn, New York, I grew up in a rough neighborhood. I was constantly picked on and teased because of my lazy eyes. The feelings that Deadeye John experiences when he is bullied in the book closely mirrors my own experience as a victim of bullying. While back in the day I didn't particularly dream of being a pirate, I did wish to be bigger and stronger so that my bullies would leave me alone.

What is it like working with John/Dianne? Use pirate language or metaphor to describe the experience of working with John/Dianne.

John: Working with Dianne is a jolly good time. Although we don't always see "eye to eye" (pun tended), we know that if dig deep enough, we ARRR sure to find the buried treasure.

Dianne: Ahoy there! Working with John is an adventure on the high seas. It can be challenging to have two captains steering the writing ship, but we both know that if we stay the course, we are always where we need to be and that the gold is just on the horizon!

Give us a short description or teaser on the learning activities included in the book. Why would schools and families invest in Captain Deadeye?

On our website, we provide cross-curricular activities, a character education guide, book activities, a nautical and pirate glossary, and so much more. Bullying is an issue that does not discriminate. It can be found in every continent on the seven seas. Our mission is to change the world and create Lifesavers, one child at a time.

So, what is next for John Couret / Dianne de Las Casas?

Dianne: We are working on Book 2 of the series: Captain Deadeye: The Killer Whale. In the next book, Deadeye John's best friend, Dee Dee, gets bullied because of her burn scars. Her character is based on my experiences of being bullied because of third degree burns covering a large portion of my body. Dee Dee becomes "Scarlet," a fierce female pirate. 

We are on a Barnes & Noble book tour and have lots of school visits and events coming up. We ARRR excited for the future of Captain Deadeye! We hope that everyone will set sail with us and pledge to Stop Bullying and Be a Lifesaver!

John Couret is the president of Write Hook Media, author of the self help and inspirational book, Breaking Barriers: Live Life as a Champion, and motivational speaker. The sparkling Dianne de Las Casas is vice-president of Write Hook Media, author, international storyteller and poet laureate of the International Reading Association. Together, John and Dianne aim to make this world a better place through their art and advocacy, Stop Bullying and Be a Life Saver!