Call for Entries: The PBBY Alcala Prize 2020

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2020 PBBY-Alcala Prize. The winner shall be given a cash prize of PHP25,000.00, a 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 21, 2020.

DEADLINE
Entries must be received by the PBBY Secretariat and time-stamped no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2020.

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 2020 PBBY-Salanga Prize winning piece, Team Abangers at ang Estilong Trumpo by Boon Kristoffer Lauw.
3. A copy of the story may be downloaded here. 
4. All entries must be original, unpublished illustrations that have not won in any previous contest.
5. All entries must consist of three (3) illustrations (cover art and two chapter illustrations) of the same size, two of which are colored and rendered in the same medium. The third should be a rough sketch of one of the chapter illustrations. 
6. A contestant may send in more than one (1) entry.
7. 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.
8. 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. A format of the certification may be downloaded here. 
9. All entries must be sent to the PBBY Secretariat, c/o Adarna House, 109 Scout Fernandez cor. Scout Torillo Sts., Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City by April 30, 2020. Entries may be submitted in person or by courier service.
10. Winners will be announced no later than May 15, 2020. Non-winning entries must be claimed no later than June 19, 2020 after which they will no longer be the responsibility of the organizers.

For more details, interested parties may contact PBBY by calling 8352-6765 local 204 or emailing secretariat@pbby.org.ph.

Bibliotherapy Mini-Workshop (2 of 3)

Mrs. Mary Ann Jimenez-Salvador, Director of the De La Salle University Dasmariñas, Cavite has this to say about our workshop at Nook last Sunday, January 25, 2020.

In this quiet Nook at Molito in Alabang, a group of professionals (Librarians, Social workers, HR manager, Foundation Director, Storytellers) gathered together by a school librarian and author of Children's book Zarah Gagatiga to start a common  cause - bring developmental bibliotherapy in evacuation centers. 

#BangonCalabarzonVolunteers #NookCoworkingStudio

Photo source: Mary Ann Jimenez Salvador

With Juliet, Jay and Mary Ann. De La Salle Librarians all!

She is write in saying that this volunteer project is to start a common cause, and a long term commitment too. My journey in Bibliotherapy began in 1997. It has been a fun and fantastic journey as I have met many friends, kindred spirits and discovered what it means to be significant! 

Here is another post on the workshop we had at the OMF Literature Book Shop last Saturday, January 24, 2020. I am thrilled to have read this as it was a post by a dear friend in the Philippine Board on Books for Young People, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan.

BIBLIOTHERAPY FOR TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION EVACUEES. 

Ms Zarah Gagatiga, a noted librarian-author and a fellow board member at the PBBY, organized a small group of volunteers who will conduct bibliotherapy sessions   among the child evacuees of Taal volcano eruption. Bibliotherapy takes care of the psychosocial concerns of the traumatized kids through the healing power of stories/books. Zarah and I have been part of some conferences tackling the benefits of bibliotherapy. Tnx, Yna Reyes (OMF Lit's Publications Director), for the use of OMF Lit Conference Room during the short lecture and orientation.

Tulong-tulong tayo para sa Taal!

Photo source: Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, MD

What else can I say? My heart is full and my spirit is soars! We now roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Author Interview: Bayan ng Basura by Augie Rivera

Augie Rivera has a new book! In Bayan ng Basura, the versatile author and scriptwriter presents the cruel ways humans hurt marine animals and destroy their habitats with single-use plastics. In this interview, he puts emphasis on research when writing a concept book and advocates for an eco-friendly lifestyle.

 

1. How do you prepare for a commissioned book project? 

Before I accept a commissioned book project, of course, first, I have to make sure that I also support and believe in its advocacy.  And then I do a lot of research. For this book project on the harrowing effects of single-use plastics on the world’s oceans, I read a lot of articles on the topic and googled various images that hopefully can inspire me. In our long-running infotainment show, ‘Ang Pinaka’, we do a lot of animals-in-the-news episodes, and it was there that I came across real-life cases of animal victims of environmental  abuse and neglect. One of the stories was  that of an Olive Ridley sea turtle caught off the coast of Costa Rica that had a plastic straw lodged in its nostril. That inspired me to use a pawikan as my main character. 

Another inspiration was the news that went viral in 2019 about a dead Cuvier’s beaked whale found along the shores of Compostella Valley that had 40 kilos of plastic waste in its stomach. On the other hand, the story’s almost-post-apocalyptic world under the sea was based on a shocking footage of a British diver swimming in a Bali ocean teeming with all sort of plastic garbage. 

2. What is your personal stand on the use of plastic and waste management? 

Even before I took on this project, I’ve already become more conscious in following an ‘eco-friendly’ lifestyle (i.e., I always bring an eco-bag, I bring reusable straws and utensils, I refuse the single-use plastics, when I have food delivery I always advise them not to include plastic utensils, I segregate my trash, etc.). Yes, it can be hard but every little effort counts when it comes to taking care of the environment.

The plastic waste problem in our oceans is now a huge problem. In fact, in a recent study, the Philippines has been listed as the third largest contributor of marine plastic waste in the world. (next only to China and Indonesia). The book hopes to inspire young readers to take action, and also do their share in trying to solve the problem. 

  

3. Apart from previous books you have written, is there a difficult or controversial issue/topic for kids you still dream of writing?

A lot more, but I’d rather talk about it when I’ve written it already. 

Bayan ng Basura is published by Adarna House through Green Peace. Jill Arteche illustrates.

Bibliotherapy Mini-Workshop (1 of 3)

The mini-workshop on Bibliotherapy pushed through last Saturday and Sunday, January 24 and 25, 2020 respectively. The Saturday workshop as held at the Conference Room of OMF Literature Book Shop in Mandaluyong while the Sunday workshop was held at Nook Coworking Studio in Alabang. The workshop is in preparation for the humanitarian activities of volunteers in the evacuation centers in Batangas. 

As of writing, Phivolcs has lowered the alert level of Taal volcano to Alert Level 3. Many evacuees have returned to their hometowns but there are still operational evacuation centers. The rebuilding and the rehabilitation process begins. Art and bibliotherapy sessions are needed all the more.

At the Sunday workshop in Nook, my college professor, Prof. Miguel ”Mike” Cobaria, came by and joined in the fun and shared his wisdom and insights. 

Here is his post on Facebook about our event.

Thank YOU LORD for the sucess of the Bibliotheraphy Session conducted by Ms.

Zarah Gagatiga at The NOOK, Molito, Las Pinas (Jan. 26, 2020). A special kind of learning in preparation for a special service delivery for TAAL victims in the near future as arrangements are being made (presumably San Juan,  Batangas and Dasmarinas, Cavite.)

Ma'am Zarah Gagatiga's lecture / workshop was so engaging  enlighthening and interesting that the entire group participants would seem to clamor for more. Wowo affirms that GOD will bless the project that many displaced and distressed children affected by Taal incident would be rendered bibliotherapy services.

To GOD alone be ths glory as HE prospers the project  as volunteers would feel that it would be monitored continously as an extension service that would  run for some time for follow-up and assestment.

TO GOD ALONE, BE ALL THE GLORY !

I will be posting more insights by participants in the coming days!

Free Coffee Table Book on Araw ng Biñan

ANNOUNCEMENT: The PBBY Salanga Prize Winner for 2020

This year’s grand prize winner of the PBBY-Salanga Prize is Boon Kristoffer Lauw for his novel, Team Abangers at ang Estilong Trumpo. For the first time in the history of the prize, the contest was open to chapter books. Lauw’s winning piece is about an orphan who plans to join the televised Laro ng Lahi contest to help her locate her parents.

Aside from Lauw, two other writers won in this year’s prize, both garnering honourable mention: Raissa Rivera Falgui and Tamara Eriel Mosqueda.

Lauw, who hails from General Santos City, is a chemical engineer currently teaching ADTech2 at the Philippine Science High School. He took part in the 3rd Amelia Lapeña Bonifacio Writers’ Workshop last 2018 and was also part of the UP Likhaan Institute of Creative Writing. This is his first PBBY-Salanga Prize.

Lauw will be awarded at the 37th National Children’s Book Day celebration on July 21, 2020.

For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat through telephone 8352-6765 loc 204 or email secretariat@pbby.org.ph.

Infographic on Blended Learning

The Lighthouse Diary #18: Volcanic Eruption and E-Learning

Where we live and work is 27-40 km from Taal, Batangas. The eruption of the volcano has left many of us afraid, insecure, nervous, unsure and “shookt”. Leadership and School Administration are up and about mitigating clean up of campus, checking on members of the community and setting up of an area to relocate students so that learning continues. Somewhere in the midst of the chaos, we are all striving to bring back a sense of permanence into our lives. 

One of the many decisions we made as a learning community last week was to use e-learning and distance education with face-to-face sessions among our junior and senior high school students. We are making use of several e-learning platforms and social media tools to facilitate teaching and learning. Life has to go on. 

As the Teacher Librarian, my role now as content curator and e-learning resource person comes into play more than ever. My staff and I began identifying library administrative work that can be converted into a virtual platform. Right now, I am in touch with school librarians in the south and in the Makati area seeking support and activating networks for learning. If there is one thing I learned from facing natural disasters, it is to look at it straight in the face, roll with the punches and fight back when it is not looking.

I cannot help but pause and think back on the many e-learning experiences I had in the past. How do I channel this experience as concrete actions to further help and support colleagues? Technology is evolving but, a common thread or pattern can be found in its matrix. It’s time to read and do some research and development. 

So here are links on e-learning and Blended Learning which I discovered and trawled online. Expect a part two of this post or a series. 

Let’s begin with e-learning and why it matters  The link is a chapter from an ebook that discuss e-learning basics, history, pedagogy and applications in business and in the corporate world. For the full e-book, follow this link Introduction to e-Learning. The ebook is available for download in PDF format. There is a chapter on Blended Learning with discussions on ways  to use it as an approach with tools for classroom instruction.

Scholastic has a blog article where in different models of Blended Learning are described. Education Elements has a video showing why it is necessary to rethink traditional teaching and where Blended Learning come into play as an instructional innovation. The role of the teacher changes too. From a sage on the stage to a guide on the side, a mentor who is a companion of the learner or an architect of learning environments, the teacher, at this juncture needs to collaborate with different departments in the learning community to reach a sense of fulfillment and succeed in some measure. This natural disaster leaves everyone with no other choice but to face these challenges and work together. 

I am ending this post with an infographic on Blended Learning. There is going to be a part two of this post. Definitely. 

My Passion Project: Bibliotherapy (V18-19)

Taal, Tagaytay, Talisay and Tanauan

In light of the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano, I look back at the many times I have been to Tagaytay and Tanauan, Batangas with family and friends. These links are compiled as I remember them. Arranged in no particular order but with fond memories of a beautiful and historic place. This does not include the amazing stretch of beaches and resorts that litter Batangas, the retreat houses and churches and the growing enclaves for artists in Tagaytay. If the alerts reach a level 5, then the terrain will change and so will the lives of those who depend on the land.

Tagaytay is a good place to take on writing retreats. It was there where the Bulilit Books Writing Workshop took place in 2016. A year after, nine picture books were published through the supervision of the Nutrition Council of the Philipipnes.

In February 2019, my friends and I, along with our teenagers visited Sentro Botaniko, Ilog ni Maria, The Cat and Dog Cafe for a day trip. Back in 2012, I had another day trip but it was in Taal. I wonder now of the basilica and ancestral houses in Talisay and Taal. The Taal Heritage Tour: Taal Basilica and Our Lady of Caysasay, Spanish Ancestral Houses, these places hold so much value and precious memory.

It was in Tagaytay when the 1st International Conference on Children's Library Services, was conducted by the National Library of the Philippines. I was one of the speakers and here are the links to the paper I wrote and presented: Paper Presented 2 of 4, Paper Presented 3 of 4, Paper Presented 4 of 4. Lastly, from 2010 until 2013, I helped a UK Charity set up school libraries in Tanauan, Batangas. Know about it by following these links: Who is Sambat Trust? and Sambat Trust School Library Project: My Story Our World.

While evacuation centers have been set up for residents and families who fled, helping them in the rehabilitation process will take time.

PASLI's Call for Papers: School Library Collection Development for Generation Z

Philippine Association of School Librarians, Inc. (PASLI)

Call for Papers 2020

42nd National Conference

Newtown Plaza Hotel, Baguio City

April 22-24, 2020

Theme:

“IntenZfied” School Libraries: Optimizing Diverse Collection Development Practices for the Generation Z

Topics of Interest

·         Collection Development

·         Collection Management

·         Selection issues and challenges

·         Collection analysis

·         Consortial collection development

·         Patron-driven acquisitions

·         Electronic resources

·         Outreach, Liaison activities, and Marketing

·         Policy, Planning, and Fiscal Management

·         Trends and future of collection development

·         The collection, collection development, and the community

·         Selection tools and selection criteria

·         Collection assessment

·         Preservation and conservation of library resources

·         Censorship

·         Legal Issues in collection development

·         Engaging students to read

Important dates:

December 18, 2019- Announcement of Call for Papers

January 31, 2020- Deadline of abstract submission

February 21, 2020- Acceptance notification

April 13, 2020- Submission of Full Paper and Presentation

April 22-24- PASLI Conference

 Instructions for submissions:

1.        Abstract for paper presentation should be submitted using this format:

a.        Title of Paper (in capital letters, Arial Narrow font size 14)

b.        Name of author/s (including official designation. Use * for the presenting author)

c.         Institution/Company Affiliation

d.        Contact details (email address and contact number)

e.         3-5 keywords

f.         Abstract (300 to 500 words only, Arial Narrow font size 12)

Abstract must include the following sections:

o   Research purpose

o   Research methods

o   Research findings

o   Research impact

g.        References (Please use APA format)

2.        Abstract must be attached (in pdf format) and submitted to kelvin.samson@gmail.com or salvecadenas@yahoo.com

3.        Use PASLI Call for Papers 2020 in the subject line.

4.        Deadline of submission of abstracts is on January 31, 2020.

5.        Notifications of accepted abstracts is on February 21, 2020. If you are not selected, you will also be notified as well.

6.        The authors of accepted abstracts will be asked to submit the full paper and presentation on or before April 13, 2020.

7.        The author/s of accepted papers will be asked to present it on PASLI’s 42nd National Conference at Newtown Plaza Hotel, Baguio City on April 22-24, 2020.

8.        Each presenter will be given 20 minutes to present their paper and 10 minutes for question and answer during the plenary session.

9.        Please note that accepted paper presenters still need to pre-register and pay the necessary registration fee. The association will only provide the food and corresponding CPD points for each paper presenter.

10.  If you have any questions, please contact kelvin.samson@gmail.com or salvecadenas@yahoo.com.

Dear SLIA: LIS, Getting Lost and Bibliotherapy

A few years ago, I received this question from a young LIS professional, "I really want to pursue Children’s/YA lit and Bibliotherapy and the like. So given a career wise choice, is it okay to move to MA psych?"

The question was coursed through Messenger, so I replied back, "What is holding you back?"

The reply was immediate. "Actually wala naman po. I just feel lost right now since I didn’t make it for MA Comp Lit."

This was my reply.

We all get lost sometime, somewhere. It’s a scary place to be. But, not knowing where to go may be an opportunity to pause and examine the path you have taken, so far; to retrace the steps that led you to where you are right now, before moving forward. 

I have read Neil Gaiman’s The Ocean at the End of the Road and it is all about loss and being lost. What the main character did was to go back to his roots. To that place where he first realized his sense of being, his own self. The journey was both difficult and delightful. But for the main character, it was a way of relinquishing the self he lost. It’s alright to feel lost. Maybe I can say this because I have lost, been lost and felt at a loss. It’s a vulnerable place to be, but it’s where real courage and faith surface. Now, I welcome being lost as I may discover a new part of myself I did not know exists.  

If you have a strong LIS background, Psychology will help you better understand your readers and your learners from all walks of life and of all ages. It’s a good theoretical anchor for the practice of bibliotherapy. 

Find your core. What makes you happy? What pushes you to do good? What is that one thing that has given you the greatest challenge and yet, you feel determined to continue?  

Good luck! I will pray for you!

I share this in full confidence and permission was given by that young LIS professional who I believe is in a happier state of being.

Thank You Ms. Neni!

Last week, several writing organizations, reading advocacy groups and industry stakeholders gathered to bid goodbye and thank Ms. Neni Sta. Romana Cruz for eight fruitful years of service to the National Book Development Board. Held at the Training Hall of JRich Holdings, the office of Precious Pages and Lampara Books, Ms. Neni was feted, serenaded and given a tribute she will remember forever. After all, for us, we believe that "Neni is Forever".

I knew Ms. Neni as far back as childhood. Because my mother, a librarian, worked at the International School Manila, she brought me to work during summer and had me spend the day at the Children's Media Center. There, Ms. Neni held office. She is not a librarian. She is a writer and a reader; a lover of books and a children's literature advocate. All through my growing up year in high school and college, Ms. Neni and I would cross paths. As a young librarian, I dared join the PBBY's 1st Storytelling Contest. During that time, she was its President.

And the rest is history for me and Ms. Neni.

We were together in Sa Aklat Sisikat as trainors, advocates in PBBY and partners in the staging of the first National Children's Book Awards. She is off now to a long awaited vacation and retirement beckons. What a wonderful life!

Below are links to blog posts about Ms. Neni and to some where I just had to mention her because she is worth all the credit.

When Ms. Neni asked me about literacy teaching without using books at all.
When Ms. Neni got curious about blogging as a writing exercise
When Ms. Neni recommended me to speak in the Reading Conference in Bangkok
When Ms. Neni became my editor
When working with Ms. Neni becomes a delightful experience
When Ms. Neni stands beside you to cut a ribbon 

Library Bulletin Board: Becoming a Beacon of Light

Reading and Library Promotion: Tangram and Books for Free

To kick off 2020, we have set up a reading and library promotions activity for the community. Books for Free and a Tangram play and display activity.

We get book donations from many agencies and generous people. We first offer these books to the community for free. Then we send them off to recipients far and wide!

Grant Snider's comic is inspiring. He has one made for New Year's where tangram puzzles were used to suggest possibilities, wonderment and trust to processes. Using it as base for the reading promotion, I set up envelopes for Tangram puzzles that anyone from the community can make. 

It is easy to do. Simply follow the Imagine - Play - Wonder structure ( a format I use for my workshops) and anyone can create art, stories and ideas! It is also a Makerspace activity if you think about it. And for students who need a brain break, they can play on the puzzles and learn at the same time.

To complete the display, I bring out books about puzzles and spatial thinking. I am positive that these books will be borrowed. Well, 4 out of 10 is the standard ratio.

PBBY Forum 2020: The Creative Life

Teacher Librarians Help and Support Teachers

In October 2018, I sent out a Library Packet for our teachers in the Academy. It has information on library subscriptions, points of access and a profile of the library staff. Below is my one-page profile which I revised at the start of the year. It is my way of communicating to teachers the role and the tasks I do to help them and support them in learning and instruction.

It is necessary to continuously remind the community of the school librarian's role. For me, I go back to this list of tasks as an exercise of on-going professional growth and development.

The Beacon Academy Library Personnel from Zarah Gagatiga

Movie Review: The Knight Before Christmas

The Knight Before Christmas (2019)
MPCA Productions
Director: Monika Mitchell
Screenplay:Cara Russell

Vanessa Hudgens plays Brooke who is still on the mend after a break up. She finds joy in teaching, hope in community work and faith in her promising student and adorable niece. A valued member of the community, Brooke continues on the tradition of her parents at Christmas when her family would host a get-together for everyone. It is in the busy-ness of all this preparations when Cole, a knight from the Middle Ages, blasted into Brooke's life.

Cole was sent to the future by some magic as he was in search for a duty that befits a knight of his stature. No problem adjusting in modern day America, Cole's good deeds earned him the admiration and respect of the community. Brooke could not help but fall in love and, as they say, the rest is history.

But Cole remains confused in finding the real meaning of being transported through time. Hesitant to leave Brooke, he goes back to where he came from and discovers the essence of his quest later upon seeing his brother. He foregoes the knighthood ceremony of his brother and went back to the future to be with Brooke.

Rating/Recommendation: Just right to while away the time in traffic or long lines at the mall

Movie Review: The Family Stone

The Family Stone (2005)
Family Drama, Comedy
Direction and Screenplay by Thomas Bezucha

The first time I saw The Family Stone on cable TV, I was floored by the sheer fun of watching Sarah Jessica Parker falter and fall. A decade or more after, her character remains the same. She is that sister-in-law you always wondered why she ended up with your brother who deserves better. She is the new family member who annoys you to pieces but redeems herself in the end simply because, uptight and lacking of empathy most of the time, she is just being herself. And no one can fault a person for being so.

This is what makes The Family Stone an endearing movie to watch during the holidays. The characters are who they are, faults and all. It is through these imperfections that each of the characters rise above their own personal struggles and challenges. The unfolding is subtle and quiet until, some slapstick has to be done for the viewer to laugh it off with the family. Underneath all the family drama is a deeper pain and a greater loss that each of the members of the Stone family foresee. But, they go on as Christmas goes on until the year after when each of them has seemed to made peace with themselves.

Lastly, the casting is amazing and so is the acting.

Rating/Recommendation: Highly recommended

Movie Review: The Two Popes

The Two Popes (2019)
Netflix
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Screenplay: Anthony McCarten

Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce play Pope Benedict and Pope Francis respectively and with such conviction that I had to remind myself very so often that this is a Netflix movie is written by Anthony McCarten. Make no mistake, it is a good thing as McCarten wrote Bohemian Rhapsody and Darkest Hour. Both are Oscar winning movies that elevated Freddie Mercury into the status deserving of a god and Gary Oldman as a tough but endearing Winston Churchill. Both actors in the said movie won an Oscar too.

I digress. Needless to say, I did enjoy the movie as it is done so well I won't be surprised if it gets several Oscar nods this year.

But what engaged me in the movie is the depiction of man's relationship with God. It is an endless journey of seeking and journeying that in the end, all that matters is faith. Even that is a tenuous thing when, even the strongest among us must choose between principle and the common good. One pope represents change and reforms. The other is a standard bearer of tradition and compromises. Such contradictions exist in the Vatican and permeates to the entire Catholic congregation.

So, we end up with two popes instead of one.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Rating/Recommendation: Go stream it!