Step by Step with Teacher Zee: Read. Write. Grow!

Two years ago, I had the pleasure of teaching a young student who is smart, perceptive and diligent. She drew me a portrait on our last day. This summer, we met again and, oh my... She has grown!

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Survey: Fangirling at 14 and at 40

In the Belly of the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale

@djahjumma Big bargains at the Big Bad Wolf Book Fair! June 23 - July 3, 2023 at the PICC Forum, Pasay City #bigbadwolfbookfair ♬ Book Shelf

Author Interview: Karl Ramirez (2 of 2)

Here is Part 2 of Karl Ramirez's interview about Wady and the musical influences, as well as the communities he engages with to make art. 

You can read  Part 1 here. You can read my short review of the book here. 

     What is next after Wady?

With a lot of stories to tell and care about marine wildlife, Wady’s epic adventure will definitely have a second book! Maybe this time Wady will be conversing with other inhabitants, like the Dugong or manatees in the region. Like the Irrawaddy dolphins, they also need our help. 

2.      What is the book and/or music that changed or inspired you to be the artist and musician you are today?

When I was young, my father always had Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Ode to Joy on repeated play on the cassette. So the “genre” that I was first exposed to was classical, up until my father played all the Paul McCartney and Beatles tapes he had. Those tapes inspired me to listen more and more, from foreign to local music that I could buy from the music stores then.

In highschool when me and my friends playfully decided to form a band, the inspiration to jam and play were foreign and local alternative rock groups. Some hard rock or even what you call “death metal”. But when I entered college, I discovered Buklod.

It was Buklod who originally came out with the song Tatsulok. I was able to listen to two versions of Tatsulok, one from Buklod’s album, and another from a compilation of songs on human rights.

The purpose, a song that would talk about social reality and what people can do to change things for the better, THAT was what inspired me to be the kind of artist and musician I am today. 

3.      Please give recommended books and “new” music to read and listen to.

In our Musika Publiko network and locally in our Bicol Pop hyperlocal music movement, we are always listening to new releases and curating those coming from the network.

Let me share some playlists firsts for discovery: the Love for the Nation https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5li01Rdhj5ayPtePYbpDS7?si=23e731cf36444b3c and of course the Bicol Pop playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6wDU5oCJ4ECpmhDfn6GFxL?si=e484a382ff484d56 if you’re into some socially relevant pop-rock, try our band’s playlist here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2bE7oIB18wzB72BiJ3CsbK?si=dc13485630cb4330

For my personal selection here’s a number of artists I have put on the loop recently. You might want to listen to them too: 1) Tothapi, and 2) dwta. They hail from here in Bicol, from another province though, in Albay.

Also, the book Sinta by Ana Digi and illustrated by Biboy Royong is a good read.

The Manila International Book Fair 2023 is on September 14, 15, 16 and 17!

@djahjumma Big bargains at the Big Bad Wolf Book Fair! June 23 - July 3, 2023 at the PICC Forum, Pasay City #bigbadwolfbookfair ♬ Book Shelf

Author Interview: Karl Ramirez (1 of 2)

On the blog today is an interview with musician, songwriter and proud Bicolano Karl Ramirez. He has a new book for children that tells of the story of Irrawaddy dolphins and the campaign to protect their home and ours too. 

Know more about Karl and his advocacy in this interview.

1.   How did it start for you – writing Wady, a concept book for children? Do you have a special affinity for dolphins?

Yes, I have a soft spot for dolphins.

In addition to being a singer-songwriter and music producer, I've been involved with the Earth Island Institute Asia-Pacific for over a decade, advocating for marine mammals (dolphins and whales) and marine species in general. The Philippines is an archipelago, and there is much to be done, not just for the health of our coastlines, but also for the habitat of those who live along and beyond them.

Earth Island in the Philippines has been active in advocacy work against caged animals in entertainment venues such as "marine" parks over the years. I feel that dolphins and whales, according to their physiology, are being held like captives in these parks, regardless of their size. Hence, we advocate for a stop to this practice or business model.

We had the opportunity to speak with marine biologists active in the Visayas' marine fauna in 2017. They told us about the Irrawaddy Dolphins of Negros and their plight. Earth Island joined marine experts in their advocacy for studying and safeguarding these Irrawaddys.

We learned through that experience that the Irrawaddy population in Negros is diminishing. Even though they are named after a river in Myanmar, these Irrawaddys are native to the Philippines and in that precise spot in the Visayas.

They are actually as Filipino as the kalabaw, and as endangered as the tamaraw. And, with such a small population, the Irrawaddys of Negros are in grave danger of becoming extinct.

And the factors that contribute to their endangerment are quite challenging issues: from water quality to, of course, human activity, and the most recent one: the multibillion-dollar bridge project.

In 2018, after our short immersion with our Negros scientist friends, I sat down to write. It was only supposed to be phrases for documentation, but when I got halfway into writing the phrases, it felt as if they were talking to me, and immediately I imagined a young Irrawaddy dolphin talking these phrases back to me.

Before I was able to complete the documentation, I rewrote the initial phrases into parts of what you have read now, written from the perspective of... Wady. Why Wady? Partly a tribute, because to spot a young Irrawaddy in that area is so rare nowadays (maybe even zero), and also because I thought it would be good if the story was told by a young Irrawaddy addressed to young humans and talked about taking care of their habitat. 

2.  You have a background in music and performing. How did these artistic endeavors factor in your creative process for Wady?

My experience in songwriting probably helped me in writing the narrative of the story. But my background in music had more application when we were doing the audiobook version, which my youngest son Hugo narrated as Wady.

I did Wady’s sketches too and some of the main illustrations. 

Part 2 of this interview will be posted 

Ahjumma Reviews: Again, On Dr. Romantic Season 3

If we are getting a Season 4, then Yoo Yeonsook’s behind the scenes post on IG is a promise of things to come. One photo shows him standing in the hallway of Doldam Hospital and the other is a screenshot from a video (my edit) of his character, Dr. Kang walking towards the Trauma Center. A character in motion.

The selected photo set is a dedication to the two medical facilities that have taken a life of its own — the old and dependable Doldam Hospital and the newly established Trauma Center. The former has been a witness to many tales and life-death-life cycles of patients, its doctors and medical staff while the later is just beginning.

From seasons 1 to 3, Doldam Hospital, with its warm and subdued colors, wooden arches and lamps that seem to shine eternal has become a character that shapes and defines the people working there.

I love the shots that pan the entire lobby when a new character enters Doldam, especially at night when the old chandeliers are lit. The staircase leading to the President's Office and ICU is proud of its history. The hallway that leads to patients' rooms and offices is a setting from another time and place. Full of nostalgia and yet, it moulds the young doctors into the philosophy of Doldam as a hospital for all.

What of the Trauma Center?

Kim Sabu has several projects in the works hinted in previous seasons, like the Oddball Project and the Rock Project. Season 3 may have ended neatly tied and tucked like a box to be stowed in the attic but the ending scene shows the two team of doctors running towards the respective doors of the hospital and the trauma center to meet their emergency patients.

How I wish all doctors are like that, especially in real life. Well, this is the purpose of Dr. Romantic and Kdrama of this sort. They remind you of an imperfect world populated by jaded people. There lies humanity and a reason to never lose it; to make the good choice despite the odds stacked against you.

And that epilogue where in Dr. Yoon is seen arriving in the dead of night at Doldam is a treat and teaser to fans. Aigoooo!!!

#DrRomantic3 #KdramaIsLife

Ahjumma Reviews: BTS and Dr. Romantic Crossover

Because the final episode of Dr. Romantic Season 3 has been aired, I am going through a separation anxiety. This is one of many posts that I will be putting up here in the blog - a BTS X Dr. Romantic crossover.

One of the many popular songs of BTS is Silver Spoon. It has a scintillating choreography that leaves many ARMYs melting. However, the overall message and lyrics of the song are not to be taken lightly.

Here are lines of the song that speak to me of the unending struggle for equality, fairness and inclusion.

난 뱁새다리 넌 황새다리
I have crow-tit’s legs, you have stork’s legs

걔넨 말하지 ‘내 다린 백만 불짜리’
They say, “my legs are worth a million dollars”

내 게 짧은데 어찌 같은 종목 하니?
How can we compete in the same sport when mine are short?

They say ‘똑같은 초원이면 괜찮잖니!’
They say, “it’s fair if the field is the same!”

Never Never Never

The struggle for equal rights and opportunities will never end. However, a knowledge of oneself and staying focused to achieve one's dream are self efficacy tools that can bring about change. It requires grit and patience. Support and collaboration with trusted people are needed too. It may take a while but the journey is worth it. This has been the inspiring story of Bangtan.

ARMYs love them for being their authentic selves. They are like the parrotbills or crowtits in the song who stopped running after and with the storks. They charted their own direction, poised their wings and took flight.

Imagine my kilig when Baepsae's themes and Bangtan's message found its way in episodes 13 and 14 of Dr. Romantic Season 3. 

The conflict between Dr. Kang and Dr. Seo has heightened at this point. Both talented and intelligent surgeons, skillfully trained by Master Kim, the difference in leadership style and approach are reasons for the clash. Dr. Kang scolds his junior, Dr. Seo comparing his attitude and philosophy to the parrotbill chasing after the stork.

In episode 14, it was Dr. Bae who reminded Dr. Seo the trick for survival in a highly competitive and pressure laden work environment. It is a cool fable to use in expanding the breadth and deepening the relationship of the three doctors. We see, in this exchanges the dynamics that will define their adventures and evolution should there be a season 4. Dr. Kang may remain as the headstrong but perceptive interim director and Dr. Seo as the emphatic and decisive leader. 

As for Dr. Bae, it would be nice to give him a backstory. We know very little of Dr. Bones. 

Source of lyrics: https://doolsetbangtan.wordpress.com/?s=silver+spoon

Source of screenshots: Dr. Romantic S3, eps 13-14 via Disney Plus

Read Alouod of My Daddy! My One and Only! by Police Captain Jhonn Alacon

Books on Sale!

Kuwnetong Bangtan: No Borders; Boundaries or Limits

@djahjumma

From the interview in TIME magazine last August 2021, Namjoon and BTS speak of language and music as transcendences 💜

♬ original sound - zarahg08 - TitaZee

A Green and Blue Summer at the Beacon Academy

 

Book Signing at the Philippine Book Fest

Book Review: Wady

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Abstract Submission to the BTS Global Interdisciplinary Conference of 2023

 Fangirling at 14 and 40: A Correlation Study of Filipino Teenage Girls and Middle-Aged Women Fangirls of BTS

By Zarah Gagatiga, 48-year-old female and Pearl ARMY

Abstract

Whatever age, demographic, gender, socio-economic background, creed and religion, ARMYs share one thing in common, their love, devotion and unwavering support for BTS. In recent years, however, a rise in the number of middle-aged Filipino women who fangirl over BTS have received harsh criticisms and prejudice from their own family, circle of friends and community outside the fandom. Often compared derogatorily to teenage girls, they are challenged to defend themselves for owning their joy and fangirling experiences over BTS.

This paper is a correlation study between and among Filipino teenage girls and middle-aged women who have been ARMYs from 2018 to the present year. By utilizing a cross-sectional survey approach and data from online fan communities, the researcher examined the emotional, psychological, and social factors that contribute to the appeal of BTS among these age groups.

Hypothetical results show that Filipino teenage girls gravitate to the self-awareness, and identity formation present in the art and music of BTS. On the one hand, middle-aged women are drawn to BTS’ songs and aesthetics that engage them to introspect leading them to reclaim their lost selves and rediscover new talents and rekindle friendships with co-ARMYs in their age group. This transgenerational study highlights the unifying power of BTS in bridging age gaps and fostering camaraderie among female fans of diverse backgrounds.

Keywords: ARMY, Filipino Teenage Girls, Filipino Middle-Aged Women, BTS, fangirls, fangirling, transgenerational study, pop culture

 

About the Author: Zarah Gagatiga is a teacher-librarian, author, literacy coach and reading interventionist. She knew about BTS from her daughter who is ARMY since 2016. During the pandemic, Zarah became an ARMY and has, since then, been fascinated at the diversity of ARMYs from all walks of life and the positive influences BTS have on the fandom in big and small ways.

Zarah blogs at http://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com. She is @thecoffeegoddes on Twt and @zarahgee on IG.