Saturday, August 31, 2024
Friday, August 30, 2024
Book Review: Essays After Eighty by Donald Hall
Essays After Eighty by Donal Hall
Mariner Books, 2014
Here is one book I finished reading from our BTS Reading List of 2024.“Essays Before Eighty” by Poet Laureate Donald Hall is a book that Park Jimin of BTS has read. A collection of 14 essays, Hall’s background as a poet is evident in his prose. His essays often have a lyrical quality, with careful word choice and deliberate pacing that create a sense of space and silence, much like poetry. This allows readers to feel the pauses and the weight of his thoughts.
The essays reflect a deep awareness of both the external world and the internal experiences of Hall. He writes honestly about growing old, dealing with entropy, and the changes in his body and mind, all while remaining sensitive to the beauty and pain around him.
The book serves as both a farewell and an ode to Hall’s life. It’s clear that he is looking back on his experiences with a mix of gratitude, humor, and resignation. The essays read like a final conversation with a wise, witty friend who has lived a full life and is now preparing to say goodbye.
No wonder, Jimin took away a valuable insight when he spoke about the book in one of their team meetings, “let’s not make a standard with age, young or old…” suggesting to make a song from this theme.
Sources on Jimin recommending the book: @choi_bts2 and Times of India 4.27.2022
Rating: 5 Bookmarks
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Author Visit at The Beacon Academy: Presenting, Ms. Candy Gourlay!
Author Visit: Presenting, Ms. Candy Gourlay!
To launch our celebration of Filipino Week, we are excited to announce an upcoming author visit at The Beacon Academy on August 29, 2024.
Ms. Candy Gourlay, an acclaimed author known for her impactful works such as Wild Song, Tall Story, Shine, and Bone Talk, will be joining us for a special session with our Middle Years Programme (MYP) that will run from 9:00am-11:00am; Diploma Programme (DP) students who are free at this time are invited to attend.
Grade 7 students will be reading Tall Story in their English class, making Ms. Gourlay’s visit particularly relevant to their reading experience. Her insights into the novel’s creation and the themes it explores will provide valuable context and enhance their understanding of the text.
Ms. Gourlay’s other works, Bone Talk and Wild Song, delve into life in the Cordillera region at the turn of the century. Her extensive research into the history and culture of the Cordillera Peoples has been instrumental in shaping these novels, offering readers a rich, immersive experience of this pivotal time in Philippine history.
There will be a Q&A session and book signing after her talk. Students will be able to purchase Ms. Gourlay’s books at the venue, and those who already have their own copies are encouraged to bring these if they wish to have them signed.
This event promises to be a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with a talented Filipino author and deepen their appreciation for literature. Your support in ensuring timely attendance is greatly appreciated.
What Readers Say About Ms. Gourlay's Books
We are excited to have Ms. Gourlay visit us in the Beacon Academy!
Women in the Bible: The Depth and Breadth of Their Faith
The Bible stories we have been reading during our prayer meetings had me reflecting about Jesus and His relationship with women. One is about the Samaritan woman, a gentile, whose faith led to the healing of her sick daughter. The second is the duality of faith seen in Martha and Mary’s actions. On the surface, the values of obedience and unquestionable belief emerge prominently in both stories.
The Samaritan woman’s unwavering belief, even when faced with initial rejection, ultimately led to her daughter's healing, emphasizing that faith transcends boundaries of culture and ethnicity. In many ways, it made me look at the mission and service we do in the community. How inclusive are we in planning and rendering our programs, activities and projects given the resources at hand? Does my faith transcend borders and barriers allowing me to be kind and empathic? How does service deepen my awareness of God’s presence in my life?
The answers to my questions eventually brought me to Martha and Mary.
In the story of Martha and Mary, we see two contrasting expressions of devotion. Martha, focused on service and hospitality, embodies the value of active faith, while Mary, sitting at Jesus' feet, represents contemplative faith and deep spiritual connection. Jesus' response to the sisters underscores the importance of balance in our spiritual lives—serving others and the world around us while also nurturing our inner relationship with God. The narratives of these two women invite us to consider how we can integrate both aspects of faith into our daily lives.
It should not be a choice between Martha and Mary. Rather, it is a well choreographed dance or a song being sung in perfect rhyme and reason. The fruits of prayer and reflection informs action. Faith in action fuels prayer life - thus, the Ignatian teaching or charism on being contemplatives in action come into play. God is present in silence when we pray, as well as in service and in palpable acts of devotion.
What is equally meaningful for me is that, reflecting on these stories, I’m reminded of the profound respect and dignity Jesus consistently showed toward women. He not only engaged with them but also honored their faith, often elevating their actions as examples for all believers. Such stories challenge me to reconsider my own faith journeys, encouraging me to pursue a faith that is both active and contemplative, rooted in love, and unafraid to challenge societal expectations in the pursuit of deeper spiritual truth.
So help me, dear God.
Monday, August 26, 2024
Kuwentong Bangtan: Yoongi's Call to Action
On the surface, Yoongi’s letter is a heart-wrenching apology from someone caught in the crossfire of sensationalized media. But when you look closer, it reflects the cultural nuances of a country deeply rooted in a complex history of geopolitical conflict that continues to shape modern life both locally and globally. Beyond the lines, Yoongi’s letter is a powerful “call to action” for ARMY to stand firm in our support for BTS—all seven members.
The members have ongoing projects that deserve our full attention:
JK’s documovie Jikook’s travel documentary Jin as a tourism ambassador And in just a few months, Hobi will be discharged from MS‘Scootergate’ has undoubtedly impacted the members’ activities, with Yoongi carrying much of this burden. By extension, all their projects are affected.
This is the perfect moment for ARMY to rally together and show unwavering support and love for all seven members.
At 3 PM today, Manila Time, the teaser for Jin’s Soul Tourism promotion will be released. Later, at 8 PM, a new episode of Half Star Hotel in Lost Island will drop. When you can, please watch these, along with JK and Jimin’s travel docu. Organize watch parties for JK’s upcoming movie, plan Hobi’s homecoming celebrations, and share NamkookMin content online as their birthdays approach. And of course, keep streaming Yoongi’s albums!
In doing this, we are not just supporting BTS—we are protecting and cherishing them, as one and as seven.
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Friday, August 23, 2024
Araw ni Ninoy Aquino
@titazeeh7 Ngayon ay Araw ni Ninoy Aquino. Magbasa tayo ng mga aklat tungkol sa kanyang buhay, pamana at impluwensya sa makabagong panahon. #booktok #ninoyaquino #agosto21 ♬ Fight Song - Instrumental - Relaxing Piano Man
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Ahjumma Reviews: The Light in Your Eyes
The Light in Your Eyes, 2019
Director: Kim Sook-yun
Writers: Lee Nam-Kyu and Kim Soo-jin
The gold wristwatch cleverly disguises “The Light in Your Eyes”as a time-travel Kdrama, only to reveal a much deeper narrative. The well-crafted script pulls the rug from under the viewer, transforming youthful fantasies into a profound lesson on living life without regrets.
In the final ten minutes of the first episode, the captivating chemistry between Nam Joohyuk and Han Ji-min takes center stage. The camera lingers on their beautiful faces—vulnerable, intimate, and resolutely determined—creating a scene that resonates deeply. For me, it’s the most memorable moment of the series, perfectly capturing the drama's emotional tension, which lingers throughout until the last episode, where patience and perseverance are rewarded in old age.
“The Light in Your Eyes” is an underrated masterpiece, deserving of your streaming hours. It’s a drama for those who wish to slow down, laugh a little, and cry for catharsis. I did all three!
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Why We Love Reading Lists
Creating a reading list from the BA Library's OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) has several valuable benefits:
1. Curated Resources: It helps in curating a collection of resources that are relevant to your research or reading interests. By creating a list, you can systematically gather and organize materials that are pertinent to a particular topic or theme.
2. Efficient Resource Management: It allows for efficient management of resources. Instead of browsing through countless titles, you can create and keep track of a focused list of books and materials you plan to explore or use.
3. Enhanced Organization: A reading list can be categorized and organized by subject, author, or type of material, making it easier to navigate and locate specific resources later.
4. Time-Saving: It saves time by providing a ready reference of materials to consult, which can be especially useful when preparing for research projects, studying, or simply planning your reading schedule.
5. Library Utilization: It helps in maximizing the use of the library’s resources. By identifying and listing the materials you need, you can ensure you make the most of what the library offers, potentially discovering resources you might not have come across otherwise.
6. Collaboration and Sharing: Some OPAC systems allow you to share your reading lists with others or collaborate on lists with peers. This feature can be beneficial for group projects, book clubs, or academic courses.
7. Monitoring Availability: You can track the availability of items on your list and receive notifications or updates about their status, which is useful for ensuring you get access to the materials you need in a timely manner.
8. Personal Tracking: For personal readers, it provides a way to track books and resources of interest that you might want to read in the future, helping you to keep your reading goals organized and manageable.
Overall, using the OPAC to create a reading list enhances the effectiveness of utilizing library resources, whether for academic, professional, or personal purposes.
Monday, August 19, 2024
Sunday, August 18, 2024
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Friday, August 16, 2024
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Teacher and School Librarian Working Together: General and Specific References and Search Tools
Our teacher and librarian collaboration effort continue this Academic Year. I met with our grade 8 students last Tuesday and gave them a session on basic references, using tools like the table of contents and the index, and skimming and scanning. Next week, we will continue to report and share "findings", "insights" and "conclusions".