Call for Entries: The 2024 PBBY-Alcala Prize

 

Author Interview: Mars Atienza

As posted in the blog on April 7, 2024, my interview of my ARMY friend, writer and life coach, Mars Atienza, is finally here. I love her book recommendations for our Bangtan Guys. Read on!

1. Tell us what made you say yes to co-author and contribute your story to the book, Becoming Sheroes: Stories of Heartstrong Women To be honest, I said yes in a heartbeat. Being part of Becoming Sheroes is such a privilege that I’m very grateful for. When Monica Maralit - the heart and brain behind Becoming Sheroes - spoke to me about this project, I believed right away in its purpose and vision. I knew it’s going to be a good avenue to share my stories in hopes of inspiring someone, and at the same time contribute to the education of young girls at the Victoria Heartstrong Foundation. 2. How did you craft your story? “Luha at kape ang puhunan!” - this was how I described the entire writing process. I had to scour my brain for memories, and replay events and scenarios in my head that I’ve worked hard on burying - because they were just too painful. Before I started working on the book, I was suffering from a massive writer’s block, and a friend of mine had to bring me to Antipolo to overcome that. In ARMY’s language, I had to do Namjooning, but not an ordinary one. That Namjooning was intense and intentional, which really gave me a good head start. It started as an agonizing experience but ended as something euphoric when I finally submitted my draft. It was all worth it.

3. Who are your role models and “sheroes”? Definitely the women in my family - my mother and grandmother who already passed, and my Tiya who has always been my favorite tita since I was a little girl. I admire how they are feminine and soft, yet strong and independent. When it comes to fictional characters, Wonder Woman has always been my shero. Most of my trainees and my colleagues who worked with me for a significant amount of time call me Wonder Woman, which is of course flattering but at the same time agitating because it is a huge responsibility. I admire her for believing in love despite all the wars and heartaches she faced. Another character is Barbie because of how she inspires me that I can be anything. There’s no limit on what she can do. For me a shero is someone who loves herself so much that she has a lot to give to other people. And I guess that’s why I see these women as my sheroes. 4. Where do you go from here? After Becoming Sheroes, what’s next? I really would like to publish my own book which remain to be a draft for decades now. I hope to publish it by December. At Make Space PH, on the other hand, we are working on some digital products which we aim to launch in the coming months. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so we’ll definitely have several campaigns on that at Make Space PH. As for Becoming Sheroes, it’s a continuous project. I have upcoming engagements with my co-authors that range from simple catch-ups to skill-building. Please keep supporting the book and help the education fund at Victoria Heartstrong Foundation.

5. Recommend a book to each of member of BTS and why RM: Eleven Minutes" by Paulo Coelho. Namjoon may resonate to the protagonist’s journey in understanding intimacy and finding fulfillment beyond societal norms. It’s a sexy, sensual, profound book... which all he is to me. Sexy. Sensual. Profound. LOL Jin: Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupery. It’s an easy read, and I think the story will resonate to Jin with his caring nature and tendency to look after the other members. Suga: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - This classic novel would be a great fit for Yoongi’s quiet intelligence and appreciation for artistry. His way of thinking could also likely align well with Austen's sharp wit and social commentary. J-Hope: Becoming by Michelle Obama. Like a ray of sunshine that he is, Hobi exudes positivity and resilience much like how Michelle recounted her life from her early childhood to post-White House. Jimin: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice. Just because when I was new to the fandom, Jimin and Tae really looked like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise in that movie hahah! I’m not sure if he’ll like the book as much as I did though lol. V: The God of Spring by Arabella Edge. The novel is about obsession on art and love, as well as intersection of history, mythology, and personal expression which I think Tae – as Vante - will enjoy. JK: The Timekeeper by Mitch Albom. I’m hoping that the book's reflections on the importance of cherishing every moment will remind JK to take it slow.

Becoming Sheroes: Stories of Heartstrong Women" is now available on Filipina Sheroes' official website, filipinasheroes.com, and e-commerce platforms Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Walmart. This is the link to the order form. 

Book Update: STARS Kinder Level Revised Edition

@titazeeh7 The new edition of our book, Start Right Reading Series Level 1, is included in the scoping session at the Philippine Book Festival today. Thank you @Lampara Books! #PBF2024 #PhBookFestival2024 ♬ For Kids - V_Production

Book Review: Trese 8

 

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Book Review: Man vs. Ipis

 

#bookreview #bookstagram #PBF2024

Man vs. Ipis is charming and irreverent. Written and created by AJ Bacar who seems to be as young as my eldest, the comic book is littered with homages to the lowly cockroach. Bacar succesfully crossed the divide between man and insect with humor and wit that, in the end, I pondered on the gap between the creepy crawlies we abhor and what makes us truly human. Man vs. Ipis is a literature for the millennials and Gen Zs but with a narrative sensibility that a Gen Xer like me would appreciate.

Look for AJ Bacar @sskaitcomics on FB, IG, X and YT.

Hopeful Readers

 

Thank you, Pam Capacete and Hope Builders for including my book, Beybi Bibe in your organization's reading campaign. It is every children author's dream to have his/her books read by children.

Celebrate Books and Reading at the Philippine Book Festival 2024!

Happy Book Birthday, What the Sun Says to the Moon!

It was an honor to deliver a closing remark at the five day art exhibit of Trina Velilla-Milan's book celebration. Trina and I were colleagues in Xavier School. I left in 2009 and she a few years after. A decade and some more years, we meet again. More intentionally to become writing buddies. 

She has chosen me as her mentor and I accept with great pride and trust. Such choices are precious. I no longer remember what I said at 29 Kapitolyo Art Space. What I remeber most was my daughter, Zoe being moved by my statement that "we all are alone and the feeling of isolation never leaves our side, thus, the desire to reach out and make connections". It sounded so romantic at the time. A few hours after, I realized the painful and risky business of being brave and putting oneself out there. 

This is the cost of survival. We all have to live. We all hope. 

In between is the grace to be had.

Sneak Peek: STARS Kinder New Edition

 

@titazeeh7 The new edition of our book, Start Right Reading Series Level 1, is included in the scoping session at the Philippine Book Festival today. Thank you @Lampara Books! #PBF2024 #PhBookFestival2024 ♬ For Kids - V_Production

Book Review: Who Saved Who by Roslyn Cohn

Book Summary

Growing up in beautiful Bohemian 1970s Marin County, the daughter of a funny pawnbroker-jeweler with vision who knew the streets and a warm, independent Mom turned Naturalist-Animal Rights Activist, Roz is an award-winning actress who spent 20 years in NYC, where she worked on stages from the size of a postage-stamp to Broadway.

Roz begins Who Saved Who with her unique parents and upbringing which is so crucial in understanding both her and her journey during 2022. While living in a post-Pandemic world, her career on hold and with politics and the environment in a persistent state of toxic tension, there was little left of life to be desired, so believed Marin County raised and NYC ripened Roz. Told through words, pictures, and video, “Who Saved Who” is an honest, sometimes funny, many times moving, and ultimately joyous journey of 2022 with a woman who was lost. With messages from the Other Side and the words that her Mother said to her years ago, “We save dogs,

Roz, that’s what we do,” Roz was able to climb out of deep sadness and found a purpose ignited she didn’t know was flickering inside. In “Who Saved Who,” readers may recognize their own journey in loving dogs – perhaps heal themselves from the loss of their own beloved furry family member – and best of all, readers may find their hearts open to saving their next canine companion. “Who Saved Who” does more than warm the heart, it can help heal the spirit. It’s an easy and fulfilling read – paws down.

About the Author

Roslyn Cohn is an actress who has worked from stages the size of a postage stamp to Broadway with the likes of Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Jerry Stiller, Julie Hagerty, and Ellen Greene as well as appeared in TV, film, and commercials. Roz has won awards in Intimate Theatre (known as 99 Seat) in Los Angeles; awards for her Short “Essential Tremors” about her neurological disorder; and in 2013, with Jake Anthony and Joshua Finkel, co-wrote and stars in the groundbreaking, Broadway World Award-nominated “diffiCult to leave,” about her 23 years in the Cult of Scientology. The entire show lives on her YouTube channel: Roslyn Cohn. You can visit her at: www.RoslynCohn.com.

#WhoSavedWho #ShelterDogsRock #AdoptDontShop

You can find her online at:

Her Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/rozcohn

Website: www.RoslynCohn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roslyncohn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rozcohn

My Review:

Who Saved Who by Roslyn Cohn is an endearing memoir of one's love and relationship with pets that have become family. It is an immediate give away for pet lovers to love and identify with Roz. Though I no longer care for a dog, I know how deep the connection can be had between humans have for man's best friend. Apparently, I am now a "cat mom". Despite the difference, I definitely understand how caring for a fur baby can have therapeutic benefits.

Cohn has enumerated many areas of challenges in her life journey shared with her fur babies. It is with humor and grace that she meet them one at a time. In the end, caring for a pet and being cared by them in return can be personally transformative. By reading her memoir, I take on a more expansive understanding of a culture different from mine, but the love that can be found in the big and small moments cuts across people and continents.

Rating: 4/5 Bookmarks

Book Signing with Dr. Lydia Liwanag

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ARMY Glow-Up Goal: AGU Recreation D-50 for Jin's Return

 

@titazeeh7 #ARMYGlowUp2025 #AGU_Skills #AGU_Recreation ♬ suara asli - 71nseokjin

Moments at the Asian Literacy Conference x 52nd RAP National Conference 2024 (2 of 2)

Day 2 at the Asian LitCon X 52nd RAPNatCon 2024

Teacher Dina Ocampo delivered a moving keynote on the why and how of literacy as well as the necessity of research to create, design and develop language and literacy programs rooted in Filipino culture and identity. What I found as common to all speakers who presented studies, research and trends in critical literacy, growth mindset, language learning and acquisition, and community based learning programs and initiatives was the socio-economic factor as a score card to success or failure, depending on the country’s culture, context and history. I have so much to digest.

In the concurrent sessions, I learned of two strategies to monitor and motivate high school readers. In the session on community based learning, I took away a framework of implementation as important to sustain and maintain a literacy program.

Keywords: Consistency. Fidelity. Ownership.

I presented our library program and literacy project with me learning more from participants, colleagues and peers in the field of literacy education. And I am really glad and appreciative of listening to Allan Ancilla, a senior in college who wrote a research paper on library awareness and satisfaction index.

After presenting our program, I headed to to two parallel sessions. One is about crafting stories for children and the second is on community based literacy. There I met Teacher Joanna who asked me for an autograph. She took a children's literature course with Teacher Portia Padilla where she learned of the books I author. Moment namin na magkita in-person since I was a guest in the class via Zoom. In the midst of the loss and grief we experienced during the lockdown years, it has given us a lot to be thankful for.

Ang daming dapat gawin. Fighting!

For now, we rest. We live and we fight for another day.

Congratulations Reading Association of the Philippines! Maraming salamat! 

Post Pandemic Poetry: Loyalty is the lamp

 

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Moments at the Asian Literacy Conference x 52nd RAP National Conference 2024 (1 of 2)

Day 1 Morning Session at the AsianLitCon X 52nd RAPNatCon 2025

Snapshots and quotable quotes

- History is also about forgetting. ~ Ambeth Ocampo, Historian

- Free access to instructional vlogs and modules in Media and Information Literacy by the UP College of Mass Communication: https://youtube.com/@UPJournDept?si=CPL12KziQjUsABIn

~ Kara David, College Professor and Journalist

- Heritage Language and Literacy programs and studies can connect cultures and communities ~ Roger Stone of the Summer Institute of Linguistics UP Diliman

- Every learner matters and matters equally. ~ Dr. Ed Fermin, CHED

#alcxrap2024 #newliteracies

Day 1 Afternoon Session of the Asian LitCon x RAP NatCon 2024

I finally met Teacher Portia’s students whom I had the pleasure of speaking to last January 10, 2024 via Zoom. I shared with them trends and movements in children’s literature here and abroad. A group picture was necessary!

They presented the paper they wrote in class, “Beyond the Cover: Exploring Parents’ and Teachers’ Views on Sensitive Subjects in Philippine Children’s Literature”. One of their findings relate to the recent report in the Philippine Readership Survey that adults seldom read for leisure and at the very least, at stage that’s too late to nurture the joy and happiness in reading.

Congratulations, Carmen, Reggie, Rainier, Arlyn, Chrystille, Carissa, Leniza, Mariella, Shannine, Jessica and of course, Teacher Portia!

#alcxrap2024 #childrensliterature

Back to the BA Library's Visual Guide

Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content

Book Project 2024: Colors and Details

 

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Writing Weekend at Brittany Hotel BGC

 

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Book Blog Tour: Who Saved Who by Roslyn Cohn

I am joining WOW - Women on Writing's Book Blog Tour this month. I am reading Who Saved Who by Roslyn Cohn. I will be posting my review on April 25th, so do watch out for it!

Book Summary

Growing up in beautiful Bohemian 1970s Marin County, the daughter of a funny pawnbroker-jeweler with vision who knew the streets and a warm, independent Mom turned Naturalist-Animal Rights Activist, Roz is an award-winning actress who spent 20 years in NYC, where she worked on stages from the size of a postage stamp to Broadway.

 Roz begins Who Saved Who with her unique parents and upbringing which is so crucial in understanding both her and her journey during 2022. While living in a post-Pandemic world, her career on hold and with politics and the environment in a persistent state of toxic tension, there was little left of life to be desired, so believed Marin County raised and NYC ripened Roz.  Told through words, pictures, and video, “Who Saved Who” is an honest, sometimes funny, many times moving, and ultimately joyous journey of 2022 with a woman who was lost. With messages from the Other Side and the words that her Mother said to her years ago, “We save dogs, Roz, that’s what we do,” Roz was able to climb out of deep sadness and found a purpose ignited she didn’t know was flickering inside.

In “Who Saved Who,” readers may recognize their own journey in loving dogs – perhaps heal themselves from the loss of their own beloved furry family member – and best of all, readers may find their hearts open to saving their next canine companion. “Who Saved Who” does more than warm the heart, it can help heal the spirit. It’s an easy and fulfilling read – paws down.

ISBN-13: 979-8865682363

ASIN: B0CNWZ3LYW

Print Length: 157 pages

Purchase a copy of Who Saved Who on Amazon. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author

 Roslyn Cohn is an actress who has worked from stages the size of a postage stamp to Broadway with the likes of Tony Randall, Jack Klugman, Jerry Stiller, Julie Hagerty, and Ellen Greene as well as appeared in TV, film, and commercials. Roz has won awards in Intimate Theatre (known as 99 Seat) in Los Angeles; awards for her Short “Essential Tremors” about her neurological disorder; and in 2013, with Jake Anthony and Joshua Finkel, co-wrote and stars in the groundbreaking, Broadway World Award-nominated “diffiCult to leave,” about her 23 years in the Cult of Scientology. The entire show lives on her YouTube channel: RoslynCohn. You can visit her at: www.RoslynCohn.com. #WhoSavedWho #ShelterDogsRock #AdoptDontShop

 You can find her online at:

Her Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/rozcohn

Website: www.RoslynCohn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roslyncohn/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rozcohn

Griffins Read

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The 2024 PBBY-Alcala Prize: Call for Entries

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Shaping a Story

In early March, a group of young writers from St. Scholastica's Academy Marikina invited me to talk about my writing life and creative process. In the online session I had with them, I included pointers in writing a children's story that will be illustrated by an artist or illustrator. I showed them formats and structures to follow and model. The young writers, a mix of Junior and Senior high schoolers, are aiming to finish a book project.

A couple of weeks after, I received a manuscript where a dream is used as a key literary device. I replied:

 A dream can be used in another way to push the plot forward: as foreshadowing; as a warning; words of caution. There is fear when this happens. However, I would deter you from using a dream as technique to change behavior for plot and character development.

Empower the child character by NOT instilling fear, but by making the child character experience a life changing event. Moving him or her to make the right choice to be a better person or child.

What could happen to a child who bad mouths other people? 

Kahit pag sabihan siya ng parents and teachers niya, ginagawa niya pa din. 

Ano yung cause and effect nito sa child.

What if you show this cause and effect situation?

How will the child learn?

Who will help the child?

 What did the child resolve to do?

There is definitely a part 2!