Monday, October 20, 2025
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Book Review: Mars, May Zombie
Ang saya basahin ng librong ito.
Ang tapang ni Lola, Billie, at Mars. Na-deconstruct nila ang stereotype ng elderly at mga LGBTQ+. Hindi sila side characters. Hindi sila punchline. Sila ang bida sa laban.
Habang binabasa ko ito sa waiting room ng Physical Therapy Department, hinihintay ang treatment para sa sciatica, napaisip ako: ganito rin pala ako minsan. Tumatanda na. Pilay pa. Pero, FIGHTING!
Sa pagbabasa ko, naalala ko si Nanay Leony at si Ouie. May kakanyahang tapang na harapin ang mga zombies ng buhay: sakit, takot, pangungulila at panghuhusga. Totoo, hindi mo kailangang maging superhero para maging matapang.Minsan sapat na ang pagmamahal, at ang pagtindig kahit dahan-dahan.
Ito ang aklat na nagbigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob habang nagpapagaling. Ready na sa book 2.
Ang totoo, hindi lang laban sa mga zombie ang kwento nina Mars, Billie, Lola at Mang Nacho. Ito rin ay laban para sa karapatang mabuhay nang may dignidad, para sa karapatang magmahal, para sa karapatang marinig at makilala bilang tao.
Ang presensiya ng mga zombie ay metaphor para sa mga sistemang patay pero patuloy na kumakain: ng lakas, ng pag-asa, ng pagkatao. At sa gitna nito, ang mga characters ni Chuckberry Pascual ay patunay na may tapang sa kabaklaan, may dangal sa pagtanda, at may pag-ibig sa gitna ng dilim. Sa huling pahina ng aklat, nagtapon si Mars ng napakaraming tanong sa kawalan.
Minsan, napapatanong din ako: “Kailan nga ba matatapos ang laban?” Pero naaalala ko ang sabi ng aking kaibigan na si Totet de Jesus (+): “Tuloy lang.” At iyon marahil ang tunay na diwa ng tapang. Ang magpatuloy kahit pa nakakatakot, kahit pa masakit.
Tulad ni Mars, marami akong agam-agam pero ang huli niyang tanong ay nakapagbibigay ng pag-asa.
Maraming salamat @aninocomics at Chuckberry J. Pascual!
#bookreview #bibliotherapy #marsmayzombie
Friday, October 17, 2025
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
When We Read, We Never Walk Alone: An Interview with Ms. Andrea Posner Sanchez, Editorial Director of Little Golden Book
For ARMYs, this event marks a milestone worth cherishing. A beautiful moment where two icons meet. BTS and the Little Golden Book series come together to leave both children and adults with a legacy of inspiration, creativity, and love that will last for generations to come.
As AoB’s Bangtan Hermana, librarian, author, and ARMY, I was deeply honored to be given the chance to interview Ms. Andrea Posner-Sanchez, albeit online and through Ms. Jennifer Javier and Rafa Ashraf, of Penguin Random House.
ARMYs, both young and old, will be delighted to learn about the thoughtful decisions and care that went into every page. Readers of all ages will come away inspired, seeing how pop culture can open meaningful avenues for learning, imagination, and connection.
1. What inspired Little Golden Books to include BTS in its iconic biography series, and what does their story bring to young readers that felt essential to highlight?
When considering who to feature in a Little Golden Book Biography, we look for notable and inspiring people from diverse backgrounds. When author Jan Ann suggested BTS, I honestly didn't know much about them aside from the fact that they were enormously popular. I did some research and quickly learned that BTS doesn't just make terrific music. What sold me on the book was watching footage of RM at the UN General Assembly urging young people to "Speak Yourself". That was just one inspiring moment Jan Ann included in her manuscript. Other parts of BTS's story we felt were essential to highlight for our young readers include overcoming obstacles, working together, and not giving up on one's dreams.
2. The Little Golden Book Biography series has featured changemakers, artists, and leaders across history. How does BTS’ inclusion reflect the series’ commitment to introducing children to figures who shape culture?
There is no doubt that BTS has shaped culture! They significantly increased global interest in K-pop and South Korean culture through their relatable music. Their countless Korean-language hits such a Mic Drop, Idol, Spring Day, prove that music transcends language. And they took artist-fan relationships to a whole new level by using social media to directly engage with fans around the world.
3. From an editorial perspective, what were the most important values or messages you wanted to emphasize in the BTS Little Golden Book—especially for children just learning to read?
The members of BTS exhibit so many good qualities that are beneficial for young children to read about. As an editor—and a mom—I especially appreciate how kind, respectful, empathetic, and gracious RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook are.
4. BTS’ journey is deeply rooted in themes of resilience, creativity, and hope. How do you see their story resonating with families and children outside of the fandom?
Everyone loves a success story! Through a combination of talent, hard work, perseverance, and staying true to themselves, BTS overcame challenges as they chased their dreams to become global superstars. Even people unfamiliar with their music can appreciate that.
5. Looking ahead, what role do you think books like this play in bridging popular culture and children’s literature, especially in helping young readers discover joy in reading through the lives of people they admire?
Any book that inspires a child to read is a good book. The more you read, the more you improve your literacy skills. Reluctant readers especially may be more inclined to pick up a book about their favorite actor, athlete, or K-pop group rather than try to read and comprehend an unknown story. Little Golden Book Biographies about pop culture icons are a terrific way to help encourage a love of reading.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit the nearest Fully Booked in your area and get a copy! Read with your child! Shine! Dream! Smile!
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Friday, October 10, 2025
Bringing Home a Slice of Bangkok: Mango Sticky Rice
I first tasted this Thai delicacy back in 2012 when I was a guest speaker at the ASEAN Librarians’ Workshop. I was in good company then, yet my thoughts wandered to my Mama, who was also attending a conference somewhere in the district. I wondered if she, too, was as fortunate as I was, to have a spoonful of coconut milk–infused sticky rice and a slice of golden mango.
That first taste whisked me back to childhood: to afternoons at my Nanay Leony’s sari-sari store, eating ripe mangoes and finishing it off with a slice of biko, glutinous rice simmered in coconut milk.
I found it strange, then, how Thailand’s most famous dessert could mirror my own childhood comfort food. Bringing this home to my family decades later feels like a continuation of experiences and cultures, a shared sweetness that reminds me: we may be different, but we are all the same.
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The Lighthouse Diary #79: The Thinking Human in the Age of AI
One of the many concepts that made an impression from the IB Workshop on AI in Teaching, Learning, and Assessment was that AI is built on an input-to-output system, with the in-between functioning as a “black box.” We do not know what happens in the black box where AI processes our inputs or prompts. Often, AI spits out disappointing results, lies, untruths, biases, and information that needs to be fact-checked. It may improve over time as it “reads” and “understands” patterns of human thinking. Nonetheless, responsible AI use begins with knowing a need, a goal, and identifying a Role, an Audience, a Context, and an Expectation when prompts are fed into the machine.
This is the crux of AI Literacy, and I
believe that we can teach this to our students as they learn the foundations of
literacy and the rudiments of language.
.
Monday, October 6, 2025
Sunday, October 5, 2025
BA Library Promo for World Teacher's Day: Rest. READ. Refresh!
A World Teacher’s Day Library Promo
October 2–7, 2025
🌟 How It Works
Borrow & Win
Borrow at least 1 book from the fiction or general collection between Oct. 2–7 and get 1 raffle entry.
Borrow 2 or more books = double entries.
Book Wish Bonus
Share a short “book wish” (what titles or topics you’d like to see in the library).
Earn 1 extra raffle entry.
Raffle Prizes 🎁
Bookish Bundle (1 children’s book + bookmarks+postcards)
Fully Booked Discount Card
Library Surprise Pack (tote bag + bookish treats)
🗓️ Draw Date: Winners will be announced on October 13, 2025.
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Back in Bangkok 2025: IB Workshop on Artificial Intelligence
It's Day 2 of the IB Workshop in Bangkok. I am here to upgrade and upskill. I'm learning lots of cool AI Tools! Gamma is one!
Friday, October 3, 2025
Back in Bangkok. Again. 2025 Version.
This is my fourth trip to Bangkok and it still excites me like it is the first time. Thai food made an impression as well as the people I was with that intial trip, and the people I met along the way. Some have passed on. Ma'am ELizabeth Peralejo, Hermie Salazar, Dr. Maria Laosunthara. Others have left the Philippines. Susan Torres. Waldet Queto. There are those who stayed. Ma'am Lou David and myself. And there is Dr. Diljit Singh who we meet on occassions when ASEAN librarians gather in Manila or in any country in the region.
And there's Mama who was in Bangkok in 2012 attending a library conference while I was participating in the UNESCO organized ASEAN Library Workshop.
Indeed, Bangkok holds a special place in my heart.
For now, here is another memory of Bangkok I write for safekeeping.
Monday, September 29, 2025
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