Friday, January 31, 2025
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Saturday, January 25, 2025
Kuwentong Bangtan: Jhope's Journey in Red and Black
In BTS, this motif has appeared in key moments that align with larger narratives of transformation and self-discovery across their content, media and discography.
In Blood, Sweat & Tears’ MV (2016) Hobi’s red-and-black silhouette amplifies the themes of temptation and desire, as expressed through Namjoon’s narration of a passage in Hermann Hesse’s Demian. Similarly, the 2017 MAMA performance of Mic Drop used a bold red-and-black backdrop to convey defiance and confidence, with Hobi at the center to lead the powerful introduction. The Map of the Soul (2019-2020) concept photos further explored this duality, with Hobi’s solo track Ego delving into self-awareness and acceptance.
When he began his solo work, the red-and-black motif takes on even greater significance. For Jack in the Box, photo book concepts, several photos show Hobi in a black jester’s attire with a red background. Again, this symbolizes his duality and ongoing transformation. The jester embodies contradiction—balancing lightheartedness with chaos, which reflects his ability to navigate the complexities of artistry and emotion. This imagery showcases his evolution as an artist who can embrace both the light and the dark sides of his identity.
For his upcoming Hope On the Stage concert tour, the red-and-black theme continue this narrative of personal and artistic growth. The stark contrast of the colors symbolizes his multifaceted identity: hopeful yet grounded, introspective yet bold. It’s a visual and thematic representation of his journey, adding layers of depth to his performances and connecting his work with both BTS and his solo artistry.
While red and black are used by other artists, Hobi’s application of this color motif comes from his own. These colors have been consistently present in his work for years, predating the Hope On the Stage concert tour and thus, are tied to themes of transformation and energy that resonate with his personality and artistic vision for the past 8 years. Rather than drawing comparisons and making associations with the motifs of other artists, it’s more respectful to view his use of red and black as an intentional and creative choice that reflects his personal narrative and the stories he wishes to tell.
Hobi’s artistic choices reflect his individuality while still connecting to BTS’s shared narrative of growth and self-discovery. Each member’s solo journey highlights their unique artistry, yet their themes and motifs often intertwine in meaningful ways. No matter what path they take, BTS’s bond remains at the heart of their stories, tying their solo careers to the larger message they share as a group.
Friday, January 24, 2025
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Monday, January 20, 2025
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Ahjumma Reviews: Intimacy in When the Phone Rings
Their feet rubbing and legs intertwined under the sheets, their fingers touching softly, his chin fitting perfectly against her shoulder—all these details weave a tender tapestry of love and connection. It’s a moment where love feels both fragile and resilient, transcending the chaos surrounding them. In this aspect, When the Phone Rings truly wins!
The portrayal of intimacy from the first episode to the last is so fantastical that, even though it defies logic, it makes perfect sense. From the furtive glances between Hee Joo and Saeon, their shared history as adopted children, and the secrets they uncovered together; to when they’re lying far apart, moving closer together, and then the kiss (of course, we’re not leaving that out) to the final bed scene— it wasn’t only physical intimacy that mattered here but the connection between Hee Joo and Saeon’s past, present, and future as they bask in the afterglow suggests that time is no longer a measure of age or accomplishments but a continuum—an ever-flowing thread binding their shared history and dreams. In that moment, their intimacy transcends the physical and becomes a symbol of healing, understanding, and acceptance of who they’ve become through the trials they’ve faced.
The intimate scenes are layered with quiet intensity, where every look, movement, and pause speaks volumes. Their relationship demonstrates that intimacy is not about perfection or grand declarations but about finding comfort and belonging in the presence of another. The Saejoo ship has sailed but I’m still standing at the docks watching their trails on the water disappear.
Rating: 4/5 Kimchi Bottles
Friday, January 17, 2025
Kuwentong Bangtan; When Joon Walks
This photo is just one of many Namjoon has shared on the road, a recurring motif in his photography that seems to echo his introspective journey and ever-present search for meaning in the world around him. As ARMY, these photographs resonate a well-loved line from Spring Day: “We never walk alone.” For Joon to drop this photo on his 150th day in military service may signal anticipation of new adventures ahead, as well as change and growth. The winding road signifies challenges, and as it disappears into a path of leafless trees, it hints at an important transformation—a quiet yet profound moment of renewal and resilience. We know that Joon has taken to actively participate in the military band, playing the saxophone, while in service. He ministers in the spiritual journeys of his co-soldiers.
These are areas of the military whereby training in warfare is balanced with the quest for inner peace and personal growth, reflecting Joon’s enduring commitment to both creativity and introspection. It wouldn’t be surprising if his next project after military service weaves these experiences into a profound exploration of harmony—between self and world, chaos and peace—through music and art that once again speaks deeply to ARMY and beyond. APOBANGPO!
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Book Review: Days at the Morisaki Bookshop
Satoshi Yagisawa
Harper Collins, 2023
It’s a a fun and comforting read, to say the least. There is something impressive about Satoshi Yagisawa’s handling of narrative time that I can’t yet explain. This is only my third book written by a Japanese author in the past seven months and all three books have characters that seamlessly weave themselves in the present to the past, onwards to the future and back again. I will read more!
What makes this book truly meaningful is that, it is Zoe’s copy. She writes on her books and underlines sentences, phrases and passages. Much like the way ebooks on Kindle goes, I see the highlights other readers made. It makes reading a social experience connecting readers in a way that’s both intimate and reflective, allowing glimpses into their thoughts and emotions as they engage with the text. I appreciate this because, when I read, I am not alone.
This time, what I held and read is a printed copy of the book.
I took notice of my daughter’s highlights and I can’t help but discover where we converge in thought and emotion, and where we diverge. It makes reading this book extra special as it opens doors and windows between me, the fictional lead character and my daughter. While Takako’s world reveals a great deal of who she is, I witness my daughter’s too.
And then I realize that while Takako, my daughter and I share similarities in experiences, we are taking different paths that somehow converge. Like Takako who will remain tethered to her family and heritage, leading a life all her own, so does my daughter. And she is beautifully doing so in all its authenticity and grace.
Rating: 5/5 Bookmarks
#bookstagram #rageandgrace #gracegriefgratitude #readingislife #thereadingarmy
Monday, January 13, 2025
Saturday, January 11, 2025
Year in Review: The Lighthouse Diary Entries of 2024
16 diary entries for the The Lighthouse Diary this year! Can I publish a zine out of these?
The Lighthouse Diary #51: Research Is A Way of Life - Over the years, I have taught our Diploma Program (DP) students the idea that research is a process. Recently, I realized that research is a way of knowing. Like Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE) is designed for students to know and understand their process of finding solutions and answers to a research question. Inquiry and Reflection weaves in and out of the Research Design Cycle. A cycle that students, even teachers, have challenges navigating.
The Lighthouse Diary #52: When there is still more to learn... - On days when teaching and coordinating the Extended Essay weighs heavily on my shoulders, I go back to the message I received from our workshop leader.
The Lighthouse Diary #53: The Power of Visual Maps and Graphic Organizers - How many times has a visual map or graphic organizer saved me and my students from being stumped on a task?
The Lighthouse Diary #54: The Beacon Academy Library Fundamentals - I had my first library session with our new teachers today. Previous to the meeting we had this morning, I sent them some materials to read and and a priming activity.
The Lighthouse Diary #55: BA Library Fundamentals Students' Version - And we kicked off the first week of the Academic Year! Here is what I sent the members of the community from our experiences with the students during Foundation Days.
The Lighthouse Diary #56: The Beacon Academy Library Fundamentals - Questions from teachers during in-service with the BA Library
- How can we teach students to utilize AI (such as ChatGPT) as a learning tool and not a main mechanism that will do all their academic tasks?
- How can teachers drive AI as an enhancing tool for teaching and learning instead of AI being a substitute to teachers?
- How can we minimize or maximize use of AI as we develop the research skills of our students?
The Lighthouse Diary #57: Alumni Talk on the Research Process - Our alumni, Artie Cabezas and Zoe Gagatiga (Praelius, 2020) served as guest speakers during the Core Session with the seniors last September 9, 2024. They shared their experiences on the EE and SP, focusing on the essentials of research, crafting an outline, and the challenges seniors face when writing an academic essay.
The Lighthouse Diary #58: Gratitude Week at the Beacon Academy (1 of 5) - We are asked to reflect on gratitude this week in school. This is in part an activity of our Counselling Center for Mental Health Week. Joining in the Gratitude Bandwagon, I wrote to the Community.
The Lighthouse Diary #59: Gratitude Week at the Beacon Academy (2 of 5): Collaboration and Teachers Reaching Out - This morning, as we collaborated with our teachers, we uncovered both strengths and areas for growth within our library collection.
You made the simple sublime
A tasteful aglio olioA sphere’s shadow
Acts of love in everything you do
The Lighthouse Diary #61: Gratitude Week at the Beacon Academy (4 of 5): Grateful for the support of leadership and external partners - UPDATE On our BA Library management System (LMS aka KOHA). In our meeting with our LMS partner, Mr. Tamayo, this morning we were able to add new features in the BA Library LMS such as:
1. the extension and renewal of borrowed books;2. identifying the reference of books to weed out and to whom these old books will be donated;3. and polishing a reporting system for auditing of existing book collections versus the ones deselected from the recent inventory.
The Lighthouse Diary #62: Gratitude at the Beacon Academy: Learning for Life - Back at work for Professional Development Day.
The Lighthouse Diary #63: I Love Studying in the Library - Our grade 10 Philosophy class had research in the library today. I heard one student say, "I love studying in the library".
The Lighthouse Diary #64: Direct Instruction in Teaching Research Skills and MIL - Here is a key takeaway from yesterday’s library skills and research class:
The OPVL was used as a method for analyzing and evaluating sources. Source evaluation must be taught explicitly. Direct instruction is a teaching approach that can be used to facilitate the learning of research skills.
The Lighthouse Diary #65: Towards a Combined Expertise for Student Achievement - For the past two weeks, we have had the pleasure of collaborating with MYP subject teachers.
We helped them identify technology and texts that meet learning objectives.
We facilitated research skills sessions for MYP students in grades 7, 8, and 10.
We selected and curated books for a small library for our grade 7 students to explore in the coming days.
The Lighthouse Diary #66: Welcome, Friends from Woodrose! - Teachers and librarians from Woodrose PAREF visited the Beacon Academy Library for a collaborative exchange of ideas.
What a year of collaboration, engagement and nostalgia. Truly, 2024 was a tough year in all aspects but there are sparks of hope and wins - in big and small ways, that are worthy of celebration. Onwards to 2025!
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Workshop Title: Empowering Growth and Healing Through Bibliotherapy
Workshop Title: Empowering Growth and Healing Through Bibliotherapy
Duration: 3 hours Audience: Teachers and Librarians
Prepared by Zarah C. Gagatiga, RL
Program Schedule
A. Introduction to Bibliotherapy (30 minutes)
Objective: Understand the concept, history, and importance of bibliotherapy.
Activities:
1. Welcome and Icebreaker Activity (10 minutes): "What’s Your Favorite Story?" Participants briefly share a story or book that has impacted them emotionally.
2. Presentation (20 minutes): Cover the history, definitions, and three types of bibliotherapy (Developmental, Clinical, Institutional) with real-life examples.
B. Frameworks and Processes of Bibliotherapy (40 minutes)
Objective: Learn the structured process and frameworks for bibliotherapy.
Activities:
1. Discussion (15 minutes):
- Introduce the Identification, Catharsis, and Insight process.
- Highlight the 3-2-1 Framework (Sanacore) and its application for group or individual settings.
2. Hands-On Group Work (25 minutes):
- Divide participants into small groups.
- Each group analyzes a provided story using the bibliotherapy framework and identifies potential questions or activities they could develop.
C. Practical Applications of Bibliotherapy (60 minutes)
Objective: Explore and design bibliotherapy sessions for their own contexts.
Activities:
1. Case Study Presentation (15 minutes): Present a successful bibliotherapy session
2. Workshop Activity (45 minutes):
- Groups create a sample bibliotherapy session tailored to their context (e.g., helping children deal with pressure to do well in an exam, fostering empathy).
- Include pre-reading, during-reading, and post-reading activities with an emphasis on storytelling and reflective practices (art, writing, movement).
D. Reflection and Sharing (30 minutes)
Objective: Consolidate learning and inspire collaboration.
Activities:
1. Group Presentations (20 minutes): Groups present their session plans to the audience.
2. Open Forum and Q&A (10 minutes): Participants ask questions and share insights on how to integrate bibliotherapy into their work.
E. Closing and Call to Action (20 minutes)
Objective: Empower participants to apply bibliotherapy.
Activities:
1. Debriefing Activity: Participants write one insight and one action plan on a card to share with the group.
2. Distribution of Resources: Provide a curated list of books and activities, including tools from your Bibliotherapy Guide.
Materials Needed
1. Presentation slides with the guide’s key concepts and frameworks.
2. Copies of sample stories and activity templates.
3. Art supplies for post-reading activities.
4. Screen and projector; Feedback forms for evaluation (Can SPCP provide this?)
Designed and prepared by Zarah C. Gagatiga, RL
Email: zarah.gagatiga@gmail.com
Mobile number: 09209672884
Blog: https://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/
Socials: @zarahgeeh on IG | @https://www.facebook.com/authorZarahG815 on FB
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