Reading Guide for Wild Song Version 2024

 Reprising the reading guide I made for Wild Song (Anvil, 2023) in line with Candy Gourlay's visit in our school last week. I made minor edits and revisions for the intended audience. I do hope they find joy or their curiosity about World History and the Philippines elevated.

ReadingPlan_WildSong by zarah gagatiga

Wild Song Book Blog Tour: A Reading Guide for Readers, Teachers and Parents

ReadingPlan_WildSong by zarah gagatiga

Journeys Into Reading: Top Ten Takeaways From the Author Visit of Ms. Cyan Abad Jugo

 

It is not everyday that young readers get to meet an author. My reading club over at The Learning Library was blessed to have a chat with Ms. Cyan Abad Jugo, teacher and author of Letters From Crispin (Anvil, 2016). Here are our top ten takeaways from her visit.

1. Stories take time to grow and develop. Letters to Crispin took three years to write and a few more before it was published.

2. Sometimes, a story has a life or a direction of its own. What was intended to be a sad, romantic story for a magazine/newspaper turned into something else - a ghost story that is connected to Philippine history.

3. Writing a story involves a process. 

4.  Writers often ask a friend or a colleague to read his/her story before submitting the manuscript to the publisher. It is good to listen to their feedback.

5. A manuscript is not always accepted for publication. This is a part of the creative process. 

6. Book making involves a lot of collaborative work. The author and illustrator are partners in creating a book.

7. Memory connects us to our past and present in some magical way.

8.  Look for the fantastic. For example, a person to live a hundred years and to witness two historical revolutions in his/her lifetime is  fantastic. This is the stuff of stories.

9. Exchange stories with your parents. Share and compare childhood stories with each other.  

10. Keep a journal.

As the teacher and facilitator of the reading club, I am still star struck from meeting Ms. Abad Jugo. She has such a comforting presence. Many thanks to Anvil Publishing for making this Author Visit possible.

Author Interview: KM Levis

KM Levis, author of The Girl Between Two Worlds, was one of the panelist in the 2021 Asian Festival of Children's Content (AFCC) held last May in Singapore. The AFCC, like the previous one, was conducted online. In her panel, she talked about writing for young people in an age that is more complex and interconnected. 

She grants my invitation for an interview in the blog. And so, here she is!

What or who is your inspiration for writing We Have It All?

I wrote We Have It All as a tribute to my childhood in the Philippines. I thought I could share my stories with my daughter and others like her who will never grow up with that kind of childhood. I wanted them to know that even though we didn’t have all the technology then, we still had a great time.

Briefly describe the publishing scene or children’s book industry in Australia. You can share something about opportunities and limitations for authors of color.

Over the years, I’ve seen a shift in the publishing industry here in Australia to reflect the multicultural nature of the society. There is still a long way to go though. For instance, there aren’t many Fil-Aus books and Fil- Aus authors in the industry. I hope to be able to contribute to the diversity of the publishing industry here with my own work.

In the AFCC, you talked about The Girl Between Two Worlds that is rich with Filipino myths and folklore. Can you please share the challenges and breakthroughs you had in writing the book?

It was a bittersweet experience writing about creatures from my childhood. I really wanted the book to be published so my daughter could read about them and experience that part of her heritage. When I received such amazing feedback from readers, about how they enjoyed the creatures as well, I felt that I’ve done my job preserving some part of our Filipino mythology.

What is the YA novel you wish you had written?

This is a good question, but when I read a really great book I don’t really end up wishing I’ve written it because it would have been written differently. I would wish that the author would write more books because I enjoyed the previous books. I take inspiration from their works and learn from them.

Please recommend books for the aspiring YA or children’s book writer.

These were the books I read while I was learning how to write fiction. They all helped in different ways. 

On Writing, Stephen King

Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott

How to write a novel, 2nd edition, Nathan Bransford

Links to KM Levis' online spaces

https://kristynmlevis.com/

Photos: https://kristynmlevis.com/index.php/photos/

Where to buy: https://kristynmlevis.com/index.php/buy-your-copy-now/

https://www.facebook.com/KMLevisWriter/

https://www.instagram.com/k.m.levis/

Kuwentong Musmos: Palihan para sa Pagsusulat ng Kuwentong Pambata

How many times have you gotten drunk so bad that a hangover is inevitable the morning after? A few times back in college? Recently? Just because.

Well, a hangover is never a good thing, except for events worth getting drunk in. The hangover lasts for days and it is a good feeling you wish to bottle and preserve. So you keep it in a flask. You take it with you wherever you go. For days when you need some sunshine and happy thoughts, you uncork the bottle and take little sips of the memory. Invigorating! 

The Kuwentong Musmos Writing Workshop for Beginning Readers I attended last week in Bohol is just like that, an experience that left me with a pleasant hangover. Who wouldn’t be if you are among your people, talking, listening, creating stories not just for Filipino children but for the children of the world. Organized by Room to Read (RTR) and Adarna House, the workshop was a Voltes Five moment!

Twenty Filipino writers from the country's leading publishing houses of children's books banded together. The result was forty manuscripts that tackled themes on identity, gender equality and inclusion written for beginning readers. It was hard work. And it was for a god cause. As  Al Santos of RTR said, "Your stories will be read by a child who has never seen or opened a book before." How can I say no to this project? The little things I do as a librarian, teacher and author suddenly expands. I become a part of something bigger than the round hole I plug my square peg in ( yes, I don’t fit most of the time and it’s a miracle that things work out sometimes).

The inputs made by the four publishing houses during the five day workshop weren’t at all new things for me but what they said amplified, affirmed and validated what I have always believed in. Invest in human capital (Anvil Publishing); Create imperfect characters and let them go through challenges (Adarna House); Take courage, use language responsibly and take risks (Lampara Books); Every writer has a world view that is reflected in his/her works (OMF/Hiyas) So, children’s book writer, what do you believe in? 

I believe in three things.

I believe in love. I believe in family. I believe that, with the use of appropriate methods, reading and literacy can change lives.

There were twenty of us who left Bohol last week. I would like to think that we came out of the experience as good writers and better persons. As of writing, many of us have received call backs from our respective publishers to revise the manuscripts in preparation for the illustrators' workshop in Baguio next week. The Kuwentong Musmos Writing Workshop is in-progress and the learning experience I took away from it, I will keep forever. 

Now, it’s time to share what I gained from the workshop. 

Recommended Reads: Must Have Children's Books at the MIBF 2019 (1 of 4)

The Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) is just around the corner!

Here's hoping you have saved enough to buy books for your toddlers, your children and your teenagers. Whether you are a teacher, a parent, a grandparent, an adult working for kids' welfare and well-being or a children's literature advocate and enthusiast, may you find this list of recommended books helpful when choosing and buying books for young readers.

For this first batch, I have identified ten titles plus one!

Adarna House
1. Tingnan Mo, O! Isinulat ni Noelle Pabiton at Iginuhit ni  Gica Tam
2. Sirena Ba 'Yan? Is That A Mermaid? By Candy Gourlay Illustrated by Francesca Chessa Billungual Edition
3. Ang Taon ng Pusa Isinulat ni Jaume Copons at Iginuhit ni  Agustín Comotto

Anvil Publishing
1. 1..2...3.. by Aaron Randy
2. Bone Talk by Candy Gourlay

The Bookmark Inc.
Common Courtesies Series by Didith T. Rodrigo

Hiyas / OMF Lit

Porcupine Pirate Plans the Perfect Day by Robert Magnuson

Lampara Books

Green / Luntian by Becky Bravo Illustrated by Beth Parrocha

Tahanan Books for Young Readers
1. Pitong Tsinelas Kuwento ni Divine Gil Reyes Guhit ni Benjor Catindig
2. Folk Songs Series: Kaisa-Isa Niyan (Alvarez and Prudente); Pakitong-Kitong (Monzon and Prudente); Ed-Edoy (Albano and Prudente)

Plus one - Karapatdapat: Bata alamin ang iyong karapatan (CANVAS and Ang INK)

Do come back and check the blog for three more batches of children's books to buy and acquire for your home library and school reading centers.

Art, Books and Wonder Women

When I received Kora Dandan Albano's email inviting me as guest to the ribbon cutting of Peek-A-Book: Inside the Creative Process of 16 Illustrators at the Ayala Museum, I was humbled. It came at a time when I am losing sight of my contribution, little as it is, to the book industry. I needed the reminder that there are worlds beyond Beacon Academy. One of them is a place where I find my people and where I can simply be.

With Bernadette Solina Wolf, illustrator of Sparrow Makes a Home

It was an honor to cut the ribbon alongside wonder women, Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, Nina Yuson, Mary Ann Ordinario, Asa Montejo, Yna Reyes and Meg Roxas. Liza Flores, one of the proponents of the Peek-A-Book exhibit downplayed the gender issue in Philippine Art and Book Illustration and focused more on art above all else. But, National Book Development Board Chairperson, Neni Sta. Roman Cruz had to emphasize the role women play in the development of the arts in general and in the growth of the book industry in particular. It is important to raise art as the overarching concept or the philosophy that led us all together in that gathering. It is also necessary to constantly recognize the special place that women occupy in the process of creation.

That same evening was the book launch of Bone Talk. Anvil put together a nice little space at the National Bookstore Glorietta for Candy Gourlay, author of Bone Talk, for a talk and book signing. Right after the ribbon cutting, viewing of exhibit and chats with friends in Ayala Museum, Zoe and I (yes, the aspiring artists was with me) headed off to Candy's launch.

We missed her talk but, I had my book signed!

What a wonderful way to celebrate International Women's Month! I have to add that the Philippine Board on Books for Young People has just released the official announcement on the winner of the 2019 PBBY-Salanga Prize.. It is another victory of the Filipino woman and the women who support her.

Book Launch: Mama Mary's Children Volume 5

Bumasa at Lumaya! Read and Take Flight!

The 2016 NCBD theme: Read and Take Flight

The 33rd National Children's Book Day (NCBD) is on July 19, 2016. This year's theme is Bumasa at Lumaya. In English, this translates to Read and Take Flight. The Philippine Board on Books for Young People is spearheading the celebration by awarding the Salanga Prize and Alacala Prize to the author and illustrator who won in the annual contests. On July 23, 2016, the NCBD Book Fair will be held at Xavier School San Juan.

In one Facebook convo, a friend asked why pick a theme that suggests the call of the times. So I asked her, what is the call of the times? She said, that with the current revisionist movement in Philippine history, especially on Martial Law, and the worrisome results of the national elections, how apt it is to drum up on freedom through books and reading. I told her that there really is no political or historical agenda to the theme.

First of all, Bumasa at Lumaya is a book published by Anvil Publishing House (1996). This book was edited by Mailin Paterno, Rayvi Sunico, Rene Villanueva (+) and Rio Alma. It is a source book and manual on Children's Literature in the Philippines. Writers, illustrators, teachers and advocates of children's books have benefited from Bumasa at Lumaya in their creative journeys. Friends in the industry have asked if there is going to be a new edition of Bumasa and Lumaya. Indeed, the changing times and trends that push new ideas and creative inventions into local children's books needed documentation. So, after twenty years, Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2 was born.

Early this year, Bumasa at Lumaya 2 (Anvil, 2016) was released in the market. My contribution to the collection in this new volume is a quick fix guide in setting up a library and reading center. I am honored to be part of this project and working with the editors was a learning experience.

Side by side now: Bumasa at Lumaya Volume 1 and 2

Now, to put things in perspective.

Reading will always have that power to free and liberate the mind, the heart and the spirit. What we read shapes the way we think. It expands our world views. It will never go out of style. Reading will always be the new sexy. In times of crises and desperation, reading can lead us to solutions, a sense of meaning, a way to make peace with ourselves. In some cases, reading can start up a revolution. The beautiful thing is this: when we read, we are also inspired to create. There is freedom in this act of creation. When the mind, the heart and the spirit is free, the ability to create becomes a manifestation of this freedom.

Read and Take Flight. Bumasa at Lumaya!

What I Forgot To Say In The Philippine Children's Literature Forum

And so, it came to pass. The forum, for me, in most parts had been fun. Thank you very much to Gwenn Galvez of Anvil for organizing the event. To Roselily Medrano, librarian of the College of Fine Arts, professors and teachers of the College of Education, a job well done for staging this event with Anvil. To Prof. Chito Angeles and the dynamic librarians of the UP Diliman Main Library, thank you for supporting the PBBY and the book, Bumasa at Lumaya volume 2. I am happy to be with my kin in the profession discussing and being involved in the growth and development of children's literature.

Literacy advocates all!

However, there are some things I forgot to say during the open forum and that blogging about it will make sleep come easy. The question about curriculum and how reading can further enrich it are two of the topics I wish to expand on this blog post.

First of all, I use the curriculum as one of my guides in developing the library's collection particularly the non-fiction books. What the library has, in its holdings and resources, must adhere and answer to the school's curricular offering. Budgeting would follow since prices of books differ from one subject matter to another. This is a measured and safe technique in collection building. Using the curriculum as a selection guide in the acquisition of library resources would lead to an alignment of pedagogy and practice. What happens in the classroom can be extended in the library in the form of a research activity, reading assignments and writing tasks that pertain to requirements in the subject areas.

I also use the curriculum as my selection and acquisition tool to widen the breadth of the collection as well as to deepen it. Not only am I acquiring books and resources that meet the competencies, skills and concepts in the curriculum, I also look at areas in the curriculum that inform me to acquire materials that will enrich and amplify teaching and learning experiences. The exciting and challenging part is, I do not do this alone. I work with academic coordinators and teachers in developing the library's collection.

Other than this, there are the circulation reports, feedback from students, parents and our own evaluation that matter in collection development. Once the library has stocked enough learning resources, the librarian can now recommend useful resources. What happens when there are few resources? Librarians reach out to linkages and network through inter-library loan, open source and library consortiums.

Many academic libraries follow this model. Schools, especially high school libraries, recommend their students visit colleges and public libraries for research and reading tasks. I think, it is about time to have consortiums set up at the level of school libraries. In the K-12 age, resource sharing may be a solution to the scarcity and shortage of learning resources.

PBBY Pasko and Publishing News

 Here I am with one of my favorite groups of people: the PBBY!


Before attending to the series of doctor appointments that week after APEC, I managed to join the PBBY peeps for the annual Christmas party. What joy! As always, conversations focused on what matters to us: children, books, reading, art and culture. We celebrated the triumphs of friends. We missed the ones who weren't able to come. We remembered Atty. Tony Santos and recognized the big gap he left behind in the service of public libraries. We looked back at projects we accomplished this year. Cognizant of a growing industry, we couldn't help but dream for a more vibrant children's book industry in 2016. While we closed our book for 2015, we are looking forward to 2016 because, it is National Children's Book Awards in July!

Apart from this exciting news, Anvil Publishing has been at work with us for the book project that has taken nearly five years to complete. The second volume of Bumasa at Lumaya is a project we hope to launch in 2016. My how-to-do-it article on setting up libraries for children is included in the collection.

Dear School Librarian In Action: Mga Kuwentong Pambata na Taglay ang Saya at May Kakayanang Mapagbago ang Ating Lipunan

Noong Lunes, Setyembre 21, 2015, pinadalhan ako ni Augie Ebreo ng ganitong tanong:
 

Mga programa at hanay ng kwentong Pilipinong pambanta na kayang maghasik ng kulturang Pilipino ayon sa panlasa ng kasalukuyang panahon at paano po ilalapat ito ng may diin subalit may saya na kayang magpakilos ng pagbabago ng ating lipunan?

Bago pa man ako nagbigay kay Augie ng sagot, tinanong ko muna kung para saan ang pangangalangan niya ng mga aklat pambata na may kakayanang makapagbago ng ating lipunan. Gagawa pala siya ng isang storytelling program kung saan ang mga bata at kabataan ang mag-aaral ng kuwento upang ipalabas ito sa isang puppet show. Subalit, may iba pang pakay si Augie. Ito ay ang pagnanais niya na "makapaglahad ng kwentong umuugnay sa kasalukuyang takbo ng mga pangyayari ng kasalukuyang panahon. May kapangyarihan po kasi ang kwento na magbuo at magwasak o magporma ng ugali ng isang tao. Mga kwentong radikal pero mahinahaon pa rin ang dating sa mga bata na di magtutulak sa marahas na kaisipan".

Narito ang sagot ko sa kanya.

Active non-violence ba ang stand na gusto mong iparating? Kase, limitado ang printed book at fiction pero, pwede ka gumamit ng biographies nina Gandhi, Edith Stein at Martin Luther King. Gawan mo ito ng script o short play, musical o puppet show. Pwede mo rin gamitin ang Modern Day Heroes ng The Bookmark.

Baka makatulong rin sa iyo ang folklore. Mamimili ka lang talaga ng kuwento na may concept at theme ng Justice, Peace at Integrity. Halimbawa, ang Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears ni Veena Aardema. Isang African Folk Tale ito. Yung Alamat ng Ampalaya (Adarna House) ni Augie Rivera, social justice ang tema ng alamat. Ang parusa sa magnanakaw na Ampalaya ay ang nakuha niyang lahat ng lasa, kulay at ganda kaya siya ay naging mapait. Yung Alamat ng Lamok (Anvil), ni Christine Bellen, kuwento ng paglilinis. Kailangan linisin natin ang sarili, ang kapaligiran at ang bayan para matalo natin ang salot ng lipunan. Ang mensahe ng kuwento ay kalinisan at katapangan. Dapat may tapang tayong maglinis muna ng sarili para maalagaan natin ang kapaligiran at hindi tayo masakop ng mga maduduming higante.

 

Pwede rin ang The Greediest of Rajahs and the Whitest of Clouds (Adarna House) ni Honoel Ibardolaza. Tungkol sa isang sakim at corrupt na rajah. Makamit niya ang parusa dahil sa kanyang kasakiman. Basahin mo rin ang Pilandok series, lalo na yung tungkol kay Datu Usman (Adarna House). Ang mensahe nito ay napapanahon. Kailangang maging kritikal sa pag-iisip upang hindi maloko ng mga sakim na pinuno. Ang kuwento ni Ingolok (Cacho Publishing), ni Rene Villanueva, tungkol sa mga aliens na kain lang ng kain hangang sa kapaligiran na nila ang kinakain nila. Naubos ang kanilang planeta.

Napukaw ni Augie Ebreo ang aking atensyon na mag-isip at maghanap pa ng mga aklat pambata na may tema ng pagbabago para sa ating lipunan. Abangan ang ikalawang post, sapagkat, may susunod pa!

Librarian as Events Host: Mommy Matters

Picture Books Matter!

My eleven minutes of fame as I talk about picture books and why it matters in the TV show, Good Morning Kuya, televised at UNTV.

Pinoy Kids & YA Lit Fest in July

It appears that a line-up of literary events for children and teens are scheduled this month of July. Not only are these events for kids and teens, but also, for the adults who create and produce literature for them. Here's the litany --

Phil Speculative Fiction Vol. 7 Book Launching - July 28, 2012 / 2PM @ Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Shangrila Plaza, Edsa. Ebook formats of previous PSF volumes are available in Amazon and in Flip Reads.

Cyan Abad-Jugo's book, Singkit: A 1980s Diary (Anvil) will be launched on July 21, 2012 / 3PM @ Powerbooks, Greenbelt. There's a press release on Cyan and her writing experiences in the Inquirer. Go read Cyan's writing journey!


On the same day, the 1st Kwentillion Young Adult Readers Carnival is scheduled to take place at National Book Store Best Sellers, Robinson's Galleria. The event will begin at 1PM. Paolo Chikiamco of Rocket Kapre blogs about the panel of YA creators who will speak on their art and their craft. I'm attending this event since I'm eager to get Budjette Tan's autograph. Also, the YA Game sounds interesting. Maybe it's something I can replicate in the school library. 

In the library scene, school librarians of the CLAPI (Children's Literature Association of the Philippines, Inc.) has organized a seminar on K-12 Curriculum and Reading. This will be held at the Epifanio delos Santos Hall, National Library of the Philippines, T. M. Kalaw, Manila on July 24, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Php300.00 as registration fee, For further inquiries, you may contact Ms. Melba A. Tablizo of the National Library of the Philippines at +02 3105033 and/or Mrs. Leonila S. Galvez of DepEd, Manila at +02 2512859 / +02 2546162.

On July 17, PBBY will be awarding the Salanga Prize and the Alcala Prize to Russell Molina and Hubert Fucio respectively. It's the 29th NCBD and I'll try my best to update you all via Facebook and Twitter (live) as the ceremony rolls along. Dean Dina Ocampo will give the keynote address on the theme of mother tongue based instruction. Tarie Sabido, book reviewer and book blogger par excellence will be inducted as new PBBY board member.

And of course, the 2nd Best Reads-National Children's Book Awards will be held at the Mind Museum in Taguig City.

Lastly, Scholastic and Anvil are conducting book sales as I write this. Anvil dubbed their sale as Young Adult and Children's Book Festival and Scholastic promotes their 10th year anniversary with the 10 Deals for 10 Years warehouse sale.

Take your pick. Read! Read! Read!

My First Day @ the MIBF 20 11

I went to the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) last Friday (16 September) and Saturday (17 September). My first visit was job related. I dropped by the Anvil showroom to select exam copies of Filipiniana and foreign titles which they carry via Megatext. Then I was off to the Scholastic and Adarna booths.

At the Scholastic booth, I met John Kwong from the Book fairs department. He was so proud to invite me over at the Scholastic Warehouse in Pasig to visit their library showroom. Turns out that Scholastic Book Fairs is focusing on helping school libraries develop a reader friendly collection that offers fiction and non-fiction titles. This is something I would be interested to look at.

With Clifford at the Scholastic booth

I had my chance of meeting Clifford, the big red dog. Here in the photo, I was whisked back to my storytelling days for National Book Store. At the time, Scholastic did not operate on book fairs and educational trade. They were sole distributors of books to books stores in Manila. One promotional activity they had then was to celebrate book parties with Clifford, the Berenstain Bears, Arthur the aardvark and many more events that drummed up reading books as well. To this day, Clifford remains a favorite among preschool and primary grades readers.

Before leaving the Scholastic booth, I had a conversation with Joyce Bautista who was, at the time, organizing a web chat with Rachel Ward, author of the book, Numbers. The web chat is scheduled today at 4PM.

Finally, I had my picture taken with one of the staff dressed in space alien costume. I love her headband! I might come dressed in one some time in the future for spirit week in school Who knows?

When I came to the Adarna House to check their new titles, I was happily surprised to see Dr. Luis Gatmaitan making chit-chats with the staff. Familiar faces all! It's like meeting friends I've not seen in a long while.

This year, Adarna House has one new title and four reprints launched at the fair. Glenda Oris' Whuush!, Gatmaitan's Ang Ambisyosong Istetoskop, Almario's Si Hinlalaki and Rosa Albina and Desausido's Dalawang Dagang Bulag. Good titles indeed. But what piqued my interest is Adarna House's Wikahon. It's a reading inventory and skills development module for learners of the Filipino language. It's pretty impressive so I will devote one blog post about it next week. For the meantime, it is enough that a glimpse of this product is given to readers of the blog.

My day at the fair was also a day of meeting friends in the industry - Ed Marananan, Jay Menes, Portia Padilla, Nhyl Elada, Sam Cudiamat, Teacher Anding of Kumon, friends from World Book and Phoenix Educational Systems and some celebrities too like Dulce, the power house singer who has recently been active in the Christian renewal movement. It had been an exciting day at the fair!

My First Author Visit @ Miriam College Grade School

 My first author visit at Miriam College Grade School was sponsored by Anvil Publishing House. I have an essay that landed in Elbert Or's After the Storm published by Anvil last year (2010). I included the book in the show-tell part of the talk. I told a story also, from Tales From the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk stories and shared about the writing process to the grade four students. I had three batches of 140 grade four gilrs!

The banner that Miriam College GS Dept. prepared for my welcome!

I gave writing activities too for the girls. Got great feedback from Ms. Monette Basco, Reading Coordinator. Best of all, from the girls because many lined up after for my autograph. I could not believe I was signing their journals and notebooks!

Of course I was nervous at the start! Who wouldn't be? But it turned out really great because the girls were able to write drafts of a possible short story that they can work on later.

This is what I love best -- telling stories! Writing is not easy work, really but I look forward to my next author visit. It is such a joy to be with kids who are interested to listen, dream, write and share stories.

Book Launch: Top Ten Travels

Scott Lee Chua, a former student, will be launching his books about places he's been to. Congrats Scott!

After the Storm: Stories on Ondoy

Last year, I wrote an essay on my Ondoy experience. I sent this to Elbert Or who was then putting together a collection of essays on the disaster. Almost a year after, he sends an email bearing good news!

The book, with the final title of After the Storm: Stories on Ondoy has been printed by Anvil Publishing, and should be in stores by...next week! There will also be a soft launch during the Manila International Book Fair.

Proceeds, as mentioned before, will all go to charity, with a focus on community rebuilding and livelihood programs to help those who are, up to now, still recovering from last year's typhoons.

The soft launch in the Manila International Book Fair sounds delightful. I just hope it won't coincide with the storytelling gig I scheduled for librarians of Lucena, Quezon.

I implore you to buy the book. It's for a good cause. Besides, it's my first book out as contributor.

The Perks of Storytelling

Last Thursday, I was at Lantana, Cubao telling stories to preschool and primary grades students. My program included two book based Storytelling, draw-and-tell, participative telling and several stories from Dianne De Las Casas' Handmade Tales. For this session, I told Ang Alamat ng Lamok, Pandakotyong and Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin from the Lola Basyang Series of Anvil/

It was an enjoyable session! I was amazed at the kids' reactions when after each telling, a group of them would hug me or give me a kiss. There were several boys and girls in the grade one level who even asked for blessings (mano po). The perks! The school Immaculada Concepcion Cathedral School is a Catholic school. I was there the whole day. My voice was nearly lost at the end of the gig, but, after an hour or so of quiet time, it got back to its normal strength.

There I met the librarian, Ms. Divina Ramirez who attended my workshop on storytelling in 2004. I was so embarrassed for I no longer remember her. She was so proud to tell me that she follows the library activities I shared in the workshop like author visits and yes, regular storytelling.

A storyteller in the Philippines doesn't earn much. Then again, when I think about it, nothing will compensate the work that a storyteller does. I delight in meeting people and performing, losing myself to their smiles, their laughters and the emotions they give back. I am thankful to Anvil Publishing, and people who continuously give me the opportunity to do what I am passionate about.