Cebu, the Second Time Around

Cebu had been kind. The PBBY workshop we had last July 20, 2013 at San Jose Recolletos was well attended by teachers and librarians. The participants were all game! Cebuanos and Cebuanas do know how to "perform" and participate in the activities that they went home with new ideas, affirmed of the literacy and library programs they do in their school, and relearned a thing or two on basic book reviewing.

One highlight for me was meeting Nancy Cudis, book blogger from Cebu. You'll find her in the blogosphere viaMemoriter. She has lots of good stuff there especially on Filipiniana and Philippine Literature.

I like Cebu because it's the kind of city that breathes. We stayed in the capitol yet, I did not feel the humidity I normally feel in urban areas. It is unique in its own way. I have to say that its uniqueness is found in the food locally served and produced there. Their lechon, I ate two kinds, is tastier than the ones I eat here in Manila. Zubuchon is still the best for me since the meat is well cooked and tastes of spices used permeate the pork's fiber (I don't know what they use but it is so savory!). At the airport, we bought cane juice and tablea chocolate while waiting for boarding.

Here's hoping I get to visit Cebu again. And stay there a bit longer to see the sites, museums and libraries included, and to hit the beach.

Celebrate NCBD: PBBY Seminar-Workshop in Cebu

July 16 is the 30th National Children's Book Day. As part of its celebration, the Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY), in partnership with Adarna House and University of San Jose- Recoletos, invites public and private school teachers and librarians to Basa, Mga Kapatid! A Free Seminar on Library Activities and Book Reviewing. The seminar will be held from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on July 20, 2013 (Saturday) at AV - Room, Saint Ezekiel Moreno Bldg., University of San Jose-Recoletos,  Basak Campus, Basak Pardo, Cebu City.

Speaking at the seminar will be outgoing PBBY Chair Zarah Gagatiga and incoming PBBY chair Tarie Sabido.

Zarah Gagatiga is a teacher librarian at Beacon Academy, she used to be the coordinator of Xavier School's Grade School Learning Resource Center and is formerly President of Kuwentista ng mga Tsikiting  (KUTING). She co-authored a book entitled Tales from the 7,000 Isles: Filipino Folk Stories published by Libraries Unlimited in 2011.  She is also an accreditor for Instructional Media for the PAASCU and has been conducting lectures and workshops on library services and storytelling in Singapore, Thailand, and Hongkong.

With an MA in English Studies from the University of the Philippines, Tarie Sabido has taught English and professional oral communication in universities such as Ateneo de Manila and De la Salle. She currently designs and develops materials for teaching English as a foreign language for goFLUENT Resources Development. She also blogs about children’s and young adult books.  Most of her blog reviews on Into the Wardrobe, Asia in the Heart, World on the Mind, and Color Online give focus and importance to Asian books.

Dear Librarian: Library Staff Supervisory Program

This month's letter sender is Rose Marie Y. Quilantang, a school librarian from Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. She wanted to know more about a supervisory program for the library. Below is her email in verbatim --

Hi Maam gud day! Hope you're doing fine.

I'm a librarian and is confused on how to make a supervisory program. Can I ask help from you? or any sample or guide. Please help me. Am working in one of the private school here in Lapu-Lapu City Cebu.

God bless you always and thank you in advance.

Respectfully yours,

Rose Marie Y. Quilantang

This is a very interesting topic that would help many library managers out there. I have invited a guest blogger to lend advise to Rose Marie. I will give my two cents worth as well. Keep visiting for our responses!